Lin Zhizhi’s shoulders tensed, her heart pounding fiercely as if it were about to leap out of her throat. A man was behind her, holding her mouth and controlling her, their proximity so close that she could clearly hear his shallow breathing.
How did he appear? Why hadn’t she heard any footsteps? Lin Zhizhi quietly looked up. Above her was a low wall connecting to the mountain path. This man had likely come down from the mountain, trying to stop her from calling the police, possibly an accomplice of the two kidnappers.
Thinking of this, she became even more nervous, feeling like a lamb in a tiger’s den. The man’s hand was cold and bony but only covered her mouth, being careful not to obstruct her breathing. Lin Zhizhi couldn’t think about the girl in the trunk for now; she needed to find a way to save herself.
Thanks to her older brother being a criminal detective and teaching her self-defense, Lin Zhizhi always carried a bottle of homemade pepper spray. Without making a sound, she reached into her coat pocket, found the small spray bottle, opened it with one hand, and held it ready.
At the same time, she lifted her right foot slightly, preparing to stomp on the man’s foot hard. If she could spray his eyes and then use a spinning kick, she might be able to deal with him.
Unfortunately, reality was less ideal than her plan. As Lin Zhizhi stomped on his foot, her wrist was seized, and her left knee was kicked, making her kneel on the ground.
Ah! Lin Zhizhi let out a faint sound, but it was cut off immediately as the cold hand covered her mouth again.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Huh? Lin Zhizhi was surprised. From this apology, she sensed a feeling of guilt. The man helped her sit against the stone tablet, and Lin Zhizhi began to suspect that this man might not be an accomplice but someone who wanted to rescue the girl, just like her.
But why wouldn’t he let her call the police? If there were difficulties, finding the police was the solution—something even a three-year-old would understand.
“Let me go.”
Seeing that Lin Zhizhi stopped struggling, and the volume was controlled to only be heard by the two of them, the man released his hand and lifted her arm to check for any joint injuries.
Although his hands were still as cold as jade, his movements were exceptionally gentle, as if afraid of hurting the fragile woman. Despite the male-female propriety, he showed no signs of improper familiarity. His black eyes were clear and bright, even more so under the night sky than the stars above.
Lin Zhizhi took a closer look. The man in front of her was young, not short but thin, which could easily give the impression of being frail. However, recalling his handling of her, it was effortless, quick, precise, and clean—clearly a skilled practitioner.
Confirming that Lin Zhizhi was not injured, he quietly sighed in relief. He glanced up the slope. The Volkswagen’s trunk was closed, and the two people were standing by the car, actually lighting a cigarette and leisurely puffing smoke.
The man’s eyes were clean and bright, but there was a layer of frost at the bottom, giving Lin Zhizhi a sense of familiarity. She suddenly reached out to pull down his mask for a better look, but her wrist was grabbed again: “Sorry.”
“……” How did he anticipate my move again? Can he read minds?
Lin Zhizhi could only hug her knees and ask softly, “Have we met somewhere before?”
Hearing this, he actually smiled, the corners of his eyes curving slightly, and his gaze softened: “I’m glad to see you now.”
“Who are you?”
He didn’t answer, his attention focused on the Volkswagen. Lin Zhizhi tugged at his sleeve: “We should still call the police. I’ve noted down the license plate. They can’t escape.”
“It’s not that simple.” The man said indifferently, “Even with precise arrangements, time-related accidents are unavoidable.”
Time? Accidents? Lin Zhizhi was confused. These were familiar words, but together they formed an incomprehensible phrase.
“What? Are we not taking them back? Is this a joke?!”
One of the men, after answering the phone, swore loudly. His accomplice told him to be quieter. He spat on the ground, more impatiently: “Who can hear? There isn’t even a ghost around. Why so mysterious!”
Indeed, there were no ghostly figures, but there were two observers. At this moment, headlights from the road ahead shone over. The man quickly grabbed a bundle of dead grass to cover their figures. The lights came closer, and a small car stopped by the roadside, honking the horn.
The two people on the slope opened the trunk, wrapped the girl in coats, securing her tightly, and lifted her with one hand, as if carrying a piece of cargo. The girl was transferred to another car. The small car started and left, never noticing the two pairs of eyes behind the stone tablet.
The man, who had remained calm and composed, suddenly stood up: “You can call the police now. Just say that there are two suspects involved in the kidnapping case at Baimei Mountain, and don’t reveal my information.”
Lin Zhizhi nodded dazedly. She watched him roll up his sleeves, stride over, and without saying a word, start fighting. In just a few moves, he had taken down the two men. By the time they came to their senses, they were bound like the girl, with their hands tied behind their backs and tape over their mouths. The tools used were things taken from the trunk.
This operation left Lin Zhizhi stunned. He was actually so capable of fighting?! Taking on two people without breaking a sweat—did he not take her seriously before? Aside from her brother, this was the second person she had encountered with such high combat skills.
The call to the police was connected. She quickly described the situation at Baimei Mountain, and the dispatcher advised her to ensure her own safety and promised to send officers immediately.
The man searched for the car keys, opened the car door, and sat in the driver’s seat. The Volkswagen’s headlights turned on, and the engine roared. At this moment, another figure sprang out from the bushes, agile as a monkey, and climbed into the back seat.
Lin Zhizhi rubbed her eyes. Was she seeing things? Was that—Xiao Shitou!
—–
It was indeed Xiao Shitou who had climbed into the car.
He stumbled over Baimei Mountain, crashed through the forest, falling and rolling, getting covered in dirt, and reverted to his former appearance as a little beggar. He initially planned to descend the mountain via the slope at the entrance but saw a Volkswagen parked ahead with two people standing by the road, smoking and chatting.
That car… Xiao Shitou squinted his eyes. After seeing the license plate clearly, his eyes widened in shock!
He would never forget that on the day of the kidnapping, the school bus had taken them into Linjia Village, where they had met with accomplices in the forest. At that time, it was this very Volkswagen that was parked there, with a man grinning and leaning against the car, leading a group into Southern Cheng’an Mountain.
Thinking of this, Xiao Shitou shuddered and quickly hid in the nearby low shrubs. The impression of the kidnappers’ license plate was so deep that its appearance now was like proof that following them might lead to finding Gardenia.
At that moment, another small car stopped at the mountain entrance. The two men opened the trunk and seemed to be fiddling with something before lifting a package and walking toward the small car.
A bundle of black hair was visible from the wrapped clothing, swaying with the person’s steps. Xiao Shitou covered his mouth, desperately controlling his trembling body.
He was certain that the bundle being tossed into the car was his longed-for sister.
As Gardenia was being moved away from him, Xiao Shitou only wanted to jump into the car and rescue her immediately. He did just that—climbed into the Volkswagen and treated the capable man as an ally. But the man didn’t see it that way. He saw the child’s face in the rearview mirror and frowned: “…It’s you?”
Xiao Shitou was stunned: “You know me?” Before waiting for an answer, he clung to the driver’s seat, speaking urgently, “If you know me, please help. My sister was in that car. Please follow them!”
“I know. Get out.”
“No.”
“I must go rescue her. Please take me with you. Please…”
Xiao Shitou’s eyes were sore. He hated himself for being just a powerless child, restricted in actions, unable to even resist in the face of danger, and could only sit and wait for doom.
The man remained unmoved, pulling a tissue from the tissue box and wiping the sweat on his nose: “It’s too dangerous. You can trust Lin Heyu.”
The delicate and handsome face was exposed right in front of Xiao Shitou. He stared at him, astonished.
“…Yi Shi?”
Yi Shi’s brows furrowed slightly, then he was grabbed by the arm: “How can you not take me? You said Lin Heyu can’t rescue Gardenia; he will die!”
Indeed, Yi Shi’s indifferent expression showed a crack, and his brows remained slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.
Had he told Xiao Shitou this? When?
There was a strong knocking sound on the car window. Yi Shi put on his mask and lowered the window. Lin Zhizhi saw the child’s head pop up and was both surprised and delighted: “Xiao Shitou! It really is you! Where have you been? I’ve been searching for you desperately…”
Yi Shi pressed the unlock button. Lin Zhizhi opened the back seat door and grabbed Xiao Shitou’s arm: “Get out of the car and come back with me. If my brother finds out you ran off, it’ll be a disaster! He’ll be so angry!”
However, Xiao Shitou clung tightly to the seat, unmoved even by mentioning Lin Heyu.
“Auntie, I have something very important to do and can’t go back with you right now.”
Lin Zhizhi couldn’t understand why he was so persistent. What important matter required such a desperate effort from a child? She softened her tone and tried to persuade him: “If it’s related to the case, then leave it to the police uncles. My brother, Brother Yuan, and Sheng Guoning—they are reliable, aren’t they? You’re just a child; it’s too dangerous out here. Please come back with me.”
The stubborn child bit his lip tightly, shaking his head vigorously and retreating further into the car, distancing himself from Lin Zhizhi.
Lin Zhizhi was stunned and speechless, feeling like all her years of experience were in vain, unable to handle even a child.
“Have the police been called?” Yi Shi asked.
“Yes, they’ve been called. The police are on their way.”
“Good. You wait here for the police to arrive, and don’t mention my involvement.” He pointed outside the window, “Those two who are bound can’t escape. Just keep your distance and watch from afar.”
“You… you’re leaving?” Lin Zhizhi’s breath caught, “Taking Xiao Shitou with you…?”
Yi Shi turned around and made eye contact with Xiao Shitou. He wanted to kick him out, but thinking of their connection, he abandoned that idea.
Only he knows himself best. They shared the same personality—never giving up until the last moment and never stopping until their goal was achieved.
“Yeah, I’ll take him. Don’t worry; he will be fine.”
For some reason, the short yet firm statement instantly calmed Lin Zhizhi’s anxious emotions. Even though he was a stranger, a strong sense of trust enveloped her, as if his promise would certainly be fulfilled.
“Who exactly are you? I really don’t remember having met you before…”
Yi Shi’s long, cold hand rested on Lin Zhizhi’s hand, looking at her with the warmth of a long-lost family member: “We’ll see each other often from now on. I hope you’ll still remember me.”
Five minutes later, the wail of police sirens drew closer, and the blinding red and blue police lights illuminated the entire mountain entrance. Lin Zhizhi stood up, and in addition to the local officers, who should be arriving but—Sheng Guoning?
Sheng Guoning got out of the middle car and, for the first time, shouted angrily at Lin Zhizhi: “Why did you come to Muli by yourself?! Didn’t you say you were at the company?!”
Lin Zhizhi rubbed her eyes, feeling a bit wronged: “Why are you shouting so loudly… I just wanted to find Xiao Shitou and didn’t want to trouble you…”
Her voice cracked with a hint of crying. Sheng Guoning panicked, quickly apologizing, saying he didn’t mean to get angry and was genuinely worried for her safety. He had just returned to Muli and, upon discovering that the call to the police was made by Lin Zhizhi, had been extremely anxious, his palms sweating as he drove, fearing for her safety.
Lin Zhizhi didn’t want to cry, but after seeing Sheng Guoning, the tears started falling one by one, and all her emotions surged out. With the suspects taken away and sent to the detention center, Sheng Guoning, holding a pack of tissues, gently comforted her: “Zhizhi, don’t cry. I won’t be so harsh with you in the future. Don’t worry, we’ll find Xiao Shitou too…”
“I found him…” Lin Zhizhi choked.
Sheng Guoning was overjoyed: “Really?! Where is he?”
“He left again,” Lin Zhizhi wiped her tears with a tissue, “but he should be fine. Someone will protect him.”
———
[02/28, 13:34, Highway Service Station]
Xiao Shitou had a sister who, in addition to being a hostage, was mistakenly selected as a target. Yuan Maoqiu was surprised: “Heyu, since you knew this, why haven’t you reported it?”
“Because I haven’t seen her, and there’s no biological evidence to confirm her existence,” Lin Heyu glanced at him, “How do you think I should report it?”
“…That’s true. Xiao Shitou only wanted to tell you, so he definitely wouldn’t provide any testimony,” Yuan Maoqiu sighed, “So that child went alone to rescue his sister? Truly brave, impressive.”
Suddenly, he leaned forward and patted Lin Heyu’s shoulder: “Old Lin, the person’s out.”
Zhao Chenghu and his subordinates, gritting their teeth, swaggered out of the service station. Lin Heyu’s frown remained, and Yuan Maoqiu said: “Do you want to take a break? Let me drive.”
“No need.” Lin Heyu put the phone back in the armrest and refocused on the tracking mission, “Let’s follow them and find Pang Daozi first.”
The two cars drove one after the other on the highway, maintaining a proper distance. The road signs ahead indicated two directions: straight ahead for “Shengzhou, Haijing” and right for “Muli, Hudong, Rangnan.” The turn signal of the car they were following had already turned on, so it seemed the destination was Muli.
The car was very quiet, with the windows slightly open, only the sound of the wind whooshing past. Seeing Lin Heyu’s troubled expression, Yuan Maoqiu guessed he was worried about Xiao Shitou and comforted him: “Don’t worry too much. The kid has strong self-preservation skills. He’ll be fine after a few days outside. Besides, we’re heading to Muli. We might run into him directly. By the way, you have unread WeChat messages. Haven’t checked them?”
“Forgot.” Lin Heyu focused on the road ahead, “Check if it’s from Director Yuan.”
“Damn, it’s from my dad. No problem, just afraid of seeing something unsavory.” Yuan Maoqiu opened WeChat, “It’s from your partner. I haven’t opened it. You should check it yourself later.”
Lin Heyu picked up the phone with one hand and opened it, discovering a message from Yi Shi sent during the night: [Is that child with you still there?]
He was asking about Xiao Shitou This question came at the right time, as Xiao Shitou had just run off again.
Before Lin Heyu could reply, Yi Shi sent a photo. While passing the toll station, Lin Heyu opened it, instantly widening his eyes in disbelief.
The photo was taken in what looked like a park, showing a ragged, dirty-faced little boy holding a piece of bread and feeding pigeons. It was none other than Xiao Shitou.
Next to him was a girl in similarly worn clothes, her head bowed so her face was not visible, but Lin Heyu could guess her identity—she was Xiao Shitou’s sister, Zhizihua.
The key question was—how were they in Yi Shi’s world and captured in his photo?
According to their previous research, characters appearing in both worlds showed a certain symmetry. He had always considered Xiao Shitou as from the younger years, separated by twenty years, yet still the same person. They shouldn’t have encountered each other.
Unless it involved even more bizarre supernatural phenomena.
Lin Heyu’s eyelid twitched. He quickly sent several messages. Yuan Maoqiu asked: “You look pale. Is your partner looking for something?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing! Your expression looks like you’re about to eat someone. Did you have a fight? Arguing? Not planning to break up, are you?”
“Looking for a fight?”
Yuan Maoqiu fell silent.
Coming off the highway, the car in front entered the national road. Lin Heyu deliberately slowed down, letting a white van slip between the two cars, slightly changing the distance so that from their angle, only half of the vehicle was visible.
“We should have brought Xiao Zou and the others along to learn from the veteran detectives how to follow people,” Yuan Maoqiu braced his forehead with his hand, “These young fools, driving alongside people, just short of rolling down the windows to chat.”
The road ahead became a four-lane road. Lin Heyu stepped on the gas, overtaking the white van and moving ahead, observing the vehicles behind through the side mirrors. His actions made it seem less like he was following and more like he had just been cut off by the van and now seized the opportunity to overtake.
Zhao Chenghu and the others showed no suspicion and continued chatting inside the car, discussing whether the two cars would pull over and fight later.
Around 3 PM, Zhao Chenghu waited for Yang Weiyi at the back door of the Muli Chemical Plant. After a short wait, Yang Weiyi arrived, empty-handed, and said something with his head down that instantly ignited Zhao Chenghu’s anger.
He kicked Yang Weiyi in the chest and shouted, “Damn it, don’t you care about your son’s life?! I’m telling you, if he dies, it’ll be because of you, the father!”
The only thing that could enrage Zhao Chenghu like this was Yang Weiyi’s refusal to continue supplying controlled substances.
