After the Soul Swap Between Love Rival AO - Chapter 29

The best spot to watch the sunrise in Mengshan was atop the summit of Fohuang Peak. From Chengyang Hotel, it required crossing over a small hill.

Before four in the morning, the guests set off groggily, stumbling through the darkness with sleep-heavy eyes.

Cheng Luanxin yawned incessantly, her eyelids drooping uncontrollably, completely devoid of the spirited energy she had while leading the group the day before. One of her trekking poles was planted on the ground, while the other was held by Song Qiuchi, making her look like she was being guided by a seeing-eye dog, moving forward purely by inertia.

Song Qiuchi warned, “If you keep your eyes closed any longer, you’ll roll down the hill.”

Cheng Luanxin jolted awake. “Huh?!”

She glanced around in confusion. “Where am I…?”

Live Comments:

“LMAO, who actually falls asleep while hiking? Qiuchi is truly something else.”

“Honestly, we’re pretty dedicated too—waking up this early to watch a livestream, hahaha.”

“How much longer until sunrise?”

Du Zhiruo approached Cheng Luanxin and asked with concern, “What time did you go to bed last night? How are you so exhausted?”

Cheng Luanxin felt a little embarrassed facing Du Zhiruo. “No, I went to bed pretty soon after getting back.”

Du Zhiruo: “Then maybe you’re just not used to exercising. Do you need me to pull you along too?”

Cheng Luanxin quickly refused. “No, no, I couldn’t possibly trouble both of you to drag me along…”

Live Comments:

“??? What does that mean? Did Qiuchi and Zhiruo meet alone last night? What about Luanxin?”

“Sniffles, Qiuchi went on a date behind Luanbao’s back.”

“But Qiuchi and Luanxin slept together!!”

“Why does Du Zhiruo always sound like there’s more to her words? Not a fan.”

Du Zhiruo followed the two unobtrusively, lightly brushing Cheng Luanxin’s shoulder as she asked softly, “Have you thought about it?”

Cheng Luanxin shivered. “Let’s talk later.”

Seeing her reaction, Du Zhiruo already had an idea of the answer. Still, she smiled gently. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

Hearing this, Song Qiuchi shot Du Zhiruo a deep look.

Du Zhiruo returned it with an innocent, guileless gaze.

Sandwiched between the two, Cheng Luanxin felt like she was about to be pierced through by their stares. There was no way she could sleep now—her legs suddenly regained their strength, and she scrambled up the hill with renewed vigor.

Soon, the group reached the summit.

Only after climbing up did they understand why Fohuang Peak was the best spot for sunrise. The mountain had almost no tall vegetation, leaving the summit bare. The view stretched endlessly—rolling clouds and an expansive sky, with a sliver of orange light peeking through where the sea met the horizon.

They arrived just in time, catching the sunrise at its perfect moment.

The guests eagerly pulled out their phones to take photos, and the cameraman aimed his lens at the sky.

Of course, Cheng Luanxin was thrilled. Her usual routine involved sleeping until the sun was high—when had she ever seen such a dazzling sunrise?

She directed Song Qiuchi, “Let me take a photo of you—one where you pretend to hold the sun in your hand, okay?”

Song Qiuchi knew she wanted to take photos to send to her grandmother, so she agreed readily, “Alright.”

The two quickly snapped a few pictures. Song Qiuchi was quite natural in front of the camera—after all, she was a professional actress with a keen sense for framing.

Just then, Du Zhiruo approached and suggested, “Why don’t the three of us take a group photo? It’s rare for us to be recording a show together—let’s have a keepsake.”

Cheng Luanxin instinctively glanced at Song Qiuchi for her opinion.

Song Qiuchi gave Du Zhiruo a brief look before saying, “Sure, let’s take one.”

The three of them stood under the morning sun and asked Su Ling to take the photo for them.

Cheng Luanxin still ended up in the middle, with Song Qiuchi and Du Zhiruo flanking her on either side.

The moment the shutter clicked, Du Zhiruo lightly hooked Cheng Luanxin’s finger.

Startled, Cheng Luanxin almost turned to look at Du Zhiruo, but before she could, her other arm was suddenly gripped with much greater force—Song Qiuchi had linked arms with her, leaning in close.

Cheng Luanxin: “?!”

She looked at Song Qiuchi in surprise, only to find her expression perfectly calm, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

Then she turned to Du Zhiruo, who seemed slightly resigned but still gave her a gentle smile.

Cheng Luanxin felt utterly exhausted: …Being the center of attention is so hard.

The dazzling sunlight bathed the entire Mengshan Scenic Area as the group returned to Chengyang Hotel for breakfast before continuing their hike.

Today’s route had been planned by the production team, and the guests were no longer allowed to wander off on their own. The highlight of the day was climbing the Twin Peaks.

The Twin Peaks were two strikingly similar mountains standing close together—a famous landmark that had even appeared in textbooks.

Cheng Luanxin was a little puzzled. “Wouldn’t such uniquely shaped peaks be best admired from a distance? Why are we climbing them?”

Liang Shengxia, who happened to be passing by, chimed in, “I heard they’ve developed some entertainment features between the Twin Peaks, like a new glass walkway, though it hasn’t opened to the public yet. Maybe the production team is taking us to try it out?”

At this, Song Qiuchi’s expression instantly changed.

Cheng Luanxin was equally shocked. “They’re letting us test an unopened attraction? Are we the guinea pigs here?”

Liang Shengxia reassured them, “Relax. Safety is definitely guaranteed—the production team wouldn’t joke with our lives.”

Cheng Luanxin turned to Song Qiuchi. “Do you feel reassured?”

Song Qiuchi: “…Not really.”

Liang Shengxia couldn’t help laughing. “You two are really something. Actually, glass walkways aren’t that scary. Imagine stepping above the sea of clouds—isn’t that romantic?”

Cheng Luanxin: “Please stop talking. My cameraman is already shaking.”

Live Comments:

“HAHAHAHA it’s true, the camera really is shaking!”

“Looks like Luanxin’s scared too.”

“Can’t wait to see Luanxin walk the glass walkway!”

Upon reaching the Twin Peaks, they indeed saw the entrance to the glass walkway.

Annai smiled as she introduced, “Before us now is the Twin Peaks Glass Walkway—Mirror of the Clear Sky. Today’s challenge is to cross it and experience the featured activity: tandem bungee jumping.”

The announcement left the guests stunned:

“Not only do we have to walk across, but we also have to bungee jump?!”

“Tandem bungee jumping? How does that even work?”

“I might barely manage the walk, but jumping? No way!”

“Do we have to participate?”

Anna said, “No, everyone has to participate. Tandem bungee jumping is actually more reassuring than solo jumps. You can freely pair up and experience it with the person who makes you feel the safest.”

The guests erupted into chatter and immediately began forming pairs.

Du Zhiruo approached Cheng Luanxin, “Should we give it a try together?”

Cheng Luanxin froze for a moment and instinctively glanced at Song Qiuchi.

At that moment, Song Qiuchi was staring expressionlessly at the glass walkway ahead, seemingly steeling herself.

Noticing Cheng Luanxin’s gaze, she turned her head, her seemingly calm face deathly pale.

“I…” Cheng Luanxin hesitated. Of course, she wanted to experience it with Du Zhiruo, but given Song Qiuchi’s current state, she couldn’t just leave her alone.

“I still think—”

“You still want to choose Luanxin, right?” Du Zhiruo smiled faintly. “It’s okay, I understand. I’ll ask someone else.”

Watching as Du Zhiruo turned and walked confidently toward the crowd, Cheng Luanxin hurried over to Song Qiuchi. “Are you okay?”

Song Qiuchi lowered her eyes. “Probably not. Aren’t you going with her?”

Cheng Luanxin replied, “I couldn’t just leave you like this. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you. Let’s watch how the others jump first—that’ll give us some experience.”

Song Qiuchi’s eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Under the staff’s guidance, the guests moved toward the glass walkway.

The walkway lived up to its name, “Mirror of the Clear Sky.” The glass panels were spotless, crystal clear, offering an unobstructed view below, making it feel like walking in midair.

Seeing Song Qiuchi hesitate, Cheng Luanxin stepped onto the glass walkway first and stomped a couple of times to demonstrate. “Don’t be scared. Look, it’s perfectly safe—you won’t fall.”

Song Qiuchi tentatively tested it with her foot but still seemed doubtful.

“I’ll hold your hand as we walk,” Cheng Luanxin offered, extending her hand, which Song Qiuchi immediately gripped tightly.

The first few steps were cautious, but once they adjusted to the solid glass beneath them, Song Qiuchi began to relax.

Still, their hands remained tightly clasped.

Step by step, the group finally reached the center of the glass walkway—the spot for the tandem bungee jump.

The staff first explained the key points in detail, then reassured the guests before asking, “Which pair would like to go first and set an example for everyone?”

Cheng Luanxin whispered to Song Qiuchi, “Don’t worry, let’s wait. Someone’s bound to volunteer—”

But before she could finish, Song Qiuchi raised their joined hands high.

Cheng Luanxin: “???”

How did things turn out like this?!

Live comments:

“Hahahaha, I’m dying! Thought Qiuchi would finally step up and lead Luanbao, but hahahaha!”

“Luanbao looks like she’s facing her doom.”

“Girls, Qiuchi and Luanbao are about to hug each other! #QiuchiLuanxinForever!”

“Roses ×2”

The staff applauded. “Then let’s have Teacher Song and Teacher Cheng demonstrate for us first!”

Cheng Luanxin tried to shake off Song Qiuchi’s grip. “Are you crazy? Weren’t you scared? Why volunteer to jump first?”

Song Qiuchi held on tight. “The more I look, the more scared I get. Better to get it over with.”

Cheng Luanxin thought, “But I’m not ready yet?!”

The staff had already started wrapping tape and ropes around them: “Hold each other tighter, and we’ll secure you more firmly—it’ll be safer.”

With no other choice, Cheng Luanxin tightly embraced Song Qiuchi: “I shouldn’t have pitied you. This is literally the modern version of ‘The Farmer and the Viper’!”

Song Qiuchi rested her chin on Cheng Luanxin’s shoulder, whispering into her ear: “Then should I bite you now?”

Cheng Luanxin widened her almond-shaped eyes: “And you still have the mood to joke?”

Song Qiuchi lowered her gaze, seemingly chuckling softly: “Holding you like this doesn’t feel so scary anymore.”