True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)
Chapter 1468

"Why do you sound so pessimistic?" Leah looked at Ernest in surprise. "You're a splendid young lad. 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 being reciprocated 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 through her 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 any further.

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 starting an animated conversation with Leah.

All that led to their situations then. Liam and Maria were walking together whilst Leah and Adrian were 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 so tired, I regret climbing up this mountain. We should've taken the cable cars up the slope and walked our 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 for the 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 different compared to when you're going down. It's so much more beautiful when you're hiking up the mountain." "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 beautiful view." Leah smiled, sounding profound. "It's the same concept with people. You take the scenery that comes easily for granted, and as for the ones that are hard to acquire, more people tend to savor it."

"That makes sense." Maria nodded in agreement.

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

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

Leah burst into laughter. "Liam, I have to admit that what you said was wise and compelling. I guess people 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 her to 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 cable cars down, Liam and Maria would get to have some private time to themselves. It was a rare opportunity 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 fun without interfering with the lovebirds. Let them do whatever they decide to do. We'll take another path downhill. This way, we'll see lots of different sceneries."

"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 third wheel."

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 peeved expressions.

Leah suddenly spoke up, "I was just being courteous, but they really went off on their own. Can't they 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, I was the one who forced them to tag along, so I totally understand how they feel. They're probably going to return home after getting off the mountain. What should we do? Should we head back too?"

"Why do you want to go back?" Ernest replied with a smile. "They're the ones who are tired. Don't tell 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 let it 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 other direction. "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?" Leah protested 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 seemed like 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 even more 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 half hours. Also, how long has it been since we started going down? You guys may not be hungry, but I'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 a rock. "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 to fit 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 is anywhere 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, but there 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 crimson honey 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 his key 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 hands as he turned it around while slicing off the skin. The lush and succulent flesh of the peach was exposed, 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."