Chapter 112: A Misstep

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The moment I heard that, I just wanted to burst out laughing. So all her hesitation was just because she needed to pee.

Considering Xu Shu’s thin skin, if I really laughed at her, she might be mortified to death. So I forced myself to hold back my laughter and pretended to be serious: “You want to do that? Then just go ahead. Can a living person really be killed by holding in pee?”

Xu Shu was both embarrassed and anxious, snapping, “But! You’re... you’re right here beside me, how... how am I supposed to go? It’s all your fault! I... I don’t care anymore!”

I really wanted to laugh out loud, but to spare Xu Shu from too much embarrassment, I held back painfully. It was quite funny—everyone has bodily needs, and in our situation, there was no way to avoid it. Xu Shu is a girl, and having to pull down her pants to pee in front of a man was truly embarrassing, no wonder she was so shy and awkward.

I said, “Don’t worry, I’ll turn my back and not look at you once. If I break my word, let me fall down and die right here!”

Xu Shu still refused, crying, “No! There will be sounds, and you will hear them! I... I can’t live like this! I’ll never be able to hold my head up in front of you again, I won’t do it!”

I laughed, “That’s easy! I’ll cover my ears with my hands, I promise I won’t see or hear anything. Is that okay?”

Though this was the only way to ease her embarrassment, I was still right beside her. Xu Shu was mentally torn, holding back her urge while shaking her head and crying, “No! No! I can’t do it, I’d rather die!”

Hearing her say that, I teased, “Holding in pee is miserable. How about this: I jump down right now, then you’re alone and can go without worry, okay?” I made a mock move as if to jump, and sure enough, Xu Shu hurriedly grabbed my arm, both angry and anxious, “No! You... you want to leave me alone? I’ll hate you forever!”

Then she noticed the laughter in my eyes and realized I was only teasing. Her lips pouted again, tears streaming down. In her panic and frustration, she clenched her fists and punched my shoulder hard, crying, “You damn Tang Qian! Stinky Tang Qian! If you want to die, let’s die together! No way I’m letting you leave me alone!”

My heart fluttered. If I could die here with her, then my life wouldn’t have been in vain. Besides, those words came from Xu Shu’s mouth. Did she really want to die with me?

I couldn’t be sure—it was possible she was just scared of being alone and not knowing how to survive. So I didn’t read too deeply into it. Even if that was the case, my heart was still incredibly sweet; at least Xu Shu couldn’t bear to see me die.

After taking two punches from her, I neither dodged nor avoided them, and said seriously, “Xu Shu, we’re in a dangerous situation. Some things we have no choice but to do. I know you’re embarrassed, but if we want to survive, we have to let go of all distractions. We must do our best and not sweat the small stuff. Don’t you agree?”

Xu Shu blushed and said nothing; I knew she understood but her pride and shame got in the way. I softened my voice, “For survival, there’s nothing we can’t do. And it’s just peeing. We might be stuck here for a long time, facing many difficulties together. You’ve said it yourself: living is better than anything. For the sake of living, please trust me just this once!”

Finally, Xu Shu called out, “Then... then why don’t you turn around quickly? I... I’m about to go!”

I smiled, quickly switched my stance on the tree, turned my back, covered my ears, and said, “Alright, start now!”

In the sunrise’s glow, our shadows were clearly cast on the cliff wall. I saw her shadow struggle to stand on the tree trunk but wavered, afraid of the height and unable to stand straight.

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I couldn’t help but say, “Be... be careful!”

Then I felt her firmly grab my shoulder. Even with my ears covered, I heard her yell, “You’re... peeking!”

I closed my eyes and smiled, “I’m not looking now. Keep going!”

Xu Shu held onto my shoulder for balance. I wondered how she managed to undo her pants with one hand. After a long while, she finally let go. I opened my eyes and saw her shadow sitting back down on the tree trunk behind me.

I lowered my hands, turned around on the tree, and saw Xu Shu lowering her head shyly, her face flushed with embarrassment—an expression impossible to describe. I held back laughter, but my gaze involuntarily drifted to the tree trunk behind her, where a small wet patch had appeared.

She quietly glanced up, caught my eyes, blushed even deeper, and quickly shifted her body to block my view, one hand twisting my arm anxiously, “What are you looking at?”

I knew her delicate face couldn’t take any teasing, so I looked away and said, “How many of your bodyguards do you think it would take before they realize you’re missing? Do you usually have to keep in touch with them when you go out alone?”

Xu Shu was surprised, “Of course. If I don’t contact them for more than five hours, they should start reaching out. Right now, maybe they’re searching the whole city for me? After twelve hours, they report to my father, then it becomes a large-scale search. There’s no secret that stays hidden forever; reporters will pick up the story. Now the whole world knows I’m missing!”

I said, “Jingjing told me your head bodyguard used to be a special forces captain. He should be pretty formidable. Do you think he’ll find you here?”

Xu Shu snapped, “Don’t mention Hua Jingjing! Right now, she only cares about you and tells you everything. She doesn’t even pay attention to me, her best friend! Sooner or later she’ll sell me out, humph! A heartless guy with a female companion!”

I laughed, “I don’t think so. I believe Hua Jingjing still values you as a friend.”

Xu Shu said, “Then why would she tell you about that... that thing? What does she mean by that? She’s shameless, and I’m still holding a grudge! Anyway... she can forget about me forgiving her so easily!”

Hearing her stern tone, I regretted accidentally bringing up that matter and causing a rift between these close friends. I thought a moment and said, “It’s not all her fault. Hua Jingjing didn’t know I was close to you and thought I wouldn’t mention it around you. Also, I deliberately led her into saying it. She initially refused!”

“You did it on purpose? Why?” Xu Shu tilted her head, puzzled.

I thought for a moment and tentatively said, “Because... I’m interested in the two of you!”

The redness that had just faded crept back onto Xu Shu’s face. She cleared her throat lightly, “Even so, that doesn’t mean it’s okay. If she still considered me a friend, she wouldn’t have brought it up. Since she did, that’s wrong!”

I smiled, “Actually, she hasn’t said anything yet. I still don’t know what it is that you’re so worked up about.”

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Xu Shu’s face flushed even deeper, “You... you don’t know me yet? Your mind’s probably all over the place with wild guesses. I’ve lost all dignity anyway, think whatever you want. Let’s drop it and not mention it again.”

I found it amusing—wasn’t this issue brought up by her first? But I didn’t press it. Since she wanted it dropped, I let it be. Then I asked, “Earlier I asked if your bodyguards would find you here. Since you know them well, do you think they could?”

Xu Shu frowned, “It’s hard to say. From what I understand, they’d probably start with a secret investigation to prevent things from escalating. Your family and Hua Jingjing would be the first places to check. If they get no news, they’d use connections to search the whole city for my car. If they still can’t find it, they’d trace the route I took. If they’re thorough, they might find this place. What worries me is the heavy rain last night. It could have washed away all traces of us falling down the mountain. If they search the whole mountain, who knows when they’ll find us? After twelve hours, if they’re sure something’s wrong, they’ll report to my father.”

I sighed, “Too bad my phone’s dead and you lost yours, otherwise things would be much simpler.”

Xu Shu sighed too, “It’s too late now. We can only hope they find us soon and rescue us.”

I looked up at the sky, suddenly stood, crossed past Xu Shu, and carefully climbed toward the treetop.

Xu Shu was startled and called after me, “Tang Qian, what are you doing? Come back! It’s dangerous!”

I said, “We can’t just wait foolishly. What if they can’t find us? I want to go to the treetop to look around. It’s farther from the cliff and offers a wider view. Maybe there’s a way to climb back up or down the mountain?”

Xu Shu shouted, “You’re crazy! Even if you find a way, what good does it do? Maybe you can climb, but I definitely can’t. I’m scared! If you want to leave alone first, that’s even worse! Come back, don’t leave me so far behind!”

Honestly, I knew climbing out was almost impossible. Besides the sheer cliffs, even monkeys might struggle. Even if there was a crack to climb, my body might barely manage it, not to mention weak Xu Shu.

But I wasn’t willing to just wait around and do nothing, so I ignored her warnings and continued carefully forward.

Behind me, Xu Shu kept calling, “Tang Qian! Come back!” Her voice nearly breaking into tears. I finally reached the treetop’s edge, turned, and carefully looked at the cliff wall below. After a long time, I sighed deeply, thinking, “Looks like we just have to wait.”

From behind, Xu Shu’s tearful voice called out again, “Tang Qian! Please, don’t leave me so far!”

I shouted back, “Alright! I’m coming back!”

I bent down and slowly climbed back along the trunk. When I reached the large root, I pulled my legs up, ready to quicken my pace back. Just as I stepped forward, shifting my weight onto my foot, the bark beneath cracked. Suddenly, I lost control and slipped left and forward, the mist swirling below and an abyss with no visible bottom awaiting beneath.

In my heart, I cursed, “This is bad,” and at the same time, I heard Xu Shu’s scream of utter despair.