141: Chapter 141 The Wind, the Flower, the Person

Choi Sulli was extremely gentle with Liu Zijun tonight, as if wanting to melt completely into his body.

After it was over, she checked the time; it was already past midnight, China time.

The girl's eyes darted around, and she actually took out her phone and dialed Im Yoona for a video call.

Im Yoona was likely in the middle of her sleep.

She had just fallen asleep and was a bit annoyed when she heard her phone ring.

Who would call her in the middle of the night?

But as soon as she saw it was a video call from Choi Sulli, her drowsiness vanished instantly.

Back at the filming site, she had seen Liu Zijun leave suddenly. When her calls went unanswered, she called Seohyun and learned that something had happened to Choi Sulli. She hurried back to the company in a rush, but Liu Zijun and Choi Sulli had already left.

When she called Liu Zijun again, she found out they were already on their way to the airport.

Im Yoona just cried and asked him to take good care of Choi Sulli, saying she would wait for them to return.

These past few days, she had been deeply worried.

By normal logic, they were supposed to be rivals in love. Yet, she, 'Lin the Mistress,' was still deeply concerned about her unnie.

She didn't dare call Choi Sulli, afraid of disturbing her. This must be the most fragile time for Choi Sulli.

So, she and Son Ye-jin simply waited together, worried, quietly asking Liu Zijun for updates every day.

Now, suddenly receiving a video call from Choi Sulli made her instantly excited, her eyes welling up.

'Seol-ri! unnie was so worried about you...'

However, Choi Sulli's response instantly dispelled her worry.

'Yoona Unnie! I just had a fight with oppa for over an hour. Look at my face, isn't it all red and glowing?'

Under the dim light of the video call, Im Yoona's face visibly flushed red at a rapid pace.

'Ya! Choi Sulli! And here I was so worried about you...'

Choi Sulli just laughed heartily, 'Gah-gah-gah.'

'Yoona Unnie! Oppa and I will be back in a couple of days.'

After saying that, the little rascal hung up the phone and burst into laughter again.

'Yoona Unnie! You always tease me, so I'm giving you a taste of your own medicine!'

Im Yoona stared at the black screen on her phone and instantly cursed out loud, 'Ya! Choi Sulli! Are you crazy?'

After cursing, tears began to flow.

If she's starting to be mischievous again, then she must be fine.

Early the next morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Choi Sulli dragged Liu Zijun to the lakeside.

Money talks. The mosuo people uncle was already waiting by the shore in a Dugout Canoe. The wooden hull, polished bright by the lake water, had a fresh bouquet of azalea flowers stuck at the bow.

The uncle greeted them with a smile, 'Young lady, young man, come aboard! The weather's good today; you might even catch the sunrise over the lake!'

Choi Sulli carefully stepped onto the boat. Once seated, she eagerly looked around.

The oar paddled through the water, stirring up ripples that shattered the reflections of mountains and flowers dancing on the surface.

From a distance, azalea flowers stretched along the shore. Some grew on cliffs, others drooped to the water's surface. Pink-purple petals occasionally fell into the lake, drifting with the waves.

Choi Sulli pointed to a cliff not far away, where the azalea flowers grew especially lush, like a colorful cloud.

'Oppa, look over there!'

'It's so beautiful! Much prettier than the ones in Seoul's botanical garden!'

Liu Zijun sat beside her, gently smoothing her wind-tousled hair.

'If you like it, we can stay a few more days.'

'The innkeeper said there's an even larger sea of azalea flowers on the mountain across the lake. We can hike there this afternoon.'

Choi Sulli's eyes lit up, then she hesitated, 'Really? But won't hiking be tiring? Besides dancing, I hardly exercise.'

Liu Zijun chuckled and pinched her cheek, 'That's why I've been taking you to the gym whenever I have time lately. Even Jong-kook Hyung mentioned how often I've been bringing you.'

'Don't worry, I asked. The trail isn't difficult. I'll hold your hand the whole way.'

'And the view from the mountaintop is even better. You can see the entire Lugu Lake and pick a few azalea flowers to wear in your hair.'

Choi Sulli immediately perked up.

'Then I want to pick pink ones! Oppa, do you think I'll look good with azalea flowers in my hair?'

Liu Zijun's tone was full of affection.

'Of course you will. Our Jinri looks beautiful no matter what.'

A radiant smile instantly spread across Choi Sulli's face.

She suddenly turned to look at the uncle rowing the boat.

'Uncle, does Lugu Lake have many legends?'

The uncle laughed heartily and said, 'Yes! We mosuo people say Lugu Lake was formed from the tears of the Goddess Gemu.'

'Long ago, Goddess Gemu fell in love with the male god of Mount Houlong. Later, the male god turned into a mountain, and the goddess's tears gathered to form Lugu Lake, forever keeping him company.'

Choi Sulli listened, captivated, murmuring to herself:

'So romantic! Just like how oppa is always with me.'

She turned to look at Liu Zijun, her eyes filled with attachment.

The boat glided slowly across the lake. The sun leaped over the eastern mountain peaks, casting golden-red light on the water's surface, making Choi Sulli look like a goddess.

The sun gradually rose higher, sprinkling light on the water, making it glimmer.

Leaning on Liu Zijun's shoulder, Choi Sulli listened to the uncle's tales of Lugu Lake while watching the azalea flowers along the shores, a smile Always lingering on her lips.

The darkness of the Chaebols, the shadows of her family, the past fears and anxieties—amidst this pure landscape, they all seemed to have been scattered by the wind.

In the afternoon, the two set off on their hike to the mountaintop as planned.

The mountain path wasn't too steep, flanked by wildflowers of various colors, with occasional newly bloomed azalea flowers.

After walking for a while, Choi Sulli was slightly out of breath. Liu Zijun simply carried her on his back, striding upward.

She clung to his back, arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her cheek pressed against him, feeling utterly secure.

'Oppa, am I very heavy?'

Liu Zijun's voice held a smile.

'Not at all. Our Jinri is light as a feather.'

The moment they reached the summit, Choi Sulli was struck speechless by the sight before her.

The entire Lugu Lake lay before her eyes. The deep blue water resembled a massive sapphire embedded among the mountains, with villages dotted along the shore.

The sea of azalea flowers at the summit was even more magnificent than by the lake—layers of pink-purple, crimson, and snowy white. As the wind blew, the floral sea swayed like waves, its fragrance wafting over.

'Wow! Oppa, it's so beautiful!'

Choi Sulli broke free from Liu Zijun's hand, ran to the edge of the floral sea, carefully picked a pink azalea flower, and tucked it into her hair.

The girl turned back to Liu Zijun with a grin, 'Oppa, do I look pretty?'

Sunlight bathed her face. The pink petals contrasted with her fair skin, her eyes filled with pure joy. Liu Zijun was momentarily captivated.

He stepped forward, gently lifted her chin, and leaned down to kiss her.

Silence spoke louder than words.

Choi Sulli's cheeks flushed crimson instantly. She rose on her toes, returning his kiss wholeheartedly. They embraced amidst the vast sea of azalea flowers as the wind from Lugu Lake gently brushed past, carrying the scent of flowers and love.

Leaning against his chest, Choi Sulli whispered, 'Oppa, saranghae! From now on, I only have oppa.'

Liu Zijun stroked her hair, his other arm tightening around her!

His voice was gentle.

'In the future, you'll meet more people and experience more things. Your world won't have only oppa.'

'You'll also encounter more beautiful scenery and wonderful moments.'

Choi Sulli nodded vigorously, hugging his waist tightly.

'Mm! I'll listen to whatever oppa says. No matter where we go or what we do, as long as oppa is with me, I won't be afraid of anything.'

As the sun set in the west, the two sat side by side on the mountaintop, watching Lugu Lake gradually enveloped in twilight.

Liu Zijun knew this trip to Lugu Lake wasn't just about showing her the scenery; it was about helping her rediscover her love for life.

On the way down, Choi Sulli held Liu Zijun's hand, her steps light and cheerful.

Watching her joyful demeanor, Liu Zijun's eyes were filled with warmth.