Chapter 1268 - 397: The Unromantic Yanyan_4
As the sun began to set, Mo Qingze and Cui Qingrou returned, and with them came Xiao Ruiyuan, whom they had encountered on the road.
Mo Qingze didn’t express any objection to Xiao Ruiyuan joining their family outing, which eased the somewhat anxious Mo Yan.
However, she let her guard down too soon. The next day, when the group arrived at the foot of Bao Hua Temple mountain and saw the steps rising steeply out of sight into the clouds, along with Xiao Ruiyuan carrying six large bundles for their family of five plus himself, she couldn’t help but marvel at the old saying, "The ginger gets hotter with age." Her father was too cunning.
That being said, Mo Qingze’s cunning couldn’t withstand his daughter’s sabotage. Mo Yan decisively distributed the six parcels among the Six Beasts, each beast holding one in its jaws.
Bao Hua Temple was located halfway up the mountain. There was a flattened shortcut that could be taken by carriage directly to the top, yet that would be less interesting.
Therefore, the family took a detour to the rear of Bao Hua Temple and began ascending the steep staircase, enjoying the scenery along the way and challenging themselves. Should anyone get too tired to continue climbing, they could descend and take a carriage from the front.
It was said that the staircase leading to Bao Hua Temple had sixteen flights, each with ninety steps, adding up to a total of fourteen hundred and forty steps. It was quite difficult for those without strength and willpower to make it to the top.
In the beginning, it was manageable, with the steps not too steep, and everyone chatting and laughing with ease. Approximately fifteen minutes passed before lifting their legs became a struggle, especially for Cui Qingrou who had the weakest constitution and could barely ascend with Mo Qingze’s support. The two of them gradually fell behind.
"What are you looking at?" Mo Yan, alongside Xiao Ruiyuan who had the best physical strength, were leading the way. She couldn’t help but ask with curiosity when she noticed him looking back from time to time.