Page 97 of The Wishing Game

"Thank you," I whisper, floored by his thoughtfulness. Or maybe self-preservation. If I lose, the entire team loses too. But right now, I can't focus on the self-serving aspect, choosing to be grateful for his thoughtful gesture.

He grunts.

"Ze's finally doing something nice for once in his life," Thea says as she joins our side.

"I'm not nice," he grumbles, and I feel the deep rumble of his voice through his body.

"I'd say you're pretty nice to me." I smile. "Although your conversation skills could use some improvement."

"Cer, if Ze's doing this, then you have to do it as well," Thea calls out.

Cer rolls his eyes, ignoring her. But Thea, being Thea, will not allow him to slight her like that. Running at full speed toward him, she jumps on his back, holding on to him. I expect him to throw her off, but instead, he secures her onto his back without a word, continuing to climb with her in tow.

"Are you and Cer related in any way?" I ask Ze as I settle more comfortably on his back.

"Of course not," Ze huffs. "He's my subordinate," he says, his tone almost offended. It also doesn't escape me that he doesn't call him his friend, whereas Thea and Cer consider him one. Our previous conversation comes to mind, and I have to wonder if he really thinks they onlytoleratehim.

"You're very alike. Though he's much nicer than you," I add playfully. They are so similar in temperament, saying one thing but acting completely differently. The only difference is that Cer is more circumspect and considerate. Ze is...well, Ze means well, but he doesn't know the first thing about communication and hownotto be rude. But this could all be due to their training in the military, for all I know.

His body tenses.

"I can be nice," he barks out.

"You just said you'renotnice," I counter.

"I can benicer," he concedes, though his tone is so strained, it's almost as if someone was pulling the words out of his mouth with a pair of pliers.

"Oh, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing whatnicermeans to you." I laugh.

He emits a low, growly sound that I don't know how to interpret. Just like Ze doesn't know the first thing about beingnice.

We continue walking, and I attempt to make some small talk to fill in the awkward silence. Yet by the time I comment on the scenery and the beauty of nature, Ze seemingly has had enough. "I hate small talk," he mutters anew before proceeding to ignore me. I guess that's the end of my attempt at small talkandthe end ofhisattempt at being nice.

As we climb up the mountain, the incline increases, making it harder for everyone. The other tourists are tired out of their minds. The edges of the road are filled with people sitting on boulders or smaller rocks or whatever they can find to have a moment of rest. On our side, Thea is yapping happily about the clothes she bought and what she wants to buy next while Cer listens attentively—or at least pretends to. As for me and Ze... I think I'm slowly starting to enjoy the silence.

It's not long before we reach the peak of the mountain. As opposed to everyone else, Ze and Cer didn't have to take any breaks, and that helped us get to the top in record time.

Ze puts me down, and I take a sip of water as I survey our surroundings.

"So? What now?"

There are so many people around taking pictures that I doubt a gate to another world would simply be lying around.

"Follow me," Thea beckons, going to the side of the road and crossing a forbidden barrier. The security takes note, hurrying to her side to give her a warning, but she uses her charm to get out of the situation. When they get back to their jobs, we follow suit.

"How come you know where it is?" I ask, curious.

"Uhm..." She shoots a look at Cer and Ze. "It's included in our education?" She gives me a tight smile. "There are a few strategic places in your world, and everyone needs to know where they are."

"You too?" I ask Ze and Cer.

They both give a noncommittal grunt. I guess it makes sense they'd know about it. Otherwise, this would have been branded as another trial, no? Maybe they already counted on people knowing the locations.

As we wade a path through the forest, I notice we're getting farther and farther away from the beaten track. We seemingly go down the mountain on one side before resurfacing up on another. The entire journey is long-winded and confusing—so much so I'm surprised anyone would remember it. But I guess it makes sense that it would be so far away from curious eyes. It's not as if anyone is aware that there's a portal to another world right next to one of the most touristic destinations in China.

The foliage becomes increasingly thicker and lush. The grass reaches my knees, tree branches obscuring my sight. We walk for around ten minutes before we come to a rock formation that stretches into another, higher peak. There is less vegetation around, the stone gray and forlorn. Vines climb up the rock, twining together and forming something akin to a V-shaped vault. A few dots of color surface through the combination of dark brown and green, a stark contrast to the tepid gray of the rock.

As we get closer, I notice some carvings in the stone in the shape of the dragon-turtle, ensconced by grass and vines and making them barely visible.

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