Chapter 34: Glass Walkway

Chapter 34: The Glass Skywalk

A terrifying silence descended. Everyone stopped speaking, waiting for someone else to break the quiet.

Xu Xingli: "..."

He was utterly speechless, even wanting to turn and walk away.

But Fu Ge was a step ahead. He seemed completely unfazed by his brother's words and simply left.

It wasn't until Fu Ge's car drove away from the school that Xu Xingli snapped back to reality. He looked at Fu Ting, unsure whether to walk him back to his car, and could only blink awkwardly, asking, "I... no, you... now..."

Fu Ting, however, suddenly bowed deeply to him. "I'm sorry, Brother, I just used you."

Xu Xingli looked utterly bewildered: "Huh?"

Fu Ting explained, "Because my brother has been acting very strange lately, but he won't tell me the truth, so I had no choice but to do this."

Xu Xingli: "...Ah, so..."

Fu Ting bowed again: "Please don't take what I just said seriously. I apologize if I caused any misunderstanding, Brother."

Xu Xingli was startled by the dramatic gesture and quickly helped him up, waving a dismissive hand. "It's fine, haha, I understand." After all, Xu Zhou was just as peculiar.

Then he asked, "So you suspect Fu Ge has someone he likes? And they're from our school?"

Fu Ting nodded.

Xu Xingli: "A teacher? Our school's female teachers..."

Fu Ting corrected him: "It's a student, and not a girl."

Xu Xingli: "..."

Holy crap! Is Fu Ge a pervert?!

Fu Ge was a full ten years older than them!

But then, a thought struck him: Xu Zhou was also ten years older than him, and he himself had once liked Xu Zhou.

With that in mind, Xu Xingli found it acceptable again. After all, he wasn't exactly normal himself. Besides, he had no right to judge others.

He pursed his lips, about to say something to break the awkward silence, when an angel appeared just in the nick of time.

The call hadn't been hung up, and Xu Zhou, who had been left on hold for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak: "Xu Xingli, get to the restaurant now, immediately, right away."

Though the words weren't pleasant, his tone was relatively calm, and Xu Xingli breathed a sigh of relief.

"Got it," he replied, hanging up. Then he looked at Fu Ting and smiled: "Let's go quickly, my brother's rushing me."

By the time he arrived at the Western restaurant, half an hour had passed.

Xu Zhou waited for him at the entrance, his expression unreadable. He first calmly scanned him up and down with his gaze before his expression softened.

This restaurant was mainly buffet-style, so there was no need to wait for everyone to be present before starting to eat. By the time they entered the private room, several boys were already drunk, dancing wildly in front of the small bar counter.

Seeing him enter, Jian Ran immediately rushed over from among them: "Why are you so late?" He then saw that group of boys at the bar and grumbled, "You have no idea how crazy these guys are, dragging me to sing and dance."

Xu Xingli didn't even have time to smile before he looked at Jian Ran in surprise and asked, "You're not drunk? You're usually a heavy drinker when you're sick; how come there's no smell of alcohol on you at all?"

After saying this, he leaned closer, wanting to get a clearer whiff of him.

However, his attempt was cut short. A pair of hands pressed on his shoulders, pulling him back.

Xu Zhou, his face cold, spoke emotionlessly: "Go eat."

The events of half an hour ago were still vivid in his mind, and his piano's fate was still in Xu Zhou's hands. Xu Xingli decided to behave for a while, blinking as he walked to the food counter.

Jian Ran followed him, mumbling in response to his question: "It's all Duan Yi's fault. He always snatches my drink and won't let the waiter give me any. I've only had one drink so far."

"Duan Yi?" Xu Xingli raised an eyebrow, instinctively turning his head and finding the person's figure at the dining table.

Duan Yi's gaze shifted from Jian Ran. Meeting Xu Xingli's eyes, he smiled and waved in greeting.

Xu Xingli returned a smile, and looking back, he saw Jian Ran's resentful face and suddenly felt like laughing.

After a day of emotional highs and lows, Xu Xingli was tired and hungry, burying himself in his food.

Xu Zhou watched him for a good while, then finally stood up and walked away.

Knowing that Xu Xingli didn't like being watched, Xu Zhou moved away at the right time. But no sooner had he sat down next to Duan Yi than his friend punched him hard.

"Xu Zhou!" Duan Yi inexplicably let out a yell.

Xu Zhou frowned and mercilessly slapped him back.

"Ah!" Duan Yi cried out in pain, frowning as he looked up at him and cursed, "Why'd you hit me?!"

Xu Zhou ignored him, merely saying calmly, "Didn't you hit me first?"

Duan Yi: "..." True, but that's not the point now!

He "tsk"-ed and gestured with his chin towards Xu Xingli's location, saying, "I just saw Xingxing get some alcohol."

Xu Zhou paused for two seconds.

Immediately after, he suddenly stood up and walked towards Xu Xingli.

Seeing his back and his previous actions, Duan Yi's lips closed, then trembled, and finally he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

But the very next second, the smile on his face froze.

He saw Xu Xingli hand the glass to Jian Ran beside him.

"Damn it!" He suddenly stood up, muttered a curse, and strode over.

Duan Yi had ordered the waiter not to sell alcohol to Jian Ran or give him a glass. Already craving a drink, Jian Ran unhesitatingly chugged the alcohol Xu Xingli offered.

Jian Ran let out a satisfied sigh and gave Xu Xingli a big thumbs up: "Li, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You're my best friend!"

Xu Xingli smiled, held out his hand, and asked, "Want more? Hand me the glass."

Jian Ran's eyes lit up, and he immediately shoved the glass over, nodding vigorously: "Yes!"

Just as Xu Xingli was about to take the second glass, a large hand reached out and took the glass.

Xu Xingli immediately looked over, only to see Xu Zhou leaning against the bar, placing the glass on the counter behind him, his eyebrows slightly raised: "What are high school students drinking?"

Xu Xingli: "Just two glasses, not too much. Jian Ran's my friend, and I won't let him drink too much, don't worry."

He held out his hand to Xu Zhou, but Xu Zhou made no move.

He frowned, pouted, and said, "Xu Zhou, whose side are you on?"

Xu Zhou replied, "Yours."

Xu Xingli was about to nod in satisfaction when he heard Xu Zhou continue, "But Duan Yi is also my friend."

Xu Xingli: "..." Forget it, he couldn't win this argument. He turned to get another glass, and immediately ran into Duan Yi.

Duan Yi had a good temper. He usually seemed unconventional but was very easygoing with people. At this moment, his expression was not good, but his tone was more of resignation.

"You two are quite clever," he said, glancing at the two mischievous high school students. He then sighed and laughed: "You insist on doing what you're not allowed to do, just like me when I was in school."

Then he remembered something and reminisced: "Back then, I was the only one who chose rock climbing for sports. That place was so high, and my parents didn't agree. In the end, to prove it to them, I stubbornly climbed to the very top, almost scared my parents half to death."

He spoke casually, and Jian Ran smiled. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly spotted Xu Zhou and asked, "Were you the only one who chose rock climbing? Were there no others? Not even Brother Xu Zhou? I feel like he'd be very suitable for extreme sports."

Xu Xingli was immediately stunned by the question. But Duan Yi had already started laughing and answered him.

"Him? He's afraid of heights, can't climb a single bit."

As soon as this sentence came out, Xu Xingli immediately looked at Xu Zhou. This person didn't seem to mind his friend airing his dirty laundry, looking calm and even raising an eyebrow at Xu Xingli.

True. If Xu Zhou minded, Duan Yi wouldn't have said it. Xu Xingli thought.

Xu Zhou had a severe fear of heights. Above two stories on flat ground, he would experience dizziness. Any higher, his legs would go weak and his vision would blur; it was considered good if he didn't pass out. However, this wasn't exactly a secret in the Xu family. Everyone close to Xu Zhou in the Xu family knew about it. It was just that the person involved might have felt this flaw wasn't cool and was easily exploitable, so he chose not to talk about it.

Clearly, this matter shocked Jian Ran, who was unaware. His eyes widened, and he stared at Xu Zhou with his mouth open.

Seeing his expression, Duan Yi laughed: "Shocking, right? I was quite surprised when I found out too. Who would have thought such a sturdy-looking young man would be afraid of heights?"

Xu Zhou lifted his eyelids and lightly glanced at him.

Receiving the warning, Duan Yi immediately became serious, cleared his throat, and said, "A new mountain area has been developed in the suburbs recently, opening this weekend. Let's go for a spring outing together." Then he nudged Xu Zhou and raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you doing desensitization training lately? This is a great opportunity!"

Then his gaze shifted to Xu Xingli and he said, "Xingxing, do you want to go?"

Being suddenly asked, Xu Xingli blinked in a daze, then instinctively looked at Xu Zhou.

Seeing this, Duan Yi laughed: "Don't look at your brother. If you go, he'll go. If you don't, he won't."

Now Xu Xingli was even more confused.

Jian Ran, who was next to him, was eager to go and kept urging: "Let's go, Li. We haven't gone out together in a long time. We'll have even less time later when we have to prepare for all sorts of exams."

Seeing that Xu Xingli was still undecided, Jian Ran's tone became sad: "If you don't go, it'll just be me, and there'll be no fun at all."

"Cough cough." Duan Yi suddenly spoke up, "Ranran, what do you mean by that? Am I not a person? Is there no fun in being with me?"

Jian Ran pouted and said, "Li and I grew up together. How long have I known you? It's different. Besides, don't you want Brother Xu Zhou to go? Didn't you say last time you liked... Mmm mmm!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Duan Yi hooked his neck and forced him to shut up.

"I don't like him!" Duan Yi yelled in his ear, "I said I'd have to be blind to like him! He and I just have a pure brotherly bond! It's the same as you and Xingxing, a bond from growing up together! Did you hear me?"

Jian Ran frowned, covered his ears, and pushed him away with his other hand, nodding casually: "Heard it, heard it."

Duan Yi was even angrier: "You still don't believe me."

Jian Ran denied him: "I believe you."

Duan Yi clutched his chest, took a deep breath, and looked at Xu Zhou: "How can someone make me angrier than you?"

As a result, the person openly chuckled.

Duan Yi: "..."

Finally, he looked at the bewildered Xu Xingli, feeling a little relieved: "Xingxing is still more likable. Don't learn bad habits from these two." Then he remembered the previous suggestion and asked, "Have you thought about it? Are you going for the spring outing?"

Xu Xingli finally nodded: "Yes."

On the weekend, the foot of the mountain was bustling with people.

To make it lively, they also called Lin Xie and Song Yijin. However, upon seeing Xu Yu at the end, Jian Ran's face fell: "Does he have to come with us?"

Xu Xingli shrugged: "Where else can he go? It's fine, there are so many of us, he can't cause any trouble."

Jian Ran could only pout and reached out to take his backpack, saying, "Let me carry it. This mountain is quite high."

Xu Xingli quickly shook his head and dodged to the side: "No need, this height isn't enough to bother me."

Jian Ran pursued relentlessly: "Don't just look, you'll know how tired you are when you climb later. I've been lifting weights every day recently, so carrying your bag is no problem at all."

His actions were reckless, and Xu Xingli's attitude was firm. To refuse him, he kept backing away, finally bumping straight into someone's arms.

Before he could turn around to apologize, Xu Zhou had already picked up the handle of his backpack and pulled him forward.

"Be careful, you're always bumping into people."

Like a kitten whose scruff was grabbed, Xu Xingli: "..." When do I always bump into people?! This is slander!

He rolled his eyes and began to struggle, but it was useless.

Xu Zhou still lifted him straight up the steps, seemingly effortlessly.

Alright. This isn't bad either. At least he wouldn't get tired. Having failed to break free, Xu Xingli comforted himself and started to give up.

The mountain didn't look high, but climbing it was indeed tiring. Considering there were girls, their speed was cut in half. It was two hours later when they reached the resting point halfway up the mountain.

Several boys were chugging drinks in the convenience store, while the two girls went to the restroom.

Teenage boys were full of energy. Jian Ran and Xu Xingli were both fanning themselves with their collars, while Xu Zhou was like an ice cube, only the ends of his hair were damp with sweat, and his breathing was steady.

Jian Ran pushed back the hair from his forehead, looked around, and remembering something, said, "There's a cliff nearby. It's said that if you look down from the cliff, you can see a thousand-year-old peach tree. It's blooming beautifully right now, and wishes made there are very effective. Do you know about it?"

Duan Yi looked at him and nodded: "I know, but your Brother Xu Zhou can't go."

Jian Ran pursed his lips: "Right, then let's not go."

Xu Zhou looked up when he heard this, gazing at them, then turning to Xu Xingli beside him.

"Go if you want to, don't mind me," he finally said.

Duan Yi clapped his hands: "I've been waiting for you to say that, young master. Kids, follow me!"

The group looked left and right, only then realizing that Xu Yu was missing.

Xu Zhou frowned, stood up, and said, "I'll go find him. You all wait here for Miss Song and Lin Xie. I'll meet you at the cliff after I find Xu Yu."

Duan Yi nodded, gave an OK sign, and said, "Remember to call me if anything happens."

Xu Zhou nodded slightly and walked away.

About ten minutes later, Song Yijin rushed back, scanned everyone present, and frowned: "Xiao Lin didn't come back? I waited for her at the restroom entrance for over ten minutes, and I thought she had already returned."

Xu Xingli paused, then quickly asked, "Sister, are you sure Lin Xie isn't in the restroom?"

Song Yijin nodded affirmatively: "I'm sure. I only came back after seeing that there was no one in the restroom."

As soon as she said this, everyone else was stunned. Song Yijin was calmer than them. She first made several calls to Lin Xie, all of which went unanswered. Then she immediately went to the staff at the resting point to ask for surveillance footage.

However, the surveillance couldn't be retrieved immediately, so the other three went out to search.

Duan Yi told them not to run around and called Xu Zhou, but still no one answered.

"I told him to call me if anything happened, but he just ignored me again. It's strange, is this mountain magical? How can people lose contact just by going up the mountain?" He grumbled, then looked behind him to make sure the two high school students were still in his sight.

They first arrived at the cliff where they had agreed to meet Xu Zhou, and as expected, they didn't see anyone.

The three of them started asking around again, but found nothing.

Finally, they were about to despair when someone finally said they saw a group of people heading towards the glass skywalk in another direction.

Jian Ran was full of questions: "Glass skywalk?"

The person nodded and said, "That skywalk hasn't been fully repaired yet and isn't an open attraction, so it seemed strange to see a large group of people going there."

Upon hearing this, an alarm immediately went off in Xu Xingli's mind.

Just then, Song Yijin called.

"Xiao Yu is back. Xiao Lin and Brother Xu Zhou both went to the glass skywalk next to us. But it hasn't been officially opened yet, and there are no cameras installed. All we know now is that Xiao Lin was taken in by a group of people, and there were quite a few of them. You must be careful, the staff have already gone over."

The call ended, and the three exchanged glances, tacitly running towards the glass skywalk.

Within a few minutes, a towering glass bridge appeared in the distance.

Only one side of it was open for renovation, and the glass surface was stained with mud and dust, appearing dirty. However, this skywalk was suspended between the cliffs, with a river and valley below. From the railing, the view was expansive and bright.

Normally, this would be a commendable scenic spot, and Xu Xingli would definitely appreciate it.

But now, the scenery wasn't the point.

An empty wind whistled through the valley, creating eerie, faint sounds. A group of people stood on the skywalk.

Xu Xingli immediately saw the stern-faced Xu Zhou and the girl behind him.

Xu Xingli also recognized the people surrounding them.

The leader was Zhang Wei again.

But that didn't matter.

Compared to the other matter, these things were insignificant.

As more and more onlookers gathered, Zhang Wei's group stirred, then scattered like small shrimp.

This time, Xu Xingli successfully met Xu Zhou's gaze.

He saw the person freeze.

But it was only a momentary daze. The next moment, Xu Zhou returned to his cold and aloof demeanor.

The three of them quietly watched Xu Zhou and Lin Xie walk down the skywalk.

Then Xu Zhou stopped in front of Xu Xingli and lowered his head.

Only then did Xu Xingli realize that the person's lips had turned pale and his fingers were trembling slightly. Yet, he still asked coldly, "How... how could you get on the skywalk?"

He used to be so afraid of heights.

Xu Zhou didn't speak.

Xu Xingli immediately glared at him, about to continue questioning, when he saw the person in front of him close his eyes tightly and fall straight towards him.