Jiang Zhi, holding the twins, hurried through the city's shadows, each step filled with tension and determination. Night fell like a vast black curtain, weighing heavily on the city. Only the sparse streetlights cast a dim glow, like flickering candles struggling feebly in the darkness, barely outlining the streets.
The child in her arms seemed to sense the oppressive atmosphere and twisted restlessly. Her little face wrinkled into a ball, her lips curled up, and she looked like she was about to burst into tears. Jiang Zhi's heart suddenly sank, and she hurriedly stopped and hid in an abandoned porch. She gently rocked her body and gently patted her little sister's back, while using her other hand to gently cover her brother's ears to prevent him from being disturbed by the crying. Her eyes were full of love and anxiety. In this panic of escape, the child was the softest yet most steadfast support in her heart.
"Baby, don't cry. Mommy's here." Jiang Zhi whispered softly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, trying to comfort the little baby in her arms. Her eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, not missing any corner where danger might lurk.
After ensuring the child was temporarily quiet, Jiang Zhi continued her escape. She deliberately avoided the bustling, crowded streets, choosing instead to navigate narrow, secluded alleys where few people ventured. The road beneath her feet was uneven, strewn with gravel and garbage, and emitting a foul odor. The walls were covered in graffiti and stains, a reflection of the city's darker side.
Jiang Zhi darted through the alleys like a nimble cheetah. Her steps were light and swift, each one carefully avoiding obstacles on the ground. She sometimes sidestepped through gaps barely wide enough for one person, sometimes using the walls for support to scale low walls. Her breathing was steady and rhythmic. Though her heart was filled with tension and anxiety, her exterior remained calm and composed, a toughness honed by years of hardship.
The twins, a boy and a girl, began to cry again during the bumpy ride. Their older brother's face flushed crimson, his eyes filled with tears, and he waved his hands in the air, seemingly expressing his displeasure. Jiang Zhi felt as if her heart was being pierced by countless needles, the pain excruciating. Helplessly, she stopped and hid in an abandoned warehouse.
The warehouse was filled with a pungent, musty smell, and the surroundings were filled with worn-out goods and debris. Dim light struggled to squeeze in through a few narrow windows, casting blurry shadows on the ground. Jiang Zhi found a relatively clean spot in the corner and sat down carefully. She placed the children on her lap and carefully checked them for any discomfort.
"My dears, hold on a little longer. Mommy will take you to safety." Jiang Zhi coaxed the children as she pulled some water and food from her bag and fed them. After the children ate, they gradually calmed down. Jiang Zhi looked at their well-behaved appearances, feeling a surge of guilt. She wished she could give her children a stable and comfortable life, not the fear they now endured while fleeing.
After a brief rest, Jiang Zhi set out again. She knew she couldn't stay for long; Jiang Yao's killer could catch up at any moment. She walked along an abandoned railway line, the tracks stretching off into the distance in the darkness, like a path to an unknown fate. Jiang Zhi's eyes were firm and determined. She held her child tightly and quickened her pace.
However, the escape wasn't smooth. The road ahead was blocked by a tall barbed wire fence, entwined with sharp barbs that gleamed coldly in the dim moonlight. Jiang Zhi's brow furrowed slightly as she quickly looked around, searching for a way through. Just as she was getting anxious, she spotted a gap in the wire fence. It wasn't big, but it was just enough to squeeze through.
Jiang Zhi cautiously approached the gap, gently passing the child through and placing him on the other side of the wire. Just as she was about to slip through herself, she heard a faint sound of footsteps. Her body tensed, her heartbeat quickening. She quickly hid behind an abandoned shipping container, holding her breath, her eyes fixed on the direction of the sound.
Several dark figures loomed in the darkness not far away, their footsteps light and swift, revealing them to be professionally trained assassins. Jiang Zhi's palms were wet with sweat, and she clenched her fists tightly, mentally formulating a strategy. She knew that a head-on confrontation would be extremely dangerous given her current situation, and she had to find a way to escape these assassins.
Jiang Zhi quietly peeked out from the other side of the container and surveyed her surroundings. She spotted a dense forest nearby, suggesting she might be able to escape the assassins if she could hide there. She took a deep breath, quickly picked up her child, and ran toward the trees before the assassins noticed her.
The killers seemed to sense the movement and quickened their pace to catch up. Jiang Zhi ran desperately through the woods, her body extremely exhausted, but she still gritted her teeth and persevered. Branches and thorns scratched her skin, but she was completely unaware. She had only one thought in her mind: protect the child.
Suddenly, Jiang Zhi slipped and fell to the ground. The child also rolled out of her arms, crying. Jiang Zhi's heart instantly rose to her throat. She ignored her own pain and hurriedly got up, picked up the child and continued running. The killers were getting closer and closer, and she could even hear their heavy breathing.
Just as Jiang Zhi felt desperate, she spotted a small river ahead. The water wasn't too deep, but the current was swift. Without hesitation, Jiang Zhi jumped in, her child in her arms. The icy water instantly engulfed her. She held the child tightly, trying to prevent them from choking. The turbulent current carried them downstream, and Jiang Zhi struggled desperately in the water, trying to find a place to reach shore.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Zhi finally saw the riverbank. Using all her strength, she swam towards it. By the time she reached the bank, she was exhausted and collapsed to the ground. The child was shivering from the cold, so Jiang Zhi quickly took off her coat and wrapped it around him.
She knew she couldn't stay here much longer. Fighting back her fatigue, she stood up and continued forward. Her steps were staggering yet determined, each a struggle against fate. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she knew that as long as she had breath left, she would never give up protecting her child and would fight Jiang Yao and the mysterious organization to the bitter end.
At this time, the sky gradually dawned, and the light of dawn spread across the earth, bringing a glimmer of hope to the city. But Jiang Zhi knew that her battle had just begun. She must carve out a way of survival for herself and her child in this world where light and darkness are intertwined.
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