Chapter 146: Meeting in the Jungle

Chapter 146: Meeting in the Jungle

The cold night in the forest had extreme temperature differences between day and night, it was bone-chillingly cold.

In the darkness, the cold wind howled, rustling through the jungle.

Huo Tingying had just undergone surgery and his body had not fully recovered; he still feared the cold.

Moreover, he hadn't worn many layers when he left today.

But as long as he thought about Yun Mu being somewhere in this forest, surrounded by complete darkness, his heart became unbearably anxious.

Who knew what was lurking in here?

He tried to call Yun Mu on his phone, but there was no signal.

"Yun Mu!"

He arrived at the approximate location Wen Qingqing had mentioned and began calling out her name loudly.

His calls echoed through the woods—

But the only response he received were occasional roars from animals.

Where could she be?

Huo Tingying shone his flashlight around, a hint of panic visible beneath his handsome and composed features. He strode forward, calling out her name, "Yun Mu, Yun Mu—"

Suddenly, he saw a faint flicker of light in the distance.

The moment he saw the light, Huo Tingying's taut heartstrings loosened.

"Yun Mu!"

He called out her name even louder and ran towards the light.

A snapping sound of a branch breaking came from ahead, indicating someone was approaching.

Huo Tingying raised his flashlight, and when he saw the woman standing unharmed before him, his wildly beating heart gradually calmed down.

"Huo Tingying?"

Initially, Yun Mu thought she was hearing things and came to investigate.

When she met the man's dark eyes, she finally confirmed that Huo Tingying was really here, walking towards her step by step.

As the man approached, his deep eyes revealed no attempt to hide his worry and panic.

Looking at Yun Mu, her eyes were unnaturally bright, and suddenly, he felt as if his throat was blocked with cotton.

Many words were swallowed down.

He reined in his emotions, his voice sinking deep, "Come back with me."

In the dense forest, the cold wind raged and the light was dim. Yun Mu took a step closer to him, "Why are you here?"

"Would you have frozen to death if I didn't come?"

"I won't freeze to death; I have fire." Yun Mu pointed towards the nearby campfire, looking rather pleased with herself.

A surge of frustration welled up within Huo Tingying. He glanced over and sneered, "Seems like I meddled unnecessarily. You probably wouldn't even have a problem living here for a week or so."

"A month," Yun Mu corrected seriously. "The environment isn't that harsh here; a month wouldn't be an issue."

Huo Tingying gritted his teeth, "…Then why don't you stay here?"

"It's too dark tonight. I set up a small tent ahead; let's make do there for tonight."

She had set up a tent here? Was she on vacation?

Huo Tingying suddenly felt like a fool!

Seeing her march forward without a care, he sternly warned, "Don't move around recklessly! This is a minefield!"

Just two meters away, a warning sign hung prominently: "Minefield Ahead, Beware of Danger!"

Yun Mu glanced at it and laughed nonchalantly, "It's fine. I've investigated; they're all duds—scare tactics."

If this were truly a minefield, would the film crew dare to shoot nearby?

It was just to scare brainless fools like Yun Shuiyao.

But how could a man as astoundingly intelligent as Huo Tingying suddenly become so foolish?

Huo Tingying also suddenly realized something.

"They said you got lost, Yun Mu. Did you do it on purpose?" His breathing suddenly grew heavier as he tightly gripped her wrist, his narrow eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

"I'm not an idiot; how could I get lost? I just played along with Yun Shuiyao's scheme." Yun Mu shook off his hand, her clear eyes looking at him, "I've kept the evidence. Once the rescue team arrives tomorrow morning, news of Yun Shuiyao trying to kill me will break, and she'll have a lot to deal with."

The more Huo Tingying listened, the darker his expression became, and he shouted,

"Didn't you think about how others might worry about you?"

"How was I supposed to know you'd come? I didn't expect you to be fooled either." Yun Mu felt wronged; before she could confront him, he had already lashed out.

Huo Tingying took a deep breath, seemingly struggling to suppress his emotions.

"I came here to explain and apologize." Being deceived was fine as long as she was safe, "Yun Mu, did you leave this morning without saying goodbye because you saw that document?"

Yun Mu's eyes flickered slightly.

His deep gaze locked onto hers.

Despite the dim light, he could clearly see the vitality and grievance in her eyes.

"Explain? What's there to explain?" Her eyes darkened.

She didn't want to look at his expression now, afraid that one glance would soften her heart again.

In her past life, burdened and betrayed, she died.

In this life, she was on high alert.

"Since I helped you find the evidence, I was always going to give it to you. I admit that at first, I intentionally kept it from you, wanting to keep you around a little longer. I'm sorry. Later, I just hadn't had the chance to give it to you yet. Yun Mu, I won't do it again."

He pulled her body closer, so they were looking directly at each other.

"I kept things from you, and you scared me, making me search for you all the way here. Let's call it even, okay?"

The man's voice softened, laced with a hint of pleading.

It made her heart skip a beat.

The anger in her heart vanished instantly.

She looked away, coughing lightly, "You did it on purpose; I didn't."

"Alright, consider it another debt I owe you. Next time, you can deal with me then. But you can't put yourself in danger like this again. I'll worry."

He didn't want to experience that anxious feeling of searching for her again.

This shameless man was getting better at sweet talk.

The female warrior lowered her eyes with a touch of girlish shyness and nodded, "Mm-hmm."

"It's too cold outside, let's find somewhere sheltered."

With that, he took her hand, "Come on, let's go see your tent. Out here in the wilderness, something passionate and exciting is bound to happen."

She was taken aback, then lightly punched his arm, "You're becoming more shameless!"

Huo Tingying wasn't having it.

"How am I being shameless? We're legally married..." Suddenly, his pupils constricted, "Be careful!"

Yun Mu was slightly startled, "What's wrong?"

"Don't move!" Huo Tingying's expression was unusually serious.

She acutely sensed that the forest had suddenly fallen silent. Too quiet. Suddenly, a sound came through the eerie stillness. Following the noise, Yun Mu drew in a sharp breath. In the dim night, on the slope at her seven o'clock position, a pair of fierce, glowing eyes were locked onto them. Its silver-white mane glistened with a chilling light in the darkness! It was a wolf out hunting, and not just any wolf, but the alpha. If it were only this one wolf, even if it were the alpha, Yun Mu could handle it alone. But if it howled, it would surely summon a pack. A terrifying prospect.