For a moment,Lian Ziho simply stared at him.His fingers slowly curled into fists."You expect me to believe you'll let him go afterward?"The kidnapper smiled."You don't have a better option." He stared at the knife but didn't move."You expect me to do that?" The kidnapper gave him a cold look."I expect you to decide how much the boy matters to you."Lian Ziho glanced at Jun Wei.Jun Wei's face was pale,and his eyes were filled with tears."Don't..." Jun Wei whispered."Please don't hurt Gege."Suo Ran's eyes softened when he heard him."Jun Wei,don't be afraid."
Lian Ziho immediately turned toward Suo Ran."How can you say that?"Suo Ran looked at him."Because he's already scared."Lian Ziho lowered his voice."And you're making it worse."Suo Ran frowned. "What do you want me to do?"Lian Ziho gestured toward the knife."Not this."Suo Ran glanced at the blade."If I have to..."Lian Ziho cut him off."No."Suo Ran looked back at him."Lian Ziho..."Lian Ziho shook his head."Don't even finish that sentence."Suo Ran's voice became tense."He's holding Jun Wei."
Lian Ziho answered immediately."I can see that."Suo Ran looked toward Jun Wei."Then you know why I'm asking."Lian Ziho stared at him."You're asking me to stab you."Suo Ran's eyes hardened."I'm asking you to save him."Lian Ziho stepped closer."And who saves you?"Suo Ran didn't answer.Lian Ziho's jaw tightened."Why? Why are you not answering?!If something happen to you,who is going to save you?!"Suo Ran looked away for a moment,then back at him."There's no time to argue."Lian Ziho's voice dropped. "Then don't give me a reason to argue."Suo Ran stared at him."Jun Wei is more important right now."
Lian Ziho looked directly at him."What about your life?! You're standing there like your life doesn't matter." Suo Ran fell silent.The kidnapper stepped closer."You're wasting time."Lian Ziho looked back at him. "If I pick it up,he goes free?"The kidnapper smiled slightly."Do what you're told,and we'll see." Lian Ziho's expression immediately changed."We'll see?"Suo Ran noticed it too."Lian..."Lian Ziho looked at him."Don't." Suo Ran's voice remained quiet."He's not going to keep his word."Lian Ziho's grip tightened into a fist."I know."
The kidnapper's expression hardened. "Then the boy comes with us."Jun Wei's face immediately filled with fear."Gege..." Suo Ran looked at him and his heart tightened."Lian Ziho."Lian Ziho looked at him."Don't."Suo Ran's voice was quiet."Pick it up."Lian Ziho shook his head."I'm not doing this."Suo Ran looked at him steadily. "He's threatening Jun Wei."
Lian Ziho stepped closer to Suo Ran."And you think hurting you will make him keep his word?"The kidnapper interrupted."You don't have much time."Lian Ziho's eyes remained fixed on Suo Ran."He's lying."Suo Ran glanced at Jun Wei.Jun Wei was crying silently now,his small shoulders trembling. "Gege..."Suo Ran's expression softened. "I'm here."Jun Wei shook his head desperately."Don't let him hurt you." Suo Ran swallowed hard. "He won't."
Lian Ziho immediately looked at him. "Don't say that when you don't know." Suo Ran turned toward him,his patience beginning to break. "Then what am I supposed to say?" Lian Ziho's voice dropped."I don't know." Suo Ran looked at Jun wei. "There isn't time." The kidnapper stepped closer. "He's right. You have seconds." Lian Ziho looked sharply at him. "Stay back." The kidnapper smiled. "Why? Afraid he'll get hurt?"
Lian Ziho's jaw tightened. "I'm warning you." Suo Ran quickly caught Lian Ziho's arm. "Don't." Lian Ziho looked down at his hand. "Suo Ran..." Suo Ran shook his head,his voice barely controlled. "Don't make this worse."Lian Ziho whispered, "He's already made it worse." Suo Ran looked toward Jun Wei again.Suo Ran's expression tightened. "I can't watch him go through this.Please just do what he asked."
Lian Ziho stared at him in disbelief."You're asking me to hurt you?"Suo Ran nodded slowly."If that's what keeps him alive."Lian Ziho clenched his jaw."No."Suo Ran stepped closer."Lian..."Lian Ziho shook his head. "Don't ask me that."Suo Ran's voice became quieter."I'm asking you because I trust you."That stopped him.Lian Ziho looked at Suo Ran for several seconds,then slowly bent down and picked up the knife. His fingers tightened around the handle.
The kidnapper watched with satisfaction. "Good.Now do it."Lian Ziho didn't move.Suo Ran looked at the knife,then at Jun Wei. "Lian..."Lian Ziho's hand trembled slightly. "Suo Ran,don't be naive."Suo Ran met his eyes."I can't watch him get taken."Lian Ziho's expression tightened."He will not free Jun Wei even if I stab you."Suo Ran glanced toward the kidnapper,then back at Lian Ziho."I know."Lian Ziho lowered his voice. "Then don't ask me to do it."Suo Ran shook his head."What else can I do?"Lian Ziho stepped closer."If he wants a life,he can take mine."
Suo Ran's eyes widened."Don't say that." Lian Ziho's voice remained firm."If Jun Wei walks out safeIy,I don't care what happens to me."Suo Ran immediately shook his head. "He wants my life,not yours."Lian Ziho stared at him."That doesn't mean you give it to him."Suo Ran's jaw tightened."And I'm not going to put your life in danger because of me."Lian Ziho gripped his arm."You're worried about me now?"Suo Ran pulled his arm free."Of course I am."His voice cracked slightly before he forced it steady."That's exactly why I'm telling you not to do this." Lian Ziho looked at him for a long moment. "Then stop asking me to hurt you." Suo Ran glanced at Jun Wei,his tears continued to fall."I don't have another choice."Lian Ziho's expression hardened. "You do.You just don't want to see it."
The kidnapper's eyes narrowed. "Enough." Lian Ziho looked back at Suo Ran."Don't make me do this."Suo Ran stepped closer and lowered his voice."You don't have to really hurt me."Lian Ziho stared at him. "Then what are you planning?"Suo Ran whispered,"Trust me."The kidnapper suddenly raised his voice."Do it!"Lian Ziho's grip tightened around the knife.Suo Ran slowly reached for his wrist."Look at me." Lian Ziho looked into his eyes."I'm looking."
Suo Ran swallowed hard."Whatever happens,don't let him take Jun Wei."Lian Ziho's eyes reddened slightly."Don't talk like that."Suo Ran's fingers closed around the knife handle with his."Please."Their hands tightened around the same handle.The sharp edge pressed against their palms and bood slowly appeared between their fingers and dripped onto the concrete.
Lian Ziho's eyes widened."Suo Ran..."Suo Ran didn't let go."Do it."Lian Ziho stared at him."I said no."Suo Ran looked toward Jun Wei.Jun Wei was crying openly now. "Gege!" Suo Ran's eyes softened."I'm here."Jun Wei shook his head desperately."Don't let him hurt you."Suo Ran forced a faint smile."I'm not going anywhere."More blood slipped down their hands and fell to the floor.The kidnapper watched them impatiently."Time is running out."Lian Ziho looked at him with restrained fury."You think I'm going to believe you?"
The kidnapper smiled."You don't have to believe me.You only have to decide how much the boy is worth."Lian Ziho's breathing grew heavier.Suo Ran tightened his grip around the knife."Lian..."Lian Ziho looked at him one last time."Don't make me choose between you and him."Suo Ran's eyes held his."I'm not asking you to choose."He glanced at Jun Wei."I'm asking you to save him."The knife remained between their bloodied hands as neither of them moved.
The kidnapper's attention stayed fixed on Suo Ran."Well?"His voice became colder. "Are you going to do it or not?"Lian Ziho's fingers tightened around the knife."Move your hand away from him."The kidnapper gave a low laugh."You still think you're in a position to give orders?"Suo Ran slowly looked toward Jun Wei.Jun Wei's face was pale,and tears continued to slide down his cheeks."Gege..."Suo Ran's expression softened immediately."Gege is here!"
The kidnapper pulled Jun Wei slightly closer. "Then prove it."Suo Ran's jaw tightened. "Leave him out of this."The kidnapper shook his head."He's the reason you haven't moved."Lian Ziho stepped slightly in front of Suo Ran."Enough."The kidnapper's eyes narrowed."Pick up the knife properly."Lian Ziho didn't move.Suo Ran looked at him. "Lian ziho!"Lian Ziho's eyes remained fixed on the kidnapper."Don't."Suo Ran's voice dropped."We don't have time."Lian Ziho looked at him."Neither does he." He glanced toward Jun Wei."But you're not sacrificing yourself for a promise this man may never keep."
The kidnapper's expression darkened. "You're wasting my patience."Suo Ran's fingers tightened around the knife again. "Then stop talking." The kidnapper took one step forward."You think you're in control?" Suo Ran stared at him."No."His voice was quiet."I just know you're afraid of losing control."The kidnapper's eyes hardened. "Careful."Suo Ran didn't answer.He only watched him.Then something caught his attention.He noticed faint movement in the darkness behind the kidnapper.His breathing stopped for half a second.
Cai Lang came silently from the shadows. His eyes immediately found Jun Wei then the kidnapper.Cai Lang didn't say anything. He simply took out his gun and stepped closer and pressed his gun firmly against the kidnapper's back."Let him go."The kidnapper froze.His grip around Jun Wei loosened slightly."The kidnapper slowly turned his head."If I move..."Cai Lang interrupted him."You won't."The kidnapper's eyes shifted toward the weapon."You think you can threaten me?"
Cai Lang's expression hardened."I'm not threatening you."His voice dropped."I'm giving you one chance."Jun Wei whimpered. The kidnapper's attention shifted for a fraction of a second and at that moment Cai Lang moved immediately.He caught the man's wrist and twisted it sharply behind his back.The kidnapper grunted and tried to pull away."Let go!"
Cai Lang forced him away from Jun Wei. "Un your dream!"The kidnapper fought against his grip."You bastard!"Cai Lang drove him against the wall."You had your chance."Jun Wei suddenly lost his balance when the man's grip released him.His feet slipped beneath him."Cai Lang!"Suo Ran shouted. Cai Lang turned instantly.He let the kidnapper stumble away and reached for Jun Wei.Jun Wei fell forward,but Cai Lang caught him before he hit the concrete.He steadied Jun Wei against his chest."Are you okay?"
Jun Wei was shaking too hard to answer at first.Cai Lang lowered his voice."Jun Wei. Look at me."Jun Wei slowly lifted his tearful eyes."I thought...he was going to hurt Gege."Cai Lang's expression softened."He won't."Jun Wei's lips trembled."He said he would."Cai Lang glanced toward Suo Ran, then back at him."He doesn't decide what happens to you anymore."Jun Wei clung to his sleeve."Don't let him come back."Cai Lang tightened his hold around him."He won't get near you."He carefully guided Jun Wei toward Suo Ran."Go."
Jun Wei immediately reached for Suo Ran.The moment he was close enough,he ran into his arms.Suo Ran caught him and pulled him tightly against his chest."It's okay. You're safe now."Jun Wei buried his face against Suo Ran's shoulder."I was so scared."Suo Ran closed his eyes and held him tighter."I know.I'm sorry you had to go through this."Jun Wei shook his head against him."I thought they were going to take you."
Suo Ran's hand moved gently over his hair. "They didn't."Jun Wei's voice trembled. "Because of Cai- ge."He glanced toward Cai Lang.Suo Ran followed his gaze.Cai Lang stood a few steps away."Yes."Jun Wei looked back at Suo Ran."He came for us too."Suo Ran's expression softened."He did."Jun Wei hugged him tighter."Don't leave me again."Suo Ran's eyes became wet,but his voice remained steady."I won't." For a moment,Suo Ran simply held him.Jun Wei's small body against him was the only thing keeping his breathing steady.Then a sudden movement came from behind them.
The kidnapper who had been thrown against the wall pushed himself upright.His face twisted with anger as he grabbed the nearest object and charged.Suo Ran barely had time to turn.Cai Lang moved first and stepped directly between them."You should have stayed out of this."The kidnapper lunged.Cai Lang caught his arm and stopped him."You had your chance."He twisted the man's wrist and drove him backward.
The kidnapper stumbled,but another man rushed in from the side.Cai Lang turned just in time to block the incoming strike.The impact forced him half a step backward.He immediately recovered,ducked beneath another blow,and struck the second attacker across the ribs.The man staggered.Cai Lang seized the opening and drove him into the concrete wall.The first attacker came at him again.Cai Lang turned sharply and blocked the strike with his forearm."Stay down."The man swung again.
Cai Lang caught the movement,redirected it,and sent him crashing into the metal railing.The railing rattled violently.Suo Ran watched anxiously,one arm wrapped firmly around Jun Wei."Cai Lang!"Cai Lang didn't look back."Keep Jun Wei behind you."Suo Ran understood immediately.He pulled Jun Wei farther away from the fight."Come here. Stay close to me."Jun Wei nodded and clung to his clothes.
Cai Lang faced the two attackers again.The first man charged.He blocked the strike,but the second attacker came from behind.Cai Lang twisted aside at the last second.The blow missed his head and struck the wall. Cai Lang grabbed the man's shoulder and forced him downward.The first attacker rushed forward again.Cai Lang released the second man and turned,driving his elbow into the attacker's chest.The man stumbled backward.Cai Lang followed with a hard strike that sent him to the floor."Don't get up."
The second attacker suddenly grabbed Cai Lang from behind.Cai Lang's jaw tightened. He reached back,caught the man's wrist, and threw him over his shoulder.The man hit the concrete with a heavy impact.Cai Lang stood between them and Suo Ran again, breathing harder now.Across the room,Suo Ran held Jun Wei tighter."Cai Lang..."Cai Lang finally glanced back.His eyes met Suo Ran's for a brief second."I'm fine."Suo Ran's expression immediately hardened."I didn't ask."
Cai Lang almost answered,but another attacker suddenly stumbled into a nearby chair.The chair tipped sideways and crashed toward Jun Wei.Jun Wei tried to move,but his injured body reacted too slowly.The edge of the chair caught him and knocked him off balance."Jun Wei!"Suo Ran rushed forward despite the pain shooting through his leg. Jun Wei fell hard against the concrete.He immediately curled slightly around his shoulder.
Suo Ran dropped beside him."Jun Wei!"Jun Wei squeezed his eyes shut."Gege..."Suo Ran's hands hovered over him,afraid to move him too quickly."Where does it hurt?" Jun Wei slowly grabbed his shoulder."Here." His face tightened."It hurts."Suo Ran carefully supported Jun Wei's back."Don't move your shoulder."Jun Wei tried to sit up. "I'm okay..."Suo Ran shook his head."No, you aren't."
Jun Wei looked at him."It just hurts."Suo Ran carefully examined his arm without forcing it to move."Then don't make it worse."Jun Wei noticed the way Suo Ran was struggling to kneel on his injured leg. "Are you hurt too?"Suo Ran paused."I'm fine."Jun Wei gave him a worried look. "You're doing it too."Suo Ran blinked."Doing what?"Jun Wei's small voice became serious despite his tears."Saying you're fine when you're not."
For a second,Suo Ran didn't know what to say.Then a faint smile appeared on his face despite the pain."You noticed that?"Jun Wei nodded."Of course.I was watching you."Suo Ran's expression softened completely.He gently touched Jun Wei's hair,careful not to disturb his injured shoulder."You really were."Jun Wei leaned closer to him."I was scared something would happen to you." Suo Ran swallowed hard and pulled him gently against his chest."Nothing is going to happen to me."
Jun Wei immediately frowned."That's what you always say."Suo Ran let out a quiet breath that was almost a laugh."You've become very good at arguing."Jun Wei sniffed."Because you don't listen."Suo Ran looked down at him."Maybe I should listen this time."Jun Wei nodded seriously."You should."A sudden metallic crash echoed behind them.Suo Ran's expression changed again.He immediately pulled Jun Wei closer and looked toward Cai Lang.Cai Lang was still standing,but blood was visible along his sleeve.His eyes met Suo Ran's across the room.
For a moment,Suo Ran couldn't look away from Cai Lang.The blood spreading across his sleeve made his expression tighten."Cai Lang..."Cai Lang met his eyes and gave a brief nod."I'm okay."His voice was low."Get Jun Wei out first."Suo Ran's jaw tightened, but before he could answer,the attacker behind Cai Lang suddenly moved again.Cai Lang turned immediately.His expression hardened.He caught the man's wrist before the attacker could reach him and drove him back against the wall."Stay down."
The man struggled.Cai Lang forced his arm behind him and shoved him to the floor. "Don't make me do that twice."The attacker stopped moving.Cai Lang immediately returned to Suo Ran and Jun Wei.His eyes went first to Suo Ran,then to Jun Wei."Are either of you badly hurt?"Suo Ran answered quickly."I'm fine."Cai Lang's eyes dropped to his injured leg,then returned to his face."You just said you weren't."
Suo Ran looked away."I'm fine enough."Cai Lang's expression tightened."That's not an answer."Suo Ran didn't respond.Cai Lang crouched beside Jun Wei."Where does it hurt?"Jun Wei pointed toward his shoulder. "Here."Cai Lang carefully examined the way he was holding his arm."Can you move your fingers?"Jun Wei slowly moved them."Yes." Cai Lang nodded."Good.Don't move the shoulder."Jun Wei looked at him anxiously. "Is it bad?"Cai Lang kept his voice steady."I don't know yet.We'll find out at the hospital."
Suo Ran gently patted Jun Wei's head."He needs to go now."Cai Lang stood and looked around the room.
The injured kidnappers were across the floor."We should leave now."Han Yi looked toward the service entrance."It's clear for the moment."Zheng Rui immediately moved to Jun Wei's injured side and supported him. Jun Wei winced as he stood."Slowly.He's hurt."Suo Ran stayed on Jun Wei's other side."Don't put weight on that arm."Jun Wei nodded and held onto Suo Ran's sleeve. "Gege..."Suo Ran looked down at him."I'm here."
Lian Ziho noticed Suo Ran's injured leg buckle slightly.He immediately moved beside him."Lean on me."Suo Ran shook his head."I can walk."Lian Ziho's expression remained firm."Then walk with me."Suo Ran looked at him."I don't need..."His leg gave another painful tremor.Lian Ziho caught his arm before he could fall."No arguments right now."Suo Ran clenched his jaw,but finally allowed Lian Ziho to support him.Lian Ziho adjusted his grip carefully."Tell me if the pain gets worse."
Suo Ran nodded once."I will."Zheng Rui kept Jun Wei steady."Keep his injured side away from the wall."Lian Ziho glanced toward him."Understood."Han Yi looked toward the service entrance again.Cai Lang moved to the rear of the group and looked back down the corridor."If anyone comes after us,we'll clear them."
Qin Yue stayed near him,watching the opposite passage."Han Yi opened the service door slightly and checked the darkness beyond it."Go."Zheng Rui moved first with Jun Wei.Lian Ziho supported Suo Ran beside him.Cai Lang and Qin Yue stayed behind,watching the corridor as the others disappeared through the entrance. The group begins moving toward the service entrance. Cai Lang and Qin Yue remained slightly behind the others,checking the corridor for any movement.
The sounds of hurried footsteps had faded, but neither of them relaxed.Cai Lang glanced into every doorway before moving on,his attention sharp.Qin Yue looked ahead at Lian Ziho supporting Suo Ran.Suo Ran was clearly struggling to walk,but he kept moving without complaint.Qin Yue then glanced at Cai Lang.She watched him for a few seconds.Cai Lang noticed without turning his head."What?"Qin Yue folded her arms."Can I ask you something?"
Cai Lang adjusted the front of his shirt where it had become loose during the fight."No." Qin Yue stared at him."You didn't even hear the question."Cai Lang checked the corridor behind them."I don't need to know."Qin Yue almost smiled."You're getting good at avoiding questions."Cai Lang straightened his collar and continued walking."I'm getting good at recognizing unnecessary ones."
Qin Yue glanced ahead again,then back at him."Fine.I'll make it simple."Cai Lang sighed quietly."That usually means it isn't." Qin Yue lowered her voice."Between them
...who do you really like?"Cai Lang turned his head toward her.His expression remained completely unreadable."Mind your business."Qin Yue gave him an innocent look."I'm a little curious."
Cai Lang looked forward again."Be curious somewhere else."Qin Yue quietly smiled. "That wasn't a denial."Cai Lang's expression hardened.He stopped for half a second and looked directly at her."Do you want to keep walking or keep talking?"Qin Yue lifted both hands slightly."Walking."She immediately started forward. Cai Lang followed,adjusting his shirt again and pulling his sleeve back into place.Qin Yue noticed the blood on it. "You're hurt."Cai Lang glanced at his sleeve. "It's nothing serious."Qin Yue gave him a sideways look."You sound exactly like Suo Ran."
Cai Lang's hand paused on his sleeve.He looked at her."Don't compare us."Qin Yue's eyebrows lifted."I didn't say you were alike." She looked ahead."I said you both lie about injuries."Cai Lang gave her a flat look."Keep your observations to yourself."Qin Yue nodded solemnly."I'll try."They continued down the corridor.A few seconds later,Qin Yue glanced ahead again.Suo Ran stumbled slightly.Lian Ziho immediately tightened his hold and steadied him.
Cai Lang's eyes followed the movement for a moment before he looked away.Qin Yue caught it.She said nothing this time,but the corner of her mouth lifted.Cai Lang noticed. "Don't."Qin Yue looked at him."I didn't say anything."Cai Lang continued walking."Your face did."Qin Yue gave a quiet laugh."So you were watching."Cai Lang's expression became colder."I was checking whether everyone was still moving."
Qin Yue glanced ahead at Suo Ran leaning against Lian Ziho, then back at Cai Lang. "You checked him twice."Cai Lang's steps slowed for half a second."You're counting now?"Qin Yue smiled."I notice things."Cai Lang adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and looked ahead."Then notice the corridor."Qin Yue nodded."I am."She paused,then added quietly,"But you're much more interesting." Cai Lang gave her a warning look."Don't start."Qin Yue raised an eyebrow."I haven't started."
Cai Lang glanced toward the others again. "Good.Keep it that way."Qin Yue nodded."Of course."Cai Lang glanced at her."Qin Yue." She looked at him."Yes?"He pointed ahead. "Focus."Qin Yue turned forward."Fine."She walked a few steps, then quietly added,"Still not a denial."Cai Lang said nothing.Qin Yue smiled to herself as they continued walking.