The scene in front of them did not change with the appearance of this half of the paper. But Mingqiao knew that it was only a matter of time before things returned to normal. They only needed to wait until the library called tomorrow morning and they could contact Shi Xin, then they could return to the library. The half of the paper they got twice would also become important clues or key props for their next escape.

Everyone in the power room was completely relieved and collapsed on the ground to rest. Mingqiao had never run so many steps in one breath before, and his calves were cramping from exhaustion. He couldn't even stand up, so he moved to a relatively clean wall and sat down.

"Teacher, would you like some water?" Cao Haibo came over with a half-filled bottle of mineral water and handed it to Mingqiao.

Mingqiao let go of his hand that was rubbing his legs and waved it twice: "I didn't bring much water when I came here, you can share it."

Cao Haibo stuffed a half-full bottle of water to a girl next to him, then sat down next to Ming Qiao: "Teacher, I feel very at ease when you are here."

"Are you still scared now?" Mingqiao asked him.

"No." Cao Haibo scratched his head: "It seems that there is nothing to be afraid of. We have so many classmates. We can help each other and overcome any obstacles."

Mingqiao tilted his head to look at him and smiled: "Not bad, you have improved since you first came in."

Cao Haibo leaned against the wall behind him and took a deep breath. "Teacher, I will study hard and learn sports well after I get out."

"Well, my awareness has improved."

Cao Haibo recalled what he had said to Mingqiao when he first entered the library, and laughed dryly, a little embarrassed: "I'm not stupid, right?"

"Of course." Ming Qiao said, "But I'm also curious, why did you suddenly change your mind? Didn't you think you were incapable of anything before?"

"After going through so many things, I found that I am quite useful," Cao Haibo said, "Teacher, I actually want to thank you. You have always encouraged me and given me opportunities. I can really feel that you are doing this for my own good, not just talking."

"I should do it."

At this time, Jiang Su had also settled the others, and came over to sit cross-legged opposite Ming Qiao: "Teacher Ming, I guess there's nothing to do tonight."

Mingqiao nodded and said, "Well, have a good rest, and we will go out tomorrow."

"To be honest, I can't sleep." Jiang Su propped his elbows on his knees and raised his head in a daze: "If you hadn't come, we would still be trapped in those devices. You came and cut off the power, then opened those channels and we were able to get out. It feels like a dream just thinking about it."

"If I hadn't come, other teachers would have come." Ming Qiao said, "It just happened that I passed by here and lent a hand. It was mainly because you kids saved yourselves, which was amazing."

Jiang Su curled his lips twice: "Teacher Ming, you are too modest."

"There's no need to be modest now. I'm not a hero." Ming Qiao sighed, tilted his head back and slowly leaned it against the cold wall. "There will be even greater difficulties after we get out. By then, I may not be able to help you much."

"Then Teacher Ming, please help me with a little favor now." Jiang Su said.

"Huh?" Ming Qiao opened his eyes, only to see a group of students gathered in front of him, all sitting cross-legged, looking at him quietly and expectantly.

"I just had intense exercise and can't sleep. Teacher, please give me some lessons."

Although Mingqiao was a little unhappy that his students treated his lectures as a lullaby, he still gave the lecture in the end.

He always felt that being able to give lectures to others was a very happy thing, and it didn't matter whether anyone listened or not.

A group of people sat together, listening to Mingqiao talking about various historical stories. Some listened with great interest, while others were drowsy. By the second half of the night, the mental excitement caused by the intense exercise had subsided, and everyone fell into a state of sleep.

They supported each other and backed each other up, and spent the night in a daze in this place that was not really safe.

The next day, when Mingqiao opened his eyes again, most of the students were awake. They were doing their own things, reciting lessons, tidying up, or simply running on the treadmill as morning exercise.

Seeing Ming Qiao wake up, Jiang Su came over with a bag of biscuits, tore open the package and put it in his hand: "Teacher Ming, the library will call in ten minutes. You didn't eat anything yesterday, so have a bite first."

"Yeah." Mingqiao shook his head to clear his mind. He wanted to stand up, but the muscles on the front of his thighs were sore and painful that he couldn't use any strength.

"Teacher Ming." Jiang Su quickly grabbed Ming Qiao's arm and helped him up: "Haibo said that massaging his legs or stretching would be good."

Mingqiao ate the remaining biscuits in one gulp: "Okay, you go ahead and do your thing, I'll do it myself."

He packed up the half of the paper he got yesterday, then leaned against the wall and did some leg stretching exercises. He also listened to the students' mumblings and waited quietly for time to pass. When Mingqiao's nerves recovered again, they had returned to the library, without missing a single one.

Most of the students rubbed their eyes in disbelief, and the remaining few tried to remain calm but could not help but reveal shocked expressions.

This place is still a ruin, but after being cleaned up by Mingqiao and Shixin, it is much tidier now. So many students standing here don't feel crowded or messy.

"Teacher Ming." Shi Xin's voice sounded all around, not as clear as before, but hoarse and tired.

This child must be very sad outside.

Mingqiao responded: "It's okay, don't worry."

It was just one night without contact, but it felt like a long time had passed.

He had to admit that he missed Shi Xin very much.

I think about it when I’m tired and when I’m free.

I wonder if he will encounter any danger when he is alone outside, if he will be lonely, if he will be cold at night, and whether he can sleep.

He wanted to take Shi Xin and escape, but he also wanted this young man to hold on for him a little.

I want to confess my feelings to Shi Xin seriously after we get out, and have a good relationship with Shi Xin after it’s over.

This impulse is simply out of control.

"Teacher Ming, let's talk business first." Shi Xin cleared his throat and said, "Congratulations on passing the side quest. The reward is the half of the thesis, and you got it."

Mingqiao became serious and listened carefully to every word Shi Xin said.

"The two papers can be combined into a prop - a key." Shi Xin said: "This key is the key to the library door, which means you can come out now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the students started chattering. They were surprised that they could get out so smoothly, and at the same time they were discussing how to put the two papers together to form a key.

Mingqiao stood there for a long time before he began to frantically put the two blocks together.

The light from the ceiling on the second floor of the library poured down, illuminating the two thin building blocks and casting a small shadow.

Half of a key was embedded in the middle of the two building blocks.

Mingqiao broke the building blocks directly in the middle, and small building blocks as big as rice grains scattered all over the ground, with a hint of copper revealing the broken parts.

The remaining half of the paper remained the same, and the two key fragments combined together formed a single-character key.

"Open the door." Shi Xin said.

Mingqiao subconsciously slowed down his breathing, held the key tightly in his hand, and walked to the door of the library.

This place has never been opened since he came in. Just outside the door is the person he is thinking about.

Mingqiao first inserted the head of the key into the keyhole, and then pushed it in with the remaining handle.

The key fit perfectly into the keyhole, and as Mingqiao twisted it with his fingers, the sound of the lock bouncing back echoed throughout the library.

Mingqiao held the door handle and pushed it down. The tightly closed door opened a crack, and then was completely opened, and fresh air rushed in. Mingqiao did not turn his head. He stared at the person sitting at the door and said, "Let's go, kids."

The students rushed out, only occasionally looking back at Mingqiao who was motionless, and the person sitting outside the door. As if it were better, the students did not run around after they went out, but gathered on both sides of the path in front of the library, waiting for Mingqiao to finish his work before arranging the next task.

He didn't know where Shi Xin had thrown the stool. He sat cross-legged on the ground, opened his eyes and looked up at Mingqiao who was standing at the door.

Mingqiao also looked back.

Shi Xin's hair was all messed up, tangled together, his face was thinner, and his clothes were dirty. The only thing that was clean on his body was his pair of bright eyes. He looked like a stray dog, but he was quite dedicated to guarding the door.

Pitiful.

"Teacher Ming." Shi Xin called him.

"Yes." Mingqiao opened his arms to Shi Xin: "Come and hug me."

Mingqiao didn't have to wait even a second before a solid body fell into his arms.

Shi Xin was taller than Ming Qiao. He bent his back, buried his head in Ming Qiao's shoulder, and rubbed it randomly.

Mingqiao stroked Shi Xin's back again and again, comforting him silently.

"Do you want to continue?" Shi Xin asked in a muffled voice.

Mingqiao knew what he was talking about. At that time, the library had revealed a total of three main tasks. He had only completed two main tasks and one side task, so there was still one main task left to be completed.

But he could leave now. After all, the key had been found, the door was open, and the library could not trap him.

"I want to continue." Ming Qiao said, "I have a feeling that if I don't complete this task, I will regret it."

Shi Xin no longer mentioned the idea of ​​going in with Mingqiao. Obviously, he could help Mingqiao more outside.

"I respect your choice, but you must do it within your ability." Shi Xin let go of Ming Qiao, stood up straight and looked at him: "If you feel that it is not okay, you must come out immediately."

"Okay, I promise."

Mingqiao didn't rush in, but stood there after hugging Shi Xin.

"I want to say something." They said in unison.

Mingqiao blinked twice: "You speak first."

"I like you." Shi Xin's voice was loud, as if he was shouting, "Ming Qiao, I liked you the first time I saw you. I have been holding back on saying this for a long time, and I can't help it anymore."

Mingqiao didn't expect Shi Xin to be so straightforward. He originally wanted to express his feelings in a roundabout way, but he didn't expect Shi Xin to be even more outspoken than him.

Shi Xin saw Ming Qiao didn't speak, and his eyes slowly drooped: "I'm not trying to do anything, I just want you to know."

"I know." Mingqiao couldn't stop laughing. Even though he was fully prepared, he still felt an infinite throbbing in his heart when he heard the other party's confession. The deer ran in the boundless wilderness and finally bumped into a warm puppy.

Mingqiao looked at him and responded seriously and generously: "I like you, too."

--------------------

The author has something to say:

finally