The World They Left Behind

Ningning's smile widened, but something in Arga's gaze confused her. There was something different about the way he spoke, something that made her feel awkward and... amused.

"Wait a minute..." she thought, suddenly realizing something. "Am I being played with?" she murmured, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

However, that smile gradually faded as Arga moved.

With a calm motion, he reached for the sword nearby and drew it from its sheath. Ningning noticed but pretended not to care. She knew Arga would do this. She had even placed the sword there on purpose to see his reaction.

And sure enough, Arga pulled the sword with one swift motion. But before Ningning could comment, he moved quickly. In an instant, he grabbed Ningning and ducked her head. The next second, a sharp sound cut through the air—an arrow struck the wall of their carriage.

Ningning gasped. Her eyes widened briefly before she quickly assessed the situation.

Arga took a deep breath. "It seems someone's been waiting for us."

His gaze was sharp, full of vigilance. He looked toward the hill in the distance, his expression hardening. "I'll fight them."

Ningning squinted, recalling something. "Could it be... that chubby man at the diner earlier?"

But before Arga could reply, another whizzing sound was heard. A second arrow shot from the hill, narrowly missing them.

"We need to move now," Ningning said quickly. She grabbed Arga's wrist. "It's better to take another route. I know a different path. Let's go!"

Arga looked at her for a moment, then nodded. Without wasting time, they moved.

From afar, the silhouettes of their attackers began to appear at the top of the hill. They weren't alone. A line of horses stood ready behind them, prepared to give chase at any moment.

While helping Arga tug the reins of the horse, Ningning gritted her teeth. "I'll make that chubby kid pay..."

"At least they can't catch up to us. You seem to know this place well, even its hidden routes," Arga said with a smile. Ningning only nodded, not responding.

Their journey continued. The carriage they rode crept slowly, climbing hills and mountains. The scenery outside the window changed rapidly, as if the world beyond was transforming along with the passage of time. Thin mist floated, shrouding the peaks of the mountains that stood defiantly in the distance. The hum of the train engine merged with the silence of nature, creating a rhythm that was both calming and mysterious.

Arga broke the silence. "Are you worried I'd hurt you?" he asked suddenly. His tone was low but firm, revealing a genuine curiosity.

Ningning smiled shyly, lowering her gaze for a moment. "I never thought that," she replied softly.

"I've never hurt a woman, you know," Arga added, his voice more relaxed now. Ningning just gave a small nod, letting his words pass without a reply.

Arga observed Ningning carefully. Her face was serious, her eyes glowed with curiosity. There was something in her gaze that couldn't be easily ignored.

"I don't mean to pry too much into your past," he said slowly, cautiously. "But it's important to understand and gather as much information as possible about this world."

Ningning looked at him for a moment, then gave a small nod, allowing him to continue.

"I'm curious," Arga said, his excitement showing slightly. "How did you end up in this city, becoming the District Chief, and earning the respect of so many people at such a young age?"

Ningning smiled, a mysterious glint in her eyes, as if hiding something. "Is that your only question? Alright, I'll answer, but don't expect everything in one go. If you ask again later, I might reveal more details."

Arga nodded, showing his enthusiasm. He listened intently as Ningning began her story. Her voice was calm, though there was an underlying bitterness she couldn't quite conceal.

"I've been a musician since I was a child, especially the piano. My parents hoped I'd become a star, a world-renowned pianist. My teenage career was promising; I started gaining recognition, and many people admired me. But..." she paused, taking a deep breath as if gathering her emotions.

"One day, trouble came to my family. I didn't know exactly what happened, but my father's work brought disaster. People hurt me and used me to threaten him." Her eyes drifted off, as if looking through time. Then she looked at Arga with a faint, unreadable smile. "My career was ruined after that. My mother told everyone that I went abroad to study music, but in reality, I ended up in an orphanage, hidden away after the incident."

Arga gazed at her with sympathy. "Why did they do that?" he asked, cutting into her story.

"Because they wanted to protect themselves from shame," Ningning replied, her voice steady despite the flicker of anger in her eyes. "They hid me, and I had no choice but to accept it. Life in the orphanage was tough, but I found someone who truly cared for me there."

Arga tilted his head slightly, sensing there was more to the story. "I'm sorry, Ningning. So how did you end up here?" he asked quickly, trying to piece the clues together.

Ningning hesitated. "I... I don't really remember. When I came to, I was already here," she said in a near whisper.

Arga watched her closely. Ningning tried to appear calm, but something in her expression suggested she was holding something back. In his heart, Arga thought, perhaps her past was too painful to share completely.

However, his curiosity persisted. "Then how did you become the leader of this district? You're still so young," he asked again, trying to fill in the blanks.

The question seemed to catch Ningning off guard. She stared at Arga for a moment, then looked away as if searching for an answer. "I... I was the first to arrive in this city," she finally said, flashing a smile that seemed too casual. "So, the newcomers saw me as their leader."

Her answer felt evasive. Arga sighed quietly, but he didn't give up. "So, did you build this city yourself?" he pressed further.