With a solution in hand for dealing with the aftermath of the stepladder, Xia Mengxi naturally sprang into action immediately.
However, before implementing this plan, in addition to retrieving a rope from the pile of miscellaneous items on the floor, she also selected several long, sturdy strips of similar length from the room she was in.
The purpose of this was to prepare a backup plan in case Lin Xue’er discovered her in the cafeteria.
She intended to stack these strips, which were longer than the vent openings, to block the ventilation duct’s outlet.
Then, using the rope to tie these strips together, she would create a makeshift climbing rope to ascend from below.
Carefully checking both sides of the passageway to ensure Lin Xue’er wouldn’t arrive anytime soon, she first tested whether her backup plan would work.
The result showed her method was feasible, though it required considerable effort.
But that was fine.
Though exhausted and in pain, three invisible yet powerful forces her strong will, unyielding perseverance, and the motivation from glimpsing hope in dire straits—propelled her forward.
“Great! Time to begin the infiltration mission into the cafeteria!”
Xia Mengxi took a deep breath, hands on her hips, psyching herself up.
She then used the stepladder to place the sturdy strips into the ventilation duct, climbed in herself, and finally pulled the stepladder up from below with the rope.
As she had guessed, the space inside the duct allowed her to bring the stepladder in, though the process drained much of her strength as she worried about making too much noise and alerting Lin Xue’er.
But overall, everything went smoothly.
“Done! Now I’m in ‘stealth mode.’ I refuse to believe Lin Xue’er can still find me now, hehe!”
After closing the vent opening, Xia Mengxi untied the rope from the stepladder and carried it along with the sturdy strips toward the cafeteria.
Her only concern now was whether the external ventilation ducts connected to those inside the cafeteria.
If they didn’t, she wouldn’t give up in despair over wasted effort, but she would still feel disheartened by the setback.
So, please! They must be connected!
With a mix of hope and anxiety, Xia Mengxi crawled cautiously through the duct.
Finally, after peeking out through the vent opening countless times, she spotted a familiar door-the entrance to the cafeteria.
“Take a right at the fork ahead, and it’s the cafeteria area. Please, God! I beg you, let the ducts there connect to these outside ones. Please!”
People aren’t doomed to bad luck forever.
This saying proved true when Xia Mengxi reached the fork in the duct.
Through the dim light below a distant vent opening, she could see the path ahead leading to the cafeteria was unobstructed.
Instantly, joy surged in her heart.
“Yes! Oh God! Dear God! I love you so much!”
If she had known praying to God would be this effective, she should’ve been buttering Him up during her two previous escape attempts.
Maybe enough flattery would’ve convinced Him to teleport her straight out of this underground prison.
Overjoyed, Xia Mengxi began to let her imagination run wild, but she didn’t forget her objective.
With that, she quickened her pace, determined to complete her task before Lin Xue’er could catch up.
However, the sudden sound of footsteps nearby froze her in place.
There was no need to guess-it had to be Lin Xue’er, already in the hallway outside the cafeteria.
Sure enough, as the footsteps drew closer, she clearly heard the cafeteria door swing open, accompanied by Lin Xue’er’s voice.
“Xiao Xi- The game’s over~”
Lin Xue’er’s demonic whisper echoed through the empty cafeteria.
But what answered her wasn’t Xia Mengxi’s panicked voice-only the sound of her own footsteps reverberating back.
Hidden in the ventilation duct above the cafeteria, Xia Mengxi didn’t dare even breathe.
She couldn’t understand—she truly couldn’t—why Lin Xue’er had arrived right on her heels.
Even more baffling was how the other girl seemed certain she was here.
Through the vent, she faintly saw Lin Xue’er move from the cafeteria entrance to stand directly beneath the ventilation duct.
Though she couldn’t see her expression, the puzzled tone in her voice betrayed surprise.
“Huh…? Not here…?”
Perhaps she had guessed wrong.
Xia Mengxi watched as Lin Xue’er pulled out her phone from her pocket, glanced at it, then casually strolled around the cafeteria.
Only after confirming Xia Mengxi wasn’t there did she finally leave.
Once the footsteps faded into the distance, Xia Mengxi exhaled in relief and quickly crawled through the duct toward the kitchen.
“Dammit, should I act now or wait a bit longer just to be safe…?”
The unexpected encounter left her hesitant.
For caution’s sake, she stayed in the duct for over twenty minutes before finally opening the vent and using a rope tied to a long pole to slide down into the kitchen below.
Then, she rushed to the kitchen door and locked it from the inside.
Now, even if Lin Xue’er suddenly appeared, she wouldn’t have to worry- this underground prison’s kitchen was designed to be secure, with the only entrance being the heavy iron door before her.
“These security features meant to keep prisoners out sure give me a strong sense of safety… Aah!!!”
Just as Xia Mengxi was feeling reassured by the kitchen door, she looked up and, through the small window on the door, locked eyes with someone peering inside.
Startled, she stumbled backward and fell hard onto the floor.
“Lin… Lin Xue’er! Y-you! How did you…!”
Trembling uncontrollably, Xia Mengxi pointed at the familiar face outside the window, her voice shaking with fear.
“Surprise, Xiao Xi- Bet you didn’t see this coming, hehe.”
Surprise?
More like a nightmare!
If not for the door separating them, Xia Mengxi would’ve been scared out of her wits by now.
“You’re wondering how I found you, right? It’s because we’re such good friends! Our deep bond lets me sense where you are, so finding you was only natural. As for why I left and came back-it was all to give you this little surprise~”
As she spoke, the smile devoid of warmth on Lin Xue’er’s face abruptly vanished, replaced by a dark expression as she stared at her.
“Well now, Xia Mengxi… are you pleased with this surprise? If you are, why don’t you be a good girl and open the door?”