Their journey went smoothly.
Because Anthea took the lead and led the way without any hesitation, everyone followed her.
They came by bus then on foot, but now, they had to walk all the way back. It would take a long time for them to walk out of the woods. They took a five-minute rest every 20 minutes, and the journey went on in an orderly way.
By noon, the road ahead gradually widened.
"I think the rendezvous place is right ahead!"
Someone shouted excitedly, and the crowd burst into an uproar.
About five meters away, there was a clearing that was surrounded by low trees. It was the place where they got off earlier. Right now, two SUVs with military license plates were parked there, and there was a small red flag on the nearby tree.
Seeing that they had really made their way out, everyone cheered happily.
Leonardo sighed inwardly.
Their journey went so smoothly that in other people's eyes, Anthea looked like a clairvoyant, but he knew the truth. It was Adam, the loving boyfriend, who had abandoned the principle and given her the inside information.
How shameless!
Ten minutes later, the whole group safely arrived at the rendezvous point.
One of the vehicles opened its door, and a pair of black military boots stepped out. The man was tall and strong and wore a pair of sunglasses, which emphasized his handsome features and made him look more stylish.
"Chief Instructor Chin!"
Seeing him, everyone shouted excitedly.
Adam looked down at her watch and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your hard work. You're an hour earlier than the stipulated time."
Everyone smiled happily, but they didn't forget their guide either. They felt grateful for what Anthea did and admired her for it.
"It's all thanks to Anthea. She's amazing and confident. She led us out of the woods!"
"Yes, it's all thanks to her!"
Hearing their words, Adam landed his gaze on Anthea's face, and he was unperturbed when he smiled and said, "Very good. You deserve a pat on the back."
Anthea blushed and said, "Thank you, Chief Instructor Chin."
Leonardo couldn't stand the couple and looked away.
He was shameless, and she was cheeky. They were perfect for each other!
They were the first team to come out, and the other teams were still nowhere to be seen. Naturally, the successful team would be rewarded. They were allowed to have a rest. The instructors gave them their lunch that consisted of beef hamburgers and cola.
Although it was just some simple fast food, in a forest like this, it almost felt like a picnic. They enjoyed the taste of victory.
As time went by, other teams gradually came out of the woods as well.
Looking around, the clearing was full of students. They looked like green moss that was about to integrate with the forest. The stipulated time had passed, but many people still hadn't returned.
In the end, only the small group that had followed Shelby hadn't returned.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, someone suddenly stood up and said, "Chief Instructor Chin, Look! I think Shelby's team has finally come out!"
Hearing the voice, everyone looked up and saw about twenty people walking toward them along a path in the woods. All of them had their heads lowered and looked crestfallen.
They had chosen to follow Shelby, but they were lost.
She looked at Anthea with jealousy and hatred. The cold look in her eyes reminded one of a snake hovering in the dark.
Shelby suddenly had an idea.
Shelby and the others came back late, and Anthea was bored by the waiting. But when she saw Shelby's dirty face, she felt that it was worthwhile. She raised her arm and stretched herself.
Adam was in the SUV not far away and chatting with other instructors. From time to time, she would steal glances at him.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps nearby, and a boy walked past her. "Anthea, Leonardo is asking you to come over. He seems to be looking for you!"
"Where?" Anthea stood up.
"Just over there!" The boy pointed at a random spot.
Anthea followed his fingers and saw that in the dense woods to her southeast, Leonardo was standing under a big gnarled tree. He seemed to be studying something with his head raised.
She nodded without hesitation. "Okay, I see. Thank you!"
The boy waved at her and left directly.
Anthea patted away the leaves on her bottom and walked in that direction.
There were a lot of students. Some were sitting, some were standing, and some were walking about. No one noticed her departure.
Leonardo was some distance away, and it took her some time to get there.
Anthea walked slowly. She wasn't in a hurry. The voices of the students behind her gradually drifted away.
Halfway there, she suddenly slipped and fell down. She was shocked and cried out...
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Purchased A Mr. Right