The last trace of consciousness faded from Si Zhan’s eyes, revealing both joy and terror. Ning Wan Wan remained unaware of the countless hardships Si Zhan endured to avoid enemy pursuit or how he frantically searched for herbs when she was gravely injured and feverish.
When her consciousness returned, she found herself sitting on Si Zhan’s clothing, leaning against a rock. Si Zhan, dressed only in a white inner garment, was kneeling with a blood-stained dagger, stabbing the person lying on the ground. Di Huan’s bloodied face, eyes wide with fear, was turned toward her. Blood pooled beneath Si Zhan, quickly reaching her feet.
The Zhu Lian Bi He siblings and over a dozen dressed-in-black bodyguards formed a half-circle about three steps behind Si Zhan. The sounds of sharp weapons piercing flesh echoed in the quiet forest.
“…Brother Zhan…” Ning Wan Wan raised her hand towards Si Zhan’s back.
Si Zhan’s stabbing motion suddenly stopped, and after a moment, he turned around.
His face was splattered with blood, his red eyes filled with rage, looking terrifyingly grim. His inner garment was stained dark red, unclear whether it was his own blood, Di Huan’s, or hers.
At a glance, he appeared like a demon who had just emerged from hell, isolated and brutal.
With a slap, the dagger fell to the blood-stained ground. Si Zhan seemed to regain his composure, his eyes suddenly brightening.
He crawled over, kneeling beside her, reaching out to hold her hand but withdrew upon seeing his bloody palm. He wiped it on his clothing, but it only became dirtier, like something once released that could never be contained.
He looked somewhat panicked and lost.
Ning Wan Wan sighed softly, her trembling fingers landing on Si Zhan’s cheek, gently wiping it with heartache. Using all her strength, she spoke in an extremely soft voice: “Brother Zhan, stop.”
Si Zhan then dared to look up and meet her gaze.
Ning Wan Wan’s eyes were as bright as always, sweeping away the darkness in Si Zhan’s heart. He held her hand tightly, nodding hoarsely, “…Okay.”
