When did Summer tell Ashton all this?
As I stared at the tree in a daze, Rachel said, “If you can’t climb it, then forget it!”
Meanwhile, Ashton kept quiet and simply looked at me.
They seriously have nothing better to do. Grabbing on the trunk, I stepped on its branches and began to climb up the tree.
Back when I was in the mountains in Venria, I had to do a lot of physical exercises to survive. Resultantly, my arms were much stronger than before.
When I was up on the tree, I looked down and said, “Pass the bag up!”
Ashton handed me an empty bag as he warned, “Be careful, don’t fall!”
“Thanks!” I took the bag from his hands and shifted my position to pick the fruits.
It was not a difficult task, and indeed, the fruits on such trees were big and juicy and would surely taste delicious.
When I had already picked quite a few, the heavy bag became difficult to move around with. I lowered my body and passed the bag over to Ashton.
Then, I prepared myself to climb down.
“Ah! Snake!” A sudden voice rang out, shocking me. I slipped, falling off the tree.
I could not help but pray for the best for myself. Please, let there be nothing sharp below. Otherwise, this won’t be pretty.
I was prepared to take a fall. However, I suddenly noticed a strong force around my waist. Shocked, I turned to search for the source.
Ashton’s handsome face was what stared back at me. Although I was a little surprised, I let out a sigh of relief.
Recalling that Rachel had shouted about a snake, I released myself from Ashton’s arms and moved away, keeping my distance. I asked, “Where’s the snake?”
Ever since I saw a snake in Venria’s forest back then, my fear of snakes had only continued to grow day by day.
My question drew Ashton’s attention, so he looked at her as well and asked, “Where’s the snake?”
Rachel seemed to be stunned. When she regained her senses, she pointed at her feet in a panic.
Since she had pointed at somewhere so close to me, I subconsciously took a few steps back. Yet, when I looked closely, there was nothing.
Full of doubt, I looked at her in puzzlement. “Are you joking with me, Ms. Zimmer?”
She shook her head somewhat innocently and replied, “No, I really saw it. It was really here. Come see for yourself if you don’t believe me!”
Feeling frightened, I looked at Ashton. He stepped forward to take a look, but a frown soon appeared on his handsome face. He looked at Rachel with a dark expression. “You don’t know what a snake looks like?”
Rachel did not look too well. She replied loudly, “It’s my first time. I’d only seen it in books or on television previously. I’ve never seen one in real life!”
Feeling suspicious, I glanced over, then breathed a sigh of relief. Great, I think she’s the only one that would mistake an earthworm for a snake!
When Ashton had instinctively reached out to grab me as I fell, he had dropped the bag of fruits.
Thus, I grabbed a bag and bent down to start picking up the fruits. Ashton also bent down to help me as he said softly, “Are you okay?”
I raised my eyebrows and replied, “In perfect condition!” I could not help but look over at Rachel. It was impossible that she could not even tell apart earthworms from snakes. She was definitely trying to frighten me on purpose.
Fortunately, Ashton had been quick enough to catch me when I fell. Otherwise, I would have had to stay in the hospital for a few days at least.
Rachel looked a little uncomfortable. She walked over to Ashton and lowered her voice as she said, “Mr. Fuller, I really didn’t do it on purpose. It’s because I hadn’t seen it before. That thing was small and soft and looked almost like a snake. That’s why I…”
“Pick these up and let’s go back,” replied Ashton, cutting her off. His voice was light and it did not sound like he was blaming her.
Rachel froze for a moment before helping to pick up the pears as well. Most of them had been stained with mud and had to be washed when we get back.
In total, there were two big bags of fruits. Rachel carried one bag and Ashton carried the other. It did not feel right to have my hands so empty.
I looked at Rachel and said, “Ms. Zimmer, why don’t I carry it!”
She had subconsciously wanted to hand over the bag but hesitated for a while as she looked over at Ashton. Then, she said with a smile, “It’s fine. You just fell off a tree and should still be quite shocked. Just take a break!”
I shook my head and replied in a carefree manner, “It’s fine! I didn’t get hurt, so it doesn’t matter!”
When I took the bag from her hands, Ashton frowned at me. “Give it to me!”
I was taken aback for a moment before I shook my head. “It’s okay. I can carry it!”
He had a displeased look on his face, looking at me with a hint of fierceness.
Although I was a little scared, I did not say anything. After a while, he handed me the bag in his hands and said in anger, “Since you like to carry it so much, carry both then!”
His actions came very abruptly, so I simply froze for a while, dazed. When I eventually composed myself, both Rachel and Ashton had walked far away.
I was taken aback and stood there for a long time, unable to recover my thoughts. Did I anger him again?
Feeling helpless, I could not help but sigh before I followed them in the end.
