Chapter 85 - The Proof
"My Grandpa said, his parents told him that those who find the pool can only capture three pictures of the legendary pool so bring out your camera let's check the credibility of it," Yifeng stated stretching forth his hands to collect the camera which was hanging on her neck.
"Sure, why not," Yang Zi exclaimed proudly as she handed the camera over to him. The first picture Yifeng captured was that of the pool alone. The second one was that of Yang Zi, standing on the cliff with the view of the pool at her back. The last one was that of the two of them standing together in front of the cliff with the view of the pool behind them. He handed the camera over to Yang Zi to try capturing the pool again after they took the three shots but to her greatest shock she couldn't take more shots no matter how many times she tried.
"This is so weird," Yang Zi exclaimed. They both thought it was a waste to just leave after arriving, so they stayed longer to watch the beautiful sight before them. They talked as friends as they enjoyed the magical scenery. Yifeng proposed they leave the pool after realising that they had spent over two hours there. The reluctant Yang Zi agreed after realising that what Yifeng said made sense. Night will fall on them if they stay there longer.
"Bye, I hope we meet again some day," Yang Zi said, waving at the pool before they left.
Yang Zi suggested they checked the last location on the map before they went back, and Yifeng did not object. Trying to find their way out of the forest after getting their seventh treasure, Yang Zi started a conversation with Yifeng.
"What was the second way to prove the tale about the pool?" Yang Zi let her curiosity get the best of her. She did not even finish speaking before the cloud started darkening.
"A heavy rain will be the last sign to show the credibility of the tale about the pool," Yifeng said, his lips curling into a sly smile.
"Heavy rain?" Yang Zi shouted. Her expression looked terrified. "But it does not rain during December, so how come the last sign is a heavy rain?" Yang Zi asked, staring at the darkened cloud.
"That is why everything about the pool is a mystery. Nobody knows how it will happen, it just happens," Yifeng exclaimed. "Let's hurry and get out of here. It looks like it will really rain just like my Grandpa told me," Yifeng said urging her to keep moving. They talked amicably as they walked, they forgot to check the map for directions since they were in a hurry. They later realised too late that they were going in the wrong direction.
"Goddammit? Why is this happening now?" Yang Zi cursed loudly. Fear was written all over her pretty face as she frantically tried to find their way back. Yifeng too became restless seeing that they took the wrong direction. To calm his tensed nerves down, he took out a lighter and a packet of cigarettes. He removed one cigarette and stuck it in between his slightly parted lips and lit it. Since Yang Zi was the one leading the way she did not see him do all this. She took Yifeng by surprise when she suddenly turned around as though something bit her. The glares she gave Yifeng could kill someone. Yifeng would have trembled in fear if he was an ordinary person but too bad nothing about him was ordinary.
"What?" Yifeng asked, staring at her angry face.
"You smoke?" Yang Zi exclaimed in anger.
"Does it look like I am licking an ice to you? You should have already known the answer seeing the cigarette, so why bother asking?" Yifeng asked. He was frustrated. It was almost dawned and they still couldn't find their way back to the resort. He would have been at ease if he was alone or with someone else other than Yang Zi. He was afraid she would get hurt and the rain may meet them in the forest. He rarely smoked, he always smoked when he was under extreme pressure.
"Of course, I can see that you are not licking ice. I only asked because I haven't seen you smoke before and please can you keep a safe distance from me. Inhaling the smell of cigarettes always makes me feel suffocated. So, do me this favour if you don't want me to collapse in front of you," Yang Zi ordered politely. She instantly covered her nose with her hands to prevent herself from inhaling the smoke. Yifeng moved some distance away from her when he heard her reason for all the interrogation.
"I'm sorry I didn't know that you have a vehement dislike for cigarettes," Yifeng apologised. He distinguished the fire from the cigarette and threw it away.
"You don't have to apologise. You didn't know, so it's not your fault. Let's work together and find the way back before the rain starts, okay? From how cloudy the sky is, I am sure it will rain heavily," Yang Zi said, forcing a smile on her face. Although her expression seemed relaxed, Yifeng could see that deep down she was troubled.
"Ok, let's work together like a team we are," Yifeng said, faking a smile at her too. They followed the track they took and within fifteen minutes they were back in the place they collected their sixth treasure before they came across the mysterious pool. Yang Zi wanted to go back to check whether the pool had disappeared like Yifeng had said, but Yifeng vehemently stood against her suggestion, seeing that the rain could start soon. Hearing Yifeng's answer, she decided to conclude all the events that just took place as a coincidence if it didn't rain like Yifeng said.
"I am sure it was just a coincidence," Yang Zi assumed when they hurried away. It was as if the mysterious pool read her mind because they didn't walk far away from the place before the rain started showering.
"Is this Destiny?" Yang Zi thought, staring at Yifeng's moving figure. She did not even stop thinking before the sound of the thunder disrupted her thoughts.