Chapter 151: Kidnapping

From getting off the plane to driving to that Little Pier just now, it took a full two and a half hours.

Already, they had completely left civilization behind.

If it weren’t for the clean asphalt road and the bright streetlights, Jiang Lai would have worried she’d come to some lawless place.

After leaving the Little Pier, the two of them walked along the roadside under the dim glow of the streetlights.

Only after making sure Si Yina hadn’t followed them did Jiang Lai finally let go of her sister-in-law’s hand, which she’d been holding tightly.

Her heart was full of guilt toward Chi Yingyu.

Jiang Lai felt she’d definitely given Chi Yingyu a truly terrible experience.

What was supposed to be a trip had turned into the two of them stranded on the streets after entering the city—they couldn’t even get a taxi.

Jiang Lai glanced at her phone’s navigation.

Let alone the city center, even the nearest Bus Station was ten kilometers away.

Even if they could walk there, there wouldn’t be any buses running at this hour.

Jiang Lai couldn’t imagine what kind of place Si Yina had brought her to.

What’s more, they were still supposed to take a boat to that so-called Island she’d mentioned.

If the other party weren’t so well-off, Jiang Lai would really be worried she was about to be sold off.

Ten kilometers sounded daunting, but it wasn’t impossible.

Jiang Lai didn’t think it would be that hard—ultimately, the one who’d suffer would be Chi Yingyu by her side.

“Yingyu, I’m really sorry. I never imagined things would end up like this.”

The two of them dragged their suitcases along.

Although their phones still had power and they had two Charging Banks in their luggage, the city was simply too far away.

If they wanted to make it before dawn, they’d have to rely on their own feet.

While Jiang Lai’s eyes stung and tears threatened to fall, Chi Yingyu seemed more determined than ever.

Even if she wore her legs out walking all night down this highway, it wasn’t such a bad thing.

The star-filled night sky above, the yellow glow of the streetlights illuminating their surroundings—besides their own voices, the only other sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.

At this moment, it felt as though only the two of them existed in the entire world.

Chi Yingyu was thoroughly enjoying this moment.

“This isn’t so bad, is it? She’s gone, so now I can spend a world made for just the two of us with my brother-in-law.”

“A world for just the two of us…”

Jiang Lai had intended to correct Chi Yingyu’s misuse of words out of habit.

But seeing the radiant smile on the other’s face, maybe—just maybe—she truly wanted to be alone with her.

Since that scoundrel Si Yina had no intention of keeping her word, Jiang Lai stopped overthinking.

Faced with someone so untrustworthy, so dishonest, Jiang Lai had no desire to deal with her any further.

As for those threats the other had made, so what if it came to that?

If soldiers come, meet them with generals; if water comes, use earth to block it.

When facing a rogue, no matter how much you compromise, the other party will just push their luck further, seeing your weakness.

Instead of letting herself be manipulated, she’d rather break things off—at least it would feel a bit more satisfying.

“If we manage to flag down a car, let’s just sit and rest for a while, okay?”

Jiang Lai had to admit, walking roadside with her sister-in-law felt a bit romantic.

A stroll after dinner was wonderful—but a ten-kilometer trek was an experience she’d rather skip.

They might not even make it, especially with suitcases in tow.

The suffering her sister-in-law was enduring right now, Jiang Lai felt fully responsible.

Even though it couldn’t be helped now, at least she wanted to shoulder a bit of the hardship for Chi Yingyu.

“Can you let me take both the suitcases?”

No sooner had Jiang Lai finished speaking than she reached to take the one from Chi Yingyu’s hand.

But Chi Yingyu dodged nimbly, clutching her suitcase tightly.

“If you’d asked before, I might have given it to you right away. But now, even if I can’t share your burden, I definitely won’t drag you down.”

Seeing Chi Yingyu so determined, Jiang Lai could only pull her hand back awkwardly.

As they walked toward the city, Jiang Lai and Chi Yingyu chatted here and there.

Neither of them knew how much time had passed or how much farther they had to go.

But with this back-and-forth, even if it were more than ten kilometers ahead, they felt they could keep going together.

Throughout it all, Jiang Lai kept an eye on her phone, hoping—though it was unlikely—that someone might pick up a ride request this late.

If a taxi came by, they wouldn’t have to keep walking.

Jiang Lai wasn’t worried for herself.

She was constantly encouraging Chi Yingyu at her side.

Chi Yingyu seemed almost afraid Jiang Lai would notice her fatigue.

Her sister-in-law put on a strong front before her.

She ought to be the one everyone in the family relied on.

Seeing her force herself like this made Jiang Lai’s heart ache.

If only she were a little stronger.

By the time Jiang Lai was nearly mashing her phone to bits and still couldn’t find a taxi, a Black Sedan appeared, driving toward them in the direction they were heading.

Jiang Lai saw that Black Sedan and felt a flicker of hope.

She didn’t know if the driver was reasonable, but after a moment’s hesitation, she still raised her hand at the roadside, signaling for the car to stop.

She’d learned that gesture from the internet—never thought she’d actually use it now.

Would the other person even understand it?

As she wondered, the Black Sedan actually slowed and pulled right up to them.

Everything was happening so smoothly.

To run into a car willing to help out here—Jiang Lai’s gloomy mood was finally easing a bit.

This way, her sister-in-law wouldn’t have to suffer along with her useless self.

But as soon as the car stopped and Jiang Lai went up to discuss whether they could get a ride, both the front passenger and rear doors suddenly opened.

And at the very instant the doors opened, Jiang Lai saw the face she least wanted to see: Si Yina, as untrustworthy as ever.

Two women in suits, looking like bodyguards, stepped out of the car.

Jiang Lai couldn’t help but imagine the worst possible outcome…

But the kind of thing that only happens in novels, that scoundrel Si Yina really dared to do it!

The moment she realized what was happening, Jiang Lai didn’t even care about the luggage.

She grabbed her sister-in-law’s hand and turned to run, her other hand already dialing the police without hesitation.

But even though her reaction was so quick, it was already too late.