Emotions surged like tumultuous waves, bursting forth from the depths of her body. To hide her trembling hands from Luo Qianqiu, she discreetly tucked them beneath her. Yet, she couldn't conceal the tears that welled up and spilled over. She quickly turned away, her profile hidden from Luo Qianqiu, pretending to watch Blake grazing in the distance.
Unable to contain the overwhelming emotions, Yang Ruoning hastily stood up. "It's so hot, isn't it? It's too hot. I'm going to wash my face in the lake over there." As she spoke, she walked towards the lake. She moved with great speed, practically sprinting. Reaching the water's edge, she cupped large handfuls of lake water to splash onto her face, unconcerned about soaking her clothes.
That child, was it really Luo Yuan? But why had the monks at the temple told her he was dead? Why hadn't Luo Yuan told her he was that child? She had disappointed him time and again, hurt him over and over. He should have told her!
But even if he had told her, what could she have done? She would still have chosen Qingye, chosen... no, she would have chosen not to start that relationship in the first place!
She sat by the lake, regaining her composure for a while until she felt her emotions had calmed significantly. Only then did she sit back down.
The moment she sat, she heard Luo Qianqiu's laughter again, a chilling sound. "Did I tell you earlier why this place is haunted?"
Yang Ruoning stared at her with a blank expression, offering no reply, waiting for Luo Qianqiu to continue.
Luo Qianqiu said, "They've been here all these years." Luo Qianqiu gazed at the lake's surface, as if admiring a masterpiece. A hint of pride laced her tone. "Those flies that can't be shooed away, those women thought that just getting a smile, a glance, a night of tenderness from Brother Yuan would be enough to live without regrets. Hmph, what do they think they are? Brother Yuan is not someone those vulgar women can have! Is just one night like that enough to live without regrets? Very well, then I will fulfill their wishes."
"WTF, what are you talking about??" Hearing this, Yang Ruoning's blood seemed to freeze, and a chill ran down her spine.
"I presume this necklace is yours? Yang Ruoning," Luo Qianqiu smiled radiantly and charmingly, but to Yang Ruoning, that smile was colder than the lake water in midwinter. She froze in place.
Luo Qianqiu seemed immensely pleased with her stunned reaction. She leaned closer and fastened the necklace around Yang Ruoning's neck.
After a long pause, Yang Ruoning finally asked, "How... how did you know... my name."
"How could I not know? Everyone in the capital knows about you and Brother Yuan. And you, you are the most troublesome one. It took me so much effort to find an opportunity to sell you to the frontiers. Who would have thought you'd be like a fly, impossible to kill?"
"What?" Yang Ruoning couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Well, it doesn't make much difference to me. One more or one less, you're just another one of those vulgar women at the bottom of the lake." Luo Qianqiu leaned close to her ear. "Luo Yuan is mine. No one will ever take him from me."
"You f**king b**ch!" Yang Ruoning finally exploded. In a fit of rage, she lunged at Luo Qianqiu, wanting to tear apart that grinning, hideous face.
But before she could get close, Yang Ruoning was grabbed tightly from behind. The person behind her seized her hair and dragged her forcefully into the lake.
Yang Ruoning felt as if her scalp was being torn off. Her hands flailed in the air, desperately trying to break free from the iron-like grip of the hands holding her. But even with all her strength, it was in vain. The disparity in physique and strength between her and the burly man was too great.
He dragged her into the water until it reached her waist. Yang Ruoning had already choked on several mouthfuls of water in her frantic struggle. She was terrified, desperately trying to prop herself up, resisting the force holding her down. The man struggled for a while, cursed, and then released her hair. But before Yang Ruoning could even stand up, he clamped his hand firmly around the back of her neck and forcefully pushed her head underwater.
Lake water flooded into her ears and nose. Yang Ruoning instantly felt as if her head would explode. Her lungs felt like they were filled with molten lava, burning painfully. She coughed involuntarily, but this only caused more water to enter her stomach, which began to cramp. Even underwater, her eyes were wide with terror, yet she saw nothing. Her struggling legs and arms gradually stiffened. In just a few seconds, she lost consciousness.
In the darkness, a beam of white light suddenly broke through, and the agony in her body miraculously vanished. In the white light, a blurred figure slowly approached her from afar. As the figure drew closer, her heart pounded with excitement, and tears streamed down her face, for the figure was so familiar.
"Mom," Yang Ruoning cried out.
"Ivy," her mother smiled and gave Yang Ruoning a big hug.
Yang Ruoning reached out and tightly embraced her mother. Her mother still carried that familiar lavender scent. She inhaled deeply, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace and tranquility.
"I've missed you so, so much, Mom," Yang Ruoning said.
"I know, we've missed you too."
"Where's Jason? Have you seen Jason?"
"He's with us."
"He... he must resent me, right?"
"Of course not. He asked me to tell you that he's grateful to you and misses you very much."
"I want to be with you."
"Darling, you can't stay here. Your time is not yet up."
"No, I don't want to go back."
"Ivy, in that world, there is someone who loves you as much as I do. He is waiting for you," her mother gently stroked Yang Ruoning's hair. "Go back. It will be painful, but promise me you will be brave. Listen, he is calling you."
"Ning, Yang Ruoning!" It was Luo Yuan's anxious, almost desperate call.
"Ivy, go back." The white light suddenly disappeared, and so did her mother.
"No, Mom, where are you? Mom!!!!!" In the darkness, she shouted anxiously, "Come back, don't leave me alone! I'm so scared!"
But before she could even cry out, the water once again surged and filled her world, and the pain instantly swept over her.
At the bottom of the lake, Yang Ruoning's eyes snapped open. She drew out a small knife, cut the rope tied to her ankle, and then looked up at the light above, swimming towards it with all her might.