Chapter 628: Chapter 628: Self-Rescue
"If it hurts, just cry out." Brother Diao said while holding Yu Xia’s hand, at the same time, he took the cup from Yu Xia’s hand and handed it to his own men, instructing them to bring some hot water.
It seemed like just a blink of an eye, and the previously leisurely and independent warehouse suddenly became busy, all because of Yu Xia.
Tang Zhongwei’s jealousy flared up again, like a venomous snake writhing wildly in her chest, spewing its poison toward Yu Xia.
Yu Xia didn’t speak; instead, she looked at Brother Diao with a pitiful, tearful gaze, her voice so small that if Brother Diao hadn’t leaned his ear close to her mouth, he wouldn’t have known what she was saying.
"I need to go to the bathroom." Yu Xia said softly.
Brother Diao’s expression froze for a moment, clearly not understanding the connection between a stomachache and needing to use the bathroom.
Yu Xia’s eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment, and she bit her lip deeply before hesitantly saying, "I feel like vomiting, and I have diarrhea." As soon as Yu Xia finished speaking, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seeing this, Brother Diao was overwhelmed with a protective instinct.
"Alright, I’ll take you." Brother Diao said, intending to help Yu Xia up, but upon meeting Yu Xia’s ashamed and angry gaze, he realized what he had said and awkwardly explained, "I’ll just take you to the outside of the bathroom. I won’t go in; I’m worried you won’t find it."
Brother Diao wasn’t sure if Yu Xia understood his explanation, but she obediently followed his lead and left the chair, though she stumbled in the next moment. If Brother Diao hadn’t reacted quickly, Yu Xia might have fallen to the ground.
Of the two hostages, the one Brother Diao trusted the most was the defenseless Yu Xia, and the one he trusted the least was Tang Zhongwei. If it weren’t for Yu Xia pleading for Tang Zhongwei earlier, and considering that there were plenty of his own men in the warehouse to prevent any tricks, Brother Diao wouldn’t have even considered untying Tang Zhongwei.
Actually, Brother Diao wanted to take Yu Xia to the bathroom himself, but seeing her in such an unsteady state, it was clearly impossible for her to go alone. Moreover, Tang Zhongwei was the only other woman in the warehouse capable of the task. So, Brother Diao instructed, "You, come over and help her to the bathroom. Remember, don’t try any funny business or try to harm her, or I won’t let you off. My men are everywhere here; you can’t escape, understand?" He warned Tang Zhongwei after handing Yu Xia to her.
A hint of humiliation and jealousy flashed in Tang Zhongwei’s eyes, but intimidated by Brother Diao’s threat, she dared not speak up and begrudgingly nodded, obediently taking Yu Xia and following behind him towards the bathroom.
It was the first time she had left this warehouse today, finally getting a chance to see the outside. Tang Zhongwei was so excited that her hands trembled as she held Yu Xia’s hand, only to be lightly scratched by Yu Xia, which finally calmed her down.
Brother Diao watched as they reached the bathroom, then stopped outside to keep watch, patiently waiting for them to come out.
However, the atmosphere between the two inside was far from peaceful as it was outside; in fact, it was tense, like a drawn bow.
As soon as they entered, Tang Zhongwei shook off the arm that was supporting Yu Xia, while Yu Xia, who had seemed unable to stand, straightened her back, looking nothing like someone who had been in severe pain moments ago, except for her slightly pale face.
"I knew you were faking it." Tang Zhongwei rolled her eyes as she spoke, all the while scanning the neglected public restroom for any chance to escape.
Yu Xia didn’t block her line of sight but instead spoke, "I know you don’t like me, and I don’t think much of you either. But right now, we’re both in the same boat, and our best chance of escaping is if we work together. So, I propose a temporary truce; let’s team up to escape, because once we’re dead, nothing else matters."
Tang Zhongwei, although she disliked Yu Xia, couldn’t help but agree with her words. In the current situation, the combined effort of the two was indeed greater than one alone. Though Tang Zhongwei didn’t want to admit it, she knew that aside from having a healthy body, there was nothing else where she exceeded Yu Xia. Bringing Yu Xia along increased her chances of escape, but admitting that was another story.
"Don’t think too highly of yourself. Do you really think I can’t manage without you? Hostage-takers either want money or revenge. We’ve been held for so long without being killed, which means they’re just after money. As long as my cousin and brother-in-law pay enough, I can be free without you," Tang Zhongwei said with a sneer.
"Did you notice the phone call Brother Diao just received? If I’m not mistaken, it was instructions from his employer. Do you think this bodes well or ill for us? Certainly, your brother-in-law and sister will come to rescue us, but can you be sure they’ll let us go as promised? Even if they’re willing to release us, do you know if we’ll leave unharmed or in a state worse than death?" Yu Xia said as she moved closer to Tang Zhongwei.
"What do you mean by that? I’m warning you, don’t try to scare me," Tang Zhongwei’s hand at her side unconsciously clenched.
"Whether I’m scaring you or not, you already know the answer, don’t you? Alright, we’ve been here long enough; it’s time to go out." Yu Xia glanced at Tang Zhongwei and slipped her hand into hers, leaning in close. In just a blink, Yu Xia appeared weak and tormented again.
Tang Zhongwei’s mind was in chaos, and her face involuntarily showed a few signs of distress, frowning and appearing in a bad mood.
Brother Diao, standing at the door, looking at the time in the cold wind, was debating whether to go in when the two of them came out.
"How is she?" Brother Diao asked.
Although inside, it seemed like neither Tang Zhongwei nor Yu Xia would yield to the other, outside they cooperated without exposing Yu Xia’s act. "She was a mess in there, vomiting and having diarrhea. When will the medicine and food come? I’m afraid she won’t last without them," Tang Zhongwei said.
"I’ll call to urge them, hang in there," Brother Diao said as he helped support Yu Xia inside.
No sooner had Brother Diao gone inside than the phone rang again. He glanced at Yu Xia and Tang Zhongwei, then turned to the farthest corner to take the call.
Seeing this, Tang Zhongwei’s heart sank. The look Brother Diao gave them wasn’t friendly, and as she glanced at Yu Xia, her thoughts spun in a whirlpool of uncertainty.