The rumbling of various cars around masked the sound of the car door opening. Bai Qing, holding Shi Qing tightly, bent over and struggled to get out of the car.
She dared not close the car door, lest she attract the driver's attention. The moment Bai Qing's shoes touched the ground, she hastily crouched down, put on a black hat, and covered her face.
The driver in the car behind felt strange and looked towards Bai Qing. Bai Qing lowered her hat brim, raised her index finger, and let out a soft "shh." Her heart was pounding in her chest.
A normal person seeing this gesture would instinctively remain silent. Bai Qing took advantage of this gap and ran frantically towards the sea.
Perhaps it was the critical moment of life and death, or perhaps the desire to escape, that gave Bai Qing an extraordinary burst of energy. She didn't dare to look back and pumped her legs desperately.
"Madam, do you think I talk too much? Why don't you..." The moment the driver looked up, Bai Qing was no longer in sight in the rearview mirror. The driver was stunned for a moment. He turned and looked at the back in surprise. The car door, which had been opened at some point, left him bewildered.
"Where… where did she go?" The driver muttered with trembling lips. He nervously opened the car door and got out, looking around. However, Bai Qing and Shi Qing had vanished without a trace.
"Brother, are you looking for someone?" A man got out of the car behind him. Seeing the driver anxiously pacing, he felt a little apologetic and asked.
"Yes, it's my passenger. I spent quite a bit of gas carrying them, this mother and daughter! They haven't paid the fare yet, where did they run off to?" The driver looked around anxiously. He had spent all this time carrying Bai Qing and hadn't even earned any money, only losing gas.
"I'm sorry, brother. They ran off a while ago, towards the sea, it seems." The man scratched his head, realizing he had inadvertently caused trouble, and repeatedly apologized to the driver.
"Oh, my heavens!" The driver cried out in distress and returned to his car. Just as he was about to turn around to pursue them, a message notification chimed on his phone.
He picked up his phone, about to reply, when a floating window pushed a news page. The driver was stunned on the spot as he saw the woman in the photo.
This was the same woman from just now! So she was the one who kidnapped the Zhan family's child!
"This wicked woman! I never expected she'd be a human trafficker!" The driver cursed indignantly, opened his phone, and dialed 110 without hesitation.
"I want to report a crime!"
The driver's report was quickly taken seriously and the news was relayed to the Zhan family. The highway was designated as a priority area, and several helicopters flew towards the sky above. A large contingent of troops stationed at the city exits was dispatched towards the sea.
In an instant, all vehicles were dispersed back into the city under the guidance of the broadcast and the evacuation teams. Rows of vehicles, lined up and ready, stopped on the highway. The people in the cars got out and, with well-trained precision, set up roadblocks at the exits and entrances, cutting off any possibility of Bai Qing escaping.
"Received a report, Bai Qing is fleeing towards the sea in the north of the city with Shi Qing." Zhan Mohan put down his phone, his dark eyes holding a hint of sharpness. He said in a deep voice to Wei Yumeng.
"The sea north of the city? That area is deserted, with no boats. She won't be able to escape Pengcheng!" Wei Yumeng suddenly frowned. The entire city was locked down, and Bai Qing had no escape route.
Could it be that she intends to...
"That's also where Bai Qing killed Bai Yan and disposed of the body!" Mu Linjing said, the name sounding familiar. She recalled discovering Bai Yan's body there during a previous outing.
"Shi Qing is her bargaining chip now. Bai Qing wouldn't dare act rashly. Let's go there first!" Wei Yumeng had a vague premonition. She bit her lip and shook her head.
"Don't worry, people have already been dispatched." Zhan Mohan looked at Wei Yumeng's furrowed brow. He nodded slightly and pulled Wei Yumeng into the car in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Bai Qing gasped for breath. She looked back and saw no one behind her, nor any cars chasing her. She stopped by the roadside, heat radiating from her body.
Running while carrying a child was indeed a bit strenuous.
Bai Qing rested for a while but dared not linger. The Zhan family's influence was terrifying. By now, they must have already known her whereabouts!
To survive, she had to run faster! All she had to rely on now were these two legs!
Bai Qing wiped the sweat from her forehead with effort. The beach not far away sparkled golden under the sun, stinging her eyes. The deep blue sea, however, brought her a touch of refreshing air.
Shi Qing, on her back, suddenly let out a few indistinct "mama" sounds. Her small hands and feet wiggled restlessly.
Bai Qing steadied Shi Qing on her back, her gaze turning sharp. The effects of the sleeping pills were wearing off. This little brat should be waking up. She had to hurry!
From a distance, she looked like a madwoman running towards the sea, risking her life.
The sea before her was different from last time. The water had receded, revealing a floating bridge in the middle. However, waves of white surf were constantly rolling in from afar, crashing towards the floating bridge.
This scene suited Bai Qing perfectly. Without a moment's hesitation, she stepped into the sea. The water reached her waist as she slowly walked towards the floating bridge. The calm sea rippled with the disturbance caused by the uninvited guest.
The floating bridge was supported by stone pillars at its base. Bai Qing swam towards the pillars and then set down Shi Qing on her back, leaning against a pillar.
Shi Qing was not yet fully awake, her small brows furrowed. Her tiny body was at Bai Qing's mercy.
Bai Qing took out a rope and wrapped it around Shi Qing, securing her tightly to the stone pillar. Finally, she tied a strong knot. After finishing, she took out the fruit knife she carried with her.
"Hmph, don't think I'll surrender meekly!"
Bai Qing looked with satisfaction at the sharp fruit knife in her hand. It was a new knife she had bought at the supermarket. The blade clearly reflected Bai Qing's sinister face.
A helicopter whirred and landed overhead. The people inside looked at Bai Qing's location and shouted at her through a loudspeaker.
"Bai Qing! Turn back. If you release the child now, you may receive leniency!"
Hearing these unthreatening words, Bai Qing snorted, placed the knife against Shi Qing's neck, and said loudly to the sky.
"Have the Zhan family come to see me, or nothing can be discussed!"
Vehicles and troops from all directions arrived at the seaside, completely surrounding the beach. Someone attempted to board the floating bridge to talk to Bai Qing but was forced back by her actions.
"Bai Qing! Put down the knife. The child is innocent. It's not too late to regret now!"
"No one is allowed on the bridge! For every person who approaches, I will slash her. Let's see how you explain to the Zhan family!" Bai Qing gripped the knife handle tightly and raised it high, as if intending to stab down fiercely!
Everyone dared not act rashly, and merely watched from the beach, monitoring Bai Qing's movements.