Understanding the content gestured in his palm, Xiao Ran's nerves immediately tensed. He looked at the men opposite him, his fingers gripping Xingxing's hand in return.
The difficulty in untying his own ropes was immense, while it was relatively much simpler for the other person.
Xingxing closed his eyes, his brain conjuring an image of the ropes as his fingers explored. His fingertips touched the knotted areas, and he used his other hand to hold down the knot, his touch conveying an understanding of the tying method.
The silence around them was so profound that one could hear the other's breathing. Xiao Ran's thoughts were taut, his eyes scanning the men before him like a radar.
Suddenly, a ringtone blared. Sweat from his forehead dripped onto the ground in the vibration, shattering into pieces.
"Watch them, I'm going out to take a call." The man raised his phone screen, announcing to his companion before opening the door and leaving.
His voice was not loud, but the surrounding walls were not soundproof, and some of his speech drifted in.
"Behave yourselves, don't move around!" The man who remained turned back, pointing at Xiao Ran and Xingxing, issuing a warning before turning and leaving the room.
Their departure gave Xingxing and Xiao Ran more opportunities.
Xiao Ran wriggled his body. Even though his back was to the other, preventing verbal communication, he could immediately understand the meaning behind Xingxing's actions.
He moved his body forward, giving Xingxing's arms ample room to move behind him. In moments, he felt the looseness around his wrist and moved it, the rough rope sliding off his skin.
He was free!
Xiao Ran turned, about to untie Xingxing's ropes, when the man from outside had already finished his call.
Xingxing pushed Xiao Ran away, and the two quickly resumed their initial positions.
The man pushed the door open, cursing. Seeing them on the ground, his anger intensified.
"Damn it, such a bother!"
His accomplice walked over and asked, in front of Xingxing and Xiao Ran, "What about them? Should we finish them off?"
"Just leave them to fend for themselves."
As the words fell, they checked every corner of the room, ensuring none of their belongings were missing. Then, they abandoned Xingxing and Xiao Ran and left.
Hearing the gradually fading footsteps, Xiao Ran immediately turned and knelt on the ground. He ripped the gag from his mouth, then reached out and pulled off Xingxing's. "We need to get out of here quickly."
"Will they come back?" Xingxing asked.
Since they had been brought here with such painstaking effort, how could they be so easily abandoned to fend for themselves?
Xiao Ran lowered his head, busy untying all the ropes on Xingxing.
"Don't worry about it, let's just get out of here first." Xiao Ran struggled to stand up; his legs were numb and sore from being bound for so long.
To avoid implicating Xingxing again and getting caught, he gritted his teeth and pulled Xingxing along as they walked outside.
They were also worried that there might be more people outside. Carefully, they pulled the door open; the men who had kidnapped them were nowhere to be seen.
"They seem to have gone in that direction, let's go this way." Xiao Ran estimated and chose a direction.
Their luck couldn't be that bad!
...
"Mingjue, the corner of my right eye has been twitching." Ye Ziyu held Di Mingjue's hand.
They had walked a considerable distance, but the desolate surroundings offered no hope.
"Don't overthink it. The fact that we can't see any clues is actually good news," Di Mingjue said to comfort her.
After walking for so long, he too was beginning to feel uncertain about whether Xiao Ran's situation was good or bad.
*Creak*
They stopped in their tracks, hearing the sound of dry leaves being crushed underfoot.
Could it be Xiao Ran and the others!
Ye Ziyu and Di Mingjue simultaneously looked up.
"It's Xiao Ran!" Ye Ziyu released Di Mingjue's arm and ran forward.
A few trees away, Xiao Ran mistook them for the kidnappers returning. Just as he was preparing to hide, Xingxing, who stood still, stopped his movements.