C32 He Came!

Time seemed to stand still when Huo Niannian heard the unmistakable clang of the door being flung open. A tall figure entered, silhouetted against the backlight.

Footsteps approached, and soon, strong arms cradled her. Huo Niannian's eyes fluttered open to the sight of a man's sharply defined side profile.

"Gu Tingshen..."

Her energy fading, she leaned into his broad, warm chest and succumbed to unconsciousness.

The woman in his arms was icy to the touch, her breathing barely perceptible. Gu Tingshen felt his heart twist with worry.

If he hadn't called Huo Niannian earlier to inquire about her evening plans, he would have had no clue about her ordeal, nor how long she had been trapped.

Even a mere two hours in such cold was too much, and Gu Tingshen was filled with a seething anger at the thought.

He fixed a stern look on Gu Yufei, who was trailing beside him. "If she's harmed, you'll be held accountable."

"Brother, please listen—I didn't realize what was happening. I thought she had left; how could I have known she was locked inside?" Gu Yufei was frantic, her forehead slick with sweat.

She had only meant to confine Huo Niannian a bit longer, not expecting her brother's abrupt return.

Gu Tingshen's gaze was frosty. "We'll deal with your actions later." Without another word, he carried Huo Niannian upstairs to his bedroom, where the family doctor was already waiting.

Stunned, Gu Yufei finally collected herself and hurried to the garden, where she found her mother tending to the plants.

"Mom..." Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her face. "You must help me..."

In the meantime, Huo Niannian was ensnared in a distressing dream, revisiting a bitter winter from her childhood at age eight.

Snow had fallen all night, and with the coal stove broken, there was no heat or means to cook.

Her grandmother had no choice but to take Niannian to the neighbors for help, but they stumbled en route.

Huo Niannian attempted to help her grandmother up, but her eight-year-old frame lacked the strength. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't manage it.

Niannian turned to the passing cars and the pedestrians on the street, her cries of desperation piercing the air, "Please, someone help my grandma, we need help..."

But in the biting cold, with snow blanketing the ground, the pedestrians were wrapped up tightly, rushing by without a glance her way. Huo Niannian was left with the crushing realization that tears were all she had to offer.

Her dreams were a chaotic replay of those moments, swirling like a vortex, dragging her deeper into despair.

In her helplessness, she whispered, "Who will save us, Big Brother, please... save Grandma..."

Gu Tingshen watched her pained expression, his brow furrowing deeper as he tenderly stroked her cheek.

The private doctor had recently departed after giving her a shot to bring down her fever. He had assured them that she was found early enough and would be fine, needing only to keep warm and get plenty of rest.

As Huo Niannian was tormented by relentless nightmares, Gu Tingshen clasped her hand and said with comforting firmness, "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

Miraculously, Huo Niannian's turmoil quieted.

Her memories and dreams marched on...

She had wept that day in the icy wilderness until time lost meaning, until a black sedan came to a halt beside her, and a young man emerged.

He assessed her and her grandmother before turning to his driver and commanding, "Take them to the hospital."

"Yes, Young Master."