Chapter 7: It Doesn't Count Before It Rains

"How much further do we have to go?" Looking at the darkening sky, Su Zhirui couldn't help but ask. It was the middle of the night, and with him drifting about in his white robes, it felt quite eerie.

"A few more mountains and we'll be there." The reply remained indifferent. The man didn't seem tired at all; he hadn't shed a single drop of sweat. Even more exaggeratedly, no matter how steep the slope they climbed, he never flushed or lost his breath. Had he been carrying sacks of rice his whole life?

"Then may I ask, why must we go to Ruoshui?" Su Zhirui was caught between laughter and tears. Moving house with such tireless effort—what exactly was so good about Ruoshui?

"Business." Finally coming to a stop, the man signaled for her to get off his back.

"Can you not be so stingy with your words?" Standing up straight, Su Zhirui rubbed her numb legs, her phoenix eyes fixed on the man before her as she let out a speechless sigh.

"I'll try."

"Who am I?" Truly getting angry now, Su Zhirui asked pointedly.

"My wife." The man answered as he took the bundle from her, not even bothering to lift his eyelids to look at her.

"Your enemy." She spat out the two words with resentment, then immediately found a smooth rock to sit on. Her willow-leaf brows furrowed as she sensed something amiss. Yi Huang also became alert and was just about to step forward when, unexpectedly, Su Zhirui suddenly brought her foot down. The head of a certain venomous snake was instantly crushed into an oval shape, its body writhing and struggling.

"Take your foot off." Yi Huang said in a deep, displeased tone. This woman was actually this fierce; it wasn't just as simple as wiping her boogers on him.

"It's comfortable to step on." Curling her lip in disdain, Su Zhirui refused to comply. Who told her to have such a fearless personality?

"Eh? It's already dead?" After looking down at it with contempt for a while, she finally lifted her small foot. So, ancient animals were this fragile.

"Its head was crushed by you; of course it couldn't survive." Sitting down on the rock as well, Yi Huang reached into the bundle to feel for a steamed bun. After searching for a moment, he pulled his hand out empty. Where could the bun have gone?

"Ah? So you *can* say such long sentences." Su Zhirui happily handed over the remaining half of the bun in her hand.

"We'll rest here for the night." Ignoring her mockery, Yi Huang immediately used the bundle as a pillow.

"Sir, a question: what if more venomous snakes come?" Seeing him lie flat on the rock, Su Zhirui asked.

"Aren't you very good at stepping on them?"

"What if it rains?"

"It doesn't count until it actually rains."

"What if a bird poops on your face?"

...

The answer she received was a soft snoring sound. Su Zhirui couldn't help but sigh at the heavens; it seemed she needed to improve her character. Truly afraid of venomous snakes, wild beasts, and creepy-crawlies, she sat right beside him. He had carried her for such a long distance during the day; he must be exhausted. Although he didn't say anything, the fatigue between his brows was still visible.

She sat there quietly, listening to the howling of wolves and the calls of birds in the forest, along with other faint, rustling sounds. The heavens were kind; it didn't rain, and no birds built nests or pooped on him. Furthermore, there was a beautiful moonscape for her to admire. Who knows, perhaps if she watched long enough, she might even see a superhero fly past the moon.

She thought about how her older brother and father must be worried sick, but she wouldn't go back—she wouldn't go back even if it killed her.

But this man before her, could she trust him with all her heart?