Jingxia Rose

Chapter 99: For four years, I never revealed my feelings.
"Yue'an Mountain".

Ji Xuan was surprised. Although she had never been to Yue'an Mountain, she must have heard of it, since the maple forest, ginkgo forest, and planetarium in the mountain were all its special features.

Although the planetarium is built halfway up the mountain, there is a large, tower-like building on the top of the mountain.

There are two ways to get up: either take the cable car or climb up yourself.

"What are you doing here?"

Wen Qi looked up at the dark curtain, which was adorned with stars and hung with a silver moon.

What else can I do?
Are you suggesting we just look at these three barren mountains and this winding river to the west?

Of course, it's to look at the stars.

Ji Xian thought to himself, then paused for a moment, “I remember that here, apart from the longer opening hours in summer and autumn, the opening hours in spring and winter seem to be during the day.”

After all, it's freezing cold, who would be like them, running into the mountains to see the stars?

Who came up with this terrible idea?

Yi Xu, who was drinking at a bar, sneezed twice and touched his nose.

Who is scolding him?

"Ah."

Wen Qi responded softly, "Shall we go up and take a look?"

Of course I'll look!
Come here.

There are two cable cars from the foot of the mountain to the top. We really can't visit the museum tonight, as time is too tight. We can only go to the observation deck at the top of the mountain.

The mountain with the planetarium is the highest of the three mountains, and from the top you can see all the other mountains below.

But it was really cold.

Fortunately, she was wearing Wen Qi's down jacket and scarf, and she was also dressed quite warmly, so she didn't feel cold.

"are you cold?"

Seeing that he was only wearing an overcoat with a dark sweater underneath, I couldn't help but ask.

"It's alright," Wen Qi said. "Let's go inside."

The room was much warmer with the heating on. Ji Xian took off his coat and scarf and saw Wen Qi standing in front of the binoculars, so he leaned down slightly.

She walked over to a telescope and started looking through it, just like he was doing.

But it was pitch black, and I couldn't see anything.

"Did you see any stars?" Ji Xuan switched to one eye. "I can't see anything."

After a moment of silence, Ji Xian heard a muffled laugh and turned around to meet Wen Qi's smiling, peach-blossom eyes.

Ji Xuan was momentarily blinded by his laughter.

What are you doing?
In the desolate wilderness, under a dark and windy night.

To seduce or entice someone?
She immediately looked away, and Wen Qi silently removed the lens cap from the front of the binoculars. "You should be able to see now."

"..."

The spring night breeze was probably too cool; the short time I stood outside just now, it seemed to have frozen my cerebellum.

The mountaintop was utterly silent. Under the telescope, the night sky was covered with thin clouds, as if filtered through a beautiful lens, magnifying and bringing the stars, like pearls, that dotted the night sky closer.

It is like a mysterious and dazzling painting.

"see it?"

Wen Qi asked from the side.

Ji Xian looked up, and the dazzling starlight seemed to fall into her eyes, so bright that it made his heartbeat instantly lose its balance.

Her red lips curved into a beautiful smile. "Yes, I saw it."

Stars are very common. In big cities, with their dazzling neon lights, you can only see a few scattered stars. But in Jialing Town, as long as the weather is good, you can see them every night.

But this was truly my first time looking at stars through a telescope. I felt like the stars and moon were right in front of me, almost within reach.

Seeing her so happy, Wen Qi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "There will definitely be more stars in the summer, and it will be more beautiful then. The scenery will be more beautiful too. If you like it, come back in the summer. I heard that the maple forest and ginkgo forest are especially spectacular in autumn. You should like them."

Ji Xian was still looking down at the stars, and he listened to his words once but didn't pay much attention to them.

He sighed and said, "Really? What a pity. I've lived in Beijing for so many years and never been here before."

Her unintentional remark made Wen Qi feel a little guilty.

Yin Qianran once said that four years may not seem like a long time, but a woman's youth is short, and how many four-year periods can she afford to waste?
During the four years they were together, he initially did have a responsible attitude towards her.

She even looked up online what a boyfriend should do and followed the advice.

Later, however, their close working relationship and the tacit understanding they developed together solidified their dynamic.

Unbeknownst to him, Ji Xian slowly entered his heart and became an indispensable figure in his life, even his very being.

They are both introverted people.

Despite being together for so many years, neither of them ever expressed any affection or fondness for the other.

Wen Qi had heard many people say how well-matched they were, a match made in heaven, a perfect couple, and he had always thought so too.

She never imagined that Ji Xian would leave her one day.

The day she submitted her resignation, Wen Qi felt as if a huge hole had appeared in his heart, and even though it was the height of summer, he felt as if the cold winds of the dead of winter were pouring into it.

But it was also because of this opportunity that he looked back at their relationship, which was far more than just dull and boring.

Yi Xu once said that Ji Xian was merely holding the title of your girlfriend, but doing the work of a secretary and nanny.

The only thing you did right by her was paying her a generous salary.

They are willing to spend lavishly on gifts during holidays and festivals.

But none of this had anything to do with love; it was more like the salary she was entitled to.

"Whenever you want to come next time, I'll come with you," he said in a low, husky voice, as if making a promise.

Ji Xian turned to look at him upon hearing this, a slight smile playing on her lips, but her voice was somewhat indifferent, "Let's talk about it next time. Besides... I'm going back to Moscow at the end of the month. Even if I come back, it'll probably be around this time of year."

Wen Qi choked, and the light that had just appeared in his eyes was extinguished again.

The silence continued once again.

Ji Xian watched for more than ten minutes before suggesting they go downstairs.

Wen Qi nodded, "It's windy outside, put on your coat."

Ji Xian only wore that down jacket and handed him the scarf, saying, "You wear this. You're not wearing enough, so don't catch a cold."

"I'm fine..."

Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, Wen Qi immediately stopped talking and casually wrapped the bag around his neck.

The two of them took the cable car again after getting off.

Perhaps the wind had picked up, because the carriage was swaying in the air. Ji Xuan panicked for a moment and instinctively grabbed the handle next to him.

As we got to the middle, the swaying of the carriage became more pronounced than before.

Ji Xian felt that she cherished her life. She had finally achieved what she had, and she hadn't even lived in the house she had just bought for long. She also had a considerable amount of savings, and she hadn't even had a chance to enjoy it properly yet.

I don't want to die so soon.

"Don't be afraid."

Wen Qi, who was sitting opposite her, noticed her tense face and quickly reached out to her, "It's windy outside, it will be much better on the next section of the cable car."

Ji Xian didn't hesitate and placed her hand in his dry hand.

Wen Qi wrapped his hand around hers, then stood up to sit next to her. Just then, the carriage swayed again, and he stumbled, losing his balance and leaning down. He managed to brace himself against the wall just centimeters away from her unexpectedly raised lips.

Their breaths mingled and intertwined in the cramped space.