Chapter 253 You Should Be the One to Leave
Emily had originally planned to give a vague, casual answer about where she was going, but when she met Daniel's penetrating gaze, somehow she just couldn't bring herself to lie.
So she simply told the truth. "I need to go to Cliff Village under Oceancrest City, but I still don't know the exact situation with Atticus and the others, so I'm worried about missing the auction time for those two medicinal herbs of yours. That's why I came specifically to tell you."
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Charles immediately pulled out his phone to search for it.
Actually, just from the name alone, it sounded like a remote place full of cliffs.
Sure enough, when he looked it up on the map, it was indeed very remote, and even on Baidu Encyclopedia, there wasn't much detailed information about it.
"This Cliff Village is really remote. Are you sure you want to go? Won't it be dangerous?"
As Charles spoke, he looked Emily up and down. He'd occasionally heard that in some particularly remote mountain villages, once you went in, you might not be able to get out.
And the targets were specifically beautiful women.
Looking at Emily's strikingly beautiful and delicate features, he voiced his concerns.
Daniel was already worried about Emily going to Cliff Village alone, and after Charles said this, his expression naturally darkened even more.
"I'll go with you!"
Daniel's words were a non-negotiable decision.
"No!"
This time, Emily was equally firm. Without even bothering to argue with him, she refused outright.
Daniel looked at her deeply, unwilling to compromise.
"Have you forgotten that last time abroad, your body almost had a toxic episode? You're not lucky every time. If you encounter another emergency situation, even if God himself came, he couldn't save you."
Thinking back to that situation, Emily couldn't help but feel her heart tighten.
Charles was completely confused. He frowned and asked, "Daniel, when did you go abroad? And what's this about a toxic episode? Wait, that mysterious person in the police report on the news today—that wasn't you, was it? Don't you know your own physical condition? Do you have a death wish?"
He was getting angry too, thinking about how he'd been working hard all this time to find medicinal herbs for Daniel's condition, and how he'd been looking for doctors back then, all because he was afraid Daniel would have a toxic episode.
He never expected Daniel to be so careless with his own body.
Daniel didn't feel guilty though, and even explained, "The mysterious person wasn't me!"
This was denying that he was the person they were thanking.
But the fact that he'd participated in the rescue was true—he just didn't mention it to avoid worrying Charles.
Emily knew Daniel said this to keep Charles from worrying, so she didn't expose the deeper meaning of his words.
But regardless, she still didn't agree. "Anyway, for the sake of your health, you can't come with me to Cliff Village this time."
Seeing Daniel still insisting, Charles was afraid he'd really impulsively follow along, the kind you couldn't pull back even if you tried.
He immediately pointed at himself. "Wait, am I invisible to you two? There's a living, breathing grown man right in front of you! If Daniel's health won't allow him to go, I can go with you!"
As if to demonstrate that he was the most suitable person, he even patted his chest.
Emily looked at the smug Charles and suddenly made a move.
Charles didn't even have time to react before he took a solid punch.
He looked at Emily with a pained expression. "What was that for? I'm trying to help, and you suddenly hit me?"
His tone was full of grievance.
He even tattled, "Daniel, look at this! This woman is so violent—no good, no good at all!"
Daniel ignored Charles, his gaze deep as he looked at Emily.
Emily just explained, "Too slow!"
Daniel understood what Emily meant and actually agreed, "Yes, too slow!"
Charles was completely baffled by their cryptic exchange. "Wait, what does that mean? Have you two switched to a different language system or something?"
Otherwise, how could he not understand?
Emily patiently explained, "Your reaction speed is too slow. You can't even dodge my attacks. If we encounter danger, would I be saving you or would you be saving me?"
In short, he'd be a burden.
This Charles understood.
Very awkward.
To save face, he tried to explain, "That's because you hit me too suddenly! I wasn't prepared. If I had been prepared, you wouldn't have been able to hit me!"
"Really?" Emily's eyes clearly showed disbelief. "A sudden strike is what tests your reaction ability. But based on my test just now, even if you were prepared, the result would be the same."
Charles didn't like hearing that. Feeling competitive, he rolled up his sleeves. "Who are you looking down on? If you don't believe me, try again."
Emily smiled, her confidence making her whole person come alive. "Are you ready? I'm going to strike."
Charles: "Bring it on!"
Emily even gave him time to prepare.
But when she struck, her speed was too fast. She turned her fist into a palm strike, and Charles got hit again.
Emily shook her head. "I told you, you can't do it!"
How could a man accept being told he couldn't do it!
Charles got angry. "Who are you saying can't do it? How am I..."
Then he received a warning glare from Daniel.
Charles's anger lasted only that brief moment before he quieted down.
Calming down, he could recognize that Emily wasn't a weak woman—she was much more capable than he'd thought.
He knew some fighting techniques, but in front of Emily, he was like a useless person.
Daniel knew that while Emily appeared to be sparring with Charles, she was actually proving to him that she didn't need him to come along.
Never before had he felt as much as now how much he hated his current physical condition.
"I won't follow you into the village, but York must go with you."
This was his decision after compromising.
Emily thought about it. With York there, it would indeed be safer.
So she nodded. "Okay, then let York come along."
The two reached a good agreement.
"You go back first!"
Daniel seemed to sense something and glanced at him before speaking.
Charles said to Emily, "Ms. Johnson, it's late, please go ahead!"
Daniel's expression darkened. "I was talking to you!"
Emily was almost amused by Charles.
She couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, I don't usually laugh unless I can't help it!"
This time Charles really complained with grievance, "Got a woman and forgot about your good friend!"
The rest of his words got stuck in his throat.
Facing Daniel's murderous glare, he obediently left.
Emily figured that since Daniel had sent Charles away like that, he must have something important to tell her.
"Wait for me!"
But Daniel turned and went upstairs, leaving Emily somewhat puzzled.