Chapter 2 (Part 1)

In response to his sister's serious answer, Mo Jing merely smiled. He believed that discussing emotions detached from reality was, in essence, a fleeting illusion, a source of self-inflicted troubles. It was neither a matter of fortune nor misfortune; it was simply that her entanglement with Shao Sheng had not ended. The two happened to meet each other at a time when they still had choices, and aside from needing to persuade their families, there was no need to break through any constraints.

Shao Sheng and Mo Jingyan brought Shao Yichuan along, with a child seat placed in the back seat. Therefore, Fang Tuo and Xia Xiaoju also rode in Mo Jingze's new car, along with his girlfriend, Zhang Jiamin, who had just arrived from Yangshuo.

Originally, Jiamin cooked for everyone. Fang Tuo explained, "Every time we returned from rock climbing, we would stop by her house for a meal, ordering whatever we wanted. But later on, whether we could eat and what we could eat depended on the senior's mood. Jiamin also stopped helping out at the small restaurant at home and had almost become his personal chef."

During the Spring Festival at home, Mo Jingyan once asked him why he chose Sun Weixi in the first place, and how he viewed Zuo Jun. He wondered whether, regardless of whom one chooses, the realities of life would always outweigh the feelings deep within, or in other words, whether the extent of one's feelings would be influenced by reality.

Passing by the village where they would spend the night, everyone decided to put down the replacement clothes and the supplies for the next day. The landlord brought over the keys to three rooms and placed them on the table. A few boys were organizing their gear; Mo Jingyan naturally took the key to the family room and went upstairs with Shao Yichuan, who needed to use the restroom.

This time, Zhang Jiamin showed a shy expression, turned around, and walked away quickly, saying, "I will go put my things away first"

Is it just stacking things together? Zhang Jiamin laughed, and said, "Moreover, when have you all not been there?"

It has been nearly twenty years since I last visited this place

Mo Jing felt somewhat regretful for agreeing to help his cousin, as everything fell upon him to find a solution. However, at that moment, seeing Mo Mo's pitiful state and recalling the hardships and grievances she had endured over the years, he could not bear to let her suffer once more

"I have climbed before, but the differences are indeed quite significant," Zhang Jiamin said with a smile, shaking her head. "How are the rocks here so flat? I don't even know where to grab."

"It is so hot, let's take a break," said Xia Xiaoju. "We can just eat bread."

The deep brown fossil of a broad femur obscured more than half of the body of the audience across from it. She sat on the diagonal bench, revealing only a corner of her skirt. Yet, she was in no hurry to leave, having sat there for an unknown length of time.

"Don't listen to her!" Fang Tuo grabbed the back of the safety belt, pulling Xia Xiaoju aside, glaring with feigned anger, "If you don't want to eat, go gnaw on your bread. Do you know how difficult it is to eat the meal made by Jiamin right now?"

He found a long bench on one side of the circular exhibition hall, sat down quietly, and gazed intently at the towering dinosaur specimen before him. In the temperature and humidity-controlled exhibition hall, the heat dissipated instantly, and his mood also settled into tranquility

He did not have a dislike for Shao Sheng, but was instead filled with frustration and burdened by a multitude of grievances. During his time in Yangshuo, Shao Sheng had traveled all the way from Beijing to find Mo Jingyan. After a moment of contemplation, he had already come to understand the entanglements among several individuals from years past, and he did not intend for his little cousin to wade into this murky water again

Oh, she nodded and said somewhat awkwardly, "It seems that we have booked one room less, let me ask the owner."

Mo Jingze stood up, adjusted his helmet, and casually asked, "Where is Mo Mo?"

Through the undulating green reeds, one can vaguely see a pair of figures standing closely together. Mo Jing gazed intently, her brow furrowed. Fang Tuo chuckled softly, nudging Xia Xiaoju with his elbow, and leaned closer to her ear to whisper: "Just wait to see the good show, Mo is once again displeased with my master."

Zhang Jiamin climbed twice before stopping, took off her helmet and walked aside, saying she would prepare lunch for everyone. Under Fang Tuo's guidance, Xia Xiaoju exerted all her strength and finally overcame the difficulty, flipping over a small eave.

"Come again, I will protect you," Fang Tuo called to her, "Did you not also climb in Yangshuo?"

Arriving at the base of the cliff, they laid out the ground mat. Fang Tuo and Mo Jing took turns to protect each other and quickly set up two warm-up routes. Shao Sheng was not in a hurry to climb; instead, he chose to clear a flat area, set up a tent for Mo Jingyan and Chuan Chuan to rest during noon. Fang Tuo also set up a slightly shorter and easier children's route for a few beginners to practice together with Chuan Chuan.

However, this is no longer the one he initially saw with Liang Chen—the original one was burned in a fire during an exhibition. The current one is newly unearthed and is on a larger scale

He also said, "I do not wish for Momo to marry too early, nor do I want her to have children too soon. She has not been happy these years; she has been spoiled in our family for twenty years. Why should she have to endure so much suffering after meeting Lao Fu and you? In my heart, she is still a young girl, not a housewife with a family to take care of. This transition is too great; not only can she not adapt, but our entire family cannot adapt either"

Mo Jing was still frowning, thinking that Shao Sheng was his master and he was the senior apprentice, which made them of different generations

Fang Tuodao: "Senior brother, you have stayed in Yangshuo for such a long time, your skills have greatly improved, so there is no need to be modest."

Mo Jing could not help but smile, feeling somewhat at ease and gratified. She too smiled naturally. It was as if the two had not been apart for more than a year; it was merely like the days when they used to see each other at the street corner on their way to school, sharing a knowing smile that only the two of them could understand.

I always thought that it would be much cooler in the north, but I didn't expect Beijing to be even hotter than Yangshuo. Zhang Jiamin lowered the car window, allowing the refreshing breeze to rush in, and comfortably squinted her eyes.

"Getting up feels different." Mo Jing smiled, "I haven't touched granite in a long time."

Not bad at all, I can't even climb up there. Zhang Jiamin handed her a wet wipe, saying, "Wipe your hands, I washed the grapes, come and eat."

The matter between Shao Sheng and Mo Jingyan, including the various experiences of the two later on, left Mo Jing at a loss on how to explain it to his family. Two months ago, he returned to his hometown, intending to gauge the opinions of his uncle and aunt while subtly laying the groundwork. He usually detested being besieged by distant relatives discussing his personal emotional issues. This time, for the sake of Mo Jingyan, sacrifice was inevitable. At the family gathering, he drank a few more glasses, and when the atmosphere became lively, he began to talk, even confessing to a little girlfriend far away in Yangshuo, a topic he had never mentioned before. This led to discussions about the romantic relationships and marriages of the younger generation.

Fang Tuo placed his hand on his chest and said, "I am merely expressing the sorrow of my brothers." He then smiled and asked, "Senior brother, which route do you wish to climb next? Let's go together."

I see..." Xia Xiaoju sighed in relief and pointed at Mo Jingze, "I thought you..."

"I just don't believe it. What if I slip? If my face scrapes against the rock wall, wouldn't that ruin my looks?" Zhang Jiamin chuckled, "I might as well make sandwiches for you all."

Mo Jingze did not wish to continue entangled in this issue, so he went to the police station to obtain a household registration certificate. On his way back, he happened to pass by the museum. He encountered Liang Chen, whom he had specifically visited during that winter when he reluctantly returned from the United States, but at that time he had not brought any identification, so he had only glanced at the promotional brochure from outside. This time, he had all his belongings in order, and after a moment's thought, he took out his ID card and strolled inside.

Aunt also mentioned that it seems Mo Jingyan has had a few boyfriends, but none of them showed any intention of marriage, nor has she brought any of them home. Perhaps she just hasn't met someone she truly likes. Uncle, however, was indifferent, saying that although the family is anxious, it doesn't matter to wait another two years for someone as wonderful as Mo Mo; she deserves a good home.

It won't do, over there we have flat land rising into peaks, but it's more delicate. The feeling here is completely different, " she leaned against the car window, " I never expected there would be such high mountains near Beijing, and they stretch on endlessly over such a vast area.

Fang Tuo replied: "I just lulled Chuan Chuan to sleep, and then I went for a stroll by the river with my master."

The decoration has been completely renewed, but the layout of the exhibition has not changed significantly. Under the dome of the duplex, the dinosaur fossil skeleton still remains in place

Zhang Jiamin casually picked up a key and said, "Sister Xiao Ju, I will go put things away first"

Mo Jingze glanced at him and coldly said: "Fang Tuo, who goes to Yangshuo every time, eats my food and stays at my place, where is your conscience?"

I drank a cup, known as the fine wine of time

At that time, Shao Sheng also agreed, so why did he, in a moment of impulsiveness, agree to their early preparations and even say such things as he would discuss with his family, hoping that having a child would be a good thing?

Isn't it? Is there anyone else coming?" Zhang Jiamin looked around, shaking the keys in her hand, "We have one room, and A Tuo and Jing have another room.

As Mo Jingze stood up, he instinctively turned his head to the side; the other party seemed to sense his movement and also turned their head in unison. Through the distance of one hundred million years, the hadrosaur from the Cretaceous period appeared to see himself from the depths of time.

Mo Jingze at that time joked about her little daughter's feelings, saying that for such young girls, emotions are the most important thing

Xia Xiaoju saw the two remaining keys on the table, momentarily at a loss for words, her cheeks flushed—was this implying that she and Fang Tuo would share a room? Although it was said that conditions in the wild could be harsh, and that everyone, regardless of gender, would occupy a separate bed in the guesthouse, sleeping in their clothes after a long day, with the sounds of boys snoring echoing throughout. However, in the sweltering summer heat, after rock climbing and covered in sweat, one would need to bathe and change clothes, and facing Fang Tuo eye to eye would inevitably be somewhat awkward

Mo Jingyan's response is: Emotions may not be the most important thing, unless you meet that most important person

He once said to Shao Sheng, "If I had a vote, I would firmly oppose your being together. However, in this matter, only Mo Mo has the real veto power. I do not quite understand her feelings, but I can only support her decision. You had better not disappoint me. Remember I said, whoever wrongs Mo Mo, I will make sure they regret it thoroughly."

In the height of summer, the heat in the city is unbearable. A few people made plans to go rock climbing in the outdoors to escape the heat, gathering early on Saturday morning to set off. After driving north for over an hour and entering the mountainous area, the cliffs rise steeply, and the trees are lush and dense. From the winding mountain road, one can overlook the meandering river, with bright sunlight dancing and shimmering on the water's surface.

The handhold on this route is somewhat smaller, and the next few meters mainly rely on balance. Fang Tuo explained, "You must trust your feet; just step firmly on them."

Mo Jingze thought that he must have been drunk at that time

Not everyone can meander and encounter their past. Some unspoken goodbyes may well mean never seeing each other again; living in the present is the best choice.

Mo Jingze replied lightly, "Are you praising me or yourself?"

Along the way, the two cheerful and talkative girls became familiar with each other. Xia Xiaoju asked, "Jiamin, after coming from Yangshuo, do you feel that the mountains around Beijing are somewhat inferior?"

Emotions are ultimately a difficult problem, lacking theorems and proof. Why must one immerse oneself in such an uncontrollable vortex?

Fang Tuo smiled and said, "The summer in Beijing has a particularly distinct character, switching between the hot and dry desert and the humid and gloomy plum rain."