By the roadside, in the grass
Old Madam Ling shivered, hiding within.
Her eyes were filled with terror, her breathing rapid.
Images of being chased flashed through her mind.
Many years ago, shortly after she married Ling Chengfeng, she had been kidnapped and imprisoned for three full days.
After finally escaping, she was relentlessly pursued.
It was a dilapidated, unfinished building. She stumbled out and ran, her feet sinking into the muddy ground, amidst weeds and rubble.
Mud and blood stained her clothes. She was covered in wounds. The shadows cast by the tall building enveloped her, making her feel as if she were in hell.
"Hello, have you seen this elderly person?"
By the roadside, a man in a police uniform showed a photo to a cleaner sweeping the path.
The cleaner shook her head and quickly pushed her garbage cart away.
The two police officers continued, asking the next passerby, walking past Old Madam Ling without noticing the person hidden within.
Old Madam Ling trembled all over but bit her lip tightly to keep herself from making a sound.
"Hello, have you seen this elderly person?" the officer continued to ask.
"No... wait, isn't that the old Mrs. Ling?"
"You've seen her."
"No, no, I just recognize her. What's wrong?"
"She has dementia and is lost. If you've seen her, please report it to the police."
"Okay, got it."
Han Wenjuan watched the police walk away, her expression peculiar.
She remembered the last time she saw the old lady, she was quite lucid. How could she have dementia now? It was truly strange.
But it had nothing to do with her!
Thinking of this, she felt a bit of schadenfreude.
She heard that Gong Zhijing was getting married soon. Now that something like this had happened, could the wedding still proceed?
Han Wenjuan raised an eyebrow, humming a tune as she prepared to leave.
Just then, she heard a strange noise from the grass beside her. Following the sound, she saw the grass rustling slightly, as if something were wriggling.
Han Wenjuan shivered in fear and took a few steps back.
It was the height of summer, and the most common thing around was snakes.
Just as she was about to turn and walk away, she heard a heavy gasp from the grass.
"What is that? A person or a ghost?"
Han Wenjuan was still shaken but dared not approach, as the sound seemed to come from a person.
Fortunately, it was broad daylight. If it were night, she would have been terrified, surely thinking it was haunted.
But there was no movement from the grass for a long time.
Driven by curiosity, Han Wenjuan slowly approached.
However, the grass was too dense to see anything.
She immediately felt a desire to retreat. What if something bit her? Who would she turn to?
Just as she was about to leave, another heavy gasp came from within.
This time, Han Wenjuan heard it more clearly; it was definitely human.
Her heart pounded. She wondered if it was a homeless person or an escaped convict.
With that thought, she reached out and parted the grass. What met her eyes was an old, dirty face covered in leaves.
Han Wenjuan trembled all over and stumbled back several steps, her heart leaping into her throat.
She hadn't even clearly seen what it was, but she was thoroughly startled.
She saw a head of messy, snow-white hair, an old, wrinkled but filthy face.
Her complexion was as pale as paper, looking like a dead person.
Han Wenjuan clutched her chest, her breathing becoming ragged.
She looked around. There wasn't a soul in sight, only the endless stream of cars on the highway not far away.
It was past ten in the morning during summer, the hottest part of the day, and few people were out.
Han Wenjuan took a while to calm herself. A fleeting image crossed her mind – the face seemed vaguely familiar.
Suppressing her fear, she slowly moved closer for a better look. This time, prepared, she wasn't as startled and saw more clearly.
She immediately gasped and exclaimed, "Isn't this the old Mrs. Ling?"
Her mood eased. Looking at the person lying half-dead in the grass, her expression was complex.
On such a hot day, if delayed further, this person might not survive.
Although it was in the shade, the small space was sweltering. Han Wenjuan hadn't missed the damp clothes.
She didn't know if they were soaked with sweat or from somewhere else.
She instinctively wanted to help. As she took out her phone to call the police, a thought suddenly struck her, making her hesitate.
If Old Madam Ling died.
Gong Zhijing would surely be devastated.
Then the wedding wouldn't happen.
If nothing else, it would make her unhappy. Anyway, she hadn't caused the death, so it had nothing to do with her.
With that, she turned to leave. But after only a few steps, her meticulous mind began to search for surveillance cameras.
With the Ling family's influence, finding the person would be a matter of time.
If there were cameras nearby, and it was discovered that she had stood by and done nothing, the Ling family would surely resent her.
At that point, her own death would be secondary to the harm it could bring to her daughter.
She carefully surveyed the area and found no cameras.
Han Wenjuan sneered, "Heaven truly helps me!"
She glanced at the hidden grass, a cold glint in her eyes, then turned and walked away.
On such a hot day, for an elderly person, she probably wouldn't last long!
After walking more than ten steps.
Han Wenjuan hesitated again.
If she saved the old lady, the Ling family would surely be grateful.
Why risk losing out on revenge against Gong Zhijing for such a small matter?
Her death.
Gong Zhijing would indeed be sad, but after some time, her life would remain prosperous and carefree.
There would be no substantial harm.
Moreover, if she did the Ling family a favor, her daughter could establish herself firmly in the Jiang family.
If she saved Old Madam Ling's life, the Ling family would, at the very least, owe her a debt of gratitude. This would earn her daughter some care from the Ling family and also command more respect from the Jiang family.
Weighing the pros and cons.
Han Wenjuan decisively chose to save the person.
She immediately took out her phone, first calling the police, then emergency services.
Then, without hesitation, she returned the way she came, rushed to the grass, and dragged the person out.
The person was alive but breathing weakly.
The weather was so hot. She smelled a pungent, foul odor, a mixture of sweat and the sickening smell of feces and urine.
Han Wenjuan couldn't help but gag several times, almost dropping the person in disgust.
Why hadn't she smelled it earlier? Once the person was pulled out, the stench was unbearable.
She glanced at the nearby trash can, frowning. She reasoned it was probably overlooked because of the trash can.
Saving someone was only useful if the person was saved.
Han Wenjuan looked at Old Madam Ling's cracked lips and immediately took out the half-bottle of mineral water from her bag and gave it to her to drink.