The two of them exposed each other's secrets and insults until they were exhausted and finally lay down on the ground, panting.

He Xincheng, having caught his breath, said

"Alright, let's stop arguing here."

What's the point of cursing? It only makes you a laughingstock, and the neighbors are probably laughing to themselves.

"Now that things have come to this, what should we do?"

"The important thing is that we survive."

Li Shuyu said weakly,

How can we survive?

There are five grown men there. Do you think the two of us can beat them?

"You're as weak as a chick; one punch from someone could take you down."

"Can you please stop making personal attacks at this point? We're thinking about how to escape. What's the point of saying these things now?"

"If you're so capable, you could use your femininity to get them to release you."

He Xincheng was furious and directly exposed Li Shuyu's true colors.

"You just told me not to pry into the other person's past, what do you mean by that? Do you think I don't have that kind of charm?"

Just then, someone kicked the door hard.

"Shut up, all of you. This is never going to end, is it?"

We're just playing cards for a bit, and you're all making such a fuss, do you want to die? I'll bury you all right now.

The two immediately shut their mouths, while the man at the door muttered curses for a while before turning and leaving.

The howling north wind slipped in through the crack in the door.

Soon, all three people in the room were trembling, and the only sound they could hear was the sound of their teeth chattering.

In the freezing cold, the cabin was clearly no match for the cold wind outside, let alone the low temperature.

The two were originally in the next room where there was a heated earthen bed, which was warm enough for them to sit on. But now it was clear that the room was not warm enough.

Seven was also freezing; the little cotton-padded jacket and coat he was wearing couldn't keep out the cold at all.

I knew I couldn't just freeze to death, so I automatically put a heat-retaining talisman on myself.

Sure enough, after the talisman was applied, I felt much better immediately. Because my body temperature was high enough, I didn't shiver anymore.

Seven was quiet and still. If it weren't for all the things he got from completing missions in his past life, he would be in a really bad situation now.

He was no longer cold, but the two people next to him were freezing, eventually looking like two worms.

They finally managed to get close together.

The two huddled together, shivering. They had put aside their past grievances and didn't have the courage to argue. However, they had clearly set their sights on Qi Zai again.

He Xincheng said to Qi Zai.

"Little one, look, those are all bad people outside. Help your uncle and aunt untie the ropes first."

We'll try to get you out of here; otherwise, you won't be able to escape on your own."

Li Shuyun, standing next to her, nodded hurriedly, sniffling her runny nose as she spoke.

"Yes, Seven, even if Auntie is wrong, those bad guys want us dead."

Do you want to die here and never see your mom and dad again?

"If you just let go of your aunt and uncle, they'll help you escape, and then you'll see your mom and dad."

The two of them appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him; they couldn't possibly fool a little kid like that.

All I saw was the little boy in front of me nod.

"Are you and your aunt taking me away?"

The two nodded hurriedly, as if striking garlic.

The two of them weren't stupid; they would surely die if they stayed here.

Qi Zai nodded, and the two of them breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Qi Zai came to help, things would be much easier.

He Xincheng said to Qi Zai.

"Little friend, quickly help the uncle and aunt untie the rope."

But Seven stood still and shouted outside.

"Uncle and Aunt, are you really going to take me away? I'll untie the ropes for you right now."

The shout, like a thunderclap, startled the two, turning them pale. They hurriedly said...

"Keep your voice down, do you want to attract bad guys?"

Unfortunately, it was too late. Sure enough, the people guarding outside heard the words immediately, and someone rushed in right away.

The door was opened, and the two were immediately met with a barrage of punches and kicks.

Seven is just a child, and no one would harm a child. Even the most inhuman villain wouldn't do this to Seven right now.

But for the two of them, there was no psychological barrier whatsoever.

The adulterous couple were beaten black and blue.

Li Shuyun was somewhat better off; after all, she was a woman, and a beautiful one at that. Men tend to hold back when they strike, at most kicking or punching her where they can't see.

Of course, taking advantage of the situation to grope others is inevitable.

But He Xincheng was different; practically every punch landed on him.

On the one hand, it was to warn Qi Zai not to have any unrealistic dreams, and on the other hand, it was to teach these two people a lesson.

Brother Liu, the leader, walked over and, seeing the two of them like this, couldn't help but sneer.

"Are you two brainless?"

You still want to escape? Do you even know where you are?

When we were going up the mountain, we didn't see that this place was halfway up. You two don't know the way. Do you think you can make it down the mountain with your legs?

Look at the temperature outside. Are the clothes you're wearing enough to keep out the cold?

Even if you get down the mountain, you're all doomed.

"You might freeze to death on the way. If you want to die, you can leave now. I promise I won't stop you."

Brother Liu gestured to the underling at the door, and sure enough, the underling opened the door, letting in a blast of cold air.

The two were so cold their teeth were chattering, and as they watched the snowflakes drifting in from outside, they both knew exactly what was going on.

Where do they think they can escape to?

"Just stay here quietly, that's all. I've already said that as long as you pay the money, everything is negotiable."

What would I do with your lives?

You just need to give us the money, and we'll exchange money for people. You go your way, and I'll go mine.

What do you think I'm going to do? Bury you all alive here?

Brother Liu said irritably, "Are these two people brainless? They want money, not lives."

He Xincheng said, his teeth chattering.

"Brother Liu... I... I know... you... you won't... kill us."

"Of course I won't kill you. I have nothing better to do. I'm not a serial killer."

Besides, I'm after your money, not your lives. What use are your lives to me? Can I eat them or drink them?

Brother Liu and the others burst into laughter, then grabbed He Xincheng by the collar and said...

"You should stay here quietly for a while. I'll have someone bring you a hot water basin so you won't freeze to death."

Write a letter to your family this afternoon, and I will send someone to deliver it to your family as soon as they receive the money.

You will be sent away immediately, safe and sound.

What use are you to me? Killing you would only get me shot.

"You think we're just roughnecks who resort to simple and crude methods? We're not that stupid."