The weather in the mountains is more unpredictable than in the city of Taimai.

It was past nine in the morning, and the sun was still shining brightly.

Vast tracts of tropical rainforest stretch along the undulating mountains. After the morning mist dissipates, the varying shades of green are illuminated by the sunlight. The tall canopies overlap, and the damp leaves are covered with rainwater from the previous night. Occasionally, a gust of wind blows, and the water droplets fall in a soft patter.

But looking further into the distance, a layer of extremely dark-colored clouds pressed down at the end of the mountain range.

The gray-blue color was heavy, like a rain that had been brewing in the distance.

Shi Luyu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the indoor training hall and watched for a while.

The man's arm reached out from behind her and naturally encircled her waist.

Shi Luyu didn't dodge; instead, she leaned back slightly following the force. "Outside."

Xu Yuanjia lowered his head, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head, and glanced in the direction she was looking. "What's going on outside?"

"I want to go out." She was referring to the outdoor shooting range on the opposite hilltop.

Shi Luyu turned around, her high ponytail brushing against the back of his hand.

The light yellow outdoor windbreaker made her skin look exceptionally fair, with the neckline pulled up to just above her collarbone, paired with sleek black shorts. Her legs were long and straight, and the combat boots made her look remarkably light and graceful.

After practicing all morning, her cheeks were flushed and she had a light sweat on her forehead.

Her delicate face, bathed in the natural light filtering through the mountains, appeared pale and clean.

Shi Luyu tilted her head back and said, "It's not fun inside, it's a bit stuffy."

Xu Yuanjia raised an eyebrow. "Who was it that said they could train inside all day yesterday?"

"Yesterday is yesterday," the girl huffed, acting spoiled.

She reached out and grabbed the cuff of his windbreaker, gently shaking it twice, her voice softening, "Brother Jiajia."

Xu Yuanjia looked down at her hand without saying a word.

Shi Luyu then swayed again, "Take me there."

"..." The man finally smiled, "Shi Luyu."

"You've become so good at acting cute lately."

Shi Luyu's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Don't you like it?"

"I like it," he answered almost without pausing.

He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, saying, "You should always coax your brother like this from now on."

Shi Luyu bumped into his arms, wrapped her arms around the man's slender waist, and silently inhaled the faint, cool fragrance emanating from him.

She seems to have gotten used to his closeness again, and the thorns that used to be constantly raised are gradually disappearing.

At least, that's what Xu Yuanjia saw.

The girl rested her forehead against his chest and whispered, "So, can we go or not?"

"Can."

"Now?" She tilted her head back from his embrace, her eyes sparkling.

"Anytime." Xu Yuanjia replied casually.

"Really?" Shi Luyu couldn't help but laugh.

"Did your brother ever lie to you?" he blurted out, as if bewitched by the girl.

After a two-second silence in his arms, Shi Luyu raised her face, the light in her eyes dimming slightly, and stared at him without saying a word.

Xu Yuanjia: "..."

He looked down at her, and Shi Luyu looked at him. The two stared at each other for a long time.

Finally, Shi Luyu couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, let's not bring up the past today."

Xu Yuanjia raised an eyebrow, and then suddenly raised his hand to tuck a strand of hair that had gotten messed up during training behind her ear.

"You can go out, but rest for half an hour first."

Shi Luyu immediately wrinkled her nose. "Why?"

"Hands," the man commanded calmly.

She immediately hid her hands behind her back. "No."

Xu Yuanjia didn't waste any words with her and directly grabbed her wrist and pulled her out.

The girl's ten fingers were slender and fair. Because of the long practice session, the area between her thumb and forefinger and the palm of her hand were slightly red.

The man's smile faded slightly, and he slowly rubbed the red mark with his thumb. "Doesn't your hand get sore?"

Shi Luyu looked a little awkward. "Just a tiny bit."

"Does it hurt?" he asked again.

"It doesn't hurt," the girl shook her head.

"Little liar," Xu Yuanjia chuckled and scolded, but his fingertips were already on her reddened palm, gently massaging the sore spot with unbelievable patience.

Shi Luyu looked down at him, and after a moment, called him very softly, "Brother."

Xu Yuanjia didn't even look up, and lazily hummed in response.

"You're so long-winded now," Shi Luyu retorted with a grin.

Xu Yuanjia paused, then looked up. His fingertips lightly brushed across her palm. "What's wrong, finding your brother annoying?"

"A little," she said deliberately.

"Okay." With that, Xu Yuanjia released her and turned to leave.

Shi Luyu immediately chased after him and hugged his waist, saying, "Just kidding!"

Xu Yuanjia stood with his back to her, remaining silent.

"Brother?" she asked softly.

The man still didn't react.

"Brother Jiajia." Shi Luyu hugged the man even tighter.

Suppressing a laugh, she teased him, "Brother Jiajia is the best."

"..."

Another sentence: "I like Brother Jiajia the most."

The man let out a low chuckle, his previous act of deliberately being arrogant vanishing instantly, yet he still greedily refused to give up.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, turned around, and a hint of pleasure shone brightly in his eyes. He pressed his advantage and said, "Say it again."

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