From dawn until the sun was high in the sky, Mu Xi moved almost purely on instinct to survive, painstakingly pushing the heavy, old motorcycle through the dense forest.
Towering ancient trees blocked out the sunlight, and the rugged mountain path was covered with thorns, each step a brutal test for her fragile body.
The motorcycle’s wheels crushed dry branches and dead leaves, producing a grating noise that made her teeth ache.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, every second unbearably agonizing.
The morning dew had long since soaked her boots, the cold dampness creeping up her pant legs, mercilessly draining the heat from her body.
Hunger churned in her stomach, acid rising as if ready to burn through her insides.
Even more tormenting was the thirst—her parched throat felt aflame, each breath like a cut, her lungs burning painfully.
Her mind was a haze of confusion, sustained only by the thought of escape.
The desperate roar of thorns still echoed in her ears, along with that command: “Run! Don’t look back for me!”
It was branded onto her heart, becoming her only rule for action.
No stopping.
Absolutely no stopping!
The forest was eerily silent, broken only by the howling wind through the treetops.
Mu Xi’s nerves were taut as a bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.
She was afraid—afraid that Ye Lan’s pursuers would burst from the woods and drag her back to that prison-like Manor; afraid that she would collapse from exhaustion and be lost forever in this boundless forest.
Perhaps fate took pity on her, or it was a miraculous reprieve—in her moment of near despair, the terrain suddenly opened up.
Mu Xi’s heart leapt with surprise as she spotted a winding public road ahead.
The asphalt glistened cold and hard in the sunlight, so smooth compared to the rugged mountain path it was like heaven.
She struggled to push the motorcycle onto the road, never having realized how flat a road could be—everything before felt like a nightmare.
But her body had reached its limit, hunger and fatigue crashing over her like a tide, her temples thudding, her vision blurring.
She knew she couldn’t hold on much longer; this old motorcycle was like a heavy shackle, suffocating her.
Just as Mu Xi was about to give up in despair, a roaring engine sound came from afar and grew closer.
She jerked her head up, looking toward the sound, and saw an old green pickup truck driving down the road toward her.
Her heart immediately shot up into her throat, a chill crawling from her feet to her head.
‘The Escort Team?’
‘Were they Ye Lan’s pursuers?’
Mu Xi’s face drained of color, her fingers gripping the motorcycle handles turning white from the strain.
She tried to start the motorcycle again to escape, but her body felt as heavy as lead, unable to move even a fraction.
The pickup truck drew nearer, its engine roar deafening—a death march pounding on her eardrums.
Mu Xi closed her eyes in despair, resigned to the judgment of fate.
After running for so long, was she still going to be caught?
The pickup truck slowed and stopped not far ahead, the engine shutting off with a clear, piercing silence on the empty road.
Her heart pounded wildly; she didn’t dare open her eyes, afraid of seeing the cold, ruthless Escort Team members—or worse, Ye Lan’s delicate, icy face.
The sound of the door opening came, followed by heavy footsteps approaching.
Mu Xi bit her lip tightly, forcing herself to stay calm.
She slowly opened her eyes, bracing for the worst.
But when she saw who got out of the pickup, it was like a lightning bolt struck her, freezing her in place.
It was a familiar yet strange figure—deep green uniform worn and dirt-stained, blood smeared here and there, the once neat short hair disheveled with strands falling over sharp brows and eyes.
Her face was weary and haggard, a clear wound marked the corner of her mouth, dark red blood seeping out, yet the eyes looking at Mu Xi were still full of warmth and concern—the brightest stars in the night sky—instantly illuminating Mu Xi’s dark world.
“Li… Li Xin?”
Mu Xi’s voice trembled uncontrollably, mingling disbelief, surprise, and a flood of relief after surviving.
She couldn’t believe her eyes—Li Xin, whom she had thought dead in the forest, was alive and standing right before her!
Li Xin looked at Mu Xi with eyes full of pity and love.
She slowly approached and reached out to gently caress Mu Xi’s pale face, her voice low and tender, with a slight hoarseness: “I finally found you.”
Those words hit Mu Xi’s heart like a tidal wave.
Resentment, excitement, joy—an overwhelming mix of emotions flooded in, wetting her eyes uncontrollably.
She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat tightened and no sound came out.
She suddenly threw herself into Li Xin’s arms, holding her tightly as if she wanted to merge into her very being.
Cold tears burst forth, instantly soaking Li Xin’s shoulder and uniform.
“Li Xin… it really is you… I thought… I thought you…” Mu Xi sobbed, voice choked and broken, unable to form coherent words.
Li Xin gently stroked Mu Xi’s silver hair.
She could feel Mu Xi’s trembling body, and understand the fear and unease in her heart.
These days of fleeing had been so cruel and painful for Mu Xi.
“Fool, how could I ever leave you behind?” Li Xin’s voice was so gentle it seemed to drip with warmth, laced with indulgence and sorrow.
“I promised you I’d take you away from here, and I will.”
Mu Xi clung tightly to Li Xin, greedily drinking in the warmth radiating from her, feeling the real, tangible heat of her presence.
In that moment, all the exhaustion, hunger, and fear seemed to vanish.
As long as Li Xin was by her side, she was fearless.
She lifted her head, eyes misty with tears, and looked at Li Xin with a thick nasal tone: “Li Xin, you’re… you’re not dead, that’s such a relief… I thought I’d never see you again…”
Li Xin smiled faintly, a smile tinged with the relief of having survived and the love she felt for Mu Xi.
“Yes, I thought I’d never see you again either. But thankfully, here we are.”
She lowered her head, gently wiping away Mu Xi’s tears, her touch soft and careful as if handling a fragile treasure.
“Don’t cry anymore, Mu Xi, it’s all over now.”
Li Xin’s voice was low and magnetic, carrying a comforting strength.
“With me here, you won’t be hurt again.”
Mu Xi looked at Li Xin with eyes full of trust and dependence.
“Li Xin, what… what do we do now?” Mu Xi’s voice still trembled, tinged with confusion and helplessness.
Li Xin gently released Mu Xi’s hands and took her to the pickup truck.
She opened the door, signaling for Mu Xi to get in.
“Get in first, it’s windy outside.” Li Xin’s tone was firm and unyielding, yet full of care and concern for Mu Xi.
Obediently, Mu Xi nodded and slid into the passenger seat.
The cab smelled faintly of tobacco and carried a sharp chill unique to Li Xin, strangely reassuring Mu Xi.
Li Xin went around the front, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine.
The pickup emitted a heavy roar as it slowly rolled forward, heading down the road toward the horizon.