Chapter 56

The two each carried a backpack and began climbing up.
The beginning of the trail was relatively simple. Shuangyun sometimes chatted with Cheng Lang, sometimes sang a few lines. When they encountered walkers with dogs, Shuangyun enthusiastically went up to greet them and pet the dogs.
In the middle section, the trail conditions began to get somewhat complex. Large rocks needed to be crossed. Cheng Lang held Shuangyun's hand.
The two walked very carefully, so no one spoke.
Cheng Lang held her hand very tightly, never letting go for a moment.
When they reached a small waterfall, the two stopped to rest.
Shuangyun looked into the distance.
They'd already reached the upper part of the mountain. Three sides of the mountain were covered with endless maples. Bright sunlight passed through them, creating huge golden halos. The entire world was so beautiful it seemed unreal. Shuangyun almost stopped breathing.
Cheng Lang walked to her side and also admired the beautiful scenery with her.
The mountain was extremely quiet. There was no one else at this moment.
They just stood like this, without saying another word.
Continuing up the mountain, they quickly reached the summit.
The weather was very good that day. Forests dozens of kilometers away could be seen clearly. Shuangyun happily grabbed Cheng Lang's hand, telling him to look here, look there, also took many photos of Cheng Lang.
In the afternoon, the two walked down the mountain. Shuangyun unfortunately slipped on a wet spot and cut her ankle.
Cheng Lang took out the disinfectant he'd prepared in his bag and helped her treat the wound, then wrapped it with gauze. The whole process was smooth and calm. How was it so natural?
Cheng Lang asked if she wanted to be carried. Shuangyun shook her head and said it was fine, but also thought of that time she'd thrown away her crutches.
Also thought of many things from before.
They sat on a bench by the trail to rest. Shuangyun leaned her head on Cheng Lang's shoulder.
She was somewhat tired and asked Cheng Lang when sunset was.
"Still more than three hours. We can watch it here and then leave."
But Shuangyun said: "No, too long."
"Let's go." She said again.
"Are you sure you can?" He asked again.
Shuangyun laughed: "It's just a cut on my ankle."
Cheng Lang then slowed his pace and helped her slowly walk down the mountain.
That day was particularly ordinary and calm. They'd gone hiking on a beautiful mountain. Nothing earth-shattering happened during it. They didn't say any heart-racing words. They didn't even hug. He just held her hand the whole time. She cut her ankle. He helped her treat a very small wound.
Then the two continued walking down the mountain together, didn't even want to watch the sunset.
But at a certain moment near the bottom of the mountain, Shuangyun's body began to heat up intensely. Something seemed to be realized in her mind, making it impossible for her to be calm.
She'd had many ways to make days extraordinary before—constantly finding hunting targets, constantly using unusual tricks. Going to bars to drink and find fun, or doing things she'd never done.
But life wasn't all made up of these "interesting" points. The vast majority of life was ordinary, common, without special meaning, just like this day.
Ordinary hiking, ordinary hand-holding, ordinary chatting, ordinary cut. Everything was too ordinary, too common. Just like right now, they were holding hands and walking, no one speaking.
But Shuangyun felt so comfortable, so calm, so steady, so free.
He said he'd cook for her, and really cooked for that long. Every word he said was as honest as transparent glass, without impurities.
Being with Cheng Lang was like entering this quiet forest.
He surrounded you, but didn't bind you. You entered his heart, and he openly let you see everything.
They walked quietly all the way to the foot of the mountain. Neither spoke.
Around them were their footsteps, bird calls, the sound of wind through the trees. Whether it was his own illusion or not, as the two were about to leave the park, Cheng Lang also heard Shuangyun's voice.
Her voice was very light, floating in the wind:
"It seems like... just walking on like this with you... would be okay too."