The group pressed on through the dense forest, the tension in the air thickening with every step. The landscape had become harsher, the trees gnarled and twisted as though shaped by the dark energy that lurked in the depths of this land. A fog clung to the ground, making every step uncertain.
Lusi's thoughts were in turmoil, torn between the lingering effects of her kiss with Wang Jie and the looming threat that awaited them. Her emotions, which she had always kept under lock and key, now felt dangerously close to spilling over. The vulnerability she had shown him—and the tenderness he had shown her in return—left her feeling exposed.
Wang Jie, ever aware of Lusi's inner conflict, remained silent but stayed close. He could sense her struggle and knew that pushing her would only drive her further away. Still, the connection between them, fragile though it was, had deepened. He could feel it. And he didn't want to let it slip away.
The group moved cautiously, their senses heightened by the palpable danger around them. As they reached a rocky ravine, the ground suddenly gave way beneath Lusi's feet. She barely had time to react before the earth crumbled, and she plunged into the darkness below.
"Lusi!" Wang Jie shouted, lunging forward to catch her, but it was too late. She disappeared into the abyss, her scream echoing through the chasm.
Without hesitation, Wang Jie jumped after her, his heart pounding in his chest. The wind rushed past him as he descended, the sharp rocks tearing at his clothes. He could barely make out Lusi's form as she tumbled through the darkness, but his focus was on reaching her before it was too late.
The fall seemed endless, but finally, Wang Jie managed to grab hold of a ledge, his arm wrapping around Lusi's waist just as she reached out to brace herself. Together, they slammed into the side of the ravine, the impact knocking the wind out of them both.
For a moment, everything was silent. Lusi coughed, trying to catch her breath, her body pressed against Wang Jie's. The heat of his body was a sharp contrast to the cold, damp air around them. She looked up at him, their faces inches apart, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to fade away.
"You're reckless," she gasped, her voice weak but laced with a mix of frustration and gratitude.
He smirked, tightening his grip to ensure she was secure. "You're the one who fell first."
She rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. There, dangling on the edge of a ravine, suspended between life and death, the weight of their unspoken feelings hung heavier than ever.
The ledge beneath them was narrow, barely wide enough to hold them both, and the ravine walls were steep. Climbing out would be a difficult task, but not impossible. Wang Jie's grip on her waist tightened as he assessed the situation. They couldn't stay there long.
"We need to move," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the situation. "Hold on to me."
Lusi nodded, pushing her emotions aside for the moment. She wrapped her arms around his neck, trusting him completely. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but in that moment, she had no choice. Wang Jie began the arduous climb, his muscles straining as he pulled them both upwards, inch by inch.
The climb was treacherous, with loose rocks and slippery surfaces threatening to send them plummeting back into the abyss. But Wang Jie's determination never wavered. He kept his eyes focused on the goal, and with each pull, they drew closer to safety.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached solid ground. Wang Jie hauled them both over the edge and collapsed onto his back, breathing heavily. Lusi lay beside him, staring up at the dark sky, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to regain her composure.
After a few moments of silence, Lusi spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
Wang Jie turned his head to look at her, his gaze softening. "You don't need to thank me."
She looked away, biting her lip as a thousand thoughts swirled in her mind. Their lives had always been filled with danger, but this... this felt different. There was a vulnerability between them now that couldn't be ignored, and Lusi wasn't sure how to handle it.
Wang Jie reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. "We're in this together, Lusi. You don't have to face it alone."
For the first time, she didn't pull away. Instead, she let his touch linger, the warmth of his hand grounding her in a way she hadn't expected. There was still so much left unsaid between them, but for now, that was enough.