Meng Youyou’s expression instantly turned serious.

She gently placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder to comfort him and asked softly,
“What happened to your grandma? Don’t worry—tell me slowly.”

The boy’s eyes reddened, his voice trembling with tears.
“It’s just me and Grandma at home… Every morning, she goes up the mountain to pick mushrooms—matsutake, termite mushrooms… Then she sells them in town in the afternoon while they’re still fresh.”

“She always comes back before lunch. Even at the latest, before two in the afternoon… but today… she still hasn’t come back…”

Halfway through, perhaps frightened by his own thoughts, the tears he had been holding back finally spilled over.

Meng Youyou felt a pang in her heart but steadied herself and continued gently,
“How has your grandma’s health been? Has anything unusual happened recently?”

The boy bit his lip.
“Grandma’s legs have never been very good… but she still goes up the mountain every day to earn money for my schooling.”

“Since last year, if she walks too long, her legs start to hurt… The mountain paths are hard to walk. Before, she could manage by resting along the way.”

“But recently… she said more and more people are selling wild mushrooms at the market. If she goes late, she won’t be able to sell them… so she forces herself to move faster.”

The boy stepped forward, clutching the corner of Meng Youyou’s clothes tightly, as if grabbing onto a lifeline.

“Pretty sister… please help me… help me find my grandma, okay? Xiaofeng… only has Grandma…”

Meng Youyou reached out and held his small hand.

Even in the autumn air, his palm was icy cold.

She looked at Huo Qingshan.

Their eyes met—and both saw the same concern.

Meng Youyou stood up.

“Huo Qingshan, what’s the plan?”

In her urgency, she even forgot to call him “Battalion Commander.”

Huo Qingshan lowered his gaze slightly.
“It’s getting dark. We need flashlights and torches. I’ll have Zhong Heng gather the soldiers.”

“We’re not familiar with the mountain paths here, so we’ll need local villagers to guide us. Then we’ll split into teams and search.”

Meng Youyou looked down at the boy, who was crying uncontrollably.

Her chest tightened.

“We should go first. What if his grandma is injured or in danger? Time matters—the sooner we find her, the lower the risk.”

Huo Qingshan rejected it firmly.
“It’s not safe to take a child up the mountain this late. And you—are you sure you want to go?”

Meng Youyou’s gaze was steady.
“I promised Xiaofeng I’d help him find his grandma. Of course I’m going.”

At that moment, Chu Yao walked over.

“I grew up near the mountains. I’m somewhat familiar with the terrain. How about Battalion Commander Huo and I go first, and Translator Meng stays here until Zhong Heng organizes the team?”

Meng Youyou turned to Huo Qingshan, waiting for his decision.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke:

“Chu Yao, you stay here with Xiaofeng and wait for the others. Right now, only you and I have medical knowledge, so we need to split up.”

“That way, if we find her, we can provide immediate treatment.”

He paused.

“Meng Youyou, you come with me first.”

“I have a radio. Zhong Heng and the others do too. We’ll stay in contact.”

…

Up in the mountains—

Huo Qingshan moved swiftly, holding a flashlight, his posture steady and agile.

The beam cut through the darkness as his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.

The terrain was rough.

Meng Youyou struggled to keep up behind him, her forehead covered in sweat, too focused to even wipe it away.

Night deepened.

Time slipped by in tense silence.

In the vast forest, only their footsteps and labored breathing could be heard.

Occasionally, the cry of night birds echoed, making the atmosphere even heavier.

Suddenly—

The radio at Huo Qingshan’s waist crackled.

Zhong Heng’s voice came through:

“Commander, we found Xiaofeng’s grandma. She fell and broke her leg, with some external injuries. We’ve done basic treatment and are preparing to move her down the mountain.”

Huo Qingshan picked up the radio.
“Received. Notify all teams to withdraw immediately. Make sure no one is left behind. Count heads at the base. Report any issues immediately. We’re heading down as well.”

The mountain was pitch black.

The wind howled, cold and sharp, rustling the trees.

Occasionally, distant animal growls and strange cries echoed through the night.

All the sounds tangled together, tightening Meng Youyou’s nerves.

Suddenly—

“AH!”

She screamed.

Huo Qingshan turned instantly, shining the flashlight toward her.

A mountain rat darted away.

Meng Youyou’s face turned pale as paper.

Without thinking, she jumped onto him, arms clamping around his neck like a vice.

“There’s a rat!”

Huo Qingshan frowned.
“Stop messing around. Get down. It’s just a rat.”

But she trembled violently, pressing closer, shaking her head, unable to let go.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

“I’m scared…”

His body stiffened.

His breathing slowed.

Every muscle tensed, as if he didn’t dare move.

His voice grew colder.

“Get down.”

Meng Youyou struggled internally, but under his increasingly stern gaze, she finally slid down reluctantly.

Huo Qingshan glanced at her.

“Stay close.”

“…Okay.”

She answered—but didn’t move.

Huo Qingshan walked a few steps before realizing she hadn’t followed.

He turned back.

She stood frozen, arms wrapped around herself, legs trembling, eyes watery—on the verge of tears.

After a few seconds of silence—

He exhaled deeply.

Then walked back to her and extended his arm.

“Hold my sleeve. Follow behind me. Step where I step—you’ll be fine.”

She reached out—

But instead of his sleeve, she grabbed his wrist.

Strong. Solid. Warm.

His pulse beat steadily against her palm.

One beat. Two. Three.

The rhythm traveled through her skin.

And suddenly—

She was reminded of when she first learned to ride a bicycle as a child.

Every time she was about to fall—

A hand would appear, steadying the handlebars, guiding her forward.

Reliable.

Reassuring.

Her racing heart slowly calmed.

Step by step—

The darkness didn’t feel as overwhelming anymore.

Even the eerie cries in the forest seemed quieter.

But—

Not long after—

“AH!!!”

Another scream.

A gray snake coiled in the grass near her feet, flicking its tongue, its triangular head swaying slightly.

Too close.

As if it might strike at any moment.

Without hesitation—

She jumped onto him again.

Arms around his neck.

Legs wrapping around his waist.

Holding on with all her strength.

“Snake! There’s a snake!”

Huo Qingshan’s eyes sharpened.

In one swift motion, he drew his military knife—

A flash of cold steel—

The snake went still.

He felt the trembling in her body.

Gently, he patted her back.

“It’s fine now. You can come down.”

But she buried her face into his neck, her voice hoarse with tears:

“I’m not getting down. Even if I die, I won’t get down!”

“Huo Qingshan—carry me down!”

She clung to him tightly.

“Don’t put me down…”

Her voice broke.

Her tears soaked into his clothes.

He looked down at her—

At the way she clutched him, terrified he might leave her.

After a long hesitation—

He sighed.

And finally—

He gave in.

Adjusting his posture, he lifted her onto his back—

And began walking down the mountain.

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