Chapter 18: This Man Is Nothing But a Cunning Fox!
Su Xiaoyun was stunned.
Though she appeared calm, the truth was she was utterly at a loss.
She never anticipated the man would play this card. Now, what did he mean by that question?
Why did it sound as if they had known each other before?
Her mind raced swiftly, her thoughts ceaseless.
Yet in Huo Congjing’s eyes, her delicate, palm-sized face hung low, betraying a profound loneliness.
His thin lips tightened, a flash of guilt passing through his cold, stern gaze.
He shouldn’t have asked—that must have stirred painful memories for her.
Clearly, she had been forced from the city to the countryside, forced to learn all sorts of common knowledge...
In the next moment, Su Xiaoyun lifted her gaze steadily.
Within her clear, almond-shaped eyes flickered a trace of anxiety. “I once read a book on herbal medicine, compiled by an old county doctor.”
“I found it interesting, so I borrowed it and read it for a while.”
“Enough talking—save your strength. If anything else happens, we’ll still have to rely on you.”
With a few hastily concocted words, Su Xiaoyun shut him up.
The dark green herbal paste pressed on her wound was cool, with a faint tingling numbness.
Huo Congjing’s brows arched slightly. “Knowledge of herbs is quite useful; it can come in handy at critical moments.”
“The situation outside is still unknown. The earthen cliff is unstable; if it collapses, it could trigger secondary disasters.”
“If you don’t mind, just wait here for now.”
Su Xiaoyun twitched the corner of her mouth. What could she possibly mind?
Right now, staying alive was the utmost priority!
As long as she lived, she could still have a chance.
She said nothing, pulling her clothes tighter as she shrank deeper into the cave.
Her lively black pupils shone brighter than wild grapes in the mountain.
Huo Congjing couldn’t help but smile faintly, his lips curling, and said no more.
Time ticked by slowly. Su Xiaoyun shifted her numb leg and couldn’t help but glance outside.
Summer days were long, and dusk had yet to fall, but the thick foliage of the forest blocked much of the sunlight.
Dense branches obscured the sky, and the pervasive dust further reduced visibility.
She took a deep breath. “I wonder when we’ll settle down safely. The path ahead collapsed and got blocked by mud and stones, so we’ll have to detour.”
“But this forest, I only know this one trail.”
In other words, even if the earthen cliffs stopped sinking, they would still have to find another way.
Huo Congjing tested moving his arm; the pain was negligible.
He turned his head and said, “In half an hour, we’ll head out.”
“At least then, we’ll know the condition of the path ahead. If an emergency arises, we can hide in the mountain ravine over there.”
His knobby fingers pointed toward the western peak.
---
Su Xiaoyun nestled inside and couldn’t see very far.
But... she curved her eyes slightly.
She hadn’t noticed before, but the man had surprisingly handsome hands.
In modern terms, he was a perfect model!
Long, slender knuckles, sun-kissed skin radiating masculine energy, muscles bulging with exertion.
Ahem... When she caught his glance, she promptly restrained her expression.
Time passed swiftly.
The forest occasionally burst with the chirping of insects and birdsong.
Dampness seeped from the cliff wall, moistening her back.
Just then, Huo Congjing rose. “Let’s go. By my estimate, A Nian and the others should already be waiting at the foot of the mountain.”
Su Xiaoyun steadied herself against the ledge, stood up, and stomped her feet. “Let’s go.”
No delay!
The longer they stayed here, the greater the danger.
Especially after dark, when threats lurked everywhere.
In these times, the forest was home to wild beasts.
The mountain’s four great pests were led by wild boars.
She was utterly defenseless—if confronted, there was no telling what would happen.
Feeling the urgency, Su Xiaoyun quickly followed Huo Congjing.
He deliberately slowed his pace. “The path ahead is blocked. One misstep could plunge us into loose sand.”
“To be safe, we’ll take the eastern side.”
Su Xiaoyun nodded. “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”
They walked side by side along the uneven mountain trail, a narrow dirt road through dense woods faintly visible ahead.
The path was so narrow that even slender Su Xiaoyun had to sidestep to pass.
Dry yellow earth crumbled underfoot; dry branches and green leaves snapped crisply.
Su Xiaoyun couldn’t help but reflect.
Wasn’t this just perfect white noise? Ideal for falling asleep.
---
But in this eerie silence, it felt somewhat unsettling.
She rubbed her arm. “Huo Congjing, what if there’s a second collapse? Can we escape it?”
His dark eyes were cold and resolute. “Yes.”
A single word, yet it gave an inexplicable sense of immense security.
Su Xiaoyun smiled softly and said no more.
Huo Congjing walked behind her, his gaze testing, and with closer inspection, a trace of nostalgia flickered in his eyes.
After a few minutes, he casually asked, “Thanks to your herbal knowledge, I think my wound won’t fester and worsen now.”
Su Xiaoyun, like a heroic woman, waved her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing.”
To her, it was merely a matter of course.
Besides, only if Huo Congjing remained healthy could she safely descend the mountain.
His eyes flickered. “Coincidentally, I was saved as a child too. The girl’s features resembled yours—a smaller version.”
“Oh? Really?”
Su Xiaoyun’s attention was elsewhere, drawn to several small white flowers nearby.
Honeysuckle! Perfect for cooling down.
This year’s drought had made the land hot and dry, causing heart and lung inflammations—honeybush tea was the best remedy.
She nodded absentmindedly, then pounced to pick some.
Resources were scarce in the countryside; the herbal shops in the county charged exorbitant prices.
That money could buy half a pound of pork.
Huo Congjing: ...
He had no recollection at all?
His thin lips moved, but he said nothing.
Suddenly, Su Xiaoyun stumbled just as she found her footing.
Huo Congjing reacted swiftly, catching her arm. “Be careful. What’s wrong?”
She furrowed her brows. “Look at that.”
At their feet, an old tree root had been uprooted, the soil dark and damp.
The roots seemed gnawed, bearing jagged, rotten marks.
A strong, foul stench invaded their nostrils.
Su Xiaoyun pinched her nose. “It stinks. What is that?”
Not far off, beneath the roots, lay clumps of pellet-like droppings.
Huo Congjing squatted down, inspecting them. “Wild boar droppings, still fresh.”
“A wild boar must have passed by here not long ago. Those roots were uprooted and gnawed by the beast.”
Hearing this, Su Xiaoyun’s delicate face darkened.