Chapter 6

When Flora arrived at the foot of the snow mountain, the wind and snow were so fierce that she could barely see the path ahead. Carlton's group of friends were pacing anxiously. “What's the situation?” she asked with panting, her breath condensing into white mist in the air. “The wind and snow are too intense!” one of men said with his face pale. “The rescue team just went up once, but they couldn't handle it. Now no one dares to go up again!” Flora looked up at the snow-covered peak shrouded in the storm, her heart sinking. “How long has he been trapped inside?” “Almost six hours…” Six hours. In a snow-covered mountain at minus several dozen degrees, everyone knew what six hours meant. Flora said nothing more, turning toward the equipment area to begin donning her protective gear. “What are you doing?” one of men grabbed her arm. “Going up to rescue him,” she said, fastening her safety harness without looking up. “You're crazy?!” the brother's voice rose, “Even the professional rescue team dares not go up again. Entering the mountain is suicide!” Flora paused, then looked up at them: “He's been trapped for six hours. The longer it goes on, the greater the risk.” Her tone was calm. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring him down safely.” Her brother was stunned. They had always looked down on this ordinary girl, thinking she wasn’t good enough for Carlton. But at that moment, she stood in the wind and snow, her gaze so determined it was unsettling. “Do you love him that much?” Carlton’s friend couldn’t help but ask. Flora didn’t answer, turning and walking into the wind and snow. She had once loved him deeply, enough to die for him. Now she didn't love him anymore, but she owed him a debt of gratitude. The wind on the snowy mountain cut like a knife across her face, and every step Flora took was difficult. She recalled that afternoon when Carlton stood on the rooftop and resolved her dilemma with a single phone call. “Let this be my repayment,” she murmured to herself as she continued forward. Three hours later, she finally found Carlton behind a sheltered rock. He was unconscious, his face as pale as snow, but he clutched a epiphyllum in his arms. The petals were pure white, undamaged by the wind and snow. Flora’s eyes welled up with tears. She carefully placed the flower in her backpack and made a makeshift stretcher from materials found nearby. The descent was more difficult than the ascent, with the wind and snow growing stronger. She dragged the stretcher, her shoulders raw and bleeding from the ropes, staining the snow red. “Carlton...” she gasped, her voice hoarse, “Hold on.” When Flora finally dragged Carlton to the base of the mountain, the group of brothers rushed over. “Carlton!” “Call a doctor!” Flora stumbled aside, watching them frantically load Carlton into the ambulance. In the snowstorm, no one noticed her injuries. Only after confirming Carlton was safe did she finally collapse. She had repaid the debt with her life, and now they were even. When Flora woke up, the hospital room was empty. She propped herself up to sit, her shoulder wound burning with pain. She didn’t know how Carlton was doing, so she pulled back the blankets and got out of bed. The door to the VIP ward at the end of the corridor was ajar. Just as she was about to push it open, she heard Carlton’s voice— “Take these flowers to Calista.” His voice was hoarse. “Don’t say I picked them, and don’t mention my injuries.” “What’s the point of thinking about flowers now!” his friend’s voice trembled. “Do you know how Flora saved you? She nearly lost her life doing it.” “I know,” Carlton said calmly. “We all used to think she wasn’t good enough for you,” his friend said with a complicated tone, “but what she’s done for you over the years, which were Calista couldn’t do, and neither could any of your other girlfriends.” “Calista and your brother are going to get married sooner or later,” his brother sighed, “try to like Flora. You said she’s liked you for so long… she is so pity, how about give her a chance?” The room fell silent for a long time. Flora’s fingers trembled slightly as they pressed against the door. “If I could, I’d like someone else,” Carlton suddenly laughed, “but is that something I can control?” He laughed, but tears fell from his eyes: “I only like Calista. No, I love her. I love her so much I’m going crazy.” Those words cut through Flora's heart like a dull knife. She had once loved Carlton so much she went mad, but later forced him out of her heart, leaving her bleeding and raw. Now even that lingering warmth was gone, leaving only an empty ache. Carlton, Carlton, so you're just like me. Those who are not loved are the most pitiful.