Lan Yan listened to the approaching wolf howls, interspersed with the sounds of other fierce beasts. She looked around, but could only see small green dots, likely the lights emanating from them.
She guarded Jun Yelan, not daring to act rashly. Picking up a fallen branch, she remained silent. Her body was drenched in sweat, her eyes ached, and her vision blurred.
She was about to collapse. Pinching her thigh, she knew she couldn't fall now. Otherwise, both she and Jun Yelan would be devoured.
In a state of high tension, something grabbed her arm, and her hair stood on end. She thrust the branch around, shouting, "Wh-what is it? I'm not afraid of you."
A faint voice responded, "It's me."
Hearing the familiar voice, Lan Yan turned to see Jun Yelan. She immediately threw herself into his embrace, tears streaming from her eyes. "You scared me to death just now. Why didn't you make a sound?"
She hated sounds coming from dark places the most.
Jun Yelan startled, feeling the person in his arms trembling slightly. He reached out and stroked Lan Yan's back, his voice full of tenderness, "It's my fault. I didn't wake up sooner, making you suffer."
He patted her repeatedly, as if comforting a child.
Lan Yan gradually calmed down, no longer noticing the surrounding wolf howls. She looked up, her face illuminated by the moonlight, and saw Jun Yelan's features clearly. "I'm fine now," she said.
Jun Yelan gazed at Lan Yan's flushed face and reached out to wipe her tears, his fingers instantly becoming wet. He vowed never to let Lan Yan shed tears again.
Lan Yan remained still, allowing Jun Yelan to touch her face. She was surprised to find herself no longer afraid, feeling an extraordinary sense of peace. Perhaps it was this newfound calm that caused the wolf howls to disappear. The entire night was now filled only with the chirping of insects.
Worried about pressing on Jun Yelan's wound, she quickly moved aside. "Does your wound still hurt? There's no medicine here. We'll find our way tomorrow. Let's rest for a bit tonight."
She couldn't help but yawn; she was utterly exhausted today.
Jun Yelan nodded. "My body has recovered quite a bit. You sleep, I'll keep watch." He knew that Lan Yan had treated his wounds and had been enduring the ordeal.
He placed his hand on Lan Yan's back and coaxed, "Sleep now."
Lan Yan relaxed, and soon her breathing deepened.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan's lips curved into a slight smile. Then, the pain in his body returned. He bit his lip to prevent Lan Yan from hearing any sound.
Thus, a night passed. When Lan Yan awoke, she saw Jun Yelan gazing at her, his eyes holding a different expression than before. She sat up and smiled, "I'm going to catch some fish by the river. I've been hungry all day."
"I'll go with you," Jun Yelan said, not wanting to leave Lan Yan alone.
Lan Yan shifted her position to give Jun Yelan a better view of the nearby river. She ran to the riverbank, took off her shoes and socks, and stepped into the water.
Water splashed around her. She slapped the surface of the water, laughing, "This feels so good."
Jun Yelan watched her, his heart filled with warmth.
The water was clear and teeming with fish. Lan Yan quickly caught two. She handed the fish to Jun Yelan, who expertly cleaned them with his dagger. Then it was her turn to roast them.
Fortunately, she still had salt and Sichuan pepper, making them much more delicious.
After eating, Lan Yan prepared to search for a path but couldn't shake her worry for Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan shook his head. "Don't worry about me. I have a weapon." He displayed the dagger in his hand. As he watched Lan Yan's retreating back, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The pain in his wounds intensified, and his face grew paler. He looked at the blood on the ground and murmured, "I must hold on a little longer. When Xia Lian and the others find us, Lan Yan will be safe."
Lan Yan followed the mountain path ahead, searching for any sign of habitation. She had not seen a single house. She consulted with her system, "You told me last time to be prepared. Can you give me some hints this time?"
"Please do not rely too heavily on the system. I am merely a system," the system replied.
Lan Yan: "..." Considering she still needed the system, she suppressed her frustration. She tried a different approach. "Then let me ask, which direction is more suitable for me to go?"
System: "Going offline."
Lan Yan gritted her teeth and stopped conversing with the system. She continued searching on her own. After walking for an unknown amount of time, she finally saw smoke rising from a distant mountain peak. Smoke indicated the presence of a dwelling.
A smile spread across her face, and she quickly retraced her steps. She suddenly saw that Jun Yelan's eyes were closed. "Jun Yelan!" she exclaimed, rushing over. She saw his wounds oozing blood. How much pain he must be in!
She desperately suppressed her tears. Jun Yelan had endured the pain to avoid worrying her. If he had spoken up, it would have made her search for a path much harder.
Now, it was her turn to think of Jun Yelan.
She gathered branches and vines, fashioning a makeshift stretcher. She then placed Jun Yelan on it, hoisted the ropes onto her shoulders, and with gritted teeth, began to move forward step by step.
Jun Yelan vaguely felt himself being moved. He struggled to stay conscious, but his mind kept drifting into past nightmares. He saw himself sitting in his father's embrace, listening to his father read.
In a flash, he heard palace maids discussing his mother, how she was killed by his father. Deeply saddened, he sought out his father and overheard conversations with court officials. At that moment, he felt he had lost even his father.
Later, he resolved to avenge his mother and worked diligently to build his power.
But a great fire destroyed everything. Jun Yelan, now a cripple, was confined to a dark and gloomy royal mansion.
He spent ten years, through all seasons, within those walls. He gradually forgot time, forgot who he was. Then, someone appeared beside him, a smiling face. That person led him out of the room.
He was made to feel the seasons again, to experience warmth.
Lan Yan turned her head, seeing Jun Yelan seemingly in a deep coma. "Jun Yelan, you can't fall asleep like this," she urged. "Think of how much you've already suffered; you can't end it this way."
"Besides, if you die, I'll become a widow. And I don't want to be a widow, so you'd better do something about it." She was using provocation to stimulate Jun Yelan's brain.
Jun Yelan's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and his fingers tightened their grip.
Lan Yan's lips curved upward, and she continued to call out, "When you wake up, I'll make you delicious food and prepare fun things for you." Using the lure of food.
Jun Yelan suddenly opened his eyes, searching for Lan Yan. Seeing her smiling at him, he slowly slumped down. "Yan'er!"
He crawled towards her with his hands, looking at her tired face, and cried, "Yan'er, if you fall asleep, your delicious food will be gone." He used the same method to stimulate Lan Yan.
Lan Yan felt a pang of regret, but her eyelids were heavy. "I'll rest for a bit before eating."
"Yan'er!" Jun Yelan anxiously embraced Lan Yan, his hands protectively shielding her. Just as he was about to lose consciousness himself, he vaguely saw a man with a bow and arrows approaching from the opposite direction.