Seeing the light in her eyes suddenly dim, Lucas' expression grew a bit tense.
Why was it so painful for her to be with him? The atmosphere between them grew even colder.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go," Lucas said in a low voice, turning to open the door.
Aveline quietly followed him, not bothering to think about where they were going or what they were going to do. The weather was pleasant, and as Lucas rolled down the car windows, the cool autumn breeze swept in, easing a bit of the tension in Aveline's heart-but only just a little. However, when Lucas stopped the car at the base of a mountain, confusion flickered across Aveline's face.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Why did you bringhere?" She stepped out of the car, looking at the golden-hued mountain with a puzzled expression.
Lucas glanced at her coolly. "I thought you didn't care?" Aveline pressed her lips together, staying silent.
His tone softened slightly. "We're going hiking." Aveline was speechless.
She looked at him in shock, then glanced back at the autumn-covered mountain, wondering if she had misheard. Hiking, at this time? Lucas had already started up the steps. When he noticed she wasn't following, he turned back and asked, "What are you standing there for? Don't feel like hiking?" Aveline started to say something but then reconsidered and kept quiet.
No point in arguing; better to stay quiet.
Following Lucas up the steps, she gradually found her mind distracted from the chaotic thoughts that had been plaguing her.
Her body, lacking in exercise, quickly grew tired, and she began to pant heavily.
Lucas, a few steps ahead, glanced back and teased, "Aveline, you're really out of shape." Leaning against the railing, Aveline shot him an exasperated look. "You're crazy for draggingout here to hike." Lucas replied, "What else should we do? Let you go back to work or lie around at hall day? With the twe have, we might as well do something meaningful." Aveline's expression remained cold. "I don't see hiking as something meaningful." Lucas looked out into the distance and said, "Aveline, you're only focusing on the path right in front of you. Have you noticed the scenery around you? Hiking might seem exhausting and pointless, but if you take a moment to look up, you might find the view is actually beautiful, and the climb doesn't feel so hard." Her thoughts shifted, and she glanced to the side. As soon as she did, her breathing eased.
Just as Lucas had said, she had never paid attention to the scenery around her-she had only focused on the path right in front of her.
When she saw the thorny road ahead, she felt a deep pain within her soul.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut what if she paused and took in her surroundings?
At that moment, the sunlight was just right, autumn's presence growing stronger. The entire mountainside was a blend of interwoven golden and fiery red hues, with mist swirling in the distance, hiding the vibrant colors. As the autumn wind blew, golden leaves fluttered through the air, and one landed in front of her.
She instinctively picked it up, staring at it in a daze for a long while.
The restlessness in her heart suddenly smoothed out.
"Let's keep going."
Lucas' deep, magnetic voice broke the silence. "Maybe when we reach the top, you'll see an entirely different view."
Aveline let the leaf slip from her hand, and without realizing it, a newfound determination settled in her. Within a mher. few steps, she had caught up with Lucas. X