Chapter 379: Chapter 317: Rising Phase: 153
After a flurry of activity the night before, Song Chi and Zhou Yun both left the clamor behind, spending the night in quietude.
The next day, at five in the morning, Zhou Yun was still half asleep when Song Chi suddenly nudged her, whispering, "Time to get up."
Blinking drowsily, Zhou Yun opened her eyes to see the dimly lit room and asked in confusion, "What time is it?"
Song Chi replied, "Four o’clock."
With lethargy, Zhou Yun weakly hit Song Chi with her arm and protested, "At four? Why are you waking me up so early? I want to sleep a bit more."
Song Chi said, "I’m taking you somewhere."
Zhou Yun’s face was a picture of bafflement as she inquired, "Huh? Where could you possibly take me at this hour?"
Song Chi responded, "To climb a mountain and see the sunrise."
Zhou Yun’s brain seemed to crash for two seconds before she stuttered, "Huh?"
Despite her utter confusion and the fact that she was hardly awake, her eyes barely open, she followed Song Chi out the door after fifteen minutes with a fresh face, under his urging.
At this time, the sky was still dark.
Song Chi, brimming with energy, shared, "I once had a morning off during a shoot and heard about a mountain called Chen Mountain, so I went to climb it alone. But, I had bad luck that day and didn’t see the sun. People on the mountain said that the sunrise from Chen Mountain is beautiful."
So, was this the surprise Song Chi mentioned yesterday?
Zhou Yun didn’t hate mountain climbing, but she really struggled with getting out of bed. Rising early was an arduous task for her, especially this sort of pre-dawn wakeup to ascent a mountain for the sunrise.
Zhou Yun felt that if it weren’t for this person being Song Chi, she definitely wouldn’t have gotten out of bed.
True love indeed.
She was moved by her own poignant love story.
Lost in the daydreams of her ’brain theater’, she followed him all the way to the mountain’s base by car.
Song Chi inquired, "Shall we drive up?"
The mountain had a winding road up to the top, making it convenient to drive instead of climbing by foot.
After pondering a moment, Zhou Yun asked, "If we start climbing now, will we make it in time for the sunrise?"
It was already nearly five o’clock.
Though, the skies light up later during October.
Song Chi suggested, "If we start climbing now, we should just about make it."
"Then let’s climb. Since we’re here," Zhou Yun decided.
Song Chi smiled.
"I remember you’re not one to exert yourself usually," he commented.
Zhou Yun shot him a look and retorted, "If you knew I’m not keen on exertion, why plan such a demanding surprise! Song Chi, let me tell you, if it wasn’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t have left my bed today."
"It seems I do hold a special place in your heart," Song Chi said with a smile that hinted he understood something more, pulling at the corners of his mouth proudly.
Zhou Yun couldn’t help but chuckle.
Here was Song Chi’s unabashed brazenness again.
The two got out of the car and began their climb.
At this hour, the mountain was deserted, and the street lamps on both sides were still lit.
On the spacious road, there were only the two of them.
Zhou Yun inquired, "Does this road lead directly to the summit?"
Song Chi nodded and confirmed, "Yes, the mountain isn’t very tall. It will take about an hour to climb."
Zhou Yun sighed in relief, "That’s manageable then."
Thank goodness it wasn’t as towering as Mount Huangshan.
While climbing, Zhou Yun asked, "Do you usually enjoy mountain climbing?"
Song Chi shared, "When I’m exhausted, I like to climb mountains alone. Being in a strange, natural environment helps alleviate my anxieties."
"Do you have the kind of personality that gets anxious because you’re tired?"
"Yeah." Song Chi admitted, "Especially in recent years, the intensity of my work has ramped up. But I can’t relax; I have to set up my own company, end my contract with Zuo Jing, act, learn to be a producer, understand all aspects of the industry, and maintain relationships. Particularly the necessity for social interactions can sometimes make me want to give up and just be a pure actor. However, I have no choice but to follow my plans to become a true actor."
Zhou Yun listened, utterly engrossed, and felt a strong sense of empathy. She found the further she went on the path of an actor, the tougher it got.
It was a path where fame and wealth could come at any moment, seductive and perilous, where one wrong step could lead to a fall.
Zhou Yun could not guarantee that if "Eighth Heartbeat" came calling with hundreds of millions in offer, she would refuse.
Besides, there was so much to balance.
Without her own company, Zhou Yun already found these matters headache-inducing, let alone for Song Chi.
Song Chi stated, "With my own company, the most crucial thing is producing dramas that I like, without being beneath anyone else’s control, and having more autonomy."
Zhou Yun nodded, affirming, "I believe in you. You can do it."
The mountain path was not too steep, but halfway up, Zhou Yun began to tire.
"Let’s slow down," suggested Song Chi.
"No, if we slow down, we won’t make it to the peak before sunrise," argued Zhou Yun. "Aren’t we here to catch the sunrise?"
She might not enjoy climbing, but since they’d come, she wanted to follow through.
That was her personality.
Like when she filmed "Eighth Heartbeat," even though she wasn’t fond of the drama, she still did everything she could to perform at her best.
Song Chi laughed, "It’s alright. Even if we don’t make it to see the sunrise this time, there will always be another chance."
"No, it’s not okay. If we don’t see it this time, it won’t be the same next time," Zhou Yun extended her hand, signaling for Song Chi to pass his over.
Song Chi grasped Zhou Yun’s hand.
She continued, "This is our first attempt to watch the sunrise together. We must see it. I don’t want to let you down by missing out because of me."
Song Chi shook his head, "I didn’t bring you here to put that kind of pressure on you. Seeing the sunrise or not doesn’t matter at all. What matters is that I can climb this mountain with you. If we’re tired, we can just stop and rest. It’s not like it’s a matter of life or death; there’s no need to force it."
Zhou Yun paused, then nodded, "Then I want a hug, I’m tired."
Song Chi spread his arms with a smile, "You’re welcome anytime."
Thus, Zhou Yun embraced Song Chi.
He had a crisp, morning dew freshness about him.
"Song Chi, I like you," she declared.
Song Chi laughed, nodded, and replied, "I know, me too."
...
At dawn, the mountain air was cool, and it felt cold when the wind blew.
Both Zhou Yun and Song Chi were only wearing light jackets, but as they walked, their bodies heated up, sweating from the exertion.
As they neared the summit, the sky showed the first light of day.
Zhou Yun urged, "We need to hurry, or we’ll really miss the sunrise."
Song Chi was pulled by her, climbing upwards.
Finally, in the nick of time, they reached the scenic spot at the mountaintop where the view was best, just as the sun, like a whale leaping from the sea, burst forth with dazzling brilliance, piercing the horizon. The sky itself became an embroidery of colors, with the clouds passing and the mountains majestic, their grandeur painting the landscape.