UCTOOT CH145

◎ Accompanying You to the End of the World ◎

I plan to walk through every corner of the world / leave footprints all over the world.

Then I’ll accompany you.

After putting the suitcase onto the SUV, Shi Shu closed the door with a “thud” and went around the sleek black body of the car to the passenger side. As the young man’s elegant figure bent to get into the car, a section of his fair waist was revealed. Just as he sat down, a paper bag containing breakfast was handed to him.

Shi Shu looked sleepy: “You even bought breakfast?”

Xie Wuchi sat in the driver’s seat, dressed in casual outerwear. Faint veins appeared on his hand resting on the steering wheel: “On the way to pick you up, I bought you breakfast. There’s also soy milk, eat it while it’s hot.”

Shi Shu yawned, sporting a few wisps of frizzy hair: “Have you eaten?”

“I ate before coming over.”

The car reversed out. With a few traces of drowsiness on his handsome face, Shi Shu rummaged through the paper bag, trying to boot up his sleepy brain. He slowly chewed on the fried dough stick (youtiao) from the bag, then picked up the soy milk and took a sip as slowly as a snail.

Xie Wuchi glanced at him and said indifferently: “Didn’t I let you go back early last night? Still so sleepy? Did you stay up late playing games with Du Zihan?”

“…” Shi Shu, “God, you can guess everything.”

Xie Wuchi took the sunglasses from the compartment and put them on, focusing on driving: “You can sleep in the car. We’ll drive for an hour to get on the highway, then another two hours to the service area to get up and eat. We won’t reach the first scenic spot until the afternoon; it won’t be too late to wake up then.”

Shi Shu couldn’t help laughing: “That’s exactly what I thought.”

The weather was nice today. Snow-white sunlight shone in through the window. It was just early morning, and the surroundings were filled with an atmosphere of nascent energy ready to burst forth. Shi Shu ate the fried dough stick and drank the soy milk. The excitement of going out for a self-driving trip kept him happy for ten minutes or so, chatting with Xie Wuchi while studying the map.

More than ten minutes later, when the sunlight shone on the passenger seat again, Shi Shu was already sleeping sprawled out with his head tilted, faint sounds of slow breathing remaining in his nose.

This was their first trip since returning to modern times. Seeing Shi Shu’s voice get quieter as he spoke, Xie Wuchi said: “Go to the back seat to sleep, it’s more comfortable.”

Shi Shu insisted: “Forget it, I’ll sleep right here, keeping you company while you drive.”

Shi Shu’s eyelids closed. Xie Wuchi held the steering wheel and turned the car onto a road leaving the city. A song with a free and unrestrained tune was playing in the car. The sunlight was neither too warm nor too hot, and the surrounding scenery receded in large swathes.

Shi Shu was really too sleepy, sleeping in various postures in the car. Midway, he heard Xie Wuchi being stopped at the highway entrance, paying the fee, and then driving onto a smooth national highway.

Shi Shu woke up once: “When I used to go to my aunt’s house in another province with my parents, it seemed we went this way too.”

“So you’ve been on self-driving trips with your parents?”

“No, we always bought train or plane tickets and joined tour groups. Self-driving is still more convenient and free; no need to squeeze together with a big crowd.”

Shi Shu expressed his travel sentiments as if sleepwalking. Xie Wuchi, with sunglasses perched on his straight nose bridge, saw the sun getting stronger and freed a hand to pull down the sun visor for Shi Shu. Shi Shu glanced at him, thinking Xie Wuchi looked so handsome even when driving, and in the blink of an eye, fell asleep again.

When he woke up again, the car had stopped at a service area with a huge sign erected nearby. The surrounding scenery was no longer the city but had transformed into encircling green mountains. The service area parking lot was packed with vehicles. People walked back and forth speaking loudly, holding children’s hands or dragging friends along. Shi Shu was finally somewhat awake this time opening his eyes: “Lunch time?”

Xie Wuchi: “Go down to eat something and rest a bit.”

As soon as Shi Shu got out of the car, the sunlight was warm, even a bit hot. His feet felt the reality of the ground again. Some people stared at their car a few more times, but more gazes were focused on the two of them. Shi Shu had to put on a mask.

Shi Shu looked at the surrounding mountains: “Where is this? So many people, even though the surroundings look so desolate.”

“A famous internet-celebrity travel route. The route is popular, so there are many people all along the way.” Xie Wuchi watched Shi Shu touch this and run there, standing in place. When Shi Shu had looked enough and walked to his side, the hem of his clothes was habitually held by Shi Shu.

Xie Wuchi asked: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Shu said with holy craps: “Scenes from ghost movies in my mind are emerging. For example, now we are driving all the way forward, arriving at some haunted house, or some very ominous tourist destination. A travel thriller. The hotel we stay in also has paranormal events. A building is actually full of ghosts. After a struggle, we escape alive in the middle of the night—”

Xie Wuchi smiled and examined him for a while: “Are you a very insecure person?”

“?” Shi Shu asked, “What do you mean?”

Xie Wuchi led him towards the service area: “If not, then your chunibyo (eighth-grader syndrome) hasn’t healed yet, you’re timid, and you have a short attention span.”

Shi Shu: “?”

You understand everything again.

Shi Shu followed him. There were very many people in the service area, rushing to travel during the holiday with their families. Entering the door, the shelves on the left were filled with fruits, snacks, drinks, and local specialty delicacies like braised meat, stewed pig trotters, roasted meat, and roasted sausages. Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi walked around. They bought a roasted lamb chop sprinkled with cumin, a corn cob, and braised pig trotters. Xie Wuchi went to buy a meal of rice and dishes and sat opposite Shi Shu.

Shi Shu tasted the lamb chop. The taste was average. Things in service areas generally looked good, but the taste depended purely on luck. But since he bought it, Shi Shu chewed the lamb and immediately handed it to Xie Wuchi as if nothing had happened: “It’s quite tasty, you try it.”

Then, lowering his head to eat the pig trotter nonchalantly, he handed it to Xie Wuchi again: “This is also not bad, you try it.”

Xie Wuchi picked up half a piece. A few seconds after putting it in his mouth, when he looked up, Shi Shu couldn’t help laughing: “Tasty, right?”

Xie Wuchi: “Not ordinary.”

Shi Shu leaned back in his chair and laughed for half a minute: “One piece less again.” Then he finished the remaining lamb chop and watched Xie Wuchi eating rice: “Why didn’t you buy these flashy things?”

Xie Wuchi: “I knew they wouldn’t taste good. I saw someone take a bite on the way and throw it in the trash can.”

“…Then you still ate it when I handed it to you.”

Xie Wuchi: “Although the taste isn’t good, you obviously couldn’t finish it. I can help you solve a little bit.”

The more Shi Shu ate, the more he leaned towards him: “You should have said so earlier. Just walked around, and your AI electronic eyes scanned the service area, even seeing that I couldn’t finish the food.”

Shi Shu had a habit: when he liked someone, he couldn’t help leaning on them. While eating, he said a few sentences and leaned closer and closer, sometimes without realizing it himself. When he got very close, Xie Wuchi had to stop: “Want to try mine?”

In the crowd at the service area, a child was crying loudly nearby, waa waa. Shi Shu’s attention was attracted, and he nodded.

When he turned his face back, Xie Wuchi picked up a chopstick of food: “Open your mouth.”

Shi Shu took a bite, his gaze still fixed on that child, unblinking. The child probably wanted to eat roast meat and was refused by the parents. While Shi Shu was watching, Xie Wuchi curved his lips slightly: “This is a child with a lack of concentration.”

Shi Shu snapped out of it: “How can you tell she lacks concentration again?”

Xie Wuchi: “I wasn’t talking about her.”

“Then who were you talking about?” Shi Shu turned his face, and Xie Wuchi fed him another chopstick full.

Shi Shu leaned close, immediately forgetting to ask which child he was talking about, commenting: “This dish is quite tasty.”

Xie Wuchi leaned one hand on the chair armrest, smiling. Seeing Xie Wuchi smiling yet not smiling, Shi Shu looked puzzled, wanting to spam question marks “??? What are you laughing at?” However, the next second, Xie Wuchi fed him another mouthful of fragrant rice.

Shi Shu was initially a bit unaccustomed to traveling far from home, but being fed by Xie Wuchi like this, he withdrew his fidgety hands and couldn’t help tugging at the hem of Xie Wuchi’s jacket under the table.

They didn’t stay long in the service area. Midway, Xie Wuchi took a call from the family office. His time was relatively limited; he specifically carved out about three days to accompany Shi Shu on this self-driving vacation, handling some matters incidentally along the way.

Actually, there should have been a driver, but Shi Shu would turn into an NPC whenever outsiders saw them being romantic. For Shi Shu to be more comfortable, they only brought two cars following behind, which wouldn’t disturb them unless necessary.

Xie Wuchi still drove in the afternoon, passing the first tourist attraction on the way. Tired from long-distance driving, Shi Shu didn’t sleep anymore and kept talking to him.

Midway, Shi Shu asked: “How about I drive? You rest a bit.”

Xie Wuchi: “These are all mountain roads, prone to accidents. My driving experience is richer than yours; you just sit tight.”

“Alright then.” Shi Shu took out a bottle of water, occasionally unscrewing it for Xie Wuchi to drink.

The scenery along the way was very good. Shi Shu’s eyes lit up, saying wow wow all the way, talking to Xie Wuchi, then falling asleep again when sleepy, repeating this several times.

At three or four in the afternoon, they arrived at the first tourist attraction. Shi Shu could finally get out of the car. Colorful prayer flags fluttered atop the steps with the plateau wind. The blowing wind was cold. Scriptures were carved on stone tablets not far away. Many people got off their cars. There were both tour groups and locals doing business. Cars were blocked far away on the narrow road.

Shi Shu jumped out of the car: “So many people?”

“Wear a jacket? It’s cold outside.” While Xie Wuchi spoke, Shi Shu had already walked several steps away. He picked up the jacket from the passenger seat, got out of the car, took off his sunglasses, and followed to the foot of the stone steps at the mountain base.

Golden sunlight shone on the stupa tip. Not far away was the snow-capped mountain plateau. The warmth of the sunlight and the cold of the plateau coexisted on the skin simultaneously. Shi Shu walked a few steps back, shoulder to shoulder with Xie Wuchi: “Going up the steps?”

“Sure, I’ll take some photos of you,” Xie Wuchi said.

Shi Shu really couldn’t contain his excitement and ran up the steps. Xie Wuchi picked up his phone and followed behind. Shi Shu wasn’t wearing a jacket, occasionally stepping on the scattered scriptures on the ground, then seeing a Tibetan mastiff and couldn’t help going “tsk tsk tsk” (calling sound), and a while later encountered an internet celebrity posing, with several cameras pointing around, standing by to watch the excitement for a while.

Xie Wuchi walked unhurriedly, raising his hand to take pictures of him. After a while, Shi Shu stopped, staring at the inscription: “What does this say?”

“Tibetan, I don’t know it. I can read the traditional Chinese characters next to it for you.”

Shi Shu raised his eyes and said: “Almost forgot, you organized the Library of Scriptures at Xiangnan Temple.”

Xie Wuchi was checking the photos in his phone, looking left and right for angles, gesturing to the mountaintop on the side: “Go up there, the background over there is the snow mountain. I’ll take two shots of you.”

Shi Shu was already excited, running forward up the slope, bathed in brilliant sunlight, his fair, sunny face imprinted with a golden glow.

Shi Shu walked to the fence on the mountaintop and looked back for Xie Wuchi. Several young men and women nearby were taking photos, complaining: “What kind of skill is this? Will the photo turn out good or not? My waist is twisted 180 degrees.”

Turning their heads, they saw a handsome guy, 1.9 meters tall, walking up from the foot of the mountain. They were fiercely criticizing each other’s photography skills, but suddenly fell silent: “………………”

Male model runway show.

Shi Shu turned his head and glanced at them a few times. Several people laughed angrily, stepping aside to whisper/gossip (ququ), about to sue God with a loan.

Shi Shu was also preparing to leave. Xie Wuchi waved: “Right there, let me take a few for you.”

Shi Shu: “Huh? It’s fine if you take candid shots, but I get awkward if you seriously ask me to pose.”

“Don’t move, turn your face to look at the sunset.” Hearing this, Shi Shu had to turn his face sideways.

Half a minute later, he walked to Xie Wuchi: “Let me see.”

Looking at a few, he laughed: “Isn’t this the pretentious pose I post on Moments?”

Xie Wuchi: “You can pretend a bit too.”

Shi Shu: “I won’t pretend.”

Xie Wuchi walked closer to Shi Shu. Shi Shu was just about to climb a small mountain tip when he heard his indifferent voice: “Running so fast, are you afraid people will see we’re dating?”

Shi Shu: “?” What nonsense are you talking about again.

Shi Shu turned back: “What for?”

“Group photo.”

In the next second, the two leaned back against the guardrail of the cliff, the snow mountain behind reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun, their brows and eyes appearing in the lens simultaneously. “Click,” Shi Shu smelled the faint fragrance on Xie Wuchi, photo taken.

Shi Shu easily turned into an NPC in public. Looking at the photo, he was a bit shy, then “Ahhh!” rushed to the small dirt slope next to him, rushing all the way to the top to change the subject, asking Xie Wuchi: “How is it? Am I amazing?”

Xie Wuchi put his sunglasses back on with his long fingers, covering his eyes, very distant: “Mn, amazing.”

“Haha!” Shi Shu went down the slope from a small path on the side and was caught in his arms.

Xie Wuchi thought he was finally tired of running and reached out to hold his hand. Unexpectedly, in the next second, Shi Shu leaned into the crowd to look at roasted potatoes and beef jerky, looking around curiously. Shi Shu had never seen these before and was interested in everything. He picked up a sample of beef jerky to taste, then squeezed out of the crowd: “Forget it, won’t buy it. Don’t want to eat if I buy too much.”

Must be patient with children. Xie Wuchi understood this from the day he met Shi Shu.

Shi Shu half-closed his eyes, blowing in the plateau wind. The strange place put him in a good mood. But having only been here for over half an hour, sunset was approaching. He opened his eyes: “Why do I suddenly feel so cold?”

Xie Wuchi: “Large temperature difference between day and night. Warm during the day, cold as soon as the sun goes down.” He handed over the jacket, and Shi Shu put it on.

The tour of this spot was almost over. Shi Shu ran down the steps. Perhaps the cold wind was piercing; after running a few steps, he said “Ouch”: “Why am I a bit short of breath?”

Xie Wuchi’s gaze penetrated from under the lenses: “This is a plateau. Walk slowly, watch out for altitude sickness.”

Blown by this cold wind, the crowd at the scenic spot successively drove away. There was still some distance to the hotel, requiring another hour or more of driving forward. Night came very quickly; before long, outside the car window fell into pitch darkness. It was slightly better with the AC on inside, but outside became boundless black mountains, disappearing behind.

Shi Shu clung to the window: “Whoa.”

Xie Wuchi: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Shu’s eyes flickered, speaking slowly: “Reminds me of when I first transmigrated to ancient times. Just like this, dark mountain ridges without a single light. That feeling of never being able to walk out in a lifetime. It’s even more desolate here; not a single person on the mountains we pass.”

Xie Wuchi glanced at him: “Don’t be afraid, just here for a trip. We’ll arrive at the hotel soon.”

Shi Shu’s handsome features were reflected on the glass. He asked curiously: “Are there wolves here at night?”

Xie Wuchi: “Yes.”

Shi Shu slowly sat back in his chair.

Xie Wuchi said again: “Don’t be afraid, we’ve already returned.”

Shi Shu muttered to himself: “Not afraid. After I went to the Eastern Capital and found you, I never had nightmares again.”

Shi Shu was a bit hungry. Finally, large patches of light appeared directly ahead of the vehicle. It was a popular small town on the tourist route with very many inns and hotels opened. Just as Shi Shu was about to get off, Xie Wuchi took a down jacket from the back seat for him: “Put this on first.”

“Not necessary, right? I was wearing short sleeves during the day.”

The second after opening the car door, Shi Shu froze all over, abruptly wrapping the down jacket tightly: “So cold?!!!!! How can it be this cold?”

The two cars behind also stopped. The bodyguards who got off came over to move the luggage to the room. Just as Shi Shu was about to run around aimlessly, Xie Wuchi said: “Go eat first.”

“So cold, so cold, so cold…” Shi Shu waited a while before adapting to the night climate on the plateau. In the dark night, distinctive hotels and folk customs could be seen everywhere. Neon lights bore names with words like “Snow Mountain” and “Plateau.” A narrow road, with vehicles occasionally passing by dropping off tourists. The people coming and going dispelled the desolation of the wilderness.

As soon as they got down, someone immediately came bowing and scraping to receive them, enthusiastically recommending places to eat in the town. Xie Wuchi listened, signaled the other party not to follow, and led Shi Shu onto the dark road.

Shi Shu was still a bit cold wearing the down jacket, fortunately, his hand was held by Xie Wuchi all the time. Shi Shu was initially a bit embarrassed, but looking back, those bodyguards were just following from far behind, and it was late at night, so he relaxed his mind.

This wasn’t Shi Shu’s first long trip with Xie Wuchi, but his heart felt warm every time. A small shop with a home-style feel, doors and windows decorated like furniture style, only a plastic lightbox at the entrance writing “Restaurant.” When Shi Shu lifted the curtain to enter, he nonchalantly threw away the hand holding Xie Wuchi.

Xie Wuchi gently tugged Shi Shu’s back collar from behind. Shi Shu looked back at him, almost fighting while entering the door.

Ordering soup pot and roast meat, Shi Shu finally had time to take out his phone and message Du Zihan.

[Image]
[Image of Xie Wuchi]
[Group Photo]

Du Zihan replied instantly: “Happy again, Bro /.”

Shi Shu replied “Stable happiness,” looking at the screen and unable to hold back the corners of his lips rising. Xie Wuchi lowered his eyes: “Dating Du Zihan? Smiling looking at his chat box?”

Shi Shu: “? I smile looking at your chat box too?”

“Let me see.”

Shi Shu sat next to Xie Wuchi, shortening the distance instantly. His chin was about to slide onto the table for support when it was propped up by Xie Wuchi’s palm.

Shi Shu blinked, watching Xie Wuchi methodically tapping his phone screen. After watching for two seconds, he couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Xie Wuchi asked evenly: “What are you laughing at?”

Shi Shu: “This look of yours, I want to laugh every time I see it.”

Xie Wuchi pinched his cheek: “Like seeing me jealous?”

Shi Shu: “You’re eating vinegar (jealous) when there’s none, I didn’t provoke you.”

Xie Wuchi put down the phone, staring at Shi Shu’s face. After a few seconds, Shi Shu had a premonition. Before he leaned down to kiss, Shi Shu quickly reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder to create distance: “No no no.”

Xie Wuchi withdrew his hand, waiting for the shopkeeper to serve the food.

There were no recreational activities in the small town. Combined with the cold night and a day’s driving, Shi Shu returned to the lodging with Xie Wuchi after eating. Entering the door and turning on the heating, Shi Shu shouted “Ahhh” from the cold while quickly taking off his coat. Taking a shower the first night easily causes altitude sickness, but Shi Shu still went to shower immediately, throwing clothes into the washer and dryer.

Too cold, even the floor took a while to warm up, dropping from twenty or thirty degrees to several degrees below zero. After Shi Shu changed into pajamas, he lifted the quilt and burrowed directly into bed.

Shi Shu’s urgent homework recently was to maintain social connections with former friends. Because Shi Shu had forgotten them quickly during the four years of transmigration, now, he received questions from friends on his phone: [Shi Shu, what are you doing? That day in the cafeteria you left without even looking at me??? Did I offend you? I’ve been struggling for days, I must ask you, because this matter caused me internal friction!]

Shi Shu thought for a long time: [Which day? And you are…]

Friend: [A bit hurtful, brother.]

Shi Shu chatted with him for a few sentences and started scrolling through Moments, trying to awaken memories by looking at everyone’s lives. Hearing the movement of the door opening, Xie Wuchi walked out of the bathroom. He was only wearing a bathrobe. The hair covering the corners of his eyes was dark and damp. He opened the door, went to the table, and picked up a dry towel to wipe his hair.

Shi Shu’s attention began to wander, tapping his fingers a few times and looking up.

Xie Wuchi’s hair dried quickly. Walking to the bedside, Shi Shu shifted uncomfortably to the edge of the bed and asked: “Do you want to…”

“Want to kiss.”

Shi Shu smelled the clean, dry scent of shower gel on him, leaning against his shoulder: “I meant, do you want to go to bed (shang chuang)…”

Xie Wuchi: “Want that too.”

“…” Shi Shu corrected, “Not that kind of going to bed.”

But his face was clasped by a hand, fingers threading through soft locks of hair. Shi Shu’s hands supported on the snow-white sheets, clenching tight, released only after being kissed for a good while. This was only foreplay, but Xie Wuchi let go of him first, put on pajamas, and turned on the computer to handle some matters.

It was very quiet at night, occasionally hearing the movement of vehicles passing on the highway not far away, and laughter from downstairs. Shi Shu sat on the bed and video-called his parents to report in, then lay on the pillow watching a few competition videos.

Both riding and driving were tiring. Just as Shi Shu was lazily getting comfortable, Xie Wuchi closed the computer and got into bed. Shi Shu moved his phone to show Xie Wuchi: “Show you what real speed is.”

Xie Wuchi raised an eyebrow: “Specially built a favorites folder?”

“…”

Xie Wuchi swiped the screen, a flood of competition clips: “Quite a few male gods you have.”

Shi Shu: “If I’m not mistaken, I wrote ‘Great God’, right?”

Xie Wuchi: “Then I must have misread.”

Shi Shu turned off the phone, propped himself up on the quilt beside him, and leaned in to kiss his lips: “Brother Xie, Brother Xie, Brother Xie, you—”

Xie Wuchi reached out, click, turning off the bedside lamp. The room instantly fell into darkness.

The rustling sound of fabric friction arose. Shi Shu’s senses were deprived. He heard Xie Wuchi taking off his clothes. When he touched him again, Shi Shu was hugged into a very warm embrace. Skin warm and smooth like something sunbathed. Shi Shu rested his face against his jaw, feeling a wave of warmth in his heart.

Xie Wuchi was kissing his ear: “Do you think this small town looks like a ghost town?”

His voice was rasping, carrying a lazy magnetism, right by the ear, like ASMR for sleep.

Shi Shu: “Huh? Didn’t you say you didn’t believe in that?”

“I want to hear you talk about it, see what you’re thinking about every day.”

Shi Shu lay in his arms, speaking boredly: “Horror movies, Silent Hill. For example, everyone in this hotel was cursed as soon as they entered the town. Once it hits midnight, a hundred ghosts parade at night. We are the only survivors. We thought everyone was normal, only one ghost. When seeing this ghost, everyone ran around the hotel asking for help, helping each other, hiding in a sealed secret room. In the end, found out someone had a knife in their back, another’s neck was long broken, another cut in half at the waist. Everyone had turned into ghosts, but didn’t know it themselves, still thinking they were living people fleeing for their lives…”

Talking and talking, Shi Shu couldn’t help feeling a chill down his back, shrinking into his embrace.

Xie Wuchi kissed him: “I really like the way you scare yourself telling ghost stories, and it’s not once or twice.”

Shi Shu: “?”

Like it?

Shi Shu was just about to bristle, but looking up, his lips were kissed again. Xie Wuchi’s voice was gentle: “And then?”

Shi Shu always felt Xie Wuchi was so gentle, making his heart sticky: “Later, anyway, I took you and escaped.”

Shi Shu only said half; his lips were captured. Xie Wuchi kissed him while asking: “After escaping?”

The buttons of the pajamas were gently undone. A pair of hot hands were caressing Shi Shu’s shoulders. Shi Shu itched all over, waist curving slightly: “After escaping, we just… just called the police, and swore never to come again.”

Shi Shu’s voice trembled, realizing something was wrong in his mind. He was being kissed gently on the lips, slowly turning into a deep kiss, letting out a gasp difficult to suppress. Xie Wuchi’s hand stroked his earlobe and neck, turning into a controlling light pinch, then releasing, intertwining with his breathing: “Shall I help you supplement the second half?”

Shi Shu gasped: “…Huh?”

“The second half, you and I thought we escaped alive, life returned to calm. One day a few months later, you suddenly discovered my secret. Turns out I was also lost in that town. Back then, to save you, I became the most powerful one among those malicious ghosts.”

A chill ran down Shi Shu’s back, but he couldn’t help saying: “Why are you the most powerful?”

He heard a very light laugh. Coming back to his senses, he was completely hugged into his arms, proceeding to the next step.

Shi Shu felt warm all over, arms hugging Xie Wuchi’s back, ears filled with his voice.

After the lights in the room were turned off, the desolation and silence of the wilderness became more obvious, accompanied by the humming of the air conditioner. Shi Shu was being kissed by him, Xie Wuchi’s soft whispers by his ear: “Good baby, touch me.”

Shi Shu’s fingers went from his ear and neck, stroking all the way to the position Xie Wuchi wanted, touching that hot tattoo.

Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi’s way in bed was generally Xie Wuchi coaxing while not stopping, but occasionally he would let Shi Shu be more active, stimulating the demon in Shi Shu’s heart, biting harmless little wounds on him, making Shi Shu blush and heart race.

From outside the door came the feeling of wind blowing on the plateau, mixed with the bitter scent of dahlia. Shi Shu gently kissed Xie Wuchi’s lips. Slowly, voices and breaths gradually became confused and intertwined, permeating and heating up in the dark room.

After fatigue struck, Shi Shu lay in the pillow, falling asleep peacefully.

Early morning again, the chirping of magpies came from outside the door. Shi Shu opened his eyes from drowsiness. The curtains were drawn open, snow-white sunlight shining into the room.

The side was empty, still retaining the scent of shower gel on Xie Wuchi. Shi Shu’s nose lingered on this trace of scent. Putting on a white T-shirt to get up, just as he was about to go out, Xie Wuchi came in from the door.

Shi Shu: “You’ve already been out for a trip?”

Xie Wuchi: “Went out to take a few calls. The morning sun is comfortable. You were sleeping, in case I woke you up.”

Shi Shu yawned. Seeing Xie Wuchi wearing only a very simple white shirt, his shoulders and body looked clean and neat. The temperament of a noble son was reduced a bit, more domesticated. Shi Shu suddenly felt he looked quite good. Walking behind him, he hugged him from the back.

Xie Wuchi turned his head: “Slept enough? Want to sleep a bit more?”

Shi Shu: “Can sleep more, but want you with me.”

Xie Wuchi turned around. In an instant, steps retreated, and they lay on the bed together. Looking out from the floor-to-ceiling window, there was a snow mountain in the morning mist, stretching down to endless grasslands, clear orange light filled with dust sprinkling on this earth.

The two looked at the scenery outside the window together. Xie Wuchi: “The sun hasn’t thoroughly warmed the outside yet. Go out when it’s warmer?”

Shi Shu rested on his shoulder: “Okay.” Finished speaking, he turned back and kissed Xie Wuchi on the face.

Xie Wuchi was coaxed: “Have them send breakfast over?”

Shi Shu was delighted: “Sure, I have no objections.”

The two ate together. Shi Shu strode out with the suitcase. The sun shone warmly on the ground, very white sunlight, so white it made people unable to open their eyes. Xie Wuchi handed Shi Shu a pair of sunglasses. Shi Shu understood: “So you weren’t pretending.”

Opening the car door, Shi Shu said, “I’ll drive now, you can rest.”

Xie Wuchi didn’t stop him: “Okay, just until the gas station ahead, stop and swap with me.”

Shi Shu drove, following the navigation. Xie Wuchi occasionally took calls in the passenger seat, handling some matters.

Music played in the car. Passing through the great grassland today, the two stopped midway to walk around the grassland. The road ahead was very difficult to drive, winding mountain roads, twisting up and down like a snake. They switched back to Xie Wuchi in the driver’s seat.

Shi Shu was somewhat excited at first, got bored and sleepy midway, got excited again encountering beautiful scenery, and got sleepy again after aesthetic fatigue. Amidst the changing light and shadow in the car, one moment he sat talking, the next he tilted his head snoring fast asleep. Xie Wuchi remained emotionally stable, chatting a few sentences when Shi Shu had energy to talk to him.

Rushing urgently today, they finally arrived at the destination of this trip around seven or eight in the evening. It was already late today. Tomorrow they would specially play at the scenic spots here, then buy plane tickets for the return trip. The car stopped downstairs at the hotel. The town was globally famous, built more prosperously, with large swathes of local architecture. However, rushing today was too tiring. Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi planned to leave the local specialty food for tomorrow after climbing the mountain, heading straight to the hotel after parking.

Entering the hotel, Shi Shu washed up quickly. When Xie Wuchi also came out of the bathroom, the light takeout ordered arrived just in time.

Xie Wuchi picked up a towel to wipe his hair. Shi Shu carried the takeout preparing to go downstairs.

“What, isn’t it cold to eat downstairs?”

“You don’t like eating in the bedroom, say there’s a smell.” Shi Shu said, “If we open the window to ventilate, the heat goes out again.”

Xie Wuchi paused, going to the tea hall downstairs.

Shi Shu opened the packaging. He and Xie Wuchi ordered a mushroom soup pot with beef cooked in it, said to contain special spices.

Shi Shu ladled a spoonful of soup: “Taste it, drink a sip. It’s cold here at night; drinking a mouthful of steaming soup is too awesome!”

Cold wind whistled. Xie Wuchi put a few chopsticks of meat into Shi Shu’s bowl.

The next morning, finally going to the destination to climb the mountain. Shi Shu was unbelievably excited. Xie Wuchi was packing things in the backpack: “Going up and down the mountain will take several hours. It’ll definitely be night when we return. Bringing some snacks for you.”

Shi Shu ran out the door several times. Coming back, Xie Wuchi was still packing, so he had to start “Brother, brother, brother…”

Finally, when they stepped out the door together, it was a very sunny day.

Took a bus to the scenic area first. Too many tourists. When Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi got on the bus, there were many people; both could only stand. Shi Shu looked around. There were also many locals in the car. The driver chanted scriptures while driving, and many people lowered their heads reciting scriptures.

The bus drove for about an hour and a half, finally winding to the scenic area ticket office. They had bought two tickets early, redeemed them, and swiped in.

Shi Shu saw those bodyguards again, all wearing plain clothes, pretending to be ordinary tourists. But within the crowd, an air of rigor and seriousness still couldn’t be hidden.

Finally able to climb the mountain. There were especially many people on the road. You could ride a horse up a section first, but the rest had to be walked by oneself. Shi Shu asked Xie Wuchi: “Ride a horse?”

Xie Wuchi: “Up to you.”

“Then won’t ride, let’s walk up.” Shi Shu estimated first, “I feel climbing this mountain down will only use a tiny part of my stamina.”

Xie Wuchi: “What makes you most tired?”

Shi Shu: “With you—”

Halfway through, Shi Shu swallowed the second half back, scared almost to sweating, pretending nothing happened: “Can I be tired? Professional athlete, really very professional.”

Walking while looking around. The snow mountain revealed its peak not far away. The current season happened to be a good time to see red maples, thousands of forests dyed, ten thousand mountains red all over. Many tourists on the road were taking photos.

Xie Wuchi took out his phone again, raised his hand to take two shots of Shi Shu, and showed him: “How is it?”

Shi Shu: “Zheme (so) handsome.”

Xie Wuchi: ” add a caption, can post it to fish (fishing for compliments/dates). A face that produces viral hits.”

“?” Shi Shu, “Did I say I want to fish?”

Xie Wuchi: “That’s best. After all, people with better conditions than me are few.”

“…”

Why attack others for no reason?

This route was popular. Besides whole families traveling, there were also many university students on the road.

Sure enough, as Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi walked on the road, many people would look back at them, especially university students who were more lively and enthusiastic. Someone specifically came to ask on the way: “Are you guys celebrities who haven’t debuted yet?”

Shi Shu paused for a second, a bit embarrassed, standing as punishment behind Xie Wuchi.

Xie Wuchi wore sunglasses. His gaze perhaps glanced at the other person, perhaps looking at the top of their head, saying indifferently: “No.”

“Can we take a group photo? You two are really too handsome!”

“No.”

Xie Wuchi walked forward: “Also please don’t take candid photos, it will cause us trouble.”

Those few people hurriedly left, sitting on a stone nearby to drink water and rest, simultaneously going holy crap holy crap.

Shi Shu said “Uh,” scratching his hair appearing from behind Xie Wuchi: “Made me quite awkward.”

Xie Wuchi: “When you meet more people, maybe it won’t be that difficult.”

There were really too many people on the road. The mountain path wasn’t wide, occasionally horse caravans passed. But the horse caravans stopped not far away. The road ahead was very difficult and muddy, mixed with broken stones, very damaging to horses’ hooves. Those who still wanted to go up only had to walk up themselves.

Shi Shu breathed twice, heart starting to palpitate expanding like a flower bud. Just happened to see two uncles lying by the road inhaling oxygen not far away, faces flushed red, probably having altitude sickness. Shi Shu still wanted to run, but settled down completely, walking and stopping beside Xie Wuchi.

There were many Mani piles of small stacked stones by the roadside. Almost everywhere along the way they came. Shi Shu also squatted down to stack stones.

Then, Shi Shu squatted by the roadside muttering.

Xie Wuchi: “What wish did you make?”

Shi Shu: “Health, smoothness, sudden wealth.”

Xie Wuchi: “You’ve already realized the third wish.”

“……”

Shi Shu looked up at him again, reaching out to tug Xie Wuchi’s jacket sleeve, pulling him down: “You make a wish too.”

Xie Wuchi: “Then I wish for your first two wishes to come true.”

Shi Shu: “Why don’t you wish those three for yourself?”

“Health and smoothness are actually controllable. I have a checkup every half year, body very healthy, career also considered smooth—”

Shi Shu raised an eyebrow: “Then I’ll make another wish for you, hope you—be happy.”

Xie Wuchi paused, lifted his eyes, smiled and said: “That’s good too. You don’t need to make this wish for yourself, because being happy is easy to do, isn’t it.”

Shi Shu stood up: “Of course, happy every day. Hope you are as happy as me.”

Walking further, encountered many popular internet celebrity check-in spots on the road, many people queuing there.

Shi Shu passed by looking for a moment, said: “Let’s go, won’t take photos.”

The higher up, the fewer people. Perhaps due to the plateau, climbing stamina seemed to be used up faster. When Shi Shu slowly got a bit tired, Xie Wuchi reached out and held his hand.

Shi Shu wanted to pull his hand out: “Don’t.”

“Why not?”

“I became a gay man, but I don’t want to be the kind whispered about behind backs for the time being.”

Xie Wuchi: “That word should be called ‘shipping’ (ke). Almost forgot, used to ship you and Pei Wenqing.”

Shi Shu wanted to laugh, but couldn’t help it: “No, how long has Little Pei been gone? You still won’t let him off?”

Xie Wuchi handed him a bottle of water, expression unchanging: “Good memory.”

“…”

Shi Shu was drinking water, and also fished out a box of biscuits from the bag, took a bite and handed it to Xie Wuchi: “You eat.”

Xie Wuchi: “Don’t eat snacks.”

“……”

Shi Shu thought for two seconds, revealing snow-white teeth, laughing while walking forward. Although Xie Wuchi’s mouth was venomous as hell, like a controlled knife, being with him was just very fun.

Not long ahead, encountered a temporary food stall. The restaurant owner was selling hard: “Last restaurant on the climbing route ah, no place to eat further up. Another hour’s journey, and three hours to go down.”

Shi Shu looked and asked Xie Wuchi: “Almost noon, want to go eat something?”

Xie Wuchi: “This place only has instant noodles, provides boiling water, also called a restaurant.”

Shi Shu: “Eat?”

Xie Wuchi: “I haven’t eaten instant noodles.”

“…” Shi Shu looked at him for a few seconds, “You haven’t eaten instant noodles?”

Xie Wuchi: “Haven’t eaten.”

“Then we’ll eat two cups.” Shi Shu picked two cups at the counter, asked the boss to get boiling water, then sat by the bench. Many people sat here eating instant noodles. With more people, it didn’t seem particularly out of place.

Shi Shu took the instant noodles, handed a cup to Xie Wuchi. Xie Wuchi didn’t say much and took it in his hand.

Shi Shu: “Brother Xie, I discovered your uniqueness. You are the first person I’ve met in this life who hasn’t eaten instant noodles.”

Xie Wuchi: “I should have more uniqueness worth discovering by you.”

Shi Shu laughed. When the instant noodles were ready, he took a bite first and handed it to Xie Wuchi: “Take a bite. Mine is a bit spicy, yours isn’t spicy.”

Xie Wuchi lowered his head to take a bite from Shi Shu’s fork. This small restaurant was built halfway up the mountain, just right to see the maple forest on the slope not far away. They stood by the roadside talking. Shi Shu also took a bite of Xie Wuchi’s noodles. After finishing eating, handed the trash back to the shopkeeper and wiped hands clean.

Xie Wuchi opened his bag and handed over a bottle of mouthwash.

Young master is particular.

Walking up for another hour, sure enough, no other merchants. Not allowed for ecological protection. After turning footsteps forward, before eyes was a huge blue lake, blue like a tear, like a gemstone, and like the ocean cut onto the mountain top.

Surrounded by withered yellow grassland, making the lake appear even more azure and boundless. This was the landscape at the mountain top. Many people stood by the lake taking photos, reaching out to touch the clear water flow.

Shi Shu was tired with cold sweat on his forehead. Seeing the scenery, eyes couldn’t help lighting up.

“Not bad!”

Finished speaking, just wanted to run forward, but after a few steps, thin oxygen made the heart start chaotic palpitations again, had to stop again supporting knees.

Xie Wuchi: “Slow down.”

Shi Shu finally walked to the lake, lying down on the grass, looking up at the snow-white sun: “This is too comfortable!”

“Not bad.”

Xie Wuchi hadn’t taken off his sunglasses all the way. Arriving here, he just looked casually and put them on again.

However, when Shi Shu lay rolling around, he stood aside, watching Shi Shu sunbathe.

Shi Shu hooked him: “You sit down too,”

Xie Wuchi sat down. Shi Shu was really a bit tired. There were unfinished biscuits in the bag. He lay on Xie Wuchi’s knees, eating while looking at people around.

Everyone was very happy. Not far away, a tour group of young people was cheering and jumping up to take group photos.

On the left was a middle-aged and elderly tour group. Aunties took out colorful silk scarves. The wind was strong on the plateau, singing and dancing softly by the lake.

Shi Shu was looking at the sky. Xie Wuchi took out his phone, took a few more photos of him, and sent them to Bai Mo.

Shi Shu relaxed all over: “Not bad, not bad, this trip is worth it, this lake is indeed beautiful!”

Xie Wuchi wasn’t in a hurry, asked: “Where to go next?”

Shi Shu: “I want to go everywhere.”

The two quietly felt the warm yet cold sun and strong wind on the plateau. Shi Shu leaned on Xie Wuchi’s shoulder, slowly feeling a bit sleepy, rousing his spirit.

Xie Wuchi watched for a long time, asked: “When you ran everywhere with Du Zihan back then, was it like this? Screaming at sunset when rushing, happy seeing high mountains and lofty ridges, standing by the bank sighing with emotion for a long time when passing rivers before leaving?”

Shi Shu leaned in his arms sunbathing: “Why ask this suddenly?”

Xie Wuchi: “You told me, wanted to go to the end of the world.”

Shi Shu opened his eyes, just meeting Xie Wuchi’s lowered gaze: “I want to accompany you to walk more roads.”

A silence. When Shi Shu regained consciousness, he was looking around to ensure no one noticed, kissing his face: “You have already accompanied me very far.”

Regardless of whether anyone saw, Shi Shu couldn’t help it, kissed him again: “I love you.”

The dark clouds covering the sun flowed away from the horizon, scattering skylight again, shining on the skin driving away the chill, becoming warm.

Xie Wuchi leaned down to kiss his face: “I love you too. I want you to be yourself happily.”

Shi Shu held his hand again, turning back his gaze. The lake destined for reincarnation in mythology reflected shimmering waves, the breeze just right.

Support me on Ko-fi