Su Qi stumbled to her feet, leaning against a tree for support. Ignoring the pain in her foot, she limped forward.
Behind her, the golden leopard pursued relentlessly.
Even in the pitch-black jungle, wild animals possessed astonishingly good eyesight.
The beast was getting closer and closer…
Su Qi felt a wave of despair.
Just as the wild leopard was about to pounce in Su Qi's direction, a massive rock hurtled down, striking the animal squarely.
"Roar—"
The golden leopard let out a low growl, pinned by the boulder. Injured, it staggered on the ground, unable to move.
Who—
Su Qi turned, her eyes snapping up.
Silvery moonlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, landing on the man's hair and shoulders. His chiseled face was sharp and defined, his thin lips pressed together, and his eyes held a chilling glint.
In that moment, this devil-like man descended like an angel.
"Huo Tingyun…"
Su Qi almost wept. Her nose stung, and her voice trembled with emotion.
Huo Tingyun bent down and scooped up the fallen Su Qi.
She was so thin, so light, that holding her felt effortless.
The man easily gathered her into his embrace.
"Am I in heaven?"
In that instant, Su Qi had even thought of her epitaph.
"What do you think?"
His familiar voice, the warmth of his body palpable even through the fabric, finally convinced Su Qi that this was not a dream, but reality.
"You finally came. I thought I was going to die…"
Huo Tingyun frowned, carrying Su Qi deeper into the jungle. After walking for some time, the scenery opened up. They were by a small river, the terrain wide and open, the moonlight clear, allowing her to see the gently flowing water.
"How did you know about this place?"
Seeing Huo Tingyun walk with such purpose, it was as if the man lived in this jungle.
"Did you study geography?"
Huo Tingyun raised an eyebrow and calmly explained the area's topography, its layout, and the distribution of plants to the east, west, north, and south.
"So, by looking at the plants and the terrain, one can identify it, especially since I saw a map before coming in."
Su Qi gasped. She knew Huo Tingyun was a highly intelligent student, but she had never realized he was so incredibly smart. Su Qi had never truly grasped the astonishing extent of this man's intelligence before.
Even if he were abandoned in the jungle for a year, he could probably survive.
Carrying Su Qi, he placed her on a smooth stone. Su Qi's ankle was already swollen, making it impossible for her to walk.
"Sit still and don't wander off. Wait for me here."
After speaking, Huo Tingyun surveyed the surroundings, then waded across the river and headed towards a specific spot.
Under the moonlight, the man knelt on the ground, gathering several medicinal herbs.
"What is this?"
"Herbs to reduce swelling and bruises."
Huo Tingyun put them into his mouth, chewing them directly. He then placed the chewed herbs in his palm and applied them to Su Qi's ankle. He took out a handkerchief he carried and wrapped Su Qi's pale little foot.
Su Qi felt the warmth of the herbs and Huo Tingyun's mouth, her face instantly flushing.
As Huo Tingyun looked up, he noticed Su Qi's ears were already bright red. Even in the cool moonlight, he could clearly see the tips of her ears and her cheeks, flushed a startling crimson.
He chuckled softly and raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against Su Qi's cheek.
"You look so cute when you're shy."
He hadn't seen Su Qi blush like this in a long time.
Ever since that incident, Su Qi's face had always been pale whenever she saw him, her eyes filled only with fear and loathing.
How long had it been since he'd seen Su Qi blush shyly? Perhaps he couldn't even remember.
Seeing her chased by the golden leopard in the jungle, he had actually felt nervous and anxious himself.
Despite having no feelings for this woman at all.
"Thank you today…"
Su Qi finally felt a sense of relief. It was as if, with Huo Tingyun by her side, she no longer needed to fear the unknown dangers of the mysterious jungle.
"Are you hungry?"
Huo Tingyun stood up. Beside them was the river, likely teeming with small fish and shrimp.
"Do you know how to start a fire?"
Su Qi nodded. "Of course!"
She had been educated, she wasn't an idiot!
"Then start a fire."
Su Qi watched as Huo Tingyun rolled up his trouser legs and sleeves, revealing a pair of long, slender calves and well-defined arms.
Even in his wild appearance, the man remained ruggedly handsome.
Snapping back to reality, she saw the man had already entered the river. The water was shallow, only reaching his calves. He was splashing around, and soon caught a fish, tossing it onto the bank.
A fish landed with a plop near Su Qi's feet.
Su Qi bent down, picked up stones from the ground, and gathered some twigs. After much effort, she finally managed to start a fire.
Several fish now lay on the bank.
Huo Tingyun, with his bare hands, gutted and cleaned the small fish, then threaded them onto sturdy branches.
The jungle at this hour was cold. The campfire, once lit, brought much-needed warmth, dispelling some of the chill.
Su Qi sneezed, and a jacket was draped over her shoulders.
It was Huo Tingyun's suit jacket, still carrying his scent.
A faint scent of sandalwood, like incense in a temple.
Was this the scent of a god worshipped with incense?
Su Qi thought, a little amused.
"Thank you."
"Mm."
Huo Tingyun sat by the fire, placing the fish he held onto the flames, letting the fire roast its body.
Before long, the fish began to emit a fragrant aroma.
Su Qi swallowed.
Huo Tingyun glanced at Su Qi, who looked like a little greedy cat eyeing the fish, staring intently at the fish in his hand, her eyes practically shining.
Once the fish was thoroughly roasted, Huo Tingyun picked up a large leaf, placed the fish meat on it, and then handed it to Su Qi.
Su Qi took it. It was still a little hot, but through the leaf, it wasn't too hot to hold.
She directly tore off a piece of fish with her hands and put it in her mouth.
Although there were no seasonings, the wild fish was fresh and sweet, and even without removing the fishy smell, it wasn't too strong.
Su Qi ate the fish with her head down, her hands getting dirty and sticky, her entire face smeared like a little tabby cat.
Then she looked at the man before her, eating slowly and deliberately. Even while eating roasted fish in the wild jungle, he remained elegant, as if he were in a Michelin five-star restaurant.
Su Qi went to the river to wash her face.
She didn't know what time it was. Ever since she was kidnapped, she hadn't had a moment's rest.
Unconsciously, she lay down by the river, wanting to close her eyes for a bit, and promptly fell into a deep sleep.
After Huo Tingyun had eaten his fill, he turned and saw Su Qi, who had fallen asleep by the river.
Truly carefree.
Huo Tingyun sighed helplessly, picked up Su Qi, placed her on the dry grass, and then covered her with his suit jacket.