Thinking of this, she suddenly sat up from the bed for some reason.
The first thing she saw was a snow-white gauze curtain, layer upon layer, which resembled her bedroom. The surroundings were quiet and pitch black, with a lamp lit inside, flickering on and off. Looking out, she could see a figure moving back and forth. She called out softly, "Huanyan," but it was Huangfu Mi who entered.
"Wan'er--" Huangfu Mi was pacing back and forth outside, her heart filled with worry. Hearing the commotion inside, she hurriedly lifted the curtain and went in.
Seeing Meng Wan propping herself up to get up, he took the opportunity to support her with his long arm, pulling her into his arms and whispering, "You're still very weak, lie down and don't move."
Huangfu Mi looked exhausted, and his voice was slightly hoarse. He held her tightly, and seeing her pale face, he couldn't help but worry: "Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Meng Wan was momentarily stunned, looking at Huangfu Mi's worried expression, she asked, puzzled, "What... happened to me?"
She felt something was wrong, but her thoughts were so chaotic that she couldn't quite make sense of them.
Huangfu Mi was taken aback: "You..."
Before she could finish speaking, Meng Wan had already thrown back the covers: "I think I was in the backyard..." But then she suddenly froze.
Backyard, water, joyful faces...
She abruptly raised her head, a jumble of chaotic thoughts flooding her mind. Joy was pulled from the well, and then...
"Where is Huanyan?" She seemed to be stunned for a moment, but her voice trembled.
The sharp pain in her chest, along with the memories before she fell into a coma, all pointed to the truth. She suddenly grabbed Huangfu Mi's collar: "Huan...where is Huanyan?"
Her eyes flashed with horrifying blood, a truly terrifying sight, as she stared intently at Huangfu Mi, not blinking an eye.
Huangfu Mi felt a pang of heartache at the sight. He raised his hand and stroked her pale, bloodless face, letting out a barely audible sigh: "I'm sorry, Huanyan is... is gone..."
Ga--
A sound seemed to brush past her ear, and Meng Wan froze, as if she hadn't understood what he said. "You... what did you say..."
She already knew the truth in her heart, but she refused to admit it. She just held tightly to Huangfu Mi's clothes, her eyes glazed over.
Huangfu Mi closed her eyes, not knowing how to speak. She cared so much about Huan Yan, but Huan Yan died under mysterious circumstances. How could she bear such a blow?
"You're lying to me, aren't you? Ah, Huangfu Mi, you're lying to me, aren't you?" She was clearly laughing, but tears were streaming down her face. She shook her head desperately, refusing to admit the truth. "I was just dreaming. Why are you joking with me like that? Huangfu Mi, this isn't funny, not funny at all. If you keep doing this, I'm going to get angry."
A knowing smile appeared on her face, as if all her hopes were pinned on him, and she longed for him to say something that would put her at ease.
But he couldn't do it. How could he deceive himself any longer? He sighed softly, "It's really... gone. Huanyan is really gone... It's not a dream!"
Her smile vanished abruptly, and even the last glimmer of hope disappeared. Meng Wan's fingers loosened little by little, and her head felt as if it had exploded.
My heart is filled with only one thought: joy... I'm leaving...
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Wan'er, I'm so sorry..." Seeing her panicked appearance, Huangfu Mi felt his heart clench. He reached out and hugged her, murmuring repeatedly.
She froze for a moment, then burst into a deafening shout: "No, no..." Her tone was resolute, as if the sky had fallen.
"Huanyan will be alright, you're lying, you're lying..."
Tears fell like beads from a broken string, the scalding tears landing on his shoulder and quickly soaking his clothes.
In his arms, she shook her head desperately, refusing to accept this reality. Her fists landed on his back again and again, filled with resentment and pain. She didn't know how to express it, so she could only vent her frustration.
She seemed to have used all her strength, and Huangfu Mi was hit in waves of pain, but she did not let go. All the pain was nothing compared to the distress in her heart.
Her joy, her happiness, is gone just like that.
Tears welled up again, and she buried her face in Huangfu Mi's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
--
She cried for an unknown amount of time before finally collapsing into Huangfu Mi's arms.
However, she did not sleep soundly. It was as if she were in a frozen wasteland, surrounded by people, but she could not feel any warmth. Everyone was pushing Huanyan, and she wanted to save her, but she could not get close to them.
She woke up with a start, covered in a cold sweat.
The first thing she saw was a worried face; it was her aunt, who had been keeping watch by the bedside. Seeing that Meng Wan had woken up, she hurriedly came forward to check on her.
"Child, how are you?"
Meng Wan seemed to be stunned for a moment, staring blankly for a while before tears welled up again.
"Auntie—" She didn't want to be so sorrowful and pitiful, nor did she want to appear weak and helpless, but she just couldn't help it. Whether her eyes were open or closed, her heart and mind were filled with joy.
Seeing this, the Third Madam felt a pang of sadness. She stepped forward and hugged Meng Wan, sighing softly, "I've heard everything about Huan Yan from Meng Wan. The dead cannot be brought back to life. Please accept my condolences."
He reached out and took a handkerchief to wipe her face, offering words of comfort.
Meng Wan shook her head: "That's true in theory, but it's really hard to do. Huan Yan grew up with me, and so many years of friendship can't be forgotten so easily."
Meng Wan sobbed, crying so hard she could barely breathe. Her voice seemed stuck in her throat, and tears continued to fall silently. It was clear she was trying her best to hold back, and that's what made it all the more heartbreaking.
The third wife couldn't help but shed tears as well. With her eyes glistening with tears, she took her hand and said softly, "I know you two have a deep bond, but if you keep crying like this and ruin your health, who will avenge Huanyan? The murderer who killed her has not yet been found, and we don't even know what really happened. If you fall ill, who will find out the truth?"
Meng Wan's body stiffened. Yes, Huan Yan was furious and miserable. If the truth wasn't thoroughly investigated, she might die with her eyes wide open in disbelief.
Thinking of this, Meng Wan suddenly sat up from the bed, pushed away the Third Madam's hand, and then quickly walked out the door.
Behind them, the Third Madam watched anxiously, but dared not stop them. She could only have Mu Ci take the cloak and hurry to follow, her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly.
Huanyan is the most important person to Wan'er. Right now, this girl must be heartbroken. She just hopes that the murderer can be caught as soon as possible so that she can have some peace of mind!
--