The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 36.1

Wen Mian froze, her expression puzzled. What’s different about it?

Gu Man didn’t explain. Perhaps in her heart, everything and anything involving Wen Mian was simply “different.” She didn’t quite understand why she felt this way, but she didn’t reject it in fact, she found she liked it.

From the back of her neck, her unique sandalwood pheromones quietly began to leak cold and noble, like the faint fragrance of ancient wood. It wasn’t overpowering, but it was enough to stir Wen Mian’s sweet and alluring strawberry pheromones. It silently enveloped Wen Mian, guarding her, waiting for the day Gu Man would finally realize her own  feelings.

Zhang Yunxi smiled secretly and quickly pressed the shutter, capturing not just Gu Man, but Wen Mian in the frame as well. After a few more quick shots, she shouted, “Alright, next!”

Gu Man stepped over to Wen Mian’s side, watching as Zhang Yunxi finished photographing the others. With their memories captured, the six of them sat on the grass, looking at the distant scenery and letting the view heal their souls.

After enjoying the moment, the six began their descent back toward the cableway.

This time on the way down, Wang Mo took the initiative to sit with Mu Ya, so Wen Mian was paired with Gu Man. As the cable car swayed, their legs uncontrollably bumped into each other. The friction between denim and cotton brought a faint, tingling sensation.

Out of the corner of her eye, Wen Mian couldn’t help but peek down. She quietly shifted her weight to put some distance between them. Suddenly, a jolt from the cableway caused Gu Man to slide toward her, instantly closing the gap again.

Wen Mian froze for a second, her lips parting and then closing. She gritted her teeth and whispered, “Did you do that on purpose?”

Gu Man arched an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we blame the cableway?” However, the tips of her ears were flushed a faint red.

Wen Mian glanced at her. Seeing those ears, which looked like glowing red agates, her own fingertips curled. She reached out slightly toward the tip of Gu Man’s ear.

She hadn’t actually intended to touch her, but another jolt caused her fingertips to slip from the reddened ear, down the long, delicate neck, and finally land right on the gland at the back of Gu Man’s neck.

Wen Mian’s gaze froze. She stared blankly at her own fingertips resting on the protruding gland. This was the first time she had seen the appearance of a gland so closely; that small patch of skin was flushed with a thin layer of red, feeling like fine, warm jade to the touch.

Because of the sudden touch, the gland was “awakened,” turning a vivid red in an instant, like the brilliant petals of a blooming rose.

Wen Mian could even smell the rich aroma of sandalwood, which seeped into her nose from every direction. It made her spine tingle, and the corners of her fox-like eyes flushed like ripe cherries. Panic swirled in her heart, she didn’t know what to do, and beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.

Gu Man was also stunned. The gland was her most sensitive spot, a place almost no one was allowed to touch. Now, being touched so suddenly, especially by Wen Mian felt like a weak but palpable electric current surging through her body. Her eyes took on a rosy hue.

Her breath hitched, but her heartbeat grew louder and louder, like the roar of an old train pulling into a station, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet environment.

Gu Man wasn’t sure if Wen Mian could hear it, but at this moment, her thoughts had ceased to function. All her attention was focused on the gland at the back of her neck.

Her pheromones, which were already uncontrollably attracted to Wen Mian, completely overflowed at this moment. Fortunately, they were suspended mid-air and the wind blew them away otherwise, Gu Man might have been forced into a premature Susceptible Period.

Finally, Wen Mian snapped her hand back as if she’d been burned. She let out a hollow laugh, feigning casualness. “The weather is so nice! The scenery is beautiful too!”

Gu Man shifted her body away and nodded in agreement. For a while, both of them stared out at the view, letting the wind cool the heat on their faces.

After getting off the cableway, everyone boarded the car to head to Magnolia Valley. As soon as they sat down, they felt the heat. Wen Mian took off her dark blue windbreaker, revealing a bright red sweatshirt. Seeing this, the others followed suit, and the car immediately felt cooler.

Magnolia Valley lay at the foot of Guiyu Snow Mountain. The clear, deep blue lake was calm and transparent like glass, reflecting the snow-capped peaks of the mountain and shimmering with fragments of light under the sun.

As the saying goes: The snow mountain’s jade nectar ripples in emerald green, while the layered peaks are wrapped in purple mist. (1)

It was sunset. The warm, lingering glow of the setting sun spilled over the lake, soaking the blue water in warm orange light, creating a natural oil painting.

Truly: Mist locks the ice lake with a face of jade, while the rosy clouds half-hide a bashful chill. (2)

The six of them were mesmerized, no longer caring about taking photos. They stayed in Magnolia Valley for a long time, letting the day’s fatigue be blown away by the wind and their restless thoughts finally settle.

On the way back from Magnolia Valley, the program crew took them to dinner. Zhang Yunxi suddenly slapped her forehead in frustration. “I forgot to take photos!”

Wen Mian poked her head out from behind her and comforted her with a smile, “Don’t worry, the older sisters took some. Besides, you’re here to enjoy yourself, you don’t have to keep taking photos of us.”

Zhang Yunxi let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good then. Taking photos is fine, I like doing it anyway, especially of beauties like you.”

Wen Mian was amused and nodded. “Well, thanks for the honesty. I’ll count on you next time.”

Zhang Yunxi patted her chest confidently. “Of course! Next time I’ll show you my true skills.”

Wang Mo retorted, “As if you didn’t show your true skills today?”

Zhang Yunxi nodded proudly. “Definitely. If it weren’t for the lack of oxygen, I would have taken way more.”

Su Shiqiu played along, “True, Xi-Xi is the most amazing.”

Zhang Yunxi’s face flushed slightly. Her hand-waving slowed down as she suddenly became shy. “Alright, alright, stop talking.” She turned her head to look out the window. Su Shiqiu smiled gently, her eyes soft as autumn water.

Wen Mian leaned back into her seat in a good mood, her gaze involuntarily drifting toward Gu Man. Noticing the look, Gu Man turned her head and asked in a low voice, “Happy?”

Wen Mian nodded as if it were obvious. “Yeah. Aren’t you?”

Gu Man chuckled. “Of course. I’m very happy, especially with you by my side.”

Wen Mian was already immune to her misleading words and naturally changed the subject. “I hope there’s a chance to come back in the future.”

Gu Man looked at Wen Mian’s features out of the corner of her eye and made a silent vow. Once everything was over, she would bring her here again. No! Not just once, but countless times.

She didn’t even consider in what capacity she would be taking Wen Mian on a trip. Or perhaps she had thought about it. Since they were already married and recognized by the world, why not continue? Continue living as wives… for a lifetime…

The car stopped at a small courtyard with green bricks and white tiles. A woman had been waiting there for a long time.

Seeing them enter, she spoke warmly, “Welcome to Yunjiang. I heard you just returned from Guiyu Snow Mountain. It must be cold. I’ve prepared our traditional Bai ethnic ‘Three-Course Tea.’ Please, warm yourselves up.”

In front of her were several small plates and a stove. The plates contained crushed peanuts and other ingredients. She lit the fire, picked up a frosted jar, and began roasting it with a flick of her wrist. Once it was hot, she added tea leaves, shaking the jar constantly.

Wen Mian leaned in curiously. She could already smell the faint bitterness of the tea. Finally, water was added and boiled until it bubbled. It was poured into tasting cups, and the first course, the “Bitter Tea” was ready.

The host pushed the cups forward and asked gently, “Who would like to try first?”

The six of them looked at each other. Zhang Yunxi used her strength to push Su Shiqiu forward and said with a grin, “Shiqiu said she’ll go first!”