The morning light filtered through layers of dense foliage, scattering into delicate specks that painted shifting patterns on the damp earth. The air was fresh, carrying the mingling scent of rain-soaked soil and vegetation. Droplets clung to the edges of leaves, shimmering under the golden sunlight like scattered fragments of crystal, adding a vibrant energy to the emerald-green forest.
Lìn Níngshuāng had risen early, moving swiftly and methodically as she packed her belongings. Every motion was precise, practiced—she was always ready to leave at a moment's notice. Her presence blended seamlessly with the wilderness around her—calm, collected, and unwavering, like a lone predator prepared for the next stretch of an endless journey.
As she secured the last strap of her pack, a thought surfaced in her mind, cold and resolute'I need to get away from him as soon as possible.'
Their encounter yesterday had not been enough to lower her guard. He seemed polite, even amicable—certainly not an immediate threat—but that did not mean she wanted company. Least of all, the company of a man she had met by chance in this unpredictable place.
She did not voice her intentions outright. Instead, she tightened the strap of her bag and said coolly, "If your wound hasn't healed completely, you can rest a bit longer."
Jí Jǐn moved a little slower than her, gathering his own supplies with deliberate care. The bandage wrapped around his arm stood out starkly against his skin—evidence of the injury he had sustained the night before. The medicine had done its job; the bleeding had stopped, and the wound had begun to heal, though a dull pain still lingered beneath the makeshift dressing.
He glanced at his arm, testing it briefly with a light touch, but his expression remained composed. At the sound of her voice, he looked up, his gaze gentle yet unwavering. A faint smile crossed his lips. "It's better now, I'm fine. We can go."
His tone was steady, his eyes sincere—completely unbothered by her distant demeanor.
Lìn Níngshuāng frowned slightly but said nothing more. Her gaze flickered to his arm once before she turned away and resumed her preparations. She had already calculated the risks—his injury was minor; it wouldn't slow her down.
Even so, she had no intention of staying with him longer than necessary. She did not need company. She did not need anyone.
Jí Jǐn did not press further. He simply followed her lead, maintaining a measured distance between them. He could sense her wariness, but it did not seem to bother him. In a place like this, caution was not unwarranted. He had no reason to take offense.
They walked in silence, the rhythm of their footsteps blending with the natural hum of the forest. Before long, they arrived at a small stream.
The water was clear, flowing over smooth stones in a steady, melodic rhythm. Sunlight reflected off its surface, creating glimmers of gold amidst the shifting ripples. The rocks along the banks were damp with moss, their edges softened by time and nature's touch. The air here was cooler, tinged with the soothing scent of fresh water and earth, offering a moment of quiet serenity.
Lìn Níngshuāng halted by the water's edge. She crouched down, fingertips brushing the surface as she tested the temperature.
Then—she froze.
A sharp tension coiled in her chest.
Something was wrong.
It was subtle—barely perceptible—but her instincts picked up on it immediately.
She withdrew her hand, her movements controlled, unhurried. Her eyes flickered over the water, her posture unchanged, but her ears strained to catch any irregularity in the sounds around them.
Jí Jǐn, standing just a short distance away, noticed the slight shift in her demeanor. His expression did not change, but his posture straightened, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with quiet alertness.
The wind rustled through the trees, stirring the leaves with a soft, whispering sigh. But beneath that natural melody, something else lurked—a presence, faint yet unmistakable.
中文版
晨曦透过层叠的树叶,洒下细碎的光斑,在湿润的大地上勾勒出斑驳的光影.空气清新,带着雨后泥土与植被交融的芬芳,林间的水珠悬挂在叶尖,在阳光下闪烁,如碎钻般流转着光泽,使这片翠绿的密林更添生机.
蔺凝霜早早起身,动作干脆利落地整理着背包,每一个细微的动作都透着习惯与谨慎,仿佛她随时准备启程,离开这一片尚存着昨夜雨痕的丛林.她的身影与四周的环境融为一体,沉稳,冷静,如同一只孤独的猎豹,在黎明前悄然踏入新的征途.
她一边收拾行囊,一边在心底暗自想着——希望能早点摆脱他.
昨天的相遇没有让她放下戒备.那男人看上去温和有礼,不像是麻烦的同类,但这并不意味着她愿意同行,更不意味着她愿意信任他.在这样的地方,信任是最奢侈的东西.
她没有直接表达拒绝,而是平静地调整着背带,语气淡然:"如果你的伤口还没完全愈合,可以再休息一会儿."
嵇瑾的动作稍显迟缓,正一件件地收拾着自己的行囊.他手臂上的纱布依旧显眼,昨晚匆匆包扎后,虽然已经止血,但隐隐的痛楚仍未散去.他低头看了眼那层包裹,指尖轻触了一下,像是在确认伤口的恢复情况.然而,他并未表现出丝毫不适,只是抬头望向她,眼中浮起一抹淡淡的笑意:"伤口不算严重,我没事,走吧."
他语气温和,目光坦然,仿佛未曾察觉她的冷淡.蔺凝霜微微蹙眉,目光掠过他手臂的伤口,却并未多言,转身迈步,步履稳健而果断.她心里已经盘算过——他的伤势不重,倒不至于拖慢速度.
然而,即便如此,她仍然不愿再与他同行太久.她的旅途不需要伴侣,也不需要额外的牵绊.
嵇瑾没有再多问,只是沉默地跟在她身后.他并不难猜出她的戒备,也不觉得意外,在这片未知而危险的地域,多疑是生存的必要法则.他的步伐依旧从容,不紧不慢地跟着她,始终与她保持着不远不近的距离.
不久后,他们来到一条小溪旁.溪水清澈,潺潺流动,在阳光的映照下泛起点点粼光.溪边的岩石湿润而青苔遍布,四周绿意盎然,仿佛是这片密林中的一方净土,带着天然的静谧.
蔺凝霜微微停下脚步,蹲身探向溪水,指尖轻触水面,感受它的温度.然而,就在她低头的刹那,心头却骤然一紧.
空气中,隐隐有一丝异样的气息.
她的目光一凝,手指微不可察地一顿,随后,缓缓收回手,目光若无其事地掠过溪水,耳朵却敏锐地捕捉着四周的细微动静.
嵇瑾站在不远处,似乎察觉到了她的变化,微微偏头,看向四周——
丛林间的风吹拂树叶,沙沙作响,但在这自然的声响之下,似乎,还夹杂着某种不属于林间的细微动静.