Chapter Twenty-Nine: Setting Out on a Journey

Through Mo Nianian’s persistent efforts over this period, Jiang Hu’s malice value had dropped to ten points—already within the bounds of normalcy. Yet the mission required it to be reduced to zero, ensuring the male lead showed not the slightest sign of corruption before Mo Nianian could leave.

No matter how hard she tried, that last bit of malice clung stubbornly to Jiang Hu, unmoving. The longer Mo Nianian stayed, the more irritable she became. Raising a little creature to pass the time was one thing—but she’d invested far too much time in this child. It was not a good omen for someone like her.

Just like that big cat from before—she’d raised it for so long, but in the end, hadn’t it just padded away, tail high? She’d nearly disrupted the timeline searching for it afterward.

A god was meant to be without desires, only then could true impartiality be maintained. She was already an outlier among the deities, and superfluous emotions were absolutely forbidden.

Lost in thought, Mo Nianian pondered how to erase the last point of Jiang Hu’s malice.

“Sister, what are you thinking about?” Jiang Hu approached soundlessly, casting his shadow over her until she was completely enveloped within it, as if this alone made him happy.

She glanced at him. “Is there anything you want, or perhaps a wish you haven’t fulfilled yet?”

Jiang Hu’s eyes curved in a smile, the corners of his lips lifted. “I’m already satisfied as long as you’re by my side, Sister.”

“I meant something else. For example, is there somewhere you’d like to go, or a gift you’d like to receive?”

“Somewhere I’d like to go… Sister, do you want to travel with me?” Jiang Hu’s eyes gleamed, starlight flickering within them.

Mo Nianian hesitated. “I suppose… yes?”

Jiang Hu’s joy was childlike. “As long as it’s with you, I like anywhere.”

As long as he was with her, even hell itself would be a delight.

The more Mo Nianian listened, the more she felt something was off. This wasn’t just clinginess—was it?

“Don’t say ‘anywhere’—pick a place. And not too far; you’re about to start school again.”

Jiang Hu wanted to tell Mo Nianian that he’d already graduated ahead of schedule and had been busy lately with the company—he was even planning to give her a gift. But he decided to wait until everything was ready before telling her.

He blinked, his sweetness overwhelming. “Sister, let’s go to Yujun Mountain. I’ve heard the scenery is beautiful at this time of year.”

Mo Nianian had no objections. She only wanted to fulfill his wish quickly and lower his malice value.

Once all his wishes were granted, surely the malice would drop to zero.

She nodded. “Then Yujun Mountain it is.”

Jiang Hu clung tightly to her arm again. “Sister, you’re the best. I love you the most.”

Mo Nianian replied absentmindedly, “Mm, me too.”

[Male lead’s malice value decreased. Current malice value: seven.]

She breathed a sigh of relief—she must have found the right approach.

Yujun Mountain wasn’t far from the capital, but the climb was long and arduous. To make matters worse, it had snowed recently, and the steps were slippery. For someone like Mo Nianian, who rarely exercised, she was gasping for breath before she’d even made it a third of the way.

If she’d known the trip would be like this, she would have refused outright. Was this even a path for humans?

She was so exhausted she could have collapsed on the spot.

“No…I can’t… I really can’t go any further…” Mo Nianian panted, unwilling to take another step.

Jiang Hu crouched before her. “Sister, let me carry you.”

She hesitated. “Forget it. There’s still so far to go.” Her eyes lit up. “Or, how about I just wait here for you?”

Climbing mountains was the most exhausting activity in the world—no exceptions.

“We’re already this far,” Jiang Hu’s expression visibly darkened, disappointment etched across his face.

Mo Nianian took a deep breath. “Fine, fine, I’ll go.”

Jiang Hu’s eyes brightened. “I’ll carry you. I have plenty of strength.”

She refused, not wanting to take advantage of a child, but her resolve barely lasted ten minutes. The higher they climbed, the more exhausted she became, until finally, she couldn’t go on.

“I…can’t walk…really can’t…”

In this life, mountain climbing was her nemesis. If she ever did this again, she’d be a fool.

Without warning, Jiang Hu scooped her up in his arms and carried her up two steps with steady strides.

“What are you doing? Put me down,” she protested.

From her vantage point, she could only see the perfect lines of Jiang Hu’s jaw. Even Mo Nianian, usually indifferent, had to admit he was striking.

Jiang Hu’s breathing was calm. “Sister, why are you always so polite? Clearly, I can help you.”

It wasn’t a matter of help—it was just… something about it felt off.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was strange.

Other hikers were glancing over, whispering among themselves.

Even Mo Nianian’s skin wasn’t thick enough to endure the attention; she pinched Jiang Hu’s arm. “Let me down, quickly.”

“Piggyback or princess carry? You choose,” Jiang Hu’s tone was uncharacteristically firm, as if he’d hold her for as long as it took for her to comply.

“…Piggyback, then.”

Jiang Hu was a little disappointed but acquiesced.

At first, Mo Nianian was uncomfortable, but as they went on, she got used to it—even a bit drowsy.

“Jiang Hu, tell me if you get tired.”

“Don’t overdo it; I’m not exactly light,” she yawned, sleep overtaking her.

Jiang Hu chuckled softly. She was heavy—he was carrying his entire world on his back.

Her head lolled against his neck, her warm breath brushing his ear. The delicate fragrance of her skin rushed to his senses.

His dark eyes grew deeper, his Adam’s apple bobbing with restraint.

He yearned for Mo Nianian—yearned for everything about her. It was driving him to madness.

The beast in his chest grew ever more unruly; he didn’t know how much longer he could endure.

“Nianian,” he whispered. That name filled his entire heart, and just thinking of those two syllables made him overflow with joy, as if his heart might burst.

He tilted his head slightly, gazing at her profile. In his eyes shone a light as bright as a star-strewn river.

“Mommy, that big sister is still getting a piggyback from her brother. How embarrassing.”

“Shh, that’s because her brother cares for her.”

“But why does her brother care for her?”

“Because he likes her, of course. The brother likes his sister.”

“Oh! I get it now.”

The little boy skipped past them, flashing Jiang Hu a wide, innocent grin.

“They’re so sweet! I just saw that guy carrying his girlfriend in a princess carry!”

“I’m envious—another day shedding tears over someone else’s fairy-tale romance.”

Jiang Hu glanced over lightly. A group of girls in the distance, thinking they’d disturbed him, offered apologetic smiles.

He nodded slightly in response.

With his sister in the human world, Jiang Hu thought, perhaps life here wasn’t so hard to bear after all.