Chapter 31: You Can Rely On Me 1

Chapter 31: You Can Rely On Me 1

After alighting from the bus, they switched to a ski resort shuttle and finally arrived at the largest ski resort in the neighboring city after a three-hour journey.

It was Yun He and Lin Yong's first time skiing. Upon Gu Jiabei's recommendation, they chose to ski with dual skis, while Gu Jiabei and Lu Angyu opted for single skis. Besides renting their skis, the latter two had brought all their gear, clearly indicating their professional level.

Yun He, dressed in rented ski attire, compared himself to Gu Jiabei, who wore a simple and clean black ski suit. He felt rather unrefined, especially with a small turtle emblem on his backside.

Following Gu Jiabei and Lu Angyu, Yun He and Lin Yong entered the slope, each with a turtle emblem on their backs.

"Junior slope is boring. Let's head to the advanced one after a while," Lu Angyu skated impatiently around Gu Jiabei.

"Let's see how it goes," Gu Jiabei replied.

Yun He knew Gu Jiabei was adjusting to his skill level but wished for him to have fun too. "Actually, I don't really enjoy skiing. Teach me and Yongzi the basics, then we can play here. You two can go to the advanced slope."

"We'll see. First, let me teach you both how to put on your skis," Gu Jiabei said.

For the next half an hour, Gu Jiabei explained the fundamental techniques and precautions. He held Yun He's hands, stood against the slope, and guided Yun He down the hill from the peak.

Lin Yong, gripping Lu Angyu's hands tightly, trembled as they descended the slope together.

"Try sliding down on your own next," Gu Jiabei instructed like a coach, guiding their learning process.

Yun He and Lin Yong exchanged a glance, then, with a heroic determination, they cheered each other on before descending the slope with their ski poles. At first, everything was fine, but as they picked up speed, Lin Yong began to veer off course, heading straight for Yun He.

"Ahhhh, Brother Yun, get out of the way!" Lin Yong shouted recklessly, flailing his ski poles without any technique.

"I want to, too," Yun He replied, resigned to the inevitable impact as he watched Lin Yong approach.

In that split second, a dark figure swiftly swept past, grabbing Yun He's arm and adjusting his direction slightly. Then, gradually, their speed decreased, bringing Yun He to a slower stop.

"Skate your feet inward to slow down," Gu Jiabei advised.

Following Gu Jiabei's guidance, Yun He came to a steady halt. In contrast, on the other side, Lin Yong let out a series of pained cries before crashing to the ground, landing with a tiny turtle pitifully crushed beneath his large posterior.

Lu Angyu skidded to Lin Yong's side and, with great effort, pulled him back up. With Lu Angyu's support, Lin Yong stumbled over to join Yun He.

"Are you alright?" Gu Jiabei asked Yun He.

Yun He shook his head.

"Damn it..." Lin Yong rubbed his bottom, wincing in pain. "Why didn't anyone come to save me?"

"I'm here now, a bit late to the rescue," Lu Angyu said with a playful grin.

Seeing Gu Jiabei frowning and looking at him with concern, Yun He felt a profound sense of fulfillment. However, when he looked at Lin Yong, he felt a twinge of guilt for not being honest with his friend. He thought about revealing his relationship with Gu Jiabei to Lin Yong one day, so that his friend wouldn't be left in the dark.

"Let's go for another round," Lu Angyu urged, pushing Lin Yong onto the conveyor belt.

After a few more runs with Gu Jiabei, Yun He realized this sport was truly not his cup of tea. He was too afraid of pain, so he couldn't fully commit to the movements. After several rounds, he still hadn't grasped the technique and could feel his legs stiffening.

"I can't do it anymore, I'm tired," Yun He waved his hand, finally giving up.

"Holy shit, I'm done too. It's too tiring, my legs won't listen to me anymore," Lin Yong, who was already heavyset, panted as he slumped to the side.

"Well then, let's head to the advanced slope and let you two witness my and Gu Jiabei's prowess," Lu Angyu had been eagerly waiting for this moment, feeling that the beginner's slope was far from challenging enough for him.

The group then took the cable car up to the advanced slope. Upon reaching there, Yun He realized how insignificant the previous slope had been in comparison – it was like a flat plain without even a small peak.

"Stay here, we'll be back once we're done," Gu Jiabei slid down his ski goggles, covering his eyes and accentuating his chiseled jawline and prominent nose.

Yun He nodded. "Hurry up, I want to see what level you two are at."

"Here we go~" Lu Angyu, in high spirits, took off first, skiing down the slope in a dust trail.

Gu Jiabei followed closely behind, his black ski suit and green board standing out starkly against the white landscape. His movements were fluid, and as he skied, snow fluttered around him like exhaust fumes. Gu Jiabei's descent was swift, weaving left and right, even performing a mid-air spin before landing on a small hill, leaving Yun He and Lin Yong in awe.

"Dude, that's professional-level stuff, right?" Lin Yong asked with his mouth agape.

"Damn, how cool is that!" Yun He exclaimed sincerely, watching as Gu Jiabei and Lu Angyu's figures grew smaller and more distant.

"Holy sh*t, with skills like that, he's being way too nice playing with us on the beginner's slope!" Lin Yong remarked.

"Yo, Yong," Yun He, now unable to see Gu Jiabei and Lu Angyu, felt it was the perfect moment to bring up his concern. "There's something I want to tell you..."

"What's up, Brother Yun?" Lin Yong inquired.

"Well," Yun He pondered the best way to express himself without alarming Lin Yong. "It's about Gu Jiabei and me... we..."

"Yun He! Lin Yong!" A clear voice interrupted Yun He's words, the speaker being their classmate, Zheng Han, who had recently borrowed Yun He's English homework to copy.