Chapter 98 Are You Out of Your Mind?

Chapter 98: Are You Crazy?

As he was lost in thought, a head popped up from the seat in front.

Keke, the colleague sitting with Jiang Tingyu, turned her miserable, pale face toward Chi Yu and pleaded, "Dr. Chi, since Miss Qin doesn't need them, could I maybe have those motion sickness patches?"

She truly hadn't expected to get carsick so badly today; she looked downright green.

Sure, of course.

Chi Yu quickly dug out the motion sickness patches and handed them over. "If you're feeling unwell, you could trade seats with someone in front."

As he spoke, another hand extended toward her.

Qin Shuyi held a peeled orange, with all the white pith carefully removed, which smelled fresh and citrusy. "You could also try an orange."

Then she offered her other hand, holding a relatively intact orange peel. "Smelling orange peel can help too."

Keke gazed into those clear, beautiful eyes and felt tears welling up.

Wow, an angel! Everyone is so kind.

Touched, she was almost in tears as she thankfully took the orange and peel. Beside her, Jiang Tingyu, seated in front of Qin Shuyi, also leaned over, concerned.

Seeing Keke reach for the orange, Jiang Tingyu took the box of motion sickness patches, opened it, and prepared to apply one for her.

In that moment, her eyes met Chi Yu's from the seat behind and to the side. They both froze for a second before Chi Yu was the first to look away.

Jiang Tingyu's movements faltered for a moment before she composed herself and continued.

Perhaps it was just feeling better, but Keke's motion sickness symptoms actually got a lot better after all the help.

In the back seat, Chi Yu looked at Qin Shuyi, who had buried her head again in her battle with another orange. He chuckled softly and took the orange from her slightly bewildered lap.

"Let me do it. You'll get your hands dirty."

...

The mountain path was pretty rough.

Qin Shuyi carefully watched her footing with her trekking pole. After a couple of steps, the weight on her back lightened.

She turned to see Chi Yu holding her backpack up. "Let me carry it for you."

Halfway up the mountain, the guide leading the group called for the stronger hikers to help those struggling.

Qin Shuyi shook her head. "It's fine, I can manage."

Chi Yu's own backpack was heavier than hers. He had prepared many comprehensive items, like a treasure trove.

"Really, no need?" Chi Yu frowned.

Qin Shuyi pointed at herself and gently turned her head from side to side.

"See? Perfectly fine."

A smile spread across Chi Yu's face.

She did seem to be in good shape.

Apart from a faint pink flush on her fair cheeks and her slightly loosened bun, she wasn't even sweating. Her stamina appeared excellent.

No wonder she often hiked.

Chi Yu felt better. "If you get tired, just tell me."

Qin Shuyi nodded. "Don't worry, I won't push myself."

Thanks to her dad, she had received physical training since childhood. Despite her slender, graceful figure, she was actually in great shape and had never even experienced menstrual cramps like many other girls.

Being an orthopedic doctor, Chi Yu was naturally one of the fittest in the group.

However, there were indeed many beginners on this trip.

Seeing others helping newcomers lighten their loads, Chi Yu also prepared to see if anyone needed assistance.

Just then, Keke let out a small cry.

It turned out that a distracted Jiang Tingyu had missed her footing and stumbled backward along with her backpack. Keke tried to pull her up, but they both ended up landing on their butts.

The two looked at each other, frowning yet unable to suppress a laugh.

"We're so clumsy."

Keke, who had fallen more lightly, helped Jiang Tingyu up.

Jiang Tingyu hissed in pain.

"What's wrong?" Keke asked anxiously.

Pulling up her pant leg, they discovered a bloody scratch and some abrasions from a sharp rock during the fall.

Seeing this, Chi Yu silently handed over the first aid kit from his bag.

Thinking he would help examine it, Keke was about to make room, but Jiang Tingyu grabbed her hand.

Chi Yu had no intention of handling it personally either. Instead, he gave the kit to Keke. "You help her check it."

Keke instantly understood. "Oh, oh, okay."

She had forgotten—this wasn't the hospital; they were outdoors.

Now, they weren't in a doctor-patient relationship. Plus, with his companion present, getting too close to another woman wouldn't be appropriate.

She deftly took the kit, sprayed some antiseptic, and bandaged the wound to prevent friction with the pant leg.

By now, everyone had paired up to help, and those leading the way were carrying extra weight.

Chi Yu looked at Jiang Tingyu's large backpack on the ground, his expression hesitant.

Qin Shuyi had come over as soon as the incident happened. Seeing him glance at her, she smiled. "It's fine."

Jiang Tingyu hadn't been at the hospital long and didn't know many people well. Others had checked on the situation, confirmed it wasn't serious, and left reassured.

Keke and Jiang Tingyu seemed equally matched in stamina. Qin Shuyi herself was fine, but adding another large backpack might be too much. It had to be Chi Yu.

Chi Yu pressed his lips together, bent down without a word, and hoisted the backpack onto his shoulders.

Jiang Tingyu wanted to refuse, but he spoke first. "It's just colleagues helping each other. No need to decline."

Qin Shuyi looked from Jiang Tingyu to Keke.

She opened her own backpack and said to Keke, "Why don't you put some stuff you don't need right now in my bag? Then you can support Jiang Tingyu. We'll all head out together, just at a slower pace."

She could see Keke was also getting worn out.

"Shuyi~" Keke's eyes lit up, automatically using the more familiar name.

...

After Chi Yu checked in with the group ahead, the four of them brought up the rear, slowing their pace and moving forward slowly.

Ever since the accident, Jiang Tingyu had been very quiet.

"Sorry," she apologized to the other three. "I'm holding everyone back."

Keke brushed it off. "Hey, it's no big deal. Tripping and falling while hiking is totally normal."

Qin Shuyi also smiled. "Exactly. Besides, isn't the whole point of getting out here to relax? As long as we make it to the top, it doesn't matter if we're a little fast or slow. It's nice to chat along the way too."

Jiang Tingyu looked at her and bit her lower lip.

Chi Yu drifted behind the three chatting easily. He spoke very little, his gaze often lingering on Qin Shuyi.

...

As the four made their way to the summit together, others were beginning their ascent from the base.

One of them was grumbling, "Seriously, Ling Jue, are you out of your mind?"

Ji Xiuhang was exasperated.

He says we're going out to have fun, and *this* is it? Hiking?

This damn mountain—he didn't want to take another step up. What kind of crappy trail is this, anyway?

Ling Jue, who'd heard this too many times lately, looked at him expressionlessly. "You can go back."

Ji Xiuhang: ...Well, we're already here. He didn't *really* want to turn back.

Xie Muchen adjusted his glasses, just as exasperated. "If you're not going to see her, why tag along so eagerly?"

Looking for misery?

If he were planning to snatch her away, Xie Muchen might have been more interested.

But this guy said he wanted to let things develop naturally for now, didn't want to bother Qin Shuyi, and couldn't do anything.

The man with a stern expression stared toward the mountaintop, his tone resentful. "They're staying overnight outside."

Xie Muchen couldn't hold back either.

Bro, you make it sound like it's some intimate situation between a man and a woman. It's clearly a whole group team-building event!

Unbelievable!

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