Chapter Twenty-One: Rescue

  There was only one person on the yacht, that middle-aged man who had spoken to me. His name was Qian Zhongxiong, and he was the boss of a private company. He said he had come over after hearing the explosion out of curiosity, never expecting to run into us and save our lives.

  We were extremely grateful to him, and in the end he was really embarrassed, took out some of his clothes for us to change into, and also gave us some food and water.

  We should thank him even more now, we chatted with him for a long time, thanked him many times for saving our lives, and even left contact information, promising to come find him if we have time in the future.

  Qian Zhongxiong was driving the boat while talking to us, smiling and saying: "I was born on this sea coast, my father was a fisherman, often fishing at sea, I followed my father playing at sea since childhood, having a special feeling for the ocean. After growing up, I started working and then opened my own company, so I had little time to play at sea. Later, after my father passed away, I felt very sorry for him, that's why I took some time off to come back home and take a look. Just now, on an impulse, I decided to come alone to the sea to take a look, didn't expect to meet you guys. We can be considered as having fate, so here's what we'll do: first, I'll send you ashore, then send you to the hospital, after your injuries are healed, we'll find another time to gather together."

  I and Li Huanhuan again thanked him, eating while talking to him, and before we knew it, we saw land.

  This time I narrowly escaped death, and I have more feelings about everything that I didn't notice before. So on the way to the hospital, I felt like everything was very familiar, with a very satisfied look.

  Li Huanhuan had worries on her mind, she might still be heartbroken over the destruction of the Wanlong Temple's base.

  Qian Zhongxiong drove while chatting with me, and we had a feeling of having met before. There were endless topics to discuss. I didn't hide anything from him either, except for Li Huanhuan's true identity. I also briefly told him about my recent experiences.

  Qian Zhongxiong listened with empathy, sometimes exclaiming in surprise, sometimes lamenting, sometimes feeling excited, and sometimes heartbroken... He probably didn't expect that someone would still experience such an ordeal in this era. After hearing my words, he was very excited: "If I were you, I would definitely write down your entire experience during this period. Such an experience, among ten thousand people, wouldn't be had by a second person, it's worth recording!"

  My heart moved, and I smiled: "This is a good idea. When I have time, I will definitely write it down properly. In the future when I'm old, who knows, maybe when I come back to read it again, it will have a different meaning."

  Qian Zhongxiong burst out laughing and said: "That's for sure, don't forget to give me a copy after you've written it well. I really want to know about this experience of yours in detail."

  I nodded and said: "That's for sure, it's just that I don't know when I'll have the time. But as soon as I finish writing it, I'll definitely give you a copy."

  We arrived at the hospital amidst Qian Zhong's loud laughter and quickly settled into the hospital's intensive care unit with his help.

  Qian Zhongxiong is very rich, and all my medical expenses were paid by him. However, I have already talked to him about it, and once I have the money, I will pay him back. A friend is a friend, but I cannot let him spend more money on me, he has done enough for me.

  This is a small county town in a coastal province of our country. The hospital conditions in the small county town are still good, and I quickly received proper treatment, and there was also a nurse who took care of me specially.

  But this nurse was shooed away by me because I wanted to have a good talk with Li Huanhuan.

  Li Huanhuan was just too tired, after eating and resting for a while, she basically recovered, and now she's coming over to see me from her sickroom.

  I took the opportunity to chat with her: "How are you feeling?"

  Li Huanhuan felt a pang of sadness: "I will never forget what happened today. I want to find our organization, I want to avenge all the dead."

  "Hurry up and stop talking, be careful that others might hear. Your base has been destroyed, what organization do you have left? Can one person avenge themselves? Don't spout nonsense."

  She suddenly sighed: "I also know that revenge is impossible, but I just can't help it..." Paused for a moment: "We still have some people in the big mountain where we caught you last time, and some people are scattered all over the place, only to find out if they are also..."

  I said very carefully and firmly: "What I'm going to say next is because I consider you my friend, so I'm telling you this. Listen up: no matter how you feel about the current government, or how good you think Wanlong Association will be for you, the reality is that Wanlong Association has been eradicated and will never exist again. So, you can't have any illusions about Wanlong Association anymore."

  I stared at her intently and continued, "To be honest, the Dragon Association's past actions, I don't believe you can't tell right from wrong. You're a smart person, no need for me to say more, you must be able to understand what's right and what's wrong, right?"

  Li Huanhuan didn't say a word, just quietly looked at me. I knew it would be difficult to get through to her all at once, so I continued: "Maybe you don't want to hear what I'm saying now, but I still have to say it. How many innocent people have the Wanlong Society killed over the years? How many innocent families have been harmed? I believe you know more about this than I do. On the other hand, under the current government's leadership, in recent years, how many people haven't had enough food to eat? How many people haven't had clothes to wear? How many people have fallen ill and can't afford treatment? And how many children can't go to school... Think carefully about this kind of living environment. What more do we have to be dissatisfied with? Do we really need to be left with nothing to wear, no food to fill our bellies before we're satisfied?"

  It seemed like Li Huanhuan didn't hear much of what I said, she just quietly looked at me, still not saying a word.

  I couldn't help but sigh: "For over a month now, I've also had dealings with you all. From what I've seen and heard, the Wanlong Association isn't some kind of utopia either. I know there are many of your relatives and friends inside the Wanlong Association, but when it comes to right and wrong, you can't be muddled anymore."

  Li Huanhuan quietly wiped away a tear, seemingly thinking of her loved ones.

  "I continued to say: 'Now is your only chance to be reborn as a human, I hope you grasp it well. If you come around, just tell me, from now on, I will treat you as my family, my friend, I'm waiting for your decision.'"

  Li Huanhuan suddenly stood up, a hint of reluctance on her face: "I will treat you as my family and friend, but I really can't forget everything from the past for now. So, I will leave here and find a small mountain village to live in peace... As for you, maybe after I've figured things out, I'll go look for you."

  I was stunned, and it seemed like everything I said was in vain. I felt a bit angry, but more reluctant to let her go: "No way, why won't you listen to me? I don't want you to spend the rest of your life in silence, what I mean is... I just want you to forget about the past and come back with me, together with me, do you understand?"

  Li Huanhuan's face suddenly turned red, and then she lowered her head: "Do you want me to go back with you?"

  "I'm getting impatient," I said loudly, "it's just going back with me, why can't you understand?"

  She looked at me and seemed to have made up her mind, saying: "Alright, I'll wait for your injury to heal and then we can go back together. But you have to promise me one thing, otherwise I'm leaving now and we'll never see each other again."

  I hastily nodded: "Whatever it is, just say it straight out. As long as you don't make any more threats... I'll agree to anything."

  Li Huanhuan suddenly laughed: "This is what you said."

  I was taken aback and suddenly thought of a very serious problem, so I hastily said: "You can't ask me to do something terrifying... that thing!"

  Li Huanhuan listened to my words, turned around and left, startling me. I thought she was about to leave immediately. Just as I was about to call her back, I heard her voice: "I'm going to rest, if there's anything, just call the nurse."

  I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and thought to myself: "This person is really strange..."

  The following week, I stayed in the hospital for treatment. My wounds healed quickly because they were all superficial injuries. Once the wound scabbed over, it was basically healed. In fact, I could have been discharged two days ago, but because I had suffered a lot earlier and my body was very weak, I was forced to stay in the hospital for another two days.

  This week I haven't seen Li Huanhuan at all, and it wasn't until I asked the nurse that I found out she still hadn't stayed.

  I somewhat regret not keeping her contact information. At least if I had kept her phone number, I could have contacted her later when I thought of it again.

  On the ninth day of being in the hospital, I had just finished the discharge procedures and hadn't even had time to pack up my things when four soldiers suddenly appeared in my ward.

  The first one with two bars and three stars on his shoulder should be a senior colonel team leader. The other three people look like security personnel, all with a vigilant appearance.

  "I'm a bit puzzled: 'Excuse me, who are you looking for?'"

  The captain of the team smiled: "You're Jin Cang, right?"

  I was taken aback, but then I suddenly remembered that I had left my name at the hospital, so it didn't seem strange anymore: "I'm Jin Cang, you're looking for me?"

  The captain stretched out his broad right hand and grasped mine firmly, saying: "We've finally found you, thank you for everything you've done for us, thank you."

  I was stunned: "No, you're wrong. It should be me thanking you, thanking our army that's right, how could you say I'm the one to thank?"

  The captain smiled mysteriously: "You don't know, this time we were able to exterminate the Wanlong Society in a timely manner, you helped a lot." He paused and gestured for me to sit down: "Let me tell you the truth slowly. My name is Huang Guohui, the country's national, glorious light. I am the captain of the 1008th team, that is, the captain of the team you wanted to contact last time."

  I was shocked and couldn't help but stand up: "The 1008th Brigade?!"

  Huang Guohui smiled: "Don't be nervous, I am the real captain of the 1008 squad, not an impersonator, you can rest assured."

  I looked suspiciously at Huang Guohui and the other three soldiers in front of me for a while, although I didn't really put my mind at ease, but I had to listen to him continue.

  Huang Guohui seemed to have seen through my thoughts, pointing at the crowd of people coming and going outside the hospital room, and smiled: "If we were bad people, how would we dare to meet you in a place like this? Just listen to me with peace of mind, after I finish speaking, you will understand. Actually, we knew about you very early on, that terrorist attack at your school, we received a report, the report introduced you in great detail, saying that you were brave and meticulous, decisive and intelligent, courageous, rescued hundreds of students and teachers, are our heroes... So our troops have been paying attention to you all along. More than a month ago, you mysteriously disappeared from our military vehicle, even the military vehicle was driven away. At first, we thought it was you who drove the car away, but soon discovered that you didn't know how to drive at all, you were kidnapped. After the head of the troops learned about this incident, he gave a strict order, requiring us to ensure your safety and eliminate all the Wan Long Hui's after rescuing all the hostages. The mission of our 1008 squad is to rescue you and other hostages.

  He suddenly sighed and glanced at a soldier behind him, saying: "You go inform the various departments first, just say we've already found Jin Cang's classmate, no need to look for him anymore."

  The soldier nodded and said "yes", then turned around and left. Huang Guohui continued to say: "Unfortunately, we were calculated by the Wanlong Society and failed to successfully rescue you, and many officers and soldiers sacrificed for this..."

  My heart suddenly tightened, feeling very heavy.

  Huang Guohui also felt a pang of sadness, and it took him a while to calm down: "Our troops finally found some of the hostages, but unfortunately, they had already been killed..."

  I sprang up suddenly, shocked and pale: "What did you say?!"

  "Huang Guohui let out a deep sigh: 'Don't be in such a hurry, the thing has already happened, being anxious won't do any good. Listen to me finish, if there's anything you don't understand, ask me later, okay?'"

  I calmed down a bit, nodded, and said carefully: "I'll be going to the train station soon, I've bought a ticket back to school..."

  Huang Guohui furrowed his brow: "You can't leave today, we need to understand some things with you... about the Wanlonghui base - that cruise ship. We want to know something related." He paused for a moment: "Let's continue from what I said earlier, we found seven hostages in total, and have initially investigated their names and relevant identity information. In addition, last month, our public security department received an alarm, two students who were kidnapped reported the case, saying they escaped successfully after being kidnapped, and are your classmates."

  I thought of Sima Qin and Zhong Lingling: "Is it called Sima Qin and Zhong Lingling?"

  Huang Guohui nodded: "It seems that what they said is true. They said it was you and a big uncle named Song Jiabao who saved them, and also said that you were caught again, are these all true?"

  I was about to answer his question, but he continued: "We are not interrogating you, we just want to ask for your help. As for returning to school, we will arrange it for you and ensure that you return safely, so don't worry."

  "I quickly thanked him: 'Thank you. What you just said is true, I and Sima Qin, Zhong Lingling are all hostages who were kidnapped. We met Song Jiabao uncle, as well as two other uncles - Zhu Guoyun and Wang Fenglin in the mountains, with their help, we escaped to a small mountain village. However, we did not expect that the small mountain village was another base of the Wanlong Society, so seven people who entered the village were taken away again, only I and Song Jiabao uncle, Sima Qin, Zhong Lingling escaped. Later, **** came over, shot and injured Song Jiabao uncle, we had no choice but to let Sima Qin and Zhong Lingling go first, I and Song Jiabao uncle returned to the Wanlong Society's base in order to treat Song Jiabao uncle's injury."

  Huang Guohui nodded: "We've already heard this from Sima Qin and Zhong Lingling, what you're saying is basically consistent. But what I want to ask now is, after you and Song Jiabao were sent back, why did you end up on the cruise ship again? Is it because only on the cruise ship can Song Jiabao be treated for his injuries?"

  I have some admiration for Huang Guohui's deductive ability: "That's right. Song Jiabao's injury is very serious, and the only way to cure him is to find a doctor with the surname Hua on the cruise ship. And I'm in charge of taking care of Song Jiabao, so I was taken to the cruise ship by the Wanlong Society along with Song Jiabao."

  "Huang Guohui nodded and said: "Then you've been on the cruise for quite some time, it shouldn't be less than a month, right?""

  "I thought for a moment: 'About a month and eight or nine days, what's wrong? Is there any problem?'"

  Huang Guohui smiled: "There's no problem, I just want to ask, what did you see and hear on the cruise ship?"

  I thought carefully for a moment, but surprisingly didn't know what to say: "What exactly do you want to know? After I was caught, I was locked in a small room and couldn't take a single step out for over a month. Later, I fell ill and was sent to another small room for treatment, still unable to take a single step out. I...I probably don't know much."

  Huang Guohui patted his leg and smiled: "It's okay, just tell me what you know. This time we've also caught many people from the Wanlong Society and learned some information from them. The reason we came to ask you for relevant information is that we want more detailed information in order to thoroughly eliminate the Wanlong Society, this scourge."

  As I thought, I said: "After being sent to the cruise ship, I didn't see any other hostages, only some people wearing hoods and some dressed like ordinary people... there were old men and women among them... one of the hooded people brought me instant noodles and water every day... oh, after I got sick, I saw a Chinese doctor and also met a female doctor with the surname Gu. Others... oh, the person in charge of detaining me was called Aunt Li, that's what they all called her. That's all."

  Huang Guohui furrowed his brow: "We already know what you've said, think again and see if there's anything else you've forgotten, or someone."

  My heart suddenly "thudded" and I secretly thought: Will they find out about Li Huanhuan's thing? Should I say it or not? If I don't, there's a suspicion of intentionally covering up ****, the crime isn't small; if I do, it would be too unfair to Li Huanhuan, after all, she saved my life...

  As I hesitated, Huang Guohui also remained silent, quietly watching me as if waiting for me to recall everything myself.

  I struggled for a long time in my heart, but I still didn't say Li Huanhuan: "I can't think of anything else. But I want to ask you, have you found Uncle Song Jiabao on the cruise ship? Since we were taken to the mail boat, I haven't seen him either."

  Huang Guohui thought for a moment and turned his head to say to a soldier, "Go check and see if there's someone named Song Jiabao among the people we brought back."

  That soldier quickly went to investigate the whereabouts of Song Jiabao, and I asked again: "Was the base of the Wanlong Society in that big mountain...?"

  Huang Guohui shook his head: "When we arrived there, only a small number of Wanlonghui members were left to guard the place. Most of them had disappeared without knowing where they went. Our army and public security are now searching nationwide."

  I knew that the power of the Wanlong Society was vast and could not be completely eliminated in a short time. So I stopped asking and waited for the soldier's reply.

  In just a few minutes, the soldier returned and saluted Huang Guohui, saying: "Report, among the rescued hostages, one person is named Song Jiabao. This person is 50 years old and was a forest ranger before being kidnapped..."

  I heard this and couldn't help but excitedly shout: "He's Song Jiabao Uncle, he's the Song Jiabao Uncle I've been looking for! Where is he now? Has his injury healed?"

  The soldier looked at Huang Guohui and said after Huang nodded: "His injury is fine now, he is currently undergoing rehabilitation training in our military hospital."

  I was overjoyed: "That's great! Where is your military hospital? Can I go and see him?"

  Huang Guohui smiled: "Our military hospital is very far from here, it takes more than ten hours by car. If you want to go see him, let's go together after we finish our work here."

  I thought for a moment and shook my head: "Forget it, I'll go see Uncle Song Baobao myself when I have time. By the way, what's the situation like at our school now? Has school started?"

  Huang Guohui handed me a mobile phone and said, "This is my mobile phone, I'm giving it to you. If you want to know about the situation, contact them yourself. The Wanlong Society has basically been eliminated by us now, and the whole country has returned to its former stability. I think your school should have started classes too."

  I said a "thank you", but didn't rush to contact my classmates, who knows if they are still in school now. Something big happened, they should all go back home for a while, and it's hard to say whether they have returned to school or not.

  Besides, I also want to go back home first and see my parents and relatives, at least let them know that everything is fine with me now.

  Huang Guohui stood up and walked a few steps in the ward: "How about this, you come with us to our camp first, after we arrange for you to go back, we'll send someone to take you back, how's that?"

  "I was a bit surprised: 'Send someone to see me back? No need, right? I can go back by myself, my body is fine now...'"

  "Huang Guohui insisted, 'That's not going to happen. Even if your body hasn't fully recovered from the injury, we still need to assign someone to protect you. You might not know this, but because you protected your classmates and provided us with some help, the remaining forces of the Wanlong Society have publicly put a bounty on your head online, offering money for anyone who can bring them your head...'"

  I couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!" when I heard this: "What? Buy my head? What's going on here?"

  Huang Guohui said seriously: "According to the information we have, it is like this: There is a person called Lao Da in the remaining forces of the Wan Long Hui. He says you are our undercover agent, that is, a spy. He says you did many things for us, including providing their location and personnel deployment, defensive deployment, etc. He also said that during our attack on the cruise ship, you sabotaged from within the ship, and we attacked from both inside and outside, which led to their defeat... In short, they now hate you to the bone and are determined to find you and kill you."

  I felt a chill run down my spine and couldn't help but shudder: "What...what is all this? I'm just a student, how did they connect me with secret agents and spies?"

  Huang Guohui patted me on the shoulder: "But don't worry too much, we'll send someone to protect you. Wan Long won't dare harm a hair on your head."

  I feel like I've gotten myself into a huge mess. As the saying goes, "What you fear is not the thief but the thief's memory", and now I'm stuck in the thief's memory, how can I not be afraid?

  Huang Guohui saw my concern and said sincerely: "We have already made a preliminary plan. You don't need to go back for now, stay with us, after we completely eliminate the remaining forces of the Wanlong Society in a few months, you can return to school. This way, your safety is guaranteed, and it also saves our manpower and resources... I just don't know what you think..."

  I thought for a moment: "This is also okay, but my parents... I'm worried that they will be implicated by me, so I want to ask you to think of a way to protect them... It's best if you can take them to your unit..."

  Huang Guohui hesitated for a moment: "We need to study this carefully, after all, we are at war now and can't have too many unrelated personnel staying in the troops... I'll contact the relevant departments immediately, let the public security department of your hometown or the garrison troops send someone to pick up your parents, and let your parents temporarily live in their garrison. How about that?"

  I nodded: "This is for the best, and it will also save my parents from traveling a long distance..."

  Huang Guohui immediately let a soldier take care of this matter, and I also put my mind at ease: "Then I'll go with you now."

  Huang Guohui smiled: "Okay, you gather your things, I'll get someone to help you carry them."

  I took a look at what was already packed up and there were only a few pieces of clothing, nothing else. I picked it up myself and headed out first.

  When I escaped, I had almost nothing except the clothes on my body. If it weren't for Zhong Xiong's kindness and thoughtfulness in giving me a few sets of clothes, I would have no luggage now.

  Huang Guohui and I walked side by side towards the hospital exit, saying as we walked: "We've prepared a place for you to stay in the camp, with all the daily necessities inside. If there's anything else you need, you can let our logistics department know... or I can send someone over to you. On the one hand, they can protect you, and on the other hand, if you have any requests, they can help pass them on for you. What do you think?"

  "I quickly said: 'That's great, I was worried that I would be bored alone in your camp...'"

  Huang Guohui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Alright, it's settled then. I'll have someone sent over in a bit."

  I feel a bit shy, my face is getting hot: "Will anyone say I'm being too sensitive? I just think that when you first arrive at a place and don't know anyone, there are many things you might not understand, so..."

  Huang Guohui burst out laughing: "I understand, you don't need to explain any more." He paused for a moment: "Do you see that military vehicle over there? We'll take that jeep back to the camp."

  We then got on the bus together, and on the way I asked a few more questions that I was concerned about. After getting the answers, I didn't say anything else. The speed of the car was a bit fast, and gradually I felt a bit carsick, so after a while I closed my eyes and didn't dare to look at the scenery outside the window anymore.

  Recently, my mind and body have been subjected to extreme torture, which can be said to be physically and mentally exhausted. Although I rested in the hospital for seven or eight days, I still haven't fully recovered. So I'm a bit carsick and feel very uncomfortable.

  Huang Guohui said, "Carsick? Then lie down and sleep for a while, we'll arrive soon..." He reached out to help me lower the seat back a bit, letting me lie down. Before long, I fell asleep.