"Cough, Xiao Lan Lan, I'm really embarrassed when you say that." I used the back of my hand to slap her perky butt. I used very little strength, as though I was caressing her.
"Hehe, should I ask you why and wait for you to answer me? Because carrying me on your back is the same as carrying the whole world?!"
Guan Ruolan felt my actions, and a trace of shyness appeared on her pretty face. Even her tender body started to heat up at lightning speed.
"As expected of the roundworm in my stomach. You even know what I'm thinking," I said as I winked at him.
"Of course, maybe you're carrying me on your back right now, and you're thinking about your female friends. What can I do? I'm also very helpless!" Guan Ruolan pouted her small mouth, and had a wronged look on her face.
Hearing her words, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Xiao Lanlan, you're jealous!"
"Who would be jealous of you?"
Although Guan Ruolan said that, she didn't believe it herself. She just tried to act cool so that I wouldn't look down on her.
I didn't mind her hypocrisy. Most of the visitors were tourists from other places. Although it was getting colder, climbing the Great Wall was a strenuous task. Many of them were sweating profusely, complaining that their legs hurt. Some of them even found a flat area and sat down.
This wasn't strange. The original purpose of the Great Wall in ancient times was to defend against foreign invaders. If it wasn't steeper and more dangerous, it wouldn't be useful.
Unlike most people who were panting, I was walking as if I was walking on flat ground. Moreover, I was carrying a person on my back. This attracted a lot of eager gazes. Of course, the main reason was because of Guan Ruolan's good looks.
"Ah Li, look at other men. Their bodies are great. Carrying a girl on their back is like flying. Look at you. You've been sitting for almost half an hour and you still don't want to leave. Why are you so weak?"
"Hey, look at how beautiful the girl is. If it was me, I would run faster than her."
"Then you should carry me and catch up to them."
"How can it be the same?
If I carry you, I'll have to roll down from here … "
"You bastard! Do you still want to live like this?!"
Their conversation attracted a lot of laughter, which made the Great Wall journey a little more interesting.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the special resting area and prepared to eat.
I had to admit that the things in the scenic area were ridiculously expensive. A braised egg cost eight renminbi, and a bowl of porridge cost at least twenty renminbi. Comparatively, a bowl of instant noodles cost ten renminbi, which was considered cheap. Therefore, some people ate instant noodles. I didn't lack money. Guan Ruolan and I ate some simple food, which cost more than a hundred renminbi.
After eating, I planned to continue climbing. However, Guan Ruolan suggested that we take the cable car. She wanted to take a stroll. If we climbed all the way, the sky would turn dark.
I readily agreed. After buying the tickets, Guan Ruolan and I sat on the two-person cable car. Looking at the innumerable majestic mountains and the smiles on the faces of the tourists, as well as the astonished expressions on the faces of the foreigners, I couldn't help but sigh with emotion. In fact, no matter if it was ancient times or modern times, if a country wanted to prosper, it couldn't do without a group of people who were willing to protect the country.
Compared to the men in ancient times, who were forced to join the army or were forcibly captured, the soldiers nowadays had all kinds of benefits. It was also the reason why there were a lot of poems in ancient times that were used to describe the scenery and the situation at the border.
I suddenly remembered something. Grandpa Shangguan had told me that the departure date might be brought forward. He would inform me of the specific situation later.
As a man with blood and iron, I had the responsibility to protect the country. I used to joke with my parents that if I couldn't get into a good university, I would join the army.
They also agreed. As the saying goes, the children of poor families become responsible for the family early. Delinquents like Niu Dazhuang were in the minority. Of course, with my warning last time, Niu Dazhuang shouldn't dare to act recklessly.
If he turns a deaf ear to my words, I don't mind giving him a painful price.
"Master, thank you for forgiving me."
After looking at the scenery, my gaze shifted to Guan Ruolan. I liked to use her name interchangeably. Although we didn't spend much time together, she had accompanied me through my youth. Especially when I was ignorant. If it wasn't for Guan Ruolan's good intentions, I wouldn't have been able to reach my current height, let alone make her my girlfriend. This was a scene that would never appear in my dreams.
"Let's not talk about the past. Moreover, I can't blame you. I have more problems and didn't understand what you wanted to express."
A trace of sadness flashed in Guan Ruolan's eyes. Yesterday, we were in a rush. Moreover, we were in the bus. So, I was too embarrassed to apologize to her. Today, Guan Ruolan took the initiative to ask me out. It was a perfect time, place, and people. I had always wanted to apologize to her. Only then would I feel better.
Although it seemed like I was tearing open old wounds, I was facing my own mistakes.
"Master, although you don't blame me, I have always hated myself."
I couldn't help but grab her small hand. Guan Ruolan only struggled a little, but it didn't do anything.
She turned her head away, unwilling to look me in the eye. As expected, although Guan Ruolan forgave me, it didn't mean that she was completely relieved. She just tried to forget as much as possible. This kind of method felt like she was deceiving herself.
"But don't worry. I will use this life to atone for the mistakes I made. In my next life, I will also be your man. I will shield you from the wind and rain, and hold up a blue sky without worries," I said solemnly. This was the promise of an indomitable man to the woman he loved.
In the past, I didn't have the qualifications to make a promise, nor did I know how to love someone. Even if I had all kinds of shortcomings, she was still willing to go through thick and thin with me. I couldn't express how touched I was.
"Che, you don't have to promise for the rest of your life. Words like a lifetime are too far away. All I want is the present. At least when you are with me, be a competent boyfriend. That's enough," Guan Ruolan shook her head. When she mentioned the word boyfriend, she couldn't help but blush.
Although she had said it in such a straightforward manner, and had lost the reserved manner that a girl should have, the emotional journey between us could be described as inexplicable. At the very beginning, Guan Ruolan had taught me attentively. She had taught me how to strengthen my body.
I never thought that the two of us would end up together. Of course, I would definitely do my best to fill the empty space in our relationship.