"Well, we can still exchange some of it for cash."
Huang Mao chuckled as he scratched his head, continuing to stuff money into his bag. "But, Lao Hei, where do we exchange this much U.S. dollars into usable currency?"
"In different cities. Just exchange a little when you need it, but never all at once. We don't want to raise suspicion, got it?" Lao Hei cautioned him, worried that this reckless kid might slip up and expose them all.
Huang Mao nodded repeatedly. "Lao Hei, you're experienced. You've done this before."
"Cut the crap! From now on, I'm a clean man. Don't drag my name through the mud," Lao Hei retorted indignantly.
Everyone nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, of course."
Long Yejue scanned the room, but there was no sign of Tang Mianmian. His worry deepened. Just as he was about to force his way in, the silent Huzi spoke up.
"Let's not drink tonight. We should leave early!" Huzi said anxiously. "We let that woman go earlier. What if she reports us? She's the young madam of the Long family, after all."
Lao Hei nodded in agreement. "That's why we all go our separate ways from now on. This drink is our farewell toast. I wish you all the best."
"Cheers!"
The group clinked their glasses together.
Outside, Long Yejue finally let out a breath of relief and lowered the gun he had raised.
They had released Tang Mianmian—this meant she was safe. But in this vast night, where could he find her?
"Who's there?" Lao Hei suddenly shouted, noticing a shadow near the window.
Realizing he had been exposed, Long Yejue didn't hesitate. He leaped inside and landed a punch before anyone could react.
Just then, Huzi rushed in with his phone, shouting anxiously, "Not good! The Long family's men are on their way here!"
Before he could finish, Long Yejue struck him, knocking him to the ground.
His punches were ruthless, and even these hardened criminals couldn't withstand them.
Lao Hei finally recognized him and stammered in fear, "Y-You... how did you find us? We already let your wife go! What more do you want?"
Long Yejue's expression was as dark as a grim reaper's. Without any explanation, he swung another heavy punch.
Taking on five men at once was nothing to him.
The group, now enraged, started fighting back, grabbing whatever weapons they could find.
Caught off guard, Long Yejue took a blow to his back from a steel rod. He clenched his teeth through the pain, grabbed the rod, and delivered a fierce kick to Huang Mao's chest.
Huang Mao screamed and collapsed. Long Yejue stepped forward and stomped on him several more times.
The others had never witnessed such brutality before.
This man was like a beast gone mad. Each punch was heavier than the last. Huang Mao only screamed a few times before falling silent, lying motionless on the floor.
Terrified, the remaining men abandoned the money and tried to flee, only to be stopped outside by Mo Chengyu's men.
Long Yejue emerged from the house, seeing Lao Hei and the others captured. Only then did his rage subside slightly.
Mo Chengyu glanced at the scene—the battered men, Huang Mao sprawled on the ground. A trace of sympathy and helplessness flickered in his eyes.
This was the first time he had seen Long Yejue lose control.
Before, Long Yejue never needed to use his fists to deal with people.
But this time, for Tang Mianmian, he fought—and he fought fiercely.
If he weren't destined to be a businessman, he'd make one hell of a gang leader.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Mo Chengyu walked up to Lao Hei, grabbed his collar, and demanded, "Where did she go?"
Lao Hei was so terrified he almost wet himself. He stammered, "I—I don't know!"
Bang!
Long Yejue punched him again, nearly knocking him unconscious. "Where did she go?!"
"P-Probably that way... Ah! I swear I don't know!" Lao Hei wailed, begging for mercy.
Seeing that Long Yejue was about to snap again, Mo Chengyu stepped in, holding him back. "Finding your wife is the priority. Don't lose control."
Long Yejue finally eased up, his expression still menacing. "Take care of these scumbags. Make sure they understand the price of crossing me."
Mo Chengyu nodded quickly. "Understood, understood."
Long Yejue stripped off his jacket. His dress shirt, damp with sweat from the fight, did nothing to diminish his striking looks.
Back in his car, he glanced at the road ahead before heading in the other direction.
There were two paths—one leading back the way he came, the other stretching further into the distance.
Tang Mianmian had likely taken the wrong one, straying farther away.
Though he was certain she had escaped the kidnappers, she was still not safe. He couldn't relax just yet.
The Range Rover roared to life and sped forward.
Hidden inside another car, Su Wanru watched him drive away, her face pale. She bit her lip, clenching her fists. Only when Long Yejue disappeared from sight did she realize she had been holding her breath.
She gasped for air, clutching her chest to steady herself.
Long Yejue drove while scanning the area, afraid he might miss her. He began shouting.
"Tang Mianmian!"
His voice echoed through the night, powerful and desperate.
No response.
He kept driving and shouting.
Half an hour passed. His throat burned, but he didn't stop.
With no other choice, he started honking.
The rhythm of the horn matched his shouts, each blare carrying her name through the darkness.
Meanwhile, Tang Mianmian had been walking endlessly. Her legs felt like they would break, yet she saw no sign of civilization.
Had she taken the wrong path?
She pondered in her mind, glancing back at the dark road behind her, feeling utterly helpless. Was she supposed to turn back now?
No! No way!
What if she went back and those kidnappers changed their minds?
Maybe the only reason they hadn't caught up to her was that she had taken the wrong path. She comforted herself with this thought.
Dragging her heavy legs, she continued trudging forward.
Before long, she heard the sound of a car horn.
She froze. Was she hallucinating?
She listened carefully. No, it was real—a car horn, loud and clear. She quickly found a higher vantage point to look around and spotted headlights speeding toward her in the distance.
Her heart clenched. Could it be those men coming after her?
What should she do?
Thinking fast, Tang Mianmian crouched down and hid in a patch of tall grass. It was pitch dark, and as long as she stayed silent, she refused to believe they could find her.
The ground beneath the grass was damp, and soon, her shoes were soaked through, making her shiver from the cold.
The car's headlights drew closer. She shrank down further, terrified of being exposed.
The horn blared three times—
Beep, beep, beep—
The last honk was slightly longer than the others.
She found the rhythm oddly familiar, like someone calling her name.
Shaking her head violently, she scolded herself. Now is not the time to be daydreaming! Was she really so desperate to see Long Yejue that she imagined everything was related to him?
The car passed overhead, its lights sweeping across the field but not revealing her hiding spot. The horn continued to sound as the vehicle moved away.
She finally let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness...
But wait—if they had come this far, there was a good chance they would circle back. She had to leave quickly!
Just as she took a step forward, she sensed something was wrong.
Looking down, her heart nearly stopped.
Her feet had sunk into the ground.
A chill spread through her scalp.
Was this… quicksand?
Dear God…
How unlucky could she be?
Everything she had ever learned about quicksand flew out of her mind in an instant. Panic took over.
She knew she couldn't move recklessly, or she would sink even faster. But there was nothing around to grab onto—how was she supposed to get out?
Her right foot had already sunk up to her knee. The icy sensation numbed her leg as if it no longer belonged to her.
Despair washed over Tang Mianmian. She stood there, completely hopeless.
No phone. No one around. Nothing to call for help…
If only she had let those kidnappers take her after all.
The car horn continued, growing fainter as it moved away.
She closed her eyes and prayed. Please… please come back. I'd rather be taken than die here.
And as if the heavens had heard her, the once-distant honking grew louder again. The headlights swept toward her.
Her eyes widened. They're coming back!
She glanced around and quickly made a decision—she tore off her blue-and-white sports jacket, planning to wave it as a signal.
In the darkness, the color would be noticeable under the headlights.
As the beams swept past, she waved the jacket furiously.
The first time, the lights missed her, continuing onward.
And in her panic, she moved too much—her left foot sank deeper.
Now both legs were trapped up to her knees.
She waved even harder, desperation mounting. "Hello?! Is anyone there?!"
Her voice was swallowed by the blaring horn, barely audible.
She refused to give up. "Help! Someone, please!"
The moving lights suddenly stopped.
The engine fell silent.
It was as if someone had finally heard her.
Excitement surged through her, and she was about to call out again when a deep, raspy voice rang out.
"Tang Mianmian! Is that you?"
Long Yejue!
A shock ran through her body, goosebumps rising on her skin.
Was it really him? Was she imagining things?
Overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes instantly brimmed with tears.
The moment she heard his voice, all her strength, all the resilience she had forced herself to have, crumbled.
All she wanted was to be held and comforted.
"Long Yejue, I'm here! Here!" Her voice cracked with emotion, all her bottled-up fear and frustration bursting free.
Long Yejue pinpointed her location and sprinted forward. Climbing over a small hill, he finally saw her—standing in the middle of the marshland.
His flashlight illuminated her, making her squint and raise a hand to shield herself from the glare.
"Wait for me," he said simply, then immediately leaped down from the hill and rushed toward her.
"Stop! Stop!" Tang Mianmian shouted. "It's a swamp! You can't come here!"
His steps halted mid-stride. He shone the flashlight down and saw—
Half of Tang Mianmian's body was already swallowed by the quicksand.
Damn it!