"To see the stars and the moon." Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao gave an "Oh" and looked up at the stars and the moon in the sky, a big smile spreading across her face. "The stars are dazzling; the night sky here is truly beautiful."
"It is beautiful, but isn’t it all the same? The stars at the production team are also pretty." To Gao Jiaxing, the sky was the same everywhere, except for the standing position.
But for Xia Xiao, having seen the smoggy skies of the future where stars and the moon were rarely visible, a sky so filled with stars, with all of them surrounding the moon, was truly a rare and beautiful sight.
They walked towards the mountain. Xia Xiao stumbled a bit, and Gao Jiaxing quickly steadied her.
"Brother Gao." Xia Xiao called out softly as she was embraced.
"Xiaoxiao, shall I carry you?" Gao Jiaxing offered.
"My foot is not injured." Xia Xiao replied.
"I’ve started to miss the old times when I used to carry you back to the production team."
As soon as Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao said, "But now we are climbing the mountain. I’m quite heavy, and it may tire you out. Besides, it’s dark, and even though there’s moonlight, it’s not as bright as during the day."
Xia Xiao was also reminded of the past at this moment. Back then, Gao Jiaxing carried her all the way back to the production team from the county town. Although they were not together at that time, that night had touched Xia Xiao deeply.
"It’s okay, come on." Gao Jiaxing crouched down.
Xia Xiao readily lay on Jiaxing’s back, and suddenly Gao Jiaxing stood up, prompting Xia Xiao to give a light cry and quickly clasp his neck tightly.
"Brother Gao, I’m heavy, right?" Xia Xiao said.
"Not heavy at all; I can carry you no matter your weight." Gao Jiaxing said, feeling delighted as he carried Xia Xiao.
"Ah, ah, ah, I’m going to fall." Xia Xiao kept shouting. "Brother Gao, go slower, don’t fall."
But it was as if Gao Jiaxing didn’t hear Xia Xiao’s words; he just kept running with her on his back, as she exclaimed repeatedly. She was really scared, but under safe circumstances, she also felt the thrill.
"I’m training, you know." Gao Jiaxing remarked.
Xia Xiao was at a loss for words.
Like that, Gao Jiaxing ran up to the mountaintop with her on his back before stopping.
Xia Xiao pouted and said, "I did hear that. But given the circumstance, it’s not bad to say it."
"Brother Gao, I heard from Brother Yuanchao that whoever performs best and comes first in the competition at the Dragon Training Corps will be promoted to platoon leader."
As soon as Xia Xiao finished speaking, Gao Jiaxing hummed a response, "Don’t worry, I will definitely be first."
Xia Xiao initially wanted to encourage Gao Jiaxing, but hearing his confident reply, she said, "Brother Gao, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Doing our best is enough."
"I want to become a platoon leader. When the time comes for you to marry me, I want a respectable title. I’m determined to get promoted and make a name for myself. If I reach company level, you could join the army too, and then we would have much more time together."
Seeing Gao Jiaxing considering their future so earnestly, Xia Xiao felt somewhat ashamed. In that moment, looking at Gao Jiaxing’s resolute face under the moonlight, she blurted out impulsively, "Brother Gao, if you become a platoon leader, you should propose to me."
"What did you say? Xiaoxiao, say it again. I didn’t quite catch that." Gao Jiaxing paused, his gaze intensely fixed on Xia Xiao.
Flustered by his stare, Xia Xiao turned her face away slightly and said softly, "Never mind if you didn’t hear it."
"Xia Xiao, are you serious? If I become a platoon leader, will you be with me?" Gao Jiaxing’s emotions surged, but he still wanted to confirm with Xia Xiao.
"Yes, become a platoon leader and propose to me. Make a proposal," Xia Xiao emphasized the word ’propose’ clearly.