Chapter 119: I Am Waiting for You Here

Fu Xuxing held her without speaking, his grip excessively tight, almost leaving Lin Wanbai struggling for air.

Just as she was about to struggle, his lips descended.

As passionate as a volcanic eruption.

Lin Wanbai could neither block nor escape. Entangled by this intense emotion, her mind went blank in an instant; a flurry of words flashed across her ears, leaving her unable to think of anything at all.

The night was hazy and decadent.

Some people, after all, had finally achieved their long-cherished desire.

The next day, Lin Wanbai overslept, waking only when the sun was high in the sky. Covering one eye with a hand, her head pounded, and her body ached with a profound fatigue that made her unwilling to move even an inch.

Fu Xuxing must have woken up long ago; at least, she had not noticed when he left.

Most speechless of all, the bed had broken last night.

She was too mortified to look. Even though no one else was around, she still felt a burning wave of embarrassment.

The events of the previous night flashed through her mind, instantly heating up her face as she forcefully smacked her forehead.

Remembering her group of student-children, she sprang up abruptly. Her clothes were placed neatly by the side, and she quickly put them on, steadying herself against a chair as she stood.

Right on cue, Fu Xuxing walked in. He looked radiant, his eyes and brows brimmed with smiles. Seeing her, his smile widened further, and he said, "I was just about to wake you up for breakfast."

Feigning calmness, she nodded and murmured, "Mm, I woke up because I was hungry."

A window’s width separated the two of them. Today was a rainy day with dark clouds obscuring the sun, yet miraculously, the clouds parted slightly at that moment, allowing a few rays of sunlight to stream through the window and fall between them.

For that fleeting second, a bashful shyness—the kind typical of young lovers—blossomed between them.

Awkward, yet somewhat heart-fluttering.

A moment later, Fu Xuxing took the initiative to step forward and gently grasped her hand. He held it with exceptional firmness, as if performing a solemn ritual. With his other hand, he rummaged in his pocket, his burning gaze fixed upon her. His fingers slipped onto her ringless finger, and he slid a somewhat crude-looking ring onto her ring.

The ring was entirely black, resembling iron.

Yet, it fit her finger just right.

He said, "I don't remember what happened before, nor what I might have done to make you sad and upset. But from now on, I promise I will make you happy, safe, and worry-free. I made this myself; although it isn't pretty, it is unique."

"Let's eat first. After we eat, I'll take you to see something else."

Lin Wanbai washed up briefly and had lunch with him. Fu Xuxing had already handled matters with Shao Xian in advance, so there was no need to worry about him.

After the meal, he led her out and headed to Aunt Zhang the tailor’s house in the village.

Aunt Zhang shared a harmonious relationship with Fu Xuxing. Seeing the two of them arrive together, her smile became exceptionally bright. Looking at Fu Xuxing, she chuckled, "It looks like the village is going to have a happy event soon."

Not quite understanding, Lin Wanbai simply stood quietly to the side.

Aunt Zhang went into the inner room and emerged with two sets of garments: one was a traditional red wedding costume, and the other was a white bridal gown. Both were simple, as more intricate designs were beyond her crafting abilities.

Fu Xuxing personally handed them to Lin Wanbai and said, "I, no..." Pausing for a second, he dropped to one knee, "Xiaobai, marry me."

Since she always refused to acknowledge the past, they would simply start over. Since neither of them remembered their previous history, everything would begin anew, as if she had never been married and he had never taken a wife.

With sharp eyes, Aunt Zhang spotted the ring on Lin Wanbai's ring finger and laughed, "She's already wearing the ring, which means she's agreed."

For reasons unknown, a sharp, stinging pain pricked at Lin Wanbai's chest. It was not particularly intense, merely vague and lingering. Yet, looking at all this, she felt deeply moved—a tempest of mixed emotions.

Fu Xuxing said, "You can refuse. I will keep trying, and working hard until you say yes."

Naturally, Aunt Zhang chimed in from the side, "Ah, Miss Xiaobai, little Fu really is wonderful to you. Everything he does is for your sake. If he didn't have eyes only for you, I'd really want him to date my daughter. He's smart, capable, and good-looking. Of course, the most crucial point is how meticulously attentive he is to you. You must know that there are so many bad men in this world, and good men are practically going extinct. Finding a man who is wholeheartedly devoted to you is truly not easy."

Like a salesperson pitching a product, Aunt Zhang rattled off a long speech.

By the end, even Fu Xuxing felt somewhat embarrassed. Glancing at her, he interrupted, "Aunt Zhang, let her decide for herself."

Aunt Zhang cackled with laughter, "Got it, got it! I'll shut my mouth. I'm heading out and leaving this place to you two youngsters."

With that, she hurried outside and promptly pulled the door shut behind her.

Lin Wanbai pulled him up and remarked, "I really couldn't tell. Never thought anyone would actually speak up on your behalf."

He smiled faintly.

Lin Wanbai picked up the white bridal gown. The tulle on the skirt, at a single glance, was clearly made from mosquito netting.

The red one looked relatively more exquisite, featuring a pair of mandarin ducks embroidered on the fabric. Although the pair was tiny, it still possessed a unique charm.

He said, "Aunt Zhang's craftsmanship is quite average, and the materials were truly limited. I thought about it, and a gift's value lies not in its price, but in the sincerity behind it. So I made both of these clothes with my own hands, and I sewed the mandarin ducks on myself."

This surprised Lin Wanbai, who had originally assumed he had worked for Aunt Zhang in exchange for her making them.

"You aren't lying to me, are you?"

"I'm not lying to you," he said with an earnest expression. "I want to give you the best."

Lin Wanbai traced the small mandarin ducks on the sleeve with her finger, remaining silent for a long time as she recalled every detail since arriving here. This life, quiet and tranquil as water, was actually filled with warmth. She did not know what had transpired between them in the past; neither Fu Xuxing nor she knew anymore.

Arriving here felt like being reborn.

Everything seemed to have changed.

She had long since stopped pushing him away the way she used to. Human hearts are made of flesh, and she had seen everything he did with her own eyes.

Moreover, every facet of Fu Xuxing here was one she had never seen before. He was finally living like a real human being—a flesh-and-blood person capable of joy, anger, sorrow, and delight.

She thought that regardless of what had happened before her memory loss, they were husband and wife after all. No matter what unforgivable events had occurred, this felt like heaven giving them a second chance.

That being the case, why should she continue to hold back?

She ought to follow her own heart. Shao Xian was right; life spans only a few decades, and making oneself happy is what matters most.

She took a breath and said, "I'll try them on first. I'm not sure if they'll fit."

Fu Xuxing immediately replied, "They definitely will. I wouldn't get your measurements wrong."

As his voice trailed off, he paused for a brief moment before suddenly snapping to awareness. Before he could speak, Aunt Zhang could no longer contain herself and burst back inside, crying, "Oh my, you foolish boy! Xiaobai has agreed!"

"It's been a long time since our village held a wedding celebration. I'm going to tell the village chief so we can host a wedding banquet for the two of you!"

Chattering away, Aunt Zhang darted out again, happily bustling toward the village chief's house.

Overwhelmed, Fu Xuxing seemed almost unable to believe it. He asked again, "Are you really willing?"

Lin Wanbai nodded, and the next second, she was pulled into his embrace and held in a crushing hug.

He said not a word, though his breathing sounded somewhat ragged.

She tried to turn her head to look at him, but he pressed her head down, preventing her from moving.

After quite a while, his voice muffled, he said, "I'm so happy. I have never been this happy before."

Lin Wanbai was nearly squeezed breathless by his grip, yet she did not struggle, merely patting his spine gently without speaking.

Once Fu Xuxing had calmed his emotions, he helped her try on the dresses.

When he released her, he quickly averted his face to wipe his eyes. When he turned back to look at her, his eyelashes still glistened with a trace of tears, and the rims of his eyes were red.

Lin Wanbai smiled, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek. "Here's a piece of candy for you."

Fu Xuxing was momentarily stunned, then broke into a radiant smile.

The dress fit impeccably; it was indeed tailor-made for her.

Though the material was cheap, it looked stunning once worn.

With Lin Wanbai's looks, she could pull off anything.

Especially the red set, which made her look strikingly vibrant. If she were to put on a bit of makeup, her beauty would likely be breathtaking.

Gazing at her in a daze, Fu Xuxing’s heart hammered against his ribs. He wanted nothing more than to claim her entirely as his own, shielding such beauty from anyone else's eyes. He wanted to lock her away.

As this thought surfaced, Fu Xuxing’s heart tightened. His hands curled into tight fists by his sides as if exercising strict self-restraint.

Lin Wanbai turned to face him and asked, "Does it look good?"

He pressed his lips together, nodding after a moment, "It looks good."

She offered him a gentle smile.

Aunt Zhang returned from the village chief's house and let out an exclamation of awe upon seeing Lin Wanbai, "Oh, this is simply too stunning! The dress didn't look like much hanging there, but once worn on you, it instantly transforms. Xiaobai, you truly are the most gorgeous young woman I've ever laid eyes on."

"It's gorgeous, truly gorgeous."

Aunt Zhang stepped closer, walking a circle around her.

Feeling rather shy, Lin Wanbai hurried back to the inner room to change out of the outfit.

Aunt Zhang lingered for a moment, sharing the news of the village chief's approval of their wedding with Fu Xuxing.

"You've seen the conditions around here. We'll set up a few tables in the village square when the time comes. It might be crude, but the villagers are warm-hearted. It'll definitely be a lively wedding."

"Thank you."

"What's with the politeness? Here, we're all family."

Leaving Aunt Zhang's place, Fu Xuxing took her to see Shao Xian's previously abandoned vegetable garden. Under Fu Xuxing's careful tending, the patch had regained its vitality. Half planted with vegetables and half with flowers, the shoots were beginning to break through the soil.

It was brimming with life.

Lin Wanbai remarked, "I really couldn't tell. You quietly went and did so many things."

"I'll do even more in the future. I also want to expand Uncle Shao's house a bit. I want to build a home for you with my own hands."

Looking at him, Lin Wanbai leaned against his shoulder and said, "You've adapted quite well to life here."

"I find a sense of fulfillment here, a great deal of peace. The most important thing is having you; that makes me completely content."

Without a word, she reached out and touched the spot where he had been injured previously. "Does it still hurt?"

He shook his head. "It doesn't hurt."

"And your foot?"

"My foot isn't great. I can't walk too much, or it aches. It also hurts on rainy days."

"Then you should do less work."

"Mm."

After that day, news of their upcoming wedding spread throughout the entire village. Suddenly, everyone grew lively, acting as if the New Year were approaching.

Many people came by to drop off various handmade goods, chickens, ducks, fish, and pork. Led by Linlin, a few women close to Lin Wanbai strung up a large amount of red silk, decorated their room, and covered the windows and walls with the double-happiness character, all hand-cut by themselves.

Every day on her way to the village center, Lin Wanbai was greeted with congratulations from numerous people, especially the children who constantly begged for candy.

The date was set for a week later.

With spontaneous enthusiasm and under the village chief's arrangement, banquet tables were set up in the village square. Shao Xian was also overjoyed and acted as their witness.

On the wedding day, Linlin brought her makeup, and Lin Wanbai applied it herself. Though simple and light, the makeup looked remarkably lovely.

Linlin praised, "Stunning, absolutely gorgeous. If I were a man, I'd fall in love with you."

Lin Wanbai smiled, "Then you should object to the marriage in a moment."

"I wouldn't dare! The man you live with is a jealous vinegar jar. If I actually tried to object, he'd probably beat me to death."

Before the wedding, the bride and groom were not allowed to see each other. Right now, Fu Xuxing and Shao Xian were hanging out at the village chief's house. When the time arrived, the bride would be carried to the banquet in a sedan chair, and then the two would bow to heaven and earth.

The villagers were exceptionally friendly and outgoing. Coupled with the striking appearances of Lin Wanbai and Fu Xuxing—both instantly recognizable to everyone—watching the two get married felt like watching a television drama, stirring great excitement among the crowd.

Fu Xuxing wore a fairly well-fitted suit today. He had trimmed his hair, and once styled, he looked exceptionally handsome.

Quite a few young girls were moved to tears by his good looks.

As dusk approached, the red lanterns overhead all lit up, casting a festive glow across the entire square.

After some time, someone shouted that the auspicious hour had arrived. A senior matron could be seen carrying Lin Wanbai on her back as she approached, the bride dressed in her vibrant red wedding attire.

Gazing at the sea of red lanterns, Lin Wanbai felt a momentary daze.

The banquet tables were lined up on both sides, leaving a wide aisle down the middle. The seated guests stood up successively, facing the center, all eyes fixed upon Lin Wanbai as she was delivered by the matron to Fu Xuxing’s side.

Watching her walk toward him, Fu Xuxing’s heart surged with profound emotion. Never before had he felt such overwhelming excitement and happiness.

Standing together, they truly looked like a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.

They followed a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, bowing to heaven and earth. Once the rites were successfully completed, enthusiastic applause erupted, and the crowd teased them to kiss.

Everything flowed naturally. At this juncture, both of them remained poised and open.

Amidst the blessings and playful jeers, they shared that kiss.

For two people devoid of their memories, this was their first wedding, making it a deeply meaningful occasion, especially set against such a unique backdrop.

That evening, Fu Xuxing was plied with a great deal of alcohol, and even more during the traditional teasing of the bridal chamber. He kept her tightly shielded behind him, refusing to let anyone else steal even a glance.

When everyone finally cleared out and only the two of them remained in the room, Fu Xuxing was eighty or ninety percent drunk.

Yet his eyes remained lucid and bright as he stared fixedly at Lin Wanbai, as though he could never look at her enough.

He said, "You looked so beautiful today."

"Only today?"

"No, every day." With those words, he leaned forward, pressing directly against her shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "We are together, and we will never be separated."

Finishing his sentence, he lifted his chin and captured her lips.

That night, the bed broke again.

In the end, the two of them had to sleep on the floor, wrapped tightly in each other's arms, chuckling uncontrollably.

The next day, Fu Xuxing failed to wake up, leaving Shao Xian hungry until noon.

Still unable to get up, Fu Xuxing remained asleep while Lin Wanbai rose first, tidied up, and prepared lunch.

Since Fu Xuxing had drunk too much yesterday, he couldn't get up for a while.

After finishing the meal, Lin Wanbai delivered food to Shao Xian first. With his injured foot making movement difficult—he had been carried back and forth yesterday—he needed the assistance.

"I woke up late. You must be starving."

Shao Xian squinted with a smile, saying nothing as he simply watched her. "It's fine, I understand."

Blushing involuntarily, Lin Wanbai gave a light cough and said, "Call me if you need anything."

As it was her newlywed period, Lin Wanbai’s classes were suspended for three days.

During these three days, the two were inseparable.

Three large spoonfuls of honey seemed to have been stirred into their tranquil days.

Three days later, Lin Wanbai returned to the village center to teach the children.

Given the children's overwhelming enthusiasm for the new bride, teaching was completely out of the question; chaos and teasing erupted mid-lesson.

With no other choice, Lin Wanbai let them have free time, setting up badminton, shuttlecock kicking, and various games on the open ground in front of the classroom.

They played musical chairs, red-light-green-light, and another round of eagle catching the chicks.

Utterly exhausted, Lin Wanbai split them into two teams and started a badminton game.

Not long after she sat down, however, a child hit the shuttlecock too high, sending it flying straight up onto the rooftop.

The catch was that this was the very last shuttlecock; there wasn't a second one.

Remembering there was a ladder in the utility room nearby tall enough to reach the roof, Lin Wanbai thought about it. The one-story building wasn't very high anyway, so rather than bothering anyone else, she went to fetch the ladder herself. Having two older children hold it steady, she climbed up.

It was a tiled roof with a slanted pitch. Scanning the surface, she spotted several stray shuttlecocks resting up there.

Reaching out, she tried to hook one, but it was out of reach. Climbing two more rungs, she lunged forward and managed to grab it.

Down below, the group of children watched. Among them, chubby little Pang suddenly had an idea and shoved the person in front of him with immense force. Caught completely off guard, the small, thin child stumbled forward, crashing solidly into Mengmeng, who was steadying the ladder.

Mengmeng, whose attention was entirely focused upward, was also unprepared. Not only did she fall, but she also knocked into the ladder, causing the whole structure to tip backward.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Feeling the ladder sway, Lin Wanbai plunged backward.

In that fraction of a second, something snapped awake in the depths of her mind. She envisioned herself sitting on a windowsill with a look of utter despair, smiling at someone unseen before falling backward, headfirst toward the ground in a deliberate plunge.

Following a gasp of shock, the expected impact never came. She opened her eyes to see Fu Xuxing.

The vision in her mind crystallized simultaneously: she had been sitting on the windowsill, and the person entering the room was also Fu Xuxing.

He had arrived at precisely the right moment, catching her fall just as she dropped.

Fortunately, the height was low and the impact wasn't severe; neither of them was hurt.

With wide, unblinking eyes, Lin Wanbai looked at him, her heart still pounding with fright.

Fu Xuxing’s expression was terrifyingly dark, clearly shaken to the core. Seeing him, little Pang tried to bolt, but Fu Xuxing barked an order. Perhaps too fierce, the threat froze little Pang in his tracks. After staring blankly for a few seconds, the boy sat down on the ground and burst into tears.

Silence descended upon the entire village center.

Fu Xuxing possessed a powerful intimidating presence; right then, his gaze was venomous and emanated a biting chill.

Lost in the lingering images that had just flashed through her mind, Lin Wanbai didn't notice at first. Her legs felt slightly weak as she stood dazed nearby.

It wasn't until little Pang let out a squeal like a stuck pig that she snapped back to reality, realizing the man was actually beating a child.

Rushing forward, she grabbed his arm and shouted, "Are you crazy?! He's just a child, why are you hitting him?!"

"He deliberately pushed someone, causing you to fall off that ladder! If I hadn't happened to walk by and check, the consequences would have been unthinkable!"

At that moment, injured Mengmeng walked over clutching her arm. "Right! It was this fatty! He pushed people! Too bad! He deserves a beating!"

Suspended in the air by his collar, little Pang thrashed about in terror, squawking and screaming for help.

"Let him go!" Lin Wanbai yelled angrily.

Pausing, Fu Xuxing finally released his grip. Pointing at little Pang’s nose, he warned, "If you ever dare try this again, I'll beat you to death."

Terrified and weak-kneed, little Pang stumbled upon landing, scrambled to his feet like a dog, and fled from Fu Xuxing's presence.

With such an incident occurring, classes could no longer continue. Lin Wanbai told everyone to head home, personally escorting the younger ones back. After having Shao Xian examine Mengmeng’s injury, she walked her home herself.

She did not speak a single word to Fu Xuxing along the way.

Her mind was a chaotic mess.

Why had she jumped from a building? Was that jump the reason for her memory loss?

Moreover, she had jumped right after seeing Fu Xuxing. Why?

Involuntarily halting her steps, she turned to look at Fu Xuxing, who had been watching her the entire time. Their eyes met.

With an expressionless face, she cast a complex glance his way.

Instinctively, Fu Xuxing reached out to grab her hand. "I know I acted impulsively, but I was furious. I couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if I hadn't come, or if I had arrived even a step later."

"I don't want to see you get hurt in the least. Besides, this wasn't an accident; it was deliberate! That's attempted murder! He may be a child, but does being a child excuse such behavior? Should he escape punishment after committing such a vicious act?"

Pressing her lips together, she remained speechless, as little Pang's actions had indeed been malicious.

"Starting tomorrow, don't go to the village center to teach anymore," Fu Xuxing declared.

Giving him a single glance, Lin Wanbai said nothing and resumed walking.

When they arrived home, little Pang and his parents were already waiting.

Little Pang's father was cursing aloud, "What kind of person hits a child like this?! Fine, my kid is mischievous and deserved a scolding, but who beats someone like that? Huh? His eyes are bloodshot; if he goes blind, who takes responsibility?"

Fortunately, knowing the full story, Shao Xian remained unfazed by their bluster.

After the couple finished venting and cursing, Shao Xian calmly recounted the events step by step.

Turning to little Pang, Shao Xian challenged, "Tell them yourself. Is what I said the truth?"

Lowering his gaze and covering one eye with his hand, little Pang held out for a long time before wailing, "I didn't! You're framing me!"

Little Pang’s mother chimed in, "Uncle Shao, children don't lie. Little Pang is mischievous, but if it really were his fault, he wouldn't refuse to admit it!"

Shao Xian chuckled. "Then we'll have to bring over顾梦梦 (Gu Mengmeng) from the Gu family. It was she who said little Pang was the one who pushed. There's no point in making a scene here. Tomorrow, let's all go down to the village center together and gather all the children so everyone can recount what they saw. Then everything will become clear."

"It's also a good thing little Fu happened to go to the village center today. If he hadn't, heaven knows what state Xiaobai would be in right now. Falling from a high place can be catastrophic."

With that, Shao Xian pulled little Pang forward. "Let me check his eye. Aside from the eye, are there any other injuries?"

Panicking, little Pang wrenched his hand away from Shao Xian and bolted back behind his father.

Right then, Lin Wanbai and Fu Xuxing stepped into the house. Seeing Fu Xuxing, little Pang burst into fresh tears of absolute terror and cried, "I was wrong! I was wrong! I'll never dare do it again!"

Hearing this, the faces of little Pang’s parents stiffened instantly, their attitudes shifting seconds later.

Little Pang's father slapped the boy's backside. "So it really was you causing trouble! Didn't I just beat you last time, and you still haven't learned your lesson?! You've embarrassed us right to people's doorsteps!"

Turning to Lin Wanbai, the father offered an oily, polite apology, "Teacher Lin, I'm truly sorry. Our child is just too unruly, and I'm very sorry for the scare he gave you today. We'll take him back and discipline him properly, and he won't cause you any trouble again."

After a few more remarks, the trio departed.

Feeling exhausted, Lin Wanbai drank the calming tea prepared by Shao Xian and retreated to her room to rest.

When Fu Xuxing lay down and reached out to hug her, she pushed him away. A moment later, softening her tone, she turned over, took the initiative to embrace him, and murmured, "I was scared."

"Rest at home these next few days. If you're bored, go play mahjong with Linlin, but stop teaching."

"Mm." For once, Lin Wanbai was utterly obedient.

Pressing her cheek against his chest, she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat and asked, "Fu Xuxing, is there anything you're keeping from us?"

"What?"

"Nothing." A faint smile touched her lips as she fell silent.

Yet her heart felt heavy. Closing her eyes, the image of herself falling from the building grew sharper and clearer.

Fu Xuxing was definitely hiding something from her.

She recalled Liang Zhixia, who had burst into Ningjiang Manor that day, as well as Aunt Rong's explanation—both seemed increasingly untenable.

Perhaps Liang Zhixia hadn't been lying after all; the true liars were Aunt Rong and Fu Xuxing.

The next day, Fu Xuxing visited the village chief alone to report the incident and formally resign from Lin Wanbai's teaching position.

Once Lin Wanbai stopped teaching at the village center, the news spread throughout the village, prompting numerous parents to drop by successively with their children, hoping she might resume her educational work.

Remaining unmoved, Lin Wanbai steadfastly refused to return.

The matter seemed to settle down in this fashion.

With his injured foot, Shao Xian found it inconvenient to climb the mountain.

Yet worrying over his medicinal herbs, he asked Fu Xuxing to tend to them instead.

Hearing their conversation from the doorway, Lin Wanbai accompanied Fu Xuxing up the mountain the following day.

The mountain was quite tall, and the paths were rugged and overgrown with weeds, clearly indicating that few people frequented the area, let alone walked a proper trail.

Looking around, Lin Wanbai found it difficult to distinguish directions.

Along the way, she stuck close to Fu Xuxing, heading to the spot Shao Xian had designated.

He had cultivated his plants at a certain location on this mountain and needed to check on them periodically. With Fu Xuxing's exceptional sense of direction and the directional signs Shao Xian had left, the two located it quickly.

Lin Wanbai found a spot to sit and rest while Fu Xuxing set about tending to the herbs.

From then on, the two made the trip every other day.

Though initially strenuous for Lin Wanbai, she adapted by the third trip, discovering a sense of enjoyment in the process and looking forward to accompanying him up the mountain each time.

Ever since she stopped teaching children at the village center, the two remained inseparable except for restroom breaks. Unwilling to idle at home, Lin Wanbai acted as his little shadow, following him wherever he went.

Fu Xuxing had never experienced such treatment before. Being able to remain glued to her side every single minute filled him with boundless joy, injecting greater enthusiasm into everything he did.

Every day felt like the New Year, as if the entire world were blooming with flowers, bringing him profound happiness.

Their figures could be seen everywhere across the village, the mountains, and the shores.

The villagers remarked on their deep affection, viewing them as an enviable couple.

One day, the two ventured up the mountain again, heading toward a slightly more perilous location.

Lin Wanbai could not help muttering, "That old man really has some nerve; an old set of bones like his coming out to rough it in the mountains."

Inspecting the upward path, Fu Xuxing noted how exceptionally steep and treacherous it looked.

Considering the situation, he said, "Wait for me here. I'll go and be right back since it's already very close. If anything happens, just call out, and I'll hear you."

Smiling, Lin Wanbai replied, "You're willing to leave me all alone out here?"

"I'd rather not, but the path is too rough, and I'm afraid you might trip. Better stay put."

"Alright then, I'll wait for you right here." Brushing some fallen leaves off a nearby rock, she sat down. "I'll wait for you here."

"Mm."

"Be careful. If anything comes up, remember to call me too."

"Okay."

Sitting down, Lin Wanbai watched him ascend.

Looking back every few steps, Fu Xuxing offered one last reminder just before he was about to slip out of sight, "Be careful."

"Got it."

Waving her hand, she motioned for him not to worry.

As the tree branches rustled, Lin Wanbai soon lost sight of him.

Moving quickly, Fu Xuxing felt profoundly grateful for making the right choice in leaving Lin Wanbai behind, as the terrain ahead grew increasingly treacherous.

Arriving at the destination, he spotted the medicinal herbs Shao Xian had described, each株 flourishing vigorously.

Taking a step forward, he heard a sudden *snap*, followed immediately by an excruciating pain shooting through his foot.

*Damn it*, who had set an animal trap here?

Gritting his teeth, he bit back a cry, afraid Lin Wanbai might hear and worry.

He immediately pried open the trap. With its immense force, the metal mechanism had instantly stained his trousers with blood.

Adding to his existing foot injury, this was truly an injury upon an injury. Collapsing onto the ground, he endured waves of agonizing pain.

It looked like harvesting the herbs was out of the question now.

Fortunately, anticipating potential mishaps, Shao Xian had packed some first-aid supplies in the bag. Administering basic first aid to himself, Fu Xuxing endured the pain and began the slow descent.

Perhaps with Lin Wanbai on his mind, he made the journey down without a single groan, maintaining a steady pace despite the agony.

Reaching the final stretch, he paused to regroup, swapped out the blood-soaked bandage on his foot, applied fresh medicine, and swallowed a painkiller. Scrubbing his face with both hands and washing the blood from his fingers, he parted the branches ahead of him to check for her.

Lifting the corners of his mouth in a faint smile and drawing a deep breath, he parted the foliage to look down. However, the stone slab held nothing at all except for a bag.

Lin Wanbai—Lin Wanbai was gone.