They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Well, about forty percent of them are fake."

"Isn't that even more terrifying?! They have absolutely no idea what's fake!! And stop acting like everything's already taken care of, just go ahead and tell An Yu and the others right here!"

"Are you also thinking of taking the opportunity to chat with Grandma over the phone?"

"...I absolutely refuse to be friends with someone like you. You've got the worst ideas about people!"

Chen Di and I exchanged a glance. Judging from his reaction, this guy was probably really planning something like this.

"But I'm sorry to say, I don't actually have An Yu's contact information, nor Ge Lanlan's. Does anyone...?"

"After I fell for Ge Lanlan, I deleted all her best friends, hehe." Xu Xingxin scratched the back of his head.

I never expected that this guy, despite being annoying, would be so honest in his actions. I've been hit by a boomerang again.

"Contacting Ge Lanlan is also an option."

"Then Grandma deleted me too, hehe."

...I take back what I said earlier, this person is insane!

Chen Di sighed, "Never mind, I'll handle it. I have their contact information, so I'll call An Yu first."

"Wait a minute!...Aren't you nervous?"

Xu Xingxin asked me.

"What are you nervous about?"

"Um, the other person is An Yu, right?"

"That's right, the other person is An Yu, so what's there to be nervous about?"

"...Is this some kind of alternate world?!" Xu Xingxin clutched his head in despair. "I have a suggestion, and I'm not doing this out of selfishness. An Yu still seems angry, so maybe we should call Ge Lanlan first, just to be on the safe side?"

Chen Di and I exchanged a glance. Chen Di nodded at me.

"Alright."

"Then I'll dial it."

Without further hesitation, he pressed the call button.

The call was answered quickly, but the content of the call made us hold our breath instantly.

"Anan, do you know how to unlock this phone? The screen is cracked. Can you check if the inside is damaged?"

The voice coming from the other end of the phone was definitely not Ge Lanlan or An Yu, but it was all too familiar.

A random passerby in the KTV.

[Next chapter preview: "Do you guys fight? I mean the really bloody kind."]

"What nonsense are you spouting? Didn't you orchestrate this?!"

"You two bastards! Don't blame me for being ruthless next time!!"

Seeing that I looked a little uncomfortable, the man with the gold teeth smiled even more freely.

Chapter Sixteen: What? You guys don't have guns?

"That voice is...!"

Xu Xingxin was about to say something when Chen Di quickly covered his mouth.

I took the phone from Chen Di, turned off the microphone, and turned the speakerphone to maximum volume.

"Was the password I just gave you wrong? Looks like she changed it, damn it."

"Haha, it seems our handsome young man has been abandoned by his fans."

"Stop talking nonsense. Has the car arrived yet? There's always someone coming over, and then we're all doomed."

"What's there to worry about in a place like this where nerds congregate? We'll be nearby in about ten minutes. Just wait a bit; the driver we arranged said he'd let us know three or four minutes in advance to move us."

Xu Xingxin suddenly stood up.

"Why are you all still standing here? Didn't you hear what they were saying? Shouldn't we be rushing to save Lanlan and Anyu?"

"Do you know the location? Do you know the reason for the kidnapping, the number of people involved, and their plans afterward?"

"Well, it's okay to wait until we find the person, right?"

"Find the person and then throw the meat bun to the dog? Squad leader, can I borrow your tablet?"

I took the tablet from Chen Di and started sending messages on my phone while opening a map of the area near the school.

Using the distance from the school gate to the bus stop as the axis, and taking into account the walking or running time of the two girls, I drew a rough circular activity area. Then, considering the two girls' so-called "three or four minutes of transfer time," the secluded areas three or four minutes away from the main road could also be reduced to three or four.

"It would be better if we split up and search these places separately." I pointed out the approximate locations to them, "but don't get caught or cause any conflict. Just take a look from a distance to see if anyone is there."

"But!"

"The fact that we were able to make the call couldn't be due to the other party's kindness. It means that Granny was still able to receive the call and lock her screen. There's still time."

"I'll go to the grove on the left, and I'll leave the section on the right that connects to the riverbank to you two." I created a group chat.

“From now on, silence your phones. Even if no one is around, just say so in the group chat. If there is no response after five minutes, we will assume that we have found someone and something has happened. In this case, we will contact the police unconditionally. Is there any question about the actions we will take? Let’s not discuss other issues for now.”

I lowered my voice and quickly outlined the minimum contingency plan. Chen Di shook his head immediately, while Xu Xingxin opened his mouth slightly and then shook his head as well.

"Okay, set a time, stay in touch, and take care of yourselves."

……

The people talking on the phone are Passerby A and Anan. If we also consider the need to hide the two tied-up girls, then the grove of trees on the left is undoubtedly the most suitable location.

I confirmed that the right-hand riverbank was mainly for safety, and I didn't immediately call the police or seek help from others, partly because there wasn't enough time, and partly because I only guessed at their purpose and still needed to verify it.

It only took three or four minutes to run to the woods. I slowed down and quietly crouched down to move towards a secluded spot.

Things might change course because of our involvement, and in any case, I need to avoid the worst possible outcome—if things really get out of control, then it won't be as simple as being kidnapped by thugs...

Ah, but for an average high school student, this might be considered a very complicated and terrible experience.

Before I could even manage a wry smile to myself, I heard footsteps approaching from the other side of the woods.

Look up.

Two young men were hiding behind the bushes. One of them, named Anan, kept checking his watch and glancing towards the driveway. Passerby A, perhaps somewhat disdainful of his cowardice, squatted under a tree, scrolling through his phone and smoking.

Beneath the tree beside him were two girls, their hands and feet bound and their mouths gagged. An Yu was looking down, her expression unreadable, while Ge Lanlan stared intently in Anan's direction, her eyes filled with disappointment and regret.

"You can come over from the woods on the left, but don't be impulsive and reveal your position."

After sending this message in the group, I continued to quietly observe the two people's actions and the surrounding situation.

About two minutes later.

"We're nearby now, what should we do next?" Chen Di sent a message.

"Do you guys fight? I mean the really bloody kind."

"I've played basketball with others on the court!"

"Okay, from now on, don't expose yourself or get involved. Chen Di, what about you?"

"I know a little Taekwondo."

"level?"

"Red and black belt".

"...You're too modest. After I subdue those two, don't come out immediately. If they have other accomplices hiding in the shadows, help them when the opportunity arises; if I fight for too long, remember to protect An Yu and Ge Lanlan as well."

"learn."

"What about me? What about me? I really can play a little bit, really!"

"Your role is crucial. If you see the situation becoming very unfavorable for us, remember to expose what's going on here, even if it's just shouting for help."

"……Oh."

After "soothing" the eager Xu Xingxin, Chen Di and I exchanged glances, and then we moved to a spot about four or five meters behind the tree.

"Alright, so next is..."

I took a deep breath. It had been a long time since I'd fought in that world. I wondered if my skills had deteriorated here.

Aiming at the back of the passerby, I charged out with my left foot and slammed my right knee into him, making sure I had the two girls behind me.

Before the passerby, who had been knocked to the ground by the sudden impact, could react, I grabbed a handful of sand from the ground and threw it forcefully at his face while regaining my balance.

"Fuck fuck fuck fuck! What the hell is this son of a bitch! Fuck!"

The passerby cried out in pain on the ground, which immediately attracted the attention of that guy, Anan. I lunged forward again, using my weight and momentum to increase the force, and elbowed him hard in the chest and upper trachea, then finished him off with a knee strike to his "vulnerable spot".

After this, the passerby finally stopped wailing, leaving only a deathly pale face and a sudden rush of cold sweat. At that moment, Anan grabbed a nearby wooden stick and rushed towards me.

I fell backward and kicked the defenseless passerby towards Anan. Anan narrowly escaped, but this also meant he could no longer maintain his balance.

So I repeated my attack pattern. As I stood up, I threw sand, and as the other person subconsciously closed his eyes, I lowered my body and approached, striking his throat and stomping on his knee. After he tripped, I used my right hand to snatch the wooden stick and gave him a "fatal blow."

Seeing that both of them were lying on the ground unable to get up, I threw the stick aside and bent down to check their pockets.

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.

It's a battle of wits with the air.

...So those two weren't carrying guns, not even knives. Why was I in such a hurry to attack? I'm not some kind of pervert who loves to blow up testicles.

The thugs in this world are actually quite peace-loving and value martial ethics.

Seeing that I had dealt with the two men, Xu Xingxin, unable to contain himself, was the first to run out from his hiding place.

"You two bastards! Don't blame me for being ruthless next time!!"

Chen Di and I, who were still hiding in the shadows, exchanged a glance. He helplessly shrugged, apologizing for not pulling Xu Xingxin out.

Forget it, subduing a monster is easier than restraining an idiot, so let's not force him to do something he doesn't understand.

"Could I borrow a rope?"

As I spoke, I untied the rope from An Yu's body. Her face was filled with confusion, while Ge Lanlan beside her didn't even have time to change her expression of anger and resentment.

"Uh, it's okay, you don't need to pay it back?"

An Yu answered stupidly, then glanced at the two young men who had instantly fallen to the ground.

"It looks like it's in a lot of pain..."

"Don't worry, I controlled the force well, there's no need for resuscitation." I also untied the rope from Ge Lanlan.

These two thugs really aren't professional kidnappers; they can't even tie a knot properly, it's even a slipknot, it's hilarious.

While mockery is easy, I actually only have a superficial understanding of binding. And because of my profession, I always feel that I've misallocated my binding skill points.

"**Using this on you is too jarring. Anan, why don't you use reverse bondage? It's more restrictive and painful, and there are just so many trees here."

I tied Anan's wrists together behind his back, and his ankles together as well. With him lying face down, I used rope to tie his wrists and ankles together and hoisted him completely up.

It looks like a cicada pupa.

"And you, Mr. Passerby A? Want to try it too?"

I smiled at the passerby who was in so much pain that he couldn't speak, but was still shaking his head desperately, and then wrapped the rope around his neck.

"I specially tied it around your neck as a special reward for you~ If you can't breathe, remember to shout—well, if you can shout out loud."

"Well, Ning Ruoyu, isn't doing this a bit too extreme...?" Xu Xingxin seemed somewhat hesitant.

“Well, that’s what I mean…” It was rare for Ge Lanlan to reach a consensus with him.

Ignoring the comments behind me, I put away my smile and quickly tied the rope.

"...For the sake of this old man, could you give these two brats a chance?"

A sudden, rough voice came from another direction. At the entrance to the passage connecting to the main road, a middle-aged man with gold teeth walked over.

"!"

An Yu immediately stood up and blocked Ge Lanlan's way, while Xu Xingxin also bent over and became alert.

"Don't be so wary. This has nothing to do with me. We're good partners on the same side, aren't we?" Uncle Gold Tooth said unhurriedly. "I'm not an enemy, but a guest invited by Brother Ning."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Didn't you instigate this?!" Xu Xingxin said angrily.