HCILH Ch. 67

Chapter 67: Climbing the Mountain

On Saturday morning, just as dawn broke, while other students enjoyed their weekend, the members of the tennis team gathered on campus.

Their task? Run from Fengyu High School to the foot of the mountain and then climb it.

Hearing this, Ran Shu felt utterly hopeless. What kind of plan is this?

Wasn’t the competition over? Weren’t things supposed to be more relaxed afterward?

And now this?

While doing warm-ups, Deng Yiheng turned back to Ran Shu and Sui Houyu, saying: “Count yourselves lucky. Other teams run with weights and then climb the mountain. There’s a staircase on that mountain with over a thousand steps, and they train there—up and down—repeatedly.”

Ran Shu’s expression soured: “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Except for the freshmen and Sui Houyu and Ran Shu, the rest of the team was already familiar with the routine. After lining up, Hou Mo led the group on a run toward the mountain’s base.

Coach Wang drove ahead, bringing Su Anyi and some supplies to meet them there.

Xiangjia Alley, where their school was located, was known for its beautiful scenery by the water. Recently, the area had been developed into a resort, and Xiangjia Alley took pride in its picturesque environment.

One of the nearby mountains had been developed into a tourist attraction, but unfortunately, they visited during the awkward autumn period. The trees were shedding their leaves, leaving little to admire.

Not much scenery to enjoy.

Climbing the mountain wasn’t tiring for Sui Houyu, but he had to keep an eye on Ran Shu.

Walking beside him, Hou Mo asked teasingly: “Ran Shu, with stamina like that, how are you ever going to date anyone?”

Ran Shu’s legs were trembling from exhaustion, leaving him too weak to banter back: “M-Mind your own business. It’s not like it’s any of your concern.”

Sui Houyu, concerned, suggested: “How about I carry you up?”

Ran Shu shook his head firmly: “N-No way. Even if you’ve got energy to burn, your body can still get tired. If I really can’t go any further, I’ll wait for you guys halfway.”

Sang Xian, who was a few steps ahead, turned back and grabbed Ran Shu by the arm: “There’s a group photo at the summit, and we’ll be cheering each other on. It’s better if you come along.”

It was as if Sang Xian were carrying a chick—he effortlessly pulled Ran Shu along for several steps.

Annoyed, Ran Shu retorted: “I don’t need to join in. I’m just part of the logistics team.”

“What, you want Hou Mo to stand next to your Brother Yu in the photo?” Sang Xian asked with a sly grin.

This immediately fired Ran Shu up: “Drag me if you have to. I’ll crawl to the top if it comes to that!”

Hou Mo was really afraid of Ran Shu.

He knew full well that, in Sui Houyu’s heart, he couldn’t hold a candle to Ran Shu. But whenever Sui Houyu didn’t pay him any mind, Hou Mo couldn’t help sulking.

There was no use competing over it. He admitted defeat and stopped bickering with Ran Shu.

By the time they were two-thirds of the way up, Hou Mo handed Sui Houyu a bottle of water.

Taking it, Sui Houyu noticed the cap was already loosened. He took a sip and passed it back to Hou Mo.

“What’s in their backpacks? They’re huge, but they don’t look heavy,” Sui Houyu asked, pointing to Deng Yiheng and Shen Junjing.

At the mountain’s base, Coach Wang had handed out not just food and water but also several large backpacks.

Curiosity got the better of Sui Houyu, and he asked Hou Mo directly.

“You’ll find out at the top,” Hou Mo replied with a mischievous smirk, stashing the water back in his bag. “Need me to push you up?”

“No need. My stamina’s better than yours.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. You’ve got mental energy, but your body isn’t invincible. My physical fitness is superior.”

Sui Houyu gave Hou Mo a sideways glance, unimpressed: “Are you picking a fight with me?”

Hou Mo grinned smugly: “Feeling competitive again?”

“Heh.” Sui Houyu snorted coldly in response.

Soon, the exhausted team members witnessed the scene: Hou Mo and Sui Houyu seemed locked in a silent competition, determined to outdo each other as they climbed to the top.

How do these two have so much energy?

Ran Shu, watching from below, grabbed onto Sang Xian’s arm and said with a trembing voice “Help me up there… I’ll buy you a pair of shoes!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized Sang Xian was probably richer than him.

Sang Xian glanced at him and, without hesitation, hoisted him onto his shoulder.

Ran Shu squirmed uncomfortably: “This is way too rough! Can’t you cushion it a bit?”

Sang Xian stopped, grabbed Deng Yiheng’s jacket, folded it casually, and placed it on his shoulder before continuing to carry Ran Shu up the mountain.

Ran Shu was quite the character; despite being carried with his head backward, he still chatted with Deng Yiheng and the others behind them, stumbling over his words yet having a good time.

Su Anyi, being a strong woman, helped carry the food while climbing and didn’t lag behind.

A few boys wanted to flatter her but couldn’t find the chance.

When the group reached the top of the mountain, they gathered to rest.

Sui Houyu sat on a rock, looking at the scenery below. Even though the leaves had nearly all fallen, a clear spring still flowed down below. The mountains, streams, blue sky, and white clouds created a clean, clear sky.

A gentle breeze brushed against him, ruffling Sui Houyu’s thick hair, and he suddenly felt quite good.

After the team organized for a while, Hou Mo suddenly came over and pulled Sui Houyu up. Looking at the positions Deng Yiheng and the others were standing in, and checking the wind direction, he led Sui Houyu to a spot. “This should be suitable.”

Sui Houyu was confused but complied and stood next to Hou Mo.

Deng Yiheng shouted to those around: “Are you ready?”

Some team members raised their phones to record, some stood beside Hou Mo and the others, while some just watched from the side.

The few people in Deng Yiheng’s group simultaneously opened the large bags, and as they opened the bag flaps, hundreds and thousands of petals were sprinkled out.

These petals were from roses or wild flowers, separated and placed into bags.

As they fluttered in the wind, the petals danced and twirled with the breeze.

The previously bare mountaintop suddenly filled with petals, creating a breathtaking scene reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom.

With no beautiful scenery in this season, they created their own.

The petals were still part of nature, and drifting away was like falling leaves; it wouldn’t harm the environment.

Self-sufficiency was their style.

Sui Houyu watched the petals dancing in the sky and felt a sudden thrill, looking up at Hou Mo, unable to help but smile.

However, he quickly closed his mouth and eyes as a flurry of petals came at him, swept away by the wind. They were soft and gentle, brushing against his cheeks like kisses from the petals.

Turning back to see the petals flying down the mountain created a scene like something from a fantasy drama.

He suddenly thought that this mountain climb was quite interesting.

Standing on the mountaintop, Deng Yiheng cupped his hands into a trumpet shape and shouted down: “I want to go to Dongti!”

Sui Houyu looked over and heard Hou Mo say beside him: “I’m going to find Lu Yanxin, but Dongti is great. It’s a good goal. My daughter-in-law will help my son grow; I’m very satisfied as a father.”

At this moment, the others joined in with their goals.

Someone suddenly shouted: “I want to see Su Anyi get a princess cut!”

This seemed to resonate with a group of boys, and others joined in: “I want to see Su Anyi get a princess cut too!”

Su Anyi, originally standing aside watching them set their goals, was a bit confused when her name was called. Seeing people looking back at her, she immediately shook her head: “I don’t like that hairstyle.”

A few boys looked a bit dejected.

Su Anyi tilted her head suddenly: “But if you guys make it to the national finals, I’ll get it and cheer for you.”

The boys instantly perked up with excitement.

After standing still and pondering for a long time, Sui Houyu finally shouted: “I want to be number one in the world!”

Hou Mo was startled and patted his shoulder to remind him: “That’s too big a goal; let’s set a smaller one first.”

He thought for a moment and shouted again: “I want to be number one in the country!”

Hou Mo chimed in with Sui Houyu: “I want to accompany Sui Houyu to become number one in the country!”

The group was like they had been pumped with adrenaline, buzzing with excitement at the mountaintop.

When it came time to take a group photo, Ran Shu stood on Sui Houyu’s left, while Hou Mo stood on his right, and everyone gathered for a photo.

In the picture, everyone was happy, facing the wind with beaming smiles.

Afterward, they would face the national competition together.

This time, Sui Houyu and Hou Mo would be prepared, and there would be no lack of coordination.

The opponents they once thought were difficult are all the goals they want to challenge.

They would defeat them on by one.

Ambitious boys—always striving, never backing down.