Chapter 164 An Unexpected Incident
Si Youlin stood up and asked, "Is there something you need?"
Jiang Ran lowered her eyes to look at the computer screen. Si Zuochen's face showed a hint of unease, fearing that she would say he was not doing his job properly, just like before.
Just as he was about to explain, Jiang Ran suddenly asked, "I heard you're a computer expert?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed in Si Zuochen's eyes. For some reason, he instantly thought of the investigation he had planned earlier.
He quickly explained, "No, I just play games occasionally."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran's lips curled slightly, and she said softly, "No need to explain. To have achieved such success now, perhaps it's just talent?"
Instead of the expected condemnation, there was a hint of encouragement in the words, which surprised Si Zuochen.
He quickly regained his composure, changed the subject, and asked in a low voice, "Why did you come?"
Jiang Ran remembered the important matter at hand and handed the talismans in her hand to the two of them, saying slowly, "I drew these talismans for you on your spring outing tomorrow to ensure your safety."
"Keep everyone safe?" Si Youlin raised an eyebrow, asking doubtfully, "There are teachers leading the spring outing, what could possibly happen?"
Unlike Si Youlin's incomprehension, Si Zuochen simply reached out and took it, saying softly, "Thank you."
Seeing that Si Zuochen was taking it, Si Youlin also reached out and accepted it, echoing his sentiment.
"Then I'll be going now, you guys keep going." Jiang Ran said, turning and walking towards the door.
Halfway there, he suddenly stopped, turned around to look at them, and reminded them, "Make sure you bring this talisman with you tomorrow, understand?"
Si Zuochen looked up and met her gaze. Seeing her serious expression and the earnest look in her eyes, he felt, almost inexplicably, that this matter was extremely important.
He nodded and replied in a deep voice, "Okay."
Only after receiving his affirmative answer did Jiang Ran feel relieved and leave.
Only after the door closed did Si Youlin frown slightly, a hint of doubt flashing across his face, before he finally asked, "This is..."
Si Zuochen looked down at the talisman in his hand, his expression inscrutable, and said softly, "Take it with you; after all, it's a token of her affection."
As he spoke, he casually put the talisman into his pocket.
The next morning, the two went to school to meet their classmates as planned, and then went on a spring outing with their teacher.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, the teacher said loudly, "This mountain climbing activity is organized for the whole grade. Those who are close can go together. Unlike usual, we will not lead the whole group. There will be teachers along the way to keep watch."
"If you encounter any problems, just ask the teacher next to you for help."
"good."
"Okay!" came the chorus of voices. Seeing this, the teacher gave a few more safety instructions and then let them proceed in groups. They were all children, and their stamina wasn't great. They were enthusiastic at first, but later they started walking and stopping frequently.
Only Si Zuochen and Si Youlin were at the forefront, climbing towards the summit.
Si Youlin gradually felt a bit out of breath, so he suggested, "Brother, let's find a place to rest."
“Okay.” Si Zuochen replied, then took a cushion from his bag and placed it on the bench he was passing by. Si Youlin sat down.
He took a bottle of water out of his bag and handed it to Si Zuochen, who took it.
Si Youlin looked around and, seeing no one in sight behind them, couldn't help but scoff, "Tsk tsk, what's going on? Can't even keep up?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a figure appeared in the woods not far away. Si Youlin suddenly asked in confusion, "Huh? Aren't people forbidden from entering the woods?"
As he finished speaking, the man turned his head and glanced in their direction, meeting Si Youlin's gaze.
Just as Si Zuochen was about to tell him not to meddle, he saw Si Youlin suddenly stand up and exclaim in surprise, "It's her!"
"Who?" Seeing his agitated state, Si Zuochen looked in that direction with a puzzled expression.
It was only vaguely visible that it was a woman, her face slightly turned to the side, making it impossible to discern her features.
Si Youlin pointed lightly and quickly said, "It's that woman! The one Daddy's been looking for!"
Upon hearing this, Si Zuochen's expression froze for a moment, then a look of surprise flashed across his face, and he exclaimed in shock, "How did you know?!"
“I saw it in Daddy’s study. He had her picture tucked inside a book. I saw it secretly.”
The person in the woods looked remarkably like the person in the photo.
As soon as he finished speaking, Si Youlin saw the woman preparing to walk deeper into the area. Seeing that she was about to leave, he became increasingly anxious and quickly slung his backpack over his shoulder to chase after her.
Unlike his impulsive nature, Si Zuochen was still suspicious of the person who suddenly appeared. He reached out and grabbed him, stopping him by saying, "Wait!"
Si Youlin frowned, turned to look at him, and looked puzzled.
Si Zuochen pursed his lips slightly, pondered for a moment, and then explained, "How could she have appeared here by such a coincidence? Maybe she set a trap to lure us there."
"The last time I followed Daddy, something unexpected happened along the way, and Daddy died peacefully, didn't he?"
Si Zuochen tried to persuade him, but Si Youlin wouldn't listen to anything. He only had the thought of finding someone in his mind, and he didn't care about any analysis or weighing of the pros and cons.
“But time waits for no one!” Si Youlin retorted, ignoring Si Zuochen’s advice, and shook off his arm, chasing after him into the woods.
Seeing that he was determined to go his own way, Si Zuochen felt a little annoyed. He bit his lip lightly, but he was still worried and had no choice but to go with him.
The figure in front of them always kept a distance, appearing within their sight but remaining out of their reach.
Si Youlin was so eager to catch up that he didn't notice the man leading them further and further into the remote area.
Just then, the sky suddenly changed. The once clear sky became covered with dark clouds, and in the blink of an eye, a torrential downpour began.
Si Youlin's vision gradually blurred, and in the blink of an eye, the figure in front of him suddenly disappeared.
Si Zuochen caught up just in time, and Si Youlin, looking troubled, said, "The person is gone!"
Hearing his words, Si Zuochen's face darkened, but he knew that now was not the time to pursue the matter. Seeing a cave not far ahead, he said to himself, "Stop talking nonsense and let's get out of the rain first."
Both of them were now soaked to the bone, and standing in the pouring rain, they didn't care about anything else.
Si Youlin followed his gaze and saw a place to take shelter from the rain, so he quickly replied, "Okay."
The two walked into the cave, but did not notice the thin line under their feet. Si Youlin accidentally stepped on the line, and a stone fell on his head instantly.
Si Zuochen walked behind him, his eyes flashing as he noticed the danger above. In a flash, he pushed Si Youlin away.
Si Youlin felt his foot stumble and then heard a muffled groan behind him.
He quickly turned around and saw that Si Zuochen was being pressed down by a rock. Si Youlin was shocked and quickly moved the rock away from behind him.
The stone wasn't very big, but the force of its weight as it fell from above was not to be underestimated.
Si Zuochen felt a burning pain emanating from the spot on his back where he had been hit.
Si Youlin looked up and saw a dark patch above him. He assumed it was just some loose stones that had fallen by accident and didn't think much of it.
She hurriedly helped Si Zuochen up and sat him down in an open space nearby, her face full of worry: "Brother, are you alright?"
Si Zuochen's face was pale, but he couldn't bear to add to his worries, so he slowly shook his head.
Suppressing the pain, he whispered, "Check if there's a signal around here."
Upon hearing this, Si Youlin quickly picked up his phone to check the information, then walked towards the cave entrance, only to return looking dejected.
Seeing this, Si Zuochen had already guessed something. He pursed his lips slightly, and a hint of worry flashed across his face.
As the backbone of the group, she still forced herself to comfort Si Youlin, who was standing beside her: "It's okay, don't worry, the teacher will find out we're missing soon. As long as we report it to the police, we'll be rescued quickly."
Si Youlin listened to his words of comfort, pursed his lips, his face full of guilt, and said in a low voice, "Brother, I'm sorry... It's all my fault for not listening to advice and for insisting on my own way, which has led to this situation."
"And you even got injured while saving me..."
As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly with a hint of a sob.
Seeing that he took the initiative to admit his mistake, Si Zuochen's resentment eased a little, and he said in a low voice to comfort him, "It's good that you realize you were wrong."
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