Another Misfortune

"Brother Chen, thank you very much," Xiang Wan expressed her gratitude.

With both their luggage in tow, Chen Zhuang led the way along a small path, while Xiang Wan and Liu Chun, Chen Zhuang's wife, followed behind.

"My name is Liu Chun. You can call me Sister Liu. Miss, what's your name?" Liu Chun asked.

"You can just call me Xiang Wan." Xiang Wan looked at the sky and continued, "Sister, how long do we still have to walk? I'm afraid we won't make it before dark!"

"We'll make it, we'll make it! We'll reach… reach Huo Xiao's house before dark," Liu Chun reassured.

"That's good. Is your home close to Huo Xiao's?" Xiang Wan felt that Liu Chun's words sounded wrong, and she tried to probe further.

"Ah, not very close, but not too far away either," Liu Chun said ambiguously.

Xiang Wan didn't press further. She felt that her premonition was right.

She squeezed the bag in her hand and slowed down her pace.

"What's wrong? Can't you walk anymore?" Seeing her walking slowly and lagging, Liu Chun showed concern and asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little tired because I haven't walked for such a long time," Xiang Wan explained.

Liu Chun nodded understandingly. She thought that city girls were all like this, unable to endure much hardship, unlike those who worked tirelessly day in and day out.

"Hurry up, or we won't reach home before it gets dark!" Liu Chun shouted, urging Xiang Wan to walk faster.

Seeing that she couldn't stall for time, she was so anxious that she didn't know what to do.

In the remote wilderness, where could she seek help? It would feel like her calls to the heavens and the earth were unanswered!

"Sister, if you're in a hurry, you can ask your husband to put my luggage down ahead. You can go back first, and I've arranged for someone to meet me here." Xiang Wan tried to appear calm and composed.

"Someone to meet you? Why didn't you mention it before? Where are they meeting you?" Liu Chun exclaimed, sounding skeptical of Xiang Wan.

"We had arranged it beforehand, but he might be running late. Since you said Huo Xiao's house is along the same path, I thought I'd walk with you for a bit and meet that person together." Xiang Wan explained.

"Well, then let's walk together. Come on!" Liu Chun exchanged a glance with Chen Zhuang, who was walking ahead and reached out to pull Xiang Wan along.

Xiang Wan dodged her grasp and took a step back. Ignoring the luggage still in Chen Zhuang's hands, she sprinted back.

"Why are you running away? Your luggage is still here!" Liu Chun shouted anxiously, trying to call her back.

Chen Zhuang dropped the luggage on the ground and chased after her.

Xiang Wan didn't pay attention to them; she only knew she had to run. She sensed someone was chasing her from behind and grew even more frightened, which spurred her to accelerate.

The more she ran the more she deviated. She had wanted to run towards the main road, but her sense of direction was poor, causing her to veer further off.

Chen Zhuang watched as she ran into the forest. He didn't dare to follow her further and stopped at the edge of the forest, panting heavily.

"She runs so damn fast! Stupid b*tch!" Chen Zhuang leaned against a tree, catching his breath.

Liu Chun followed behind with the luggage. "What happened? You didn't catch her? Why are you so useless? You can't even catch up to a woman!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Why don't you say your arms aren't long enough to grab that damn b*tch? And now you're blaming me?" Chen Zhuang retorted irritably.

"Well, I got tricked by her words. Who would've known that cunning b*tch was lying to me?!" Liu Chun defended herself.

"Never mind, so be it. At least the luggage is still here, so we shouldn't be at a loss." Chen Zhuang stood up, rubbing his hands together, and eagerly inspected Xiang Wan's luggage.

"Yeah, that b*tch has money. I've never seen the stuff she had on her before. What a shame she managed to escape. Otherwise, we could've taken some things off her," Liu Chun lamented with frustration. She wished all that money belonged to her.

Chen Zhuang rummaged through the suitcase, examining the clothes and jewelry inside.

"This b*tch cares too much about her appearance. Except for some valuable jewelry, there's nothing else in her luggage?"

"Most likely, it's all on her. I remember she had a bag that could fit quite a bit," Liu Chun recalled Xiang Wan's attire.

"What a waste. Letting that b*tch escape. She seems quite smart. But once she's deep in this forest, there won't be any trace of her left. We might as well benefit from this by taking her things," Chen Zhuang regretfully remarked.

Liu Chun nodded in agreement, casting a fearful glance toward the dense forest.