“Not really,” Sylvia said, her eyes glinting. “You were just a good teacher.”
“Oh?” he arched an eyebrow.
“You’re the one who told me that sometimes the most difficult path is the shortcut,” she explained. “Ever since then, whenever I’m faced with a choice, I remember that before making a decision.”
Gabriel looked down, his distinguished face unreadable, his voice devoid of emotion. “Including your choice to be with Eugene?”
Sylvia’s expression tightened. She walked ahead.
“Including that.”
Jonas ran back to them, holding a handful of green jujubes. He offered them to Sylvia. “I tried one. They’re pretty good.”
Sylvia took two. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it!” He grinned, then offered some to Gabriel.
Gabriel simply took one from Sylvia’s hand. “One is enough.”
Soon, Jenny and Una returned. They had found a wild mulberry tree and picked a large bunch, carrying them in a makeshift bowl of sycamore leaves, excited to share.
Jonas wrinkled his nose. “Those things stain your tongue and teeth black. No thanks.”
“Who cares?” Jenny said breezily. “It’s not like anyone here is going to kiss you. Who gives a damn if your teeth are black?”
The group laughed.
After their snack, they rested for a bit before setting off again.
She was always so organized and considerate.
Sylvia glanced in Gabriel’s direction and gave a faint smile. “A little bit of everything. I’m a jack-of-all-trades.”
Jonas’s admiration for her only grew. “You’re amazing.”
They had reached the edge of the purple bamboo forest. While the others rested, Jenny went ahead to scout the path. She came running back a moment later, her eyes shining with excitement. “I found a shrine up ahead!”
“A shrine, out here?” Jonas was skeptical.
“It’s true! Follow me!” Jenny beckoned.
The group followed her through the bamboo grove and across a stone bridge. Sure enough, nestled against the mountainside was a small, ancient-looking shrine.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
I love it, I love it! Thank you for the updates....
Dear author Lucy, may we please have updates. Thank you....
There's a song currently playing via YouTube and TikToc by LowDii "Touch Me Softly" that makes me think of Norah and Xavier (Gonzalez). Please, I'm looking forward to updates. Thank you for your writing....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
As the plot thicken. Adrian is done for and he can't try to control Norah, so he'd probably tattle to Janice who's gone for two weeks. Thank you soooo much for the updates....
These updates were too funny. Thank you so much for the updates....
I forgot to add Amy to the group of pregnant women,since she was the first. Emily and Sylvia better be careful since pregnancy is in the air....
Wow! This is great, both Estelle and Magdalen are pregnant at the same time and I hope that Xavier is Norah neighbor. Thank you for the updates....
Author Lucy you're a blessing. Thank you so my for the updates. I hope that Norah's neighbor is Xavier she gets her memory back....
May we please have updates. Thank you....