The jungle was pitch-dark, making it impossible to see the path or even the stones underfoot. Yet, with Arthur guiding her, Tang Mi didn’t find it too difficult. He held her with one arm, using the other to skillfully slice through branches and tall grass with his knife, moving with a trained rhythm, clearly experienced in navigating tough terrain.

In the darkness, as Arthur supported her, his body heat radiated through his solid frame, steady and reassuring. The horror and bloodshed from hours ago felt like a distant memory. Now, it was just the quiet forest and his strong presence by her side, bringing a profound sense of peace. “Trust me,” he had said, and though she had doubted before, she now found no reason to question a man who risked his life to save her.

She began to believe he would lead her out of the jungle, away from the shadow looming over them.

The sun finally rose, warmth and light returning to the forest. Morning breezes stirred the sparkling stream, and animals filled the air with lively calls, celebrating another day under the sun.

A few white-nosed, long-tailed monkeys peeked through the leaves, eyeing the unfamiliar “intruders” by the stream. Seeing that they were only resting under the trees with no sign of aggression, the monkeys, reassured, resumed their search for food.

Arthur sat by the stream, carefully dabbing Tang Mi’s forehead wound with a wet cloth, then chewing up herbs with healing properties to apply to the bruise. “Does it hurt?” he asked gently, watching her expression.

“Ah, a little… but it’s fine,” Tang Mi replied, squinting slightly, her nose wrinkling. She looked as innocent as a kitten.

“Don’t worry, it’s a small cut, so it won’t leave a scar. But even if it did, it wouldn’t matter. Even if you were scarred, I’d marry you anyway.” Arthur, seeing her so unguarded and soft, couldn’t help but smile.

The tone was teasing, but his gaze was sincere.

“No need for that. Cosmetic surgery is very advanced these days; a small scar like this is nothing,” Tang Mi shrugged casually, oblivious to the warmth and sincerity in his gaze as her eyes remained half-closed.

“Don’t you think marrying me would be nice?” Arthur tied the cloth around her forehead, speaking in a lighthearted tone as if joking, but his eyes were intense, almost as if they could look through her, reaching down to her very soul.

“I don’t know. But if you’re going to marry me, you’ll have to marry Richie first,” Tang Mi replied naturally, remembering the conversation she’d had with Richie on the plane. She suddenly realized she hadn’t seen him for over a month. What was he up to?

Probably lying on some beach, tangled up with a blonde beauty.

“Why would I have to marry that man?” Arthur frowned.

“Because I promised him that if I ever got married, my husband would have to marry him too. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about being unemployed,” Tang Mi laughed, eyes closed, picturing Richie’s carefree smile—what others might see as flippant, she found endearing and refreshingly honest.

“He’s in love with you?” Arthur’s voice deepened, his brow slowly arching.

“Mhm!” The response came out almost instinctively, so quickly that even she was surprised.

“And do you love him?” Arthur’s jaw tightened unconsciously. Despite the intense sunlight, there was a chilling sharpness in his eyes that made the very air feel colder.

“Yes.” Tang Mi suddenly felt something was off. She was telling the truth and had nothing to hide, yet it wasn’t a well-thought-out answer. It was as if her tongue had gained a mind of its own, no longer under her brain’s control.

“Are you two lovers?” Arthur pressed her.

“No, we’re family—oh, for heaven’s sake, stop asking!” Tang Mi quickly opened her eyes and shouted at Arthur. She couldn’t control her tongue, so she could only hope he’d stop questioning her.

Seeing her flustered state, Arthur did indeed stop talking, though he stared at her face thoughtfully.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, he gave a knowing, mischievous smile. His bright green eyes glinted in the sunlight like a magical mirror, seeming to reveal her innermost secrets with no chance of escape. She felt her heart skip in alarm.

“Do you love me?” Arthur smiled, tossing out the question lightly.

“Yes,” Tang Mi nearly bit her own tongue. That wasn’t what she meant to say, but somehow a voice answered for her, beyond her control, leaving her staring blankly.

“Shit! The truth serum’s effect still hasn’t worn off?!” she cursed fiercely.

“I should thank that truth serum. If not for it, I’d never have heard this truth from your heart,” Arthur laughed, his radiant smile one she had never seen before—bright and captivating, like the crystal-clear lake atop Mount Kilimanjaro, making one want to dive in and flow along with it, though she felt a strong urge to punch him right now.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re despicable?” Seeing the satisfied, mischievous look on his face, Tang Mi didn’t hesitate to throw a punch.

“Haha, my dear, I’ll take that as the highest compliment in the world,” Arthur said, catching her wrist easily and pulling her close as she stumbled into his arms.

“I love you. Stop running away from me, please?” Arthur cupped her smooth cheek, pressing his forehead gently against hers.

Tang Mi lifted her lashes to see his eyes, mere centimeters away, looking at her with sincere, passionate warmth, a feeling so intense it seeped into her gaze and engulfed her.

For the first time, she felt no desire to resist. Instead, she allowed herself to slowly sink, surrounded by that warmth.

His lips lowered to hers, brushing softly at first, then pressing with gentle intensity, nibbling slightly. The seductive, masculine scent took her breath away as his searing tongue began to coax her teeth apart, bit by bit.

She slightly parted her lips, wrapping her arms around his neck, letting herself melt into him as they entwined, igniting dazzling sparks in her heart that spread heat throughout her body, drawing her deeper into a dizzying whirlpool.

The sun had climbed nearly to its peak. A few young monkeys, perched in the treetops waiting for their leader to return, grew too hungry to wait. They tore off a clump of leaves, chewed on them briefly before spitting them out, made funny faces at the two people below, and then disappeared into the dense foliage.

Two days later, in the jungle along the Z-country border…

Tang Mi woke to the crisp chirping of birds. Above her, a wooden fan spun slowly, stirring the white canopy like a sail catching the wind. Morning light streamed through the wooden window, casting a gentle, tranquil glow over the dark brown cross on the wall. She pulled back the thin blanket, sat up, and, noticing the unfamiliar surroundings, realized she was in Father Rebman’s home.

To escape capture, she and Arthur had journeyed through the jungle for a day and a night, finally reaching the edge of the forest late last night at a small church, which doubled as a temporary International Red Cross outpost. Father Rebman, who ran the outpost, had kindly taken them in.

After freshening up, Tang Mi dressed in a loose men’s T-shirt and shorts. Her original outfit, expensive but fragile, had been torn to shreds by the jungle. Since there were no women at the church, Father Rebman had lent her some casual clothes from his younger days. Although the clothes were loose and faded from many washings, Tang Mi found them comfortable. She had never been particular about clothing; as long as it was clean, comfortable, and allowed freedom of movement, she was satisfied.

As a photographer, she believed that what was in her mind was far more important than her appearance.

She tied her hair up, rolled up the sleeves and pant legs, and stepped outside.

The weather was sunny, with a few delicate, shifting clouds drifting across the bluish-purple sky, casting flowing shadows on the pale green mountains in the distance. Large lilies bloomed across the grass, their heavy petals releasing a spicy and full fragrance. By the stream, under a sausage tree, Arthur was teaching a group of young boys how to fish.

“When fishing in a stream, it’s best to use a long rod. This way, you can stay further from the bank and keep the fish from spotting you. They’re very clever, just like hares on the plains. Here, give it a try!” Arthur handed the fishing rod to the youngest child, then bent down, guiding the boy’s hands as they pulled the rod sharply. A lively fish leaped out of the water, tugging against the silver line.

The children burst into excited cheers, jumping around Arthur with laughter. They looked at him with admiration and awe, as if he were a hero who could save the world, even though he’d only caught a single fish.

Arthur laughed and picked up one of the kids, placing him on his shoulder, the sunlight outlining his handsome features.

“The weather is just too hot,” Tang Mi murmured, turning away to explain her flushed face, though her heart kept fluttering, recalling his handsome and pure smile.

It was the first time she had seen him laugh so openly, and it was also the first time she felt a thrill like a girl experiencing her first crush, something she couldn’t suppress.