Chapter 1480


    Bianca suffered during the few days in the mountainous area.


    She had followed Chris and Lena all the way, but when they got off the train, it seemed like Chris had


    completely forgotten her existence.


    When they boarded a bus to head into the mountains, she didn’t have any change, so Chris kindly


    helped her buy a ticket. But his demeanor toward her was like she was aplete stranger, merely


    assisting out of goodwill.


    Bianca tried to strike up conversations with him, but he brushed her aside, showering all his attention


    on Lena. Throughout the journey, Bianca gained nothing more than witnessing their affectionate


    interactions.


    In the mountainous region, she made it her mission to show up wherever they went, even visiting the


    local school and volunteering to take photos of the children with her camera. But Chris’ attitude toward


    her remained lukewarm. His gaze was solely on Lena.


    Moreover, the signal was terrible in the mountains, making it difficult for Bianca to find someone to vent


    her frustrations. Meanwhile, the harsh living conditions made her extremely ufortable.


    –


    Chris and Lena stayed at the only local guesthouse in the area. The owner, Edward Dney, was a


    kind-hearted middle-aged man who wasn’t a local but was drawn to the ce’s natural beauty. Running


    the guesthouse was his way of expressing his love for it.


    This guesthouse rarely received visitors throughout the year, but Edward diligently kept it clean daily.


    Now that three living souls had suddenly arrived, he was overjoyed.


    He would asionally brew a pot of tea and bring it out to the courtyard to chat with Chris and Lena.


    After getting to know them a bit, he smiled and asked, “I can tell you two are a couple, but what about


    that youngdy?”


    Chris evaded the question. “Oh, she’s our neighbor’s daughter.”


    “But it seems like she’s here for you!”


    Chris widened his eyes, exchanged a secretive nce with Edward, and then sneakily nced at


    Lena.


    Lena sipped her tea and smiled without uttering a word.


    “Oh, I see,” Edward grinned slyly. “it looks like unrequited love, doesn’t it?”


    “Uh…” Chris was embarrassed and hid his face behind his cup.


    “Nevertheless, it’s unsafe for a girl to wander the mountains constantly. Have you noticed that vige


    on the other side of the mountain? There are so many single old men in that vige! You’d better make


    sure no one snatches her away to be their wife!”


    “That won’t happen!” Chrisughed. “She’s timid and won’t venture that far.”


    Lena gazed toward the vige on the other side of the mountain, her bright eyes filled with mncholy.


    Sensing her troubled expression, Chris gently held her hand and asked, “What’s wrong?”


    After a prolonged silence, Lena finally asked, “Do you know that vige?”


    “Yeah.” Chris nodded. “When I was on a mission here before, I visited that vige. It looks closer than it


    actually is. You have to cross this mountain, and it’s quite a long distance.”


    “Do you know the people there?” Lena clutched her tea cup tightly, suddenly feeling a chill.


    Chris nodded. “I know that the vige is even poorer and more isted. The men there are veryzy,


    and their only pastime is drinking. After drinking, they often mistreat women…”


    He abruptly stopped as realization dawned on him.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Lena had previously confided that she had grown up in a mountain vige, where she was fostered.


    The man in that family would be violent after drinking, often causing her to suffer for no reason…


    “Lenny!” Chris held her in his arms and gently stroked her back.


    Lena took a deep breath, paused for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to say, “I grew up


    there.”