Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 300: Dreaming Together

Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Dreaming Together

Already having experienced a harrowing and life-threatening ordeal on an unsatisfying amount of sleep, most people started nodding off as soon as their nerves untensed.

Gu Fan idly wondered if anyone would be able to sleep if they’d seen Deng Wenming’s gruesome state. Looking over at Deng Wenli, he observed that the man had mourned for a bit then was now sleeping like a log. He must’ve been really exhausted.

Utilizing the others’ resting period, Zhuo Hang pulled Gu Fan and Su Hui aside to sternly reprimand them, "Do you two have any idea how dangerous your actions were? You both could’ve lost your lives."

"I’m sorry, we know we were wrong. But it was an emergency, and we didn’t have time to think it through," Su Hui apologized immediately, making an exaggerated, remorseful face and batting her eyelashes at Zhuo Hang, successfully defusing his anger.

"Alright, let’s scout the perimeter, Gu Fan, you should go get some rest," Su Hui suggested, her eyes locked on Zhuo Hang the whole time, making Gu Fan feel awkward about being the third wheel.

Retiring to his room, Gu Fan quickly burrowed into his sleeping bag and fell asleep within minutes – he was exhausted and hadn’t had a good rest in days.

Drifting in and out of dreams, Gu Fan dreamt that he was trudging through a raging blizzard. Snowflakes whipped at his face and he was all alone, unable to see his surroundings or his teammates.

Suddenly, the snowstorm stopped. Gu Fan stood rooted to the spot, staring at the towering snow-capped mountain before him, its peak concealed by a thick layer of clouds.

Surprised to find himself at the mountain’s base so soon, Gu Fan was just gathering his energy to begin his ascent when a voice echoed from the peak, "You’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

Stunned by the mysterious voice, Gu Fan quickly asked, "Who are you? Why have you been waiting for me?"

"Without you, our mission cannot be accomplished. You are the key, hence I waited for you," the voice replied, before continuing with an odd chuckle, "Come, fulfill your destiny."

"Destiny? What destiny? I came here for Leng Le," Gu Fan replied, confused. Suddenly, a familiar silhouette appeared atop the snow-covered mountain - it was Leng Le.

Without thinking twice, Gu Fan ran towards him, only to be urgently called back by another voice, "Gu Fan, don’t go!"

"This voice sounds familiar..." Gu Fan turned in surprise to find Lin Xi standing solemnly behind him. As he tried making sense of her sudden appearance, Leng Le beckoned from the mountain, "Gu Fan, come quickly, come to my side!"

"I..." Gu Fan hesitated momentarily, preparing to lope towards the mountain when Lin Xi stopped him, "Gu Fan, you absolutely must not go. It’s too dangerous. Listen to me and turn back."

"Turn back, but Leng Le..." Gu Fan would never abandon Leng Le, but Lin Xi’s plea appeared to hold some unspeakable secret. She seemed to desperately want Gu Fan to heed her words.

Just as Gu Fan was trapped in the agonising dilemma, a sudden gust of wind darkened the skies. The earth caved in, the mountain crumbled, burying Leng Le in the debris.

Wanting to rush forward and rescue Leng Le, Gu Fan was unexpectedly restrained by Lin Xi, which sank his spirits.

A startled yell startled Gu Fan awake. In the ensuing commotion, they found that it was Ning Qi who had had a nightmare.

Checking his watch, Gu Fan saw that three hours had passed. Feeling somewhat refreshed, he asked Lu Yi and Jie to relieve Zhuo Hang and Su Hui who could use some rest, considering they were the most valuable players of the team.

Finally, Ning Qi was roused by Hu Bo and Kang Rong. She looked as white as a sheet, frightened and drenched in sweat. They could only imagine how horrific her nightmare must’ve been.

Everyone tried to console Ning Qi, assuring her that it was just a dream, and they were all safe now. Kang Rong even suggested returning.

Considering what they had just experienced and the loss of a teammate, Gu Fan didn’t think it was unreasonable to consider heading back. Given Ning Qi’s current state, he expected her to entertain the thought of quitting too.

However, things didn’t play out predictably; Ning Qi shook her head, rejecting Kang Rong’s proposal. Hu Bo, surprisingly, echoed her sentiment.

Inexplicably, Gu Fan couldn’t fathom why Ning Qi and Hu Bo insisted on pushing ahead, especially given the dire circumstances. They had lost a teammate, and their ammunition was running low. It was foolish to keep going. Neither of them appeared deranged with an obsessive drive to keep hunting.

Gu Fan snuck a glance at the silent supervisor. It was the supervisor’s duty to caution Ning Qi and the others against proceeding further after having lost a member. Was there no obligation to ensure their safety? Having already failed to protect one person, if they lost another, it’d be a grave issue.

Something was not right. Gu Fan started to suspect there was more than met the eye to these people. Even Deng Wenli, despite appearing heartbroken, hadn’t suggested heading back.

At this juncture, Gu Fan was convinced that there was more to Ning Qi’s hunting party than simple hunting. There might be something awaiting them up ahead.

Ning Qi, too, began harboring similar suspicions. She eyed Gu Fan and his collected demeanor and wondered how his group managed to pull through such crises. It appeared as though this wasn’t their first time tackling difficult situations.

Why weren’t Gu Fan and his team retreating in the face of such danger? What was it that they were clinging onto?

She was convinced that Gu Fan’s team was not simply sightseeing, they must be in search of something. Could it be that they, too, shared the same objective?

"Damn it, could they...," whispered Ning Qi silently to herself, her suspicions towards Gu Fan’s team hardening. Various scenarios – including a potential showdown between both parties – raced through her mind. Thinking about Su Hui and Zhuo Hang’s capabilities, she feared that they might not stand a chance against them.

Noticing Ning Qi’s wary gaze, Hu Bo scrunched his brows. Her doubts and fears mirrored his own.

"What now? Do we keep going or separate our ways?" Ning Qi and Hu Bo couldn’t immediately make up their minds. They decided to cross the bridge when they came to it and figure out how to deal with Gu Fan’s crew then.