"I was just teasing you; I can carry you," I said with a smile, feeling the warmth of her body and the rhythm of her heartbeat, a wave of tenderness sweeping over me.

We continued our ascent, our pace slower, but our hearts lighter. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting golden beams like ethereal columns, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The trees around us grew taller and more majestic, some trunks cloaked in moss, as though whispering tales of time passed.

"Look at that tree, it resembles an elderly man, his face covered in wrinkles," I remarked, pointing at an ancient tree whose bark was marked with deep fissures.

"Yes, it must have weathered many storms," Celeste replied with awe, her voice tinged with reverence.

After a while, I began to feel a slight ache in my shoulder, so I gently lowered Celeste from my back."How are you feeling now? Better?" I asked, looking at her with concern.

"Much better, let's keep going," Celeste said, her face brightening with renewed energy.

"Alright, let's press on with all our might," I said, gripping her hand tightly, drawing strength from the connection.

Sunlight continued to dance through the trees, casting golden beams like those of a fantastical realm. The trees around us stood ever taller and prouder, some trunks adorned with thick moss, as if telling the story of the ages. In this tranquil forest, we found a sanctuary for our souls.

At last, we reached the rest pavilion. We sat down, took a few sips of water, and ate a little to regain our strength. Celeste rested her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes to savor a moment of peace.

"Ryan, do you think the view from the top will be even more beautiful?" Celeste asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Certainly, once we reach the summit, we'll be able to see an even more breathtaking panorama," I answered, my heart swelling with the same excitement.

After a brief respite, we resumed our climb. The path grew steeper with every step, as though testing our resolve, but we supported each other, our goal unwavering—reaching the summit.

"My legs are giving way," Celeste gasped, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Don't worry, I'm here. Hold my hand," I said, extending my hand to grasp hers, feeling the warmth of her touch.

"Ryan, do you think we could make climbing mountains a regular thing?" Celeste suddenly asked, her eyes glimmering with hope.

"Of course, as long as you enjoy it," I responded with a smile, my heart full of sweetness.

"Then it's settled," Celeste said, grinning like a child, her fatigue melting away in an instant.

As we ascended, the air grew thinner, making each breath more difficult. Every step became an effort, but the encouragement and support we gave one another kept us going.

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"Look, the summit is just ahead!" I exclaimed, pointing forward, my voice brimming with excitement.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Celeste's eyes lit up, as though she had glimpsed the first rays of dawn.

Finally, we reached the peak. The view before us was beyond words. The distant mountains, veiled in mist, appeared like something from a fairytale. Beneath our feet, the land sprawled out in a vibrant tapestry, with fields, villages, and rivers intertwining to form a picturesque pastoral scene.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Celeste exclaimed, her voice echoing through the valley.

"Yes, every bit of hardship was worth it," I said, a deep sense of accomplishment filling my chest.

"Ryan, thank you for climbing this mountain with me," Celeste turned to me, tears glistening in her eyes, and hugged me tightly, her heart overflowing with gratitude.

"As long as you're happy, everything is worth it," I whispered, gently placing a kiss on her forehead, feeling the warmth of her tenderness.

After enjoying the view atop the mountain for a while, we began our descent.

"Be careful coming down; don't rush," I cautioned Celeste, a trace of concern filling my heart.

"Got it," Celeste replied with a smile, playfully sticking out her tongue.

Once we reached the base, we arrived at a crystal-clear stream. The water shimmered in the sunlight, its transparency so perfect that the pebbles on the bottom were visible.

"The water is so refreshing!" Celeste exclaimed with delight, running to the edge of the stream and splashing the water with her hands.

"Be careful not to get your clothes wet," I said, a hint of worry in my voice.

"It's fine, I want to play in the water," Celeste said, already beginning to remove her shoes, her face alight with anticipation.

"Then be careful, I'll keep watch from the side," I said with a resigned smile, taking off my own shoes, preparing to join her.

Celeste stepped into the stream, joyfully splashing the water. Her laughter echoed, light and carefree, like the sound of a child at play, her smile blooming like a flower.

"Ryan, come in too," Celeste called to me, her eyes inviting me to join her.

"Alright, I'm coming," I said, stepping into the cool water, feeling the refreshing current embrace my feet.

"Haha, this is so much fun!" Celeste's laughter rang like silver bells in the air. She skipped through the water, unburdened and free, her joy spreading as the water splashed around her, complementing her radiant smile.

"Be careful, don't slip," I called from the shore, my gaze full of concern, and a barely perceptible trace of anxiety in my voice.

"Oh, I'll be fine, don't worry so much," Celeste called back with a smile, the warmth of her gaze as bright as sunlight streaming through leaves.

The stream was crystal-clear, the sunlight dancing on the surface, creating shimmering ripples. We frolicked in the cool water for a while, savoring nature's tranquility. The gentle current lapped at our ankles, bringing a refreshing coolness. Every now and then, Celeste scooped up a handful of water and tossed it playfully at me, the droplets sparkling in the air as they formed brilliant arcs.

"Look how refreshing this water is!" Celeste laughed, her face glowing with boundless happiness.

"Indeed, just like your smile, it brings such peace to the heart," I responded half-jokingly.

"When did you become so smooth with words?" Celeste teased, winking playfully, her laughter even brighter than before.

After a while, we left the water and found a shaded spot to rest. The cool breeze swept through the trees, offering a welcome relief. Celeste leaned her head on my shoulder, eyes closed, a satisfied smile still lingering on her face.

"Ryan, I'm so happy today," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of weariness, but also endless contentment.

"So am I, as long as I'm with you, everything is joyful," I whispered in return, a warm wave rising in my chest.

The joy of the moment enveloped us, leaving us basking in its warmth. As we made plans to watch a movie and shop around the city the next day, Celeste's phone rang. She picked it up, furrowing her brows, and answered the call.

"Mom, is something the matter?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.