As her awareness faded, she heard police sirens and someone speaking through a megaphone. Although she could not understand the words, she recognized this was her only chance of escape.
Ignoring the pain, she moved towards the cabin door, determined to try despite the possibility of falling. When she did fall to the ground, the impact nearly caused her to lose consciousness.
Ou Xueman felt her dizziness lessen as she heard his voice calling her name, filled with anxiety.
“I’m… here,” she managed to respond, though her voice was hoarse and weak.
“Xueman.” The calling voice grew more anxious, with a hint of fear.
“I’m… here,” she repeated, using the last of her strength, but against the noise outside, her voice seemed insignificant.
As footsteps walked away from the cabin door, panic rose within her. Desperate, she bumped her head against the cold, hard door, the sound muffled by its thickness.
Powerless, she lay against the door, the cold creeping up her body, extinguishing the hope ignited by his voice. Tears streamed down her face as she felt unable to struggle or call out.
In despair, she screamed his name in her heart: Huang…
Miraculously, the hurried footsteps stopped, as if hearing her call, now uncertain and confused, slowly returning.
“Xueman?”
The voice was soft yet powerful.
“I’m here.” Her voice was still hoarse.
“Xueman.” His repeated call made her realize he hadn’t heard her response.
“I’m here.” She responded with all her might but received only his call in return.
Hope slowly died as darkness enveloped her, gradually devouring her light. She no longer struggled, letting herself sink into the shadows.
With a “bang,” the door opened. The man burst into her world, bringing light that drove away all the gloom.
“Xueman.”
His warmth embraced her, and her tears flowed uncontrollably. She felt like a boat finally finding its harbor, no longer drifting aimlessly.
With this sense of security, she stopped resisting the loss of consciousness, knowing he had come to protect her.
He noticed her furrowed brow, restless eyes beneath her eyelids, and the scabbed wound at the corner of her mouth. Even in sleep, her bruised hand clutched him tightly, stirring guilt in his heart.
He reached out to smooth her brow but feared waking her. Instead, he leaned down and gently kissed the crease between her brows, causing her to awaken.
