I remained standing in place, staring at the wide street stretching before me. Alright, why don't I find a suitable place to rest and think carefully about this? And if what's happening is real, I must find a way to get out of here… Ah, I really hope this is just a dream.
I started walking down the road slowly, feeling as if I might collapse at any moment, but I had no choice but to keep going. In this broad street, vendors sat behind their wooden tables, displaying fresh fruits, aromatic herbs, and vibrant fabrics. The sounds of bargaining rose between customers and sellers, while a small child stared longingly at some sweets. At one of the corners, an old calligrapher sat, drawing with his black ink as curious onlookers gathered around him.
On the roadside, willow leaves danced with the morning breeze, as if greeting this lively street. I won't deny that I liked this place. Not far from me, on the dusty ground, there was a smooth gray rock, with the roots of an ancient willow tree entwining it. The place seemed relatively quiet, away from the market's noise. I could sit here for a while and immerse myself in my thoughts.
I sat on the rock and looked at my clothes. I was still wearing that long, loose black dress embroidered with white and pink floral patterns. Right… Before I found myself here, I had fallen asleep wearing this dress after attending a relative's wedding, and I hadn't changed before sleeping. I must look strange to them in these clothes, but that's the least of my worries right now. What matters most is figuring out whether this is real or just a dream. But how could I even determine that? Ah, I'm so confused…
I noticed some villagers looking at me curiously, but I ignored them. Moments later, my stomach growled, and I rested my cheek on my palm, muttering to myself in frustration: What should I do now? I'm starving!
Suddenly, the scent of grilled fish filled my nose, and my mouth nearly watered. The food smelled delicious, but I had no money, and on top of that, I didn't even know what their currency looked like here.
I placed my hand on my stomach and curled up slightly, hugging my legs to my chest. After a few minutes, I felt a warm hand gently rest on my shoulder. I slowly lifted my head and saw an elderly woman smiling kindly at me. She was holding a plate of rice with a piece of grilled fish on top, along with a pair of wooden chopsticks.
I stared at her face for a moment before she extended the plate toward me, saying, "You looked hungry, so I brought you this meal."
She handed me the plate, and I held it in my hands. The aroma of the seasoned grilled fish was so enticing, but I had a problem… I didn't know how to use chopsticks! I kept staring at the plate in hesitation. What if I just used my hands? But that would definitely make me look strange to them… So, what should I do?
The woman noticed my hesitation and gently asked, "Didn't you like the food?"
I looked up at her in embarrassment and replied, "Hehe… Actually, I don't know how to use chopsticks."
The elderly woman laughed and said, "That's simple! I'll feed you myself."
I stared at her in astonishment, but at the same time, I felt incredibly happy. Finally, I met a kind person! I quickly got up from the rock and gestured to her enthusiastically, saying, "Madam, please sit here! You won't be able to stand for too long!"
She chuckled at my reaction and sat down, while I sat on the ground before her, and she began feeding me. The food was so delicious that before I knew it, I had eaten everything.
After I finished, the elderly woman looked at me and asked, "Where are you from?"
I paused for a moment to think. If I told her that I was inside a novel and that she was a character in it, she would think I was crazy. So, it's better to say that I lost my memory… Yes, that would be a logical explanation!
I sighed and then said in a sorrowful tone, "I don't remember… It seems I lost my memory or something like that. But don't worry, I've started to recall some things."
The woman looked at me sadly, then said, "I sell some meals here in the market." She pointed to a food cart a short distance away before continuing, "If you ever feel hungry again, come to me, and I'll provide you with food."
I felt truly happy, but I realized I couldn't rely on her forever. I smiled at her gratefully, then decided to ask her about Baihu Training Center.
"Madam, do you know exactly where Baihu Training Center is? I'd like to go there."
She thought for a moment as if trying to recall, then answered, "Go straight in this direction, and you'll reach it in about an hour."
She pointed south, then added a warning: "But be careful, before reaching the center, you'll have to pass through a forest where wolves are common at night."
I didn't feel any concern about the wolves because I had a brilliant plan in mind. I smiled confidently and nodded, saying, "Thanks for the warning."
The elderly woman stood up and left, while I remained in place, thinking. Then, without hesitation, I started walking… but not toward the south. Instead, I went north—the opposite direction of what she had described.
Why? Because I had decided to preserve my life and stay away from the main characters as much as possible. Whether what I was experiencing was a dream or reality, I had no intention of getting involved with them in any way.
I continued walking toward the unknown, wanting nothing more than to get as far away from the training center as possible and leave this village… before the massacre began.