Joseph and Olivia took a taxi to the earthquake site center.
This place had now become a tourist attraction, with almost everyone visiting Bagores paying their respects here.
From the broken houses and torn crevices, one could tell how severe the earthquake had been.
Standing before the ruins of a building, Olivia's voice carried a tinge of sorrow. "There was a distance between me and the building at that time, but this building collapsed right in front of me, leaving only a roof."
Ever since they stepped foot here, Joseph's demeanor grew somber, his eyebrows furrowing, as if transported back to that year and day.
Both their hearts weighed heavy, unsure of what to say for a moment.
"Let's go over there." Olivia gestured. "Do you remember a girl over there? Thanks to you, we found her just in time. If we'd been any later, she might have lost her limbs."
Joseph nodded.
The girl was only five at the time, and if they hadn't acted quickly, she might not have made it.
"I contacted the local authorities last year. They're all doing well now."
So they didn't need to disturb them further.
Sighing emotionally, Olivia said, "During the rescue, there wasn't a sense of fatigue. We just wanted to save as many as we could. Humans are truly insignificant in the face of nature."
"No one is insignificant."
Joseph looked at the rubble around them, his pupils seemingly reflecting the chaos of the earthquake, a scene of devastation.
As they approached a collapsed area, he abruptly paused.
A voice seemed to echo in his ears, "Joseph, hold on. Don't fall asleep. I'll get help for you!"
Noticing him lost in thought, Olivia's eyes shimmered as she softly said, "During the aftershock, you were trapped inside, but you stayed calm and endured."
Joseph turned to her, his expression sincere, "Your encouragement and help at that time were crucial. Thank you."
After tending to the critically injured, he had joined the rescue efforts with the fire department. Unluckily, another tremor struck, trapping Joseph under the rubble and injuring him severely.
His consciousness had been fading, with only a faint link to the world.
Feeling exhausted, cold, and longing for rest, Joseph had almost given in.
Before his consciousness faded completely, he heard a voice outside the rocks, continuously calling his name.
She spoke as if unafraid of another tremor, talking to him continuously.
Joseph persevered, relying on her encouragement and presence.
Eventually, people moved the rubble, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Olivia's face, full of concern.
At that moment, Joseph had vowed to himself that he owed Olivia his life.
With a smile suggesting gratitude, Olivia reminisced, "After returning from there, we got together."
As she was immersed in reminiscence, she felt down, expressing softly, "I often find it hard to distinguish whether you were with me because of that incident or because you truly loved me."
Joseph gathered his thoughts, unsure of how to respond to her words.
Watching his profile, Olivia leaned in and kissed him gently, gazing at him affectionately. "But you need to know that I have always loved you."
Joseph raised his gaze, seeing nothing but Olivia before him.
He didn't resist.
In this place, he couldn't resist.
Around the same time, Harper and Patrick arrived at the site center as well.
The sight of the disaster rubble made Patrick furrow his brow. The impact of seeing it in person was far more profound than on the news.
Taking a few pictures with his phone, he remarked heavily, "I never realized just how much the earthquake had destroyed until now."
Harper walked on the stone path, a sense of melancholy in her eyes. "Perhaps, the hardest thing to comprehend is the despair people felt in such circumstances."
She wanted to say that the ruins before them now only captured the past, like an old photograph.
Only those who had witnessed it firsthand could truly understand the pain brought by the disaster.
It felt as though even the air carried a sense of sorrow.
Taking a deep breath, trying to stay composed, Harper reflected, "Looking at this, we might discover emotions we hadn't felt before. Perhaps we can draw inspiration for the design competition."
"You're right," Patrick agreed, nodding. "Let's explore around and seek inspiration."
Harper nodded, taking out her phone to capture the scenes around her, wanting to document everything.
However, in the next moment, she was stunned into breathlessness by the sight that appeared suddenly in her camera frame. Harper stood frozen in place, eyes widened in disbelief.
Olivia, on tiptoes, leaned toward Joseph's cheek with shyness and happiness, planting a tender kiss.
At that moment, Harper wasoverwhelmed with despair.
Surrounded by the desolate and ruinous earth, they were kissing.
It was a visually striking scene, possessing a unique beauty, yet it left Harper feeling utterly desolate.
How could Joseph and Olivia be here?
Did they have to showcase their affection in such a place?
Patrick hadn't noticed much, gazing at the ruins beside him. "There are many ways to find inspiration. Did you bring me here for some memories?"
The overgrown grass and moss made the place look entirely neglected. There was little reason for a girl to enjoy such a place without some emotional attachment.
Harper remained silent, and as Patrick turned his head, he spotted two figures not far away.
The two doctors they had dined with previously.
Patrick's voice was not hushed, and both Joseph and Olivia turned their heads, locking eyes with them.
Joseph's gaze met Harper's, a mix of anger and sarcasm flickering fleetingly.
Then, he pushed those emotions down forcefully.
He didn't even need to see who the man beside her was.
It didn't matter.
This was what that woman called a competition, an outing with another man.
It was less like a competition and more like a leisurely date in sightseeing.
She had talked about scarce opportunities and the need for effort. But what did this casual date signify now?
Harper watched Joseph and Olivia stand together, recalling their intimacy the previous night, feeling a pang in her heart.
Why did they need to come here to reminisce today after last night's intimacy?
And what about her memories with Joseph at this place? A joke?