The car reached the end of the highway. To get to Jian Shuibing's house, there was still a stretch of mountain road to travel.
The mountain road had been soaked soft by the rain. The winding path was muddy and difficult to navigate; one step onto it, and mud would instantly swallow the top of your shoes.
On such a muddy and rugged mountain road, an ordinary car would get stuck in the sludge.
Tractors, which usually looked incredibly rustic, could actually drive steadily on such roads thanks to their powerful engines and off-road capabilities.
Song Xinya and Qin Yuhe stepped out of their car and saw a row of tractors parked by the roadside.
The reason there was more than one was that a group of slick guys were also following them into the mountains to search for her sister, Jian Yiyi.
The tractors did not have rear trailers, and the driver's seat could fit two people.
Song Xinya turned to look at Qin Yuhe—
President Qin had a face that clearly said he didn't know how to drive a tractor.
The man with the slickest combed hair walked over. President Qin, Mrs. Qin, I know you don't know how to drive a tractor. That's fine, we all do. We can take you.
Song Xinya: No need. I know how to drive a tractor. I'll take President Qin.
Qin Yuhe looked at Song Xinya in astonishment, his eyes screaming: You actually know how to drive a tractor!
Song Xinya met his gaze. My grandmother used to live in the countryside and had a tractor at home. I learned how to drive it from her.
You have a sports car to show off, and I have a tractor to get rich.
Qin Yuhe: People who know how to drive tractors are truly rare nowadays. Teacher Song is quite multi-talented.
Song Xinya: Eye-opening, isn't it, city boy.
Qin Yuhe: ...
Song Xinya lifted her long leg, stepping onto the tractor in one stride. Gripping the steering wheel, she tilted her chin at Qin Yuhe.
President Qin, get on. Big sister will take you for a tractor ride.
Qin Yuhe didn't move. Say that again.
Song Xinya: Brother, get on. Little sister will take you for a tractor ride.
Qin Yuhe lifted his foot and, dressed in his sharp suit and leather shoes, sat on the tractor.
Chug-chug-chug-chug-chug—
The tractor started.
Accompanied by a wildly enthusiastic roar, the tractor rumbled vigorously along the mountain road.
The experience of riding a tractor naturally couldn't compare to a Rolls-Royce. The tractor had no shock absorbers whatsoever. The road was full of potholes, making the vehicle bounce non-stop, and the people bounced right along with it.
Butts lifted up, butts slammed down heavily.
After only a short while, their entire backsides were numb.
Qin Yuhe had never ridden in such a bumpy vehicle in his entire life.
He turned his head to look at Song Xinya, only to see her looking calm, without a single trace of discomfort on her face.
This wife of his had a backside forged by the trials of a tractor; she was immune to the numbness.
She looked incredibly valiant and heroic as she drove the tractor, plowing straight through ditches half a meter deep.
She drove the tractor as if it were a tank, sweeping away everything in its path.
The air, carrying the scent of earth, rushed into their faces.
A meter-deep ditch appeared ahead. Qin Yuhe asked, Stop the vehicle and discuss with the people behind us how to cross.
Song Xinya was resolute. No need.
With a burst of acceleration, the tractor flew forward.
Qin Yuhe flew forward with it.
The moment his backside landed heavily back on the tractor, it truly felt like a toad climbing a Sichuan peppercorn tree—his paws and claws went completely numb.
Qin Yuhe felt like his little heart was about to be bounced right out of his chest.
Looking at Song Xinya again, she was still enjoying herself, driving the tractor with valiant grace.
Qin Yuhe: Mrs. Qin, let me give you a nickname.
Song Xinya: What nickname?
Qin Yuhe: Bumpy.
Song Xinya: Mr. Qin, thank you for acknowledging my driving skills.
Qin Yuhe: You're welcome, Song Bumpy-ya.
The vehicle arrived at the foot of Mount Bilao.
Qin Yuhe immediately jumped off the tractor. Staying on it for even one more second would be a disrespect to his backside.
To President Qin, climbing a mountain was now no longer a burden, but a sweet release.
The rest of the group also got off their tractors and began to climb Mount Bilao.
Considering that Song Xinya was a girl, the Slick-haired Manager asked Qin Yuhe for instructions: President Qin, do you need us to help support Mrs. Qin as we climb the mountain?
Qin Yuhe: No need.
Slick-haired Manager: President Qin, you don't need to be polite with us. We don't mind the fatigue.
Qin Yuhe: What I care about is that I don't want anyone else touching my wife. Understood?
With such direct words, only a fool wouldn't understand. The Slick-haired Manager nodded like a pounding garlic pestle: Understood, understood, understood.
Qin Yuhe: I'll walk in front to test the stability of every step and prevent any landslides that might cause a fall.
In reality, he was risking himself. If the mountain path beneath their feet gave way, he would fall first, using his own safety as a warning to prevent her from falling.
Song Xinya asked worriedly, What if you fall down?
Qin Yuhe said with certainty, I won't fall down.
Song Xinya: Why?
Qin Yuhe: My wife will bless and protect me.
Song Xinya paused for a moment, a trace of shyness in her upturned lips. How could I protect you?
Qin Yuhe: My wife is a fairy.
Song Xinya's heart melted into a soft, tingling puddle.
He walked in front to clear the way, and she followed closely behind him.
Bright light spilled down from the sky. The white shirt he wore looked elegant and refined, and his tall, sturdy body was like a wall that could block the wind and rain, making one feel at ease.
Along the way, Qin Yuhe kept reminding Song Xinya, If you're tired, tell me.
Time slowly trickled down like sand in an hourglass. The sunlight went from bright to soft, then turned into an orange-tinted golden yellow, and finally faded into a hazy gray.
Song Xinya followed Qin Yuhe from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, and from the mountainside to the peak.
She did not utter a single word about being tired.
Walking down from the peak, they passed a relatively steep downward slope. Song Xinya's exhausted legs lost their agility. Her foot slipped, and her body lost control, pitching forward.
Ah—
The scream lasted less than two seconds before Qin Yuhe stretched out his arm, grabbed her, and pulled her into his embrace.
Song Xinya was filled with lingering fear and hugged him tightly.
If not for his timely pull, she would have rolled down the mountainside and been battered and bruised.
Qin Yuhe held her tightly with one hand and gently patted her back with the other. It's okay now, I'm here.
Song Xinya calmed her emotions in his arms and took a deep breath. Let's keep going.
Qin Yuhe took off his suit jacket and tied it around her waist.
He turned around, standing with his back to her, and squatted down. His hands firmly gripped her thighs, and with a strong upward hoist, he lifted her onto his back.
I'll carry you down the mountain on my back.
Song Xinya: You can't. Carrying someone down a mountain is too dangerous.
Qin Yuhe: It might be hard for other men, but for me, it's like walking on flat ground.
His words held a domineering tenderness. Don't tell me not to carry you. As long as I am around, I will never allow any accidents to happen to you.
Song Xinya rested against his back, wrapping her hands around his neck.
He carried her down the mountain, step by step, very steadily.
The daylight faded from gray to complete darkness. The moon rose, and moonlight as clear as water plated the two of them.
Under the bright moonlight, their figures merged, and their reflections on the ground were stretched long.
Stepping on a floor of moonlight, he carried her steadily down the mountain, as if he could walk all the way to the end of time.
Song Xinya said she could get down and walk on her own.
Qin Yuhe looked at her bruised ankle and told her it was out of the question.
He carried her on his back all the way from the summit to the foot of the mountain, hiking the rugged trail for four full hours.
