Shen Jianqiu stumbled and ran down the mountain.
By this time, it was already completely dark, with only a faint glimmer of light remaining on the horizon, barely illuminating the path beneath our feet.
The tree branches swayed like menacing ghosts in the darkness, scratching her cheeks and arms, and causing blisters on the soles of her feet, making every step excruciatingly painful.
But she dared not stop. The thought of Xu Xinghe still being on the mountain made her heart clench, and she could only grit her teeth and keep pushing forward.
After running for an unknown amount of time, a faint yellow light finally appeared ahead.
It's a village!
Shen Jianqiu's eyes lit up instantly, tears welled up unexpectedly, and he quickened his pace, even forgetting the pain in his feet.
The houses in the village are scattered, and most of them have turned off their lights. Only one house at the entrance of the village still has its lights on, and a warm light shines through its windows.
Shen Jianqiu rushed to the courtyard gate and pounded on the wooden door, her voice trembling with tears, "Is anyone home? Open the door! Please, please open the door!"
The door opened quickly, and a middle-aged woman dressed in coarse cloth peeked out. Seeing that she was covered in mud and looked disheveled, she was startled. "Girl, what happened to you?"
“I…my friend and I have been kidnapped!” Shen Jianqiu grabbed the woman’s hand, his words tumbling out in agitation. “I escaped, but my friend is still on the mountain! Please, please call the police for me, and help me make a phone call!”
Upon hearing the word "kidnapping," the woman's face immediately changed. She quickly pulled her into the house, saying, "Come in quickly! I'll go find the village chief and have him call the police using the village office's phone!"
The two went to the village chief together, called the police using the village office's phone, and also called Lian Xiao.
After doing all this, Shen Jianqiu finally calmed down.
She sat in the living room wrapped in the clothes the woman handed her, holding a scalding hot enamel cup in both hands, her body still shivering from the cold.
The hot water slid down her throat, which helped her recover a little.
The village chief also arrived and comforted her, saying, "Girl, it's alright now. The phone calls have all been made, and your family and the police will be here soon."
Shen Jianqiu didn't speak, but the thought of Xu Xinghe still being in the mountains brought tears to his eyes again.
She didn't know how Xu Xinghe was doing, whether she could escape the kidnappers, or if she had anywhere to hide.
Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, each one making her uneasy.
About an hour later, the sound of car brakes came from the yard.
The beams of the car headlights pierced the darkness, blinding people.
Shen Jianqiu suddenly stood up and ran out almost staggeringly.
Jiang Linchuan was the first to get off the bus. His usually calm face was now visibly flustered.
His gaze swept around the courtyard, but he didn't see that familiar figure. His pupils suddenly contracted. "Where's Xinghe?"
He strode up to Shen Jianqiu and asked, "Why didn't Xinghe come back with you?"
Lian Xiao followed closely behind and rushed over, grabbing Shen Jianqiu's arm, "Where's Xinghe? Where is she?"
Shen Jianqiu's tears instantly burst forth, and she choked out the whole story. Still shaken, she spoke incoherently, "Someone kidnapped us. They wanted the Xu family's gold bars... We were taken to an abandoned house in the mountains. Xinghe saved me... She was afraid the kidnappers would catch up with me, so she led them away and deliberately left traces to make them chase the wrong way... She's still on the mountain. There are four or five kidnappers and accomplices. You need to go find her quickly!"
Upon hearing that Xu Xinghe had lured the kidnappers away herself, Jiang Linchuan's face turned deathly pale. His heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, causing him so much pain that he could barely breathe.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, he forcibly suppressed the panic in his eyes.
He needs to stay calm right now!
"Lian Xiao, immediately contact the military and police, and have them bring searchlights and search dogs. We're heading up the mountain now!"
He feared that if he waited even a second longer, Xu Xinghe would be in greater danger.
"Alright!" Lian Xiao had already mobilized everyone he could during the day. Today, even if they had to turn the mountain upside down, they had to find the person!
Jiang Linchuan didn't say anything more, turned around and walked up the mountain, his steps so fast he almost staggered.
He looked at the dark mountain, and his heart turned cold.
Xu Xinghe will definitely be alright, she definitely won't...
"Wait!" Lian Xiao grabbed his arm. "Don't rush."
After saying that, Lian Xiao turned to the village chief beside him and said, "Village chief, please wake up the villagers. As long as they are willing to go up the mountain to help find the person, they will each receive fifty yuan, regardless of whether they find the person or not! Whoever finds the person first will receive an extra hundred yuan!"
Fifty yuan is no small amount; it's enough for an average family to live on for half a month.
The village chief's eyes lit up. Without asking any further questions, he immediately patted his chest and agreed, "No problem, I'll go get people right away! I promise to get everyone in the village who can move!"
With that, he grabbed his flashlight, turned around, and ran back into the village, his voice so loud it could be heard halfway through, "Uncles and brothers, get up! We're going up the mountain to look for someone! If you find them, you'll get some money!"
Soon, small lights appeared in the village.
The villagers, carrying torches, sickles, and flashlights, gathered at the village entrance, clamoring and asking about the situation.
Lian Xiao briefly explained Xu Xinghe's attire and general direction.
The crowd immediately split into several groups, carrying torches as they walked up the mountain.
The winding flames resembled a fiery dragon, standing out vividly in the darkness.
Jiang Linchuan watched this scene, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. He turned to Lian Xiao and said, "Thanks."
He was so panicked just now that his mind went blank. He was only thinking about getting up the mountain as quickly as possible and didn't even think about asking the villagers for help.
He was usually calm and composed, but when it came to Xu Xinghe's safety, all his composure vanished.
Lian Xiao patted him on the shoulder, "It will take the military at least an hour and a half to get here from the city. The villagers know the way, so let them scout ahead first, and we'll follow behind. That will save us a lot of time."
Shen Jianqiu walked over wrapped in a cotton-padded coat, clutching a flashlight in his hand. "I'm going up the mountain too. Xinghe stayed on the mountain to save me, so I can't wait here."
Lian Xiao pressed down on her arm, his brows furrowed. "You can't go."
He looked at the scratches on Shen Jianqiu's face and the blood-stained cuffs of his trousers. "You're injured yourself. The mountain paths are slippery at night, and there are wild animals around. If you go up there, you won't be able to help, and you'll only distract others from taking care of you. Aren't you just a hindrance?"
"But I..."
Shen Jianqiu wanted to argue, but Lian Xiao interrupted him, "Stay in the village and wait. Since you know that Xinghe saved you, you should take good care of yourself."
Shen Jianqiu looked at himself, then at the dark mountain road, and finally let go.
Lian Xiao is right. Going up there wouldn't be of any help; in fact, it might just cause trouble.
"Then you must find her..." Shen Jianqiu's voice was choked with sobs, "You must bring her back safely."
"I will!"
Jiang Linchuan and Lian Xiao quickly caught up with the villagers' procession, disappearing into the winding flames.
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