Be it the most talented tiger-man or one with the most powerful background, no matter what they were doing, they would wish for as least trouble as possible. No one would want to inflict trouble onto themselves, let alone something as challenging as murder, let alone on foreign land.
For Feng He and Uncle Zhen, the best opportunity would be on that only mountain road that led to the town. Unfortunately, they arrived more than an hour later than Qin Sheng. Otherwise, it would be the best choice to ambush there earlier.
Feng He and Uncle Zhen were going to do it personally. They were unwilling to entrust the matter to other people. They also wanted to make sure word does not get out. Hence, they sent people into the school to keep track of Qin Sheng’s movement while they stayed outside of the two and waited for the best timing.
Qin Sheng and Chang Baji were warming themselves up in Mr. Wang’s hostel. It was currently the wee hours of the morning. This small town that was not very big was eerily quiet. Other than the road lamps, there were only a few other lights that were still turned on. It was also the case in school. Currently, only the light in Mr. Wang’s hostel was turned on.
A few years ago, when Mr. Wang first came to the school, the living conditions were very terrible. Three teachers squeezed into a run-down hostel. It was very cold during the winter. After the new school was built, the teachers’ hostel finally had some adjustments. Each teacher got their own hostel with air conditioners installed. They could more or least survive the winter. Anyway, the sponsor took care of all of the school’s incurred expenses.
Mr. Wang poured warm water for Qin Sheng and Chang Baji and took out some snacks. He heard them say that they were a bit hungry, as they had driven for a long time. He was about to prepare to make some food for them. Qin Sheng and Chang Baji did not make any requests and they both settled with a bowl of instant noodles.
Mr. Wang was more or less touched by their behavior. He smiled and said, “You guys have really suffered a lot.”
“What are all these as compared to yours?” Qin Sheng knew what Mr. Wang was going to say, but he was really full of respects for him, deep down from his heart. What he said was the truth too. What they had done was really nothing. Mr. Wang had stayed here for four years, as compared to him, their sacrifices were really too minor.
Mr. Wang was a bit embarrassed. He had already gotten used to this lifestyle and he did not feel that he was doing something great. He only felt that as long as what he was doing was what he liked doing, then it was already enough. As to how everyone else thinks, he had never cared about them. If one had to live his whole life in a way that people want you to live, then you would be very unhappy. When you turn old, you would not even know what you had lived for.
Mr. Wang had already prepared two blankets for them. He planned for them to sleep on the bed and he would make a bed on the floor for a night. If Qin Sheng does not leave the next day, Mr. Wang planned for him to stay at the town’s guest house. At least the condition there was better. Hence, Mr. Wang smiled as he said, “Please bear with it tonight, tomorrow I’ll arrange for you two to stay at the guest house.”
Qin Sheng and Chang Baji did not plan on staying too long, let alone overnight. They had to quickly return to Shanghai. Qin Sheng replied immediately, “Mr. Wang, no need for the trouble. We’re just staying for a while.”
“Staying for a while? It’s already so late, where are you guys going?” Mr. Wang was very surprised.
Qin Sheng explained, “There’s still a bunch of stuff in Shanghai, we have to hurry and head back, so we’re just going to rest a bit and continue driving back to Chengdu through the night. We should probably be able to reach tomorrow afternoon. We’ll then catch a flight and aim to rush back by night time.”
“What? You guys are leaving so soon? That’s too rushed! Besides, it’s already midnight and it’s all mountain roads. It’s too dangerous,” said Mr. Wang as he quickly held onto Qin Sheng after hearing what he said. During night time, very few people would drive along the mountain road that led to the town, because there were many car accidents each year. Besides, it was extremely unsafe at night.
Qin Sheng replied casually, “Mr. Wang, don’t worry, our driving skills are perfect. We will drive slowly and rotate. Besides, we are all grown men, there’s really not much to worry about. If I was free, I would naturally be willing to stay longer, but there’s really too many things waiting to be settled in Shanghai.”
Mr. Wang frowned and thought about it. He realized that they were right. After all, Qin Sheng was not a regular person, they had jobs and career in Shanghai. Qing Sheng must have caused some delay to his work by taking this round-trip. Perhaps this was why they could not wait to go back.
“Since that’s the case, then I shall not keep you. But you guys better be careful, always update me about your whereabouts, otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep,” said Mr. Wang in a low voice.
Qin Sheng agreed immediately. They were finally on the same page regarding this issue. They chatted for a while, discussing the local customs and some of the practical problems that the children would face in school. Mr. Wang said that for the past few years, Lin Su had contributed significantly to the school. She would often donate facilities like books etc., especially clothes for the children. Her charity fund even prioritized this place. There were already nearly a thousand students that have benefitted from her funding. Hence, he appreciated Lin Su from the bottom of his heart. It was really eye-opening to see a women reach such a high level and have such capabilities.
“Last time you left very rushed and I didn’t manage to ask you. How’s Lin Su now? She’s not young anymore, is she still not considering her personal problems? Every time I asked her over the phone, she would say that there’s no rush, perhaps there was no fate yet,” asked Mr. Wang out of concern. Actually, he did like Lin Su, but it was just pure like, with no other thoughts.
Qin Sheng did not know how to reply to him. He could not possibly say proudly, Lin Su is now my woman, right? Hence, he replied courteously, “About this, you will know next time you ask her on the phone.”
“Seems like there is an update, just tell me honestly. When I ask her again and she would tell me to think about my own problems. Let’s save the trouble,” Mr. Wang laughed heartily.
Qin Sheng felt that he was right. If he were to make Lin Su say, Mr. Wang would feel that he was a bit pretentious. Hence, he answered truthfully, “She’s now my girlfriend.”
Hearing that, Mr. Wang only froze for a moment before he exclaimed in surprise, “Really?”
Qin Sheng nodded silently and only smiled without saying a word.
“Then I really have to congratulate you. When I first met both of you, I felt that you guys suited each other really well, I even thought that you were already a couple back then. You guys were fated to be lovers and now you’re finally together. I hope to eat your wedding candy soon,” said the excited Mr. Wang. Although he was a tiny bit disappointed, he still blessed them with most of his heart, because in his eyes, they were both good people.
Qin Sheng said firmly, “Be rest assured, Mr. Wang, you definitely will. During then, be sure to attend our wedding.”
“Sure, then it’s settled. It’s a promise,” Mr. Wang said with determination.
After talking about Lin Su and him, Qin Sheng naturally had to care about Mr. Wang’s personal problem. Hence, he asked, “Mr. Wang, what are your plans? Are you going to stay here forever?”
“Forever sounds unrealistic. My parents are already old. For the past few years, I owe nothing to anyone, but I feel like I owe them something. I’m so far away from them, I wouldn’t know if anything happens to them and I can’t help them. Thankfully, for the past two years, they’ve understood me. But as one’s child, I must do some filial piety. So I decide to stay for another three years before I return to Suzhou.” This was something that Mr. Wang had thought over countless times. Every time he told himself, just stay one more year, one more year and go back, but he could not bear to leave this place and the children. So he continued to stay eventually.
Qin Sheng was full of admiration for Mr. Wang. He said in a low voice, “Okay, Mr. Wang, three years later, I’ll come down personally to bring you back to Suzhou. In the next three years, if anything happens at home, just give me a call and I’ll go there to help immediately.”
“You’re so sincere, thank you,” said Mr. Wang with gratitude.
After chatting for so long, it was almost time. Chang Baji had been sitting at a side listening to their conversation and basically did not interrupt them, except for the simple introduction at the beginning. At this moment, he gave Qin Sheng a look, he felt like they should leave now.
Hence, Qin Sheng stood up readily and said, “Mr. Wang, it’s getting late, we should go now, otherwise it would be too late.”
“Okay, I shall not keep you guys then. Let me walk you out,” said Mr. Wang as he quickly stood up.
It was three am. After resting for two hours, Qin Sheng and Chang Baji got up and prepared to return. Before they left, Mr. Wang gifted them a number of specialties from the mountains. He said that it was for Qin Sheng and Lin Su and it was his only way of showing his sincerity. Qin Sheng naturally accepted it. Mr. Wang sent them all the way to the school entrance and then turned to leave.
Opposite the school, Feng He’s assigned man saw Qin Sheng and Chang Baji coming out from the school and headed to the east. That was the direction away from the town. The center of the town was in the west. Hence, he quickly called Feng He. When the call went through, he said immediately, “Mr. Feng, they’ve come out of the school. Judging by the direction that they’re going, they should be leaving here.”
“Are you sure?” The already-sleepy Feng He became wide awake instantly.
The man replied without hesitation, “I’m sure.”
“Okay.” A bloodthirsty smile formed on Feng He’s face. He then ended the call.
Beside him, Uncle Zhen was half-awake and half-asleep. He woke up when Feng He received the call. When Feng He hung up, he quickly asked, “What’s the update?”
“Wow, I can only say that this dude has rotten luck. I thought that we would have no chance tonight, but who knew that he chose to leave the mountains at this timing. Isn’t he sending himself to death?” Feng He looked at Uncle Zhen and said cheerfully.
Uncle Zhen was very happy after hearing the news. He did not wait in vain after all.
“Time to work,” Feng He replied with a cold smile. At the same time, he activated a high-performance Jeep Wrangler and headed straight to their already-chosen spot. That was where Qin Sheng was going to be buried.
After leaving the town, Chang Baji took the wheel first. Qin Sheng would take over after they get onto the freeway. Since there were no cars on the mountainous roads, there were very few people. Besides, no one would be willing to go on the mountain road at night. In the past, robbery often took place here. Hence, Qin Sheng and Chang Baji did not let their guards down.
After half an hour of the mountainous roads, they had almost surpassed the most dangerous part. They just need to take that turn and the rest would be easy. Qin Sheng and Chang Baji finally let out a relieved sigh.
Chang Baji did not think much and just turned the corner like how he would do it usually. When the car light illuminated the road ahead, Chang Baji and Qin Sheng found, almost at the same time, a off-road vehicle parked in the middle of the road not far away from them.
It was so late at night, who would park their car here? Could it be broken, or were their visions blurred? Or were they seeing things?
Just when they were still wondering in confusion, the off-road vehicle was activated all of a sudden. Its big headlights were turned on instantly and the glaring lights shone into their direction, causing them to be unable to open their eyes.
They had yet registered what was going on before they heard a series of rumble from the engine-starting and gas-stepping. The off-road vehicle dashed towards them without hesitation. At this moment, Chang Baji and Qin Sheng finally realized that things were going down.