Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Inside the sniper's room, the highest-ranking commander froze for a moment when he saw the face enter the sniper's range. It was truly a difficult choice.

Jared knocked on the door of a house, his cold voice probing, "Is anyone home? We accidentally got lost and came here. Could we trouble you for a cup of water?"

While speaking, Jared's hand brushed against the gun at his waist. Behind him, Tina mimicked the same gesture.

Creak-

The door slowly opened.

A sturdy man stepped out. His skin was dark, his clothes worn and tattered, and his expression seemed slightly anxious. He greeted Tina and Jared with a simple, honest smile.

Jared was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected someone to actually open the door. Without revealing anything, he casually slid his gun back into its holster.

Inside the sniper's room, the commander's sharp eyes were fixed on the screen. Every move was under his watch.

The moment he saw Tina, he picked up the landline next to him and made a call.

Though Tina had found her way here, the cold, seductive voice on the other end was laced with anger, demanding that her life not be taken.

The commander picked up a sniper rifle and swiftly set it up. His eye locked onto the scope, zooming in repeatedly on Tina's face. His long, sharp fingers rested on the trigger. The air seemed to freeze for three seconds before he slowly released his grip.

If it were up to him, he wouldn't have hesitated to blow Tina's head off.

He sighed softly and put the rifle away, murmuring, "Give them water and send them on their way."

The sturdy man, wearing an earpiece, heard the commander's voice. His eyes flickered briefly before he chuckled and said, "You've come such a long way and gotten lost. That's really unfortunate."

"Wait here for a moment. I'll get you some water."

Jared gave a slight nod, pulling Tina closer as he surveyed the inside of the house. It didn't look much different from an ordinary home, though the furnishings were far from new. Still, all the basics-food, drink, and other necessities-were present.

The man took out two paper cups, poured water from a bottle, and handed them to Jared and Tina.

Jared reached out to take them, offering the first cup to Tina before taking a small sip from the second. "Does every house here have someone living in it? It's broad daylight, but we haven't seen a single person outside."

The man paused briefly before a calm voice came through his earpiece: "Tell him yes. Everyone is busy with farmwork at this time."

"Of course," the man replied with a smile. "Every house here is occupied. Don't be fooled by how desolate it looks. Everyone here wants to improve their lives. Right now, they're all busy working in the fields."

Tina's eyes flickered slightly as she took a small sip of water. It was clear their hosts were well-prepared. But they hadn't gathered enough information yet, and leaving now wasn't an option, even if the air here reeked of danger. Jared nodded. "Since we've had some water and rested for a bit, we should be on our way. We ended up here by accident. Do you know the quickest way out of this place?"

The commander's voice came through the earpiece again: "Tell him a longer route. Make it seem like you don't leave the village often."

The man hesitated for a moment, rubbing his chin as if in thought. "To be honest, I've lived here for so long that I rarely leave the village unless it's something major. I've only gone out once or twice."noveldrama

"If you keep going straight through the village, take a right around the riverbank, then head west along the shore, you'll find your way out. That's the route I've always taken."

Jared nodded gratefully. "Thank you. Once I've found my wife's relatives, we'll come back to thank you properly."

The man waved dismissively. "No need for that. This village is so desolate that there's nothing worth coming back for. Just focus on finding your family."

Jared tightened his grip on Tina's hand, preparing to leave. "I'd like to see how farming is done in such a barren place. Back home, we've got a patch of land quite similar to this. If I can learn something here, it might help the folks back home." Tina's tone was calm, her gaze filled with a feigned sense of curiosity. Jared appeared slightly conflicted as he turned to the man. "Would it be possible to show us around? My wife's persistent. If I don't take her to see it, she won't let me hear the end of it when we get back."

A faint smile tugged at Tina's lips. Jared sure knew how to play his part. He must have watched too many TV dramas.

The man looked conflicted. "I can take you, brother, but don't talk. The people here don't like being disturbed while they work."

"I'm only doing this to keep your wife from making things hard for you. But don't bother the farmers while they're working, or you'll make it hard for me too." Jared responded seriously, "I understand. We'll just take a quick look from a distance and leave."

"Alright then. Follow me," the man said, opening the door and leading the way.

As they walked, Tina and Jared observed their surroundings. There were many houses on either side, suggesting the village was home to quite a few people. But every door was tightly shut, and from the outside, all the homes looked nearly identical-except...

Tina narrowed her eyes. Among the houses, there were three distinct markings subtly placed in inconspicuous spots. If her keen eyes hadn't caught them, she might have missed them entirely. "Take them to the eastern farmland," the commander instructed before removing his earpiece.

The man led them to the eastern farmland. The fields were lush and green, with rows of thriving crops. Many men wearing straw hats were hard at work, tilling the soil and clearing new land. Tina and Jared stood quietly at a distance, careful not to make a sound. But something was off.

How could such barren land produce such thriving crops?

Upon closer inspection, even the vibrant green plants seemed... strange.

Tina frowned, her sharp gaze sweeping over the surrounding terrain. Without a word, she tugged lightly on Jared's sleeve.

Jared gave a slight nod to the man, who looked visibly relieved as he turned to lead them away.

Once they were a safe distance from the fields, the man spoke again. "You've seen the farmland now. You should hurry up and find your family. Once it gets dark, it'll be even harder to leave."

Jared smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll take my wife and leave right away. She's seen the fields, so I'm sure she won't give me any more trouble."

The man, worried they might change their minds, turned to Tina. "You're married now. Learn to be more understanding. It's not easy for your husband to take you on this journey to find your relatives. Stop giving him a hard time and leave quickly."

Tina curved her lips into a soft smile, glancing at Jared without saying a word. The two walked side by side under the man's watchful gaze, leaving the village. As they disappeared from sight, the man's expression turned cold and ruthless.