Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Growing Closer
“You seem very excited.”
Seeing Lin Shen’s curious expression as he looked around, Qin Yuenan suddenly felt a joy in her heart, as if her hobby had been recognized by someone else, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upward slightly.
“Isn’t hiking wonderful?”
“It really is nice.”
Lin Shen grinned broadly.
“Quitting my job was definitely the right choice!”
“You’re still young.”
Qin Yuenan used an elder’s tone to lecture.
“When you reach my age, you’ll understand—there’s no right or wrong, only things you like to do and things you convince yourself to do.”
“Actually, Sister Nan, you’re not old either.”
Lin Shen spoke sincerely.
“Twenty-eight is exactly a woman’s most beautiful age.”
“Where did you learn to say these things?”
“You’re my boss, hehe.”
Lin Shen grinned.
“Am I wrong?”
“Completely wrong.”
Qin Yuenan seemed to have a belly full of bitter complaints she wanted to pour out.
“I’m very old, and my family keeps nagging me to find someone to marry. I can understand that, but I just can’t stand those successful men…”
“Come on, Sister Nan, smile!”
Lin Shen deliberately changed the subject, bringing his head close to Qin Yuenan’s face and raising his phone for a selfie.
Click—!
In the photo, the two were one in front and one behind—one with a bright, sunny, handsome smile, the other with a cold, unsmiling expression.
They looked mismatched, but unexpectedly harmonious.
“Isn’t hiking about forgetting your troubles?”
Lin Shen chuckled.
“No need to dwell on the present or worry about the future. Life has no useless experiences, so we keep walking—the sky will always brighten.”
“…”
“That’s something Haruki Murakami said. Although the context doesn’t quite match our current situation, the meaning is good.”
Lin Shen continued walking forward. Qin Yuenan stood there stunned for a while before catching up, her previously melancholy expression gradually softening.
“You know quite a lot.”
“I read about random things.”
Under Lin Shen’s guidance, Qin Yuenan stopped thinking about those annoying matters.
The two walked along the mountain path, sometimes attracted by a towering ancient tree, discussing its species and age.
Or finding a lucky four-leaf clover to pick and take home as a specimen.
Among the overlapping peaks, the distance between them grew closer.
And not just emotionally.
Shoulders bumping, backs of hands lightly touching.
As physical contact increased, Qin Yuenan felt a strange emotion she’d never experienced before gradually building in her heart.
Making her unconsciously steal glances at Lin Shen beside her.
His playful antics, carefree bright laughter.
All of this made Qin Yuenan’s cold eyes sparkle with incredible amazement.
She saw in Lin Shen that special love for life that belonged to young people,
As well as a positive, healthy mindset.
Especially after Lin Shen’s successful weight loss, this unique sunny quality became even stronger, even infecting other people around him, making them feel energetic too.
Perhaps this was his true self?
Qin Yuenan lightly bit her lip corner, lowering her eyes, her thoughts stirring.
However, during her moment of distraction, Lin Shen had already fallen several steps behind, apparently being approached by two female college students.
“Handsome guy, could you help us take a photo?”
“No problem!”
Lin Shen took the iPhone 16, specifically squatting down to take photos for the two female students, even helping guide their poses.
Click—!
“How does this look?”
“Very good! Can I add…”
One of the female students, seeing Lin Shen was quite handsome, was about to ask for his WeChat when suddenly her companion pulled her away.
“Thank you, handsome! Your girlfriend is very pretty!”
Girlfriend?
Lin Shen suddenly felt a chill behind him, immediately turning around to find Qin Yuenan had somehow appeared nearby.
Arms crossed, eyes slightly narrowed, faintly emanating an aura that warned people to stay away.
Instantly, Lin Shen felt as if he’d returned to those scenarios of reporting work in the office.
Scary!
“Sister Nan.”
Lin Shen didn’t know why this cold goddess was suddenly upset again, so he could only smile awkwardly and scratch his head.
“Just helping take a photo, hehe.”
“Very good, helpful.”
Qin Yuenan snorted coldly, then walked to the ancient tree where the two female students had been standing.
“Take one of me too.”
“Sure.”
Lin Shen pressed the phone’s shutter, capturing Qin Yuenan’s graceful figure in his album.
This was the advantage of beautiful women.
No need for special lighting or professional equipment—just standing there made for great photos.
“Sister Nan looks beautiful.”
“You took it well. Send it to me on WeChat.”
The small episode ended, and the two continued walking side by side.
As time passed, under the blue sky and white clouds, the sun gradually climbed higher.
Although the trees in the forest absorbed much of the heat, the temperature still gradually rose.
“Let’s sit for a while.”
Seeing it was already noon, Lin Shen pointed to a stone bench not far away.
Qin Yuenan nodded, took off her sun protection shirt and tied it around her waist.
She sat on the cool stone bench, took two wet wipes from her waist pack—using one to wipe the sweat from her neck, and handing the other to Lin Shen beside her.
She also lifted her camisole to fan inside it, manually cooling down.
This made Lin Shen, who was stealing glances, stare straight.
Qin Yuenan’s gorgeous figure wasn’t just reflected in her perfect waist-to-hip ratio and long beautiful legs—her chest was definitely a major asset too!
This kind of natural attribute monster combined with diligent post-natal exercise could probably make most men linger even with her face covered.
Not bad at all!
“Gulp—!”
After taking small sips of water to replenish his body’s electrolytes, Lin Shen took out two boxes of fruit and vegetable salad from his bag to share with Qin Yuenan.
“Here, Sister Nan.”
“Thanks.”
Qin Yuenan speared a cherry tomato and put it in her mouth, chewing while asking softly.
“It looks like you’re eating properly. Weight loss must be very hard, right?”
“Definitely.”
Lin Shen was full of emotion.
“But the results are pretty satisfying.”
“Your transformation is really dramatic.”
Qin Yuenan asked tentatively.
“Was it because of your ex-girlfriend that you were stimulated?”
“Not entirely.”
Lin Shen met Qin Yuenan’s curious gaze, then smiled slightly.
“Sister Nan, why are you suddenly interested in my romantic history?”
“You’re my assistant, what’s wrong with