At the camp in Dongying, the early morning sunlight filtered through the mist, casting an eerie glow over the tents. Susu stood frozen inside one, her heart tight with worry. The news of Yinou's disappearance weighed heavily on her, like a shadow she couldn't shake. They had been through so much together, their fates tied by loss and hardship.
"Don't worry," Li Yang said softly, trying to comfort her. But Susu could feel the worry in her words too. "We'll find her. We'll bring her back."
But Susu couldn't let go of the fear. "What if she's in pain? What if Zhang Li has her?" The words came out shakily, like a nightmare that wouldn't end.
Determined, Susu sat down cross-legged on the floor of the tent. She closed her eyes and focused, remembering a spell she had learned called the "Eagle's Eye" technique. It was an old, powerful magic that promised to give the caster vision beyond what was normal.
"Eyesight keen and vast I shall borrow," she whispered, feeling a spark in her hands as she imagined the magic flowing through her.
But nothing happened. The room stayed still.
Frustration built up inside her, like a beast scratching at her chest. She tried again. "Eyesight keen and vast I shall borrow!"
Still nothing.
"Damn it!" Susu shouted, slamming her palms against the floor. "Why won't this work?"
Bai Lin, standing nearby, rubbed the back of his neck with a mix of sympathy and a hint of amusement. "You might want to relax, Susu. Magic doesn't like anger," he said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I don't care!" she snapped, her fists shaking. "Every second we waste could be the moment Zhang Li takes her away for good!"
Her anger turned inward, growing darker. What if Yinou was suffering? What if Zhang Li was hurting her? Why had she run? The helplessness pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Li Yang moved closer, sitting beside her. "You're one of the strongest people I know," she said quietly, looking into her eyes. "But you're not alone in this. I'm here with you."
Her words felt like a shield, wrapping around Susu and helping to calm her. "I will find her," Susu said, her voice steadier now. "No matter what."
As night fell, I moved through the shadows, using the darkness to hide my movements. I had to get to Dongying before it was too late… before Zhang Li took Yinou away from me forever.
By midnight, the camp was visible ahead, the glow of torches lighting the dark night. As I got closer, something felt off.
"Yinou!" I called out, breathless.
No answer.
I stepped forward, a cold sense of dread settling over me. Every instinct told me to find her, to keep her safe. I couldn't fail again. Through the mist, I saw Susu sitting by herself, looking troubled.
"I love her..." Susu's voice cracked, her hands shaking as she fought to hold herself together.
"I'll find her," I promised.
"I will too," she replied, her eyes burning with determination. "We won't let Zhang Li win."
In that moment, we both understood the depth of our fear... but we also knew the strength of our bond. Together, we would face whatever came, no matter how dark it seemed.
No matter how deep our failures cut, we would rise. We would fight, side by side, to bring Yinou back and stop Zhang Li once and for all.