The mountain Xia Xi and his group chose was a small one—truth be told, it didn’t take all that long to climb. For instance, they had already reached the summit, and the sky was still far from dark.
The burly man set Xia Xi’s backpack down on the ground and prepared to leave.
For him, the climb was done and the money was earned—there was nothing left to keep him there.
“Hey, buddy, why not stay and grab a bite with us?”
Xia Xi unzipped the backpack, pulled out a picnic cloth, and spread it flat over the dirt. Then he took out three folded little camping stools and set them up for seating.
“No thanks, boss. I just came up here for the hike, that’s all.”
The burly man waved his hand.
“Aw, come on—since you’re already here, why not watch the sunset together? The weather’s been great today, so the sunset’s bound to be spectacular.”
This big guy was an honest soul. Xia Xi and Bai Xiaocha had been goofing around the whole way up, which had significantly delayed their climb, yet the man hadn’t complained once. That attitude earned him a fair bit of goodwill from Xia Xi.
Besides, he’d packed plenty of food—sharing a meal and watching the sunset together wouldn’t cost him anything.
On the contrary, more people meant more fun.
Perhaps because this little mountain wasn’t very famous, there weren’t many visitors. Or maybe because of its modest height, most people who wanted to catch a sunset or sunrise simply didn’t choose this spot. So tourists mostly just popped up to the summit, took a few photos, and left.
That meant the crowd up top was pretty thin. Including Xia Xi and Bai Xiaocha, only two or three groups were planning to stay overnight.
After all, there were inns at the foot of the mountain. For most people, it made more sense to sleep comfortably down there and then start the climb in the early morning hours to catch the sunrise.
“Well…”
The burly man hesitated.
To him, Xia Xi and Bai Xiaocha were essentially strangers. Their relationship was purely transactional—just a clean exchange of money for services. If not for the fact that they lived in a society governed by law, he might have actually worried that Xia Xi’s enthusiastic invitation to share a meal was a cover for slipping something into his food.
“Come on, Uncle! We climbed all this way—it’d be such a shame not to enjoy the sunset!”
Bai Xiaocha’s eyes practically lit up as she watched Xia Xi pull out one food item after another from the backpack.
She was a foodie at heart, and all that climbing had burned a ton of energy. Seeing so many goodies laid out made her mouth water.
Seeing how sincerely they were inviting him, the burly man gave a nod and decided to stay.
He had to admit, Bai Xiaocha had a point—since he was already here and had already made the climb, it would be a waste not to take in the view.
“Dad, try this senbei! It’s so good!”
Bai Xiaocha tore open a pack of rice crackers, took a delicate bite, and a crisp crunch echoed from her mouth.
Even as she savored the flavor, she didn’t forget about her “dad.” She held up the other cracker from the pack right to Xia Xi’s lips.
Xia Xi accepted whatever she offered without hesitation—whatever Bai Xiaocha fed him, he ate.
Between bites, he kept urging the burly man to make himself at home and grab whatever he wanted.
At first, the man was a little shy and awkward, not reaching for any food. But gradually, he realized that this father-daughter pair were genuinely warm and friendly. So he started snacking along with them, occasionally chiming in with a few words here and there, like they were old friends.
As it turns out, kindness is contagious. You treat me well, and I’ll treat you well in return. You show me goodwill, and I won’t respond with harsh words.
As for those who repay kindness with enmity—well, those cases are actually quite rare, at least here in our China.
After all, we’ve had a term since ancient times: chivalrous heart and righteous spirit. Who wouldn’t want to be a warm-hearted hero? From the time we step into society as young adults, we’re all brimming with passion, eager to make something of ourselves and do good deeds.
Even if we’ve since become ordinary working folks, that original impulse to do good leaves a lasting mark.
Isn’t that what renqing—the give-and-take of human connection—is all about?
The sun didn’t keep Xia Xi and the others waiting long. After a full day’s work in the east, it now had to hurry over to the west.
The afterglow of the setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon a brilliant crimson.
Gazing at this rare and magnificent sight, Xia Xi could only conclude that the school essay titled “Burning Clouds” hadn’t lied to him.
The clouds bathed in the sunset’s glow really did look like they were ablaze.
Crimson touched with flecks of gold, fiery red tinged with a hint of purple—and those little curls at the edges of the clouds, as if singed by heat, added an extra playful touch.
As the sun sank lower, the sky gradually darkened.
Well before the sun had fully set, the burly man said his goodbyes and started his descent.
Unlike Xia Xi and the others, he wasn’t planning to stay overnight. If it got completely dark and he couldn’t see the path down, that would be a bit too risky. So the smart move was to head down while there was still some light.
“Dad.”
Bai Xiaocha curled up in Xia Xi’s arms like a little kitten.
Her soft, sweet voice was barely above a whisper.
“What’s up?”
Xia Xi tore open a pack of orange-flavored gummy candies, popped one out, and fed it into Bai Xiaocha’s mouth.
“You’re about to tell me how beautiful the sunset is and thank me for coming with you to watch it, right? Hehe, no need for thanks—after all, you’ve been calling me ‘Dad’ all this time, so this is only natural~”
Xia Xi rambled on, completely missing the increasingly resentful look in Bai Xiaocha’s eyes.
Finally unable to take it anymore, Bai Xiaocha snatched the bag of gummies, grabbed a big handful, and stuffed them into Xia Xi’s mouth in an indignant attempt to shut him up.
“You dummy Dad! I was trying to say—I’m cold! Get me some warmer clothes, hurry!!!”
Only then did Xia Xi remember that, because summer days were hot, she’d been wearing a little skirt. And now, at night, atop a mountain of considerable elevation, the temperature had dropped significantly. Of course she’d feel cold.
After letting out an awkward chuckle, he quickly unzipped the backpack, pulled out two sets of thick clothes, and layered them on himself and Bai Xiaocha.
He put his own on properly, while Bai Xiaocha stayed snuggled in his arms. Her set of thick clothes was draped over her like a blanket, keeping her cozy and content.
Perhaps it was the sense of security Xia Xi provided, or maybe the “blanket” made of two layers of thick clothing was just too warm—before long, the little “Tea Cat” in his arms was breathing steadily, fast asleep.
Good thing they’d set up the camping tent earlier—otherwise, Xia Xi would have had to wake her up.
He looked down at Bai Xiaocha’s sleeping face, let out an involuntary soft laugh, gently tapped her pretty nose with his index finger, then carefully picked her up and laid her inside the tent, which he’d already padded with soft cushions.
Standing at the summit, he raised his head to look at the sky.
Tonight, the stars were unusually brilliant—twinkling and shimmering like a radiant river of light….
