"Meixiu!!!"
'She's getting nearer.' Han Meixiu thought after the woman shouted again. She should make a surprise attack but the question would be when?
Of course, she wouldn't give the key. She's not out of her mind yet.
The door opened and series of shot were released. The bullets passed thru and eventually broke into two pieces when it hit a barrier.
One of the parts grazed her right shoulder making her gasped.
"Ah!"
Han Meixiu knew. There was no point in hiding.
She slowly stood up and saw a woman looking exactly like her with disheveled hair, holding a gun.
The woman slowly lifted the gun and pointed it at her.
"The key." She said. Although she looked determined, her voice was pleading.
"How about we open the last door first then you can have the key after?" Han Meixiu tried to negotiate.
"Han Meixiu, I'm not dumb. If I let you open the room of Liu Zijian, do you think I'll still have time to save Dewei in the opposite side?"
Han Meili saw the screen, thus she understood.
'So the other person on that screen was Chen Dewei.'
"Fine, but can you at least lower your weapon." Han Meixiu said calmly as she removed the chain from her neck.
Han Meili obliged while Han Meixiu was silently counting. She needed few more seconds.
"You're Han Meili, right? Why did you agree to look like me?"
"The key!" Han Meili shouted.
"Tsk! Catch it then!" Han Meixiu threw the chain into the air.
It was like the time stood still as the chain and the 'key' was slowly moving in an arc.
While Han Meili's eyes followed the chain on the air, she lost her balance and fell back loosening her hold to that gun.
It was easier for Han Meixiu to snatch it away. She ran and bumped the woman then quickly took the gun. She didn't waste a single second and stormed out of the room.
Han Meili who just lost the gun from her hand didn't care about it. She quickly reached out the chain and wanted to run as fast as she could but.
What she got was only a chain and a pendant? It wasn't the key.
'No!!!'
The moment she looked up, Han Meixiu was already out of sight.
The latter ran out of the room.
Han Meili quickly followed and an explosion nearby made her fell down again. The sudden powerful force made an uncontrollable tremor.
As she moved her head, she saw Han Meixiu not far from her and opening the last door.
"Meixiu, please!!!" Han Meili exclaimed and let out a series of cough. She inhaled much smoke when she was shouting earlier. Her feet were already wounded as she was running here and there.
Han Meixiu on the other hand finally saw Liu Zijian who was sleeping soundly on the bed. Looking at the time there was still 38 minutes left.
Carrying him would be the only way for them to leave the place.
Even though he's heavy, Han Meixiu tried to move him.
When they went out of the room, she saw Han Meili crawling.
"Meixiu, please... I need to save Dewei...."
Han Meixiu normally wanted to let that man die but looking at her own face painted with bitter and painful desperation, she threw the key towards her.
Even though Han Meili knew that time wouldn't be enough to save Chen Dewei, she still crawled and grab the key that was lying on the floor.
"Thank you.." She said before she ran towards the other side.
It wasn't a 'thank you' for the key, it was 'thank you' for giving her hope. Hope that even though there wasn't enough time to save him, she could still try.
Although the way was somewhat covered with debris and there were small fires scattered around, Han Meili didn't care. She still passed courageously ignoring the parts of her dress that caught fires. She was already bare footed.
Han Meixiu that was looking at the disappearing back of her cousin felt incredibly conflicted. She thought that Han Meili could clearly save herself but still chose to save that man.
It was a pity.
As she observed the way to the original entrance of the mansion, she noticed that with Zijian, it would be impossible to pass thru.
She must think of another way.
Han Meixiu looked back at the room.
'Veranda!'
The only way would be escaping thru the veranda. She went back to the room. She thought of using the quilt as a rope. First she must wrapped Liu Zijian with it before she could lower him down.
It was a good thing they're only on the second floor.
When she was about to wrap Liu Zijian using the quilt, she saw a box in the veranda. IUt was slightly open and a part was peeking out.
'Isn't that a rope?'
She halted her action and opened the box.
She was right, it was a complete rappelling set. She took out everything. She immediately wore the harness to herself and Liu Zijian.
She then swiftly tied the rope and arranged the 8 ring on it. After attaching the carabiner to both of them she painstakingly positioned their body to prepare for their descend.
She was still positioning Liu Zijian when another explosion took place.
'30 minutes!' She thought.
It would be enough for them to walk towards a safe place.
Han Meixiu was already breathing heavily by the time she was able to start descending.
It was a good thing she experienced the outdoor training. It came in handy tonight.
The moment her foot stepped on the solid ground below, she stumbled.
Catching her breath for a few seconds, she carried the unconscious man by wrapping his hand around his shoulders while her other hand was supporting his waist.
But since Liu Zijian was not cooperative, they only made a few steps before she stumbled again.
'This distance is not enough!'
She should move further.
Han Meixiu didn't have a choice.
She gritted her teeth and carried the man who was clearly taller than her on her back.
One meter distance was extremely agonizing.
When another explosion happened, Han Meixiu lost her balance again making her fell on her knees.
'20 minutes! Damn!'
She stood up again and tried her best to walk. Her vision started to get cloudy. She didn't know how long she walked as she didn't look back.
Every time she fell down, she would stand up. Her body was running out of energy.
'I can't walk anymore..'
Before Han Meixiu lost her consciousness, she moved to the top of Liu Zijian and hearing his subtle heartbeat she smiled bitterly.
The moment the final explosion happened, Han Meixiu already passed out.
The entire mansion was swallowed by a raging fire. Given its location, it took time for the people to notice the fire.
Not too far from the gate a dark colored car was parked.
"Clean up the mess." Madam Bai said nonchalantly. She then dialed a string of numbers.
A man answered on the other side.
"They are safe as promised. Better pick them up asap before authorities come."
After she ended the call she ordered the driver to go to the airport.
'You've grown up well, my baby.' She whispered.
*
"Did something happen?" Madam Liu asked when Mr. Liu went back to his seat after receiving a call.
"Finish your meal first. We need to go somewhere after this." He said while smiling subtly.