For a moment, a whirlwind of emotions surged through her, plunging her into a brief silence.

How could she not understand the deeper meaning behind Alexander's words? But right now, she wasn't ready to face this heavy concern head-on.

Alexander noticed her reaction, and his heart tightened slightly.

To ease the somewhat awkward atmosphere, he quickly changed the subject. "Hey, let me carry your bag. It'll make it easier for you; westill have a long way to go."

"I'll carry it-myself." Wendy bit her lower lip gently, avoiding Alexander's intense gaze.

She tightened her grip on the backpack straps and continued to climb the mountain, step by step, with difficulty.

She knew that some emotions were too deep and heavy to be easily accepted or responded to at this moment.

She needed time to sort through everything.

Wendy's slow pace due to her physical condition allowed Ethan and the others, who had started climbing later, to catch up with her quickly.

Hearing Alexander's offer, Lydia bit her lip, a flash of malice in her eyes,before she smiled and said. "Mr. Turner is such a gentleman to the ladies,unlike Ethan, who doesn't know how to make girls happy."

Then she playfully scolded Ethan, "You should learn from Mr. Turner."

No man likes to hear such words, especially Ethan, who had liked Lydia for many years. Lydia had been his dream girl since high school.

Ethan frowned and said, "Haven't I been holding your hand the whole time?"

"You're just not as considerate as Mr. Turner." Lydiaesaid, feigning a spoiled tone.

In the past. Ethan would have gone out of his way to please her without any principles.

But under the watchful eyes of Alexander and Wendy, he merely pressed his lips together and didn't respond.

David, however, felt a bit indignant on Ethan's behalf.

David had always found Lydia annoying, and his attitude towards her was different from his attitude towards Wendy.

In the past, he'had thought of Wendy as a pretty but useless decoration that Ethan didn't like but was forced to keep around-though he no longer thought that way.

As for Lydia, it was like watching your best friend lose his mind and dignity to please a gold digger.

You'd tried countless times to talk sense into him, but he not only didn't give up, he actually managed to win the gold digger over. Frustrating,wasn't it?

Wendy scoffed from the front, "Needing someone to serve you just to climb a mountain? Do you need a stretcher to carry you up?"

Lydia's expression turned awkward, and Ethan frowned,deciding to defend her. "Why are you in such a bad mood? If you're in a hurry,go ahead."

Wendy stopped and stepped aside. "You guys go first."

David quickly said. "It's fine, we're not in a hurry. Let's climb together."

Wendy took out her water bottle and drank. "You guys are too noisy. It's annoying."

Ethan said nothing and pulled Lydia along quickly.

David grinned at Wendy, who was standing by the path. "Wendy, wasn't I clever?"

Wendy looked at him expressionlessly. "We're not that close."

David's grin faded.

Ethan and Lydia had walked far ahead, but David dawdled like a snail.trailing behind Wendy and Alexander.

As they walked, he found an opportunity to insert himself between the two.

At a turn, there was a steep rock. Alexander climbed up first, then turned and reached out to help Wendy.

Unexpectedly, David was behind him.

David placed his hand in Alexander's, using it to leverage himself up.

looking touched. "Mr. Turner, you're such a gentleman."

Alexander's temnple twitched in exasperation.

The rock was a bit high for Wendy. She placed her left foot on it first, and Alexander let go of David, jumping down.

His strong hand gently supported Wendy's waist, helping her up.

He stood below the rock, looking up at Wendy, who was now higher due to the rock's height.

Alexander slightly raised his head, his eyes focused on her. His brown eyes appeared deep and sincere in the dim light, creating an almost reverent illusion.

Wendy softly thanked him, turned her head, and continued walking.

When the group reached the campsite, they found that those who had arrived earlier were gathered in one spot, not moving.

"What's going on?" Wendy couldn't help but ask.

Susan explained with a hint of frustration. "I just asked thé security guard on duty. The snow from earlier hasn't melted yet, and a section of the main path to the summit is icy and dangerous. We can't go that way.If we still want to reach the summit to see the sunrise, we'll have to take the side path."

Jessica immediately perked up and volunteered, "I'll lead the way! I watched a detailed guide video before, so I have an idea of the route."

There were multiple paths to the summit, but the side path wasn't as well-maintained as the main tourist path.

Given the situaion, it was safest for everyone to stick together.

So, the two groups naturally merged into one and continued their climbto

the summit.

As they got closer to the top, the terrain became steeper and more treacherous, and the path narrower and harder to navigate.

Everyone moved slowly, forming a long.orderly line.

After a few minutes, Wendy suddenly heard someone scream ahead.She instinctively looked up, but the winding path and trees blocked her view.

Then she heard Lydia's pained cries, "Ethan, it hurts so much."

Hearing someone was hurt, Wendy rushed forward without hesitation.

It was an instinct ingrained in her as a doctor, from the moment she started medical school.

In front of a patient, there was no room for personal feelings. Even if it were Ethan who was hurt, she wouldIn't ignore it.

All those years, of studying and learning had taught her never to turn a blind eye to someone in need.

Wendy pushed past the others, rounding the bend to find Lydia sitting on a large rock, supported by Ethan.

"What happened?" she asked.

Lydia bit her lip in pain. "I slipped and fell. I'm fine, you guys go on. The sun's about to rise."

Her light-colored pants were torn, and there was blood seeping from her ankle.

Wendy took out a basic medical kit from her backpack. Wearing gloves.

she gently lifted Lydia's ankle, examining it briefly before asking a few questions.

"Can you move your bones? Do you feel pain anywhere else?"

Lydia frowned at her for a moment before biting her lip and saying,"I might have twisted it. My ankle hurts a lot. I don't know if I can walk."

Wendy said nothing,cutting away the fabric around the wound to fully expose it.

She then cleaned the small gravel and dirt from the wound with saline solution and disinfected it.

Ethan, Alexander, and the others stood by, silently watching without interrupting her.