DCTMOAS Chapter 17

Yu Siting noticed Chu Cheng checking the weather out of the corner of his eye and sighed lightly. “Don’t bother. Just a little rain.”

Only then did Chu Cheng relax. “That shouldn’t be a problem. A few raindrops might even cool things off a bit.”

Yu Siting gave a silent nod of agreement. He lowered his head and reached into the storage compartment between their seats, pulling out two clear plastic food bags and handing them over.

“Breakfast.”

Chu Cheng took a closer look and saw that the two bags held different items. One had buns and a sealed cup of century egg and pork congee; the other had sesame balls and red date soy milk.

So he said, “You choose first.”

Yu Siting replied, “I already ate.”

Chu Cheng looked a bit puzzled. “Then why are there two portions?”

“One’s sweet, the other’s savory. I wasn’t sure what you liked.” Yu Siting’s tone was calm and matter-of-fact.

Chu Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly and picked up the soy milk, cradling the paper cup, which was still faintly warm, as he silently mulled things over.

So thoughtful and patient… No wonder he can help his sister take care of a kid. Even if you wouldn’t guess it just by looking at him.

Since Chu Cheng didn’t seem like he planned to go back to sleep, Yu Siting turned on the Bluetooth and started playing music through the car speakers.

His playlist seemed tailored for long-distance driving—instrumental tracks with no lyrics, full of rhythm and energy, invigorating without being noisy.

Chu Cheng rolled the window down, letting the brisk, refreshing wind rush in. In an instant, the car was filled with a sense of freedom and wildness. He moved lightly to the beat of the music, swaying his body.

“Already this hyped right after waking up?”

Yu Siting felt the joy coming from the passenger seat and seemed a little affected by it himself. He turned the steering wheel with one hand, guiding the car onto another road—this one even more open, winding through towering ancient trees. The SUV sped forward smoothly, flying through the wild.

Layer upon layer of ridges, mountains folding into rivers.

Beneath the misty mountain fog, the vast and pristine natural landscape, coupled with the wide-open view, made one feel completely refreshed in both body and soul.

Chu Cheng stretched his arms and muscles, tilted his head into the wind, and replied, “Mm~ Feels like I’m on the run, and the cops are already chasing me.”

Yu Siting curved his lips slightly, a rare smile blooming on his usually cool and indifferent face. His sharp eyes and handsome brows carried a different kind of charm.

The sky gradually brightened as the sun climbed over the mountaintop.

At last, the two of them arrived at their destination — also the starting point of their bike ride.

Yu Siting parked the car and turned off the engine. “We won’t be able to drive inside the valley. We’ll head in from here after a short break.”

“Mm.” Chu Cheng got out of the car, stretching his body, tense from the bumpy ride.

This was truly a hidden vacation spot — deep and quiet within the valley. The weather was neither hot nor humid, making it perfect for exercise and relaxation.

Yu Siting glanced at his watch. “Riding a loop inside the valley and coming back out should take around five to six hours. We’ll drive back in the evening — the timing’s just right.”

Chu Cheng was busy stuffing all his essentials — fitness tracker, water bottle, etc. — into his bag. Upon hearing this, he cautiously asked, “Wait a minute, I have a question.”

“What is it?” Yu Siting looked at him, puzzled, as Chu Cheng took on a very serious student-like demeanor.

Chu Cheng said, “If I can’t keep riding halfway through, will that mess up your plan?”

Yu Siting, kneeling on one knee while reassembling the front and rear wheels of their bikes, shook his head. “No. The time I just mentioned already accounts for your stamina and rest breaks.”

Chu Cheng: “……”

Even if it’s a fact, that’s just plain hurtful.

Once everything was ready, the two of them set off, pushing their bikes along the path.

As they wound their way through the mountain trail, a light rain did start to fall — just as the forecast had predicted — but it didn’t bother them at all.

In early October, the maple leaves in the valley hadn’t yet reached their peak red hue. Instead, the orange-reds and bright yellows blended together in layers of vivid, fiery beauty.

Besides the maples, the trail was also lined with green pines, ginkgos, and various trees with colorful leaves, creating a breathtaking mix of landscapes.

Yu Siting, mindful of his companion’s physical strength, didn’t go full speed to chase thrills. Thanks to this, Chu Cheng’s cycling experience was elevated to a whole new level.

However, for some reason, halfway through the ride, Chu Cheng started feeling a persistent itch on the back of his neck. During a break, he reached back to scratch it, but the spot began to sting like tiny needle pricks.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Siting noticed something was off and stopped to check in.

Chu Cheng said, “My back feels a little uncomfortable.”

“Want me to take a look?” Yu Siting had noticed him constantly reaching behind and asked for permission.

Chu Cheng, struggling with the pain and itching, nodded and unzipped his jacket.

His back was straight and fair-skinned — any small mark or scratch stood out clearly. Near the left side, just below the neck, was a small red bump, already swollen a bit from scratching.

Yu Siting frowned. “Could be from the rain — too humid. Maybe a bug fell from the trees onto your neck?”

Chu Cheng tried to recall. “Ah… now that you mention it, I think I remember a bug landing on my shoulder earlier. But at the time, it didn’t feel uncomfortable.”

“What did the bug look like?” Yu Siting asked.

“Black, I think. Roundish,” Chu Cheng replied a bit uncertainly.

Yu Siting followed up, “Did it have wings?”

Chu Cheng answered, “Yes, it could fly.”

“No antennae? How many legs did it have?”

“…Why do you…”

Yu Siting maintained his position behind Chu Cheng as he spoke. Chucheng couldn’t see his expression, but found the string of questions a bit strange. After a pause, he refused to continue answering.

Yu Siting noticed the silence and finally realized, chuckling in a low voice, “I asked so much just to try and figure out what kind of bug it was, to see if it might be poisonous.”

Chu Cheng replied softly, “I don’t remember clearly. It should be fine.”

“Mm.” Yu Siting gave a soothing response, then pulled a tube of ointment from his bag and applied it to Chu Cheng’s back. “This stuff works well. I got bitten while cycling before—once I put this on, it stopped itching.”

The ointment was a pale green with a faint herbal scent, cool against the skin.

Chu Cheng wore a plain white crew-neck shirt underneath. To keep the ointment from staining his clothes, he tugged at the collar, holding it open while he waited for it to absorb and dry.

Cold raindrops landed on his shoulder and slid down, soaking the thin fabric.

The damp shirt clung to his skin, turning slightly translucent in a suggestive way. Combined with Chu Cheng’s innocent and bright features, the sight made Yu Siting’s fingers pause as he applied the ointment, his gaze shifting slightly away.

The rain began falling more steadily, and they needed to find shelter.

Yu Siting straightened up, wiped his refined jawline with the back of his hand, and suggested, “Let’s head north.”

“Mm.” Chu Cheng threw his jacket back on and followed with his bike.

After walking a short distance, they spotted a bamboo courtyard house nestled quietly in the landscape.

Chu Cheng, observing the remote and hidden location, asked, “Have you been here before?”

“Once or twice. People who bike around here usually stop by for tea or food,” Yu Siting explained as he pushed open the bamboo gate with a creak.

The courtyard was full of deliberately planted trees and flowers, though not meticulously maintained. Instead, they thrived wildly under the sun and rain.

The environment was rustic and tidy. It didn’t feel like a restaurant at all—more like a humble countryside home welcoming guests.

Inside the house, it seemed empty.

The interior had a simple, vintage style—slightly chaotic but with its own order. The long table by the door was covered in plants, with one end used as a bar counter, hanging a handwritten, messy menu. One of the drawers was left open, and inside were a watch, tablet, and cash, all casually placed.

Chu Cheng asked in confusion, “Leaving everything open like this—aren’t they afraid of theft?”

Yu Siting shook his head. “Probably not. Almost everyone who finds this place is either a regular or brought by a friend. The owner’s probably gone off to watch something fun again.”

Just as he finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

“I’m here, I’m here!”

The newcomer looked to be in his thirties or forties, casually dressed. He jogged in as he spoke, “Oh man, there was this young guy who wanted to propose to his cycling girlfriend here, and in all the excitement, he dropped the ring into the maple forest. Now everyone’s out there with their butts in the air looking for it.”

He chattered away before finally looking up and spotting Yu Siting. A grin spread across his face. “It’s you! Been a while. On holiday?”

The boss’s question was a bit strange, as if he were a recluse here with no need to keep track of time, completely unaware that it was the National Day holiday.

Yu Siting just nodded.

The boss glanced at Chu Cheng behind him and said, “Oh, you brought a friend this time. Want something to eat?”

Yu Siting wasn’t as familiar with him, his tone cool: “Every time I order, you never make it. Just recommend something.”

The boss chuckled and asked, “Any dietary restrictions? I made a soup with black fish, ginseng, and astragalus. Want to try it? I caught the fish this morning—super fresh. Plus I dug up some wild ginseng myself, good for warming the body, driving out the cold, and boosting vitality.”

Yu Siting looked at Chu Cheng, silently asking for his opinion.

Chu Cheng replied, “Sure, I like fish soup.”

Yu Siting turned back to the boss. “Then we’ll go with that.”

“Alright,” the boss said cheerfully, then headed to the kitchen.

Just as he claimed, the fish soup had just finished cooking. When it was brought out, it was still steaming, served in a clay pot. The aroma was rich but not greasy, and the fish was impeccably cleaned—no trace of any fishy smell.

Yu Siting served a bowl and handed it over. The soup was clear with a creamy white hue, dotted with goji berries. Even the color looked delicious.

“Thanks.”

Chu Cheng hadn’t even touched his spoon when a voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Someone was shouting, leaning against the wall: “Lao Zhao! We found the ring! The proposal’s happening now—are you coming or not?”

“Hey! I’m coming!” The boss immediately got flustered, yanking off his apron and calling toward the dining area, “Just leave everything when you’re done eating. Put the money on the bar. If you didn’t bring any, just pay me next time. I’m off—I don’t want to miss the fun!”

With that, he hurried out of the courtyard and disappeared.

Yu Siting set his bowl down and moved slightly. Chu Cheng guessed he was going to pay the bill and quickly reached into his athletic jacket.

Even though he knew there was a financial gap between them, he felt bad letting Yu Siting cover even more after already paying for gas. He couldn’t let him foot the bill again.

“Don’t bother. There’s barely any signal here. Just eat.” Yu Siting said, pulling out two notes of cash from his pocket and slipping them into the drawer under the bar.

“I’ll transfer it to you when we get back,” Chu Cheng mumbled. “Even if I don’t make thousands a month, I should still have human rights, right?”

Yu Siting saw how persistent he was and didn’t argue. He simply nodded and said, “Alright.”

Satisfied, Chu Cheng lowered his head and resumed drinking his fish soup.

“Looks like your stomach isn’t entirely dependent on fast food and coffee.” Yu Siting watched him for a moment before suddenly speaking.

Chu Cheng didn’t lift his head, just shot him a sideways glance: “You’ve been holding that sarcasm in for half a day, huh?”

“I just mean you should take better care of yourself. Don’t rely too much on being young and strong.”

Back when he used to accompany Chu Cheng during evening study sessions at school, Yu Siting had often seen him casually ordering takeout to get through dinner.

“I’m not aiming to live to a hundred.” Chu Cheng slowly stirred the soup in his bowl. “When life’s going well, you’ve gotta enjoy it while you can. Sometimes, a little health is worth trading for happiness.”

Yu Siting’s expression changed slightly upon hearing that, and his tone grew low and deliberate: “I suppose it’s because your uncle has a good temper. If Lu Yan had said something like that to my face, I probably would’ve thrown hands.”

“To be honest, if he heard it, I’d get beat up too.” Chu Cheng smiled with curved eyes, as if starlight shimmered in his gaze.

“Ever since you were a kid, haven’t other parents always warned their children to stay away from you? Afraid you’d be a bad influence?” Yu Siting recalled the books written by the old man and the ambitions Chu Cheng had set as a child.

“I’m not that much of a scourge,” Chu Cheng replied, leaning back comfortably, still smiling. “Even the most spectacular views have already been seen by someone. But someone still needs to come and taste fish soup in a small, out-of-the-way courtyard like this.”

After he finished speaking, Chu Cheng glanced around at the rustic and leisurely surroundings. Thinking of the easygoing owner of the bamboo courtyard, he suddenly seemed to understand something.

“Mr. Yu, when I told you about my dream that day, and you invited me to go cycling—it wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment thing, was it?”

“Mhm. Think of it as a way to catch a glimpse of the other half of the life you never lived,” Yu Siting said as he scooped a bowl of fish soup for himself with the long-handled ladle, speaking unhurriedly as he moved with calm precision. “Life doesn’t come with a fixed framework. As long as it’s something you’re willing to do, you can live a thousand different lives.”

And you, just so happen to…

…dream not of mountains and rivers, but of the smoke and fire of the human world.