Escape Across the Grasslands

The sudden turn of events left the entire scene in a stalemate.

Qiao Sisi stood in the center, her festive attire becoming a source of irony.

All eyes were on the two of them, intense enough to spark a fire.

Her eyes were full of regret, yet her face remained calm. Even with Fang Zhou aiming a bow at her, she asked, “Do you want to kill me?”

Fang Zhou felt the bow in his hands grow hot, but instinct told him this might be an opportunity.

If only Qiao Sisi would agree to let him go.

He could never truly harm her.

The villagers watched nervously, fearing a slip of his hand would release the arrow.

Finally, Fang Zhou smiled, changing his aim to the tall wooden pole.

“Just testing my aim.”

He smiled casually, though he felt anything but.

He’d let this opportunity go, knowing success was unlikely.

Qiao Sisi was unpredictable.

On the variety show, she nearly dragged him to the ocean floor—why would she fear death?

She might rather die than let him go.

The groom’s unpredictability puzzled the villagers.

They turned to Qiao Sisi for her reaction.

She was smiling joyfully, clapping for him as he shot the flag.

“Well done!”

As if nothing had happened.

Strange, truly strange.

The villagers found it odd, but since the parties involved showed no concern, they resumed singing and dancing.

The atmosphere returned to its previous joy.

Fang Zhou was pulled into the dancing, awkwardly moving with the crowd.

Initially shy, he adapted and became an active participant.

Meanwhile, Qiao Sisi was invited to the table to enjoy food.

According to local customs, the celebration lasted all day, with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment.

As night fell, a bonfire was lit, the flames painting the dark sky with vibrant colors.

Fang Zhou excused himself to the restroom, finally finding a chance to slip away.

After a day of observation, he’d found a motorcycle hidden behind a house, covered with foliage.

Everyone was busy with the evening festivities, leaving him unnoticed. The night provided cover—this was his best chance.

He searched the house, found a spare key, and quickly made his way to the motorcycle, mounting it.

He turned the key, kicked the pedal, and started the engine.

As the motorcycle sped away, the wind stung his face like knives.

On the winter grasslands, nighttime temperatures dropped to around zero degrees. Spending the night outside risked freezing to death.

But Fang Zhou couldn’t worry about that now. He had to leave tonight, aiming to travel 20-30 kilometers to find shelter.

By the time his absence was noticed, ten minutes had passed. The man sent to find him reported to Qiao Sisi.

She stood abruptly, her warm yak milk forgotten.

“Check what’s missing and follow the tracks across the grasslands.”

She expected Fang Zhou might run, but not on such an important day.

And to flee in the cold night, as if she were a monster he couldn’t spend a night with.

Her heart chilled.

She should have known from the moment he aimed the bow at her.

Fang Zhou’s compassion wouldn’t extend to her.

In the dark night, Qiao Sisi’s gaze was colder than ice.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhou, being searched for, had begun his journey on foot.

The motorcycle ran out of fuel after a few kilometers, refusing to move despite his efforts.

Frustrated, he kicked the ground and continued on foot.

He couldn’t return now.

Maybe they’d take a while to notice his absence, giving him time to find shelter.

Unfortunately, Fang Zhou was young and inexperienced with grassland and mountainous regions, unable to gauge their vastness.

Luckily, the moonlight was bright enough to illuminate his path.

But the expansive grassland offered no signs of life, only the winding highway and sleeping yaks.

No villages or yurts in sight! It felt like they were isolated from the world.

Fang Zhou estimated he’d traveled over 20 kilometers but saw no hope.

He grew colder, the wind buzzing in his ears like it would crack his skull.

He couldn’t continue; his energy was depleting too fast, risking death.

He stopped, eyeing the resting yaks.

Yaks were wild and might attack strangers.

Fang Zhou decided to take a chance!

The cold was unbearable, numbing his fingers—desperation set in.

He’d rather risk being kicked than freeze.

He approached cautiously, slipping into a gap among the huddled yaks, feeling warmth envelop him.

The howling wind was blocked outside.

Exhausted, Fang Zhou sat, leaning against a yak, catching his breath.

The moon watched silently from above.

The wind howled, yak scent filled his nose, and the ground was soft beneath him.

His mind replayed countless memories, especially this year’s events, like a fast-forwarded movie.

Fang Zhou thought his life was too exciting.

So exciting he closed his eyes, pondering how he ended up here.

Slowly, fatigue and drowsiness overcame him, luring him to sleep.

Fang Zhou knew sleeping here was dangerous, but he couldn’t hold on.

He told himself: Just a nap, just a little.