Game 3

When the three of them got out of the car and entered the orange grove, sure enough, the NPC had already been waiting at the entrance for quite some time.

Seeing them arrive, the NPC immediately came forward and said, "Congratulations on finding the second destination. Once you complete this challenge, you can obtain the clue to the final destination."

"There is only one challenge this time. There are 300 fruit trees inside, and each tree has a red ribbon tied to it, but only two ribbons have clues written on them. The time limit is ten minutes. If you fail to find one within ten minutes,

you'll have to wait for the next pair to arrive and follow them to the final destination, but you won't receive the mystery grand prize. If neither side finds one, the challenge is a failure, and neither side will receive the mystery grand prize."

With that, the NPC stood aside, waiting for the three of them to enter before starting the timer.

The three exchanged glances, then stepped into the grove together.

After looking around at the red ribbons tied to the branches, Mu Chen said to the other two, "Let's split up." Gu Nian'an and Yu Songqing nodded, then each turned away to untie the ribbons.

On average, it took half a minute to untie one ribbon, meaning each person could collect twenty in ten minutes. The ten minutes soon passed, and the three pooled the ribbons they had collected and checked them one by one.

They soon found a ribbon bearing the words "White Peak Mountain."

Looking at the words "White Peak Mountain," Gu Nian'an asked in confusion, "Does the final location require us to climb the mountain?"

Mu Chen glanced at it and thought for a moment before saying, "Let's go take a look first. We might even see Ji Baiwei and the others when we get there."

White Peak Mountain was very close. After walking for about ten minutes, they reached the foot of the mountain, just in time to see Ji Baiwei and her two companions hurrying over.

Gu Nian'an smiled and waved at the three of them.

Yun Bingxia's eyes lit up when she saw the three ahead. She jogged over and said excitedly, "Gu Gu, Gu Gu, you found it too!"

Watching the girl bounce up to him, Gu Nian'an couldn't help chuckling. Ji Baiwei followed close behind and gave a light cough. "The final destination should be here, but we don't know whether they want us to climb the mountain."

Gu Nian'an looked up at the mountaintop. It wasn't particularly high. After thinking for a few seconds, he said calmly, "This mountain isn't very high. It should take less than an hour to climb, and there aren't any staff at the foot of it, so I imagine they want us to go up." With that, he turned toward the others, as though asking their opinions.

Before anyone else could react, Yu Songqing frowned, a trace of displeasure in his voice. "No. You only just fainted earlier. The climb is so rough-what if something happens to you again?"

Seeming to realize that he had spoken a little too harshly, Yu Songqing pressed his lips together, somewhat ill at ease, his eyes unsure where to look.

Hearing this, Ji Baiwei's eyes widened slightly, and she asked with concern, "Xiao Gu, how are you feeling? Why don't you stay down here? We arrived together anyway, so we can split the prize afterward."

Looking at the boy's slightly pale face, Ji Baiwei couldn't help worrying.

Yun Bingxia was startled too. "Gu Gu, why did you faint? Do you still feel unwell? Are you dizzy? It'll be so cold after dark. Gu Gu, wait for us at the bottom."

Ji Yaozhi also watched him with concern.

Seeing everyone so worried, Gu Nian'an couldn't help feeling warmth in his heart. He reassured them, "I'm fine. It was just a little low blood sugar. Nothing serious. It's almost dark, so let's hurry up."

With that, he walked toward Yu Songqing, who stood silent with his eyes lowered. Under the other's startled gaze, he took his hand and said gently, "Don't worry. Let's hurry up the mountain."

Seeing that Yu Songqing had remained silent all this time, Gu Nian'an knew he was overthinking again. He was the first friend Gu Nian'an had made in this world, so naturally, he didn't want to see him upset.

He stepped forward, took his hand, and headed up the mountain.

Looking at his hand being held, Yu Songqing felt as though something had lodged in his throat. He simply held on tightly, his gaze flickering incessantly.

Seeing Gu Nian'an insist, the others exchanged glances and could only follow along.

Mu Chen followed behind, looking at their clasped hands, his gaze darkening slightly. There was no telling what he was thinking.

Then he recalled how Gu Nian'an had looked when he fainted that afternoon. As an award-winning actor who needed to portray many roles, he also had a clear understanding of the body's reactions. The way Gu Nian'an had trembled then definitely hadn't been caused by low blood sugar. It had been from pain.

Over an hour later, they finally reached the mountaintop. Darkness had fallen, and only the stars filling the sky gave off a faint light.

The production crew had long been waiting there. Seeing everyone arrive, a staff member shouted through a megaphone, "Congratulations to all our guests on reaching the final destination to enjoy the mystery surprise together."

Just as everyone was wondering what the mystery surprise was.

Suddenly, a bang! rang out in the distance. A streak of fire shot skyward, blossoming into an orange-red tree of flame in the night sky before turning into a drifting shower of golden rain, illuminating the darkness.

Everyone marveled at the beautiful fireworks. Even Yun Bingxia grew quiet for once, gazing at the fireworks with sparkling eyes and sighing at how beautiful they were.

Looking at the familiar fireworks, Ji Baiwei grew slightly dazed.

Watching the fireworks bloom in the sky, Gu Nian'an froze.

As he gazed at the familiar fireworks above, the painful struggle before his death, the confusion and panic of transmigrating, and his longing suddenly surged through his heart like a tide, bringing tears to his eyes.

Fireworks had been banned in his world, so he hadn't seen any for many, many years.

The last time he had seen such grand fireworks was when he went back to his hometown with his mother for New Year. His mother had held him as they sat in the courtyard, covering his ears and watching the fireworks with him.

They had promised to set them off together again the following year.

Sadly, they never had another chance...

Mu Chen keenly noticed the loneliness and confusion that flashed through the boy's eyes. Lowering his gaze, he gently took the boy's hand, wanting to offer him a little comfort.

Gu Nian'an rubbed his eyes, turned his head, and thanked him softly.

Yu Songqing had been watching the boy all along, so naturally, he noticed the traces of sorrow emanating from him. Just as he was about to step forward, he saw Mu Chen take his hand.

His body stiffened for a moment, and he drew back the foot he had stepped forward with. His heart felt as though it had been pricked by a needle, and bitterness welled up inside him.

He was a coward. He always had been...

[These fireworks really blew my whole family away. Now that I think about it, it's been so long since I set off fireworks. The last time was three years ago.]

[Same here. I'm starting to miss home.]

[I was going to curse the production team for making things so complicated, but after seeing these fireworks-aaaaah, I'll spare you for now.]

[Just putting this out there, but am I the only one who thinks Gu Nian'an looks a little sad? When Mu Chen suddenly took his hand, he must have sensed he was upset.]

[Agreed with the person above. Gu Nian'an is an orphan. Seeing something associated with home would inevitably make him sad.]

[My poor wife. Was he crying? He even wiped his eyes when he thanked Mu Chen.]

[I've gone from a casual hater to a mom fan. The poor baby. I can't hate him anymore.]

It was already one in the morning when they returned to their lodgings. Everyone was still marveling at the fireworks from earlier as they prepared to wash up and go to bed.