Chapter 116: A Place to Stay

Seeing Yun Yao walk out of the room, Qi Xia turned his gaze back to Chu Tianqiu.

“Can my teammates be released now?”

“But that ‘Extremist’ in your team…”

“I’ll handle it.”

Chu Tianqiu nodded. “I had originally prepared a ‘welcome party,’ but I suppose that will have to wait for now.”

He walked to the classroom door and opened it. Zhang Shan was standing not far outside.

“You finished talking?” Zhang Shan asked, then froze as he noticed Chu Tianqiu’s face. “Damn, how’d you get hurt?”

“It’s nothing serious.” Chu Tianqiu waved his hand dismissively. “Zhang Shan, it was all just a misunderstanding. Release Qi Xia’s teammates.”

……

Qi Xia followed Zhang Shan to the second floor of the school, where they found his teammates in the equipment room at the far end of the corridor.

Chu Tianqiu had been cautious—he hadn’t locked them up but had instead prepared some canned food and bottled water, even assigning a middle-aged woman to chat with them.

The woman wore both a Buddhist amulet and a cross around her neck, suggesting a rather complicated set of beliefs.

At the moment, she was enthusiastically telling Officer Li about instances where village deities had supposedly helped the police solve cases.

“Qi Xia, you’re here?” Officer Li stood up as soon as he saw Qi Xia, as if spotting a lifeline.

“Are you all okay?” Qi Xia asked.

“What could’ve happened to us?” Officer Li gave Qi Xia a puzzled look. “More importantly, why did it take you so long to get here?”

“I was meeting with Chu Tianqiu.” Qi Xia scanned the room and frowned. “Where’s Qiao Jiajin?”

“Wasn’t that punk with you?” Officer Li asked.

Zhang Shan, standing behind them, shook his head helplessly. “That mad dog’s in another room. I told him I’d give him food and water if he stopped fighting, but he just wouldn’t listen.”

Under Zhang Shan’s lead, Qi Xia found Qiao Jiajin.

He seemed fine—just extremely pissed off.

“Hey! Liar!” Qiao Jiajin, despite being tied up from head to toe, still managed to sound aggressive. “Get me outta here right now! I’m gonna make this big guy cry today!”

Zhang Shan was clearly getting irritated. “You really think I’m some paper tiger just because I haven’t gone all out? You think you could actually take me down?”

“How about we find out?” Qiao Jiajin scoffed. “Liar, why are you standing with the ‘enemy’? Did they threaten or bribe you?”

“Not at all.” Qi Xia shook his head. “Qiao Jiajin, they were actually planning to let you go, but you were being way too aggressive. They didn’t know what to do.”

“Aggressive?! You call me aggressive?!” Qiao Jiajin roared. “They tied me up, and I’m not allowed to be aggressive?!”

“Qiao Jiajin, you did hit them first,” Qi Xia pointed out. “Maybe if you apologize, they won’t have to keep you tied up like this.”

Zhang Shan found this suggestion absurd. If Qiao Jiajin could barely communicate normally, how could he possibly apologize?

“I’m sorry.” Qiao Jiajin suddenly bowed his head. “I sincerely apologize to everyone. Please untie me.”

“Wait, what?!” Zhang Shan gaped, pointing at him. “I thought you had principles! How did you just flip like that?!”

“I heard that apologizing would get me untied, so I suddenly realized everything was my fault.” Qiao Jiajin grinned sheepishly. “That’s just how I am—I can bend when I need to.”

Once Qiao Jiajin rejoined the group, they followed Zhang Shan’s directions to the northernmost room on the first floor.

Chu Tianqiu had allocated them a classroom, already stocked with basic necessities.

There were a few old but clean blankets, some bottled water and canned food, along with two lighters and a flashlight.

This floor seemed to house quite a few people, with each team occupying their own classroom.

As night approached, many were gathered inside, chatting.

Compared to Qi Xia’s previous “wild survival” experience, this was like heaven and earth.

After settling in, they spread out the bedding. Qiao Jiajin started a small fire in the center of the room using an old metal basin.

Officer Li opened a few cans for everyone and placed them near the fire to warm up.

The nine of them sat in silence, waiting. The atmosphere was heavy.

Qi Xia glanced at the men around him—Qiao Jiajin, Han Yimo, Officer Li, Dr. Zhao—his mind working through unspoken calculations.

“How’s it going?” Zhang Shan walked in, surveying the group. “Space is tight, so you’ll have to make do with all nine of you in here.”

“Thanks, Shan-ge.” Xiao Ran stood up, smiling sweetly at Zhang Shan.

Officer Li also rose, nodding politely. “You’ve arranged things well. Appreciate it… Got any cigarettes?”

“Cigarettes…?” Zhang Shan hesitated before reluctantly pulling out half a pack from his pocket. “This is all I’ve got left…”

“No problem.” Officer Li took the half-empty pack without hesitation. “I’m not picky. Thanks.”

Watching his “soul food” disappear, Zhang Shan panicked. “Wait, man, at least leave me one!”

“I’ve been desperate for too long.” Officer Li lit one and took a deep drag.

“Fine.” Zhang Shan sighed. “Get some rest tonight. You’ll probably be heading into a game tomorrow.”

After seeing Zhang Shan off, Xiao Ran shot Officer Li a cold look.

“What?” Officer Li asked, puzzled.

“Could you not smoke in here?” she said flatly.

“Oh, right. I’ll step outside.” He nodded, then turned to Qi Xia. “Want one?”

Qi Xia hesitated briefly before taking a cigarette.

He had told Officer Li before that he hadn’t smoked in years.

“Han Yimo, you smoke?” Officer Li offered one to Han Yimo.

“Huh?” Han Yimo blinked, confused. “I don’t know how…”

“I’ll teach you.” Officer Li stuck a cigarette between Han Yimo’s lips. “It’s easy. You’ll get it in no time.”

He glanced at the others. “Since the three of us are smoking, we shouldn’t stay in here. Let’s go.”

Qi Xia understood Officer Li’s intention. He draped an arm over Han Yimo’s shoulder and followed Officer Li into the hallway.

None of them spoke as they walked cautiously, scanning their surroundings.

What they were about to discuss was too sensitive—they needed somewhere truly secure to avoid eavesdroppers.

But in this vast school, where could they find absolute safety?

“Qi Xia, would the rooftop be safer?” Officer Li suggested. “Or the basement?”

“No.” Qi Xia shook his head. “The center of the playground is the safest.”