Li Xin leaned closer to the apple, sniffing carefully.
Then she dabbed a bit of residue from the peel on her fingertip, brought it to her nose, and inhaled deeply.
After a moment, her eyes narrowed, and she said in a low voice, “It’s the scent of bitter almond—must be cyanide, a deadly poison.”
Cyanide—typical of Tuesday’s style.
Mu Xi scoffed, tossing the apple aside onto the ground with a dull thud.
Did Tuesday really think she’d be starving enough to eat some suspicious fruit?
Ridiculous.
No matter how destitute Mu Xi was, she would never be that foolish.
“Tuesday really did think highly of me,” Mu Xi said with a trace of sarcasm, disgust, and a barely perceptible hint of relief.
Luckily, she had been cautious enough not to be fooled by this apple.
Li Xin remained silent as she stared coldly at the apple.
Tuesday’s act, in her eyes, was an unforgivable insult to Miss Mu Xi.
“Miss Mu Xi, should I…?” Li Xin made a throat-slitting gesture, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
Even though Tuesday was already dead, she wouldn’t hesitate to desecrate the corpse to vent her hatred.
Mu Xi waved her off, stopping Li Xin’s motion with a calm tone.
“No need. He’s dead—no point wasting energy.”
Her life wasn’t something a poisoned apple could claim.
Tuesday’s intricate schemes were nothing but his own arrogance in the end.
“Let’s go. Get away from here.” Mu Xi turned, heading deeper into the Forest with an urgent tone.
She didn’t want to linger a moment longer in this place saturated with mold and the scent of death.
Li Xin followed closely, never leaving her side.
She knew better than anyone how much Mu Xi longed to escape this place—to be free.
And she would protect that desire with her life if necessary.
The Forest was oppressive, as if frozen in eternal silence.
The canopy blocked out the sky, casting thick, overlapping shadows like spilled ink staining every inch of ground.
Mu Xi pushed aside tangled vines in front of her.
Her deep green uniform, soaked by the damp cold air, clung tightly to her, making her appear even more fragile.
Her petite frame seemed even smaller in this primeval Forest, as if it could be swallowed whole at any moment.
Beneath her feet, rotting leaves and branches creaked unsettlingly.
There was no path—she had to forge one through by sheer force.
More than once, sharp stones nearly tore her boots, stabbing painfully into her soles.
Mu Xi clenched her teeth, delicate features beaded with fine sweat.
Her silver-white hair was disheveled, sticking to her cheeks, only accentuating her porcelain skin.
“Miss Mu Xi, are you alright?” Li Xin’s steady voice sounded at her ear.
Li Xin kept a close watch on Mu Xi’s condition.
Her posture was upright, black short hair gleaming coldly in the shadows.
She reached out, firmly supporting Mu Xi’s arm.
The warmth from her palm passed through the uniform, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible tenderness.
Mu Xi shook her head slightly, her lively eyes meeting Li Xin’s as she said calmly, “I’m fine. It’s just the road—it’s hard to walk.”
Her voice was clear and pleasant, with a faint rasp beneath the surface—perhaps from the exhaustion of fleeing, or the psychological pressure from the poisoned apple.
Li Xin’s gaze darkened.
Of course the path was rough; even she wasn’t completely familiar with this Forest.
The Manor existed like an isolated island deep within the Forest.
They were like frogs at the bottom of a well, with only fragmented knowledge of the outside world granted by the Manor’s Master, Ye Lan.
The vastness and mystery of the Forest were as unfathomable as the human heart.
“Miss Mu Xi, lean on me a bit. Save your strength.” Li Xin slowed her pace, almost half-supporting Mu Xi as they moved forward.
Her tone remained professional, but carried a rare softness—as if an iceberg had cracked, revealing a hidden warmth beneath.
Mu Xi did not refuse.
She knew her current state made stubbornness pointless.
She turned her head slightly, eyes falling on Li Xin’s smooth-profiled face.
This usually taciturn woman always seemed to carry an unresolved worry in her gaze—was it because of Ye Lan, or… because of herself?
The thought flickered briefly in Mu Xi’s mind before she suppressed it.
Now was not the time for such musings.
Time dragged on as heavily and slowly as the Forest’s shadows.
The sky gradually darkened.
Sunlight filtering through the treetops grew thin and dim, while a thin mist began to spread in the depths of the Forest, adding layers of mystery and gloom.
Unknown birds emitted piercing cries that echoed through the empty woods, sending chills down their spines.
“We need to pick up the pace. We have to find shelter before nightfall,” Li Xin said, glancing skyward with barely noticeable urgency.
The Forest would become even more dangerous after dark.
Just then, the clear sound of flowing water came from ahead—crisp and melodious, like the music of the heavens.
Mu Xi’s spirits lifted as she quickened her steps, parting thick branches.
Before them lay a clearing.
A clear brook appeared, water bouncing over smooth pebbles, reflecting faint light like scattered stars under the night sky.
“Water!” Mu Xi called out joyfully, her parched throat suddenly soothed as if by rain.
She hurried to the brook, crouched down, scooping up the cool creek water and drinking greedily without a second thought.
The icy water slid down her throat, washing away exhaustion and thirst, bringing a rare sense of relief.
Li Xin also approached the brook, alertly scanning the surroundings.
Only after confirming there was no danger did she relax and allow Mu Xi to drink.
“Drink slowly, Miss Mu Xi,” she reminded softly, her eyes betraying a subtle tenderness.
Mu Xi took several sips, then raised her head.
Water droplets clung to her delicate face, making it appear even more translucent.
She gazed at the clear brook and suddenly asked, “Is this water… safe to drink?”
The moment she spoke, she felt foolish.
Since Li Xin said it was safe, then it must be.
Li Xin nodded confidently, her sharp eyes sweeping over the creek before returning to the distant Forest.
“It’s safe. The water here is very clean. We don’t have much water left on us, so drink as much as you can to replenish.”
Mu Xi drank her fill, feeling her whole body relax and open up.
She stood, brushing her wet silver hair back with her hand.
Water droplets slid down her hair ends, sparkling faintly in the sunlight.
“Li Xin,” she called softly, her voice clear over the sound of flowing water.
“This water tastes sweet—like it’s been sweetened with honey.”
Li Xin glanced at Mu Xi, her eyes lingering briefly on the water-soaked uniform before quickly looking away.
She nodded, her voice steady, “Yes, the water sources in this Forest are very clean.”
Mu Xi didn’t notice the brief flicker of something unusual in Li Xin’s eyes.
She bent down, loosening her boot laces, removing her sweat-soaked boots and socks to reveal a pair of small, pale feet.
“This cursed weather is stifling—my feet were starting to smell awful,” she muttered, dipping her feet into the cool brook with a sigh of comfort.
The water washed over the soles of her feet, sending tingles through her body as if the day’s fatigue was flowing away with the current.
Mu Xi couldn’t help but close her eyes, savoring this moment of tranquility.
Li Xin’s gaze softened as she watched Mu Xi relax.
Though Mu Xi had lived a life of luxury within the Manor, she had never truly known freedom.
“Miss Mu Xi,” Li Xin began hesitantly, “would you… like to take a bath?”