However, Gao Yanchen did not change his mind even when she was about to set off for the capital and participate in the last meeting of the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Elder Gao had already been discharged and was recuperating at home.

Everyone watched the bustling scene, but in the end, Gao Yanchen could not go to the capital to study and was a little lonely. Gao Yanchen arranged for a car and sent everyone to the capital on the designated date.

Before leaving, Flame Number One urged everyone to climb Bin Mountain, saying that it would be the new year when they came back again.

Everyone thought about it and agreed.

Xue Xi did not mind. It was fine to study less for a day. Moreover, as the activity was for the sake of Little Flame, she would cooperate with everyone because she knew that she did not have much time left with him.

Gao family residence.

Elder Gao was sitting on the sofa and watching television, but his gaze was fixed on Gao Yanchen, who was entering and exiting. Seeing that he was looking for sneakers to wear for their mountain climbing, he said carefully, “Are you going mountain climbing?”

Gao Yanchen shook his head. “No, I’m gonna go swimming.”

Elder Gao: “?”

Gao Yanchen shot him a glance. “Old man, aren’t you asking the obvious? After putting on mountain climbing gear, what else am I going to do except climb a mountain?”

Elder Gao: “…”

During this period of time, Gao Yanchen did not blame him or give up on himself. He seemed to have accepted the fate of staying in Bin City.

Elder Gao felt very guilty. For some unknown reason, when Gao Yanchen was going against him, he did not feel that he was in the wrong. However, now that this grandson of his was being so calm, he kept feeling guilty.

He coughed. “Do you have enough money? If you need anything, just tell me. Or should I buy that mountain?”

Gao Yanchen: “?”

He glared at Elder Gao. “Old man, are you crazy? You’re seriously ill! Why would you buy me a mountain?!”

After saying that, he finished putting on his clothes and walked toward the door.

Just as he was about to leave, Elder Gao suddenly called out to him, “Xiao Chen.”

Gao Yanchen paused and turned around.

Elder Gao hesitated for a moment and said, “It’s nothing.”

Only then did Gao Yanchen leave. The butler saw him off respectfully at the door, and Gao Yanchen only waved his hand. His demeanor was arrogant and suave, just like before.

However, for some unknown reason, Elder Gao felt that he seemed to have grown up overnight. There was no longer any childishness in him, and he seemed more mature and steady.

Staring at his back, Elder Gao finally sighed heavily. He looked at the butler and asked, “Did I do something wrong?”

The butler did not speak.

Elder Gao lowered his head. “Help me contact the Capital University…”

The butler was stunned. “Old Master, what are you…”

Elder Gao leaned on the sofa dispiritedly. “Xiao Chen used to have light in his eyes, but now, although he looks the same as before, I keep feeling that he seems to have lost his soul. Perhaps I’m really wrong. I shouldn’t have broken his wings…”

When the butler heard this, he felt happy for Gao Yanchen. He hurriedly said, “I’ll tell Young Master now…”

However, after taking two steps, he turned to look at Elder Gao. “Forget it. It’s better for you to tell Young Master yourself after he comes back tonight!”

Gao Yanchen would surely be overjoyed!

…

…

Gao Yanchen, who was unaware of this, had already arrived at the foot of the mountain and gathered with the members of the Roaring Flame Society.

Among the group of redheads, there were only two with black hair, but they were still very eye-catching.

Gao Yanchen stared at the tall mountain with his hands on his waist. His grinning posture was very ostentatious.

Flame Number One clapped and said, “Sister Xi, why don’t we compete today?”

Xue Xi: “?”

For some unknown reason, she felt that Flame Number One’s smile looked conspiratorial.

Just as she was thinking this, Qin Shuang came over. “Sister Xi, Brother Chen is amazing. He’s the first among us. Flame Number One is planning to make you lose to Brother Chen!”

Xue Xi: “…”

This Gao Yanchen really wanted to snatch back the position of the leader of the Roaring Flame Society every chance he’d get.

Or should she just give it to him?

Just as she thought this, she saw Gao Yanchen stretching his legs and relaxing his entire body. His eyes swept over and he said, “Sister Xi, do you want to compete? Don’t give in to me. I definitely won’t lose.”

Xue Xi instantly gave up on that thought.

Little Flame was a very prideful person. If she’d chosen to have gone easy on him just now, she would have definitely insulted him. Hence, she had to do her best in this competition.

Xue Xi nodded. “Okay.”

Flame Number One and the rest started cheering. “Brother Chen, you can do it!”

The two of them stood at the starting line and, with a “start,” Xue Xi and Gao Yanchen rushed up the mountain path!

Flame Number One and the rest followed closely behind them.

Xue Xi knew that Bin Mountain was not very high, but it would take at least an hour to reach the top of the mountain. Hence, she did not sprint at the start and followed closely behind Gao Yanchen.

He grew up in Bin City and was more familiar with mountain climbing.

Following behind him, she reached for the top of the mountain in a sprint.

The two of them were not fast in the beginning, so Flame Number One and Qin Shuang could still keep up.

Bin Mountain was a wild mountain that no one tended, but the mountain path was safe. There were usually many people who came to climb the mountain, but today, it was too hot. If Flame Number One had not wanted to create an opportunity for Gao Yanchen to defeat Xue Xi, they would not have come today.

Hence, they did not meet many people along the way.

The higher they climbed, the cooler the air became. Xue Xi and Gao Yanchen did not stop walking, and Xue Xi was still in the mood to admire the beautiful scenery in the mountains.

The air here seemed to be much fresher. A place with ample oxygen would make one feel relaxed and tranquil.

Xue Xi pressed down on the baseball cap on her head and looked at Little Flame, who was a meter away from her. He did not have much sweat on his body and his breathing was very stable. It seemed that he did indeed frequently climb mountains.

Flame Number One and Qin Shuang were already panting. They were as tired as dogs and collapsed to the side.

At this moment, chattering sounds came from the mountain. Everyone turned around and saw a group of young boys and girls in summer clothes getting out of a car. It was someone they knew—Zhou Zhen!

Seeing them, Zhou Zhen was also stunned. His eyes lit up as he shouted, “Goddess, Qin Shuang, did you guys see the message in the group chat? I thought you guys wouldn’t come!”

Xue Xi: “?”

Qin Shuang: “?”

The two of them looked at each other.

Zhou Zhen smiled and said, “However, you guys are late. Our class organized a mountain climb for 2 PM. It’s already past 4 PM. Everyone is starting to descend the mountain and there are only a few people still climbing. What are you guys doing?”

Xue Xi brushed past him and continued chasing after Gao Yanchen.

Qin Shuang hurriedly explained, “Sister Xi and Brother Chen are competing. Whoever gets to the top first will be the boss of the Roaring Flame Society! Hehe…”

When Zhou Zhen heard this, he immediately said, “I’ll go back again and take a look! I want to witness the birth of the leader of the Roaring Flame Society!”

The moment he said this, the students turned around, also wanting to watch the fun.

Unfortunately, Xue Xi and Gao Yanchen had already left the rest behind. Along the way, they bumped into the other students from Class One.

Xue Xi nodded at everyone as a form of greeting and continued to climb up.

However, after taking a few steps, she realized that there was no one on the mountain path anymore.

Xue Xi turned around and saw that although Qin Shuang and the rest were trying their best to follow, they were still a thousand meters away, and the distance was getting bigger.

When she looked up again, she saw Gao Yanchen turning around.

Their gazes met in the air. When Gao Yanchen grinned, Xue Xi also smiled and the mist in her eyes slowly dissipated.

This kind of competition seemed very interesting. It made her feel an inexplicable sense of happiness.

The mountaintop was right in front of her. She had to speed up.

However, just as she was about to speed up, Gao Yanchen turned around and accelerated!

The two of them turned a corner and left the people behind even further!

The mountain path was a little winding.

The branches on both sides intersected. As they walked, they took note to prevent themselves from being touched by the branches. After walking for about ten minutes, they finally saw the mountaintop.

The two of them accelerated again!

Xue Xi looked at Gao Yanchen and realized that he was indeed very good at climbing mountains. He had always maintained a distance of one meter ahead of her. If this continued, she would definitely lose…

At this thought, Xue Xi accelerated again!