Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After the assassin was dealt with, the last rays of the setting sun gradually faded, and night quietly fell.

The three of them set off again, the mountain path appearing even more rugged and difficult to traverse in the darkness of night.

They walked until nightfall, took a short rest, and then continued their journey.

A cool night breeze swept by, carrying a hint of chill.

Lingyan's steps grew heavier, and her panting was particularly clear on the quiet mountain path.

Every step I took felt like I had to use all my strength.

Chu Xiyao himself has not yet recovered, but he is still forcing himself to keep going.

However, he soon discovered that Lingyan's physical strength was severely depleted.

Chu Xiyao looked at Ling Yan with heartache. At this moment, he could no longer care about anything else and looked at Shen Qingchen, saying, "Brother Shen, the Crown Princess really can't walk anymore. This mountain road is difficult to walk, and it's nighttime. Why don't you carry her on your back?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingchen stopped and turned to look at Ling Yan.

Her face was pale, her hair was disheveled, and she was nearing her limit.

When Shen Qingchen heard Chu Xiyao suggest that he carry her on his back, her heart instantly panicked, as if countless little deer were pounding wildly in her chest.

The tension instantly spread throughout my body, and every muscle tensed up.

However, amidst this chaos and tension, there was also a subtle, indescribable anticipation.

His gaze involuntarily fell on Ling Yan, his heart filled with unease.

Lingyan also thought the suggestion was good.

Now her physical strength is clearly not keeping up, and if this continues, she will not only become a burden to them and slow down their journey.

They may also faint due to severe physical exhaustion.

That would be a waste of time.

Anyway, she wasn't a pretentious person, and after weighing the options, she agreed without hesitation.

Hearing Lingyan's reply.

Shen Qingchen felt a surge of joy and excitement.

He then took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart, and slowly walked towards Ling Yan.

His every step seemed so heavy, as if the path beneath his feet was not a mountain road, but a difficult journey full of thorns.

After walking up to Ling Yan, he slowly bent down, his movements appearing somewhat stiff.

At this moment, he didn't dare to look up at Ling Yan's expression, and just silently waited for her to make a move.

As Lingyan leaned against his back, Shen Qingchen instantly felt her soft body pressed tightly against him.

In that instant, he felt as if he had been struck by a powerful electric current, and his whole body froze.

His heart was pounding wildly, like a war drum being struck violently, each beat making his chest ache.

A surge of heat welled up from the bottom of his heart and quickly spread throughout his body, instantly turning his face bright red, like a ripe apple.

Shen Qingchen felt his breathing become rapid and disordered, and each inhale felt like his throat was being burned.

The soft touch left his mind blank, completely robbing him of the ability to think.

His hands trembled slightly involuntarily, unsure of what to do, afraid that he might offend her if he made the slightest mistake.

Sweat kept seeping from his forehead and sliding down his cheeks, but he was completely unaware of it.

Shen Qingchen tried hard to calm herself down and composed herself.

But the intense feeling was like a surging tide, crashing against his rational defenses wave after wave.

His body was taut like a fully drawn bowstring, every muscle in a state of extreme tension.

He could only keep telling himself to calm down.

At this moment, Lingyan sensed his tension and said softly, "Is it a struggle?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingchen immediately replied hastily, "No."

After saying that, he began to walk steadily, step by step.

The moment Ling Yan leaned on Shen Qingchen's back, she placed her hands somewhat awkwardly on his shoulders, trying to avoid too much contact with him.

She could clearly hear Shen Qingchen's heavy breathing, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

Then she felt the heat from Shen Qingchen's body and saw that his ears were red.

That's when I stopped feeling embarrassed.

So that's why he was like that—because he was shy!

She thought it was because she was too heavy.

At first, Ling Yan's body was a little stiff, and she kept her distance from Shen Qingchen.

But as the journey progressed, she became too tired and gradually relaxed, gently resting her head on Shen Qingchen's shoulder.

Shen Qingchen felt the weight of Lingyan on his back and knew that she had fallen asleep because she was too tired.

So he walked more steadily, trying to be as gentle as possible, afraid of hurting her.

He felt her body temperature seeping through his clothes, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him.

This woman, who usually appears very strong, looked so weak and helpless on his back at this moment.

He felt sorry for her and admired her.

At this moment, as he carried her on his back, his heart was filled with boundless joy and contentment.

It was a joy that overflowed from the depths of his heart, as if all the beauty in the world had gathered in his heart at this moment.

Because he never imagined he would be so close to her.

Each breath she took gently brushed against his neck, like a soft feather stirring his heartstrings, bringing a tingling sensation.

Shen Qingchen's lips unconsciously turned up, her smile filled with sweetness, as if she had tasted the most mellow honey in the world.

Her hair occasionally brushed against his cheek, bringing a ticklish sensation, but he felt it was the gentlest touch in the world.

Shen Qingchen was immersed in this complex yet beautiful emotion.

It was as if the darkness and hardship around him no longer mattered; his world consisted only of her on his back and the overflowing happiness in his heart.

He understood that perhaps these feelings shouldn't exist.

However, we first met in the capital eight years ago, and then recently reunited in Jiangnan.

She has left a deep mark on his heart, one that can never be erased in this lifetime.

Chu Xiyao followed behind, watching Shen Qingchen carrying Ling Yan on his back, feeling both grateful and somewhat complicated.

His increasingly careful movements clearly showed his cautiousness and how much he cherished it.

Therefore, his feelings for Lingling were not merely admiration, but love.

However, he had already prepared for her to have other men.

So it wasn't that hard, and I quickly convinced myself to accept it.

It's uncertain whether Lingling will accept him.

When the first rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the leaves and dappled onto Lingyan's face, she slowly woke up.

At this moment, Lingyan's eyelashes trembled slightly, as if disturbed from her sweet dream by the soft light.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still hazy and languid from just waking up.

She blinked, trying to adjust to the bright light.

Turning her head slightly, she found herself in a strange yet familiar environment—on Shen Qingchen's back.

The fatigue and drowsiness of last night gradually dissipated, and my consciousness gradually cleared.

She moved her body slightly, only to find that her hands and feet were somewhat numb from maintaining the same posture for a long time.

She raised her head and looked ahead. The morning breeze gently caressed her, bringing a touch of coolness and making her mind clearer.

Then Lingyan said in a languid voice, "Young Master Shen, thank you for your trouble. Please put me down."

Upon hearing her words, Shen Qingchen paused slightly and said, "Let me carry you for a while longer. You were too tired yesterday."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yan couldn't help but feel puzzled.

She wondered to herself, how could this person, whom she had only known for a short time, be so close to and concerned about her?

But she still resolutely refused, saying, "How can this be? You've already gone to so much trouble for me, young master."

Shen Qingchen sensed the resistance in her words and felt a pang of anxiety, fearing that she might develop dissatisfaction and disgust towards him because of this.

So he tried to suppress his disappointment and replied calmly, "Okay."

After saying that, he gently and carefully put her down as if she were a rare treasure.

After Ling Yan landed on her feet, she whispered to Shen Qingchen, "Thank you, young master."

She hurried over to Chu Xiyao's side, her eyes full of concern, and asked, "Yao, are you alright?"

Shen Qingchen watched Ling Yan's departing figure, and the back that had been warm from carrying her suddenly felt empty.

It was as if a cold wind had swept by, chilling him to the bone.

His hands were still in the same position as when he carried her on his back, as if the soft touch was still there, but the person in front of him had already gone far away.

His heart was filled with bitterness; the lingering attachment was like a tangled mess, tightly binding his heart.

He then lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

What is her identity, and what is yours?

What right do you have to indulge in wishful thinking?

It's enough that I can silently protect her like this now.

Any more than that would be overstepping one's bounds.