Of course, the middle-aged man didn't mind. They both toast and drink their respective wines. Viana could only watch them.
After Alen and Brien exchanged a few words, the man went to another table.
Alen sat down. Viana looked at her wine glass and asked, “Can I have some? I also want to know how it tastes.”
Alen was surprised and raised his eyebrows slightly. “How old are you? Have you ever had wine before?”
Viana was silent, frowning, trying to remember, but remembering nothing.
Alen could estimate Viana's age. Viana should be 22 now. That age could already be considered an adult. It was actually fine if Viana wanted to drink wine.
However, for some reason Alen didn't want Viana to touch the wine. Alen wanted to keep her safe.
“If you're unsure whether you've had a drink or not, it's better not to drink right now. Who knows, your wine tolerance is bad, and you'll get drunk,” Alen said, handing Viana a glass of fruit syrup. “You drink this instead.”
Viana frowned slightly but didn't refuse. She just felt like she had drunk wine before, but she couldn't remember.
The two ate dinner together peacefully. Alen was very considerate. He put so many of the side dishes from the feast onto Viana's plate that Viana herself could not finish them. Viana also helped to put some of the dishes on Alen's plate.
To the eye of the beholder, the two looked very compatible and harmonious.
Meanwhile, from afar, in a corner that neither of them could see, someone seemed to keep looking at Alen and Viana. But a moment later, that person's gaze fell only on Viana, focusing on her.
The corners of his mouth formed a sly smile.
***
The party lasted until late at night. The people feasting on wine were already drunk. Viana saw all the sights. Alen glanced at Viana and felt uncomfortable letting Viana continue to be here. His protective attitude appeared.
“Are you full?” Alen asked suddenly.
Viana turned to Alen and nodded. “I've been full since earlier.”
Alen smiled. “Then let's go home. It's not good for you to stay up all night,” he said, standing up from his seat and extending his hand to Viana.
Viana was silent for a moment, then hesitantly took Alen's hand, and they joined hands.
After a few parting words with Brien, Alen led Viana out.
Alen had always acted according to his instincts. Although he had never had a special relationship with any woman before, he would still try to protect and keep a woman with respect. It was his instinct as a man.
Many men were drunk here and were not comfortable letting Viana walk alone. People in the countryside tended to be freer. Inevitably, Alen became a little protective of Viana.
Without realizing it, several pairs of eyes were looking in their direction.
After Viana and Alen left the place, Viana nervously shook her hand that Alen was holding and whispered. “It's okay, there's no one here.”
Alen realized it and immediately released his hand. “Oh, I'm sorry.”
Viana did not answer, only smiled slightly.
The two of them walked together quietly. The starry night sky was above them. All these sights appeared more vivid than in the city. The night sky without pollution was beautiful.
“Rian...” called Viana suddenly.
“Hm?” replied Alen.
“How long have you been in intelligence?” Viana asked curiously.
Alen frowned slightly, remembering. “It was a long time ago. I forget what year it was,” he replied half-honestly. “Why are you suddenly asking this?”
Viana shook her head. “It's okay, just curious,” she replied as she looked straight at the deserted street. “Was it fun joining there?”
In response to this question, Alen could only smile. “It's an obligation. Obligation doesn't always feel like fun,” he replied thoughtfully. “But every experience gained is invaluable.”
“Was there one experience that was particularly bad and unforgettable?” asked Viana suddenly.
Alen was surprised that Viana would ask such a question.
Yes. Of course there is. Alen had faced many things from the bad side of humanity. Tragedies, deaths, disasters—he had dealt with them before. It was all too bad to tell, so Alen didn't want to tell Viana about it.
“I just want to tell you, the scariest thing besides death or disaster is the dark side of the human heart,” Alen told Viana.
Viana suddenly stopped, closed her eyes for a few moments, then grabbed her chest.
Alen stopped and looked at her. “What's wrong?”
Viana controlled her rapid breathing. Alen's words just now seemed to pierce into her heart and evoke strong pain and sorrow from within her. It was as if he was warning her of something—some painful memory she had forgotten. It felt very uncomfortable.
Yet Viana was unclear what it was.
“It's okay,” Viana replied after feeling the tightness in her chest ease a little. “Thank you for your reminder. It's like you were warning me about something, but I couldn't remember it. For some reason, my heart feels sad and sore.”
Alen patted her back gently. Actually, he did not mean it. Everything he said earlier was purely an accidental result of his own contemplation.
But he did not expect his words to touch a sore spot in Viana's heart.
“It doesn't matter. Slowly you will remember,” Alen could only comfort her.
After that, the two of them didn't speak another word until they arrived in front of Viana's house. Viana faced Alen and smiled.
“Thank you for taking me out tonight. I'll see you another day,” Viana said.
Alen nodded and replied softly. “Rest well.”
Viana waved her hand and stepped into the house. Alen stood silently, watching Viana until she closed the door.
After that, Alen went to his own side yard. The look on his face turned serious, as if he were thinking about something complicated.
He sighed, hoping that nothing bad would happen tonight.
***
After Viana entered the house, she walked to her room and passed by Ellie's room.
It was very quiet. Elie was already asleep.
The night was already late. Viana was also tired. She walked for a long time today, and her newly healed leg felt a little numb and sore. She lazily cleaned herself up, changed her clothes, and climbed into bed.
As soon as her head hit the pillow, Viana was fast asleep.
Three o'clock in the morning...
When everyone was asleep, the rural environment became very quiet and lonely. No one realized that someone dressed in black had secretly broken the lock on the window of Viana's house and skillfully entered.
Since this person could tell the location of Viana's room, this person had obviously followed Viana before. At this time, the person saw Viana lying on her side on the bed and sleeping soundly.
After confirming this girl was the person he was looking for, the man immediately took out a medicated handkerchief and quickly gagged the girl's mouth and nose.