Victory

The wolf closed in at lightning speed, sending Qing Mo into a growing panic.

When people panic, mistakes follow.

Her foot slipped, and Qing Mo could no longer maintain her forward sprint.

As her balance failed, she stared at the gray wolf lunging toward her with jaws wide open, its bloodthirsty maw filling her delicate features with terror and despair.

Regret coiled around her heart like barbed chains, choking her with self-loathing.

Why had she gone to such lengths to bring Lin Yu to this place?

Why had she been so foolish as to swerve just to avoid a single sheep?

Why was she so pathetic, clinging to Lin Yu like this...

...

Why did she ever have to meet him?

Bitter resentment threatened to burst from her chest, but at this moment, knowing it was all futile, Qing Mo shut her eyes in resignation.

Her body crashed heavily into the thick snow.

No pain.

Just cold.

Tumbling uncontrollably down the steep slope, she spun dizzyingly.

Yet, strangely, she felt no physical pain.

Through the relentless rolling, she barely managed to open her eyes and caught sight of a white and gray mass tangled together, rolling down just two meters away.

"Lin—"

Qing Mo tried to call out to Lin Yu, but she couldn’t even open her mouth.

Watching the indistinguishable struggle between man and wolf, a single tear crystallized at the corner of her eye, only to be gently wiped away by the pure snow...

...

After countless rotations, the ground finally leveled. The moment she steadied herself, Qing Mo tried to rise, desperate to check on Lin Yu.

She barely managed to push herself up on trembling arms when, five meters away, the white figure locked in combat with the wolf suddenly sat upright in the snow.

His head whipped around frantically, searching for something.

Then—

Their eyes met.

Lin Yu’s lips split into a grin, revealing a brilliant smile and a mouthful of bloodstained teeth.

He even had the audacity to flash her a victory sign.

✌

Like some cocky brat who’d just won a fight.

And in a way, he had.

The dining knife in Lin Yu’s hand was buried deep in the wolf’s neck, its fur dyed crimson from the gushing blood—a gruesome sight.

Seeing his carefree expression, Qing Mo almost laughed, but the emotion twisted her face into something closer to tears.

Her usual icy composure shattered, leaving only a fragile, pitiable woman behind.

The sight of Lin Yu, battered yet alive, broke her heart.

Lin Yu had no time for comfort. After a quick smirk, his gaze snapped to the slope they’d just tumbled down.

Six more wolves were charging toward them at full speed.

Pulling the knife free, Lin Yu limped over to Qing Mo, positioning himself between her and the pack.

"You’re hurt?" Qing Mo spotted his unsteady gait, her voice sharp with worry.

"It’s nothing."

"Just a little nip from the wolf."

"We’ll get a rabies shot after we escape."

His tone was dismissive.

The more indifferent he acted, the harder Qing Mo cried.

Lin Yu ignored her, eyes locked on the advancing wolves as he spoke over his shoulder:

"Go."

"Find a tree with rough bark—easy to climb."

"I’ll cover you."

This time, Qing Mo didn’t hesitate. Sniffling, she wiped her tears and stumbled toward the forest ahead.

Lin Yu backed up step by step, shielding her.

The wolves fanned out in a semicircle, stalking them cautiously.

With three of their pack already dead, the remaining six hesitated to attack, yet starvation gnawed at them, keeping them from retreating.

The standoff dragged on until, finally, Qing Mo found a tree with low branches, perfect for climbing.

Lin Yu stood guard beneath it, eyes on the wolves while coaching her up.

As he studied the pack, something curious caught his attention.

Most of the six wolves kept glancing backward, as if drawn by something behind them.

Each time one faltered, the largest wolf in the group would snarl, forcing them to refocus on the hunt.

Lin Yu instantly understood the distraction.

The three dead wolves’ corpses.

Wolves rarely ate their own kind.

But why?

Only because they weren’t hungry enough!

Humans resorted to unthinkable acts in famine—why expect less from beasts?

Faced with a dangerous prey or three safe, meaty carcasses, these wolves clearly preferred the latter.

All except one.

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes at the pack’s leader—the largest, most dominant wolf, positioned at the front.

It alone refused to turn back, and its authority kept the others in line.

The alpha?

Its taller frame and broader head confirmed Lin Yu’s guess.

If this pack had a leader, this was it.

Realizing the wolves’ internal struggle, Lin Yu exhaled in relief.

Good.

No more worries.

Once he and Qing Mo were up the tree, hunger would soon fracture the pack.

Starving wolves couldn’t afford to wait—they’d abandon the hunt for their fallen kin.

With that, the tension drained from Lin Yu’s body.

All they had to do was escape during the wolves’ cannibalistic feast, then return to the road and flag down help.

Had their wrecked car exploded yet? If not, the engine should’ve cooled by now, eliminating the risk.

They could even take shelter inside, boosting their survival odds!

Lin Yu grinned, convinced their ordeal was over.

Then—

A scream pierced the air behind him, followed by a heavy thud.