"Please, let us go, big sister, you have family too, right? I beg you to let us go, I will surely repay you well." Shi Yu spoke to the human trafficker, but seeing she was unmoved, tried a different approach.
"Can you let the girl with go? I’ll stay, you let her leave."
The trafficker laughed, "What kind of joke is this? Both of you are my money trees now. Don’t shout or make noise. I’ll find you a good husband in a bit. If you don’t know what’s good for you, I’ll sell you to an old man who will beat you every day. If you don’t want to suffer, be obedient!"
Xiaoyu didn’t give up. Though she was kidnapped herself, she was willing to see Qian go, but the villains wouldn’t go according to her wishes.
The two traffickers closed the car door and continued driving. Xiaoyu scread desperately, but there was no response.
"If you shout again, I’ll gag you!" The man threw sothing heavy in their direction, striking Shi Touyu’s arm.
Blood flowed imdiately, yet not feeling pain.
In the face of great calamity, the pain seed reduced.
Shi Yu broke down crying, Qian whispered.
"Xiaoyu, don’t cry."
"Qian, what should we do? I’ve dragged you into this, if only you weren’t with ..."
"I dragged you into this. If I had been more alert, this wouldn’t have happened."
Qian spoke in a lowered voice.
Outside, poor-quality tape music played, the driver seemingly on a night-long journey, keeping awake by blasting the music.
Qian didn’t know where the car was headed, only that now she needed to seize every mont to calm Shi Touyu’s emotions.
"Xiaoyu, calm down. The more panicked we are, the more dangerous it is."
"Qian, I’m so scared..."
"Don’t be afraid, I’m still here."
Qian felt the car becoming more bumpy and could only rely on her past life’s mories for hope.
Hopefully, those who kidnapped them this ti were the sa people from her past life, and hopefully, the destination was the sa as before.
In her past life, Shi Yu recalled it was a very remote mountainous area with winding roads bought by a man with a penchant for violence and seemingly poor ntal health.
The local customs were fierce, adhering to the philosophy of mutual aid; when soone bought a wife, the entire village helped keep her watched.
Once inside, maybe never to escape.
In her past life, Shi Touyu killed to escape.
This lifeti, she had Qian with her, perhaps the ending would be different.
This terrifying road seed endless.
Qian and the others were controlled in that space, cut off from the outside world, unable to see day or night, not knowing how long ti had passed, only knowing the car kept going.
The two traffickers were already seasoned drivers, picking deserted paths, completely unconcerned about Qian and Shi Yu’s screams.
Even when they shouted, it evoked mocking laughter.
As if laughing at their overestimations.
To prevent physical escapes, they were given no water or food throughout the long journey.
Prolonged starvation wore down Qian and Shi Yu’s physical conditions to their limits.
Shi Yu gradually cald from initial panic and regret, thanks to Qian’s persistent psychological reassurance.
Qian would encourage Shi Yu quietly while the traffickers were chatting.
She firmly believed she and Shi Yu would find a way out.
She shared her plan with Xiaoyu in a very quiet voice throughout the journey, whenever opportunity arose. "Xiaoyu, whether it works is all up to you."
"I... I’m afraid I can’t do it."
"You’ve been in the drama club, you’ll be fine. Follow my lead, ramp up the acting skills. If you don’t do this, as soon as we get off, they’ll drag us to a small dark room, treating us like breeding tools, losing freedom, beaten daily."
"I’ll try..." In Shi Yu’s life experience, she had never encountered such things, and Qian’s words left her anxious.
Human trafficking sounds distant as if such incidents are news stories, yet it isn’t far-off. Without vigilance, no one knows which fate might choke who.
"Shi Yu, have I ever told you...?"
In this critical mont, Qian wasn’t holding Shi Yu crying or fearing, as if rationale told her this wasn’t the ti to be scared.
"Told what?"
"You’re a good friend, although sotis a bit naive. If we can get through this together, you’ll beco my recognized best friend, Qian’s best friend. Do you want that?"
"I want to! But...I’ve dragged you down..."
"What a joke, does it have anything to do with you? If I hadn’t t you, taking a cab solo wouldn’t lead to this? Bad luck ans even drinking cold water can choke us. It’s not your fault we got into trouble; it’s my oversight. Besides, this incident has taught sothing."
"Taught you what?"
"Actions speak louder than words; understanding alone without experiencing firsthand never compares to firsthand experience. I know how to deal with my stubbornness now."
Only the price is slightly high.
"In short, Xiaoyu, if you want to escape, follow my instructions precisely; not a step must go wrong."
"Qian... if I do this, what about you? If they capture you, will they..."
"I’m the all-powerful Qian; I’ll have a way to escape."
"What way?"
"In any case, rember my words! No mistake in a word, not a facial expression!"
Qian seized the ti to cheer up Shi Yu.
Next up, the hope of escaping depended entirely on Shi Yu.
Qian used Shi Yu’s yearning for friendship, hoping these words would ignite her fighting spirit.
Now both were bound to a wire, precariously walking forward, every step nerve-wracking.
Any mistake could break them apart completely.
Retreat only worsens the predicant; making a bold move is the only way out.
If she failed——
Qian closed her eyes. Was there any regret left in her life?
Her mother had compensation and many houses, ensuring a comfortable future.
Her pampered brother would likely continue going astray without her supervision; she hoped the mother would keep him in check.
But what troubled Qian most was Yu Minglang.
Whether Yu Minglang had noticed her absence and if he did, would he search for her?
She suddenly craved his embrace, wanting to hear him call her "i" once more.
He had saved many lives in his lifeti, being the nation’s firm defense. She hoped he’d descend from the skies to rescue her.
Thinking of Yu Minglang, Qian’s helplessness, stemming from thirst and discomfort, vanished.
No, she had to hold on.
Hold on till he appeared.
Hold on till they t again.
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