He paused.

The woman’s hand felt different from others he had known before. It was warmer and stronger, not so delicate and smooth, without perfume, carrying traces of earth and leaves.

He inhaled deeply, then nuzzled his nose against her palm. It felt so comfortable.

You Mingxu’s eyes widened. She pulled her hand back, then extended it again to slap him. Those people were still far enough away—she knew the distance and wasn’t worried about being heard. The fool immediately covered his face, lips protruding, eyebrows knitted together. You Mingxu, being someone with aesthetic sensibilities, couldn’t bear to see a face even more handsome than Gu Tiancheng’s twisted into such a grotesque expression, so she simply turned away, ignoring him.

However, whether from professional habit or having learned his lesson from the slap, as the group drew closer, the fool remained perfectly still and silent, just like her.

The scene before them ignited fury in one’s heart.

Gu Tiancheng walked in front, hands in his pockets, expression indifferent, holding a rope. Behind the rope, Ming Tao, Song Lan, and Zou Furong were tied in sequence by their hands. Each person was about a meter apart from the one in front. Ming Tao’s face was bruised and swollen, with blood at the corner of his mouth, obviously having been beaten severely. Song Lan and Zou Furong were also covered in wounds and bloodstains, faces pale, steps faltering. All three appeared timid, eyes filled with fear.

You Mingxu glanced at them, then looked down, pointed at the three of them, then at herself. Then she pointed at Gu Tiancheng in front, then at the fool. Though without verbal communication, instinct told her the fool would understand. Indeed, he seemed to comprehend, looking at Gu Tiancheng with fear and disgust, appearing quite conflicted.

You Mingxu smiled, patted his head, and silently mouthed: “Be good.”

Under her palm, he puffed his cheeks full of air, his handsome face becoming round like a ball, and reluctantly nodded.

You Mingxu watched them intently, gathering her focus. If Gu Tiancheng discovered them, he would use the hostages as leverage, putting her at a disadvantage. The opportunity was now—catch him off guard, and let the fool engage Gu Tiancheng, she would only need a brief moment to rush out and rescue the three hostages. Then she could turn back and properly deal with Gu Tiancheng.

This thought rekindled her hatred. As Gu Tiancheng passed close by, whether too preoccupied or misled by false expectations and self-deception, he kept staring ahead, not noticing them. That handsome, strong face now seemed somewhat dazed, though his eyes remained cold.

You Mingxu held her breath, hands pressed firmly against the ground, back foot slightly raised, like a beast about to pounce. The fool seemed infected by her influence, though in an awkward posture, squatting with his large hands clenched into fists held beside his face. Somehow, this reminded You Mingxu of a tensed-up chick or duckling…

Just then.

Ming-Tao, walking about a meter behind Gu Tiancheng with his head down, had some inexplicable impulse and turned his head, gazing blankly toward their hiding place.

Their eyes met in plain sight.

You Mingxu immediately raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet. But Ming Tao’s eyes widened, something flickering in his misty gaze that made You Mingxu’s heart jump in disbelief. Then Ming Tao’s whole body jolted as if electrified, and he shouted excitedly: “They’re there! In the grass! Catch them too, don’t let them escape!”

Gu Tiancheng’s feet stopped abruptly as he whirled around. Through the darkness and leaves, You Mingxu could see his eyes.

He could see hers too.

You Mingxu grabbed the fool’s hand and lunged forward, charging straight for the rope between Gu Tiancheng and Ming Tao, trying to seize the hostages.

But it was too late.

Gu Tiancheng, having killed six people across two regions and evaded capture for so long, had decision-making and reflexes ingrained in his cold blood. Almost simultaneously with her lunge, he spun around and drew his dagger, instantly pressing it against Ming Tao’s throat.

You Mingxu’s steps halted abruptly, her chest heaving as she stared at them.

The blade’s edge had already drawn a thin line of blood on Ming Tao’s neck, frightening him so much that his legs went weak—afraid to kneel, unable to dodge. Gu Tiancheng’s hand was steady, but his eyes were fixed on You Mingxu.

They were both silent for a moment before he smiled and said: “Pouncing? At the wrong person, weren’t you?” He pointed at his chest: “Pounce here.”

The three hostages didn’t dare breathe. Song Lan looked at You Mingxu with worry mixed with hope, while Zou Furong was terrified, watching the two’s exchange with shock and doubt.

You Mingxu suddenly changed her expression, returning to that casual, lazy smile, saying: “What are you talking about? I was afraid Ming Tao would try something against you, he was making suspicious movements.”

Ming-Tao, trembling and still staring at the dagger, shouted: “You’re… you’re the one being suspicious! Why were you hiding in the grass?”

You Mingxu gave him a cold glance, and Gu Tiancheng said: “Indeed, didn’t we agree you’d wait for me in place? Why did you come out here and hide? What were you planning?” The last sentence carried a gentle smile.

Now all three hostages’ expressions changed as they looked at You Mingxu, faces ashen with disbelief.

Ming-Tao: “You- you- you’re working with him? A pair of criminals! Plus a mentally disabled killer without organizational skills, my God…”

“Ming Tao.” You Mingxu didn’t even look at him. “Some people die from talking too much.”

Immediate silence.

“Didn’t you promise to release them and come with me? What are you doing now?” You Mingxu asked.

Gu Tiancheng very lazily changed the angle of the dagger at Ming Tao’s throat, lightly drawing another thin line of blood. Ming Tao began to cry.

“But somehow I feel you’re here to catch me. If I had already released them, wouldn’t you and this foolish police officer be lying in ambush to take me down?”

You Mingxu glanced at the fool who had followed her out. His face showed anger, his eyes hatred, his fists clenched at his sides. Even a blind person could see his intense hostility.

You Mingxu smiled: “What are you imagining? I couldn’t just leave him alone there.”

Gu Tiancheng just looked at her, then after a moment, lowered his head and smiled, saying softly: “Mingxu, please don’t deceive me. If you deceive me, use me, leave me, I’ll be very, very heartbroken.”

You Mingxu said: “I won’t, really won’t. Maybe someone has hurt you before, but that person will never be me.”

Gu Tiancheng said: “Good, then have the foolish police officer come over, and let’s tie him up. Then I’ll believe you. Otherwise, I’ll slice Ming Tao’s throat right now. You know I enjoy this, and I’ll do it very quickly and cleanly. The blood will spray beautifully.”

Ming Tao: “Quick! Quick! Tie him up!”

You Mingxu didn’t move but heard the fool say very softly behind her: “Sister… I don’t want to go…”