Even though Mo Li was shivering, she insisted for Quan Yu to keep his jacket. She sighed helplessly, "Maybe we should stop to rest. I believe I saw a cave ahead. It'll provide us shelter from the rain and cover from those people. When sun comes up, we'll be safe."
Those with weak heart should avoid rain and cold. Quan Yu's physical condition was weak. Equipment at the hospital might not help him, much less when they were in the middle of nowhere.
"Just put the jacket on. At least let me be the gentleman this once." Quan Yu shrugged off his jacket and threw it over Mo Li. Then he pulled Mo Li tightly in his embrace, at least then they could share body temperature. Considering the circumstance, Mo Li surrendered..
The road ahead was dark. The two groped mindlessly forward, searching for the cave Mo Li mentioned. Mo Li didn't let her guard down. Other than the people chasing after them, there might be wild beasts in the forest.
At that moment, a rustling came from ahead. Quan Yu's eyes narrowed dangerously. He picked up a thick branch from the ground and shielded before Mo Li. "I'll stay back to fend them off, you'll run down the hill and go to find the police."
"Hmm." Mo Li answered as she stared at the direction where the sound came from. Her hand that held Quan Yu's tightened involuntarily. In her mind, she had already made up her decision to stay and fight beside Quan Yu. She might not have the strength but she could fend for herself with her medical knowledge and martial arts technique. In any case, she would not leave Quan Yu behind. Mo Li didn't dissect why she was feeling this way about Quan Yu. In her mind, she was a doctor and Quan Yu was a patient, no doctor would leave their patient behind.
The sound came closer. Then a ray of light shot through the dark. The two tensed both mentally and physically. Their breathing halted. As the footsteps approached, the light appeared in their view and then there was a surprised gasp. "Ah!"
While Mo Li and Quan Yu were about to pounce, they saw that it was an old man who was carrying a flashlight. The old man asked in a local dialect, "Aiyo, what are you two kids doing here? You almost frightened me to death! It's raining so hard, why haven't you returned home yet?"
Mo Li and Quan Yu heaved a sigh of relief. The old man held an umbrella and his round face looked kind. He wore a raincoat and held a flashlight. He had a string of salted fish and dried radishes on his back. He looked like he was going home.
Mo Li believed that this old man was not from the same gang as the people who wanted their lives.
"Grandpa, my uncle and I came to the mountains to play. We got separated from our family and we got lost. Can you..."
Quan Yu glanced at Mo Li. Uncle? Am I that old?!
The old man was honest and kind. He didn't suspect Mo Li's words at all. His heart softened when he saw how white Mo Li's face was from the cold. "You poor kids. You can't stay out in the rain like this overnight! How about this, my son and daughter-in-law have moved out and my granddaughter is studying in the city. My place is empty, if you don't mind, why don't you stay at my place for the night?"
Mo Li heaved a sigh of relief and Quan Yu relaxed his tense body. They looked at each other and decided to trust the old man. Quan Yu smiled at Mo Li, as if saying, Things won't be all bad.
"Grandpa, thank you for taking us in for the night. Sorry for the trouble."