Chapter 2

On the branch by my shoulder, the sparrow started chirping again.

[Oh! That cave is dropping dirt! They're scared and hugging each other, still kissing!]

[The man says even if they die, they'll die together. So romantic!]

Romantic?

I lowered my eyelids, hiding the hatred in my eyes.

Then I'll grant your wish to become a pair of dead lovebirds.

Tobias was still over there verbally attacking the rescue team, spitting as he spoke.

"Are you even professional? It's been hours and you haven't found a single ghost!"

"Andrew is a renowned artist! His time is precious! Can you afford to compensate?"

I knew what he was anxious about.

Tobias hadn't held a proper job since graduating from college. He loafed around all day, relying entirely on Andrew's support.

The car was bought with my money, the apartment he lived in had its mortgage paid by Andrew, and even his dating expenses came from asking Andrew every few days.

His eagerness to find Andrew was simply to perform his "brotherly love" in front of relatives, so he could continue to leech money from Andrew in the future.

The rescue captain's face turned iron-blue from his yelling, but he still patiently explained, "Sir, we are professionals. Please don't interfere with our work."

Tobias snorted coldly. "Professional? Professional means running around like headless chickens?"

His eyes rolled, and seeing me sitting on the rock crying, he immediately redirected his attack.

"Kristen! Stop just crying! You know best where Andrew likes to go. Quickly give the captain a direction!"

The opportunity had come.

I lifted my tearful face, putting on an effort to recall, deliberately hesitating for a long time.

After a while, I extended my trembling hand and pointed in the completely opposite direction from the dangerous mountain.

"I... I remember now. Andrew mentioned once that... that the scenery at Lover's Valley to the south is especially beautiful, and it could inspire his creativity."

"He said... he said he wanted to go see it with Andy..."

I choked up at the right moment.

Lover's Valley was a famous scenic spot in this mountain area. The scenery was beautiful, but the terrain was flat. It had no adventure value whatsoever, and it was impossible for anyone to go missing there.

The rescue captain was somewhat skeptical. "Lover's Valley? We already checked that area. The signal is good, the roads are easy to walk. It's unlikely..."

Hearing a lead, Tobias's eager, opportunistic brain immediately ignited.

"What do you mean unlikely! Kristen already said Andrew was going there for inspiration!"

"It must be that Andrew, to be with... cough, for the sake of art, deliberately found a secluded corner, and his phone just died!"

He snatched the map from the captain's hands, pointing at the direction of Lover's Valley with a grand wave.

"Stop wasting time! Everyone, follow me to Lover's Valley! Hurry!"

The captain frowned. "But the mountain roads there aren't accessible by vehicle, and..."

"And what!" Tobias shouted impatiently.

"Is Andrew's life important or your rules? Main force, everyone follow me! Just leave a few people to watch Kristen!"

Watching Tobias lead most of the rescue team and the media reporters who caught wind of the story marching magnificently in the wrong direction, I sneered inwardly.

Go ahead, go as far as you can. Best if you can't make it back until nightfall.

That way, no one could disturb Andrew and Andy's "private time together."