Chapter 130: Caught in a Trance

Time passed moment by moment, and the sweat on Mu Qingxi’s forehead grew heavier.

They say misfortunes never come singly—this was a perfect example. Already drugged and barely conscious, the dosage had been increased without her knowledge. She had barely opened her eyes for a few minutes when she was suddenly slapped hard across the face.

Dazed and disoriented, all she wanted was to rest a little, but instead, she was plunged into a nightmare.

She lost track of how long she had been running aimlessly before she heard someone calling her name, their voice unsteady. Struggling, she tried to open her eyes.

With a sudden effort, she opened her eyes wide, staring fixedly at the ceiling.

Beside her, Bai Fanhao, who was holding her, saw that she had awakened and exclaimed excitedly, “Xiao Xi, you’re awake! That’s great. Come, I’ll take you out.”

Mu Qingxi seemed like a lifeless doll, but Bai Fanhao, anxious to get her out, didn’t notice her strange state; he just steadied her and started moving.

After less than three meters, Bai Fanhao said, “Xiao Xi, come on, I’ll carry you.”

Without hesitation, he lifted Mu Qingxi onto his back and strode forward.

It was strange. When Bai Fanhao arrived, he overheard them mention that Mu Qingxi was the one locked inside. He had intended to barge in, but someone called them to eat, saying she had fainted and wouldn’t wake up any time soon.

So, seizing the opportunity while they were distracted by their meal, Bai Fanhao sneaked inside.

He didn’t utter a word, moving cautiously, taking a few steps and glancing around before swiftly making his way to the spot he had scoped out. The abandoned factory had three floors. Wang Feiyan and the others were eating lunch in a room on the third floor, while Xi Haifei was wandering aimlessly in another room on the same floor.

Bai Fanhao smiled to himself as he neared the first floor, about a hundred meters from where he stood. Almost there—just a hundred meters more and they’d be safe. He encouraged himself silently, then glanced at Mu Qingxi and said softly, “Xiao Xi, we’ll be out of here soon.”

Mu Qingxi lay motionless on Bai Fanhao’s back, unresponsive. Her hands were stained with blood, and she stared blankly at the crimson on her palms. She seemed to want to touch her face but halted as soon as she heard Bai Fanhao’s voice, her gaze fixed on the door ahead.

Bai Fanhao carefully stepped out from the staircase, heading toward the main entrance. After about ten meters, the door suddenly swung open, revealing a fierce-looking burly man. Bai Fanhao froze at the sight.

The burly man was equally stunned to see Bai Fanhao standing there. What was he doing here? Had he been following him?

The man scrutinized Bai Fanhao, considering all possibilities, increasingly convinced that Bai Fanhao was tailing him. Yet, he failed to notice the person Bai Fanhao was carrying on his back.

As fate would have it, the early morning fight between Bai Fanhao and the burly man had left a lasting impression on them both. Now, in the midst of their escape, they unexpectedly crossed paths again—cutting off one avenue of survival.

Bai Fanhao muttered under his breath, “What rotten luck!”

The burly man showed no reaction, merely snarling, “You brat, I was just worried I couldn’t find you. You’re so obedient, running right into my hands. What, you really think you can bully me?”

Bai Fanhao said nothing, standing his ground without moving.

As this tense standoff unfolded downstairs, those who had been eating lunch on the third floor had finished at some unknown moment. Now all stood by the railing, watching the scene below unfold.