Chapter 49: Information from the Chestnut-Haired Woman

"Really?"

Qiu Yiyao opened her eyes wide in disbelief, her face full of excitement. "That's wonderful."

She couldn't help but embrace Bai Peiyu. "Thank you."

She thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Regardless of who that person was, she believed that the day she would finally leave the town was drawing closer.

This time, Bai Peiyu did not push Qiu Yiyao away. He clearly felt her joy, yet his own heart remained completely untroubled.

Early the next morning, Qiu Yiyao was fully dressed and waiting outside Bai Peiyu's bedroom door.

"Breakfast is ready, are you up yet?"

Qiu Yiyao gently knocked on the door, but received no reply. Checking the time, it was already nearly half-past seven.

She had never really paid attention to what time he usually woke up before. Now that she thought about it, he was actually capable of lingering in bed.

After calling out a few times more with no response, Qiu Yiyao dejectedly walked downstairs, only to see Bai Peiyu entering through the back door just as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Glancing up and seeing her dressed and ready, knowing she was eager to find that person, he said, "No need to rush. The place where she works isn't open yet. Let's have breakfast first."

But Qiu Yiyao's heart had already flown outside; how could she have any appetite for breakfast?

She hurriedly shoved a steamed bun into her mouth, eagerly grabbed her pink helmet, and stood by the front door waiting, just like a kindergartener waiting for her slow-paced father to take her to school.

Seeing this scene, Qiu Shengming felt past memories flood his mind. His eyes grew slightly red as he lowered his head and muttered to himself, "How wonderful it would be if everything could go back to the past."

Bai Peiyu glanced at him without a word, stood up, and as he passed by, patted his shoulder in reassurance. "Don't worry."

...

The motorcycle stopped in front of the newly opened milk tea shop. Qiu Yiyao felt suspicious, but quickly realized—the person Bai Peiyu mentioned couldn't possibly be the chestnut-haired woman, could she?

She rushed excitedly into the shop. Three girls were busy behind the counter, and among them, standing with her back to the door and making milk tea, was someone with a head of chestnut hair.

Fearing she would make the same mistake as before, she cautiously approached the counter.

"Miss, what would you like to order?"

"Two pearl milk teas."

Qiu Yiyao's eyes remained fixed on that figure.

"Xiaoning, two pearl milk teas."

"Alright."

Just that single word made Qiu Yiyao's heart leap to her throat. It was her, undoubtedly.

...

The last time by the river, it was this same deep, calm voice.

After a flurry of activity, Lin Xiaoning turned around. With her head lowered and a blank expression, she handed the two freshly made pearl milk teas to Qiu Yiyao.

Taking advantage of the moment she reached for the milk tea, Qiu Yiyao grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it.

Lin Xiaoning was startled, raising her head in a panic while desperately trying to pull her hand back.

When their eyes met, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed Lin Xiaoning's eyes, but it vanished almost immediately.

It was precisely that fleeting flash of surprise that convinced Qiu Yiyao: she must be searching for her as well.

Yet this was a milk tea shop with many people watching around them, so Qiu Yiyao had no choice but to let go.

Seeing that the other waitresses were busy serving customers, she quickly fished a fifty-yuan bill from her wallet, pressed it into Lin Xiaoning's hand, leaned in, and whispered, "See you by the river."

Lin Xiaoning said nothing. After handing the money to the cashier girl, she numbly picked up a rag and went to wipe the tables.

...

Qiu Yiyao sat on a bench by the river, the milk tea in her hand transitioning from icy cold to burning her palms.

Bai Peiyu leaned against a tree with his hands in his pockets, silently gazing at the river surface.

The two maintained this posture until the river waters surged once more.

"The tide is coming in."

Qiu Yiyao stood up and walked over to the railing.

The tide came rushing forward. This was the first time she had ever witnessed the rising tide so clearly.

It felt like thousands of horses galloping ahead, striking the embankments with a tremendous roar.

She couldn't help thinking of that dream.

Qiu Yiyao didn't understand why she had such a strange dream, nor did she know whether the giant carp in her dream was the legendary carp of folklore. If it was, did it mean that it had finally transformed into a dragon?

"She's here."

Bai Peiyu appeared beside her unannounced. After whispering a brief warning, he tactfully walked away toward the path intersection.

Qiu Yiyao turned back and indeed saw a frail figure walking briskly toward her, that long chestnut hair striking and conspicuous under the sunlight.

Qiu Yiyao greeted her excitedly. "I almost thought you weren't coming."

"I only have half an hour for lunch. I have to hurry back soon."

Lin Xiaoning spoke as she fumbled in her bag for a cigarette and lit it. Her hands trembled incessantly, and the arms exposed beneath her short sleeves were covered in bruises.

"Your boyfriend is still hitting you?"

"Don't talk about these useless things. Why did you look for me anyway?"

Lin Xiaoning took a deep drag of her cigarette, which finally steadied her shaking hands.

"You should know better than anyone. I'm looking for you to discuss things, not just to talk to myself."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoning's hands paused before she slowly said, "It's useless. We can't defeat them."

Disliking such demoralizing words, Qiu Yiyao retorted, "How do you know we can't win if we haven't even fought?"

Instead, Lin Xiaoning tossed her cigarette directly into the river. With a grimace, she let out a bitter, mocking laugh and lifted her clothes. "You think I haven't fought? Then what is this?"

Looking at those intersecting scars of varying depths winding around her waist and abdomen like small snakes, Qiu Yiyao felt her heart turn half cold.

"Little sister, you're too naive. This town is a prison."

Lin Xiaoning gave Qiu Yiyao a deep, piercing look. "I believe there must be a way out, but that path is probably hidden deep in the unfathomable underworld, down in the eighteenth layer of hell. Hahaha..."

She suddenly burst into loud laughter, the tears at the corners of her eyes gleaming strangely in the sunlight.

Qiu Yiyao looked at her face, feeling both heartache and helplessness.

Remembering when she first met Lin Xiaoning, she had been dazzlingly beautiful, impossible for anyone to look away from.

Yet now, covered in scars and stripped of her confidence, all that remained was a profound, inner terror.

Looking at the shocking scars on her wrists, were they truly doomed to be trapped here forever?

Qiu Yiyao refused to believe it. She had to escape—for the sake of her own family, and for innocent people like Lin Xiaoning and Old Yu.

"Since you can't give me any valuable information, I can only take action on my own."

Qiu Yiyao took some money from her bag and shoved it into Lin Xiaoning's hands. "I'm sure you don't have much money on you. Take this; it might come in handy at a critical moment."

To her surprise, Lin Xiaoning shoved the money right back. "Giving it to me is a waste. What would I even need this for?"

Seeing her stubborn refusal to accept it, Qiu Yiyao had no choice but to put it back into her bag.

Gazing at Lin Xiaoning's wrists, Qiu Yiyao couldn't help comforting her, "Just hold on a little longer. I will definitely rescue you out of here, I promise."

In the distance, someone was slowly approaching. Not daring to say any more, Qiu Yiyao turned and walked quickly in the direction Bai Peiyu had left.

Behind her, Lin Xiaoning stood stunned for a moment before suddenly chasing after her. Catching her hand, she said, "They are plotting a major event behind the scenes, and that plan requires a specific person to cooperate before it can succeed. Only by finding that person will we have any hope."

This matched what the online post had said. A wave of excitement washed over Qiu Yiyao, and she hurriedly pursued, "Who is that person?"