Sunrise

"Huff, huff… I can't take it anymore either," Li Ming Hao collapsed on the rocky ground beneath.

"Come on, it is just right there. I will help you," Su Xin Yu offered her hand to the visibly tired guy. They had been hiking this weird hill for past half hour. But these thirty minutes felt like multiple years to Lu Ming Hao who was not used to climbing such steep hills. The earlier grassy patch had turned into completely rocky trail just after a few steps a few steps. From there on, it was a test of their stamina, in which young master Li was definitely failing.

By the time they had started to come out of the thick forest, where not a single sunray was peeping into, it had become very hard to walk with just using the legs. Su Xin Yu was used to hiking even higher altitudes, so she did not have any problem at all.

She chuckled looking at the guy.

"With all the action you seemed to be getting back in the school, I thought you would have much more stamina than this," she smirked.

Li Ming Hao was not in the condition to interpret her words, but the double meaning jumped out instantly to him. His already red face due to heavy workout just now became redder. What did she mean by all the action?

"You… are you jealous?" Li Ming Hao turned it around. He had really wanted to ask what was going on in her mind or if she thought he was a Casanova. But from his past observations, he had some idea what made this girl tick. And probably, the most fun thing in his life right now was to tease this girl.

Su Xin Yu scoffed. "Jealous? Me? What for? Don't you think you are giving too much importance to yourself" she fired questions left and right. Why would she feel jealous of those no name seducers? Oh wait, why was she feeling irritated when she thought about all those flies swarming around him? She thought the heat must be getting to her.

She fanned her face with her hand and then continued taking steps. Li Ming Hao grinned at his small victory.

"See, it is just like ten steps. Get up!" she tried pulling Li Ming Hao from the ground and showed him the clear path in front of them.

He was regretting his decision to accompany her for this. It was just the sun, something they saw every day. Why did she need to be so enthusiastic about it? It would have been better if he had stayed behind.

But, wasn't this girl cruel? She left her cousin just like that, believing a stranger like him and using that ointment, without any worries.

"What are you thinking about? We are almost there," she repeated. Li Ming Hao found himself climbing up again. When did she lead him to get up and start again? Damn that bewitching smile of hers. They were ascending at the hill almost as steep as stairs in the house. Stairs did not sound that much, but when combined with high rocky steps here, Li Ming Hao was out of breath again.

After a few steps, Su Xin Yu halted and nodded, almost blocking Li Ming Hao's view with her butt.

"Here I present to you…," she looked back, smiled and jumped at the seemingly last step. Li Ming Hao raised his head and almost lied down on the ground knowing that they had arrived at their destination. He did not have any strength left to take that last step.

"Hey, if you don't put any efforts, how will you reap the rewards?" she issued a philosophical quote. Guess, things like sunrises made people like this, making nice quotes and all. Now he understood the reason behind all those quotes and their lofty background images in those messages circulated as good mornings and good nights.

"Just a second," with the last ounce of power, he pushed through and peeked behind the rocks.

No wonder! No wonder this girl was crazy about the view! Although it had been quite some time since the 'official' sunrise time according to the meteorological sources, but this was a mountainous area, the sun was still coming out behind the mountains.

"Wonderful!" he exclaimed. He had never seen such a scene in his life. The big orange sun was spreading its golden rays all over, the few clouds in the sky scattering the light, giving it a look like a crown, like a celestial being was just floating in the sky. In the distance, there were higher mountains. The scenery was not only mesmerizing but also inspiring, inspiring to do something more in life, to create something more.

Then he glanced at the girl beside him, whose high pony tail was swaying slightly in the breeze. Her face was being illuminated by the rays, her rosy red lips parted in a beaming smile, being sun kissed. He gulped hard, more than the scene, looking at the girl was more surreal.

He subconsciously took out his hand and tucked her lock behind her ear. She turned her head sideways and looked at him quizzingly, only to find him staring at her with infatuation. His deep eyes made her blush, he had exact same expression as when he was kissing his fianceé that day.

When she remembered about that lecherous scene, her face flushed some more, she tactfully removed his hand from her cheek, which seemed to linger for some time. This guy was from enemy faction and she was yet to find his true motive. There was no time to be falling for him. Although she had to admit, she really was enjoying his company. He might not be bad as a friend after all.

"Thank you," he suddenly spoke up, withdrawing his hand. "This was indeed one of a kind experience. I enjoyed it very much," he smiled. Yes, getting to see her looking so pretty was definitely he never wanted to miss.