Fang Yuan instinctively reached toward his waist.
That chopping knife, polished bright from use, had always rested by his feet. While listening to the story just now, he had even kept his foot on the edge of its sheath, which had made him feel more secure.
But this time, his fingertips first touched dry straw. When he reached farther down, the place where the chopping knife should have lain was empty.
He did not even feel the cold touch of its handle.
"Where's the chopping knife?"
Fang Yuan's heart lurched. His voice tightened as he was about to lower his head to look, but his elbow brushed against the people beside him.
It was Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout. Just moments ago, the two had been leaning against his arm, and Little Bean Sprout had even secretly tugged at his sleeve while listening to the story.
But now... he reached out and touched the back of Liu Wanwan's hand. It was as cold as ice.
She did not clasp his hand back as she usually did. Even her fingertips did not move.
A chill crawled over Fang Yuan's scalp. He suddenly looked up and met Liu Wanwan's and Little Bean Sprout's eyes.
Both of them had their eyes open, staring straight at him.
"Wanwan? Little Bean Sprout?" Fang Yuan's voice trembled as he was about to reach out and shake them.
Then a voice suddenly exploded beside his ear, as though it were speaking right against it.
"Hehehe—found you, Fang Yuan!"
Hearing the voice coming from Liu Wanwan's and Little Bean Sprout's mouths, Fang Yuan felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss.
Sweat instantly soaked through his lining clothes. He wanted to shout, but something seemed to clog his throat. He wanted to stand, but his