Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Under cover of darkness, Ye Wan dragged Xie Linchuan along, hiding all the way, painstakingly bringing him back to an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the valley. The warehouse, dilapidated and covered in dust and weeds, became their temporary refuge. Ye Wan carefully placed Xie Linchuan in a corner, gently cleaning his wounds and rebandaging them. Xie Linchuan was semi-conscious from excessive blood loss, his face pale and sweat dripping from his forehead.

As she applied the medicine to him, Ye Wan felt a strange unease. She knew this clash of dark forces was no accident, and that she could be drawn into an unforeseen crisis. At this moment, she had neither a clear strategy nor a clear sense of security, relying only on instinct to protect the one she couldn't bear to leave behind.

As she packed up the medicine bag, Xie Linchuan finally awoke. He opened his eyes slightly and was about to stand, but the pain in his body made him frown. He then noticed Ye Wan beside him. A hint of indifference crossed his face, and a hint of hostility lingered in his eyes. He said in a stiff tone, "Ye Wan, I don't need your help. You shouldn't meddle in other people's business."

Ye Wan was stunned. She hadn't expected his first words to be one of blame, not gratitude. She suppressed her anger and replied coldly, "You were lying in a pool of blood, your life in danger. Should I have turned a blind eye? Xie Linchuan, is your life really that worthless?"

Xie Linchuan's eyes revealed a hint of impatience, and he frowned and said, "Ye Wan, you shouldn't interfere in this kind of thing. I have my own way of handling it. You are just a commoner and don't understand the dangers involved."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wan could no longer suppress her rage. She sneered and retorted, "Yes, I don't understand your dark world, but I know how to cherish life and take responsibility for myself! You knew the extent of your injuries, yet you still wanted to drag your broken body into danger? Is this what you call 'handling it'?"

Xie Linchuan's face darkened even further, and he pursed his lips, appearing stubborn and indifferent. His tone remained icy, as if he didn't want Ye Wan to see through his vulnerability. "I have my own affairs to attend to, and I don't need you to dictate my decisions. You helped me, and I thank you, but please leave. This is not your place to get involved."

"Thank you? With such an indifferent attitude?" Ye Wan's rage burned. She looked directly into Xie Linchuan's eyes and said without flinching, "If you really don't care about your life, then you can just walk out of here and face those enemies. But can you really survive? Do you know that you almost lost consciousness just now? Your irresponsible attitude disgusts me!"

Xie Linchuan was silent for a moment, a complex emotion crossing his face, but his pride and stoicism kept him from yielding. He said coldly, "I don't need your advice on how to handle my life. I won't change my decision because of an accident."

The tension between them grew stronger, and the air was filled with an oppressive silence. Ye Wan's chest heaved violently, and she felt an indescribable anger and disappointment. She knew that even in this weakened state, Xie Linchuan remained cold and stubborn, seemingly unwilling to allow anyone to interfere in his life.

After taking a deep breath, she finally calmed down and lowered her voice, "Well, since you are so confident, then I have nothing to say. However, if you insist on putting yourself in danger, then I can only remind you that no one in this world can always bear everything alone. You don't want to rely on others, but at least you should know how to cherish yourself."

Xie Linchuan was slightly startled, a subtle wavering flicker in his eyes. Ye Wan's words pierced a soft spot deep within him, but he remained indifferent and said softly, "I will forge my own path. I appreciate your kindness, but you shouldn't get involved in my world."

Ye Wan shook her head, a trace of sadness in her eyes. "If that's the case, then you can leave. I won't interfere any more." She turned to leave, but paused, unable to resist leaving a final word, "If you insist on being so cruel, you will forever live in the cage you set for yourself, and you will never be able to escape."

After saying this, she walked out of the warehouse without hesitation, leaving Xie Linchuan sitting alone in the corner. Her figure disappeared in the darkness, but her words echoed in Xie Linchuan's heart for a long time, making him fall into an unprecedented complex emotion.

Ye Wan walked out of the warehouse alone, the night breeze brushing against her cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness. Her inner anger gradually subsided, but an unspoken bitterness grew. She had saved him out of instinctive kindness, never expecting such a cold response. However, she also knew that Xie Linchuan's world was complex and dangerous, and perhaps he had long been accustomed to keeping people at a distance.

Just as she was lost in thought, faint footsteps were heard at the warehouse door. She turned around and saw Xie Linchuan slowly walking out of the warehouse. Although his steps were weak, there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes, and he seemed no longer as cold as before.

"Ye Wan," Xie Linchuan said softly, a barely perceptible apology in his voice, "I... am not ungrateful, but... I just don't want you to be involved in these things."

Ye Wan looked at him and said calmly, "I never regret helping you, but you should also understand that no one is invincible. You can refuse my help, but at least you should learn to be responsible for yourself."

Xie Linchuan lowered his head, as if thinking about her words. After a moment, he raised his head and nodded slightly: "Maybe you are right. Maybe I should really try to... let down my guard."

Ye Wan's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "You just need to remember that life is the most important thing. You and I are the same, and neither of us should take it lightly."

The atmosphere between them finally relaxed, their gazes filled with a new understanding and tacit understanding. Xie Linchuan no longer insisted on his indifference, and Ye Wan no longer complained about his stubbornness. The crisis in the dark night seemed to quietly dissipate because of this moment of honesty.

The following night, the two of them stayed together in the warehouse. Ye Wan tended to Xie Linchuan's wounds and settled him down. Although they didn't exchange extra words, the hostility and estrangement in their hearts gradually dissipated.

As the night deepened, Xie Linchuan fell into a deep sleep, while Ye Wan sat beside him, silently guarding him. She knew that the future might still be full of dangers, but she would use her own way to protect this valley and this man struggling in the darkness.