It all happened so fast that Li Xiaoyue did not even see his movements clearly.
"Ah! They..." Li Xiaoyue stared at the two men lying motionless on the floor, her face deathly pale as she clutched Chen Lin's arm.
"Don't worry." Chen Lin turned and gently patted the back of her hand, his voice warm and steady. "They're fine. They've only passed out."
Seeing how shaken Li Xiaoyue still was, he reached out and gently stroked her head.
"Xiaoyue, don't be afraid."
"With me here, there won't be any trouble."
With that, he took her hand and walked out of that hellish prison without looking back, disappearing into the deep darkness of the night.
The cool night breeze swept away the blood and filth of that house, but it could not dispel the trembling in Li Xiaoyue's heart.
Chen Lin led her along the village path as she stumbled forward, her mind still utterly blank.
Behind her, the house that had imprisoned her for ten years of her youth crouched like a silent monster beneath the moonlight. Yet for the first time, she felt that monster was so far away.
Chen Lin's broad, warm hand felt like a safe harbor, steadily lending her strength and reassurance until her wildly pounding heart gradually calmed.
Back at the deserted Farmhouse Courtyard, Chen Lin guided her onto the sofa in the upstairs living room.
"Sit here for a moment. I'll get you a few things."
He went into his room and soon returned with a glass of warm water and a first-aid kit.
"Have some water. It'll help calm your nerves."
He held the glass out to Li Xiaoyue.
Li Xiaoyue took it mechanically. The warmth of the glass seeped through her fingertips, bringing a little warmth to her chilled body. She had