Willow looked at the sunset and said, âI know that a big part of my current status comes from my familyâs support and reputation. Still, I want to achieve something to showcase my efforts.â
Jasper understood her feelings and patted her hand reassuringly. âYou have done more than enough.â
He looked through her background, and whether it was because of her identity or family, she had contributed far more to society than most people. Feeling encouraged, Willow raised her head and tried to seek his approval. âReally? Am I doing well?â
âYou are a brave girl,â replied Jasper. It wasnât ordinary for a 23-year-old girl to assemble at group of people to search for cultural relics by herself. Plus, she had already started recruiting participants a year ago, which showed her passion. Willow grinned and said, âMy dad used to say Iâm fearless since I was little. My parents were always worried about me.â
âI can tell.â Jasper chuckled. âMy mother used to say that no man would dare to be with me since I am such a wild girl. She even said I will never get married if I keep on being naughty.â Willow changed her voice, acting like her mother. Jasperâs eyes darkened, and he asked, âHow did you respond, then?â
âI told her I would not be getting married if thatâs the case! Isnât it fun to live a free life?â Willow smiled sweetly. At that moment, Jasperâs eyes widened, and he wondered if Willow was actually being serious about it.
He couldnât help but ask, âArenât you planning to get married?â As Willow looked at the sunset in the distance, she replied, âThe world is magnificent! I havenât had enough fun yet! Iâll think about it when Iâve had my fill.â
Jasper looked at her adoringly as he thought, Sure. I will wait until you are ready. Willow held his hand and said, âLetâs go! We should head back now.â She picked up her bag and was about to stand up when she noticed cracks on the ground. Feeling surprised, she approached it, wanting to examine the cracks. However, as soon as she stepped on the soil, it creaked as if it couldnât bear the weight.
âAh!â Willowâs eyes widened as she waved. frantically. âHelp me!â âWillow!â Jasper immediately grabbed her hand and lifted her into his arms. Soon, the two disappeared right on the spot, what was replaced was a loose pit.
In the dim and dry soil, Willowâs face was pressed tightly against Jasperâs chest while he wrapped his arms around her securely. âAre you hurt?â Jasper ignored the fact that he was covered in dirt and quickly checked on Willow.
âIâm fine. What about you?â asked Willow as she tried to raise her head. âIâm fine. Donât move. Let me clean up a bit,â said Jasper as he covered her head. He pushed away the soil around them and patted the dust off his head before helping her sit up.
Willow lifted her head from his embrace. Her face was clean, save for some dust in her hair. Jasper reached out and smoothed out her hair, cleaning it up. On the other hand, Willow hurriedly took out some wet wipes from her bag and started wiping his face when she saw him covered in dirt. âIâll do it myself.â
âDonât move. I got this.â Willow insisted as she gently wiped his face. Jasper sat still like a well-behaved child, allowing her to clean his face. Once Willow was finished, she looked around. At that moment, her eyes widened in excitement. âItâs the tomb! We fell into the tomb!â she exclaimed. The light outside illuminated what seemed to be a well- preserved and dry chamber.
It turned out that they had fallen into an underground tomb. The rainwater must have washed down the soft soil from the slope, covering the tomb and forming a thin layer of soil on top of it. That was why it couldnât withstand their weight, causing them to fall in.