Before everything goes out

Yuan Dahai fell silent.

Although he didn't believe Ma Xueqin's words, his cautious intuition, cultivated over many years, made him think more deeply.

Looking at his son sleeping soundly in his wife's arms, he thought of something and then asked:

"So, according to you, they brought my son back. If they were really bandits, would they be so kind?"

"Son? Is that child they brought your son?"

On the other end of the walkie-talkie, Ma Xueqin and the people around her exchanged glances and looked at each other in bewilderment.

She did know that Yuan Dahai had a son who had indeed been lost three years ago, but she never expected that it would be the underdeveloped child brought by this group of people.

Her eyes darted around as she gathered her thoughts, and when she spoke again, her voice was a little more nervous.

"Oh dear! Brother Yuan, they're trying to wipe out your entire family! If you ask me, they might have been the ones who kidnapped your son back then. Now they're back to kill you and make sure you're completely ruined!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Dahai's brows furrowed deeply.

This is definitely not right.

He observed Yangyang's interactions with these people and knew it couldn't possibly be that kind of relationship...

Is it impossible?

If he had to say, he wasn't entirely sure.

After all, no one knows what happened to Yangyang during those three years away. Judging from his mental state, he must have experienced things that are hard to imagine. He didn't dare to ask.

Come to think of it, when he asked Li Fei about Yangyang's tongue before, Li Fei's attitude did seem rather reluctant.

and also.

During their casual conversation earlier, Li Fei intentionally or unintentionally inquired about the investigation team from him.

Logically speaking, shouldn't the military officers be the ones who know the most about the investigation team's affairs?

"Brother Yuan."

Yuan Dahai didn't have much time to think before Ma Xueqin's voice rang out again.

"Don't be too scared. You know I have some connections at the amusement park. I already contacted them while we were eating. Don't worry, once the people from the amusement park arrive, none of these bandits will get away..."

"Paradise? You're going to sell that woman to Paradise?"

Yuan Dahai frowned.

He had certainly heard about the amusement park; the fate of the women sold there was undoubtedly terrible.

"Of course! Selling such inhuman bandits to the amusement park is doing a service to the people, and we can even get a share of the profits. What's wrong with that?"

"this..."

Yuan Dahai's expression was complicated.

Looking back, it seems that the rumors did circulate among the neighbors.

This Ma Xueqin is said to be the informant that Paradise planted in their community.

Every day, I spend my time in the neighborhood asking around, trying to find out which building and which apartment the woman is hiding in...

After figuring this out, Ma Xueqin would tip off the people at the amusement park so they could arrest her and she could profit from it...

No wonder he always felt that the neighbors were vaguely afraid of Ma Xueqin when he interacted with her; it turned out that the rumors were not unfounded.

"However, there is a small problem that is not easy to solve. It's not that it's insurmountable, but we need to lay the groundwork for the amusement park first."

"What's the trouble?"

Yuan Dahai asked.

"They have guns. If the people from the amusement park come and take them down, that's fine. But if we really fight them, I'm afraid it will affect the neighbors, and I'm even more afraid that your family will get hurt."

"So you want me to..."

"While the bandits are asleep in the middle of the night, go in and disarm them all. Afterwards, you'll definitely get credit for it."

"this..."

"You know how generous the amusement park is. If you hand over such a rare woman, I guarantee you won't have to worry about food and drink for the next three years."

Think about it, your Yangyang is practically skin and bones from hunger, doesn't he need some nourishment? Not to mention your son, your wife has worked so hard for you all these years, she deserves a few good days, doesn't she?"

"Wife".

"son".

These words finally made Yuan Dahai's eyes light up.

He looked at Chen Fang beside him, and Chen Fang shook her head at him with a complicated expression.

He understood the meaning behind the shaking of his head. It wasn't that he didn't trust Ma Xueqin; he had heard what she said earlier and there was some truth to it. He was just afraid that she would really take the risk.

In the silence, Yuan Dahai's thoughts became increasingly chaotic.

Before he could figure it out, the walkie-talkie rang again.

Unlike before, Ma Xueqin's voice was no longer forceful, but rather more casual.

"Alright, Lao Yuan, if you still can't listen after all this, then you can't blame me anymore..."

"That's settled then. Anyway, the people from the amusement park are already on their way. Just letting you know, we're planning to make our move at 3 AM. Whether you help with the preparations or not, the final result will be the same. It all depends on whether you're willing to put in the effort."

After saying this, Ma Xueqin said no more.

after that.

Yuan Dahai sat on the edge of the bed, holding the walkie-talkie in both hands, his expression complex, for a long time.

Under Chen Fang's equally complex gaze, he picked up the walkie-talkie, pressed the call button as if to say something, but then slowly put it down.

Pick it up again, then put it down again.

"Da Hai, let's not get involved in this mess. Whatever they want to do is none of our business."

Chen Fang pulled him back and put the walkie-talkie back on the bedside table.

"They're staying in our house, how can it be okay?"

Yuan Dahai wiped his face.

Instead of gently wiping, I rubbed it vigorously with all five fingers, trying to smooth out the deep wrinkles and the hesitation in my heart.

After a long silence, when he looked up again, his eyes were filled with only determination.

...

...

late at night.

By the time Yuan Dahai finished dressing and left the bedroom, it was already 2:30 a.m.

He took a flashlight, tiptoed to the door of the second bedroom, gently turned the handle, and quietly opened the door a crack, calling softly inside.

"Sir?"

"Are you asleep, sir? I need to speak with you about something..."

He controlled the volume perfectly.

If Li Fei and his group were already asleep, they wouldn't respond; if they weren't asleep, then it wouldn't count as him breaking in at midnight.

"Sir?"

"Sir?"

Looks like she's asleep.

Upon confirming this, Yuan Dahai swallowed nervously.

This was good news for him, but it made him sweat even more; before he even entered the room, his back was already soaked.

The last time I felt this nervous was many years ago when I was out searching for something and witnessed several corrupt individuals committing murder. I was cowering under a car, so scared that I even peed a few drops...

Open the door.

Hold the doorknob with both hands, lift it up slightly, and then open the door.

He knew his own door very well; opening it like this, with the hinges not under any force, wouldn't make a sound.

The same is true.

He held his breath, opened the door, and went inside. He saw that Li Fei and the other two were indeed fast asleep.

Come to think of it.

After a long day of travel, his son slept right after dinner and has been asleep ever since. These other people must be exhausted as well.

Not only people, but even the big mongrel was huddled in the corner, emitting soft snores.

"call..."

After standing at the door for a few more seconds to make sure no one showed any signs of waking up, Yuan Dahai breathed a sigh of relief.

By the dim light of the lamp, he glanced around and saw that the rifles and pistols were piled up in a corner of the room, along with three packs full of supplies and some equipment he couldn't name.

They're all good stuff.

"Bracelet..."

Yuan Dahai looked at the bald man closest to him.

His physique was exaggeratedly strong. He slept on a nylon mat with a wide-open posture, as if he were doing stretching exercises in his dream.

At the end of that thick arm, the wrist, which had been tightly covered before, was now finally exposed.

"No bracelet."

Yuan Dahai's eyes trembled.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he looked at the other two.

The woman who looked like a man didn't have any hands either, and the leader was huddled in a sleeping bag, so his wrists weren't visible.

However, since things have come to this point, there is no need for him to seek further verification.

"As expected, there were no bracelets. Ma Xueqin was right. They weren't from the investigation team; they were bandits."

Yuan Dahai was deeply shocked.

After standing at the door for a long time, he silently left the room.

...