Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 197: Counterattack with an Army

"So, have you found the person over there?"

On their way back to base camp with Liang Qian, Chen Xiang happened to see Lin Ming and Lin Xiaoyou returning from another direction, so he pretended to be anxious and asked them a question.

Seeing the two shake their heads with heavy expressions, he sighed and said regretfully, "Alas, me too. I hope the others can find something."

Although he said that, he knew very well that it would be a miracle if anyone else could find her. He had personally seen the girl riding a cart down the mountain in the direction of the descent, and no one had searched that direction at all, so it was impossible for anyone to find her.

To be honest, Chen Xiang was quite nervous when he saw the girl named Mo Yixia after leaving the restroom.

It's worth noting that in the restroom, he not only discussed with Liao Xinyu how to "scheme" against Xiao Yuyan, but also mentioned several times his infidelity in relationships. Although the wording was rather subtle and others might not have thought of it, he was still flustered and afraid that his true colors would be exposed.

He knew very well that as a scumbag who intentionally maintained a monogamous image, being exposed would not be as simple as losing a girlfriend. He and Liang Qian were a well-known model couple in the class, and their breakup would definitely cause a huge sensation, and his reputation as a scumbag would spread throughout the entire major.

That's considered good. If his profile were posted on a confession wall or something similar, he could forget about ever hooking up with girls at school again, and all the innocent female students he added would block him without hesitation.

Liao Xinyu shared the same worries, even more so than Chen Xiang. The thought that Xiaoyu might look at him with extreme disappointment and disgust made his heart ache, and he felt completely lost.

So the two quickly devised a plan. They decided to test whether the girl had heard their conversation. If she hadn't, all the better. If she had, they would try to persuade her not to tell anyone.

But then, an accident happened.

Suddenly, the girl named Mo Yixia collapsed into the cart behind them, and then, to their astonishment, slid down the hillside until she disappeared without a trace.

The expressions on their faces at that moment were quite interesting.

They considered trying to save the person and even attempted to chase after them for a distance, but quickly realized they couldn't catch up. Then they thought again—there was no need for them to chase after them, and they didn't even need to tell anyone about it.

Isn't this much easier than asking the other party not to spread their conversation?
Besides, this matter had nothing to do with them, and even if someone asked about it later, they could easily deny seeing the other party.

Making such a decision against one's conscience naturally required a long period of mental struggle, but both of them knew that their secret must not be exposed. After hesitating for a long time, they finally chose to pretend that they knew nothing.

As Chen Xiang had predicted, things unfolded exactly as he had envisioned. With someone missing, everyone naturally lost interest in climbing the mountain. Even if they found the person, they would abandon the trip. The girl would most likely be taken to the hospital, while the unrelated people would simply leave without any further contact or risk of exposure.

He returned to base camp in a relaxed mood, just in time to see Liao Xinyu walking over with a gloomy expression.

He had naturally noticed that Liao Xinyu had been rejected when he wanted to go with Xiao Yuyan, and he knew that she was in a bad mood. Seeing his girlfriend leave to rest, he comforted her, "Don't look so sullen. There will be plenty of opportunities. You're too impatient."

Liao Xinyu remained silent for a while before asking worriedly, "Um... are we really not going to tell everyone that the girl slipped down the hillside?"

Chen Xiang frowned, surprised that this guy was actually concerned about this matter now. He immediately lowered his voice and said, "What do you think? What difference does it make whether we say it now or not? Do you think it'll be useful to back out now? If something really happens to that girl, we won't be able to escape responsibility!"

Liao Xinyu felt even more guilty and struggled with his emotions as he asked, "You...you also think something might happen to her?"

This guy is hopeless...

Chen Xiang took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Xinyu, listen to me. Whether she's in trouble or not, this has nothing to do with us. We didn't see anything, and it's too late to make amends now. Do you understand?"

"But……"

"Do you think Xiaoyu would like someone with questionable character?" Chen Xiang asked impatiently, pulling out his trump card.

Liao Xinyu immediately fell silent, lowering his head in silence. After a while, he still said self-deprecatingly, "So you also think that we two have moral problems."

"if not?"

Chen Xiang shrugged. Only people like him who don't shy away from facing their own hearts can become experts in relationships, while people like Liao Xinyu who are timid and submissive can only be sycophants.

Just then, he suddenly heard a commotion ahead.

To show his eagerness in searching for the person, he deliberately returned a little later, only then noticing that the streetlights ahead were already full of people, and everyone else had already returned.

Xiao Yuyan stood in front of several guides, speaking urgently.

Chen Xiang frowned, then called Liao Xinyu and walked over together.

"Yes, Han Zhou said he was sure Mo Yixia was on the path we went up the mountain earlier. He couldn't wait and went to find her on his own. He said he would use a flashlight as a signal so we could find her as soon as we got there."

Xiao Yuyan endured the cold and waited under the streetlights. As soon as she saw everyone return, she immediately told them what Han Zhou had told her.

"Nonsense!"

Upon hearing his words, even the usually composed Brother Wang frowned deeply and rebuked him, "Didn't I tell you that you're not allowed to act alone!"

Xiao Yuyan apologized first, then explained, "But if I hadn't stayed here to wait for you, you might now think that two more people have gone missing."

She didn't say that this was Han Zhou's decision alone, but rather helped to share some of the pressure.

Before the guides could even begin to grumble, Zhang Tao urged in a deep voice, "Since Han Zhou has already left, let's catch up with him right now. It would be troublesome if something unexpected happened. Besides, it seems there's no trace of Mo Yixia in the other directions. Maybe she really is down the mountain?"

Everyone agreed that it made sense. They were unhappy, but they still had to find the person, so they didn't have time to rest and immediately headed down the mountain.

Chen Xiang, who had just walked over, heard the conversation and his heart sank. He quickly called out to Xiao Yuyan, who was about to run down the mountain, and asked, "Wait, Xiao Yu, how did that Han Zhou know that the missing girl went down the mountain?"

"I don't know, maybe it's just a telepathic connection."

Xiao Yuyan already disliked this scumbag, and coupled with her concern for Han Zhou and the other person's safety, she naturally had no intention of answering his question. She gave a perfunctory reply and hurriedly ran down the mountain.

Chen Xiang's expression gradually became serious. He turned his head and saw that Liao Xinyu's expression was also not good.

Neither of them moved, and they just watched the crowd leave.

……

The process of clearing snow was quite tedious, and for those in danger, it was a desperate torment. Fortunately, Han Zhou and Mo Yixia had a good attitude and did not have any negative thoughts. Instead, they chatted casually.

With food and water, they can hold out for a while even if they don't receive immediate rescue.

About an hour later, the snow blocking the cave entrance was finally dug through, and a fierce gust of snow wind suddenly rushed into the cave, stinging the two men's cheeks.

"Just wait here from now on."

Han Zhou didn't dare to peek out. It was pitch black outside, and checking the situation would have to be done during the day. He placed his headlamp at the entrance of the cave, covered part of it with the snow he had just dug out, and pressed it down firmly to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

The headlamp was of good quality; it didn't break even after falling from a height. Luckily, the headlamp's cap cushioned the impact, preventing him from getting dizzy and disoriented.

Unlike Mo Yixia's bad luck, his luck today was off the charts.

Now it was time to wait. The headlamp was very bright in the night, and anyone looking down from the cliff would notice him and realize that he and Mo Yixia were there.

The two huddled at the very back of the cave, leaning against the cold stone wall, close to each other, wrapped together in thin blankets and sheets, quietly watching the light outside the cave entrance being swallowed by darkness.

A biting wind blew from the cliff from time to time, making the two of them shiver.

"I suddenly regret digging through the snow at the entrance of the cave," Han Zhou said jokingly, exhaling a puff of white breath.

“I think this is just right.” Mo Yixia’s pretty face was pale from the cold, and she shrank closer to him. “Maybe we can see the sunrise in a little while.”

"You'd probably have to sit right by the cave entrance to see it," Han Zhou chuckled. "And you'd better not get your hopes up too high; the sunrise here is different from the sunrise at the mountaintop."

“No.” Mo Yixia shook her head slightly and said softly, “There’s no difference.”

At least for her, it made no difference.

Perhaps due to fatigue, she appeared much quieter than usual, and even her voice carried a hint of tranquility and gentleness.

Will this be the most authentic Mo Yixia?
Han Zhou couldn't help but think.

"Why don't you just confess your feelings to me directly?"

As if her thoughts had been read, the girl cast a half-smile at her.

Seeing that Han Zhou remained silent, she sighed and continued, "You were willing to risk your life to save me, yet you still won't confess your feelings to me?"

Han Zhou hesitated for a long time: "I..."

"It goes without saying."

As if knowing what he was going to say, Mo Yixia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled, "Anyway, I've already prepared to repay him with my body."

From this angle, only half a moon can be seen outside the cave entrance.

The other half is only temporarily invisible; it does not mean that they have been divided into two halves.

“I’m serious,” she added softly.

"Really?" "It always has been."

Han Zhou didn't dare to reply, but just stared blankly at the half moon outside the cave entrance.

The cave was quiet for a while before sounds resumed.

"I'm talking about Han Zhou."

"what happened?"

"When you jumped off the cliff and grabbed me, were you planning to throw me up there?"

Han Zhou was taken aback: "You could even tell that?"

He did have a bold idea at the time: to use a "powerful throw" to throw Mo Yixia off the cliff. The soft snow on the ground would act as a cushion, and even if there was a risk of injury, it would be worth it as long as Mo Yixia's life could be saved.

This idea was actually a last resort. He originally planned to grab Mo Yixia's hand and use a "powerful throw" before she fell off the cliff, but his speed was affected by the loose snow and he was unable to grab her immediately.

Unfortunately, Mo Yixia immediately turned around and hugged him tightly, so this alternative plan could not be implemented.

Thinking of this, Han Zhou suddenly paused for a moment, then looked at the girl beside him in surprise: "You hugged me on purpose back then?"

"It was also because I couldn't help myself."

Mo Yi didn't deny it, but sighed softly, "You're never short of courage in this area, but you're always a coward when it comes to relationships... No, that's not right. People who try to juggle multiple relationships should be very bold in a sense, right?"

"You're much bolder than me."

Han Zhou pretended not to notice the sarcasm in her words and immediately retorted.

"is it?"

Seeing the girl's relaxed and carefree demeanor, Han Zhou couldn't help but sigh: "I'm telling you, aren't you afraid at all?"

"What are you afraid of?" Mo Yixia asked back.

"I'm afraid we won't be able to get out and will all be trapped here and die." Han Zhou deliberately made his tone more sinister.

“A little.” Mo Yixia said with some worry, “I don’t care if it’s just me, but if you die here too, I would feel very guilty.”

She paused, then smiled gently and added, "It's my responsibility that I didn't let you eat enough fish heads."

Han Zhou laughed along, "Are you saying I'm stupid?"

“Yes.” Mo Yixia nodded honestly.

A biting wind blew through the mountains, and the narrow cave fell silent. Apart from the sound of the wind, the two could only hear each other's breathing.

"You're not much smarter than me."

After a brief silence, Han Zhou said irritably, "You kept saying 'let's go'... Do you think I shouldn't have come to save you back then?"

He doesn't like saying things like "I don't care if I'm alone," and Mo Yixia's misanthropic mentality must change.

“Of course not.” Mo Yixia’s tone remained calm.

For some reason, even though it was a very clear answer, she felt inexplicably guilty after saying those words and quietly looked away.

Han Zhou noticed her gaze shift away and asked again, "Then you don't want me to come and save you?"

It may seem similar to the first question, but in reality, they are two completely different questions.

"From any perspective, jumping down to save me was the most foolish choice you could have made."

“Answer my question directly.”

Mo Yixia seemed not to hear: "You said it yourself, the reason we are still alive is almost entirely due to luck. If we were less lucky, not only would I die, but you would die with me. Is there really any point in doing this?"

"Of course it does. The significance is that we are all still alive."

Other things aside, Han Zhou wouldn't give this guy a chance to get away with it on this matter. He pressed on, "You don't need to think about so much right now. Don't worry about whether you'll live or die in the end, don't worry about whether it's meaningful, and don't worry about what will happen to me in the end. You just need to answer me one thing—did you want me to come and save you back then?"

This is a very important question.

Mo Yixia didn't look at him, but she could tell from his tone that Han Zhou was very serious at this moment, the kind of serious that wouldn't give up until he got an answer.

She instinctively wanted to avoid the question and remained silent for a long time.

After a long silence, Han Zhou sighed in her usual tone, "Many times, not answering is an answer in itself, don't you think?"

Mo Yixia softly hummed in agreement.

"So what's your answer?"

Compared to a default answer, Han Zhou still preferred to hear a clear answer.

"I've already answered that." Mo Yixia sighed in resignation.

"You've already answered? When?"

"just."

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment before realizing that the "hmm" he had just said was an answer to his previous question.

"Isn't this nice?"

He let out a long sigh, turned to look at the girl beside him, and smiled, "Why don't you just say what you're thinking? What's there to be shy about..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that Mo Yixia had been turning her head away the whole time. As if he had suddenly thought of something, he tentatively asked, "Wait... you haven't dared to look at me since earlier. Are you shy?"

Although I don't quite understand why Mo Yixia would be shy about this kind of thing, her current appearance does seem like she's embarrassed.

Mo Yixia ignored him, simply raising her hand to put on the hood of her down jacket, obscuring her cheeks so that it was impossible to tell if they were flushed.

Perhaps worried that her hat would be pulled off, she gripped the two strings on the hat warily.

This is definitely because she's shy...

Han Zhou laughed and suddenly felt relieved, realizing that falling off a cliff wasn't such an unacceptable thing after all.

Considering his previous embarrassing moments, he has already won two games today.

Thinking about this, he inexplicably felt a sense of triumph.

"You seem quite happy now?"

With the hat on, Mo Yixia finally looked at him again, her tone helpless, as if sighing at his childishness.

"You can say that."

While observing whether Mo Yixia was truly shy, Han Zhou smiled and said, "As your former teacher, I feel it's necessary for me to teach you to have expectations for things. Of course, I'm not forcing you; I just want to say that even if you don't want to expect anything else, you should at least have more faith in me."

"is it?"

Mo Yixia looked at his profile and asked, "So, how much confidence do you think is appropriate?"

Han Zhou thought for a moment and said half-jokingly, "At least in terms of momentum, we can't lose to the determination of 'Han Zhou, you will always be mine,' right?"

He paused, his tone becoming exceptionally serious, "Yixia, you can have higher expectations of me, even if it's a little excessive."

Mo Yixia understood what he meant, and her mood gradually brightened, but she still turned her face away in a huff, saying disdainfully, "I've been waiting for you to confess to me. You can't even do such a simple request, and you still have the nerve to say that it doesn't matter if things are a little excessive?"

Han Zhou's face fell, and he instantly lost his previous imposing manner. There was no way around it; he was genuinely insecure in this regard.

The cave fell silent. Just as he was wondering if Mo Yixia was angry, he suddenly heard the girl's slightly dissatisfied voice.

"Then I'll make an outrageous request now."

His tone was clearly no different from usual, but Han Zhou always felt something was different—

This dissatisfaction didn't seem to be feigned.

"My leg seems to be injured. After we leave here, can you carry me to the mountaintop to watch the sunset?"

(End of this chapter)