Chapter 86: As an Older Brother, I Don’t Even Have a Girlfriend

After snuggling for a while, Luo Yixia asked, "How did you find me?"

"Gan Yanyan said you were heading in this direction, so I followed along. On the way, I saw a pile of firewood."

"Ah, that was mine—I picked it up. But wait, I distinctly remember I was heading back toward the campsite," Luo Yixia furrowed her little brows.

"You walked in the opposite direction, getting farther and farther away. If you'd kept going ahead, no one would have found you," Song Chengyi warned, trying to scare her.

"That's not true. You'd still come for me," Luo Yixia laughed.

Song Chengyi looked at her seriously, "Don't go off alone again, alright? Do you know how worried we all were about you?"

Luo Yixia's thoughts clearly ran differently from others, and her focus was elsewhere. "So, does that mean you were worried about me too?"

Her question made Song Chengyi laugh. If he hadn't been worried, would he have spent so long searching for her?

Before meeting Luo Yixia, he never had to fret about anything. No matter what happened, he always handled it perfectly. But ever since she appeared—especially since they'd started spending time together—his life had become chaotic, always filled with concern for her.

Before, he would never have rushed out unprepared like this. Now, he'd come running, only to realize his phone was dead and he hadn't brought a flashlight. How could he be so disheveled?

Yet, Song Chengyi felt this was quite alright; with her around, life no longer seemed so dull.

"We should head back," Song Chengyi stood up and reached for Luo Yixia.

She staggered to her feet, hesitating, "I fell and hurt my knee. I don't think I can walk now."

Seeing her pitiful expression, Song Chengyi sighed and turned his back to her. "Get on."

Luo Yixia took full advantage, happily climbing onto his back and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Do you remember the way back?" she tilted her head and asked.

"Yes."

Song Chengyi carried her, weaving through the woods, guided only by the faint moonlight. He stepped carefully with every stride.

After some distance, Luo Yixia felt Song Chengyi panting heavily.

"I think my leg feels much better. Let me down, I'll walk myself," Luo Yixia struggled, wanting to ease his burden.

Song Chengyi ignored her and said lightly, "Behave yourself, stop moving."

Seeing he had no intention of putting her down, Luo Yixia gave up struggling.

"Why don't we rest for a bit? It's too dark here; if you fall accidentally, it'll hurt," she suggested.

Song Chengyi was moved by her words, and walked to a tree, slowly setting her down.

The two rested against the trunk.

Both were hungry and thirsty, their fatigue overwhelming every nerve.

"Maybe we should wait till morning to go back," Luo Yixia suggested, considering their physical state and the dangers of the forest at night.

But Song Chengyi thought differently. He knew Luo Yixia was injured, and needed to have her wound examined under proper light. He couldn't afford to neglect it as he had in Japan.

"Let's rest a bit, then keep going. The instructors should be close to finding us by now."

Luo Yixia stayed quietly by his side. Once he was rested, they set off again.

She wanted to walk herself, but her knee hurt more than before. She'd already walked a long way; now the injury was worse.

Why was she so unlucky, always injuring her knee?

It was too dark to see if the skin was broken. The last time she'd hurt herself, the wound hadn't healed yet, still scarred. And now, she'd hurt it again.

"Why haven't the instructors found us yet?" Luo Yixia asked from his back.

"I don't know," Song Chengyi replied truthfully. He'd rushed off, not knowing what was happening behind him, but Song Zeming would definitely search for them if he knew.

They hadn't walked much further when they saw the glow of flashlights not far off.

Luo Yixia also heard someone calling her name.

"We're over here!" she shouted loudly.

Song Chengyi, startled by her volume, urged her to keep her voice down.

Sure enough, the others heard her and came over, led by Song Zeming.

Seeing them, Song Zeming breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Chengyi set Luo Yixia down.

She leaned on Song Chengyi to stand.

"Are you both alright?" Song Zeming approached, looking at their dirt-streaked faces.

"I'm fine. She injured her knee," Song Chengyi glanced at the girl beside him.

"I'll carry you. You rest—let's head to the base right now, there's a medical room, and the school has a car ready," Song Zeming supported Luo Yixia.

Song Chengyi didn't refuse; he was indeed exhausted.

She didn't seem heavy—so slim—but carrying her was surprisingly tiring.

Song Zeming carried Luo Yixia, with several instructors following.

He couldn't help but scold the two, "Why can't you two ever give me peace of mind? It's not easy for your brother to come home for a holiday. If anything happened to you, how would I explain it? Aunt Wenjing, even just your mom, would give me hell."

Luo Yixia lowered her head, admitting fault in a small voice, "It was all my impatience."

Song Zeming didn't really want her to apologize; he just had to vent. Seeing her so aggrieved, he couldn't bear to continue, so he turned to scold his brother.

"And you—why didn't you tell me first? Ran out alone. If you hadn't found Xiaxia, we'd have lost one, then have to search for two."

Song Chengyi knew he'd acted impulsively, so he stayed silent, letting Song Zeming lecture him.

But Luo Yixia couldn't bear it. "Zeming, don't scold him; he came out just to find me."

The instructors beside them laughed, "Instructor Song, are these your relatives?"

"Yes, my brother and sister," Song Zeming answered without further explanation.

He felt these two were far too impatient—one just twenty, the other twenty-two. He himself was twenty-five, still single, while these two had already registered their marriage.

"No wonder Instructor Song was so anxious just now. If it were my own siblings, I'd be worried too. So you can't blame your brother, it's understandable. Weren't you rushing out yourself?" another instructor teased.

With that, Song Zeming had no comeback.

Soon, they were back at the campsite.

"I'm taking Xiaxia to the base. Are you staying or coming?"

"I'm coming." Song Chengyi answered without hesitation.

"Go grab your things. The others will return tomorrow; you won't need to come back then." Song Chengyi considered that, with Luo Yixia's injury, she wouldn't be able to train for a while, so it was best for him to look after her.

"Alright." Song Chengyi ran off toward the camp to fetch his gear, while Song Zeming carried Luo Yixia down to the school parking lot.

Gan Yanyan and the others had been anxiously waiting. Seeing Song Chengyi return, they rushed to meet him.

"You're back? Where's Xiaxia?" Gan Yanyan asked urgently.

"Found her. She’s hurt, so we're heading to the base. I’m here to pack up—can you gather her things?" Song Chengyi said, then ran into his tent, quickly packing his belongings.

As he came out, Yu Bin asked, "Are you hurt too?"

Meaning, since she was injured, why was he going?

Gan Yanyan overheard and glared at him, "Song Chengyi found Xiaxia, of course he should go—it’s only right. The school will surely want to ask him about what happened."

These were all superficial reasons. She knew the real one: his beloved wife was hurt, so of course he had to take care of her.

"Thanks," Song Chengyi took the bag from Gan Yanyan and left.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "At last, they're found."

Yu Bin impatiently sat down at the cold food, "I'm starving—finally I can eat in peace."

"Eat, eat, that's all you think about," Gan Yanyan complained.

Yet, hearing Yu Bin, she realized she was hungry herself. Her body had been so tense before, she hadn't felt it at all.

Now, with her worries eased and her body relaxed, the hunger surfaced.

Yu Bin saw her clutching her stomach and laughed, "You're hungry too, aren't you? Come, sit down and eat."

Song Chengyi reached the car; Luo Yixia was already seated inside.

Once she got in, Song Zeming started the engine and drove toward the base.

Walking would have taken over half an hour; by car, it was only a few minutes.

Song Chengyi got out first and carried Luo Yixia in his arms.

She blushed, mumbling, "It's just a short distance—I can walk myself."

Zeming was still here…

Song Chengyi asked, "Where's the infirmary?"

Song Zeming chuckled, "This way." He led them ahead, into the infirmary.

The base was deserted, save for the old gatekeeper. Now, only the three of them remained.

Song Zeming went in first and turned on the lights.

Song Chengyi set Luo Yixia down on the bed and rolled up her pant legs.

Both knees were swollen and red.

"It's alright, nothing serious," Song Chengyi breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her unable to walk, he'd feared it was worse.

"As long as it's not serious—I'll leave this to you, I need to get back. There are still many students," Song Zeming said, hearing Song Chengyi's assessment.

"Alright."

Once Song Zeming left, only Song Chengyi and Luo Yixia remained.

"I'll go check the kitchen for some ice," Song Chengyi said, staring at her swollen knees.

"Okay."

After he left, Luo Yixia sat on the bed, gazing at her knees. She gently touched them.

She drew a sharp breath. "Ah, it hurts so much."