Having encountered so many dangers these past two days, when Mu Mu gave that low warning, Feng Jiu’er immediately drew her short blade and looked guarded.

Unexpectedly, Mu Mu simply pulled her aside, avoiding the large tree ahead.

“What were you thinking about? You nearly collided with that tree,” he said, seeing her tense expression and tight grip on her blade. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if her reaction had amused him.

“Don’t be nervous—I just noticed you were about to hit the tree.”

Feng Jiu’er’s small face reddened slightly. She felt rather embarrassed.

She had been so preoccupied with that family heirloom that she hadn’t even noticed she was about to crash into a tree.

If Mu Mu hadn’t pulled her, she really would have collided with it.

But now… Jiu’er suddenly realized she had been pulled into Mu Mu’s embrace!

The faint masculine scent from his body entered her senses, making her head spin instantly. She had always been naturally sensitive to scents.

The man’s scent was clean, and strangely, it felt familiar, yet she was certain this was the first time she and Mu Mu had been so close.

She hastily pulled back from his embrace. She wasn’t merely embarrassed—she was puzzled by where this sense of familiarity came from.

“Let’s continue,” Mu Mu said, somewhat reluctant to release the moment and the delicate fragrance that belonged to her. However, this was not the time for matters of the heart.

Feng Jiu’er came to herself and quickened her pace.

Though they each had their own thoughts, their pace didn’t slow for a moment.

Soon they had crossed one mountain peak. Based on the footprints on the ground, others had indeed passed through here—they were significantly behind.

“Would you like to rest for a while?” Mu Mu watched Feng Jiu’er, whose face was beaded with sweat.

Jiu’er shook her head, but then reconsidered and stopped: “Let’s rest.”

There was a small stream nearby. The two sat by the water’s edge and drank some spring water.

Feng Jiu’er said: “Mu Mu, stretch your legs out straight. I’ll do some acupressure massage for you.”

He was depleted of energy today, and if she could massage his acupoints occasionally, it would ease the burden on his body.

Mu Mu originally wanted to refuse, but seeing the determination and seriousness in her eyes, he finally sat down and stretched his legs.

Rest was meant to allow them to move faster afterward, so even rest had to be rushed.

Feng Jiu’er knelt beside his legs, her massage technique different from most—she worked only on the acupoints.

Mu Mu’s brow furrowed slightly in discomfort, though there was some pain, there was something wonderfully soothing about her small hands working on his legs.

It felt like… a wife attending to her husband.

“Jiu’er…”

“What you said to me last night—I’m treating it as if I didn’t hear it. I didn’t bring the family heirloom with me today. I’ll return it to you after we get back,” she said hurriedly, words tumbling out like beads.

Mu Mu simply watched her without speaking.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t raise her head, uncertain what he was thinking. After finishing the massage on one leg and moving to the other, she looked up to find him staring at her intently.

“W-what?” Being stared at like this was genuinely uncomfortable.

She moved to his other leg and knelt down, preparing to massage it in the same manner.

But Mu Mu raised his hand, seemingly wanting to touch her cheek.

Jiu’er hastily dodged and turned back to face him, her expression hardening: “Mu Mu, I have no interest in you that way.”

“I do,” he said, his gaze sincere. “Whatever you dislike about me, I will change from now on.”