CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: HOLD ME TIGHT, LITTLE ONE

Amelia Wright was on the mountainside, already so exhausted she was close to collapsing.

The phone rang, and although her hand was shaking from breathing so heavily, she still reached for the phone.

Her phone was set to Do Not Disturb mode, so calls couldn’t come through, except from the only person on her whitelist, Emily Allen.

Amelia was afraid Emily wouldn’t be able to find her.

Emily got through on the phone: "Auntie, where did you go? It’s almost dark, when will you be back?"

Amelia, gasping, replied gently, "Uncle Elijah took me mountain climbing, I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Be a good girl and go to bed early, let Hailey Smith take you to kindergarten tomorrow."

Emily responded obediently, "Okay, Auntie, have fun, don’t worry about me."

It was rare for Auntie to go out and have fun, and Emily was quite happy.

He was still too young, and he hoped he’d grow up quickly, so he could protect Auntie someday.

Amelia hung up the phone, still breathing heavily.

It was almost dark, and they were still halfway up the mountain. Elijah was in no hurry, quietly waiting and handing Amelia a water bottle.

Elijah smiled and said, "Have you rested enough? We should almost continue now."

Amelia, drinking water, paused her breath at the mention of continuing, and ended up choking on the water.

Bending over, she began to cough violently, her face turning red, tears welling up, and she pitifully looked up at Elijah.

Elijah’s smile paused, and he awkwardly shifted his gaze away.

This little one seemed completely unaware of the impact her demeanor had; even he felt a pang of reluctance in urging her to continue climbing.

Amelia, however, tremblingly stood up, "Let’s go, I won’t rest anymore; the more I rest, the less I want to get up."

Her energy was already depleted, but she persevered without knowing what she was striving for.

Elijah responded with a nod, walking behind Amelia with a large hiking backpack.

The reason for walking behind was mainly due to Amelia’s shaky legs, and he feared she might stumble and roll down the mountain.

The sun was gradually setting, the sky darkening; once it got dark, climbing would be unsuitable.

If they didn’t reach the summit by dark, they wouldn’t see the sunrise tomorrow.

Suddenly stopping, Amelia looked up at the summit, the winding mountain path seemingly endless.

As if trapped in the depths of hell, she felt she’d never ascend.

The determination in Amelia’s eyes gradually disappeared.

She no longer wanted to climb.

Thinking there would be no good outcome, she focused solely on vengeance, avoiding unnecessary struggle.

Love, friendship, family—she felt she shouldn’t long for any of it.

She wouldn’t make it to the top, wouldn’t see the sunrise.

So be it...

Amelia’s body went limp, drowsily falling, and a pair of broad hands caught her from behind.

Elijah resolutely said, "We’ve made it halfway; are you going to give up?"

Amelia looked at Elijah with a pale face, "I can’t make it."

Elijah firmly said, "I can help you walk."

Amelia wanted to say it wasn’t possible, but she didn’t struggle.

Elijah supported her and continued climbing.

After walking some unknown distance further, Amelia was drenched in sweat, her legs moving mechanically, the motions becoming numb.

She weakly said, "Elijah, let’s stop."

Elijah, seeing her pale face, stopped.

He didn’t necessarily need Amelia to reach the summit, but he had a bad premonition, feeling that giving up now would make her lose something crucial.

Without Elijah’s support, Amelia couldn’t stand steadily.

She quietly murmured, "Some people are just meant to stay down, even efforts are futile."

Perhaps Amelia’s words carried too much sorrow, causing a tremor in Elijah’s heart.

He directly reached out and picked Amelia up.

With a backpack on his back and things in hand, he embraced her like a child, cradling her legs and lifting her up.

Amelia, unused to others’ closeness, tried to push away.

Before she could exert any force, Elijah’s cold voice said, "It’s alright if you can’t; I’ll take you."

Amelia’s pushing hand halted.

Elijah’s steady voice sounded beside her ear: "Little one, you’ll see the sunrise."

Amelia put down her hand and rested it on Elijah’s shoulder.

Jade Peak Mountain was high. Elijah carried a backpack with a tent and various supplies, which was already heavy, plus also carrying Amelia made it incredibly demanding, even for someone with great stamina.

Elijah seemed unfazed by the strain, confidently saying, "Little one, hold on tight, here we go!"

Amelia gently held Elijah’s neck to avoid burdening him too much, watching as they steadily approached the summit.

Sweat droplets fell from Elijah’s forehead, but his face bore a bright smile, filled with resolve.

Amelia remained silent, unsure what to do, using a tissue to wipe the sweat from Elijah’s forehead.

Elijah, with his dark eyes, looked at Amelia.

Amelia, pale and weak, didn’t utter a word.

Elijah quickly looked away, not daring to linger.

This little one, if looked at too much, became irresistibly attractive.

At first, he simply thought this little one was pitiful, later realizing her frailness hid great strength—madness on the racetrack, elegance at the auction, gentleness in the old town—this was all her.

Some said, when you can’t help but keep watching someone, you can’t help but like them.

Elijah didn’t know if he liked Amelia, but he wanted her to be a bit happier.

So they continued in silence, with only Elijah’s heavy breathing audible.

Elijah carried Amelia all the way to the summit.

He set Amelia down, laying on the ground, tired but smiling.

Amelia sat beside Elijah and softly said, "It’s dark now."

Elijah’s voice still smiled, "Yes, but we made it up."

Amelia said nothing more, sitting on the ground, hugging her legs, her emotions extremely complicated.

She was brought to the summit by someone—did this result also count?

If...in that bloody, sinful hell, she couldn’t escape on her own, would it be alright if someone saved her?

Amelia fell into deep thought.

Elijah lay on the ground for a while, seeing Amelia in a daze, he didn’t disturb her, and instead found a spot to pitch the tent.

When Amelia came back to her senses, Elijah was almost done setting up the second tent.

Amelia apologized slightly, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

Elijah shook his head, seeing Amelia’s apologetic face, he added, "If you’re free, take out the ingredients from the backpack. I’ll cook after lighting a fire."

Amelia immediately went for the backpack. Elijah carried her up the latter part of the way, and though her legs still trembled a bit from rest, she could just about move.

She opened the backpack and laid out the items one by one.

After setting up the tent, Elijah washed his hands at a puddle and started a fire.

He brought a small pot, sufficient drinking water, and ingredients.

Seeing all the necessities, Amelia was surprised at how much Elijah had carried, even with the extra weight of carrying her, she wondered how Elijah had such incredible stamina.

The soup in the water began to boil, and Elijah added the ingredients.

The night mountain breeze was cool; Amelia drew her jacket tighter, finally understanding why thick clothing was needed for mountain climbing.

Elijah poured a bowl of soup, handing it to Amelia, "Try my mushroom soup."

Amelia held the soup, letting it cool for a while, lightly blowing on it, sipping with small mouthfuls.

Her small face enveloped in misty warmth looked stunningly beautiful.

Elijah quickly shifted his gaze away, not daring to look further.

She was like a delicate kitten, why so fragile.

The two drank mushroom soup atop Jade Peak Mountain.

Basil Smith, meanwhile, couldn’t find Amelia even after nightfall.

Basil’s whole face turned dark. The Young Madam, after injuring the young master, left with a man and hadn’t returned by night.

Feeling indignant, he returned to the Imperial Garden, where the young master had already lost control.

Standing at a distance by the door, Basil reported, "Madam went out with Elijah, and hasn’t returned late into the night."

"Snap."

Godfery Shaw forcibly crushed the cup in his hand.