Chapter 141 - Memories: School Trip Incident

The picture showed their entire group back then, which consist of more than 10 people. However… Long Ying knew that there was a little incident on the way. Back then, he and Yu Yan somehow got separated from the main group and then they got lost for an entire day before finding their way back to the camp. 

There was no picture of that incident but Long Ying could clearly remember that at time, the two of them were forced to stay close to each other as Yu Yan couldn't read the map properly. 

…

*10 years ago, first year school trip*

"Uhm… which way is the way back?" the young Yu Yan asked in a worried tone. She had been staying out here for some time and completely forgot the way back. It didn't seem like there was any difference between each trees…

At least, in her opinion, it was that way.

The young Long Ying glanced at the young Yu Yan and shook his head. "I'm not sure, aren't you the one who's keeping track where we go?"

"Uh…"

The two of them were tasked to gather some firewood at the edge of the forest. It was at this time that the two of them somehow wandered a bit too far. With the young Yu Yan's lack of sense of direction, she couldn't find the direction to return back properly. Looking at the map in her hand, she felt even more frustrated.

At this time, the young Long Ying merely gave a helpless smile. "Is this your first time out in the wilderness?"

"No…" the young Yu Yan's voice trailed a bit. It was clear that she was unclear of her own answer. She felt a bit ashamed that she couldn't read the map properly.

As for looking around… she felt that all these trees were completely the same. They didn't look any different from one another.

The young Long Ying passed a look at the young Yu Yan and stretched his hand. "How about if you hand me the map?"

"Can you read it?"

"Uh huh."

"Hey, stop teasing me and give a clear answer!" the young Yu Yan puffed up her cheeks. She knew that the young Long Ying loved to tease people, but she felt increasingly frustrated because she didn't wish to stay out here for a long period of time. 

Who was it that said field trip outside was fun? She felt that it was the worst! Having the students gathered the firewood on their own… what if they were like her and didn't know how to read the map properly?

That would be a disaster.

Taking the map, the young Long Ying scrutinized and nearly laughed. Based on the map, he could roughly guess where they were. It was not that far from the camp but he had no intention to return back right away.

What was fun with staying in the camp and mingle with those kids who would mock him?

It was better to stay in the forest.

When the thought flashed in his mind, the young Long Ying sneaked a glance at the young Yu Yan. "Let's try to go over here. We might be able to return back."

"Really?" the young Yu Yan's eyes lit up.

"Yeah."

"Ok!"

"Be careful, it might be a bit slippery since it rained last night."

"Ugh…"

An hour later, the two of them were still wandering around. At this time, the young Yu Yan felt increasingly puzzled. They were supposed to not be that far from the camp, right? Did the young Long Ying had poorer sense of direction even compared to her?

Her hands were already sore from holding the firewood, so she nudged the young Long Ying. 

"Can we stop for a bit?"

The young Long Ying's eyes landed on the young Yu Yan's hand and nodded. He didn't want to exhaust her either even though she looked as if she was still holding on. He pointed on the tree stump nearby, which might have been the result of some woodcutter cutting it in the past.

"Let's take a seat for the time being."

"That's a good idea." the young Yu Yan heaved a sigh of relief and quickly put her stack of firewood to the side and sat down happily. She wiped her sweat and looked at the glaring sun above her with her hand hovered above her eyes. Why did it still feel so hot when they were up in the cool mountain?

Looking at how tired the young Yu Yan was, the young Long Ying felt a bit guilty. The camp was actually not that far from them but he purposely brought the young Yu Yan circling around a bit since he didn't wish to return back yet. He took a seat near her but didn't too close as he didn't wish for her to feel that it was too hot.

Taking his bottle from his pocket, the young Long Ying drank a bit. He noticed that the young Yu Yan was staring at his bottle like a hungry wolf. Come to think about it… did she bring emergency water in case she got dehydrated?

"Do you want some?" the young Long Ying carefully asked. He didn't want to sound as if he was hoping for her to accept the bottle.

"I'm thirsty." the young Yu Yan sheepishly lowered her eyes. She felt embarrassed because she was sure that the young Long Ying must have realized that she was staring at his bottle.

Did she look at it too intently?

The young Long Ying laughed dryly and handed his small bottle to her. It was just an additional bottle he brought with him in case his water ran out. He didn't expect to use it at this time. 

"Thank you," the young Yu Yan happily thanked him and drank from the bottle. The water was not that much and after the young Long Ying had drunk around a quarter, around a third was gone with her drinking it.

The young Long Ying was staring at the young Yu Yan's lips. She drank directly…. Did it count as indirect kiss?

He felt his face heated up when he thought about it. Why did it feel as if he was taking advantage of her when she was just feeling thirsty?

While drinking, the young Yu Yan was secretly feeling a bit excited. She was not that thirsty yet since she had long gotten used to not drink for hours. But seeing that he had used it for drink… she wanted to sneak an indirect kiss to him.

But she still felt embarrassed.

Not only did she stare too long, he was also only offering the water bottle out of kindness. Well, it was not like he lost anything, right? It was just an indirect one….

After drinking, the young Yu Yan gave back the bottle to the young Long Ying. It was clear that the water was not enough to quench her thirst but she would not drink his entire water just for herself.

"I didn't think that I would need bottle at this time."

"You can drink more." the young Long Ying beckoned for her to drink again because he knew that she was still thirsty.

The young Yu Yan laughed lightly. "There's no need, Ying. When we return back I'll ask the teacher to give me some water. There should be enough stock in the camp."

Well, that was obvious. Since she had said that, the young Long Ying took the bottle back and took a small sip. Hmmm, it faintly sensed a bit sweet. Did she just eat a candy?

With him being trained to taste poison and other kinds of smell, the young Long Ying was already very sensitive to many things. He silently put the water bottle away, not wanting the young Yu Yan to know that he had purposely give her the bottle because of another intention.

The two of them continued to chat a bit more before they continued walking. This time, the young Long Ying didn't dawdle and returned back straight to the camp. They had to explain that they were lost for a bit to their group, who were already annoyed that they didn't return back.

…

*back in the present time*

Long Ying chuckled when he thought of his young self back then. At that time, he didn't dare to bring Yu Yan to his world and yet he wished to keep some memories of her. That incident was one of them…

*cough*

He would never ever admit it in front of her that he purposely did it back then. That would be too embarrassing.

Looking at his sleeping wife, Long Ying bent down slightly and kissed her lightly on her forehead. Right now, he didn't want to give her up no matter what. He did feel some hesitation when he saw her hurt… but this time, he would make sure that he would be free.

A glint appeared in Long Ying's eyes as he moved away.