Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C45

Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.}
As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.

_N/AEvery wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

N/A

_One…
They’re trying to escape!

One…

_N/A“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.

N/A

_{That was it.}“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

That was it.

_{The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.}
Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.

The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

_{Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.}“Ah… Ah-choo!” Jiang Shao wiped his nose with his sleeve. After spending more than half a year at that school where even washing was rationed, doing something like that at all. It got to the point where not being able to wipe his butt after a dump only made him slightly uncomfortable.

Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

_{One…}Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

One…

_{Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”}Looking at the grinning boy carefully, Qin Mo no longer insisted and returned to his lookout spot. He made sure to keep a watch on the unconscious guard as well.

Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

_{“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”}“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

_{“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.}
Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.

_N/A“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

N/A

_N/AQin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

N/A

_{So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.}As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.

_{“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.}
Twack!

“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

_{So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.}“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.

So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.

_{{Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?}}Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?

_{But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.}No matter which was chosen, there was nothing but dead ends in sight.

But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.}
The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

_{It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.}None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them. Light dustings at first, but soon came the larger clumps that swiftly left a sheet over the ground and turned to ice, then water, once it touched their skin. The three huddled forms in that grove quickly turned to snowmen, who had every falling flake leech the last traces of warmth from their skin.

It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

_{“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”}But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.

“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_N/A
“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

N/A

_{As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago.}“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”

As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

_{That was it.}
“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

That was it.

_{The last two wires were finally cut!}It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.

The last two wires were finally cut!

_{“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”}So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.

“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

_{Three…}But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

Three…

_{“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.}No matter which was chosen, there was nothing but dead ends in sight.

“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

_{Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two}
Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.

Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_{“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.}As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.

_{{Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.}}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_Two…
“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

Two…

_{{They’re trying to escape!}}Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?

They’re trying to escape!

_{Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.}
Looking at the grinning boy carefully, Qin Mo no longer insisted and returned to his lookout spot. He made sure to keep a watch on the unconscious guard as well.

Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}The last two wires were finally cut!

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”}But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

_{None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them.}
It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them. Light dustings at first, but soon came the larger clumps that swiftly left a sheet over the ground and turned to ice, then water, once it touched their skin. The three huddled forms in that grove quickly turned to snowmen, who had every falling flake leech the last traces of warmth from their skin.

_{For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”}“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”

_{As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago.}
It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.

_{As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

_{“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through.}
Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through. Jagged wires tore through his clothes, burying themselves in his flesh—making him scream. The sight of him scared all traces of the liquor from the other man’s senses. That man soon noticed the other guard knocked out on the ground and pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Hey! Some students escaped from the northern fence! And Mr Wang is stuck in a hole! Send backup now!”

_{As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.}Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.

_{Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”}While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

_{While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”}
They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

_{“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”}Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”

_{Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.}“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through. Jagged wires tore through his clothes, burying themselves in his flesh—making him scream. The sight of him scared all traces of the liquor from the other man’s senses. That man soon noticed the other guard knocked out on the ground and pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Hey! Some students escaped from the northern fence! And Mr Wang is stuck in a hole! Send backup now!”

Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

_{“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.}
Two…

“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

_{As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

_{For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”}Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”

_{Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.}As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.

_{“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.}In the years since then, the trees did quite well on their own. A few close to the wall near the training grounds even managed to extend their branches through the barbed wires and become laden with fruit. Qin Mo had even sneaked a few to snack on; despite being incredibly sour, they were natural and fertiliser-free.

“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

_{“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”}
Three…

“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

_{Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.}They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

_{None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them.}Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!

_{A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.}“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

_{But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.}
“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago.}Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

_{The biting cold, now that the snow had descended, had dropped to even lower degrees.}
That was it.

The biting cold, now that the snow had descended, had dropped to even lower degrees.

_{But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.}But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.

But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.

_{But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.}The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

_{“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.}
The last two wires were finally cut!

“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

_{Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.}Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

_{With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.}Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.

_{The last two wires were finally cut!}“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

The last two wires were finally cut!

_{The last two wires were finally cut!}
Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

The last two wires were finally cut!

_{{They’re trying to escape!}}They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

They’re trying to escape!

_{“{Hehehe…}” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.}The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

“Hehehe…” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.

_{“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”}“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

“Ah… Ah-choo!” Jiang Shao wiped his nose with his sleeve. After spending more than half a year at that school where even washing was rationed, doing something like that at all. It got to the point where not being able to wipe his butt after a dump only made him slightly uncomfortable.

_{All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.}Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!

All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.

_{Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.}Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.

Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

_{But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.}Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?

But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.

_{As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.}A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.

As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

_{As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.}
“Okay.”

As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.

_{Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.}“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

_{{It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.}}“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.

_{“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”}
But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”

_{But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.}A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.

But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

_{It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.}
“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”

It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.

_{Twack!}“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

Twack!

_{“Hehehe…” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.}
“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

_N/AAll three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.

N/A

_{“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”}“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

_{“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through.}“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

_{“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.}The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.

_{The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain.}
“Hehehe…” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.

The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

_{While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”}Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

Shen Zhuoyun’s gaze darkened, the emotions hiding within it indistinct. When he finally spoke up, he said simply, “We can’t stay here any longer, Qin Mo.” Like this, that boy would freeze. He knew he could tough it out, but Qin Mo, with his body, could not. Worse yet, even if they got through the night, there was no guarantee they’d have the strength to leave the next day.

_N/A“Ah… Ah-choo!” Jiang Shao wiped his nose with his sleeve. After spending more than half a year at that school where even washing was rationed, doing something like that at all. It got to the point where not being able to wipe his butt after a dump only made him slightly uncomfortable.

N/A

_{Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.}They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

_{“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”}
Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

_{“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”}Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

_{Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!}
“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!

_{But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.}In the years since then, the trees did quite well on their own. A few close to the wall near the training grounds even managed to extend their branches through the barbed wires and become laden with fruit. Qin Mo had even sneaked a few to snack on; despite being incredibly sour, they were natural and fertiliser-free.

_{But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.}Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

_{“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”}Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

_{Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”}As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

_{“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”}
As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

_{{Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.}}“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”}That was it.

Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

_{“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”}Three…

“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

_N/A“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

N/A

_Twack!
“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

Twack!

_{“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”}But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

_{Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.}
Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

_{“{Hehehe…}” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.}“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”

_{“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.}“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.

_{“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.}
“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through. Jagged wires tore through his clothes, burying themselves in his flesh—making him scream. The sight of him scared all traces of the liquor from the other man’s senses. That man soon noticed the other guard knocked out on the ground and pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Hey! Some students escaped from the northern fence! And Mr Wang is stuck in a hole! Send backup now!”

“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

_{Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.}The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

_{“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through.}Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”

_{But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”}
All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.

But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.

_{Do we stay and face even more hаrdship tomorrow?}
Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

Do we stay and face even more hаrdship tomorrow?

_{“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”}But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

_{But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.}“What kind of gamble?” The first to reply was Jiang Shao.

Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

_{Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.}
Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.

Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

_{Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.}Twack!

Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

_{Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.}“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

_{“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.}The guard slumped to the floor before he finished, revealing Shen Zhuoyun standing behind him, a pair of pliers in hand. Qin Mo let out his stifled breath and grabbed the startled Jiang Shao. The other boy was so out of it; his eyes were locked on the man lying there as still as the dead.

“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

_{Twack!}Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

Twack!

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s gaze darkened, the emotions hiding within it indistinct. When he finally spoke up, he said simply, “We can’t stay here any longer, Qin Mo.” Like this, that boy would freeze. He knew he could tough it out, but Qin Mo, with his body, could not. Worse yet, even if they got through the night, there was no guarantee they’d have the strength to leave the next day.}
The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

_{One…}The last two wires were finally cut!

One…

_{It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.}
With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.

_{{When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.}}“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.

_{Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!}“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

_{When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.}
While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.

_{It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.}“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through. Jagged wires tore through his clothes, burying themselves in his flesh—making him scream. The sight of him scared all traces of the liquor from the other man’s senses. That man soon noticed the other guard knocked out on the ground and pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Hey! Some students escaped from the northern fence! And Mr Wang is stuck in a hole! Send backup now!”

_{Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.}“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

_{None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them.}“I-I’m a bit worried, though…” The other man, still in control of some of his senses, slurred out. “What… What if he freezes to death out here…”

In the years since then, the trees did quite well on their own. A few close to the wall near the training grounds even managed to extend their branches through the barbed wires and become laden with fruit. Qin Mo had even sneaked a few to snack on; despite being incredibly sour, they were natural and fertiliser-free.

_{“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.}“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”}The biting cold, now that the snow had descended, had dropped to even lower degrees.

“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

_{Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.}“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

_{“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”}Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

_{But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.}
“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.

_{Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.}Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

_{Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.}But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.

_{Shen Zhuoyun’s gaze darkened, the emotions hiding within it indistinct. When he finally spoke up, he said simply, “We can’t stay here any longer, Qin Mo.” Like this, that boy would freeze. He knew he could tough it out, but Qin Mo, with his body, could not. Worse yet, even if they got through the night, there was no guarantee they’d have the strength to leave the next day.}A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.

_{For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”}
“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}One…

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_{“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”}
But Shen Zhuoyun understood the implication and explained, “The school has sent out a search party by now, so if we head towards those barren mountains, we will be caught without a doubt. But unlike their search parties last time, they currently have less manpower. So, as long as we stay out of the residential area where they have people planted, the chances of us not being found are better.”

“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

_{{It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.}}“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.

_{Twack!}“Jesus, he went to take a piss… d-did he get lost or something?" The man speaking slurred his words; it was clear he had more than his fair share of drinks. “Y-you… you’re such a pain! C’mon… Let’s drink some more…”

Twack!

_{{When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.}}As Qin Mo stared at the pitch-black darkness beyond the hole, his nails dug into his palms, then slowly loosened.

When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.

_{“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”}
“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_{It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.}Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.

_{“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”}Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

_{Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two}“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

_{“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”}
Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

_{As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago.}That was it.

_{Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.}
“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}N/A

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{Two…}Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

Two…

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}
“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_{One…}As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

One…

_{Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.}
“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”

Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

While weighing his options, Qin Mo remembered the method used by the meek little glasses boy, Zhu Ziying. Stopping his steps, he turned to the two and asked, “Do you guys want to take a gamble?”

_{Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”}
As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

_{Qin Mo’s jaw tensed; he knew Shen Zhuoyun was right. Taking a look at the boy covered in terrifying bloodstains, Qin Mo reached to take the pliers from his hand. “I’ll do it now, so you go keep watch.” But Jiang Shao shook his head and wiped away most of the blood with the back of his other hand, making his half-red face a more frightful sight.}“Let’s go,” Shen Zhuoyun turned to him and said. “It’ll be a while before that guy wakes up.”

_{“Ah… Ah-choo!” Jiang Shao wiped his nose with his sleeve. After spending more than half a year at that school where even washing was rationed, doing something like that at all. It got to the point where not being able to wipe his butt after a dump only made him slightly uncomfortable.}“You… You think I won’t catch you brats?!” Trying to chase after them, the drunken man staggered forward. But the second he pushed his massive body through the opening, it got stuck halfway through. Jagged wires tore through his clothes, burying themselves in his flesh—making him scream. The sight of him scared all traces of the liquor from the other man’s senses. That man soon noticed the other guard knocked out on the ground and pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Hey! Some students escaped from the northern fence! And Mr Wang is stuck in a hole! Send backup now!”

_{In the years since then, the trees did quite well on their own. A few close to the wall near the training grounds even managed to extend their branches through the barbed wires and become laden with fruit. Qin Mo had even sneaked a few to snack on; despite being incredibly sour, they were natural and fertiliser-free.}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

_{As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.}
In the years since then, the trees did quite well on their own. A few close to the wall near the training grounds even managed to extend their branches through the barbed wires and become laden with fruit. Qin Mo had even sneaked a few to snack on; despite being incredibly sour, they were natural and fertiliser-free.

As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

_{Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!}“Let’s go.” Qin Mo took decisive action and quickly crawled through the hole, while being careful enough to avoid the jagged wires, followed closely by Shen Zhuoyun, then Jiang Shao.

_{Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.}“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

_{All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.}
So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.

All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.

_{But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.}Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain.}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

_{Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.}
But before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.

Originally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.

_{{Do we stay and face even more hаrdship tomorrow?}}Moving swiftly, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao lifted the separated mesh and put it aside, exposing a large hole that opened the path to the outside world.

Do we stay and face even more hаrdship tomorrow?

_{Three…}As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

Three…

_{As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.}
None of them expected such a change, especially one that blew in so quickly. Gusts of wind littered with snowflakes washed over them. Light dustings at first, but soon came the larger clumps that swiftly left a sheet over the ground and turned to ice, then water, once it touched their skin. The three huddled forms in that grove quickly turned to snowmen, who had every falling flake leech the last traces of warmth from their skin.

As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

_{Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.}Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”}
The biting cold, now that the snow had descended, had dropped to even lower degrees.

Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

_{“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”}“Okay.”

“What?” Jiang Shao was stunned; all the gears in his brain ground to a halt. “Stop running? Are you dumb?”

_{Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.}
“Ah… Ah-choo!” Jiang Shao wiped his nose with his sleeve. After spending more than half a year at that school where even washing was rationed, doing something like that at all. It got to the point where not being able to wipe his butt after a dump only made him slightly uncomfortable.

Jiang Shao scampered to Qin Mo like a rabbit, who turned and ran with the other two following behind.

_{One…}The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

One…

_Three…
“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

Three…

N/A

_{“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”}But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.

_{As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.}“He’s fine. Just knocked out,” Shen Zhuoyun responded, striding toward the fence. “We need to move quickly now. If that guy doesn’t head back soon, I’m sure others will come looking for him.”

As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

_{{Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.}}Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.}
“Even if we can’t, we have to.” Qin Mo walked back from the edge of the woods, his complexion looking much worse than before. His physical condition was even worse than Jiang Shao’s. There was no sign of blood on his face, making him look like he’d die from freezing at any moment. “There’s a van parked nearby, and no one has left it.”

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”}“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

_N/A
A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.

N/A

_{“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.}With a day’s head start, no one would immediately realise they would have picked the longer path. But taking the barren mountain now meant the school would catch up before they could clear it. Those guys had vehicles, while the boys only had legs. At this juncture, being caught was almost a guarantee.

“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

_{Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”}Qin Mo threw glimpses at his watch, at the second hand which steadily ticked forward, praying its rotation would stop.

Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”

_{{Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.}}Jiang Shao’s face drained to a ghostly white, while Qin Mo maintained a tіght grip on his own clothes without uttering a peep.

Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

_{Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?}
Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.

Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?

_{Two…}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

Two…

_{Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.}Twack!

Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

_{Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”}“So if we’re not heading to the mountains or the residential area—” Jiang Shao rubbed his freezing nose, "—are we going to sleep on the freaking grass?!”

Qin Mo nodded. “You got it! We’ll be heading in the opposite direction and finding a place to hide. So after we get through tonight, we’ll come up with our next move.”

_{No matter which was chosen, there was nothing but dead ends in sight.}
It was too cold, and they’d only been there for an hour.

No matter which was chosen, there was nothing but dead ends in sight.

_{For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”}As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago. The hill was scouted to build an eco park, but most of the trees were removed not long after they were planted because a subway project was proposed instead. With the attention needed for blowing up half a city’s worth of underground tunnels, no one was left to take care of the orchаrds.

For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”

_{Shen Zhuoyun made his way over to Qin Mo, brushing all the snowflakes off the boy’s head and clothes before warming his hand in his pockets to pat Qin Mo’s cheeks. It was only as he touched him that he realised the other boy was shivering nonstop.}
When it rains, it pours… this is shaping up to be one of those scenarios.

_N/AOriginally, their escape was to be discovered by the next day at the earliest, when they all returned to where they called home. But now, the school has already found out.

N/A

_{They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!}
Shen Zhuoyun’s gaze darkened, the emotions hiding within it indistinct. When he finally spoke up, he said simply, “We can’t stay here any longer, Qin Mo.” Like this, that boy would freeze. He knew he could tough it out, but Qin Mo, with his body, could not. Worse yet, even if they got through the night, there was no guarantee they’d have the strength to leave the next day.

They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

_{“Fine.” Jiang Shao ultimately gritted. “I guess we’re hiding, then. Fυck! If not for those damn drunks, the school wouldn't have been on our asses so damn quick! If I knew this was next, I would’ve smacked the hell out of him with my pliers! He got off too damn easy!”}It was a possible outcome Qin Mo and Shen Zhuoyun had planned on. If someone came by, Qin Mo was responsible for grabbing their attention, and Shen Zhuoyun was in charge of knocking them out. There was no room for error; this plan of theirs could not fail.

_{“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.}
But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.

“G-g-guys, c-c-can we really s-s-stay here all n-n-night?” Jiang Shao’s teeth now chattered.

_{As for where they would hide, Qin Mo already had one in mind: the grove at the back of the school. It was said to be part of the city’s greening project some time ago.}The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

_{{It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.}}The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

It won’t be long now. We’re almost out.

_{“Nope.” Qin Mo shook his head. His cousin was no fool. With the current situation, even if they couldn’t wait, she’d still be waiting. Honestly, if not for Shen Zhuoyun needing to get out, Qin Zhen would have knocked down Qin Hongjun’s door and forced that man to take Qin Mo out. So there was no doubt in his mind that she would be waiting there the entire time.}
Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!

_{“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”}Already grabbing his electric baton, ready to wield it, he shouted, “You little—”

“That we can stop running,” Qin Mo narrowed his eyes, “without them catching us.”

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}
Do we stay and face even more hаrdship tomorrow?

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.}But the most terrifying reality of all was their being on the outskirts. If the snow stops falling the next day, there would be no one coming to clear it. So when they leave, a trail of footprints would be left in the snow behind them. They were guaranteed to be found so long as that school was adamant in keeping up their search.

As soon as Jiang Shao cleared the hole, he spotted one of the drunk guys turn the corner, rubbing his eyes and staring right at them.

_{As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.}“What the hell! Those little brats are trying to escape!”

As his gaze fell on Jiang Shao, whatever remnants of the haze the alcohol had on his mind were blown away by the sight of the blood dripping from Jiang Shao’s face.

_{Every part of Qin Mo, down to his fingers, was trembling. Everything they planned had gone awry, and the cold affecting his body made it hаrd for him to think. He needed some time to calm down, but there was no time left for him to make the right call!}The layout of the area outside of the school was not a place Qin Mo was familiar with. After all, since he was brought there, he had only left the premises once, for the training session on the mountain. Which is why the foot of that mountain was the rendezvous location he arranged for Qin Zhen to wait. But there was still a significant trek to get there, and the ones at the school were no fools. Of all the places to monitor, there were two that couldn’t be missed: the direction leading to the city and the one at the foot of the mountain. Those limited options are what guaranteed every catch.

_{Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.}
Or do we risk running now and put all our hopes in the hands of fate?

Sadly, although they got out of the school, trouble also followed them.

_{“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.}Shіt! Of all times to run into these guards getting drunk off their asses.

“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

_{{They’re trying to escape!}}Qin Mo exhaled a calming breath when he saw the state of the man behind, a hint of glee in his gaze. “It looks like someone volunteered to plug the hole for us. Isn’t that great?”

They’re trying to escape!

_{“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.}Shen Zhuoyun’s gaze darkened, the emotions hiding within it indistinct. When he finally spoke up, he said simply, “We can’t stay here any longer, Qin Mo.” Like this, that boy would freeze. He knew he could tough it out, but Qin Mo, with his body, could not. Worse yet, even if they got through the night, there was no guarantee they’d have the strength to leave the next day.

“It’s been 15 minutes,” Qin Mo announced after glancing at his watch. As he spoke, two crisp snips sounded.

_{So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.}
No matter which was chosen, there was nothing but dead ends in sight.

So if anyone wanted to hide, the grove covering half of that hill was the best place.

_{A marked van belonging to the school was already dispatched to search the main road leading to the city, while another seemed to have just returned from duty and was parked outside the woods on standby. If not for the cover of night, the relatively sparse forest would be unable to provide adequate cover for the boys.}All three had the same sense of satisfaction. Jiang Shao took it a bit further to suggest running back and smashing that guy in the head a few times with a brick.

_{Two…}They’re trying to escape!

Two…

_{They’re trying to escape!}
Qin Mo hung his head, his eyes slowly dimming.

They’re trying to escape!

_{“{Hehehe…}” The drunker guard suddenly started snickering. “I guess… I guess he really did faceplant into his piss!” As if he had told some hilarious joke, the man started laughing. He laughed so hаrd he couldn’t stop.}But as soon as Qin Mo replied, the sound of a nearby conversation met his ears. The voices were coming from over the wall, the sound turning his expression grim.

_{“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.}They just need a little more time… Just a bit longer and they can get out!

“Young Master Qin, no offence, but you're a delicate thing no matter where you look,” he said, wearing a grin.

_{“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”}N/A

“All night?! All fυcking night?!” Jiang Shao couldn’t understand it at all! “Won’t we miss our ride, then?”

_{Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.}“I-is he okay?” he asked with a frown.

Every wire snapped echoed in Qin Mo’s ear, forcing him to choke down breath after breath to keep his thoughts from spiralling.

_{“Even if we can’t, we have to.” Qin Mo walked back from the edge of the woods, his complexion looking much worse than before. His physical condition was even worse than Jiang Shao’s. There was no sign of blood on his face, making him look like he’d die from freezing at any moment. “There’s a van parked nearby, and no one has left it.”}
For a while, Shen Zhuoyun remained silent, then said, “Let’s go snatch the van.”

“Even if we can’t, we have to.” Qin Mo walked back from the edge of the woods, his complexion looking much worse than before. His physical condition was even worse than Jiang Shao’s. There was no sign of blood on his face, making him look like he’d die from freezing at any moment. “There’s a van parked nearby, and no one has left it.”

_N/ABut before they could celebrate their victory in concealment, Jiang Shao spat out a curse.

N/A

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

Updated on a Saturday. Raws: jjwxc

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C45

Chapter 45: Escape – Part Two

Author's Note:

Notes:

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