15
Jasmine was in a hospital thousands of miles away. She hadn’t been well when she left. She’d bled heavily throughout her journey, suffering from severe anemia and fainting several times, forcing her to seek medical attention.
On her third day in the hospital, she received a message from Benjamin. The documents had been delivered to Adrian, who seemed to have lost his mind, searching for her everywhere.
Jasmine felt nothing. She had no love or hate for Adrian; nothing he did could stir her emotions.
“Benjamin, thank you. Don’t tell me anything else about Adrian.”
‘Ms. Holt, are you alright? If you need anything, please let me know,” Benjamin said, a hint of concern in his voice.
Jasmine smiled faintly. “I’m fine, thank you. If you have time, please visit my parents on Memorial Day.”
“Of course, Benjamin readily agreed.
Jasmine thanked him again before hanging up.
Jasmine finally recovered her strength. She bought tickets for all flights within the same timeframe. Growing up with Adrian, she knew he was intelligent and resourceful. As long as he didn’t give up searching, he would eventually find her. This was her only way to delay that inevitable
moment.
Jasmine had planned to travel indefinitely, but she was stopped in her tracks by a small mountain village in Southwest China.
A tiny village nestled halfway up a mountain, it was beautiful but impoverished. Only elderly people and left–behind children lived there. There was no school; a few lucky children were taken away by their parents for education. Most children were essentially left to fend for themselves, finding work at around the age of fifteen.
Jasmine had wandered in by accident. The village had basic electricity and water but no internet or entertainment. Families bartered homegrown grains and vegetables, helping those whose children had found success.
From the moment she arrived, Jasmine received a warm welcome. The elderly and children alike adored her, fascinated by her snacks and gadgets, gathering around to listen to her explanations. Everyone offered her the best they had.
She was astonished. She hadn’t imagined that such a simple, pure village existed in modern society.
Jasmine decided to stay for a while, listening to the birds and insects, gazing at the clear sky and white clouds. Her mood steadily improved.
On her third day, a sudden downpour hit the village. Granny Mae’s house was swept away by the floodwaters. Everyone rushed to help, rescuing Granny Mae.
‘Girl, go take shelter. We’ve got this,” Granny Beth, who had taken her in, pushed Jasmine towards safety.
“Let me help. The more hands, the better,” Jasmine said. Having been pampered her entire life, and especially cherished by Adrian for so many years, she was completely inept.
But now, she tried to dig through the mud to help rescue Granny Mae.
The rain was relentless, obscuring her vision. She felt her head grow heavy, collapsing in a faint.
When she woke up, the rain had stopped.
Granny Beth looked at her with concern.“Girl, you’ve had a fever for three days. This village isn’t suitable for you. You should go back to the city.”
Seeing the worry and reluctance in Granny Beth’s eyes, Jasmine suddenly realized what she had to do.
0718
