145 It might hurt a little

They have been walking around for a long time. It could have been days or only a few hours. Whenever Fu Mian gets hungry, Xiao Chun Dan plucks the fruits and gives them to her. Whenever she gets tired, he would carry her and look for his host with Huang Wei Yi. They always end up in the same place as if they are walking in a circle. 

"Is she here?" Huang Wei Yi asks him doubtfully.

"I can sense her here." Xiao Chun Dan sighs. Whenever Li Dai Yu wakes up, he leaves this place and pretends that he's analyzing her magic. She isn't concerned about him anyway. Fu Sheng is doing a good job of keeping Li Dai Yu busy. "Where would she hide her?"

Fu Mian puts her head on Xiao Chun Dan shoulder, dejected. Will she able to find her mother? She hasn't seen her father for so long. She mumbles softly, "Mommy, where are you? I miss you."

Just then, a few drops of water fall on her face. She looks up and frowns. It's the same giant tree. They always end up here. But why is it raining here? The water is salty too. "Uncle Dan, it's raining."

"That's not possible…" Xiao Chun Dan stops talking when he notices that the leaves are wet. It's not the same for other trees. He goes to the tree and strokes the stalk a few times. When he tries to scan it, he realizes that he doesn't have the access. Suspicious, he presses his ear to the trunk of the tree and listens. 

He could hear the sound of breathing.

"I think that this is it." He says to Huang Wei Yi, "This tree hasn't changed since we came here. It doesn't grow or wither. I can't look into it. Something is blocking me from scanning it."

"Do you want me to peek inside?" Huang Wei Yi asks him. 

"That would be a help." Xiao Chun Dan gives him a nod. But how would they bring her out if she's inside this tree? 

Huang Wei Yi steps inside the tree. At first, he can't see anything at all. He lets himself submerge toward the roots. He could also hear the sound of breathing. When he reaches the bottom, he sees her tied to the roots. Huang Qiuyan's eyes are closed, but two streams of tears are running on her cheeks. 

"Yan'er!" He yells her name and tries to break away the roots. It's futile. His hands always pass through everything. He calls her name again and again. "Yan'er, it's your brother. Wake up, please."

The roots around her body become tighter when she tries to move. Huang Qiuyan could hear Huang Wei Yi's voice, but her body isn't moving at all. Her lips won't move. Fu Sheng… Fu Mian… Everyone else is waiting for her. How long is she going to let Li Dai Yu hurt the people she cares about? 

***

After some time, Huang Wei Yi comes out of the tree. He tells everything to Xiao Chun Dan, "She's there. How do we get her out?"

"There must be some way." Huang Wei Yi creases his forehead. "She looked like she's in pain. What if this tree devours her until there's nothing left of her?"

"That could happen." The fact that this tree could cry like this is already scary. "But Huang Qiuyan is the owner. Even Li Dai Yu is a small part of her. She can get out of that place."

"But it might take a long time," Huang Wei Yi exclaims. "We don't have time. You told me that Huang Qiuyan will erode away as Li Dai Yu gets stronger."

That's true, but what can he do? To be honest, does it matter whether it's Li Dai Yu or Huang Qiuyan? Even if the owner of the heart changes, the soul remains the same. Xiao Chun Dan shrugs. "If Huang Qiuyan becomes Li Dai Yu, Li Dai Yu will be the owner. It's still the same."

"I want my mother. I don't want her," Fu Mian shouts at him. "We can't let my mother to get eaten by evil aunty. We have to stop this, Uncle Dan."

"I agree with her." Huang Wei Yi folds his arms. "We can't let Huang Qiuyan get swallowed by Li Dai Yu."

Xiao Chun Dan scrutinizes their faces for a long time, rubbing his chin. This place is fused with magic. Then, cutting or destroying a giant tree won't work. He recalls everything that has happened so far.  If his host is really in there..."We can try one thing."

"What is it?" Huang Wei Yi looks at him hopefully.

"We need Fu Mian's help." Xiao Chun Dan smiles at Fu Mian. "Would you do what I ask? It might hurt a little."

"I will do anything." Fu Mian nods her head with a determined look. "Tell me, Uncle Dan, what do I have to do?"

***

"Mommy…" She hears a soft crying voice. "Daddy…"

Feeling agonized by the crying voice of a little girl, Huang Qiuyan tries her hard to move. Her body feels heavier. The roots become firm around her ankles and wrists. 

"Mommy, why are you hurting me?" 

Tormented by the cries, Huang Qiuyan opens her mouth. Her eyes flutter. A small cry escapes her mouth. "Fu Mian…"

"Mommy…" Fu Mian cries, "Don't hurt, Daddy."

No, she can't let that happen. Fu Mian and Fu Sheng are in danger. She has to get out of here. She clenches her teeth and fists her hands. She has heard them. All of Fu Sheng's words have reached her. "Fu Mian… Fu Sheng..."