Chapter 25 Looking Back vs Moving Forward

The wind blew and a four-leaf clover fell under the slide in the playground.

Sounds of the children laughing, giggling while playing echoed around.

Stefani pulled her knees closer to her chest, head duck down, not letting anyone see her crying face.

"Stefani!"

That voice again. It was trying to pull her out of the dark abyss.

She sniffed before she wiped her cheek and spoke with a crying voice.

"You found me, Jonathan."

She heard him sigh.

When everyone else couldn't find her, he always did.

He has always been an exception.

Always.

"It's okay, Stefani. I'm here. Don't be sad. I'm here."

"Stefani! Stefani!"

Stefani opened her eyes, squinted as they were welcomed by the strong light above. Ruby was beside her, frowning in worry or anger, Stefani couldn't distinguish. She looked around, finding herself under a tree near the river.

"I told you to take a nap but you went and slept for three hours! Geez," Ruby scolded, giving her an intense glare.

"S-Sorry, Big sister! I'll help-" Stefani apologized and was about to say she'd continue her work when Ruby cut her off.

"There’s no need. I finished them all while you're having a nap," Ruby said then let out a deep sigh.

Stefani bit her bottom lip, feeling extremely shameless. She was, after all, the one who volunteered to accompany Ruby in washing the Hills' clothes with her and Jonathan's share as well. She didn't expect it to be tiring though, it was the reason why she suddenly felt like napping.

"I'm sorry, Big sister," Stefani sincerely apologized.

As days continued to pass, Stefani began to learn more and more things, most of which she never once in life thought she'd actually had to do. She grew up in a household where everything was being done by her maids and butlers for her and her father had always pampered her, giving her everything Stefani both wished and not wished for. And it was also a miracle she didn't die yet while being exposed to unfamiliar things and people and even after being in danger multiple times. Well... maybe that would be all thanks to a certain someone.

"Tsk, I'll never ask you to come with me again. You're useless," Ruby huffed as she grabbed hold of the clothes she had already dried and put them in the baskets.

Before Stefani could open her mouth to apologize again, a group of kids passed by, their loud giggles and laughter capturing both Stefani and Ruby's attention.

"Oh, it's Emerald and Jade," Stefani mumbled to herself. Waving, she called the two kids, "Emerald! Jade!"

“Big sis! Stefani!” The two brightly waved back with a smile to Stefani before continuing their walk with their other friends. The children, holding big leaves and flowers, shone under the bright sky surrounded by green trees and plants. It was a sight that made Stefani warm inside.

"Ah, I guess it's that time of the year again," Ruby murmured which Stefani caught quickly.

"Time of the year again?" Stefani innocently tilted her head to the side, blinking as she waited for Ruby's answer.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of the smiling children nearby, walking as they all went up the hill, singing a familiar chant as they did.

"With you here, we'll be harvesting vegetables that are healthier and quicker to sell! Hahaha," Mr. Han said as he smiled at Jonathan which Jonathan only smiled back politely at.

Deep inside though, he was worried. There was no way they would be staying here until the crops were ready to be harvested. Despite Stefani slowly getting better at her cooking, Jonathan knew Stefani wasn't the type to live without being served, and above all, being spoiled by her father.

"I think that's it for today. Sigh, we have done so much today that I usually do for a week! It's really great to have someone like you here help me," Mr. Han said unconsciously, smiling at his and Jonathan's work.

He tapped Jonathan's shoulder and said delightfully, "Let's go back to the hut and wash. You did a good job as always, Jonathan. Thank you for helping this old man do his job."

"It's only right to offer my services to the people who are feeding us," Jonathan responded with a polite smile.

"Sigh, such a fine man you are. How about you have a drink with me after dinner?" Mr. Han offered.

"Ah, it's fine, Mr. Ha-"

"You can't refuse now, young man. We'll have a good drink and talk, okay? Let's go, let's go," Mr. Han declared, not really waiting for Jonathan's agreement at all.

Jonathan scratched the back of his head and sighed, smiling as he followed after the old man back to their house.

Mrs. Hill and Ruby were busy folding the clothes when Mr. Han and Jonathan arrived. Immediately, Jonathan noticed Stefani was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Stefani?" Jonathan asked Ruby whom he knew Stefani was with before separating to do chores hours ago.

Without looking up, Ruby answered, "She's by the river. She said she wants to search for something."

"Something?" Jonathan thought about it, what was Stefani trying to find now? He glanced outside, noticing the sky was still bright. Despite the good weather though, Jonathan couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Just then, Jade and Emerald came with a basket full of flowers and leaves.

He watched as Emerald and Jade quickly went to Mrs. Hill, giving her flowers. "Mama, we got this for you from Lucky Hill! Happy Mother's Day, mama!"

Jonathan's breathing stopped. His eyes lowered down and stared at the basket.

His world stopped but his legs immediately moved. Ignoring all the calling from Mr. Han and Mrs. Hill whose sounds became muffled in his ears, Jonathan sprinted to the river where they said Stefani was. He could hear the early cicadas from the trees around, the sun shining brightly above, and the fresh air making his sweat colder as his heart pounded louder.

Panting, Jonathan looked around the river. He balled his fingers, frowning as he recalled what the kids were saying a moment ago.

Jonathan glanced around, finding a small grassy road up the hill. Still panting, Jonathan took the path. He didn't know why but his memories of running always include a certain person. Whenever he ran, he was always thinking of one person. Whenever he ran, he was always wanting to be with that person. So he wasn't sure why his heart was aching deeply as soon as he found that certain person, sitting under a tree with her eyes just staring at nothing.

Jonathan stayed standing, looking at the almost expressionless Stefani. His eyes slowly went down, noticing a bunch of leaves beside Stefani.

Whenever he runs, he's always thinking of one person. Whenever he runs, he's always wanting to be with that person.

The cold air swept Jonathan's hair and slowly, a flashback from the past came to his vision. As if it happened just yesterday, he heard the frantic shouts of Stefani's father.