Qin Tai glanced back at the people behind him, took a deep breath, and suppressed the anger in his heart. "I didn't expect you, little brother, to be such a master. You deployed so many people before coming. Fine, I willingly admit defeat. You just want me to cooperate with you to put on a show, right? I agree to this request."
"Smart move," Li Zheming said, glancing coldly at Qin Tai. He then waved his hand at the men in black, and they disappeared into the night.
"Wan'er." Li Zheming walked up to Zhang Wan'er, clasped her hands tightly, and then asked, "If Gu Xingdong doesn't want to take responsibility for you, can you consider me? I'm not hiding anything from you; I like you, and I've liked you for many years!"
Hearing Li Zheming's confession, Zhang Wan'er inwardly felt that something was amiss. She pursed her lips, then feigned a bewildered look at him, pleading, "Brother Zheming, can you quickly bring Gu Xingdong here? It really hurts! I feel like I can't hold on any longer!"
Upon hearing Zhang Wan'er say her wounds were painful, Li Zheming's expression grew panicked. He instinctively reached out to tend to her injuries, but as his hand extended, Zhang Wan'er opened her eyes and shook her head at him.
"Brother Zheming, don't move me. I've painstakingly designed all of this, and I don't want it to be in vain. If you truly care about me, then hurry and find Gu Xingdong. That way, I can suffer less."
With her words, Zhang Wan'er lost her strength, her head drooping. Seeing that the situation was not good, Li Zheming dared not delay. He left a phrase, "Wait for me," then went to Chen Lishu, picked her up, and eagerly ran out of the village.
----
"Commander Gu, we've searched everywhere in Modu, and we haven't found Miss Chen."
Gu Xingdong listened to his subordinate's report, his brows furrowed tightly. Xiao Hei, standing beside him, prompted, "Commander Li has been gone for so long without any news. Why don't we make a call and ask what's going on?"
Gu Xingdong reached out and said to Xiao Hei, "Give me my phone!"
Xiao Hei handed him the phone without a second thought. As soon as the number was dialed, a ringing sound echoed in their ears. Following the sound, they saw Li Zheming, panting, carrying a woman in his arms, appearing before them.
Upon clearly seeing who Li Zheming was holding, Gu Xingdong rushed to him, shouting, "Lishu!"
Just as he was about to take her, Li Zheming took a step back, his eyes bloodshot, and said, "It's not time for you to reunite yet. Quickly, quickly take her to the bandit stronghold in the suburbs where Qin Tai used to be. Zhang Wan'er is still there!"
Hearing Li Zheming's words, Gu Xingdong asked in confusion, "How did you rescue just one person? What's the situation with Zhang Wan'er?"
Li Zheming did not rush to answer Gu Xingdong's question but feigned a look of pain, placing a fist to his mouth and coughing heavily.
When he lowered his hand again, blood was already dripping from his wrist onto the ground. Seeing this, Gu Xingdong quickly went to Li Zheming and supported him, asking with concern, "What's going on? Where did these injuries come from?"
"Qin Tai played dirty with me, forcing me to choose between Wan'er and Chen Lishu. To be honest, I originally planned to choose Wan'er, but Wan'er insisted on giving the hope of survival to Chen Lishu! Gu Xingdong, I'm telling you this for no other reason than hoping you won't target Wan'er anymore. Even if you don't like her, you must understand that she has no ill intentions! I'm seriously injured and cannot go to the suburbs with you again. I can only ask you to make a trip. Promise me you'll bring Zhang Wan'er back!" After saying this with his last ounce of strength, Li Zheming fainted.
Seeing this, Gu Xingdong immediately ordered Xiao Hei, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and take him to a doctor. As for the others, they're coming with me to the suburbs!"
With his words, everyone immediately became busy.
----
At this time, outside the suburban area.
"Master Qin, should we really believe that brat's words? Who knows if he's gone to call for reinforcements?"
"Yes, Master Qin. The people outside have already withdrawn. Why don't we take advantage of their inattention and quietly escape through the side door?"
"..."
Qin Tai listened to the chattering discussions around him and snorted impatiently, "You bunch of fools. If that brat had truly wanted to kill us, with a single command, our heads would have rolled. Why would he have gone to such trouble? And to go get reinforcements? Moreover, if we dare to escape now, do you believe we'd even reach the back door before our lives were forfeit? Have you forgotten that the brat left some mysterious people with us when he left?"
Upon hearing Qin Tai's words, everyone immediately fell silent. After a good while, someone said, "Then aren't we just walking towards our deaths?"
Qin Tai said disdainfully, "Don't rush. Let's wait and see. The worst-case scenario is just a visit. Don't forget, I have people behind me. They are about to withdraw from Modu. Once they leave, we can come out."
Hearing Qin Tai's words, the previously worried crowd instantly quieted down and waited for the target figures to appear.
About ten minutes passed when a rustling sound came from outside the stronghold. Those inside immediately pricked up their ears, ready for anything.
"They're here!"
"They're here!"
...
Under everyone's vigilant gaze, Gu Xingdong walked in from outside the stronghold. He scanned the surroundings, his sharp eyes locking onto Zhang Wan'er, who was bound and gagged.
"I didn't expect you to dare to come and disrupt our good deeds! Brothers, capture this beast who got me thrown in jail. I want revenge!"
"Oh!" Qin Tai's subordinates swallowed hard, suppressing their fear, and moved towards Gu Xingdong.
Whether it was because they were too nervous or their skills were limited, Gu Xingdong, using only one hand, subdued them all within three minutes.
Everything had gone too smoothly. Gu Xingdong didn't understand what was going on with Li Zheming and Zhang Wan'er being seriously injured.
Just as he was about to step forward and subdue Qin Tai, Qin Tai suddenly grabbed Zhang Wan'er by the neck and said frantically, "Don't come any closer. If you dare, do you believe I'll strangle her?"