Chapter 91

Of course, Bak happily followed Zhou Xiaoli up the mountain, and for the first time, he formally got the chance to hold her hand.

Because the steps were very steep and a bit slippery in the morning, Bak made a great effort to appear excited as he reached out to grab Zhou Xiaoli's hand. It was a bit cold but still very soft. Bak took the opportunity to touch it a few more times.

Zhou Xiaoli finally laughed and hit him, saying, "What are you doing! How can you make such a normal thing seem so strange?"

Bak tried to be serious: "I'm taking it seriously."

Zhou Xiaoli chuckled: "I'll see how it goes."

The two slowly climbed the stairs in the mist. Bak carried a backpack weighing over thirty pounds and held two helmets in one hand. The girl didn't offer to share the load and was seriously being supported by him as they climbed step by step.

The milky white mist grew thicker the higher they went. At first, they could still see the moss on the steps, but gradually, they could only see the shadows of trees on the five to six-meter-wide steps. The air they breathed was humid, which made their minds clear.

Bak had been on a spring outing here when he was a child, but he wasn't familiar with the place, so he didn't ask why they were climbing the mountain. Occasionally, he would turn his head to look at the girl's expression.

Zhou Xiaoli didn't look around; she was focused on climbing the stairs. Occasionally, she would close her eyes and take a deep breath under Bak's support, feeling the fresh atmosphere, then turn to smile at Bak, showing her white teeth.

After passing through about fifty to sixty steps of mist, they could vaguely see a temple above, and the sound of bells and drums could be heard. A few more steps, and they could smell the incense typical of temples.

Bak was curious: "So early, so steep, you climbed up just to worship at the temple?"

Zhou Xiaoli nodded. She was empty-handed, but even after climbing up with Bak in one breath, she was still a bit out of breath, her legs trembling slightly. However, she didn't notice that Bak, carrying a heavier load, was more relaxed.

Finally, after standing at the temple gate and catching their breath, she put her hands on her hips and directed Bak: "Three incense sticks, three candles, over there, buy them..." She spoke in several breaths.

Bak, concerned for her, took out a bottle of water and a damp towel from his bag: "Sip slowly, a little at a time, to keep your mouth moist..."

Zhou Xiaoli took it, unscrewed the cap, and drank more than half the bottle in one go!

She grabbed the towel and wiped her face haphazardly: "Go buy the incense and candles! What are you standing there for?!" Her voice was already much smoother.

Bak chuckled and shook his head as he went to buy the items. When he returned, he was curious: "Why three candles? I understand three incense sticks, but usually, it's two candles, right?"

Zhou Xiaoli answered simply and directly: "In the past, I only burned two, to bless my mother and me. Now, there's one more for you!"

Bak found himself genuinely wanting to hug this girl. Zhou Xiaoli was wary: "Don't take the opportunity to grope! Go light them! Do as I say..."

Thus, the tall Bak, under the watchful eyes of many devout men and women, was directed by the girl to bow to the Buddha in all directions with the incense, and then carefully placed them on the stand. He did the same with the candles. Bak didn't show any impatience; instead, he enjoyed it.

After completing the ritual, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the temple towering by the river: "The incense here is so popular, is there anything to say..."

Zhou Xiaoli already held the towel like a leader waving it: "Let's go! Down the mountain!"

Huh?

Bak's jaw almost dropped: "You came all this way just to worship and go home? Don't you want to introduce the local customs and legends, visit the main hall and side rooms, and make offerings to the various deities?"

Zhou Xiaoli already had her arm around his: "I'm from a poor family and don't have much money to accumulate merit. A sincere heart and a few incense sticks are enough. I just came to pray for peace and smoothness, not to hope for wealth and honor that I don't deserve. Let's go, the main event is over, time to go down the mountain!"

Bak decided to be straightforward and picked up the girl!

Of course, not in a hugging way. He bent down, reached his hand under Zhou Xiaoli's knees, and lifted her up. Zhou Xiaoli let out a small exclamation, feeling Bak's genuine affection, and smiled, hugging his head: "Alright, alright, let's go down the mountain."

Bak wanted to carry her down the mountain, holding her in one arm. He didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment; he just wanted to hold this girl, simply hold her. He was sure that at this moment, he only had this simple thought: to hold this kind-hearted, tough, and strong-willed girl, planning to protect and love her with the rest of his life.

But he didn't want to say it, because he felt that his smooth talk would only diminish this emotion.

Zhou Xiaoli understood.

She rested her chin on Bak's head, looking at the distant river and the small houses, vehicles, and people below the mist. But the temple gate, towering above everyone, made her feel a bit rushed: "This temple was built by an emperor of the Ming Dynasty who was forced to abdicate by his uncle and fled here to hide. Even in exile, he still wanted to look down on others... I just want to benefit from his good fortune, but I don't like standing high up and looking down. Let's go."

Bak looked around but felt no discomfort. He still obediently started to go down, but the girl couldn't help but scream: "Put me down, put me down, it's too scary to look!"

After much persuasion, Bak finally got the favor of carrying her on his back, but he had to give his backpack to her.

Zhou Xiaoli almost fell to the ground when she put it on her shoulder. It wasn't that she couldn't carry the weight, but she wasn't prepared for it: "So heavy? What's in it?"

Bak carried both her and the backpack down to the foot of the mountain before showing her his preparations. Zhou Xiaoli was genuinely surprised: "Rock climbing? Free soloing? Like on TV?"

Bak simply put away the items: "Yes, this mainly emphasizes upper body strength. I practiced for a while. Although I'm not as good as professionals, it's very useful in critical moments." He didn't mention that it was mostly for survival in urban combat.

The girl reached out and flipped through the headlamps and other items Bak had prepared: "All this is your preparation? This is what you consider climbing a mountain?"

Bak was afraid she would misunderstand: "I thought it was a sports-style climb. Yours is a religious climb. Both are interesting!" Different interests don't necessarily affect the relationship; it's not necessary for a couple to do everything together.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Xiaoli helped Bak put on the helmet: "I don't believe in religion, I just want peace of mind. What about you?"

Bak also helped her put on the helmet: "Yeah, about the same attitude. Someone once asked me to believe in the Orthodox Church. I can watch for fun, but I can't pray before every meal and thank the Lord for his blessings."

Zhou Xiaoli looked at him deeply and waved the towel again: "Alright! Take me to work!"

It's the weekend, and this girl is really dedicated!

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