Just then, another gale swept outside, and the RV shook violently, its metal frame letting out an ominous groan.
Sand struck the windows like bullets, creating a series of fine popping sounds.
Ye Lan reacted quickly, pulling Mu Xi into her arms and flipping over to shield her underneath.
Mu Xi could feel Ye Lan’s heartbeat through her chest, strong and rapid.
Her arms were like a barrier forged of steel, shutting out all possible harm.
The sandstorm raged for several hours — a nightmare that seemed as if it would never end.
The vehicle swayed constantly, nearly flipping over several times.
Mu Xi gripped the front of Ye Lan’s clothes tightly, her silver hair scattered across the sides of her pale cheeks.
She looked at Ye Lan’s resolute profile; those deep phoenix eyes were full of determination.
“Don’t be afraid,” Ye Lan whispered, her tone carrying an unquestionable certainty.
Mu Xi nodded, finding a strange sense of security in her embrace.
Finally, the gale subsided and the dust settled.
The lights inside the RV flickered a few times before stabilizing.
Before Ye Lan could let go, the RV door was suddenly pulled open.
Luoyuan rushed in, a layer of fine sand covering her long blond hair, her azure eyes quickly scanning the interior.
“How are you two?” Luoyuan’s voice was calm, but it could not hide the underlying tension.
Mu Xi lifted her head from Ye Lan’s arms and looked at Luoyuan.
She suddenly noticed one detail: Luoyuan’s gaze did not just fall on her, but also focused on Ye Lan’s condition.
In that moment, Mu Xi realized that to Luoyuan, Ye Lan was not just an enemy or a tool, but an equally important existence.
Ye Lan slowly released Mu Xi and let out a cold snort.
“I’m fine,” she said arrogantly, her sharp gaze meeting Luoyuan’s.
“Mu Xi is also fine. As long as I am alive, it is impossible for her to be harmed.”
A hint of a sneer curled at the corner of Luoyuan’s mouth, noncommittal toward Ye Lan’s words.
She walked straight to Mu Xi, ignoring Ye Lan’s wary gaze, and began to check Mu Xi’s physical condition.
Her fingers were icy, her movements brisk and precise as she checked Mu Xi’s head, neck, and arms to confirm there were no wounds.
But Mu Xi noticed that Luoyuan’s eyes held no concern, only a cold confirmation, as if she were checking if a valuable item remained intact.
Luoyuan did not care about her fear or her unease; she only cared if she was still alive.
This realization made Mu Xi’s heart turn cold.
After confirming Mu Xi was unharmed, Luoyuan turned and left without any comforting words or even a lingering glance.
The blond woman’s silhouette disappeared outside the door, and only then did Mu Xi truly relax.
She lowered her head and found that her fingers were still trembling slightly.
Ye Lan moved to her side and placed a hand around her shoulder.
“Little Xi,” Ye Lan lowered her voice, her lips nearly touching Mu Xi’s ear, her breath hot, “Tonight, you must find a way to keep Luoyuan occupied.”
Mu Xi turned her head; the two were so close they could see each other’s reflections in their eyes.
“Why?” she asked softly.
Ye Lan’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
“I got a flare gun before getting into the vehicle,” her voice was barely audible.
“I can contact my Escort Team. They will arrive soon.”
Mu Xi’s eyes widened slightly.
“Escort Team?” she repeated the unfamiliar term.
Ye Lan’s fingers gently stroked Mu Xi’s silver hair, an action that was both doting and possessive.
“It’s a squad that belongs to me,” she explained.
“They are absolutely loyal to me, sisters who have gone through life and death with me.”
Mu Xi nodded earnestly, etching this information into her heart.
She did not know why she was so willing to cooperate with Ye Lan, especially when Luoyuan was the lifesaver in her memories.
But Ye Lan had a magnetic field that made her impossible to resist.
“I’m going to fire a signal flare on the east side of the base tonight,” Ye Lan continued, her gaze serious, “You must do your best to attract Luoyuan’s attention and prevent her or her people from going to the east.”
Mu Xi gazed into Ye Lan’s eyes and saw her own reflection in those deep pupils.
A strong sense of mission rose in her heart.
“I understand,” Mu Xi nodded solemnly, her voice soft but firm, “I will do my best.”
Ye Lan’s gaze softened, her palm cupping Mu Xi’s cheek as her thumb gently rubbed the pale skin.
“Remember, no matter what happens, I will come for you,” Ye Lan’s voice had a reassuring power.
“I won’t let you out of my sight again.”
Mu Xi felt a surge of warmth deep in her heart.
Even though Ye Lan’s promise carried clear possessiveness, she did not feel repulsed; instead, she felt a strange sense of security.
The roar of engines could be heard in the distance; it was likely Luoyuan’s people checking the damage after the storm.
Mu Xi took a deep breath, preparing for the upcoming night.
She was not sure if she could successfully attract Luoyuan’s attention, but for Ye Lan, she was willing to try.
Ye Lan squeezed her hand one last time before letting go.
Both sat apart with a mutual understanding, as if the conspiracy just now had never happened.
***
Night deepened, and stars were scattered across the sky above The Desert like crushed diamonds.
Mu Xi stood at the RV door, took a deep breath, and resolutely pushed the door open to jump down.
Fine sand immediately seeped into her shoes, bringing a slight stinging sensation.
The desert night was much colder than the day.
The wind, carrying grains of sand, scraped against her cheeks, leaving behind mild stings.
The sky took on a deep indigo color, and the distant horizon blurred into the heavens as if it were the end of the world.
The air was permeated with the scent of metal and sulfur, so dry it made one’s throat tighten.
The lights of the temporary base were particularly piercing in the darkness, like the only sign of life in the desert.
A few armed soldiers spotted Mu Xi and immediately lowered their weapons, bowing.
“Your Highness!” The lead soldier bowed respectfully, his voice filled with surprise and awe.
Mu Xi tilted her chin up slightly, her silver hair fluttering gently in the night wind.
“Where is Luoyuan?” Her voice was soft but carried an unquestionable sense of command.
“In the center of the base, Your Highness,” the soldier replied immediately, then made a gesture of invitation, “Please allow me to lead you there.”
Mu Xi nodded and followed the soldier through the temporary base.
The interior of the base was much more complex than it appeared from the outside.
Tents and makeshift buildings were arranged in a crisscross pattern, with soldiers and workers moving back and forth.
Some people saw Mu Xi and immediately stopped their work to bow respectfully.
Mu Xi noticed there were almost no patrols on the east side of the base, which was exactly where Ye Lan planned to fire the signal flare.
Her heart beat a little faster, but she remained calm on the surface.
Passing through a narrow passage, the view suddenly opened up.
The center of the base was a wide, open space.
A bonfire burned right in the middle, its flames licking the night sky and casting flickering shadows on the figures around it.
Luoyuan sat by the bonfire, her blond hair looking like flowing Gold in the firelight.
A few people who looked like high-ranking officers sat around her, sharing roasted meat and wine.
The soldier stepped forward and whispered a few words into Luoyuan’s ear.
Luoyuan looked up sharply and saw Mu Xi standing not far away.
“Why is the Princess here?” Luoyuan stood up immediately, her brow furrowing slightly.
The soldier replied respectfully, “Her Highness said she wanted to see you.”
Luoyuan waved her hand to dismiss the soldier and then strode toward Mu Xi.
Her movements were elegant and powerful, every step revealing an unignorable pressure.
“You shouldn’t have left the RV,” Luoyuan said in a low voice, her tone reproachful, though she still reached out to take Mu Xi’s wrist.
Mu Xi lowered her eyes, putting on a slightly aggrieved expression.
“I’m hungry, and I wanted to see you,” she said softly, her voice so faint it was nearly swallowed by the crackling of the bonfire.
Luoyuan’s expression softened a bit, and she pulled Mu Xi toward the bonfire.
“Make some room,” Luoyuan said to the officers around her.
The group immediately stepped aside, and Luoyuan had Mu Xi sit down before sitting down beside her herself.
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