Atkin

Chapter 533 Full of Gratitude

Her teeth chattered slightly, and she huddled together, moving step by step towards a sunny place.

After standing still, she slowly turned sideways and stiffly let her long hair loose, allowing the warm sunlight to gently dry the ends of her hair.

The warm temperature gradually soothed her numb nerves, but when her eyes met the hand extended on the bridge, her mood, which had just relaxed a little, instantly tensed up again.

She stared at the hand with eyes wide open, not daring to breathe. At this moment, the hand moved slightly as if in the breeze.

Liu Miao's heart instantly rose to her throat, her heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and it felt like a war drum was beating rapidly in her chest.

Her breathing became rapid and heavy, her eyes locked on the hand, and after hesitating for a long time, she finally mustered up all her courage, put her hands to her mouth, and shouted at the bridge at the top of her lungs: "Hey, is there anyone on the bridge?"

Her voice continued to echo in the silent valley, and every echo carried her nervousness and anticipation.

After shouting, she nervously clenched the corner of her clothes, staring at the hand without blinking, expecting even the slightest response.

"Is there anyone there?" Liu Miao's voice was trembling, echoing continuously in the silent valley, and the tail end was torn into pieces by the mountain wind.

Her stomach also made a "gurgling" sound at the right time, as if it was eagerly urging to find food.

At this moment, she had just been rescued from Xulongtan. Her throat, which had been soaked in water, was dry and astringent, and every syllable she uttered was accompanied by a slight pain.

"I, I'm very hungry now. Is there any house nearby? Did you save me?" She asked questions one after another, her tone full of anxiety and helplessness. She stared at the Qiuyun Bridge without blinking, her ears pricked up straight, not missing any slightest sound, and fully expected a response from the bridge.

Ling Ye turned over on the bridge, his movements were lazy but somewhat tired. He tapped his head lightly with his fingers, as if to dispel something, and then lay down, one hand casually resting on the edge of the bridge, looking down at Liu Miao under the bridge.

The wind in the valley was whistling, making his clothes flutter, covering up the growling sound of hunger coming from his stomach.

"There is only one house nearby that just burned down." Ling Ye's voice was low and hoarse, echoing in the valley, with a bit of loneliness and helplessness.

Liu Miao's expression darkened, and her heart, shrouded in hunger and confusion, sank even more. She nodded gently, her hair swaying with her movements, a few wet strands sticking to her cheeks.

After a pause, she mustered up the courage to ask again, "Have you eaten?"

Ling Ye shook his head slightly, his hair on his forehead was messed up by the wind, revealing his deep eyes, which were somewhat inquiring: "I am hungry, but I don't know what to eat, girl, you can decide for yourself."

After saying this, his eyes fell on Liu Miao, as if he was waiting for her response, or as if he was considering this woman who had just been rescued from the bottom of the pool.

Liu Miao dusted himself off, turned around and looked at the familiar forest, and said to Ling Ye, "Wait for me for a moment."

After saying that, she walked briskly along the stone path beside the stream, her steps confident and sure, as if every corner of this forest was engraved in her heart.

After a while, Liu Miao came to a hidden valley.

The vegetation here is lush and various wild vegetables grow wildly.

Crystal dewdrops are hanging on the tender green leaves, which are emerald green; round tomatoes are dotted among them like rubies; slender eggplants are glossy; and the cucumbers with flowers and thorns on top are mouth-watering at first sight.

In a corner, a few okra and fennel emit a unique aroma. Liu Miao was happily picking food when she suddenly found a package next to the wild vegetables.

She opened it out of curiosity and found a full set of cooking utensils inside, including pots, pans, and even equipment for making fire.

"Who prepared this? It seems like a gift specially prepared for me." Liu Miao murmured to himself, his eyes full of surprise.

Liu Miao quickly lit a fire and smoke rose up.

Soon, delicious dishes filled the makeshift stone table.

She returned to Qiuyun Bridge with the steaming hot meal, but found that the bridge was empty and Ling Ye was nowhere to be seen.

Liu Miao felt a little disappointed and turned around to fill his stomach first.

But when she returned to the place where she had just cooked, she saw Ling Ye sitting there eating heartily. Seeing her come back, Ling Ye stopped what he was doing, pointed to the food beside him, and said, "I left half for you."

Liu Miao looked at the scene in front of him, her heart filled with surprise. She didn't expect that this seemingly indifferent person could have such a thoughtful side.

Liu Miao looked around, her eyes fell on the wooden house which seemed shabby but had a unique charm. She asked, "Is this your house?" Her eyes were full of curiosity and exploration. She tilted her head, waiting for Ling Ye's answer.

Ling Ye nodded slightly, his movements were simple and neat, and his hair swayed gently as he nodded.

Liu Miao then pointed to the neatly arranged cooking utensils and the thriving vegetable patch not far away, with a puzzled glint in her eyes, "Are these also your things, your cooking utensils, and the vegetables you grow?"

There was a hint of disbelief in her tone. After all, everything in front of her seemed somewhat incompatible with Lingye's cold and unruly image.

Ling Ye looked at the vegetable field, a hint of complex emotions flashed in his eyes, and he said in a low voice: "It was planted by the people who lived here before."

His gaze seemed to penetrate time and space, recalling the past.

"Oh? Huh? Didn't you say this was your house?" Liu Miao frowned slightly, her face full of confusion. Her eyes were fixed on Ling Ye, trying to find the answer from his expression.

Ling Ye paused, remained silent for a moment, and slowly uttered two words: "It all counts." His voice was low and hoarse, as if it carried the vicissitudes of time.

Seeing that he seemed unwilling to talk more, Liu Miao tactfully did not ask any further questions.

Recalling the experience of being rescued, she said with gratitude: "Thank you, it was you who saved me?" Her eyes were full of gratitude, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly, revealing a sincere smile.

Ling Ye nodded again, his movements still simple, but this time, his gaze stayed on Liu Miao's face for a moment. At that moment, there seemed to be a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

"Is this cloak yours, too?" Liu Miao gently tugged at the cloak on her body. It felt soft and warm, with a faint scent of Ling Ye.

Lingye nodded in response without saying another word.

"Thank you so much." Liu Miao's voice was soft and warm, full of gratitude, echoing in this quiet valley.