The first stop on their journey was the renowned Changbai Mountain scenic area in China.
As it was the depth of winter, the conditions within the scenic area were extremely harsh. Coupled with very low visibility at Tianchi, making the lake surface virtually invisible, the number of tourists was significantly lower than usual.
Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi, like a normal couple, arrived at the snow-covered mountain peak after a long trek.
"We're so unlucky, we didn't get to see Tianchi," Yu Mengzhi said with a sigh.
Thick mist swirled above Tianchi, obscuring the full view of the lake.
Chen Jinzhao also felt a touch of regret, but he couldn't help but comfort Yu Mengzhi, "Life is full of regrets; smooth sailing is only temporary."
"I know, but I'm still a bit disappointed," Yu Mengzhi sighed.
"Never mind."
"Perhaps it's fate. Let's go explore other places."
Besides singing, Yu Mengzhi also enjoyed photography. After taking many pictures of Chen Jinzhao and herself, she wandered off to capture scenic shots. The winter landscape of Changbai Mountain was breathtaking, and Yu Mengzhi seized many beautiful moments.
When she returned to Chen Jinzhao's side,
Yu Mengzhi found him squatting on the ground, drawing and writing in the snow with his finger.
"What are you doing?" she leaned in.
Chen Jinzhao pointed to the wobbly words he had written on the ground and asked, "What do you think of my handwriting? Isn't it beautiful?"
Yu Mengzhi looked closely. Indeed, there were four words on the ground—
"I like you"
Yu Mengzhi turned to look at Chen Jinzhao's handsome face and chuckled, "How childish! Your writing is like a primary school student's. Look at mine."
She extended her finger and carefully wrote four words in the snow—
"I love you too"
"How is it?"
Yu Mengzhi's expression was tinged with pride, "Is my handwriting better than yours?"
Chen Jinzhao said without a blush, "Well, I admit your handwriting is good, but it's still slightly inferior to mine."
Yu Mengzhi huffed, "It seems I understand you the best."
"Why?" Chen Jinzhao asked, puzzled.
"Because others don't know it, but the hardest part of you is your mouth," Yu Mengzhi glanced at Chen Jinzhao, making him quite embarrassed. He lowered his voice, "My dear ancestor, we're outside, please give me some face."
Yu Mengzhi chuckled, covering her mouth.
"But seriously, if we didn't have any missions, we could live in a place isolated from the world. Read a few books every day, and watch the clouds drift by."
Chen Jinzhao also yearned for such a life.
Yet, he profoundly realized that such a tranquil existence was far from his reach.
"I wish I could too," Chen Jinzhao said meaningfully.
Yu Mengzhi eyed Chen Jinzhao suspiciously, feeling as though his words held a deeper meaning.
Just as she was about to ask something, a loud argument erupted nearby, forcing them to turn their heads in the direction of the commotion.
Not far away,
a couple was having a heated dispute with three young men.
Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi exchanged a look and walked over in unison.
The boyfriend of the couple pointed at the three youths and said, "You don't deserve to be here. Please leave and don't defile the sacred Changbai Mountain."
The three youths sneered.
The leader of the group sized up the boyfriend and said mockingly, "On what grounds? This isn't your land. This place belongs to us Silla. You are merely its custodians for now, but we will reclaim it sooner or later."
Chen Jinzhao frowned upon hearing this.
He said to Yu Mengzhi, "I think I have a rough idea why they're arguing."
"What's going on?" Yu Mengzhi hadn't understood yet.
Chen Jinzhao said gravely, "Those three are tourists from Silla. They consider this place their territory, which is why this dispute has arisen."
"But isn't this within our national borders?" Yu Mengzhi asked, confused.
Chen Jinzhao let out a scoff.
Silla was a peculiar nation, always striving to compete with China in everything, especially in cultural matters, constantly plagiarizing and then promoting those cultures as their own. Now, they dared to stand on Chinese soil and claim it as their territory.
After Chen Jinzhao's explanation, Yu Mengzhi understood the reason, "If that's the case, these Silla people are indeed quite annoying."
"Of course," Chen Jinzhao replied.
"Silla has no ancient enmity with us; on the contrary, they were once our vassal state. However, in the past few decades, they found a new patron, and only then did they start to cause trouble for China. They are different from the Japanese; they are more like a buzzing fly. But when a fly buzzes in your ear too much, it can be quite irritating."
Yu Mengzhi heartily agreed.
At that moment,
the boyfriend said indignantly, "Shut your mouths. If you're not convinced, you can move the border line. Do you have the capability for that?"
This remark clearly struck a raw nerve in the Silla youths' fragile and sensitive pride. One of them lunged forward, grabbed the boyfriend's collar, and said, "You're the one who should shut up. Don't you find this constant buzzing annoying?"
The boyfriend remained unfazed, "Did I touch your delicate feelings?"
"If I did, I'm honored."
"You're looking for death!" This statement completely enraged the youths from Silla. One of them shoved the boyfriend hard, sending him sprawling in the snow.
The next moment,
the boyfriend's girlfriend stepped forward, blocking the space between them.
She said with firm resolve, "Stop it! If you dare to fight here, I guarantee someone will subdue you!"
"Oh ho? Defending your boyfriend?" The Silla youth eyed the girl up and down, his gaze clearly lewd.
It was disgusting!
Yu Mengzhi said to Chen Jinzhao, "Can you help them?"
Chen Jinzhao nodded and walked straight over.
Before the Silla youths could lay hands on the girl, Chen Jinzhao reached the girl's side and helped the fallen boyfriend to his feet.
Then, he turned to the three Silla youths and said, "I'll give you three breaths to get out of my sight!"
The faces of the three Silla youths changed slightly. They frowned and sized up Chen Jinzhao, this young man who had appeared out of nowhere.
"Hey!"
"We're having a friendly discussion, what's it to you?" the Silla youth retorted unhappily.
Chen Jinzhao ignored him.
Meanwhile, Yu Mengzhi was inquiring with the young couple about the incident. From their conversation, she learned that the boyfriend's name was Luo Feng, and the girlfriend's was Cai Xiaojing. While touring Changbai Mountain, they casually mentioned that the area was within China's border. The three Silla youths immediately approached them, causing a scene and insisting that Luo Feng was wrong, forcing them to admit that this was Silla territory.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinzhao's expression darkened further.
He had initially assumed Luo Feng had proactively corrected the Silla youths' statement, only to discover that these three shameless scoundrels had come forward to twist the facts.
Yu Mengzhi glanced at Chen Jinzhao, indicating that the three were going too far.
Chen Jinzhao nodded, then turned back to the trio, "I've changed my mind. You must apologize to Luo Feng and Cai Xiaojing, or this matter will not be dropped."
"Did you hear that?"