Previously, when he was free climbing, loose rocks pierced his palms, causing them to bleed profusely, but Shen Huaichuan didn't even flinch, as if he didn't feel any pain at all.
But at this moment, seeing Zhou Qiqi's tears, he only felt a sharp pain in his heart.
His first instinct was to rush over without thinking and hold her tightly in his arms.
His lips moved silently, clearly forming the shape of four words: "I—came—to—save—you!"
The couple had previously used lip-reading to guide Zhouzhou, who was unable to speak, so Zhou Qiqi understood his words instantly.
She shook her head frantically, her eyes filled with anxiety, gesturing for him to look at her feet.
Shen Huaichuan followed her gaze and his heart clenched.
Brother Long's gang was even more cunning and ruthless than he had anticipated!
On the surface, they believed him when he said he would withdraw his troops and raise money to ransom people, but when he turned around, he used even more insidious tricks.
They somehow got hold of a thick iron chain and used it to firmly lock Zhou Qiqi's feet to the iron rings on the stone wall!
Her hands were still tied behind her back, making it extremely difficult for her to even move.
The key that could unlock the shackles was clipped to Brother Long's belt, and no one but him could touch it.
The iron chain was so thick and heavy that even if Shen Huaichuan was strong and skilled, he would never be able to break it with his bare flesh and blood without the right tools.
No matter how powerful Shen Huaichuan is, it won't work!
Moreover, although the bandits in the cave were dozing off in a slumped manner, they were all very alert and would wake up at the slightest disturbance.
If the sinking of the Huai River is exposed, the consequences will be unimaginable!
She repeated the word "Danger!" using lip reading over and over.
Shen Huaichuan's gaze swept across the cave.
In an instant, he came to the same conclusion as Zhou Qiqi: she was right, now was not the best time to take action.
The iron chain was terrifyingly thick, and Zhou Qiqi's slender ankles were rubbed raw and red. She was most afraid of pain, and she must have been enduring a lot of suffering.
Thinking of this, his heart ached again.
He forced himself to suppress his surging anger and heartache, and quickly calmed down to analyze the situation.
Taking down everyone in this cave by himself wouldn't be difficult for him, but Qiqi was chained up and became a sitting duck.
Brother Long and his men had guns, so he couldn't guarantee her safety in the chaos.
He could only communicate with her using lip reading: he would try to get the key, make sure she was safe, and then take her away.
But both of them knew in their hearts that this was too difficult.
Given Brother Long's cunning and treacherous nature, since he's used chains, he probably won't give them the chance to get the key easily.
The only possibility is that they will wait until the ransom arrives and then prepare to flee.
At that time, Brother Long might come and unlock it himself; that would be when he would be least wary.
Shen Huaichuan will seize the opportunity to make his move.
Zhou Qiqi thought of the homemade gun at Brother Long's waist and was terrified. She desperately opened her mouth to stop him, saying:
"They'll release me once they get the money! Don't take the risk!"
Shen Huaichuan shook his head and replied using lip reading: "Things aren't that simple."
He knew these desperate criminals; killing her to silence her was a high-probability event, and he would never entrust her life to the trust of these bandits.
Just as Zhou Qiqi was about to say something more to persuade Shen Huaichuan...
Not far away, one of the bandits suddenly opened his eyes, still half asleep.
He happened to see Zhou Qiqi, his eyes were looking in the direction of the cave entrance, and his mouth was moving.
The bandit immediately came to his senses and asked warily, "Hey! Who are you talking to?!"
When Zhou Qiqi heard this voice, her heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly broke out on her back.
But she knew she absolutely couldn't give herself away now, so she quickly tried to appear calm, turned her head, and replied curtly:
"Who spoke? Can't I talk to myself? This godforsaken place is so boring, there's no one to talk to!"
She thought she could say a few more words to buy some time for Shen Huaichuan, but to her surprise, the bandit didn't fall for it at all.
The man was skeptical, but he got up and walked over, looking towards the cave entrance.
Zhou Qiqi's heart was pounding, and she looked over nervously.
fortunately!
Right now, the edge of the cliff at the cave entrance is completely empty; there's nothing there.
Shen Huaichuan had disappeared without anyone knowing when.
The bandit stood at the cave entrance for a while but didn't notice anything unusual.
He walked back, spat at Zhou Qiqi, and muttered curses:
"You bitch! You startled me with your jumpy antics! Behave yourself!"
After saying that, he went back to his original position and continued to doze off.
Zhou Qiqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But at the same time, I became even more worried.
There's a cliff right outside the cave entrance; where could Shen Huaichuan hide?
At this moment, on a protruding rock platform outside the cave entrance, out of the sight of the thugs.
Shen Huaichuan was pressed against the rock with his back against it, his whole body muscles tense.
He clenched his teeth tightly, even breathing softly, trying not to make a sound.
This was the escape route he had planned long ago, and he had quietly retreated as soon as he heard the unusual noise.
With him behind him, the bandits naturally couldn't detect anything.
However, upon hearing the words of the group of thugs, his handsome face darkened in the night, his fists clenched, and he seemed lost in thought.
Once the snoring inside the cave resumed, Shen Huaichuan quietly reappeared at the cave entrance.
He gave Zhou Qiqi a reassuring look, then his figure flickered and disappeared into the darkness.
Shen Huaichuan's judgment was correct; Brother Long's vigilance was exceptionally high.
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