Liu Duo, however, stared at the temple ahead. It was so close, yet so far away.
She shook her head, “No, I’ll walk a little bit more. We can rest later. Otherwise, we’re never going to get there. I can still keep going.”
She might not enjoy walking for too long, much less climbing these steps, especially in such hot weather, but she was never a spoiled girl, and she was determined to do what she’d set her heart on doing!
She would persist a little further.
Liu Duo suddenly felt that she’d had too little exercise in addition to her pregnancy. That was why she was panting so much.
Her mind raced to the day she would give birth. Would she die if her body gave out, when medical technology was a lot less advanced than modern times?
Most importantly, she was carrying more than one baby!
This was her second life. She would cherish it more than anyone else!
So, she made a mental vow too. She would exercise a bit more from that day onwards so that her body would not be underwhelmed.
For the last few dozen steps out of the hundred, they stopped and rested at least three times before reaching their destination.
Liu Duo felt her legs tremble under her.
Ye Yang, whose one arm shielded her with the umbrella, used his free arm to keep her steady. He was not even panting as he said, “Take a break.”
He figured, since they had finally arrived, they were not in a rush to burn incense or seek the Buddha’s blessing.
His wife needed to take a breather!
The other brothers did not object.
Among them, only Ye Ling and Liu Duo perspired a lot. The former did not even pant that much. The other five showed no signs of panting, only sweat.
“Little Duo, how do you feel?” Dongfang Ming asked her with concern.
He could tell Liu Duo was definitely spent. Luckily, it was only a hundred steps.
The temple on the west side of the city had a thousand. Liu Duo surely could not make it. She might need to be carried in a sedan chair.
“Okay, my legs are just aching,” Liu Duo said, trying her best to pant calmly.
She was sure she would wake up tomorrow to very, very sore feet!
That was what she would get for lack of exercise.
Ye Mo did not like Dongfang Ming showing concern for Liu Duo, so he intervened. “Wife, let Yang give you a massage before bed tonight. It helps relieve the pain. We’ll do your legs when we get back.”
Somehow, Liu Duo could tell he was flaunting.
She mumbled, is he mad? What’s there to flaunt about?
Ye Liu picked up on his brother’s overtones too. He pursed his lips, but could not hide the smile leaking from the corners. Mo and his puns!
Ye Yang responded since his name was mentioned. “Yes.”
His gaze fell upon Dongfang Ming unintentionally before looking elsewhere.
After hearing that, Dongfang Ming showed no emotional changes, but Ming Yang, his long-time companion for twenty years, could sense a subtle change in his mood.
Dongfang Ming could read people well. At that moment he figured out why Ye Mo had been hostile towards him!
He never realized Ye Mo had picked up on his feelings for Liu Duo. Then again, his enmity was within reason.
