The sun climbed higher, and the temperature inside the cave clearly rose as well.
Cold at night, hot during the day—no wonder it was called the Yin-Yang Cave.
Jiang Fuyue subconsciously pulled her ski jacket tighter.
“What’s wrong? Still cold?” Xie Dingyuan spoke as he reached out to feel her forehead.
Jiang Fuyue obediently stayed still. “Not anymore.”
“Last night, you…” The man paused, lowering his gaze as though carefully choosing his words.
The girl blinked, quietly waiting for him to go on.
“You said, after the college entrance exam…”
Just then, a surprised shout echoed from the cave entrance—
“Found them! They’re here!”
…
Forty minutes later, Xie Dingyuan and Jiang Fuyue were rescued.
“Leg injury?” A SWAT officer approached and asked.
Jiang Fuyue nodded.
“Can you walk?”
“No.”
“Where’s the stretcher?” The SWAT officer turned and shouted, “Hurry and get it over here!”
But before the stretcher arrived, Xie Dingyuan scooped her up horizontally. “It’s about to snow again. We can’t wait. Let’s go back first.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Xie Dingyuan said firmly.
The SWAT officer clenched his teeth. It was true—if the snow came, it would be troublesome. Even the markers they’d left could be covered.
“Alright.” He finally nodded and started issuing commands. “Everyone, pack up. We leave in one minute. Return the way we came!”
Then, he reached a hand out to Xie Dingyuan. “Let me carry her.”
Without even glancing at him, Xie Dingyuan walked off with Jiang Fuyue in his arms.
The SWAT officer: “?”
Did I say something wrong?
He was confused.
About fifteen minutes later, the stretcher finally arrived.
Jiang Fuyue gestured. “Put me down.”
The man’s grip tightened. He said nothing and didn’t let go, his steps steady and solid.
The SWAT officers looked at each other, bewildered.
As they continued on, Jiang Fuyue could clearly feel he was getting tired. She took the initiative to suggest using the stretcher.
Xie Dingyuan lowered his eyes and glanced at her.
“Your arms not sore?” Jiang Fuyue chuckled.
His lips pressed into a thin line. At last, he set her down—only to immediately turn his back toward her.
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
The next second, he reached behind, pulled her up onto his back, and locked her in place.
“Carrying you in my arms makes my arms sore. But piggybacking doesn’t.”
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
The SWAT officers behind them exchanged looks again.
The journey was tough—deep snow made each step uneven and hard.
But on his back, Jiang Fuyue felt no jolting.
He held her securely and steadily, shielding her and giving her a deep sense of calm and safety.
“Aren’t you tired?” she leaned toward his ear and asked softly.
“I’m fine.”
“Am I heavy?”
“You’re light.”
“If it had been someone else today, would you have carried them too? First in your arms, then on your back?”
“No.”
Jiang Fuyue rested her cheek against his shoulder, her breath landing on the side of his neck.
Light, fragrant, warm.
Xie Dingyuan felt a jolt in his chest, his whole body tingling as if shocked. He swallowed, trying to appear calm, but inside, he was flustered.
“Why?” Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a mysterious allure. “Why me?”
“Because…” His mind went blank, and he answered instinctively, “I want to.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “Didn’t you used to hate me?”
“…Sorry.”
“And now? How do you feel about me?”
This time, the man fell silent for a long time.
So long that Jiang Fuyue thought he wouldn’t answer.
Suddenly, “I like you.”
He then repeated, even more solemnly, “Jiang Fuyue, I like you.”
One word at a time, his tone resolute.
“What about you?” he asked, swallowing nervously. “How do you feel about me?”
Jiang Fuyue curved her lips. “I’ll tell you later.”
Later?
Xie Dingyuan was momentarily stunned.
Just as he was about to ask when “later” would be, he suddenly recalled the half-finished sentence from last night: “After the college entrance exam…”
The man smiled and gently replied, “Okay.”
Then we’ll wait until after the exam.
…
They walked for over an hour. Even with Jiang Fuyue on his back, Xie Dingyuan’s pace wasn’t slow.
Some SWAT officers trailing behind couldn’t help but nod in approval—
“Professor Xie’s stamina is impressive!”
“I thought people in research were all weak and scholarly.”
“Are you kidding? Professor Xie isn’t your average nerd. I remember when the Norovirus vaccine came out and stunned the world. The national news interviewed him and found him on the neighborhood basketball court. He jumped and slam-dunked straight in. Super cool!”
“I also read he has a strict fitness routine and controls his nutrition closely.”
“Guess we’ve been put in our place—he’s smarter and fitter than us.”
“Honestly, I’m more curious about his relationship with that girl. The whole country’s been worrying about his love life. I’m worried, too.”
“Boyfriend-girlfriend? Doesn’t quite look it. Friends? Seems way too close…”
“Can’t tell.”
“For Professor Xie to carry her back himself—maybe… she’s a relative’s kid?”
“……” That’s it? All that gossip for nothing?
When the group arrived at the scenic area, the other two SWAT teams and several rescue teams had already received the news and were retreating.
Zhong Ziang, Ling Xuan, and Yici stood at the entrance, waiting in the cold wind and falling snow.
“I thought they were found? Why aren’t they back yet?”
Ling Xuan checked the time. “Should be soon.”
Yici: “Hope nothing happened… it’s snowing again.”
Suddenly, Zhong Ziang shouted, “Look! Is that them?”
In the distance, a group was walking toward them.
As they got closer, their figures became clear.
The three boys ran up.
Zhong Ziang: “Uncle, you and Jiang Fuyue are okay?”
Ling Xuan saw she was being carried on someone’s back. He reached out but pulled back nervously. “Where are you hurt? Is it serious?”
Yici: “There’s a doctor inside! The ambulance is here too, parked at the foot of the mountain!”
Ling Qingzhou and Yi Hansheng, who got the news a little late, also rushed over.
Their eyes filled with concern as they looked at Jiang Fuyue. “Are you hurt?”
“Does it hurt?”
Yici glanced strangely at his own dad.
Ling Xuan’s expression darkened as he looked at Ling Qingzhou.
Xie Dingyuan remained expressionless, bypassed both the older and younger ones, and continued inside with Jiang Fuyue on his back.
The medical team rushed over.
Forty minutes later, Jiang Fuyue and Xie Dingyuan were taken to the hospital in the ambulance.
Ling Qingzhou and Yi Hansheng drove the three younger boys there as well.
By afternoon, test results came in.
Xie Dingyuan was fine. All vitals normal.
Jiang Fuyue had a sprained ankle. Fortunately, no tendon or bone damage, but her calf and foot had varying degrees of frostbite.
The doctor advised hospitalization for observation.
So Jiang Fuyue ended up staying in the hospital for three days.
During that time, Ling Qingzhou and Yi Hansheng visited daily.
“You two big CEOs aren’t busy? Coming to the hospital every day?”
Yi Hansheng waved it off. “If I have to do everything myself, what are all the employees for?”
Ling Qingzhou: “Feeling better today?”
Jiang Fuyue: “The swelling’s gone.”
After they left, Zhong Ziang, Ling Xuan, and Yici came in.
Zhong Ziang held up a thermos. “This bone soup is super tasty and nutritious. I had Aunt Liu make it especially for you. Smell it…”
He opened the lid and proudly presented it. “Well? Smells good?”
“Smells great.”
“Then drink a bowl. Helps you heal.”
Ling Xuan sterilized the bowl and utensils with hot water before handing them over. “…This is more hygienic.”
“Hey? Where’s Yici? Didn’t he come in with us?”
Ling Xuan: “Said he went to the restroom.”
“Oh.”
…
Downstairs in the hospital.
“Dad—” Yici caught up.
Yi Hansheng stopped and turned back, raising an eyebrow with interest. “Came to see Jiang Fuyue?”
“Mm. You too?”
The man nodded, openly admitting it.
Yici scratched his head. What he originally wanted to ask suddenly felt awkward.
How could Yi Hansheng not see through his son’s thoughts? He pulled open his coat, hands on hips. “If you got something to say, spit it out. Don’t play games with your old man.”
“You told me to say it… okay, here goes. Do you know Jiang Fuyue?”
Yi Hansheng: “Sure do.”
“You… what’s your relationship?”
“Tsk. What do you think it is?” The man looked relaxed.
Yici’s eyes darted. “Don’t tell me… you’re into her?”
“Hah! And why not?”
