TDU Chapter 116: Resting Point

Chapter 116 Resting Point

As Yun Yao stepped out of the room, Qi Xia turned his gaze back to Chu Tianqiu. "Can my teammate be released?"

"But that {Adherent} in your team..." 

"I'll take care of it."

Chu Tianqiu nodded, then added, "I had originally prepared a {welcoming party}, but it seems it will have to be postponed for now." He walked to the door of the classroom, opening it. Zhang Shan was standing just outside.

"Done?" Zhang Shan paused for a moment after speaking, his gaze fixed on Chu Tianqiu's face. "Fuck, what happened to you?"

"It’s nothing to worry about," Chu Tianqiu said, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Zhang Shan, it was all just a misunderstanding. Release Qi Xia’s teammates."

...

Qi Xia followed Zhang Shan up to the second floor of the school. At the end of the corridor, they found the equipment room where his teammates were waiting.

Chu Tianqiu was meticulous in his approach. Rather than locking them up, he had prepared some canned food and bottled water and arranged for a kindly aunt to chat with them. The woman wore both a Buddhist amulet and a Christian cross around her neck, her faith appearing rather eclectic. 

At that moment, she was talking to Officer Li, recounting stories of how the village deities had helped the police solve cases.

"Qi Xia, you’ve come?" Officer Li stood up at once, as if he had seen a lifeline, relief flooding his face.

"Are you all alright?" Qi Xia asked.

"What could possibly have happened to us?" Officer Li gave Qi Xia a puzzled look. "But you, why did it take you so long to get here?"

"I went to see Chu Tianqiu," Qi Xia replied, scanning his teammates. "Is Qiao Jiajin not here?"

"That hoodlum was with you, wasn't he?" Officer Li asked, raising an eyebrow.

Behind them, Zhang Shan shook his head in exasperation. "That mad dog’s in another room. I told him if he behaved, he’d get food and drink. But he refused to listen."

With Zhang Shan’s guidance, Qi Xia quickly found Qiao Jiajin.

He seemed fine physically, but was clearly furious.

"Hey! Swindler Lad!" Qiao Jiajin shouted, his voice full of defiance despite being tied up. "Let me out, and fast! I'm going to make that buff lou cry today!"

Zhang Shan, growing somewhat annoyed, shot back, "Do you really think of me as a paper tiger just because I’m not using my full strength? Sleeve tats, do you honestly believe you can take me down?"

"How would we know if you don’t try?" Qiao Jiajin snorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Swindler Lad, how did you end up on the enemy’s side? Did they threaten or bribe you?"

"No," Qi Xia shook his head. "Qiao Jiajin, they were planning to release you, but your behavior was so erratic, they didn’t know how to handle you."

"Erratic?! You’re calling me erratic?!" Qiao Jiajin roared, his eyes blazing. "They tied me up and still expect me not to lose my temper?!"

"Qiao Jiajin, you've also resorted to violence," Qi Xia said calmly. "Maybe if you apologize, they won’t have to go to such lengths to keep you restrained."

Zhang Shan, overhearing the conversation, found it difficult to follow. Trying to engage Qiao Jiajin in {normal communication} was already a challenge, so how could he possibly {apologize}?

Without warning, Qiao Jiajin lowered his head. "I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize to everyone. Could you please untie me now?"

"Huh?!" Zhang Shan froze, pointing a finger at Qiao Jiajin in disbelief. "I thought you punk were all about principles! How did you suddenly cave and apologize?"

"The word out is that if I apologize, I get out—so now I feel like everything before was my fault," Qiao Jiajin chuckled, his grin wide. "That's the kind of person I am—I can bend when needed."

…

Once Qiao Jiajin returned to the team, the group, guided by Zhang Shan, made their way to the room at the northernmost part of the first floor.

Chu Tianqiu had assigned the nine of them a classroom. The room was already set up with several basic necessities—some old, but reasonably clean, blankets, a small supply of bottled water and canned food, as well as two lighters and a flashlight.

It seemed this floor housed a sizable number of people, each grouped into teams and occupying their own classrooms. As dusk descended, many had gathered inside, engaged in light conversation. 

The living conditions here were a far cry from the {wilderness survival} experience Qi Xia had faced previously—almost like a different world altogether.

They entered the classroom and quickly set up their beds. Qiao Jiajin used an old iron basin to start a small fire in the center of the room. Officer Li brought over several cans, opening them for everyone and placing them next to the fire to heat. The nine of them sat in a circle, quietly waiting. The atmosphere was somewhat subdued.

Qi Xia lifted his gaze and glanced at the men around him—Qiao Jiajin, Han Yimo, Officer Li, and Dr. Zhao—his mind quietly calculating.

"Is it still bearable?" Zhang Shan walked in. "Space is limited, so you’ll have to squeeze in together. Hopefully, it isn’t too inconvenient."

"Thank  you, Shan ge." Xiao Ran stood up, smiling continuously at Zhang Shan.

Officer Li also stood up, giving Zhang Shan a friendly nod before speaking. "Nice work with the arrangements, bud, you’ve really put in the effort… Got any cigarettes?"

"Cigarettes...?" Zhang Shan paused for a moment, then pulled out a half-empty pack of cigarettes from his pocket, his expression tinged with reluctance. "This is all I've got..."

"No worries, no worries." Officer Li casually took the half-pack of cigarettes. "I don't mind if it's a little less. Thanks, man."

Seeing his {soul food} taken away, Zhang Shan immediately grew flustered. "Hold on... xiōngdì, at least leave me one!"

"I've been holding out for too long," Officer Li pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips before lighting it.

"Fine, fine." Zhang Shan shook his head in exasperation. "You guys get some rest tonight. We'll probably be going to those games tomorrow."

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

"What is it?" Officer Li asked, puzzled.

"Could you not smoke in here?" Xiao Ran said bluntly.

"Oh, alright, I'll step outside." Officer Li nodded. He then turned to Qi Xia and asked, "Want a smoke?"

Qi Xia paused for a moment, then took a cigarette from him. He had clearly told Officer Li that he had long quit smoking.

"Han Yimo, do you smoke?" Officer Li turned to Han Yimo.

"Ah?" Han Yimo didn't quite catch on, chuckling as he replied, "I don't know how..."

"I'll teach you." Officer Li shoved a cigarette into Han Yimo's mouth. "It's not difficult—just a matter of opening and closing your eyes, and you’ll have it down." He then glanced at the others and added, "It’s not quite suitable for the three of us to smoke here, especially with those who don’t. Follow me."

Understanding Officer Li's intent, Qi Xia placed a hand on Han Yimo's shoulder and followed Officer Li into the hallway. The three of them remained silent, eyes scanning their surroundings as they cautiously moved forward. The topic they were about to discuss was too sensitive. To prevent the possibility of {eavesdropping}, they had to find a secure place to speak.

But in this vast school, where could they possibly find a truly safe location?

"Qi Xia, do you think the rooftop would be a good spot?" Officer Li asked. "Or perhaps the basement?"

"No." Qi Xia shook his head. "The center of the sports field is the safest."