Chapter 15
In the days that followed, Bai Sinian forced himself to stop going to "The Corner" and to stop bothering Lin Xiaotang. Every day after work, he would park his car at a distant intersection, gaze at that warm light through the rain or the night for a while, and then silently leave.
That evening, a torrential downpour began, large raindrops pounding against the car windows, blurring the entire world. As usual, Bai Sinian parked his car in the same spot, his gaze piercing through the dense rain curtain to the "Corner" sign. However, he quickly noticed something was amiss. Usually, they would be starting to close at this time, but today, Xiao Wei was frequently appearing at the shop entrance, holding an umbrella and anxiously looking around, as if waiting for someone.
Time passed slowly, and it was almost 9:30. The lights in the store were still on. Xiao Wei rushed out again, this time without even an umbrella, letting the downpour soak her. Her anxiety was clearly visible on her face.
Persian's heart sank, a bad premonition gripping him. He could no longer sit still, he pushed open the car door and rushed over in the pouring rain.
"Xiao Wei!" His voice sounded urgent amidst the rain. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Xiao Wei was startled by Bai Sinian's sudden appearance. Seeing it was him, she clung to him like a lifeline, almost crying with anxiety: "Mr. Bai! It's Sister Xiaotang! She took an order this afternoon and drove alone to the newly opened Yunqi Camping Base in the suburbs to deliver a cake. She said she'd be back by seven or eight at the latest! But we can't reach her! Her phone is off, and she's not replying to messages! In this torrential rain, will the mountain roads be safe…?"
Yunqi Camping Base? Bai Sinian's face turned deathly pale. He knew about that newly opened mountain road; it had recently made the news due to construction issues, with reports of potential geological hazards!
Fu Sinian forced himself to calm down and said to Xiao Wei very quickly, "Go back to the shop and wait, lock the door, and don't go anywhere! I'm going to find her! I'll let you know as soon as I have any news!"
Without even waiting for Xiaowei's response, he turned and rushed back to the car. The engine roared, the wheels splashed up huge sprays of water, and the black sedan shot off like an arrow into the thick rain, speeding towards the suburban mountain road.
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On the other hand, Lin Xiaotang's situation was indeed precarious.
When she returned after delivering the cakes in the afternoon, it was still early, but the rain had already started to pour. As she reached a bend in the road halfway up the mountain, a muffled rumbling sound suddenly came from ahead, followed by the sound of falling rocks! Startled, she slammed on the brakes!
Not far ahead, on the hillside, soil mixed with rocks surged down, instantly burying and blocking the road completely!
Landslide!
Lin Xiaotang's heart leaped into her throat, and cold sweat poured down her back. She tried to reverse, but noticed in her rearview mirror that there were also scattered rocks rolling down the road she had come from. Although it wasn't completely blocked, the situation was just as dangerous. The torrential rain showed no signs of letting up, and the sky quickly darkened. She was the only car left on the winding mountain road, as if she were stranded on an island.
The cell phone signal was intermittent, and she tried to call for help, but couldn't get through. The rain pounded relentlessly on the car roof, making a terrifying noise. She dared not stay in the car for too long, fearing a second landslide, but with nowhere else to go, she could only huddle in the driver's seat, praying that the rain would stop soon and that someone would find her.
Time passed slowly amidst fear and cold. Just when she was almost in despair, the car headlights pierced the rain, vaguely illuminating the other side of the landslide debris pile. There seemed to be a light flickering, and a blurry figure was struggling to climb over those huge rocks!
Who is it?
The figure moved clumsily and dangerously, nearly slipping several times, yet remained unusually persistent. Finally, he staggered over the highest point, tumbling and scrambling down the slope, heading straight for her car.
When that pale, muddy face, washed by the rain and filled with fear, was pressed against the car window, Lin Xiaotang could hardly believe her eyes.
Perth?!
He was soaking wet, his suit jacket was torn in several places, and there were obvious abrasions and bloodstains on his hands and face. He looked disheveled, but his eyes, when they saw her sitting in the car unharmed, burst out with an almost exhausting ecstasy and relief.
He flung open the car door, and icy rainwater rushed in. Ignoring his own discomfort, his trembling hand grabbed her arm, scrutinizing her from head to toe, his voice hoarse and distorted with fear and lingering dread: "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Huh? Speak!"
After confirming that she seemed to be alright, the intense fear instantly transformed into overwhelming anger and reproach. He practically roared, "Lin Xiaotang! Didn't you check the weather forecast?! You came here alone in this torrential rain?! Do you know how dangerous this is?! Do you know what I...?"
He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, as if realizing he had lost control again. He swallowed the rest of his words, leaving only rapid breathing and his chest heaving violently.
Lin Xiaotang was taken aback by his shout, and her initial fear and grievance turned into a stubborn retort: "I didn't know! I didn't know there was a downpour! All I know is that if I don't deliver that cake, I won't earn any money! I won't have money to pay the rent, I won't have money for food! Do you think everyone is like you?!"
Bai Sinian was speechless, a deep regret and pain flashing in his eyes. He knew he had said the wrong thing again; it was always like this, he would blurt out whatever came to mind when he was anxious.
He suppressed his surging emotions and tried to calm his voice, but it still carried an undeniable firmness: "It's too dangerous here, we can't stay! My car is on the other side of the landslide, come with me, we'll leave here immediately!"
"I'm not going!" Lin Xiaotang was already angry, cold, and scared. His shout just now had triggered her rebellious streak. She turned her head away and said, "I don't need your help! Go away!"
"Lin Xiaotang!" Bai Sinian was both anxious and angry, and reached out to pull her.
Just then, the chilling sound of rolling rocks came again from above the hillside! It was clearer and closer than before!
"Watch out!" Bai Sinian's expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he used all his strength to push Lin Xiaotang, who had just stepped out of the car, to the side!
Lin Xiaotang cried out in surprise and fell heavily into the muddy water.
Almost at the same time, a rock the size of a basketball rolled down from the mountain and crashed down, hitting Fu Ssu-nien precisely on his left scapula before he could completely dodge it!
"Ugh—!"
A suppressed, painful groan rang out.
Persian's body trembled violently, his face instantly turning ashen, veins bulging on his forehead, and cold sweat mingling with the rain. He swayed, his right hand clutching his left shoulder tightly, his arm hanging limply in an unnatural position.
"Bersinian!" Lin Xiaotang climbed out of the mud and saw this scene. She was so frightened that her anger was instantly replaced by great fear.
Persian was in so much pain he could barely speak. His jaw was clenched, but he managed to squeeze out a few words through his teeth: "I'm... I'm fine... I'm glad you're not hurt..."
He tried to steady himself, but the sharp pain in his left shoulder made it almost impossible for him to stand, and his body swayed uncontrollably.
Lin Xiaotang rushed over to support him, her hands touching something cold and wet, and witnessing his uncontrollable trembling from extreme pain. In the car headlights, she saw that his suit jacket over his left shoulder was quickly stained crimson with blood, and his limp arm was clearly…
He has a fracture.
It was to push her away.
The cold rain lashed against the two of them. Lin Xiaotang looked at Bai Sinian's pale face and pained, restrained expression. Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an icy hand, and she could hardly breathe from the pain.
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