Blossom in Adversity

C23. Gambling With Life.

Chapter 23: Gambling with Life

Hua Zhi approached the window, the damp breeze caressing her face, a gentle balm against the residual heat. It was a welcome respite from the day's swelter.

Unfortunately, comfort was not to be her companion this evening.

Her gaze fell on the courtyard, and she immediately exclaimed, "Bao Xia, quickly look, what is that?"

Bao Xia followed Miss's gaze and wanted to scream, to wake up all the servants to protect Miss. However, Miss held her hand tightly and shook her head gently, so Bao Xia had to suppress the thought, swallow hard, and whispered, "This servant will go and check."

"It looks like something fell there, I will go take a look too."

"Don't go, it's late at night, don't catch a chill."

"Can't sleep anyway, it's alright."

Bao Xia’s head shook with such force that her tears flew in all directions. She stood firmly in front of Miss, her determination unwavering. She would not allow Miss to leave, no matter the cost.

Hua Zhi, her heart aching, gently touched Bao Xia’s ashen face. Her eyes, filled with a mix of compassion and resolve, spoke volumes.

"Trust me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Bao Xia had always held Eldest Miss’s words in the highest regard, treating them as infallible truths. But this situation was unlike any they had encountered before. The villainous figure who haunted their home was a force of nature.

Could Eldest Miss, with her gentle demeanor and delicate frame, truly subdue such a formidable adversary?”

They were lying there unconscious, not to mention that Miss was far weaker than they were. How could she just stand there and watch Miss walk into danger?

Biting her lip, Bao Xia turned to walk outside. If she shouted, everyone would wake up, which would be better than letting Miss face danger alone.

Bao Xia’s heart pounded in her chest as she bit her lip. She was about to burst out, when Hua Zhi’s strong grip on her arm halted her. Her eyes, filled with a fierce protectiveness that belied her usual gentle demeanor, forced Bao Xia to look down. Tears streamed down her face.

Time waits for no one, and Hua Zhi couldn't think of anything else. She was about to go out, knowing that the villain must be watching this room now, and if they suspected something, they would all be in danger.

Bao Xia took a few steps and ran to the front of Eldest Miss, wiped her tears, stood straight, took a few deep breaths, grabbed an umbrella, opened the door, and went out. Hua Zhi was afraid that Bao Xia might miss something, so she quickly followed.

"Miss, I'll go check, you don't come out, it's still raining heavily."

Hearing Bao Xia's calm voice, similar to usual, Hua Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "Okay, be careful."

As Bao Xia walked into the rain, Hua Zhi crossed the threshold.

How could she not come out?!

In the open world, she's a solitary dove exposed to the hawks’ predatory gaze. But in the cramped room, she would be at a disadvantage in a fight with others.

Moreover, she needed to make some noise to wake everyone up. When there were a lot of people, things would get chaotic, and it was better to take advantage of the chaos and run away than to risk losing her life to someone in their sleep.

Standing where she could easily catch the rainwater in the corridor, she had the naivety that a young lady should have, and she was on high alert. Almost immediately, she smelled the scent of blood, faint but undeniable, wafted from behind her, not from the few figures in the courtyard, but from the shadows lurking unseen. It was a scent she knew well, a scent that spoke of violence.