Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As she stood in the middle of the campus, gazing at this tree, Zhuang Nainai’s head was lifted high. Her long hair landed gently on her shoulders. An expression of bliss was on her blemish-free and fair face.
She was silently observing Si Zhengting, who was in the middle of a call.
Even though he was in a suit and leather shoes, an image of him during their high school days appeared before her mind’s eye. He was wearing a white shirt, his figure slim.
It seemed as though time had not left an imprint on him despite how five years had passed.
He was the same as he was before, indifferent, cool, and full of charisma.
As she thought about this, Zhuang Nainai suddenly felt very blissful.
Then, he turned around, his expression suddenly serious. His lips twitched a little, as though he was about to say something, but he didn’t know how to put it into words. He deliberated for a moment, then said, “Nainai, there’s been news of Mother Zhuang.”
There’s been news of Mother Zhuang?
There’s been news of Mother Zhuang!
Zhuang Nainai was rooted to the ground in shock. After a moment, she finally understood what he had said. She looked at Si Zhengting anxiously and nervously. She wanted to press him for details but was afraid to do so.
Somehow, the expression on his face made her feel as though her heart was tightly bound by a string. She took deep breaths, her chest heaving violently. She kept feeling as though whatever he was about to say, the truth of the matter would make her feel overwhelmed with happiness.
She took in a deep breath before asking, “Where is she?”
“In a small city bordering the state of Kentucky. Someone had seen her. I’ve already sent someone to investigate the matter. They followed the path that the person had pointed out and found that it led to a forest. Someone had witnessed her entering the forest with their own eyes…”
After he said this, he paused. He gazed into Zhuang Nainai’s eyes, which were full of expectation. Then, he slowly said, “And she hasn’t emerged from the forest.”
A forest…
That would mean that there were wild predators in there!
And Mother Zhuang had entered the forest, but she had never left?
She bit her lips, her hands trembling. Her nails dug into her flesh, but she didn’t seem to feel any pain. “How long has it been since my mother entered the forest?”
Si Zhengting studied her carefully, pursing his lips.
Zhuang Nainai returned his gaze coolly. “Tell me how many days it has been.”
Si Zhengting lowered his eyes and said in an agonized voice, “Fifteen days.”
Fifteen days…
It had been half a month!
Alone, in the middle of the woods — how was it possible for her to survive for fifteen days?!
She suddenly felt a buzzing in her brain and had double vision. Even her ears were ringing.
Without thinking, she turned and left. As she walked, she chanted, “My mother will definitely be fine. She will definitely be fine. Yes. My mother will definitely be fine. I’m going to look for her. Perhaps she’s waiting for help right now. That’s right, that’s it. I’m going to go save her…”
As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks. She took in a deep breath, pushing the sobs back down her throat. But because she was walking among the grove of trees, and because she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, she tripped over a root, then fell over!
“Nainai!” Si Zhengting hurriedly wrapped his arms around her, then called her name in a low voice.
She lifted her head up, her eyes blank. Her eyes, which were usually full of vitality and mischief, seemed lost. Then, her vision was blurred with tears. “Si Zhengting, my mother will be fine, right? Tell me that she’ll be fine!”
“She’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Si Zhengting’s calm voice made her feel safe and grounded, and Zhuang Nainai finally came back to her senses.
