Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Fighting Fire with Fire (New) Xu Jingxuan's lips moved, forcing out a stiff, strained smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Sister Ruan, I'm glad you like it." "Aiyo, why are you still calling her 'sister'? Call her sister-in-law!" Chen Yuanyuan said with a beaming smile. "You should change how you address her now." Xu Jingxuan opened her mouth, her face taut. "I can't change it all of a sudden." "Shixu, try the grilled beef rolls I just made." Chutang picked up a slice of beef roll with her chopsticks and fed it to Jiang Shixu. The chopsticks were the same ones she'd just used—she hadn't switched them out. Jiang Shixu didn't mind at all. He obediently opened his mouth and ate what Chutang fed him. A cold glint flashed through Xu Jingxuan's eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white. "Very delicious." Jiang Shixu's eyes curved into crescents, a smile spreading across his lips. Chutang smiled with her eyes crinkling at the corners. Xu Jingxuan's expression wasn't so pleasant to look at. Her face darkened as she said in a cold, low tone, "Brother, I'll go eat over there first." Chutang pretended not to notice her face, which was blacker than the bottom of a pot, and asked with a cheerful smile, "Little sister, would you like some grilled meat? I just cooked it, and your brother said it's really tasty." "No need." Xu Jingxuan turned and left with a cold face. Chutang exchanged a meaningful smile with Chen Yuanyuan, who was sitting across from her. Zhou Xueluo pursed her lips in a smile and gave Chutang a thumbs up. Jiang Shixu knew that Chutang had just deliberately put on a show for Xu Jingxuan's benefit, and he'd played along perfectly. Now that Xu Jingxuan was gone, he still wanted to be as sweet and clingy as before. A smile glimmered in the man's eyes. "Tangtang, I want to eat that grilled chicken wing too. Feed me?" Chutang looked at him with amusement. "If you want to eat, get it yourself." "Hahaha, no way, bro? You're dating someone and now you need to be fed to eat?" Qin Yan teased with a grin. "Is this still the Jiang Shixu I know?" Jiang Shixu leaned back in his chair, a glint of light flickering in his eyes as he glanced at him sideways, looking to be in a great mood. "What? Jealous? Ask your girlfriend to feed you too. Don't tell me you don't have a girlfriend?" Qin Yan had been grinning just a second ago, but upon hearing that, his smile immediately vanished. He clutched his chest with an exaggerated expression. "Striking where it hurts most! Is this how you treat your own brother?" Qin Yan refused to accept defeat. He turned to look at Chen Yuanyuan. "Yuanyuan, feed your bro something. We can't lose face." Chen Yuanyuan stabbed a grilled mantou bun with her chopsticks and shoved it roughly into Qin Yan's mouth. "Eat, eat, eat! Hope you choke on it!" "Mmph mmph..." Qin Yan struggled to pull the bun away, but Chen Yuanyuan used brute force to stuff his mouth full, not letting him remove it. Everyone at the table was amused by the two of them, laughter and joy filling the air. Over there, Xu Jingxuan was seething with hatred. Ruan Chutang was flaunting her love life right in her face. The disposable chopsticks in her hand snapped in two. Xu Jingxuan's gaze turned dark and sinister. Ruan Chutang, let's see if you can still smile later! ... After finishing their meal and resting for a while, everyone got ready and began their hike up the mountain. Qin Yan and Chen Yuanyuan led the way at the front, followed closely by Zhou Zheng'an and Zhou Xueluo, then Gu Zechuan, Xu Jingxuan, and the others. Chutang and Jiang Shixu walked at the very back. Jiang Shixu walked beside Chutang, holding her hand the entire time. "Tangtang, it takes about two hours or so from here to the observation deck at the summit. Are you going to be okay?" "Of course. I really enjoy hiking. I can take in the natural scenery—it's both relaxing and not too tiring." Jiang Shixu knew Chutang loved outdoor activities. Back in university, she used to go hiking and rock climbing with friends from her club all the time. He just thought that since graduating, Chutang hadn't done much outdoor activity, so he worried she might not be able to handle it. Chutang smiled. "I've summited taller and more treacherous mountains. I've already climbed all Five Great Mountains. This little Beiyu Shan is nothing." Jiang Shixu's eyes were filled with affection and pride as he smiled tenderly. "Our Tangtang is truly amazing." "Of course." Jiang Shixu knew all this, but Gu Zechuan didn't. Back when Chutang was with Gu Zechuan, she'd suggested multiple times that they go hiking outdoors. Gu Zechuan would either say he was too busy or that hiking was too tiring. He never understood Chutang's interests and hobbies, nor was he willing to spend time accompanying her. After walking for a stretch, Gu Zechuan suddenly stopped, standing at the side of the trail and stepping aside to let those behind him pass first. When Jiang Shixu and Ruan Chutang walked over, Gu Zechuan reached out a hand toward Ruan Chutang. "Tangtang, are you tired?" Chutang smiled without any warmth. "Not tired." Jiang Shixu shook their tightly clasped hands. "No need to trouble yourself." Gu Zechuan lowered his gaze, his eyes stopping on their intertwined hands. Chutang said irritably, "Move aside. You're blocking the way." Gu Zechuan stood in the middle of the path, showing no intention of moving. Jiang Shixu raised his eyes and looked at him with a half-smile. "What, want a close-up view of me and Tangtang showing off our love? Fine then, we'll walk ahead and you can watch from behind." With that, Jiang Shixu unceremoniously shoved Gu Zechuan aside, smiling provocatively. "Remember to take lots of photos for us." Gu Zechuan: "..." Xu Jingxuan wasn't used to exercising, and after only half an hour of walking, she was already complaining about being tired. She took off her hiking backpack, which wasn't heavy to begin with, and waited until Jiang Shixu walked over before shoving the backpack into his arms. Xu Jingxuan coaxed, "Brother, I'm so tired. I can't carry it anymore—can you carry it for me for a while?" Jiang Shixu pointed at the strap of the backpack on his own shoulder, his tone indifferent. "Can't do it. I've already got one on." Xu Jingxuan continued to coax, "Brother, I'm really tired. Please just help me out." "Fine." Hearing Jiang Shixu agree, Xu Jingxuan's eyes lit up with delight, and the corners of her lips curled upward. The next second, Jiang Shixu pulled out his phone and made a call. "I'll have someone come pick you up and take you down the mountain. Since you're tired, you should head back early and rest." The smile that had yet to fully bloom froze on her face. Xu Jingxuan stared in shock. "Brother, you're sending me down the mountain?" Jiang Shixu didn't even lift his eyelids, continuing to dial as he said, "Yeah, aren't you tired?" Xu Jingxuan panicked and quickly stopped him. "No, no need! I just rested for a bit and suddenly don't feel that tired anymore." She swiftly slung the backpack back onto her shoulders. "I'm really not tired anymore. Don't call." "Then let's keep going." Jiang Shixu put his phone away expressionlessly. From the side, Ruan Chutang's eyes flickered with a hint of mockery. She curled her lips, affectionately linked her arm through Jiang Shixu's, and said sweetly, "Shixu-gege, let's go." Xu Jingxuan: "..." Gu Zechuan: "..." Jiang Shixu was quite pleased, his heart tingling at Chu Tang's address, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. The group walked for a while until a small stream appeared ahead. Jiang Shixu helped Chu Tang across the stream by stepping on stones. "Tangtang, be careful." The final step between the stone and the bank was a wide gap, making it difficult for the girls to cross. The ones ahead had all been helped over. Chu Tang took Jiang Shixu's hand for support and made it across. Suddenly, a startled cry came from behind. Chu Tang turned to look. Xu Jingxuan stood on a stone in the middle of the stream, her face pale. "Brother, I can't make it across. Can you come help me?"