Chapter 56
Jason smiled gently and took the initiative to pick Jessica up.
I watched their intimate figures and said nothing more.
Jessica liked Jason and wanted to spend more time with her dad, so naturally, I had no reason to refuse.
Opening the trunk, I took out the backpack and put it in Jason's car.
"Don't worry, I've already called someone to tow the car," Jason said, looking at me.
I nodded glumly, thinking about how much the car repair would cost.
"Where are you going? I can give you a ride," Jason asked.
"Lilac Hill," I answered.
Jason nodded slightly and turned on the GPS.
As the car started, he turned his head to look at me and said, "It'll take a while to get there from here. You can sleep for a bit first."
"It's okay, I'm not tired," I shook my head gently.
However, Jason drove very smoothly, the air conditioning in the car was warm, and the soft music playing from the speakers was soothing. Before I knew it, I actually fell asleep.
In my drowsy state, I felt someone touching my face.
Instinctively thinking I was at home, I mumbled, "Jessica, stop it... let Mommy..."
My words stopped abruptly.
I opened my eyes suddenly and found myself face-to-face with Jason's magnified handsome face.
Jason's deep eyes stared at me.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Good thing I realized in time that I wasn't at home, but in Jason's car.
Otherwise, I would have blown my cover!
"Someone said when getting in the car that they weren't tired at all and definitely wouldn't fall asleep," Jason looked at me with a half-smile.
He didn't withdraw the finger that had poked my face. Instead, his whole hand pressed against my face, stroking it carefully.
Coming to my senses, I slapped Jason's hand away and said, "What are you doing? Taking advantage of me while I'm asleep?"
"This counts as taking advantage?" Jason didn't care about the redness on the back of his hand from my slap. He leaned closer, lowered his voice near my ear, and said, "I've done even more inappropriate things before."
Before I could get angry, Jason blinked and said in an innocent tone, "I saw hair on your face and wanted to help tidy it up. I didn't expect someone to think so badly of me."
I instinctively raised my hand to touch my cheek.
There was indeed hair on my face.
I had wrongly accused him. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I said, "But next time you can just tell me, and I'll fix it myself."
"No way, I prefer to do this kind of thing myself," Jason shook his head, his tone especially sincere.
He was obviously taking advantage of me!
Getting out of the car, I went to get my backpack from the trunk, but Jason naturally slung it over his shoulder.
Meeting my confused gaze, Jason calmly explained, "I don't have anything to do today anyway, and the weather's nice. It'd be good to go hiking with you guys."
Thinking that Jessica would definitely love having her dad along for the hiking trip, I didn't refuse.
What was originally a trip for two became a trip for three.
There were quite a few families with children at Lilac Hill on the weekend.
The three of us walking among them looked like a real family of three.
Jessica was the happiest of the three of us.
She rushed ahead the whole way, bouncing and jumping forward.
I followed behind.
As the hiking time grew longer, my stamina started to run out.
Another big flight of steps.
My legs went weak, and my body swayed and stumbled.
"Careful." Jason's hand steadily supported my waist.
He looked at me with concern and asked, "Are you okay?"
I shook my head gently. Seeing that Jason wasn't withdrawing his hand, I had to step aside myself and said, "Thank you."
If Jason hadn't supported me, I might have actually fallen just now.
Jessica also noticed what happened.
She ran over, and only after confirming I was okay did she relax.
Jessica couldn't help but tease me, "Actually, Aunt Sue is the one who needs more exercise! We haven't been climbing that long, and you're already out of energy!"
I smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
I usually sit at my desk at work, so I rarely do this kind of exercise.
But...
I turned my head to look around.
Quite a few people were panting just like me, and many were even worse off than I was.
I immediately felt better about it.
Jason walked in front of me and squatted down, saying, "Get on."
The backpack was already on his chest, revealing his solid, broad back.
I asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Get on, I'll carry you up."
Jason said this as if it were perfectly natural, but I kept shaking my head, saying, "No need, no need! I can do it myself!"
In front of Jessica, how could I let Jason carry me?!
Even if Jessica wasn't here, it still wouldn't be possible!
Jason nodded with obvious regret, saying, "Alright then."
I pretended not to understand his regretful look and strode to catch up with Jessica.
Stopping and starting like this along the way, we actually passed everyone else and reached the summit first.
Jessica gazed into the distance, finding it fascinating.
I took out the picnic blanket from the backpack and spread it over the large rocks that were already at the summit.
I carefully arranged the food items one by one.
Jason helped from the side.
Looking at the lunch boxes that almost filled the picnic blanket, he asked, "Did you make all this food yourself?"
"Of course. I checked the weather forecast early on and decided to bring Jessica hiking," I nodded with some pride.
As a mother, what could make me prouder than making my child happy?
"That's so much food, you two can't finish it all," Jason said meaningfully, drawing out his words.
A bad feeling immediately rose in my heart.
He said, "Actually, if you just called me, I would definitely come. You don't need to be so indirect and wait for me to show up."
I silently rolled my eyes and said, "Narcissist!"
There was indeed a lot of food prepared, but it was all the stuff Jessica said she wanted to eat.
Jason's lips curved up, clearly in an especially good mood.
I was too lazy to argue with him. After arranging everything, I called Jessica back.
"Wow! So much yummy food, Sue is the best!"
Jessica looked at me admiringly.
I patted her head and said, "Go ahead and eat."
Jessica was a child who loved to share. When she saw other kids running up and looking longingly at our food, after getting my permission, she generously shared the food with others.
Watching Jessica, I felt warm inside.
After eating our fill, I started cleaning up.
A voice came from behind. "Excuse me, can we sit here for a bit?"