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Ling Wei abruptly found herself transported into the heart of a dense forest, where ancient trees, their trunks wide and gnarled with age, soared towards the sky. The thick canopy formed by their intertwined branches allowed only dappled sunlight to reach the forest floor, creating a serene mosaic of light and shadow.
The air was saturated with the rich, earthy scent of rain, fresh and invigorating, as if the forest had just been washed clean by a recent downpour. A cool, gentle breeze whispered through the high leaves, causing them to rustle softly and adding a melodic undertone to the tranquil environment.
Ferns and underbrush flourished in the filtered light, and the distant calls of unseen birds echoed through the trees, contributing to the sense of being enveloped in a timeless, magical world.
Ling Wei stood bewildered in the middle of the day. The exquisite wooden box she had been holding moments ago had inexplicably vanished, leaving her hands empty.
Dazed for several minutes, Ling Wei's mind raced as she tried to make sense of her current situation.
'Where am I?'
'Wasn't it night just a moment ago?'
'Where had the construction site gone?'
'And what happened to those mysterious old blueprints?'
In spite of that, Ling Wei's safety construction gear was still firmly in place, a comforting reminder of her previous reality. She wore a sturdy safety helmet fitted with a headlight. Her protective eyewear hung securely from her collar, and a high-visibility vest, vibrant and unmistakable, was draped over her long-sleeved shirt.
Despite the disorientation, she felt a small measure of relief knowing her cellphone and notebook were still with her, safely stowed in their usual places. However, her combat boots were now caked with muddy soil, evidence of the unfamiliar terrain she had been thrust into.
As the initial shock of her sudden transmigration began to give way to a creeping fatigue.
Ling Wei became acutely aware of the weight of her construction belt around her waist, surrounded by towering trees and the thick, humid air of the rainforest; its familiar heaviness provided a bit of solace.
Ling Wei checked her belt methodically, relieved to find that all her personal tools were still securely in place. Her measuring tape, essential in her line of work, was clipped firmly to her belt. The utility knife, which now seemed crucial for survival in this new environment, was within easy reach. She felt the reassuring bulk of her multi-tools, including pliers, screwdrivers, and a mini hammer, each one potentially invaluable in the challenges ahead.
The analog charger, an often-overlooked but vital piece of equipment, was also present. She carefully noted the presence of her laser distance measurer and leveler, tools that might seem out of place here but offered a comforting reminder of her professional skills and capabilities.
Each item in her belt was a link to her previous life and a potential asset in navigating this strange new world. Her tools were not just for construction—they were now her lifeline.
Her blueprint holder, a plastic tube that secured and protected the important blueprints she had been working on earlier, was strapped to her shoulder.
Without warning, Ling Wei felt a peculiar sensation surge through her body once more, overwhelming her senses. Before she could grasp what was happening, darkness enveloped her, and she lost consciousness again.
■□■□■□■
In another world, a pregnant young woman was silently crying in front of a television that was covering a dreadful incident. Her husband, seated beside her, held her in a somber embrace, his face etched with worry as he absorbed the grim details.
The news reporter was professionally detailing the story of a young architect found near a construction site, covered in blood. Initial reports suggested that the architect had jumped off the building in an attempt to end their life. Fortunately, the young architect was found immediately and rushed to the hospital, but their condition was severe. After hours of emergency surgery, the architect was now in a coma and being treated in the ICU.
♧♧♧♧♧
Ling Wei was unaware of the situation unfolding in her previous world.
She wondered if she had slept for an entire day and night, or perhaps just a few hours. Her phone, indicating a new date, was the only clue that it was the former.
Almost a day and night had passed since her initial fatigue had caused her to lose consciousness. Her body ached as if she had undergone vigorous exercise, and it was still daylight when she woke up a few hours earlier.
Now, Ling Wei was struggling to start a fire. The rain from the previous day or the day before had left everything damp and muddy. She struggled to find dry timber, leaves, and small branches.
After several hours of attempting to strike the steel of her utility knife against the hard rock as a flint, she managed to generate sparks, but they landed on the wet tinder to no avail. She gave up on having warmth for the night.
As the sun slowly set, darkness posed no challenge for Ling Wei. She could use the light from her headlight or the flashlight on her phone, but she would rather conserve the battery, since there was no signal, it's useless anyway. She also didn't want to attract unwanted attention from wild animals, so she refrained from leaving the headlight on all night.
She needed to find a safe place to sleep. Surveying the area, Ling Wei's gaze fell upon a massive old tree with thick branches reaching out like protective arms. After struggling for some time, she finally managed to climb to the lowest thick branch of the old tree, which was four meters high. It was sturdy and spacious enough for her to lie down without fear of falling. She just hoped no insects or anything that crawls, especially snakes, would disturb her sleep—she hated snakes the most.
Ling Wei unclasped her construction belt from around her waist and carefully placed it on the branch beside her, alongside her safety helmet. She laid down, all curled up, and pulled her high-visibility vest tighter around her body, trying to conserve as much warmth as possible.
In the grip of the bone-chilling cold, the thick branch of the old tree offered her a sense of refuge. Her headlight remained off to avoid attracting any unwanted attention, but she kept it within easy reach, just in case.
As Ling Wei settled onto the tree, her thoughts wandered back to her previous world.
She remembered the last moments before she found herself in this forest. The night had been dark, the air heavy with summer heat. She had been studying the blueprints, trying to decipher the secrets they held. And then, in an instant, she was here.
Ling Wei couldn't help but wonder about the connection between the blueprints and her current situation.
'Was there some hidden power in those ancient designs that had transported me to this place? Or was it all just a bizarre coincidence?'
Lost in these thoughts, Ling Wei finally managed to drift into an uneasy sleep.
When Ling Wei awoke, the first light of dawn was breaking through the canopy. The forest was still and quiet, the air crisp and cool. Ling Wei's first thought was the need to find food and water, and perhaps some clue as to why she had been brought here. She carefully climbed down from the tree, her muscles stiff from the cold and her mind still foggy from sleep.
She decided to explore her surroundings more thoroughly. The forest was dense and overgrown, but there were faint paths that seemed to lead deeper into the woods. Ling Wei chose a direction and began to walk, clad in her construction attire, almost as if heading to a day's work.
As she moved through the forest, she came across a small stream. The sight of fresh water brought a wave of relief. She knelt by the stream and drank deeply, the cold water refreshing her and washing away some of her fatigue.
Ling Wei continued to explore, her eyes scanning the forest floor, ensuring not stray far from the stream. She stumbled upon a small grove teeming with wild berries. Their vibrant colors stood out against the green foliage, a promising sight. She gently plucked a few, inspecting them closely to ensure they were safe to eat.
She also found a few edible plants and herbs she recognized. Satisfied with her findings, she collected as many as she could carry in a small makeshift bucket—her helmet. Her construction tools, though designed for a different purpose, proved to be useful in this new environment. She used her utility knife to cut through vines and her pliers to extract edible roots.
Hours passed as she made her way through the forest. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting dappled light on the forest ground.