Chapter 504

Willow hadn't noticed it before, but now that she had time to rest, she truly felt an overwhelming exhaustion wash over her. Over the past month, she had been on edge worrying about Aiden's injury. Just when he finally recovered, she found herself being hunted down. The mystical spring water could heal physical wounds, but it couldn't mend the weariness of the soul. Aiden had clearly noticed her fatigue, which was why he'd insisted she stay in bed—even forbidding her from reviewing her college entrance exam materials. These past couple days, villagers who'd heard about Willow's injury came by to visit. Emma and Dylan had been away attending an educated youth seminar in the provincial capital. The moment they returned today and learned that Willow and Aiden were back in the village, they rushed over excitedly. But they weren't alone—trailing behind them was a group of fellow educated youth who had also just returned from the city. The moment Emma saw Willow, she fretted, "Willow! I hear