As Zane stepped out of the car, he turned back and opened the door again to speak to Emma. “Emma, if we get into any trouble, you need to lock this car from the inside and stay put. Do you understand?”Emma nodded confidently. “Be careful, Zane.”“Of course, you know I’ll be fine,” Zane replied with a reassuring smile.Standing calmly, Zane watched as a group of five tattooed men surrounded him. One of them sneered, “Hey, look at this. Seems like a city boy lost his way here. Looks like he needs some help, haha.”“Rich people usually rely on their money, not their brains, hahaha,” chimed in another, followed by the others' laughter.Zane knew they had bad intentions. He glanced back at Emma, who was in the car, and gave her a quick wink, signaling her to lock the car immediately.Emma felt her heart pounding, her worry and fear were evident on her face. Despite this, she remained confident that Zane would handle the situation.Zane’s calm demeanor didn’t waver as he faced the men.
Zane still stood firmly in the middle, surrounded by The King's four henchmen. He prepared his fighting stance, ready to take them on.The next two men, though visibly more hesitant, launched their attacks from both the left and right sides. Zane moved with the grace and speed of the wind, deftly blocking the left punch with his forearm and swiftly driving his elbow into the face of the attacker on the right. The impact was powerful, sending the man crashing to the ground.The last man, paralyzed with fear, could only watch in horror as Zane executed a flawless spinning kick, knocking him down with a single, decisive blow. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and charged with anticipation, yet Zane’s expression remained calm and composed. He looked unfazed, his demeanor exuding confidence and unbothered by the intimidating presence of his opponents.The two attackers who had fallen earlier now rose with renewed determination. They dusted off their clothes and exchanged glances
Zane and Emma stood side by side in front of the house, surrounded by the scent of wildflowers growing abundantly in the spacious yard. The old house looked majestic despite its faded paint and some worn-out wooden parts. Emma gazed at the house with a warm smile, her brown eyes sparkling with hope. “I can’t believe I’m actually here,” she murmured, her voice slightly trembling with emotion. She took a deep breath and then turned to Zane. “Thank you, Zane. This is all because of you,” she added, her voice filled with gratitude.Zane looked to his side, his eyes meeting Emma’s warm and joyful gaze as she admired the old house. “Of course, Emma,” he replied softly.He held Emma’s hand, feeling the warmth in her grip. “Shall we go inside now?” he asked, his voice gentle yet enthusiastic.“Yeah, of course, Zane,” Emma replied with confidence, her eyes shining even brighter. They ascended several steps to reach the terrace of the house, their footsteps echoing softly against the wo
James stood at the doorway, his gaze settling on Zane and Emma as they approached. With a gesture of welcome, he said, "Come in, you must be cold." His voice was warm, carrying a hint of concern that resonated in the chilly air.They followed James inside, stepping into the warmth of the home. As Emma watched James struggle with each step, a wave of sadness washed over her. It pained her to see her father move with such difficulty, a stark contrast to the energetic man she remembered from her childhood. Under her breath, she whispered to herself, "Dad, what have you been through all these years?""Please, have a seat," James offered, motioning towards the cozy living room. He then turned towards the kitchen, intending to prepare some hot drinks to ward off the chill that still lingered on them.However, Emma quickly intervened, unable to bear the sight of her father exerting himself. "Dad, please. You don't have to trouble yourself. Come sit with us," she insisted, her voice fi
Zane and Emma were startled by James's question. Emma quickly stepped in to clarify. She shook her head, raising her hand and waving it as a gesture of denial."No, no, no, Dad. I think you misunderstood," Emma said, her voice firm but kind.James, ever attentive and caring, replied, "Emma, you are both adults. It’s perfectly fine for me to know about such things. There’s no need to be embarrassed."Emma felt a wave of embarrassment and discomfort wash over her, particularly for Zane, because of her father's misunderstanding."Dad, no, it's not what you think," Emma insisted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Zane and I are just close friends, nothing more."Emma's discomfort was palpable, and Zane noticed. He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement."Emma, isn't what your father said not entirely wrong?" Zane remarked calmly, his tone light-hearted.Hearing Zane's response made Emma even more self-conscious. She desperately wanted to change the subject, feeling the awkwardnes
James slowly rose from his chair, the day's wear evident in his movements. He glanced towards Zane and Emma, noticing the fatigue that shadowed their features. "You both should rest," he suggested, his voice carrying a soft but firm note of concern. "It's getting late."Emma assisted him to his feet, her hands gentle yet steady. Once he was stable, James straightened his posture and continued, his eyes twinkling with a hint of excitement despite his tiredness. "This village boasts natural beauty that truly comes alive at dawn. Just a short walk from here, up the hill, there’s a waterfall. It’s completely natural and untouched, a hidden gem that I'm sure you’ll both appreciate in the morning light."He looked around the modest living room of his cottage. "Since there are only two bedrooms in this house, you two should take them. I'll manage just fine on this sofa here." He gestured towards a worn but comfy-looking sofa in the corner of the room.Emma immediately protested, stoppin
Zane remained seated calmly at the edge of James' bed, his face a mask of serene concentration. He had just finished administering a treatment he hoped would bring some relief to James, whose chronic pain had been a source of concern for months. The room was silent except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.Emma, who had been watching anxiously, noticed a subtle shift in her father's expression. Her eyes, previously clouded with worry, now sparkled with a mixture of hope and relief. She couldn't contain her joy and rushed to her father's side, her heart swelling with emotion. With a gentle touch, she asked, her voice laced with cautious optimism, “Dad, are your legs really feeling better?” Her eyes searched his face for confirmation, longing for the positive change she so desperately wished to see.Turning to Zane, her expression was one of earnest inquiry. “Zane, do you think my father will be able to walk normally again?” Zane responded with a reassuring nod, his v
That night, Zane slept for only a few hours because he was eager to wake up early and relish the beauty of Serenity Village. He had heard so much about the place and couldn't wait to experience it himself. As the morning was still cloaked in darkness, Zane rose from his bed, feeling the crisp, cool air of dawn. He got ready for an early morning run around the village. His excitement grew as he remembered the waterfall James had described, the perfect spot for his morning meditation.Before starting his run, Zane took a moment to stretch his muscles in front of James's house. The silence of the early morning was broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of waking birds. Zane felt a sense of calm and anticipation blend together. He began his warm-up, feeling each stretch loosening his muscles and preparing his body for the jog ahead.Once he felt ready, Zane started jogging. The path through Serenity Village was winding and hilly, but he didn't mind the c