Today was the 16th, and the moon was especially full and bright, casting a glow over the earth that made it seem as though it were draped in a layer of silk.
With the help of the moonlight, Jiang Li vaguely saw some other marks on the ground.
She stepped down from the higher ground, crouched, and examined the marks carefully. She confirmed that they were tire tracks.
By the depth of the tracks, Jiang Li guessed the vehicle had passed not long ago. It seemed the van must be nearby.
She stood up and looked into the distance.
Then, she took some self-defense tools from the motorcycle's toolbox and followed the tire tracks forward.
This was a narrow path, not very smooth, and the soil was loose.
Jiang Li walked cautiously, one foot deeper than the other, and she was grateful she had worn a pair of white sneakers when she left.
After walking for about ten minutes, the factory appeared in her line of sight.
Jiang Li instinctively clenched her fists. Could Mango be inside?
She moved forward cautiously, and the closer she got to the factory, the faster her heartbeat became.
She could also smell the scent of movement. Her heart fluttered; Mango must be here.
She instinctively reached into her pocket for her phone, only to realize she was wearing pajamas and had left her phone behind.
In the rush of the moment, she hadn't had time to think. All she could focus on was saving Mango.
Some might think she was foolish, or even stupid, to risk so much for a dog.
But to her, Mango was not just a dog; Mango was her friend, her family.
As she approached the factory, Jiang Li crouched low and found a hidden spot to observe the situation inside.
There was no one in the factory, only a dim light glowing in the corner.
Jiang Li's sharp eyes spotted Mango lying weakly on the ground.
She instinctively squinted her eyes, and the next second, she sensed danger.
She quickly dodged, raising the knife she was holding and slashing at the person who tried to attack her.
The dog trafficker had a wooden stick, and it almost struck Jiang Li.
Fortunately, Jiang Li was quick and managed to avoid the blow.
"You damn bitch, how dare you come here alone to die!" one of the traffickers sneered as they emerged from different corners, all looking at Jiang Li with cold, malicious eyes.
Jiang Li didn't waste time talking to them. She struck first and knocked out the one who had initially tried to ambush her.
"Damn! Is this woman even human?" One of the traffickers was startled by her viciousness, swearing under his breath.
"Who cares what she is? We're in numbers now. No matter how strong she is, she can't beat us."
"Don't be scared, let's all go at her!"
The traffickers stepped closer, eyes full of murderous intent.
Jiang Li showed no fear. She tightened her grip on the knife and engaged in a fierce battle with them.
Her martial arts skills were solid, and her flexibility was impressive.
Despite the odds, she could handle them all.
Soon, all the traffickers were knocked down.
Jiang Li didn't want to make a scene; she only wanted to rescue Mango.
Seeing the men were no longer able to fight back, she walked directly to Mango, gently lifting it into her arms.
"Mango, Mommy's here to take you home. Don't be scared."
"Mm."
It seemed that Mango, hearing her familiar voice, let out a faint sound of response, despite its weakness.
"Mango, can you walk on your own?"
Jiang Li had planned to carry it out, but Mango was heavier than she expected.
She felt weak, and crouched down to gently stroke Mango's head, asking softly.
Mango struggled to open its eyes and managed to stand up with all its might.
But the effects of the tranquilizer were too strong, and it collapsed after taking just one step.
"Hahaha, you won't be able to take it," one of the traffickers who had been knocked down regained some strength.
He covered his chest with one hand and slowly rose, mocking Jiang Li for being overconfident.
"Shut up!" Jiang Li coldly advanced and punched him in the face. He fell to the ground, his eyes blackened.
The remaining traffickers, seeing this, pretended to be dead, closing their eyes.
This woman was terrifying; they didn't want to be beaten to death.
Jiang Li gathered all her strength and moved Mango outside.
Although her physical strength was high, she was still just a young girl, and her stamina was limited.
After the earlier battle, her energy was quickly running out.
Her legs gave way, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
At that moment, Xie Huaichu appeared like a savior and quickly caught her.
"What are you doing here?" Jiang Li frowned instinctively as she recognized him.
She pushed his hand away and retreated a few steps defensively.
Seeing her rejection, Xie Huaichu couldn't help but grit his teeth.
He loosened his clenched fists and tried to keep himself calm and composed.
"Grandfather asked me to help Grandma check her health. I was told you went missing, so I came to look for you."
Hearing his words, Jiang Li realized her mistake.
She had been so focused on Mango that she completely forgot about Grandma.
She pulled Mango up a little and was about to continue walking out when Xie Huaichu forcefully lifted her.
"If you don't want Grandma to worry, come with me quietly."
Jiang Li was so exhausted that she stopped pretending and followed him step by step.
The black Maybach and the white motorcycle were parked side by side.
One was low-key and luxurious, while the other was cool, handsome, and eye-catching—truly a perfect match.
"Key." Xie Huaichu placed Mango on the front of the motorcycle, securing it in place. He then turned to Jiang Li and held out his hand.
"I can—"
"If you don't care about your hand, then go ahead and act tough."
Jiang Li's words were interrupted coldly by Xie Huaichu.
His gaze fell on her right arm.
In the surveillance footage, he had seen her use her right arm to block a blow in order to protect herself.
She had also ridden the motorcycle for such a long distance.
Then, she had fought with them, so her arm was definitely injured.
Xie Huaichu didn't say much, but as soon as he mentioned it, Jiang Li felt her arm burning with pain.
Moreover, lifting it was actually quite difficult.
Earlier, she had been so tense, not daring to slack off for even a second.
Now that she had relaxed, she finally remembered her injury.
She pursed her lips, said nothing more, and pulled the key out of her pajama pocket, handing it to Xie Huaichu.
Xie Huaichu swung his leg over the motorcycle and turned the key.
"Get on, I'll take you back."
"What about your car…" Jiang Li glanced at the Maybach nearby.
"Someone will come to take care of it later." Xie Huaichu turned and put the only helmet he had on her head.
Jiang Li lifted her left hand to take it off. "I don't need a helmet, you—"
"Are you getting on or not?" Xie Huaichu looked at her with a cold expression, his tone a bit impatient.
"Alright." Seeing the impatience in his eyes, Jiang Li couldn't help but curl her fingers, then she got on the backseat.
"Hold on tight to me." Xie Huaichu's deep voice sounded, echoing in the cold night air, making it seem even more ethereal.
Jiang Li frowned slightly, staring at the broad back of the man in front of her, wondering how to refuse.
"Forget it." Xie Huaichu knew she wouldn't obey, so he didn't insist any longer. He started the engine, and the motorcycle sped off.
At the Bishi Huai Shu Studio.
Lin Guifang was pacing anxiously in the living room of the front yard, and Xie Zhengguo was equally worried.
When Xie Huaichu left, he was concerned that Lin Guifang might be anxious alone at home.
So, he called the driver from the old house to have him bring Grandpa over to comfort Lin Guifang.
"Zhengguo, do you think Xiao Xie has found Xiao A Li?"
Lin Guifang clenched her hands, her eyes swollen and red, and her voice trembled slightly.
"Of course he found her. They might even be on their way back right now."
Xie Zhengguo patted her back and spoke softly to reassure her.
Just as he finished speaking, he saw a white motorcycle entering the courtyard.