Gu Xiaoxi forced herself to ignore the unease in her heart, took several long strides forward, then helplessly slapped her own mouth. Really, if she had known earlier, she would have just told him to roll back.
Ultimately, she still didn’t feel at ease and turned back to follow him.
Yi Chentian had walked over a hundred meters when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him and immediately turned around in surprise.
When he saw the shadow hidden in the darkness, a hint of joy instantly appeared in his eyes, "Weren’t you going to find a place for shelter from the rain? Why follow me?"
"I’m afraid you might encounter danger. Since we’re together, we’re comrades. I wouldn’t want an offhand remark of mine to put you in peril, leaving me with a guilty conscience," Gu Xiaoxi explained.
Yi Chentian didn’t say much after that and continued walking forward.
"The weather indeed looks like rain; it might start pouring any moment. If we want to find a cave, we’ll have to climb up the mountain," Yi Chentian looked up at the imposing mountain ahead of them, aware that if they went up, it would be at least ten more kilometers of walking.
And it was night; visibility was poor, making the path even harder to navigate, let alone searching for a cave.
"You should head back then. I can find it by myself," Gu Xiaoxi said coldly, clearly showing no intention of wanting him to join her.
Yi Chentian stopped in his tracks, waiting for Gu Xiaoxi to catch up, then sighed, his gaze serious, "If something happens, at least there will be someone to look after you. What will you do if you encounter danger alone?"
"I won’t encounter any danger!" Gu Xiaoxi said firmly, striding towards the mountain.
Yi Chentian, listening to her firm voice, found that some words were choked up in his throat, unable to be voiced.
"Gu Xiaoxi, we are now comrades. Can’t we trust each other?" His voice involuntarily took on a more serious tone. Without dwelling on it, he just hoped they could care for each other as ordinary comrades would.
Gu Xiaoxi’s figure stiffened. Was she overthinking it?
Perhaps he had already forgotten what had happened before?
Yi Chentian took big steps to catch up, standing in front of her, staring with eyes full of determination, "We are just comrades. Can we fight side by side? Or, do you think I’m not worthy?"
Gu Xiaoxi pursed her lips. With his serious and cold gaze upon her, what else could she say? "If you think you can keep up with me, then we can absolutely fight side by side."
She didn’t look down on him. Rather, she felt that she didn’t need help. But now, to refuse would seem too pretentious.
"Then let’s go! What are you standing around for?" Yi Chentian lifted his head to look at the forest ahead.
Without hesitation, Gu Xiaoxi quickly sped up, striding forward, leading the way.
Yi Chentian kept up with her, his steps not slowing in the slightest.
About half an hour later, they had reached midway up the mountainside. They had searched most spots where rock caves might exist and hadn’t found any shelter from the rain.
Despite having walked so much, Yi Chentian still seemed at ease. After a whole day of training, even Zhao Zilong felt completely drained by evening. Yet, Yi Chentian could still keep up with her this far... Gu Xiaoxi was truly surprised.
All along, she had not understood him, nor had she known just how capable or physically fit he was, which she found peculiar.
"We’ll keep looking. I refuse to believe that on such a large mountain, there isn’t a single spot to take shelter from the rain," Gu Xiaoxi said resolutely.
Yi Chentian nodded, "Then be careful. The rocks up here are loose and can be very slippery."
Gu Xiaoxi didn’t say anything and continued on.
At that moment, a hurricane started blowing through the forest, its cold blast hitting their faces, making the already wet clothes on their bodies feel even colder.
Gu Xiaoxi adjusted her collar, quickening her pace, while Yi Chentian clenched the coat in his hand, ultimately lacking the courage to offer it.
Soon after, the two found themselves under a huge rock.
Finally, they found a rock crevice that could shelter about a dozen people from the rain. Though cramped, it at least provided some protection from the rain.
A faint smile appeared on Gu Xiaoxi’s face, "It wasn’t for nothing that we searched for so long."
"Indeed!" Yi Chentian smiled happily as well.
Yi Chentian gazed at Gu Xiaoxi’s profile in the darkness, never expecting they would have a chance to stand together in such calm. He felt content.
Just then, a clap of thunder sounded, and in the next instant, large raindrops began to fall, hitting their skin with painful intensity.
Instinctively, Yi Chentian stretched out his hand over Gu Xiaoxi’s head, hoping to shield her from the rain.
But, to his dismay, his hand was too small. Even with both hands spread wide, they barely covered a small spot on her forehead, and in a blink, their clothes were soaked through.
Gu Xiaoxi stared at him blankly, her gaze somewhat chilly.
Yi Chentian, drenched in the downpour and struggling to keep his eyes open against the wind, found his gesture awkward. He quickly drew back his hand and chuckled nervously, "The rain’s a bit heavy. Go take cover over there. I’ll go and find the others."
Without hesitation, he turned and ran down the mountain. Braving the storm and winds, even a fall didn’t register as pain.
All this time, he had thought he could shelter her from the storm.
It was only in this moment that he realized how insignificant he was. Even having reached out his hand, she was still drenched to the bone...
Gu Xiaoxi stood still, silent for a moment.
She wasn’t a gut-dwelling worm, after all; she couldn’t know what he was thinking...
His instinctive action had warmed her, but she no longer needed it.
Gu Xiaoxi silently surveyed the surroundings. Since he had gone, she decided to wait there for everyone to arrive.