The World They Left Behind

Ningning looked even more cornered. "Ah... well..." she scratched her head awkwardly, trying to buy time. "This city was already here when I arrived. I don't know who built it. That's... that's still a mystery for us to solve!" she said, this time with a cheerful smile, trying to change the mood.

Arga only nodded slightly, deciding not to push her further. However, his mind kept working, trying to piece together all the clues he had gathered from their conversation.

Arga looked at Ningning with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Do you really not know, or are you hiding something?" he asked half-jokingly, trying to read Ningning's reaction.

Ningning just chuckled lightly and patted Arga's shoulder. "You're asking too many questions, Arga. Don't take life too seriously; it should be enjoyed. If you stress over all of this, you'll age quickly!" she said, her cheerful laughter instantly breaking Arga's seriousness.

But deep down, Arga knew that Ningning was hiding more than she was letting on. There was something behind her cheerful smile that hinted at secrets not easily revealed.

The day was edging toward noon, and they were engrossed in conversation throughout the journey. Arga looked at Ningning with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Hmm, look! We've arrived!" Ningning exclaimed with growing excitement, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I want to show you something."

Arga followed Ningning's gaze. A towering mountain stood before them, with long, winding stairs leading to the top. The atmosphere in the train turned silent, full of mystery, as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

"Wow..." Arga murmured, observing the towering mountain. "It's too high. There are too many steps to climb. I wonder who built all this? And who would be crazy enough to climb such a tall mountain?" He chuckled lightly, though a hint of amazement was still evident in his tone.

Ningning just gave a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Come on, I know you're a tough guy," she said enthusiastically. "I'll show you something incredible." Without waiting for a reply, she took the lead, heading towards the stairs that seemed like a path to a mystery-filled summit.

Arga sighed but eventually followed Ningning's steps. A strange feeling tickled his mind, as if this journey was more than just climbing a mountain. Something hidden awaited them at the end of this journey.

Step by step, the climb started to feel exhausting. The cold air crept in, piercing their skin. The wind carried the scent of wet earth and leaves, creating a damp mountain forest atmosphere. Ningning moved swiftly, even on the moss-covered slippery steps. Occasionally, she glanced back to ensure Arga was still following.

"Hey, slow down a bit!" Arga called out, half annoyed. "This is a mountain, not a catwalk."

Ningning chuckled lightly, maintaining her steady pace. "If we go slow, when will we get there? Besides, didn't you say earlier that a man should be tough?"

Arga took a deep breath, holding back from continuing the argument. But before he could think further, Ningning suddenly slipped.

"Watch out!" Arga shouted. But before he could do anything, Ningning fell backward, crashing into him. They both lost balance and rolled to the side of the stairs, stopping near a small tree by the trail.

Ningning slowly looked up, panting. "You caught me," she said softly, her voice shaky, but her lips curved into a small smile. "Turns out you're a real man."

Arga closed his eyes briefly, holding back his annoyance. "I didn't catch you. You crashed into me."

Ningning's small laugh filled the air, easing the tension for a moment. However, her smile faded slowly when pain seized her ankle. "Ouch... my foot," she muttered, examining the small wound on her skin. Blood trickled thinly, creating a stark red contrast against her pale skin.

Seeing that, Arga immediately stood up. "Don't move yet," he said quickly. He tore a piece of cloth from his shirt and carefully wrapped Ningning's wound.

"Arga..." Ningning called softly, her eyes gazing at him gently. A faint smile appeared on her face. "You know? If you keep being this nice, I might fall for you."

Arga paused for a moment, looking at Ningning with a blank expression. "Stop joking. Am I going to get whipped again like before?"

Ningning's smile changed, slightly bitter. "I'm not joking, about before. Kashgar is too complicated." Her tone was cheerful, but her face showed a seriousness she couldn't hide. "I am a symbol of their leader. If they knew a man suddenly hugged me, they would see it as harassment. If I didn't punish you in front of everyone, it might only take a few days for them to take your life. I'm sorry."

Arga sighed deeply. "I'm starting to understand, Ningning. But you have to know, sometimes I wish I were just an ordinary traveler, not part of all this."

Ningning smiled again, this time more softly. "Maybe someday, Arga. Maybe someday we can be ordinary people somewhere else. But for now, this journey must continue."

Arga shook his head slightly while finishing the bandage. "Can you walk?" he asked, his tone turning serious again.

"Of course I can!" Ningning replied quickly, though a hint of pain was visible in her expression. "We're almost there, right? Are you going to give up now?"

Arga sighed, then stood up and offered his hand. "Alright. If you faint, I don't want to be blamed."

With Arga supporting her, Ningning continued walking, this time at a slower pace. However, her spirit remained intact. "Hey, I won't faint," she said with a wide smile. "But if you want to carry me, I wouldn't mind."

Arga just shook his head without answering, letting Ningning continue chatting. Step by step, they finally reached the summit. The view before them felt like a reward for their struggles.

Large cities and vast regions looked stunning from above, with their grand classic buildings surrounded by lush green forests. The cool breeze carried the soothing scent of pine. The golden hues of the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the ground.

"It's so beautiful," Ningning murmured, her smile widening. She turned to Arga, who stood beside her. "See? I told you it would be worth it."