Chapter 23 (1/2)

Chapter 23

Edited by: Planetes

Fang Zhaomu carelessly opened the door and walked out. Song Yuanxun did not dare to use force with Fang Zhaomu, and was even more unwilling to let go. Without taking the keycard to the room, his hand tight around Fang Zhaomu’s wrist, Song Yuanxun was led forward.

Song Yuanxun’s room was not far from the lift, but they had to go past a guest lounge. When the attendant by the lounge entrance saw them, he hesitated about going over to them and asking about the situation. Song Yuanxun finally let go, and helped Fang Zhaomu pressed the button for the lift.

“I’ll send you.” Song Yuanxun persevered in standing next to Fang Zhaomu. Fang Zhaomu no longer bothered about him. When the lift arrived, he walked in by himself, and Song Yuanxun followed after.

When they arrived on downstairs, there were many people standing around in the main lobby of the hotel. It was only slightly after six, but it was unnaturally dark outside.

A person who looked like a hotel manager walked over. Song Yuanxun stopped him and asked what was going on.

“A storm is coming.” The manager hurriedly left.

Fang Zhaomu had a huge headache. He unlocked his phone, wanting to buy an air ticket to return to C City that night. However, there was no tickets available, and the news showing were all about the storm about to takeover Seattle.

Song Yuanxun was tall. He was standing by Fang Zhaomu, and Fang Zhaomu knew that he was looking at the screen of his phone. He continued ignoring him.

“Just put up with it for one night,” Song Yuanxun cajoled Fang Zhaomu. “Wait till tomorrow before you leave, I’ve originally booked two rooms anyway.”

Fang Zhaomu looked up at Song Yuanxun, and found that his brain was no longer able to handle anything to do with Song Yuanxun. Just like a self-protective instinct, he heard what Song Yuanxun said, but he could not process it. With a blink, he would forget immediately, and could not recall a single word.

There were more and more people in the lobby. Fang Zhaomu suddenly felt a fear of the crowd. When he saw them moving, he could not help but feel scared, shivers running through his body, and he dragged his luggage along with him as he headed out.

Out of the revolving door, he was faced with wind and a mist-like rain. The wind was so strong Fang Zhaomu staggered a couple of steps to the side. Song Yuanxun grabbed Fang Zhaomu and supported him. Once Fang Zhaomu steadied himself, he immediately stepped back.

Fang Zhaomu struggled to look for the nearest hotel on his phone, wanting to book a room.

Walking in the wind and rain was still better than staying here.

The rain turned heavier, pouring down. The entrance of the hotel was the drop-off area for guests, and should be sheltered from the rain. However, the wind was so strong it blew the rain inwards.

Fang Zhaomu’s shoes and trousers were all wet. With his phone, he looked at the location of the hotel, then looked out, wanting to walk outside.

The closest hotel nearby was a motel, about a five minutes walk away, and only one room was left. Fang Zhaomu was going to make a reservation, but he suddenly received a call from his sister.

It was too noisy outside, and chaotic within Fang Zhaomu’s head. He could only hear the howling of the wind and people speaking loudly. His face was drenched in the rain, and he thought about it before answering his sister’s call.

“Fang Zhaomu,” Fang Zhaoling’s voice sounded like it was coming from a very far distance. She appeared to be very happy, and shouted at Fang Zhaomu, “I love you!”

She burst out laughing. Fang Zhaomu did not speak, and quietly listened to Fang Zhaoling finish laughing and explain to someone next to her, “This is my older brother! — Ge, give me a minute.”

A short pause, and Fang Zhaoling walked to a quieter spot. She excitedly told Fang Zhaomu, “It’s my classmate’s birthday, and we’re at her place playing truth or dare.”

Hearing no response from Fang Zhaomu, Fang Zhaoling asked, “Fang Zhaomu, what are you doing?”

“I, I’m on my way home.” Fang Zhaomu stammered a little, and his voice was not loud.

He did not want Fang Zhaoling to know any of the awful things that happened to him here. He would just endure it, and it would be enough. “I just came out from the lab.”

The storm was getting heavier. Fang Zhaomu saw a huge tree nearby blown down by the wind.

Next, the crown of the tree curved down, and crashed into a car by the side of the road. Fang Zhaomu was terrified, and the shock dragged him back to reality.