Chapter 329: 149 Dark Willow (At the third watch of the night)

Translator: 549690339

Zou Jingyu glared at her and ordered, “Let’s go.”

This time, the crowd going up the mountain was vast, with half of the program crew present.

The most challenging job belonged to the cameramen, who carried heavy cameras up the mountain, something that was impossible without adequate physical strength.

It had just rained, so the steps were somewhat slippery, and the sky was not yet fully bright. The director repeatedly reminded everyone to be cautious and beware of falling.

Within twenty minutes of climbing, the crowd was filled with Xiao Wenwen’s complaints: “I can’t do it anymore… I can’t climb.”

Xiao Wenwen leaned on her assistant, gasping for breath.

Han Ying glanced at her, “How could your body be so weak? Look at Ming Jing, she’s not even breaking a sweat. You should learn from her.” “You stinker, are you looking for trouble?” Xiao Wenwen shook her fist.

Han Ying quickly ran away, shouting loudly, “Ming Jing, wait for me.”

Ming Jing and Qu Feitai walked side by side, unhurriedly, as if strolling in the mountains. Compared to the rest of the panting crowd, the two were much more at ease.

Hearing the shout, Ming Jing stopped and turned her head to look.

She stood on the stone steps with the unending stairs and lush foliage behind her. The first rays of morning sunlight shining through the gaps in the trees fell on her, and her white skirt fluttered in the morning mist. Her beautiful, gentle features appeared and disappeared in the mist, as if she was an ethereal spirit from another realm.

Han Ying gazed in astonishment before hurrying to climb up. “Ming Jing, don’t leave me behind. Let’s go together.”

Ming Jing nodded.

However, within a few minutes, Han Ying, full of energy, wilted like a frostbitten eggplant. Looking at the never-ending stairs, she lamented, “How much longer until we reach the top of the mountain?”

Ming Jing glanced up, hearing Qu Feitai say, “Give it another hour. We should make it before eight. Just hang in there.”

Han Ying felt as if struck by lightning, “Another hour? I can’t climb anymore.”

Han Ying sat down on the spot, with the main group still far behind, appearing as distant black shadows.

“I heard there are tigers in these mountains…” Ming Jing’s voice trailed off, and Han Ying sprang to her feet as if her butt was on fire, panting as she climbed.

Qu Feitai shook his head, chuckling, “I’ve never heard of tigers in these mountains.”

Ming Jing smiled, “The tiger isn’t in the mountains. It’s in the heart.”

“Ming Jing, how come you’re not tired at all? Are you still human? And you too, Brother Qu. Both of you are like superhuman beings.” Ming Jing and Qu Feitai’s cameraman trailed far behind, unable to keep up and sure to be scolded by the director later.

Qu Feitai said, “You just lack exercise.”

He enjoyed working out, and as for Ming Jing, she had grown up in the mountains, so climbing was probably a breeze for her.

“I can’t do this anymore. Let me rest for a while.” Han Ying sat down, taking off her hat to fan herself.

Ming Jing stood quietly at the spot, watching two figures leaving the main group and quickly approaching the mountain top.

It was Ye Zhen and Tian Long.

“Get lost, you scoundrel. I’ll hit you every time I see you.” Ye Zhen cursed, while Tian Long scratched his head in grievance.

Qu Feitai squinted, “What’s going on?”

There were no cameramen around, so they didn’t have to worry about being filmed.

Just as Tian Long was about to speak, Ye Zhen cut in, “Mr. Qu, please control your assistant, or the next time I see your name, it will be in the legal news.” Ming Jing looked at Ye Zhen, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Ye Zhen grabbed Ming Jing and continued up the mountain, whispering, “That Qu Feitai’s assistant tried to harass me. It’s unbelievable that a well-behaved man like Qu Feitai has such an assistant. It’s ruining his image.”

Ming Jing hooked her lips, “Is that really the case?”

Seeing Ming Jing’s smile, Ye Zhen shuddered involuntarily, sensing that no lies could be hidden from her.

“Fine, fine. I did it on purpose because I couldn’t stand it anymore and wanted to vent my anger at him. You don’t go online, so you don’t know that despicable Xiao Wenwen has been implying things about you on Weibo, which has been discovered by Qu Feitai’s fans, who are now cursing you. You wouldn’t believe how disgusting they are.”

As Ye Zhen spoke, she became angrier. “Cursing me is one thing, I’m used to it, but cursing you, I can’t accept.” Ming Jing smiled, “Is that all?”

“What else could it be?”

Ming Jing shook her head and continued up the stairs.

“Aren’t you angry?

“Why should I be angry?”

Ye Zhen didn’t know the answer, as she stared at Ming Jing’s gentle profile, questioning, “But those people are slandering you without knowing what kind of person you are. Isn’t that infuriating?

“What would getting angry change? As you said, they don’t know what kind of person I am, so they curse me. Should I pay for their ignorance?”

Her gentle voice echoed through the mountains, soothing the soul. Ye Zhen felt her grievances disappear suddenly.

She smiled, “If I had your state of mind back then, I wouldn’t have taken so many detours. To this day, I still can’t escape.”

Ming Jing looked up at the mountain looming over the numerous steps, her eyes smiling, and asked, “What do you see before you?” Ye Zhen followed her gaze and murmured, “A mountain.” Ming Jing shook her head, “Not a mountain?”

“If it’s not a mountain, then what is it?” Ye Zhen was puzzled.

Ming Jing smiled gently, “It is a mountain.”

Ye Zhen was baffled.

“What your eyes see is the mountain, and everything in the world is created by the heart. What your heart wants to see, your eyes will see. All worries are just a product of the heart.”

Ming Jing finished speaking and proceeded up the steps, her skirt trailing over the stones and dewdrops grazing the silver lotus flowers, reflecting dazzling silver light.

“Just like this path up the mountain, the countless steps appear daunting at first, but once you step on the first, second, third steps, you realize it’s just a series of individual steps. Before you know it, you’ve finished the whole path, and the road will eventually come to an end.”

As the clouds dispersed, the sun broke through, and the temple gates appeared before them.

The sound of the gong echoed through the mountains, startling countless birds.

Ming Jing stood in front of the temple gate, gazing at the plaque of Hanshan Temple, a faint smile on her face.

A junior monk sweeping the ground in front of the gate saw Ming Jing standing there, white-robed and bathed in the morning light, with a faint golden glow surrounding her figure, it was difficult to look directly at her..