CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER 202: I BELIEVE YOU

By the second emergency assembly, it was past four-thirty in the morning, and by the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was nearly five. The fog of early morning twirled and danced, and the crystalline dewdrops jubilantly whirled with the breeze.

The early birds stood proudly on the branches, singing melodiously. As people approached, they flapped away hastily. Scattered along the path were unnamed wildflowers in yellow, purple, pink, white... The air carried a sweet and fresh scent that lifted everyone’s spirits, and soon laughter and singing echoed across the mountain, adding a lively atmosphere.

Luo Ye and her small team were almost at the forefront. Hearing the boisterous sounds from behind, Xing Nong grinned and said, "Hey..., don’t you feel like we’re the enemies infiltrating the mountains?"

"Doesn’t that make you one of them too?" Luo Ye couldn’t help but roll her eyes: "This was meant to be a fun activity, how did it turn negative when it reached your lips?"

Xing Nong proudly puffed out his chest: "This is called being brave enough to criticize oneself and others." Seeing Li Qing not red-faced nor out of breath, he was somewhat surprised: "Hey Qing’er, you’ve only been training for twenty-odd days; you’ve improved remarkably fast!"

Li Qing blushed with embarrassment: "When I was in elementary school, I used to walk more than three miles to school every day, and in junior high, I ran over ten miles on mountain roads twice a week. My specialty is walking on mountain paths."

Bai Qingchu patted her chest, promising: "Qing’er, life’s tough. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, tell your sisters, we will definitely help you."

Wu Zetian wouldn’t stand for that: "Don’t just mention sisters, there are also brothers here. We’re one team; how can you ignore us?"

"That’s right, you’re the rich guy, Qing’er..." Xing Nong patted Li Qing: "If you ever need money, reach out to Wu Zetian. He might not have much else, but he’s got plenty of that!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes..." Wu Zetian nodded repeatedly, then suddenly realized something was off: "Hey, what do you mean I don’t have much else, just that?"

Zhang Youhan explained with a sly smile: "Xing Nong means you have relatively more money. Comparing other things to money, those would naturally seem less, like intelligence, wisdom..."

"Cut it out, don’t underestimate me. The money I have was earned by myself." Wu Zetian approached Luo Ye pleadingly: "Luoluo, why are you always watching Liu Xing? I’m better looking than him."

Luo Ye smiled gracefully: "Then you keep an eye on him. If he lags behind, you’ll be the one responsible."

"Luo Ye... I... won’t lag behind, no need to watch over me." Liu Xing’s face showed a hint of misery. This girl had been escorting him like a prisoner all this time, sigh...

Luo Ye glanced sideways at Liu Xing: "I don’t quite trust you..." Suddenly she noticed a stone protruding halfway out of the ground in front of Liu Xing’s feet, and quickly reached out to grab him. But she missed, and Liu Xing had already lost his balance and tumbled, rolling down the hillside!

"Liu Xing!" Everyone shouted in alarm, frozen with shock!

Luo Ye and Zhan Hao reacted first, chasing after him one after another. Fortunately, the slope wasn’t too steep and there were small trees to break the fall; otherwise, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.

"Liu Xing, feel where you’re hurt," Luo Ye ran to Liu Xing’s side, worry etching her face, as he sat propped against a pine tree.

Liu Xing smiled: "The vegetation on the hillside is very soft, and the little trees helped cushion my fall. I’m fine, just a minor sprain on my ankle. Ye’er, you guys go ahead; don’t worry about me."

"You did that on purpose!" Luo Ye’s eyes flashed with anger.

Liu Xing pushed Luo Ye gently: "What are you thinking, Ye’er? I wouldn’t inflict this on myself. Listen to me, they’re all coming down now; quickly lead everyone to get the markers, I’m waiting for the good news!"

"Liu Xing, are you alright?" Zhan Hao also came over.

Liu Xing shook his head: "I’m fine, just a sprained ankle. Squad leader, you guys go ahead, don’t mind me."

"How can we do that? How can we leave you behind in such a situation?" Zhan Hao reached out to test Liu Xing’s ankle: "It’s okay, just bear with it." He gently massaged Liu Xing’s ankle and suddenly applied a strong force. Liu Xing couldn’t help crying out in pain, but immediately felt the pain in his ankle lessen.

Zhan Hao continued to massage for a while before stopping: "Try rotating your ankle."

Liu Xing cooperated, trying it out, and gratefully smiled: "It doesn’t hurt as much as before, just a slight numb pain. Thank you, squad leader."

"No need to thank me, I’ll carry you up. Your current condition isn’t suitable for immediate strenuous exercise, but after resting for about fifteen minutes, you’ll be fine. Let me tell you, this technique has been passed down in my family for generations; otherwise, you’d be out of action for three days at least." Zhan Hao said as he squatted beside Liu Xing.

Liu Xing refused: "Even if you carry me up, I won’t be able to continue. In moments like this, stop the mothering. This selection is a one-time chance; I’ll rest a bit and then go find the head instructor. You guys should hurry along."

Others also arrived, and Xing Nong noticed Liu Xing lightly rubbing his ankle, "Liu Xing, injured your foot? How serious is it?"

Wu Zetian gave a slight pinch: "Can you still hold on?"

"The squad leader has already fixed it for me. After resting for about fifteen minutes, I’ll be fine. Please go quickly, or you’ll miss getting a place, I’m begging you!"

Luo Ye looked at everyone: "Listen to him. Go ahead now, I’ll stay and take care of him."

Xing Nong hurriedly said: "Luoluo, I’ll stay with you!"

"I’m with you!" Yaoguang declared with a determined look.

"Me too!" Li Qing also raised her hand.

"I’m staying too." Bai Qingchu hesitated for a moment, but then his gaze became firm.

Wu Zetian chuckled, "Guys have always been loyal. We share our blessings and face difficulties together; that’s the principle of Young Master Wu."

"We’re a team, we should stick together..." Zhan Hao patted Liu Xing on the shoulder: "Listen to me, let me carry you up. We can start off slowly, then catch up later. Trust me, you won’t hold everyone back."

Liu Xing’s eyes reddened, but he suddenly shouted angrily, "Why do you have to force me like this? I don’t want to go anymore. My health is more important than participating in this selection. Do you understand?"

Everyone was a bit taken aback by Liu Xing’s inexplicable anger, and for a moment, they didn’t know what to say while looking at him.

Luo Ye waved everyone off: "Listen to me, you go. I’ll talk to him. If his mindset isn’t right, he won’t be able to persist this time or the next."

"But you..." Zhan Hao looked at Luo Ye hesitantly.

Luo Ye’s expression was resolute: "After talking to him, I’ll catch up. Zhan Hao, I’m entrusting my sisters to you, take good care of them!"

"Okay, everyone follow me!" Zhan Hao didn’t insist anymore. He also saw that something was wrong with Liu Xing. He wasn’t quite clear what kind of feelings Luo Ye had for Liu Xing, but he believed that the connection between them wasn’t shallow. Perhaps letting the two of them talk it out was the wisest choice. But deep down, why did he feel a bit choked up, Nirvana?

"I want to stay with you." Xing Nong grabbed Luo Ye’s sleeve, resolutely refusing to leave, and Yaoguang also stood still.

Seeing himself yelling for so long as if Luo Ye treated him as air, Liu Xing couldn’t help but yell, "Luo Ye, can you not impose your thoughts on others like a tyrant? Leave with them. I have nothing to say to you!"

Luo Ye glanced at him sideways and pulled Xing Nong aside, lowering his voice: "Kid, you know about his father’s situation, and you also know that he’s been avoiding me. I was planning to talk to him when the time was right.

But now it’s come to the point where we must talk. If you’re here, he won’t speak. Be good and quickly catch up with Yaoguang. If you don’t place well, I won’t pay any attention to you in the future."

Xing Nong pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, if he won’t listen, just let him be. Catch up quickly yourself."

"I know." Luo Ye nodded.

"Why must you treat me like this?" Seeing Zhan Hao leading everyone away, Liu Xing slumped against a tree trunk. He had learned how stubborn Luo Ye could be more than once, and he knew that without a good reason, he wouldn’t be able to send her away today.

"When I was little and visited your house, you were the one who played with me. When I was scared and cried because I was timid, it was you who patiently comforted me. Even as we grew up, you’ve always looked after me. Therefore, I can’t let you fall behind!"

"Why bring up all these things?" Bitterness filled Liu Xing’s eyes: "The current me can’t protect you or take care of you anymore."

"Then why are you sitting for the GF exam?"

Liu Xing hesitated for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: "I have no choice but to take it!"

"No choice but to take it?" Luo Ye repeated, full of confusion.

Liu Xing bowed his head in deep thought for a while, his gaze growing determined: "Ye’er, do you trust me?"

Luo Ye nodded: "I do! Although I’m curious why you and your aunt fled, why you’re avoiding me, and how you made it into GF University, that’s all because I care. My trust in you is as strong as the trust I have in myself!"

"You’ve never doubted that I’m using you, seeking revenge on you?"

"No!" Luo Ye again affirmed with conviction: "I trust you, just as I trust myself!"

"Ye’er, you make me feel worthy!" Tears welled up in Liu Xing’s eyes: "Just for what you said, all I’ve done is worth it. Trust me, don’t ask anymore. As long as you believe I won’t hurt you, that’s enough!"

"Liu Xing, only if you tell me the truth will you truly not hurt me. From what you just said, I’ve guessed you’re being threatened, right?

And to avoid making the other party think you have the ability to target me, you’re deliberately acting weak. But have you thought about it? If this goes on for a long time, won’t they become suspicious?

By then, not only will you suffer, but so will I. If you can’t do what they want, they could send someone else, and I don’t know who they are. In this chaos, if I’m kept in the dark, do you think I’ll end up well?"

Liu Xing was suddenly startled: "Let me think it over, okay?"

Luo Ye nodded: "Alright, take your time to think and then answer me. Over the summer break, I visited Mr. Ma’s house, and it was your flying kick that saved him. So, your performance at school has puzzled me, but I didn’t have the opportunity to ask you about it."

Nuan’s first night here, a special thanks to ’tigerxuejun’ for the reward, and heartfelt thanks to you guys for subscribing to Pink for Nuan - love you all! (To be continued... For further updates, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)