Chapter 34: Overnight Search (2)
Glancing around, the yard was quite large.
Unused for a long time, weeds grew in the corners.
In the east corner, there was a flourishing pear tree, and beneath it sat a woman with a gentle and graceful demeanor.
Wrapped in a long white knit sweater, it outlined her slender figure. Her black hair was charming, and her fair skin, delicate features, and a faint smile at the corner of her lips created a picturesque scene.
When the wind blew, white pear blossoms fluttered down and adorned her hair.
It was as beautiful as a painting.
Next to her, a tall man in a light blue shirt was bending down to apply medicine to her hands.
They spoke softly and laughed, completely unaware of someone entering.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
The woman was Helena, whom Willis had searched for from day to night.
The man was Alick, the doctor and heir to Antique Attic.
Willis’s gaze changed, taking on an indescribable coldness. His lips curled, carrying a hint of self-mockery as he looked at the two.
After a while, he suppressed his anger and spoke, “Helena, why didn’t you tell me you were coming to your grandfather’s house?”
Helena, as if just noticing him, looked over from a distance. Her voice was without a trace of ripples, “You’re too busy. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Alick turned around and looked over, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He smiled, “Cousin, you’re here? Come in quickly.”
Willis cast him an indifferent glance and walked towards Helena.
Standing in front of her, he lowered his gaze, looked at her, and curved his lips. However, there was no hint of a smile in his eyes. “I’ve been looking for you since yesterday afternoon, and I’ve been searching until now.”
“You don’t have to go through so much trouble,” Helena said coldly and indifferently, her black eyes showing a stubbornness.
“That day, when Susan got out of bed to go to the bathroom, she almost fell. I helped her. Her lipstick stained my shirt, and I didn’t notice it at the time. I only found out when I took off my clothes that night.”
“You don’t need to explain to me,” Helena’s tone was somewhat dismissive.
These details made her feel disgusted, instinctively repulsed.
This time, she left without saying goodbye because her emotions had accumulated to a certain extent, not just because of the lipstick mark.
Willis paused for a moment and said, “Susan’s hand was smashed with a hammer by a guy named Jay. She was already severely depressed, and this injury added insult to injury. Worried that she might think of suicide again, I visited her a few more times.”
Helena fell silent for a while, slowly stood up, and said, “Please follow me.”
Willis gave a faint acknowledgment and followed.
The two walked out of the gate, one after the other, heading towards the back of the village.
The road was a rural dirt path, and with the strong spring wind, dust flew in the air.
After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at a grove of willow trees.
The willow trees were thick and lush, with long branches dancing in the wind. Beneath the trees were rows of densely packed graves.
Even in broad daylight, this place was eerie, noticeably cooler than elsewhere.
Occasionally, a crow or two would swoop down from above, emitting a mournful cry.
Helena didn’t feel afraid at all. She walked around and stopped in front of a small, old grave, staring at it with gradually pained eyes.
After a long time, she whispered, “Jay is here.”
“He has been dead for a long time. A dead person cannot harm anyone. Someone else is responsible for smashing Susan’s fingers. As for who that person is and why they wanted to retaliate against her, I really don’t know.” Helena’s voice was incredibly calm, but a layer of teardrops slowly formed on her lower eyelashes.
Willis lowered his gaze to the grave.
It was an ordinary grave, as ordinary as it could be, looking like it had been there for quite some time. In front of the grave was a bunch of withered wildflowers, and there were ashes of burnt paper on the ground.
The grave was so simple that it was almost crude, made of yellow soil without even a tombstone.
Willis faintly curved his lips. When he asked her before who Jay was, she evaded the question.
After reviewing the surveillance footage of Jay’s back, she randomly chose a small grave to appease him.
She didn’t know that when she shouted “Jay” for the first time in her dream, he had already sent someone to this small village to secretly investigate Jay.
In the entire village of exactly ninety-eight households, men and women of all ages unanimously claimed that there was no one named Jay in the village. Therefore, the person buried in this grave could not possibly be Jay.
Her usual sincerity and honesty now led her to tell lies in order to protect her “Jay” brother.
Willis felt quite uncomfortable. A vague anger surged, and he was about to expose her lie. However, he saw the layer of tears in her eyes and the sorrowful look as she stared at the grave.
The wind blew, making her fragile figure sway, and Willis couldn’t help but feel pity for her.
Softening his heart, he suppressed the anger. He raised his hand and pulled her into his arms, saying gently, “Alright, I won’t pursue it anymore. Stop crying.”
Helena pressed her face against his collar, silently shedding tears, quickly dampening the fabric. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly.
Willis caressed her thin back, his tone scolding but with a hint of indulgence. “Next time you come out, let me know in advance. Remember that, okay?”
Helena softly murmured.