Chapter 699: Stepping on the Back
Chapter 699: Chapter 699: Stepping on the Back
A sound came from the living room, but everyone assumed it was just Mina and the others playing outside, so no one went to check. A few minutes later, Flynn Hansen appeared at the dining room entrance. When he saw everyone inside, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him and rubbed them.
"Am I hallucinating?"
It still didn’t feel real. He pinched his arm hard, and the sharp pain that followed told him this was no hallucination. But he clearly remembered being in the Whispwood with Ryan Rowe, Evelyn Ford, and Ronan Kendrick. That’s right—they had been caught in a sandstorm. Just as it was about to engulf them, he’d felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and passed out. The next thing he knew, he was waking up in this place.
Most importantly, the rich aroma of meat had been what roused him. Gazing at the table laden with food, Flynn Hansen couldn’t help but swallow.
"Oh, you’re awake! Hurry, come and eat. Sit here." Quincy was thrilled to see Flynn Hansen awake. He quickly stood up and pulled Flynn over to sit next to him.
Flynn Hansen gave a strained laugh. "Thanks. Right now, I’d rather know how long I was out. Have we already returned to the base? Mr. Kendrick, Miss Ford, did you bring Serena back already? And what about my teammates?"
Evelyn Ford didn’t know how to explain it to him. ’I can’t very well tell him that people can live inside the Magic Backpack, can I?’
"We’re still in the Whispwood. The sandstorm isn’t over yet. As for this place... if you want to know, you can ask Rhys Chase after we get back." Though Evelyn Ford said that, she had already made up her mind. ’Before we leave, I’ll have Ronan scramble and erase Flynn’s memories of being in the space.’
Though Flynn Hansen’s mind was filled with questions, he didn’t press the matter.
Taylor Vance filled a bowl with rice for him. Smelling the fragrant food, Flynn Hansen cast aside his reservations, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat voraciously.
After lunch, Evelyn Ford extended her consciousness to check the situation outside. The sky over the Whispwood was thick with yellow sand; the sandstorm was still raging. Rows of poplars had been snapped in half by the gale. The wind shrieked and howled throughout the forest. Evelyn retracted her consciousness and wearily rubbed her temples. ’Looks like we won’t be able to travel today.’
Flynn Hansen put down his bowl and chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp. A little embarrassed, he took the initiative to clear the table and insisted on helping with the dishes.
Taylor Vance couldn’t argue him out of it, so he let him be.
"Captain Hansen, the sandstorm in the Whispwood isn’t over yet, and the situation doesn’t look good. We’ll have to stop for the day and set off tomorrow morning."
Flynn Hansen nodded. "No problem. I’ll follow your plan."
"What are your plans for this afternoon?" Evelyn Ford asked, looking at Quincy and the others.
"We’re planting eggplant seedlings this afternoon. Oh, right, isn’t it time to harvest our second batch of wheat? I took a look, and the ears are already yellow."
"Let’s wait another two weeks. The stalks and leaves are still green, which means it hasn’t fully ripened yet. The ears on this batch are especially large. It’s going to be another great harvest."
Since they couldn’t travel in the afternoon anyway, Evelyn Ford decided to join them in planting the vegetables and get all the eggplant seedlings in the ground.
Although Flynn Hansen was curious about every plant and tree in this place, he was tactful enough to know when not to pry. Seeing that no one wanted to talk about it, he didn’t ask any more questions. That afternoon, he joined everyone in planting vegetables for the rest of the day. Noticing he didn’t even have a change of clothes, the ever-helpful Quincy came to the rescue and found a set of clothes for him.
Before bed that night, Ronan Kendrick went outside the space for a bit. When he returned, he was covered in yellow sand and broken twigs from the poplar trees.
"Is the sandstorm still not over?"
"It’s over. The wind is still a bit strong, but it won’t stop us. We can leave tomorrow morning."
Evelyn Ford breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good. The sooner we go, the sooner we’re back. This trip feels harder than I expected. We’re only a quarter of the way there and I’m already dog-tired."
Ronan Kendrick chuckled. "The dogs aren’t as tired as we are."
’The two wolfhounds in the space only had to supervise the laborers each day,’ Evelyn thought. ’But us? We’re constantly on the move, facing all sorts of unknown dangers.’
Lying on her stomach on the bed, Evelyn Ford beckoned to Ronan Kendrick with a crooked finger. Ronan’s eyes lit up, and he immediately scampered over.
"I’m here."
Evelyn Ford thought, ’I can’t bear to watch.’ "My back hurts. Can you walk on it for me?"
"Your back’s bothering you? Let me see if you’re hurt." Ronan Kendrick panicked instantly. When he moved to lift her shirt, Evelyn Ford smacked the back of his hand.
"I’m not hurt, it’s just sore. Probably from riding these past two days. Just hurry up and walk on it. One foot is fine. If you use both, I’m afraid you’ll crush me to death."
Ronan Kendrick was reluctant. "Let me give you a massage instead. I’m heavy. Besides, I’m a man. How can I step on you?"
Evelyn Ford was dying of pain, and he was still dithering. She pointed at the door. "Go get Zoe. I’ll have her walk on my back."
"Then I’d better do it. That kid doesn’t know her own strength. What if she hurts you?"
"I’m not made of tofu. Zoe is so light, how could she possibly hurt me? Come on, stop nagging. Just hurry up and do it. Right on my spine is the worst part. Press harder."
Ronan Kendrick was hesitant to put his foot down, but seeing how much pain Evelyn Ford was in, he had no choice but to step onto her back.
"How’s that?"
"Harder. You’re not even trying."
"Okay, I’ll add more pressure. Tell me right away if it’s too much. I’m afraid I’ll break your spine."
Evelyn Ford didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "You won’t. I’m not that fragile."
He gradually got the hang of it. Evelyn Ford let out a yelp, almost attracting the others.
"Did I press too hard?" Ronan Kendrick was incredibly nervous. He scooped Evelyn Ford up and examined her carefully.
Evelyn Ford waved her hand. "No, the pressure was perfect. My back feels so much better now. The soreness seems to be gone. Ronan, do it again."
Ronan Kendrick tentatively pressed down again. This time, a sensation of exquisite relief, a satisfying ache, shot through Evelyn to her very soul. She let out another cry. Suddenly, there was loud pounding on the door.
"Evelyn, what’s wrong?"
"Mr. Vance, I’m fine." Hearing Taylor Vance’s voice, Evelyn Ford felt a bit awkward.
"As long as you’re okay. I thought you two were fighting." Hearing Mr. Vance’s departing footsteps, Evelyn Ford lifted her head and glared at Ronan Kendrick. Ronan’s ears were a little red, and he looked at her helplessly, like a flustered young bride.
"Should I... keep going?"
Evelyn Ford nodded. "Keep going. Walking on my back really works. It doesn’t hurt much anymore."
So, Ronan Kendrick had no choice but to get back to work.
Evelyn Ford didn’t dare make any more noise, afraid of being overheard and causing a misunderstanding. She buried her face in the pillow, letting out a small whimper each time Ronan pressed down.
"Ronan, that’s enough. My back doesn’t hurt anymore."
Ronan Kendrick lifted her shirt to take a look. Her fair back was covered in several large footprints. He felt both guilty and distressed.
"It left marks. Should I put some ointment on it?"
"No need, they’ll fade in a bit. I feel great all over now. Technician Kendrick’s skills are impressive. From now on, you’re my exclusive technician."
"Is there a tip?" Ronan Kendrick asked teasingly.
"Yes, but you’ll have to put it on my tab."
Seeing her back to her lively self, Ronan Kendrick finally breathed a sigh of relief.