189: Chapter 189 Mountain Wind and Starlight

Choi Sulli volunteered to start grilling the meat, then handed her phone to Liu Zijun.

She knew that Im Yoona hadn't seen Liu Zijun for about ten days.

She picked up the tongs and carefully flipped the pork belly on the grill, watching as the meat gradually turned golden brown and the fat dripped down with an enticing sizzle, her face full of a sense of accomplishment.

Liu Zijun looked at her serious expression and smiled.

Then he looked at Im Yoona in the video call.

"You must have been exhausted in Japan lately, right? It won't be long after you get back before the film crew starts shooting!"

"Don't work so hard; make sure to get plenty of rest!"

"Once you're through this busy period, I'll take you out to have some fun—without Jin-ri!"

Choi Sulli immediately pouted, while Im Yoona instantly broke into a radiant smile.

"Oppa! That won't do. Our Sulli is 'Unnie One' after all; if we don't bring her, what if she starts crying?"

Choi Sulli immediately chimed in, "Lin the Mistress, at least you're sensible!"

This caused Im Yoona on the other end to curl her lip.

Liu Zijun chatted with Im Yoona for a while longer with a chuckle before hanging up.

Im Yoona also hung up with a look of happiness; seeing Jessica Jung peeking at her, she lifted her head triumphantly.

Jessica Jung just pursed her lips, saying nothing and offering no rebuttal.

Liu Zijun smilingly handed a bottle of strawberry juice to Choi Sulli, then took a lettuce leaf, placed a piece of grilled pork belly, a garlic slice, and some kimchi on it, rolled it up, and held it to her mouth.

"Give it a try. How does it taste?"

Choi Sulli opened her mouth and ate it. The tender pork belly, mixed with the crispness of the lettuce and the sour-spiciness of the kimchi, made her eyes light up.

"So delicious! Oppa, your grilling is amazing!"

She also rolled one up and handed it to Liu Zijun, her eyes full of expectation.

Liu Zijun took a bite. Seeing the sauce on the corner of her mouth, he couldn't help but reach out to wipe it away. His fingertip brushed against her soft lips, his tone carrying a hint of doting.

"You little glutton, you can't even eat cleanly."

Choi Sulli's cheeks flushed slightly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

The evening breeze blew gently, bringing the fragrance of grass and trees from the mountain forest. A few bird calls drifted from afar, and the small stream beside the campsite flowed gurglingly.

The charcoal fire for the barbecue crackled. Such a warm and beautiful scene made her wish time could stop at this very moment.

After dinner, Liu Zijun lit a bonfire.

The dancing flames illuminated their faces, and the warm firelight dispelled the slight chill of the night.

Choi Sulli sat by the bonfire with her hands around her knees, watching the flickering flames, her gaze gradually becoming distant.

She said softly, "Oppa, I never thought before that I could be as happy as I am now."

"I used to be troubled by all sorts of things, often acting with extreme caution, afraid of not doing well or disappointing the fans."

"Until I met you. You shielded me from so much wind and rain, letting me know that I could be cherished like this, and that there are so many beautiful things in this world."

Liu Zijun reached out, pulled her into his arms, and gently patted her back, his voice tender and firm.

"Silly girl, you deserve all the beautiful things. The hardships of the past are over; things will only get better from now on."

He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss onto her forehead.

"Whether it's the classes after school starts or the group's schedule, whatever difficulties you encounter, they will only become your motivation."

Leaning in his arms, Choi Sulli finally couldn't hold back her tears, but she was smiling happily.

She hugged Liu Zijun tightly around the waist, feeling the warmth and sense of security in his embrace.

Then she pulled out her phone and scrolled to her latest update, looking at the various comments below.

The photo inside was the one she had just secretly taken of herself and Liu Zijun.

The little girl in the photo was smiling radiantly, while Liu Zijun's expression was a bit dazed.

In the past, she would feel terrible seeing malicious comments, but now, seeing the few negative remarks, she could face them calmly.

Liu Zijun stroked her head and said, "Don't look at these comments if you don't have to; it only adds to your troubles."

Choi Sulli shook her head and said, "It's fine! Oppa! I'm very strong now."

Liu Zijun quietly touched her chest and said, "Jin-ri! It seems they've grown quite a bit lately!"

Choi Sulli wasn't shy at all; instead, she snuggled deeper into his arms.

"It's all thanks to you, Oppa! You should help Yoona Unnie more too!"

Liu Zijun burst out laughing.

The bonfire gradually dwindled, and the Milky Way stretched across the sky, dotted with starlight so beautiful it was breathtaking.

Liu Zijun looked in the direction she pointed; the starlight was brilliant.

He said softly, "When I used to carry out missions in the wild, I saw starry skies like this, but back then, I only had the mission on my mind and wasn't in the mood to appreciate it."

He paused, turning to look at Choi Sulli, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"It's different now; because you're by my side, even the stars seem brighter."

Choi Sulli's heart was instantly filled. She leaned on Liu Zijun's shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling the gentle touch of the evening breeze and his steady heartbeat.

At this moment, all worries and anxieties vanished, leaving only a heart full of peace and happiness.

Liu Zijun watched Choi Sulli crawl into the tent first, and after tidying up, he crawled in as well.

Choi Sulli lay beside Liu Zijun, curled up in his arms like a docile kitten.

Though this kitten was a bit on the large side.

She said softly, "Oppa, thank you for bringing me here."

Liu Zijun ruffled her hair and held her even tighter.

"Silly girl, why are you thanking me?"

"Go to sleep. We can wake up early tomorrow morning to watch the sunrise."

Choi Sulli nodded and closed her eyes, a smile of relief on her lips.

In Liu Zijun's warm embrace and the quiet night of the mountain forest, she soon drifted into a sweet dreamland.

In her dream, she and Liu Zijun traveled to every corner of the world and saw countless beautiful sights.

Early the next morning, Choi Sulli was awakened by Liu Zijun.

The two of them freshened up briefly and walked along the mountain path toward the summit.

The early morning mountain air was exceptionally fresh, carrying the moisture of dew and the fragrance of grass and trees. Crystal-clear dewdrops hung on the roadside wildflowers, shimmering in the morning light.

Choi Sulli held Liu Zijun's hand and walked up with light steps, occasionally stopping to pick a small wildflower and tuck it into her hair.

When they reached halfway up the mountain, the sun happened to rise from the horizon. Golden-red sunlight broke through the clouds, spilling over the forest, dyeing the leaves golden and making the stream sparkle.

Choi Sulli spread her arms, feeling the gentle touch of the morning sun and the mountain breeze, a brilliant smile on her face.

This scene was so similar to the mountainside at Lugu Lake.

Liu Zijun stood beside her, looking at her figure bathed in the morning light, his eyes full of gratification.

"Oppa, saranghae."

Choi Sulli turned to look at Liu Zijun, her eyes shining with a firm light.

Once the sun had fully leaped over the mountain peak, Choi Sulli suddenly pulled Liu Zijun and ran back toward the campsite.

Crawling into the tent, Choi Sulli suddenly said, "Oppa! Let's not eat breakfast—eat me!"

Liu Zijun was stunned. What kind of suggestive words were these!