Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Beneath the clear, azure dome lies an endless, tranquil lake, with vast grasslands stretching out behind it.

Standing between heaven and earth, Yu He's heart feels boundless and transcendent, as if he's risen above worldly matters.

Lake Hasu, like a piece of jade, cascades down upon the expansive grasslands. Since it hasn't been overly developed, the nearshore is overrun with reeds, untamed and unruly.

This secluded lake hidden deep in the grasslands beyond the northwest frontier is meant to be just like this.

While Yu He was marveling at the endless creations of nature, Fu Yunzhen had already set up the base of the tent.

Time seems to flow differently for Fu Yunzhen than it does for Yu He.

In the time it took Yu He to glance at the lake, Fu Yunzhen had already accomplished so much without him noticing.

Yu He approached Fu Yunzhen, "I was just standing by the lake for a moment, and you've already set up the tent?"

Fu Yunzhen, half-kneeling on the ground and hammering a peg into the soil, replied, “Mr. Yu’s ‘moment’ is fifteen minutes long.”

"Did I really stand there that long?" Yu He crouched next to Fu Yunzhen, searching through a bag for the right tool, “Setting up a tent is tough work for one person. Why didn’t you call me?”

Fu Yunzhen pulled the tool bag away, not letting Yu He touch anything, “Don’t mess things up, go play on your own.”

Knowing his own lack of handiwork skills and that messing up would only make more work for Fu Yunzhen, Yu He withdrew his hands and switched to crouching on his other leg, "Then what can I do to help you?"

Fu Yunzhen responded, “There’s a green bag in the trunk; bring it here.”

Standing up and walking towards the car, Yu He replied, “Okay, whatever you need, I'll get it for you.”

Without looking up, Fu Yunzhen said, "There are snacks in the bag. You can sit by the lake and enjoy them, but don't litter the plastic bag."

Yu He: "......"

Damn, I’m being treated like a kid.

Do I look like a three-year-old? He's really babying me!

This Fu Yunzhen!

Yu He took the snacks from the trunk and walked angrily towards the lake, where a faint mist hovered over the deep waters, creating an ethereal fairyland.

He obediently sat by the lake, alternating his gaze between the water and Fu Yunzhen.

Today, for camping, Fu Yunzhen wasn't wearing a suit.

Upon Yu He's strong insistence, he wore a black hoodie, fingerless black gloves, and black waterproof military boots, tucking the legs of his pants into the boots, making his legs look straight and long.

The hoodie made him look younger, and with his good physique, from behind, he looked like a college student.

However, as soon as he lifted his head, his sharp and intense eyes revealed a fierce aura.

Watching Fu Yunzhen work was a pleasure; everything was orderly and progressed quickly. Yu He felt that he had only just finished looking Fu Yunzhen up and down when the tent frame was already completely set up.

The hardest part of setting up a tent is maintaining balance. Yu He thought Fu Yunzhen would ask for his help, but Fu Yunzhen solved the problem using just a climbing rope and a tree.

Yu He thought sadly: I'm not even as useful as a tree.

Fu Yunzhen had a wealth of wilderness survival experience. Before his car accident injury, he had visited many uninhabited areas, either for travel and exploration or for rescuing wild animals and environmental protection.

He once spent half a month trekking through the rainforests of the southwest with a mercenary friend, just to prove that Canglong Mountain was not suitable for hydropower development.

Constructing a hydropower station would mean designating an upstream area as a flood zone, and the trees in the rainforest spanning dozens of kilometers, marked for "reservoir cleaning," would be massively cut down.

Fu Yunzhen spent half a month meticulously cataloging the primary and secondary protected plants living in that rainforest.

Unfortunately, it didn’t change anything.

However, before the area was felled and submerged, Fu Yunzhen had visited and seen its scenery and many small animals, preserving them forever in his SLR camera.

Life is boundless, and not everything can be changed.

Take Yu He’s restlessness for instance.

Yu He calls out to Fu Yunzhen, "Fu Yunzhen, my leg is stuck in the mud!"

Fu Yunzhen puts down what he is holding, turns around, and sees Yu He in the lake.

In the lake?

Fu Yunzhen: "......"

When he pulls Yu He out of the lake, Fu Yunzhen can’t for the life of him figure out how she ended up there in the first place.

Yu He refuses to answer that question.

Fu Yunzhen is still in shock, staring at the drenched Yu He, at a loss for words.

Fortunately, the water near the shore is shallow, reaching only up to Yu He’s waist, but the water is teeming with weeds and the mud is deep.

Yu He’s lower legs are completely covered in mud.

As Yu He wrings out the water from the hem of her clothes, she looks up and catches the disdain on Fu Yunzhen’s face.

Yu He: "Fu Yunzhen!!!"

Fu Yunzhen doesn't bother to hide his disdain, speaking slowly, “I did say, ‘don’t fall into the lake.’ Blame me, if you will.”

Yu He: "!!!"

That was quite an insult.

Fu Yunzhen’s gaze falls on the black mud by Yu He’s legs: “This child is beyond saving.”

Yu He stretches out her hand towards Fu Yunzhen.

Fu Yunzhen frowns, muttering that she’s beyond saving, yet he still pulls the muddy Yu He into his arms: "Hurry up and learn how to swim. You gave me quite the scare."

Holding her close, Yu He can feel the violent rise and fall of Fu Yunzhen’s chest.

Fu Yunzhen’s heartbeat is racing.

Yu He explained, "I thought the water wasn't very deep."

He was better off not saying anything; his words only served to darken Fu Yunzhen’s expression, as anxiety and concern flooded him.

Fu Yunzhen reprimanded, "Is water something you measure with your eyes? Didn't you take basic physics in junior high? Do you think it's shallow just because it looks shallow? There are swamps on the grasslands. How can I dare to take you out to play if you behave like this?"

This was the first time Fu Yunzhen had ever scolded Yu He.

Yu He, with her hands behind her back, bowed her head and listened, finally becoming sensible and realizing that her fall into the lake had worried Fu Yunzhen.

Seeing Yu He like this, Fu Yunzhen didn’t say anything more.

Fu Yunzhen led Yu He towards the car, "First change your pants. You have a rash on your leg, and the lake water is dirty. Go back to the hotel, take a bath, and then we can come back and play."

Yu He nodded her head, obediently responding, "I’ll listen to you."

"Were you scared?" Fu Yunzhen took out clothes from the trunk and handed them to Yu He. "I'm not blaming you, but you're almost 24. Can't you think before you act...?"

Yu He touched her nose and muttered under her breath, "I thought you weren’t blaming me?"

Fu Yunzhen pointed at Yu He, but couldn't help laughing when he saw the mud smeared on her face. He used his thumb to wipe off the mud, inadvertently smearing it on Yu He's clothes, "Alright, I won’t say anything more. Go change."

The half-pitched tent proved to be very useful.

After Yu He changed her clothes, Fu Yunzhen drove her back to the hotel to take a shower.

After a hot shower, Yu He collapsed on the bed, "I’m tired."

Fu Yunzhen glanced at the time, "So, are we still going?"

Yu He responded, "Yeah, I just need a little rest."

Fu Yunzhen picked up Yu He’s dirty clothes thrown on the floor, put them in the laundry basket, called for hotel service to collect them, and ordered lunch. He then took out a clean set of clothes from the suitcase for later use.

Holding Yu He's underwear that had been soaked in lake water between his fingers, Fu Yunzhen pondered for half a second whether to wash it or throw it away.

Half a second later, the white underwear found its way into the trash bin.

The wet fabric made a 'pap' sound as it hit the bottom of the bin.

Yu He lifted her gaze to meet Fu Yunzhen’s eyes.

"It can't be cleaned properly; it's unusable now," Fu Yunzhen stated.

Fu Yunzhen's indifferent gaze once again settled on Yu He’s legs.

Yu He immediately retracted her legs, her survival instincts kicking in, "I’ve cleaned them properly!"

Fu Yunzhen pressed the dispenser of the antiseptic gel on the table a few times, carefully sanitizing his hands. He then proceeded to wash them at the sink before stopping.

Yu He's adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and her sixth sense screamed alarms.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

Indeed, after washing his hands, Fu Yunzhen approached Yu He, grasped her ankle, and lifted one leg to meticulously check whether Yu He had really cleaned her leg properly.

Yu He's legs were indeed long, with strong and beautiful muscle lines. However, Fu Yunzhen didn’t touch them, instead observing with a serious expression to see if the eczema near Yu He’s thigh was infected.

It was as if he were a butcher, sizing up where to make his cut.

Yu He felt her scalp tingle and didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

Yu He had just taken a bath, and her body carried a faint scent of the refreshing shower gel.

Fu Yunzhen took a gentle sniff, "You didn't use the hypoallergenic shower gel we brought from home."

Yu He: "....."

The hypoallergenic shower gel comes in a squeeze bottle, which requires opening the cap to use. The hotel’s shower gel is in a pump dispenser; it’s obviously more convenient to press and use that one.

Yu He was always lazy. If it weren’t for falling into the lake today, she usually wouldn’t even use shower gel for three out of five showers, simply allowing the lather from her shampoo to wash over her body.

Yu He only used the hypoallergenic shower gel when she was showering with Fu Yunzhen, as a way to show him that she was using it.

It was dark under the lamp, and even with her keen sense of smell, Yu He didn’t remember that Fu Yunzhen could discover she hadn’t properly used the hypoallergenic shower gel through its scent.

More importantly, she hadn't expected that Fu Yunzhen would check whether she had cleaned herself properly after a bath!

She’s not a child anymore, for goodness' sake.

Trying to justify herself, Yu He said, “The hotel's shower gel is made from verbena; it has better anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects.”

Fu Yunzhen's voice was deep, carrying a pleasant chest resonance, "Did you wash up properly then?"

Confidently, Yu He responded, "Yes, I washed up properly."

Fu Yunzhen cut to the chase, "Did you use a bath loofah to create suds and then apply them all over your body?"

Yu He uttered a sound of realization.

The confidence within her chest withered away.

Fu Yunzhen lowered his gaze to examine Yu He, "Do I need to go and check if the bath loofah is wet?"

Left with no other choice, Yu He told the truth, "...I didn’t use a bath loofah, but I did apply it all over my body."

Fu Yunzhen pressed further, "Did you apply it all over, or did you just apply it to your upper body and casually rinse off your legs with the foam?"

Yu He: "..."

The confidence within her chest had completely died out.

Yu He felt incredibly guilty and covered herself with the blanket.

She didn’t want to talk to Fu Yunzhen anymore.

Anyone who gets caught lying consecutively would feel ashamed, even someone with a thick skin like Yu He couldn’t bear it.

Fu Yunzhen knew her too well.

It was terrifying.

Fu Yunzhen lifted the quilt and carried Yu He horizontally out of it, "Have you forgotten about the insect eggs on your knee?"

Yu He's Adam's apple moved slightly; she lifted her eyes to look at Fu Yunzhen, opened her mouth slightly, and uttered a dumbfounded "Ah."

Fu Yunzhen let out a sigh, resignedly carrying Yu He towards the bathroom, "Do you think mud is cleaner than leaves?"

Only then did Yu He realize that Fu Yunzhen wasn’t disgusted by her; he was worried about the eczema on her leg getting infected.

Yu He’s heartbeat quickened, and she unconsciously pursed her lips.

"Fu Yunzhen," Yu He tilted his head back to look up at Fu Yunzhen's chin, "You remember things about me even more clearly than I do myself."

Fu Yunzhen used his foot to put down the toilet seat cover, seated Yu He on it, and squatted beside Yu He's legs, "I'll start by disinfecting you with alcohol. It might hurt a bit on the broken skin, just bear with it."

Yu He gazed at Fu Yunzhen's handsome eyebrows and eyes, "I really love you."

"I love you too," Fu Yunzhen responded casually, then unscrewed the bottle of alcohol, and held down Yu He’s knee, “Cover up your little brother a bit.”

Yu He burst into laughter, his body shaking with each laugh, while Fu Yunzhen just squatted there, patiently waiting for Yu He to finish laughing.

The cool and refreshing alcohol poured onto Yu He’s leg.

Since arriving in Mongolia, the rash on Yu He’s body had stopped swelling, but his skin was still a bit wrinkled. The places where he had scratched himself were covered with several patches of red scabs.

Fu Yunzhen sighed, "The water and soil of the grasslands really do nurture people. It’s almost healed in just two days; we’re not spending next summer in Yunsu."

"I’m not that precious to be worth Fu Boss abandoning his hometown for," Yu He lowered his eyes and gazed at Fu Yunzhen, "Fu Boss, you really treat me like a young master."

Fu Yunzhen used a sterile cotton ball to wipe away the excess alcohol on Yu He's leg, "It's like raising a son."

Yu He lightly kicked Fu Yunzhen, "What do you mean by 'raising a son'?"

"My seven-year-old nephew wouldn’t fall into a lake without watching for a moment," Fu Yunzhen grasped Yu He’s ankle, "Do you have any idea how much I worry about you?"

Yu He rested his foot on Fu Yunzhen’s strong thigh, "Children are debts from a previous life. Fu Boss, am I your debt?"

Fu Yunzhen looked up at Yu He, the warm yellow light of the bathroom casting a gentle glow in his eyes, yet his words were completely the opposite, "You're my ancestor; get up now."

Fu Yunzhen wasn’t buying Yu He's act, ruthlessly pushing away Yu He's foot, "You think you can flirt with me here and I won't say anything? You wish."

Yu He: "......"

Barefooted, Yu He stood up without any other reason, murmuring excuses, "Then, then stop talking about it all the time."

Fu Yunzhen had been squatting for a long time and his legs were somewhat numb. He had to support himself on the sink before standing up, "I talk about it because you don’t talk enough, that’s why you're so lawless and reckless."

Yu He walked out, feeling down and muttering under his breath, "When we were passionately in love, you treated me like a treasure and didn't care about anything I did. Now just because I got a bit wet, you’ve been lecturing me all day. If you didn’t think I was stupid and didn't let me share the tent with you, would I be bored enough to go catch river shrimp?"

Fu Yunzhen stood behind Yu He and asked ominously, "What are you muttering about?"

Yu He stiffened, blurting out, "I said I know I was wrong, and I won’t do it again."

Fu Yunzhen let out a mocking chuckle, "You’ve been mumbling to yourself for so long just to say these two sentences?"

Yu He scratched his chin, revealing a clean smile as he effortlessly lied, “Important things should be said three times, right?”

Fu Yunzhen was amused despite himself, "Fine, let’s go eat first."

*

By the time Yu He and the others returned to Hulun Lake, it was 2 p.m., the hottest time of the day.

The other camping tourists had either already left or retreated into their tents for a nap.

The entire grassland was exceptionally serene.

A gust of wind blew down from the heights, causing ripples to dance across the lake and the lush grass to surge like green waves.

Hulun Lake truly lived up to its reputation as the West Lake of the northern frontier, but this ancient, sprawling vastness was something West Lake did not possess.

Lying side by side with Fu Yunzhen inside the tent, Yu He gazed out at the sea of rolling green.

After all, West Lake was famed for its association with the prosperous city of Hangzhou, attracting numerous literati and scholars. In contrast, Hulun Lake, situated in the remote northern frontier, must have been a watering hole for renowned generals in ancient times.

Yu He said that Fu Yunzhen was his general, descending from the heavens, omnipotent.

The breathable window of the tent perfectly framed the 'Yu He Falling into Water Spot' outside by the lakeshore.

Fu Yunzhen, looking towards the spot where Yu He had fallen into the water, said, "You’re my ancestor, able to descend anywhere, omnipotent."

Yu He, frustrated, thrashed about inside the tent.

The small air cooler was surprisingly effective at cooling the entire tent. Thankfully it wasn’t hot. Otherwise, it would have been bizarre to choose sleeping on the ground over the soft mattresses in a hotel.

Up to this point in the camping trip, Yu He had not experienced any of the joys of camping.

Especially since falling into the lake, Fu Yunzhen had seized every opportunity to tease him about it.

It was utterly annoying.

However, the moment night fell, Yu He had to retract his statement about not having any fun.

The sky was draped in a Milky Way, casting a mystical purplish-blue glow, with stars shining brilliantly like a downpour of sparkling gems.

Yu He lay back amidst the fragrant grass, the long green blades woven together like clouds to form a soft, emerald blanket.

“I’ve never seen so many stars before,” Yu He, snuggled with Fu Yunzhen in a single sleeping bag, exclaimed as they gazed up at the horizon, “It’s so beautiful.”

The temperature on the grasslands fluctuated greatly between day and night, with the night breeze cool as autumn leaves.

It wasn’t cold, but pleasantly cool.

In such an environment, huddling together for warmth was ideal; the human body temperature was just right, preventing one from sweating due to heat or shivering from the cold.

The night sky was adorned with a bright moon and the Milky Way, and Hulun Lake was enveloped in a profound silence.

There was a dense mist, and a vast expanse of smoke-like ripples on the water.

Yu He etched the picturesque scene into his memory, then turned his head to look at Fu Yunzhen beside him.

He thought that Fu Yunzhen’s eyes would reflect another sea of stars.

After all, the scenery of the wild was so picturesque that any frame captured could serve as a computer wallpaper.

But Fu Yunzhen’s gaze was not on the Milky Way, nor on the misty ripples.

In Fu Yunzhen’s eyes, there was only Yu He.

It turned out that while he was enjoying the scenery in Fu Yunzhen’s arms, Fu Yunzhen was watching him.

Yu He’s heartbeat raced, and he softly asked Fu Yunzhen, “Why are you continuously watching me?”

Yet Fu Yunzhen responded, “If you weren’t looking at me, how would you know I was watching you?”

“I’m getting shy,” Yu He said, uncharacteristically bashful, “The stars in the sky are so beautiful.”

Fu Yunzhen then turned his head to look at the starry sky.

They lay in the grass, talking under the canopy of stars.

Yu He and Fu Yunzhen always had a lot to say to each other; mostly fanciful, trivial things, the kind that are forgotten as soon as they are spoken.

But before they packed up their sleeping bag to return to the tent for sleep, Fu Yunzhen said something that Yu He thought was worth remembering.

Fu Yunzhen said, “I have seen more stunning starry skies in Iceland, but still, none are as beautiful as you.”

Partly because Yu He’s memory was hit or miss, and partly because the moonlight here was just too mesmerizing.

Yu He really wanted to capture this moment.

He pulled out his phone, started recording, and turned to Fu Yunzhen, “Say it again.”

Fu Yunzhen began to describe the breathtaking scenery to Yu He:

“The long nights in Iceland feature auroras of luminescent green, unpredictable Milky Ways, and moons as dazzling as the sun.”

Fu Yunzhen’s eyes moved past the phone camera, gazing at Yu He who was three steps away:

“But none of them are as beautiful as Yu He.”