Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 116：Lingwu Mountain

In the southwest of Kyoto lies a mountain called Lingwu Mountain, completely covered with maple trees.
At the height of autumn, the fiery-red maple leaves set the entire mountain ablaze, turning it into a sea of crimson. The view stretches endlessly, a vast ocean of red.
A breeze sweeps through, turning the tranquil "sea" into a swirling spectacle, an awe-inspiring sight. Occasionally, a solitary green tree stands amidst the red, its vibrant color shining all the more.
A young couple, dressed in sportswear, strolls beneath the trees, their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves, accompanying the silence of the mountain woods with a soft, melodic rhythm.
"Wow! There's a stream here!"
The girl's bright exclamation startled the birds resting in the trees, sending them scattering into the sky.
With her ponytail swaying, her delicate face lightly powdered, she smiles at the boy.
The boy, carrying a backpack, with his refined appearance, smiles back at her.
They are Jiang Fan and Chu Ruoxi.
A few days ago, Zhou Huaide called Jiang Fan, informing him that the iert magnetic material had been successfully developed. Jiang Fan took a special trip to the northern base to inspect the research results, which were exceptionally successful.
After staying for two days, ensuring every detail of the controlled nuclear fusion was up to standard, he returned to Kyoto.
Upon his return, he wrote two more SCI papers for the second issue of Longkan.
Seeing how exhausted Jiang Fan had been, Long Lao insisted that he take some rest, warning that his body couldn't endure the strain any longer.
Today being Saturday, with no school, Jiang Fan invited Chu Ruoxi to go hiking together.
"Jiang Fan, look how clear the stream water is!"
"Mm!"
Jiang Fan nodded in agreement.
Before them, the stream was so clear that its bottom could be seen, its calm surface flowing gently. Occasionally, a playful fish swam by, causing ripples to spread across the water, like a mirror shattered into pieces.
"Ah! There are little fish too, hee hee..."
Chu Ruoxi laughed joyfully like a child.
She crouched by the stream, her slender fingers dipping into the water.
It felt icy and refreshing, an especially pleasant sensation.
"Jiang Fan, come quickly, the water feels so cool!"
Jiang Fan crouched down beside her.
Without warning, Chu Ruoxi scooped some water and splashed it playfully across Jiang Fan's face.
"Hee hee..."
Chu Ruoxi's mischievous plan had worked, and she laughed delightedly.
Jiang Fan, realizing he had been tricked, splashed some of the crystal-clear water right back at her.
Seeing this, Chu Ruoxi quickly sprang to her feet and ran.
"Ruoxi, stop!"
Jiang Fan called out with a laugh.
But Chu Ruoxi had no intention of listening, running upstream along the stream.
The two of them played and walked, following the stream until they reached the mountaintop.
Standing at the summit, they gazed out over the distant landscape, feeling utterly refreshed.
"Ah..."
Chu Ruoxi cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the horizon.
The distant mountains echoed her voice back to her.
"There's an echo!" Chu Ruoxi exclaimed happily.
"Jiang Fan, you try shouting!"
Jiang Fan set his backpack down on a nearby rock, took a deep breath, and cupped his hands around his mouth, calling out to the distant, rolling mountains.
"Ruoxi..."
The mountains quickly returned the echo.
"Ruoxi... Ruoxi... Ruoxi..."
Hearing her name echo through the mountains, Chu Ruoxi joyfully jumped into the air.
She couldn't resist shouting again, louder this time.
"Jiang Fan..."
As soon as she finished, the echo returned from afar.
"Jiang... Fan... Jiang... Fan... Fan... Fan..."
Chu Ruoxi seemed to discover a thrilling secret, continuing to shout with glee.
She only stopped after a few coughs, her throat feeling a little sore.
Jiang Fan quickly retrieved a bottle of water from his bag and handed it to her. After drinking a couple of sips, she felt better.
Though she wasn't quite finished, her throat couldn't bear it anymore, so she looked at Jiang Fan and playfully said,
"Jiang Fan, I still want to hear it. Could you shout for me?"
"Mm!"
Jiang Fan smiled at the adorable Chu Ruoxi, his heart lightened by her playful request.
He then stood on a slightly elevated rock, positioning himself higher.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, his brows furrowing as if he were making a monumental decision.
But just as he was about to shout, he closed his mouth again.
Chu Ruoxi waited for several seconds, but Jiang Fan remained silent. Curious, she asked,
"Jiang Fan, is your throat sore too?"
"Oh? No... No..." Jiang Fan quickly denied.
This time, he clenched his fists, as if to gather strength.
Another deep breath, and then he called out loud to the mountains,
"Ruoxi... I... love... you!"
Jiang Fan's voice cracked with emotion as he shouted, overwhelmed by the moment.
Chu Ruoxi felt a surge of sweetness in her heart and gazed at him with starry eyes.
This was the first time Jiang Fan had ever said "I love you" since they became a couple, and she was overjoyed.
She knew Jiang Fan wasn't good at expressing his feelings, so for him to say these words, it must have taken immense courage.
"Ruoxi... I... love... you..."
"Love... you..."
"Love... you..."
"You..."
The echoes from the distant mountains resonated, as if amplifying Jiang Fan's heartfelt confession.
The sound seemed like a megaphone, declaring his love to the world.
Moved beyond words, Chu Ruoxi shouted back to the mountains,
"Jiang Fan! I love you too! I want to be with you forever!"
"..."
The echo reverberated throughout the mountains, completing their declaration.
Jiang Fan felt deeply moved, watching Chu Ruoxi in front of him.
With open arms, he pulled her into his embrace.
Chu Ruoxi nestled into Jiang Fan's warm arms, feeling a sense of peace.
In that moment, she wished time would freeze, just so she could remain in his embrace forever.
But Jiang Fan, unaware of why, always felt a restless energy whenever he was close to Chu Ruoxi. It made him feel hot all over, an uncontrollable urge to kiss her.
Chu Ruoxi, sensing his approach, tilted her face up slightly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes closed in expectation, waiting for his kiss.
The memory of their first kiss, shared in the Qing Stone Alley, often resurfaced in her mind, evoking a strange and pleasant sensation.
She longed to experience it again.
Jiang Fan looked at the captivating Chu Ruoxi, gently closing his eyes, and kissed her soft red lips.
When their lips met, a tingling sensation rushed through them, as if they had been electrified.
"Mm!"
Chu Ruoxi couldn't suppress a soft moan, savoring that familiar feeling.
She melted in his arms, and their lips pressed even closer together.
Just as she felt herself lost in the comforting embrace, her red lips were parted by a soft touch, soon followed by a delicate intrusion of his tongue.
Unconsciously, her lips parted slightly, inviting him deeper.
When their tongues met, an even more powerful current of electricity surged through them, igniting a burning desire that consumed both of them.