River Incident

Night had fallen. Not only had Belle not returned, but even Eugene Jr. was still missing. Lily Evans felt increasingly uneasy and was about to send someone out to search when suddenly there was an urgent knock at the door. Eugene Jr.'s voice rang out: "Open up, quick! It's me, Eugene!"

Lily Evans hurried to the door with Lucky. When she opened it, she saw Eugene Jr. drenched from head to toe, his lips tinged blue from the cold, carrying Belle, who was just as soaked.

"What happened?" Lily's heart raced with fear as she quickly ushered them inside.

Eugene Jr. carried Belle straight to a room, where April was already inside. Seeing Eugene Jr. bring in Belle, she jumped in fright.

Belle was soaked to the bone. Though her eyes were open, they were vacant, as if her soul had left her body.

One look at Belle and Eugene Jr.'s faces, and Lily Evans knew something terrible had happened.

"April, go boil some hot water—and don't make a sound! Make sure no one finds out!" Lily ordered.

April's face was pale as she nodded repeatedly and hurried off to boil water.

"Eugene, go change your clothes. I'll take care of Belle first." Lily looked at the drenched Eugene Jr.—in this late autumn chill, if he didn't get into dry clothes soon, he'd catch a cold for sure.

"Miss Lily, I'll leave Belle in your care!" Eugene Jr. knew how serious things were, so he quickly went to change and returned.

Lily had already changed Belle out of her wet clothes, dressed her in something clean, wiped her face and hands with a warm towel, and wrapped her up in a quilt.

"Sis, what's wrong? Say something! Please don't scare me!" April sobbed as she rubbed Belle's hands, tears streaming down her face.

Belle stared blankly at the ceiling, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Belle, Belle, look at me!" Eugene Jr. rushed over and sat at the bedside, anxiously calling Belle's name.