To Love You Again

Those watery eyes and red cheeks truly was tempting someone to take a bite. Linfeng immediately distanced himself. His ears felt hot and his cheeks had a faint flush on them. 

Goodness. His Young Miss's charm was so compelling. His control almost broke down. 

Amithabha.

The pair fell silent for a moment as they both tried to calm themselves.

After chanting some Buddhist scripture in his mind, he finally turned to look at his Young Miss with a gentle smile.

"Let's go to the rest house."

Xiong Zhi nodded, her cheeks still slightly flushing. 

They were silent along the way. They had so many things they wanted to say to each other, after a long time. Yet they also both felt satisfied with the fact that the person they were missing was just within their reach. 

Just this short moment they spent together inside the car made them drown in so much happiness that their hearts almost could not take it. 

Each of them had their own plans for the day which would definitely bring them much more excitement, much more than what they just felt. The two both mentally prepared themselves for what would be coming later.

For these two, the day was just starting.

***

The mountain range, whose peaks were veiled with clouds, appeared as if it was the dwelling of the immortals. In the distance was a large lake surrounded by green open fields edged with trees. The blue skies, the immortal clouds, and the mountains were clearly reflected on its tranquil waters, just like a large mirror.

There were a few exquisitely built pavilions, cabins, and rest houses scattered around the edges of the trees surrounding the open field of the lakeside. They were carefully designed to blend in with the scenic beauty of nature around them. They were the ideal places to escape from the fast paced city life and to enjoy the relaxing scenery and fresh breeze.

This was also the site of this year's last school trip. 

The seniors' rest house was separated from the juniors' by a spacious garden with a large open field. 

Linfeng first dropped Xiong Zhi to the juniors' rest house. Xiong Zhi had to show her presence to the teachers first to confirm her attendance. Linfeng did the same.

She was already very late and the other junior students were now doing some activities on the lakeside. Their most awaited school trip had already started. 

After informing the teachers of her attendance, Xiong Zhi then went back to Linfeng, who was already waiting outside.

Seeing her coming towards him, he offered his hand to her like a true gentleman.

"Let me accompany you to the lake." 

The first part of the trip was to tour the famous temples in this valley. F City was known for its rich history and various temples that stood for several hundred years. Coupled with the natural environment, it was a picturesque scenery even for the high class tastes of these Young Masters and Young Misses from rich and powerful families. 

Too bad, Xiong Zhi and Linfeng missed that part as they were a several hours late.

The second claim to fame of this city was the well-protected valleys, lakes, and ponds in every corner. This was the best spot for those who loved fishing, because the lakes and ponds were protected from pollution, thus, the fishes thrived a lot.

Right now, the seniors and juniors were currently engaged with the current activity prepared by the school, fishing. Naturally all tools were prepared by the school. They even hired professional coaches to teach the students how to use the fishing rod, which bait to use, and other fishing related knowledge.

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng arrived just when the teacher in charge of the activity was announcing the current scores of the teams.

"The seniors' team, Zhian and Company, currently has six fishes! The juniors' Team C has eight fishes! And the mixed group Fantastic Four, has—wow! They have thirteen fishes! Fantastic Four is on the lead" The teacher in charge was excited as he announced the number of fishes caught by the top three leading teams.

This was a small fishing competition prepared by the school. Four members can form a team, and they can choose their members from any classes or levels, there were no restrictions. The school happily encouraged this to allow the students to take the chance to mingle with other people aside from their own class. 

Currently leading in the competition, the most outstanding team was the group of Fantastic Four which had the highest lead amongst all teams.

"The competition is still far from over! Get hold of your fishing rods!"

"Just how was the Fantastic Four able to get such a high lead? Is there a master in fishing in that group?"

"Guys, we can do it! Here, try this bait!"

The lakeside was bustling with cheers and laughter.

'Fantastic Four?'

Xiong Zhi's ear twitched when she heard the name of that group. 

Just who was so tasteless as to choose such a lame name?

Somehow, a certain figure of a lively girl appeared in her mind. There was a major possibility that that person was the one to think of such a name.

The person overlooking the score of Fantastic Four Team raised a placard with '2' written on it.

"Wow! Fantastic Four caught two fishes consecutively! Just what is their secret?" After saying that, the teacher finally could not help going to that team. The other students who chose to watch the competition also followed the teacher.

"Do you want to take a look?" Linfeng asked Xiong Zhi.

She looked up at him thoughtfully. Honestly, she wanted to stay with him and spend the entire time with him alone. She inwardly wished for the activities prepared by the school to finish quickly so that the free time for the students would quickly arrive. 

Alas, wishing was just useless. The free time was set for tomorrow. 

"How amazing! Our special guest, Miss Tang Xinyang, is catching fish with bare hands! Truly fantastic! As expected of the name, Fantastic Four!" The astonished voice of the teacher caught Xiong Zhi's attention. 

"..."

Tang Xinyang? But... Tang Xinyang's plan today was to show off her 'femininity'. How was she catching fishes with bare hands...?

Was there even people in the modern world able to do such a feat?!

Linfeng was also surprised. He glanced at place where the people was gathering. So it was Tang Xinyang, no wonder they caught so many fishes. He turned back his attention to his Young Miss, who appeared to be surprised as well. There was a confused vacant look on her blank face.

That cute expression made Linfeng want to pinch her face, but he held himself back. He gently took her hand.

The young man's warm hand roused Xiong Zhi from her confusion.

"Let's see how our friends are doing," Linfeng suggested. He sort of wanted to see how Xiong Zhi would react once she saw how Tang Xinyang, his childhood friend who always surprised everyone with her brute strength, heroically catch fishes in the most primal way.

Xiong Zhi allowed herself to be gently pulled along by him. She was also curious.

She wanted to see what the heck happened, why Tang Xinyang, who was supposedly acting like the type of girl who would faint at the heat of the sun, would suddenly catch fishes rather barbarically.

Tang Xinyang, who was treated as an object of entertainment, was in the lake lifting a sharp branch with water reaching to her h.i.p.s.

She was back to wearing a tracksuit. Her supposedly free flowing hair was now in a messy bun. She was wet from head to toe, but she did not mind it as her eyes were lit up with fire within them. Her competitive passion was unleashed.

She was like a ball of fire attracting everyone's awe. Wild, carefree, and dazzling.

There was a subtle movement underwater. Tang Xinyang's eyes flashed. She threw the stick with lightning quick precision to that area. She had done this very swiftly that the onlookers only saw a blur.

Sounds of inhalations could be heard everywhere. Even the other competitors could not help but marvel.

The heroic girl took out the stick from below. Skewered by the sharp stick was a silver fish still flapping its body.

The onlookers' mouths were agape. They were about to clap with praise when Tang Xinyang moved in a blur once again, and the next thing they knew, she raised her other hand holding a big fish the size of her arm.

"..." 

Was that even humane? 

They did not know if they should be amazed or be terrified of the incredible physical prowess of this Young Miss of the Tang family. They suddenly felt that they were like fishes that could easily be caught by her white hands. Those thin arms carried much strength that could easily end someone's life.

Never offend the Young Miss Tang! That was the collective thought of all people present.

A girl's loud voice broke the silence.

"Scorer, you lost count! We have seventeen fishes now!" Song Xuantin reminded the scorer who, despite seeing the earlier feats of the heroic girl, was still awestruck by the sight.

"O-oh." He wrote another '2' on his board again. Honestly, most of the fishes caught by the team was contributed by this fearsome girl.

The teacher in charge almost dropped the microphone.

"F-fantastic F-four, seventeen fishes!" 

"Woohh!!" The crowd cheered at the mightiness of the group. No way, that member of their group was just too inhumane! 

Song Xuantin gave a thumbs up to Tang Xinyang. The latter grinned. Her smug look was clearly saying: 'You can count on me'.

Of course, she did not forget to wink at Jang Shin who was holding the bucket. His knees trembled as Tang Xinyang, this insanely strong woman, put inside the fish with a hole in the center and the other fish with a slightly crushed middle. Jang Shin could not help but sympathize with the fishes, feeling that their fate was the same. Anytime, his life, too, would come to an end in his Young Miss strong hands.

"Did I do great?" Tang Xinyang asked with a proud smile.

Jang Shin nodded like a hen. He had no problem fawning over her as long as his neck was saved from the danger of being crushed.

"You really stand above in the highest peaks of Jiang Hu." You were the freaking great leader of the Wulin Alliance, ah!

Tang Xinyang grinned, then remembering that it was unladylike, she smiled bashfully again.

"Ha, ha, with this many fishes, you won't go hungry. I will let you eat to your heart's content later," Tang Xinyang said gently.

'Would that be my last meal?'

Jang Shin sweated. 

Tang Xinyang then went back into the water still holding the stick. The handsome girl was about to hunt again for her dear wife—pei, pei!—for her dear husband. A good wife would not let her husband starve.

"..."

Xiong Zhi stood blankly at the scene, unable to understand the development, with dead fish eyes.

'How did this happen? What happened to the supposedly feminine Tang Xinyang?'