Chapter 20: As If No One Else Were There

Two sharp spear tips and two freshly sharpened bamboo poles surrounded me directly in the center. The pointed tips could pierce my body at any moment, so I dared not move an inch.

Someone suddenly darted out from the grass. If the light hadn’t dimmed slightly, I might have seen their hiding spot just moments ago. But now, there was no if—only a chill running through my body, every hair standing on end.

Though they hadn’t yet acted, regret gnawed at me. Thinking of Brother Wen’s words, I knew I had been careless.

“Heh! You’ve really had some damn good luck, finding so many things. I wonder what surprises await me!”

A somewhat familiar voice rang out. Then, in the dim light, a figure appeared leisurely before me, holding the bag I had just discarded.

Damn! My heart tightened sharply, and a curse flashed through my mind.

It was Peng Qian.

An inexplicable feeling welled up as I realized all those pointing weapons at me were the very people I had parted with three days ago. With bitter humiliation and anger, Peng Qian stared coldly at me.

“What... what do you want to do?” I ground my teeth, looking at the few people who had appeared around us. I had never before hated anyone as intensely as I did now.

Peng Qian scoffed disdainfully, seemingly unwilling to waste time on me. I finally noticed Qu Xiang and Lan Fang, whom they had captured, tied near the tree roots with sharp bamboo points pressed against their necks.

Guarding them were two former companions: Huang Jianfen from the company’s finance department, and Chen Zhimeng, a local woman with short hair. This surreal scene felt like a nightmare, plunging my mind into an icy abyss. Yet, seeing their vacant eyes stirred a profound sadness within me.

“You—go check what’s in the bag. See what’s useful,” Jia Lue commanded, holding a broad knife he had acquired from somewhere.

Though the blade wasn’t as long as the spear tips, its threat was clearly greater. He waved it at the pale-skinned Liu Huan with an air of authority.

I wasn’t sure if Liu Huan was Jia Lue’s ally, but she hesitated, glancing at Peng Qian before moving. Perhaps intimidated by Peng’s steely presence, she didn’t hurry.

Peng Qian said nothing, placing the bag down. I couldn’t guess his thoughts, though he seemed oddly at ease. No one noticed the cruel gleam flashing briefly in his eyes as he lowered his head.

Liu Huan approached and tried to lift the damp bag. I had reorganized it earlier, stuffing it full of items, making it quite heavy. Evidently lacking strength, she dragged it to the group, stopping before Jia Lue.

Jia Lue appeared unsurprised. Watching Peng Qian casually approach and position himself behind Liu Huan unsettled me. Suddenly, a strange yet daring thought crossed my mind.

Clearly, these people did not trust one another.

“Looks like there’s quite a haul!” Even Zhou Jianguo—the annoying man wielding a bamboo spear—couldn’t hide his delight as Liu Huan unzipped the bag and revealed its contents.

“Have you no shame? Forget whether we were ever colleagues or came from the same place! You abandoned Sister Fang before, and now you want to steal from us outright?”

Disgusted by Zhou Jianguo’s shamelessness, I glared at Peng Qian, trying to decipher their intentions. Trapped and full of resentment, I ignored everything else—even Zhou Jianguo’s words.

If I had the chance, I would kick these shameless men into the river and let its waters wash away their ugliness! So despite the four pointed spears aimed at me, I showed no fear.

Qu Xiang, bound and staring at the points pressed against her neck, unexpectedly shouted in anger, “Peng Qian, have you no shame? You abandoned us before, and now that A-Jing has found something, you want to steal it? Are you even human?”

It was the first time I had seen Qu Xiang roar despite the danger. Even in the dim light and with a spear at her throat, she refused to back down. Watching Peng Qian let Liu Huan display the items, her eyes gleaming with displeasure, it was clear she was deeply dissatisfied.

Lan Fang, however, clenched her teeth in silence. Unable to sit on the log, the pain in her leg tormented her. She leaned weakly against Qu Xiang, trembling slightly. Her pale face showed she was forcing herself to endure. If not for the scene with Luo Wei earlier, Lan Fang would surely have resisted.

“Heh, say what you want! But this time, don’t worry—we won’t be that ruthless. If there’s anything good, after all, it was Huang Jing who found it, right? So we’ll be sure to save a share for the three of you.”

Peng Qian avoided looking at Jia Lue, but a flicker of uncertainty flashed in his eyes unnoticed by others. He seemed oblivious to Jia Lue, wielding his own authority over us.

Jia Lue, meanwhile, paid little heed to Peng’s words. Seeing the items Liu Huan pulled out, his face unexpectedly brightened. Under his orders, she took out the food I had packed.

Everyone seemed instantly excited upon seeing the provisions. Even the four holding spears against me lowered their weapons and leaned in, eyes shining with desire.

“Give me a piece of beef jerky! Damn it, I’m starving these past few days!” Zhou Jianguo, usually all talk, grew impatient and reached to grab from Liu Huan’s hands.

Suddenly, a gleaming broad knife flashed before Liu Huan—a stark and abrupt appearance. Zhou Jianguo jumped back half a step, clearly recognizing whose move it was.

A voice sneered, “In such a hurry to meet your maker?”

Jia Lue glared fiercely at Zhou Jianguo, then cast a meaningful glance at Peng Qian behind Liu Huan. Though I couldn’t read his thoughts, he fixed Zhou Jianguo with a cold stare.

“There’s plenty for everyone, but we’ll have to share it out slowly.”

Holding the knife, he acted as if nobody else existed.