Chapter 16 Don't Meet Again After This
Atlas unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the car door and got out. I followed and got out too.
"Let's go in."
Once inside the canyon, I was even more amazed. It was already late autumn, but the entire canyon was covered with blooming flowers everywhere.
Among the flowers, a standalone building could be seen faintly in the distance.
Following Atlas's steps, I entered the building and saw hot spring pools connected together behind it.
I frowned. Did Atlas bring me here to soak in hot springs?
Before I could ask, a female attendant soon came over carrying a stack of clothes.
"Mr. Lancaster, the clothes prepared for Ms. Lockwood are ready."
Atlas glanced at me and said with a light laugh, "Change into these. I'll take you out to have some fun in a bit."
With that, he left first. When I got the clothes, I found they were actually a set of climbing gear.
What exactly was Atlas planning?
But since I was already here, I had no choice but to change.
When I came out, Atlas had already changed into climbing gear matching my color and was waiting.
"Let's go, I'll take you to have fun!"
We walked through a small path in the valley and came to the back of the canyon.
I looked up and was soon stunned by the scene before me—a towering cliff appeared in front of me.
"Well, do you dare to climb up?"
I nervously swallowed and tried hard to recall the rock climbing knowledge I'd seen at school, then nodded firmly. "Yes."
Seeing me like this, Atlas smiled and said, "Don't push yourself. You can call to stop anytime if you can't make it, and staff will pull you up."
"Who says I can't make it? I think you're the one who can't."
I glanced at Atlas with dissatisfaction and walked toward the waiting staff.
The staff quickly helped me get my equipment ready, and I turned toward the cliff.
Rock climbing tested not only physical strength but also endurance.
I had only climbed a short distance when my hands and feet started going weak and I was gasping for breath.
"How are you doing? Can you still keep going?"
Atlas asked unhurriedly from nearby.
Seeing his relaxed manner instantly triggered my competitive spirit.
"Yes!"
After responding, I climbed up the mountain again.
Atlas leisurely stayed ahead of me at a steady pace. When I slowed down, he would wait calmly, and after I caught up, he'd pass me again. No matter how hard I tried, I could never overtake him.
The more he acted this way, the more it stirred my competitive spirit.
Unwilling to give up, I followed closely behind him all the way up. But I had never done such intense exercise before. The higher we went, the harder it became. After a long time, I finally couldn't hold on anymore.
In the end, I had to give up and let the staff pull me up. When I reached the summit, I finally understood Atlas's purpose in bringing me here.
At the mountaintop, clouds and mist swirled around, wrapping around the mountainside like ribbons, dreamlike and magical.
The fiery red sun slowly rose, its red light illuminating the opposite mountaintop in golden splendor, so beautiful I couldn't look away.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
I nodded. The wind blew through my hair, strands sticking to my cheeks.
Seeing this, Atlas thoughtfully tucked my hair behind my ear.
"Do you like it?"
I nodded, spread my arms, closed my eyes, and faced the sun, feeling the gentle breeze.
"Shout it out."
"What?" I was surprised and was about to turn around.
Then I heard Atlas beside me shout loudly.
"Hello!"
The valley echoed, his voice surrounding us from all sides.
Infected by him, I also opened my mouth and shouted out loud.
After the sound, the gloom that had been weighing on my chest for so long instantly dissipated.
I clenched my fists—in this life, I must protect my family and make my enemies pay the price they deserve!
"Thank you, Atlas!"
Thank you for bringing me to such a beautiful place and letting me experience happiness I'd never had before.
He tilted his head to look at me. "Go down or continue?"
Having seen the scenery, I had no regrets. Thinking this, I said. "Let's go down."
The staff quickly lowered us both back to the canyon. As soon as I stood steady, Atlas came over with bad intentions. "See that? There's a hot spring over there. How about we go soak?"
I glared at him. "In your dreams!"
With that, I quickly returned to my room. Just as I changed and came out, I heard laughter from outside.
"If we'd known Atlas was here, we should have come earlier."
"Yeah, Atlas, why didn't you call me when you came?"
A sweet female voice spoke up, and after hearing it, many men started teasing.
"Atlas, why didn't you call Nancy? She's been longing for you."
"Drop dead, stop talking nonsense!"
Among the laughter came Atlas's faint voice. "Stop it, I brought someone today."
"Atlas brought someone? Male or female?" someone asked curiously.
Seeing Atlas didn't answer, someone teased. "No need to ask, Atlas definitely brought a woman. When has he ever brought a man!"
The voices outside came clearly to my ears, and I felt awkward.
Should I go out or not?
If I went out and someone asked about my relationship with Atlas, what should I say?
I was Knox's nominal fiancée now. If I openly dated Atlas and word got to Knox, wouldn't my plan fall apart?
I leaned heavily against the wall, feeling somewhat regretful that I'd agreed to come out with him so easily.
"Stop fooling around. She'll be out in a bit. She's very timid, don't scare her."
Atlas's voice brought another round of laughter. "See, Atlas brought a woman."
"Who is it? Which beauty could make Atlas break his rule and bring her to this place? Quick, call her out so we can see."
Seeing there was no avoiding it, I had to go out.
As soon as I appeared, the crowd instantly fell silent.
Meeting everyone's gaze, I saw Atlas standing in the crowd.
He had a cigarette in his mouth. Perhaps because he was with his friends, he looked very relaxed, with a wicked grin on his casual face.
Beside him stood a girl in a red dress, probably the girl called Nancy they mentioned earlier. She looked up at Atlas with eyes full of smiles.
The moment he saw me, he froze for a second, then quickly removed his cigarette. "Done changing?"
I nodded and said to him. "Let's go, I want to go back."
"Okay."
Atlas walked through the crowd and came to my side. He raised his hand to ruffle my hair, but I tilted my head and his hand missed.
There was a moment of commotion in the crowd.
Atlas's eyes turned a bit cold. Just then, a voice came from behind.
"Atlas!"
Nancy called out.
Atlas turned back, his expression showing a trace of coldness.
Seeing this, Nancy looked embarrassed. "Come to my house for dinner this weekend, don't forget."