True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)

Chapter 1468

"Why do you sound so pessimistic?" Leah looked at Ernest in surprise. "You're a splendid younglad. Why are you talking like an old grandpa?"

Hearing a grown man saying such somber things made it seem as if he had gone through a tragedy.His voiced was tinged in despair, and hearing it made her felt uneasy.

Maria could sympathize with what Ernest had meant. Sometimes, not having your feelings beingreciprocated could bring such sorrow.

She shrugged her shoulders and continued climbing uphill beside Liam.

Leah took note of Ernest's silence, so she didn't say anything else. Something was flashing throughher mind, and she felt as if there was something off with what Ernest said earlier.

However, Leah wasn't one who was good at probing into people's secrets, so she didn't ask anyfurther.

For the journey after that, Leah also fell into silence, not saying much.

Adrian, who was a lively person, probably couldn't deal with the quietness, so he ended up startingan animated conversation with Leah.

All that led to their situations then. Liam and Maria were walking together whilst Leah and Adrianwere side by side, but Ernest was the odd one out by himself.

When they reached the peak of the mountain, they were exhausted. Panting, Maria said, "I'm sotired, I regret climbing up this mountain. We should've taken the cable cars up the slope and walkedour way down. We still would've been able to enjoy the view."

Seeing Maria so out of breath, Liam felt a little distraught. They had been hanging out together forthe past few days, Maria's stamina had been exhausted, and she had to hike up a mountain then.

"Well take the cable cars back down," Liam said.

Maria nodded.

At that time, Leah said, "The scenery when you're trudging up a mountain really is differentcompared to when you're going down. It's so much more beautiful when you're hiking up themountain."

"Why?" Maria asked.

"That's because going up the hill takes effort, and you appreciate it more as you struggle.

Descending on the other hand, is so much easier, and you tend to miss the details of the beautifulview." Leah smiled, sounding profound. "It's the same concept with people. You take the scenerythat comes easily for granted, and as for the ones that are hard to acquire, more people tend tosavor it."

"That makes sense." Maria nodded in agreement.

Liam, however, begged to differ. He said, "I think that admiring the scenery has something to dowith the person's current feelings. It's not about how easy or difficult it is to come by. If someoneknows how to treasure the things they hold dear, even if it comes to them effortlessly, they'll stillcherish it with all their heart. If they don't, then it doesn't matter how far or wide they went to obtainit, they still won't appreciate it."

Maria turned to see Liam with a serious expression, yet his eyes were full of gentleness andwarmth.

Leah burst into laughter. "Liam, I have to admit that what you said was wise and compelling. I guesspeople like that really do exist in this world, I yield."

Liam didn't respond.

They gathered around and took a group photo at the peak of the mountain.

As they were getting ready to descend the mountain, Liam said to Ernest, "Maria's tired. I'll take herto the cable cars. Do you want to come along?"

"We'll walk our way down." Ernest did not want to become the third wheel. If they took the cablecars down, Liam and Maria would get to have some private time to themselves. It was a rareopportunity forthem.

He looked to Leah and Maria and asked, "You don't seem to be so tired, should we walk down?"

"Of course we should," Leah said. "How about we do it this way, the three of us should have funwithout interfering with the lovebirds. Let them do whatever they decide to do. We'll take anotherpath downhill. This way, we'll see lots of different sceneries."novelbin

"I don't have a problem with that." Ernest nodded.

Adrian also nodded. "Yes, let Liam and Maria do whatever they want. I don't like being the thirdwheel."

Liam was taken aback and stiffened for a moment.

Maria blushed.

Then, Liam spoke as if no one else was there, "Well then, we'll get going first."

As soon as he finished speaking, he shamelessly pulled Maria away.

The three of them looked at their figures getting smaller into the distance with similar peevedexpressions.

Leah suddenly spoke up, "I was just being courteous, but they really went off on their own. Can'tthey stay away from each other for just a minute?"

"They're in their honeymoon period, be a little more understanding," Adrian said with a smile."People in their honeymoon period can't bear to be apart from each other for even a minute. Plus, Iwas the one who forced them to tag along, so I totally understand how they feel. They're probablygoing to return home after getting off the mountain. What should we do? Should we head backtoo?"

"Why do you want to go back?" Ernest replied with a smile. "They're the ones who are tired. Don'ttell me you've run out of energy as well?"

Adrian flashed a grin and said, "Of course not, my body's in great shape, and I have nowhere to letit out. I'm good to go, how about you, Ernest?"

"I'm feeling good too, I still have lots of energy." Ernest smiled eloquently and walked in the otherdirection. "Let's go down the mountain."

Leah followed behind them. For a brief moment, she felt like they were discussing about having sex,which was a little crass and odd.

"Hey, do the two of you think it's appropriate to say these kinds of things in front of a girl?" Leahprotested disapprovingly.

Adrian laughed. "Oh, sorry for neglecting you just now. I thought you were a man."

"Screw you, I'm a woman, can't you see the obvious?" Leah looked down and inspected herself.Was it not obvious? Men always felt so entitled. Were they blind?

Adrian looked at her and teased, "Let's go, brother."

Leah wanted to die.

"Well, I'm a brother then." She wasn't backing down. "I'm not going to argue with you."

Ernest was quiet. He lowered his head and walked forward.

Leah cursed in her heart. She didn't expect Ernest of all people to start that kind of joke. It seemedlike she might need to make a few changes to the male lead in her story.

Under his cool demeanor, he was a man full of surprises.

"Phew!" They were halfway down the mountain when Leah mumbled, "I'm so hungry."

"Pfft!" Adrian laughed and said, "No way, first you ate a gigantic breakfast, and then you had evenmore food in the car. It's not even lunchtime yet, and you're hungry already?"

"My good brother, it's almost two o'clock. We've been hiking up the mountain for two and a halfhours. Also, how long has it been since we started going down? You guys may not be hungry, butI'm about to starve to death. Can't you see me rolling my eyes already?"

"Aren't you exaggerating?" Adrian was riled up.

"I'm not exaggerating at all. My blood sugar is low and I'm shaking all over." She sat down on arock. "I don't have a lot of energy. I may be a fellow brother, but I'm still a girl, and I can't compare tofit guys like you. I admit defeat."

Adrian looked at Ernest and said, "Ernest, what do you think we should do? I don't think that there isanywhere down the road with a place to eat, is there?"

Ernest looked around when something flashed in his eyes. "Wait here for a bit," he said.

Then, he walked along the mountain road.

On their way back down, they took the back route of the mountain. It was relatively isolated, butthere were a few orchards along the path, and there was a chance he could purchase some fruits.

"Where is he going?" Leah looked at Ernest in surprise.

"He must have found you something to eat. There seems to be an orchard up front," Adrian said.

Leah instantly became excited when she heard that there was food to eat.

Sure enough, after more than 20 minutes, Ernest came back carrying two bags filled with crimsonhoney peaches. The moment she saw the peaches, she was ready to gulp them down.

"Wow, Ernest, you're the best," Leah praised him sincerely. "These peaches look delicious."

As soon as Leah set her eyes on the food, she jumped at them, and was ready to just eat them.

"Wait," Ernest said, "You can't eat it yet."

"Why not?" Leah looked at him, and her face was immediately filled with disappointment.

With a heavy gaze, Ernest glanced at her and said, "Eat it after you peel the skin."

As he said that, he set the bag down on a stone and took out a folded knife which he hung on hiskey chain, from his pocket.

He flipped it open and peeled a peach for Leah.

Leah stood still for a few moments. She watched his slender fingers grasp the peach in his handsas he turned it around while slicing off the skin. The lush and succulent flesh of the peach wasexposed, and it looked mouthwatering.

"Now you can eat," said Ernest, handing over the peaches.

Leah promptly took it and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Ernest looked at Adrian and asked, "Do you want some?"

"Yeah."

"Peel it yourself," he said.

"Such favoritism." Adrian laughed and joked.

Ernest smiled gently. "Don't be so dramatic."

"Fine, I'll do it myself." Adrian walked over and took a peach to peel off the skin himself.

Leah held the peeled peach in her hands and took a bite. "Wow, it's so sweet."