Roaming around the room, Ariana found what she wanted to look for. Previously, she remembered Qian Ling and Alexander mentioning how the labs contained everything research labs had. When she asked about high-voltage power supply earlier, she assumed an X-ray scanner could be found in the labs.
"Does the X-ray scanner still work?" Ariana pointed to the machine.
Qian Ling revealed a hopeless smile, "Child, I should have already guessed what you had in mind. I've done a test on myself already. There's nothing in my body."
"What?" Ariana's arm fell to the side of her torso.
Qian Ling nodded, "After my failed attempt in escaping, I've already done many exams on myself. Things that you could think of were already done with no results. I don't understand how they kept track of me, but somehow they did."
"That's impossible. How could they track you without anything in your body? It should show up when tests were performed!" Ariana was getting irritated by this whole situation. Susu was unconscious when they had left, and they couldn't contact anyone outside of this place. Nobody knows how she is hanging on to her life.
Every second was precious and this tracking device decides to hide from them. Ariana lifted her head and looked at Qian Ling, "You mentioned a tracker device in your body before. If it's in your body, then why isn't it showing on any examinations? That barcode you showed me before too. Could that be the tracker?"
Even though the barcode was shown on her skin, there could be some amazing discoveries where technology picks up human skin. If humans could create technology for face recognition, then a tracker picking up a barcode on human skin isn't impossible!
Chen Nan asked, "Barcode?"
Lifting the end of her pants, she revealed the barcode on her ankle. Linking the weird shaped barcode on her ankle to previous events, Alexander had an idea of what it was. "This isn't a barcode. It looks like one, but it's a mark from the poison in her body. It'll fade as I give her my blood over time. To confirm my words, we can wait a few days for the effects to take place. If I'm correct, then the barcode will become a little lighter."
"If that's the case, then the tracked might be the parasite in her body. Only time could tell the answer." Alexander said as he rubbed his chin and stared at Qian Ling's ankle.
"What the heck is wrong with the Shi family? Where does this all come from? How does a parasite survive by their blood? We can create a script for a drama, and this will receive the highest hits. We can reenact the whole thing. Seriously, how sick are those men?" Ariana was getting more upset as she thought of how disgusting those men were to use such despicable methods on innocent citizens.
"I can't answer that. I've already told you guys what I know for now. Let's head back to my room before anyone barges in here." Alexander shrugged awkwardly and looked outside the hall. The hallways were oddly quiet; it was suspicious. Checking the time on his watch, Alexander whispered. "Normally, at least one guard would be walking past this area. There's nobody right now."
Qian Ling also checked the timing and nodded in agreement. "It's too quiet. There are no footsteps. If I'm right about this, then we are trapped. This lab doesn't have any shortcuts like the other ones."
"But there is also a chance that it isn't a trap right?" Chen Nan asked as he held Ariana's hands tightly.
"That's right. If I walk out alone, there will probably be no movements. It's a risk to test it out. We can go in pairs. If this is a trap, then they will surround us in no time to find the intruder. At the same time, it could be us overthinking." Alexander whispered as if there are ears glued to the walls, eavesdropping on their conversation.
Chen Nan rubbed Ariana's hand, "I'll go with you first. Ariana, stay with Qian Ling."
"No. You can't leave me alone. I won't let you." She shook her head.
"Listen, there is no other choice. If we walk out and it is actually a trap, then all of us would be in deep trouble. Even if I get caught, at least I can protect myself. You're pregnant with our child. I won't allow you to risk it. I promise, I won't let anything happen to myself." He tried comforting her as he sensed her tension.
She kept shaking her head and pulling his arm towards her body. As if super glue was applied to their skin, she stuck close to him. Holding her cheeks in his warm palms, he placed his forehead against hers. Slowly, her head stopped shaking sideways and calmed down.
Her breathing became consistent again. He whispered as one of his hands reached to her lower abdomen. "Our child needs us to protect him or her. This is a fifty-fifty risk. Have I ever lied to you when we went on missions?"
"No." She bitterly responded as she knew where he was going with the conversation.
"Be good. This time won't be different than other times. I'll be careful. If it's a trap, then you guys could follow the crowd and dig deeper in the investigation. You have so many ideas that you'll definitely come to save me if they imprison me. Right?"
Looking into his eyes, her tears started rushing out. "I..I'll always come for you, but I don't want to see you risk.."
"Shh..We've agreed for you to listen to me before coming here. Now, it is the time for you to do as you promised. It'll be a few minutes. I'll walk out with Alexander and see if the situation is clear. Maybe everything will be alright. Meanwhile, you and Qian Ling should stick together."
Whispering softly, he pecked her cheeks. "There should be a large enough space in the lab to fit you in it. You have the map with you. Since they kidnapped you when you were young, you might be beneficial to them. I need you to hide, okay?"
After sniffling for a few minutes, she suppressed her emotions and followed Qian Ling to one of the hidden counters. Over the years, nobody but Qian Ling knew about the empty space. Giving her one last kiss on the lips, he said, "Everything will be okay."
Qian Ling held various chemicals in hand and placed it on the counter. In case it was a trap, she had to prepare evidence to clear her suspicions. Finally, Alexander and Chen Nan exchanged glances and stepped out of the lab.
As they stepped out to the intersection of the hallway, they continued walking relaxingly with no sense of guard. Without turning back, they reached the end of one hall and prepared to turn the corner. Suddenly, guards surrounded them in all directions, leaving no gaps for them to escape.
"Well, well, well. Alexander, who is this man to your side? An intruder?" Shi Kow Wan appeared. After spying them from a concealed position, they only saw him and Alexander together. Therefore, they made a move when they were about to turn the corner.
Earlier, one of the guards reported seeing Alexander with someone he didn't recognize. Fortunately, he only saw them two.
"Grandfather, he's my friend. I brought him here."
Smack
A loud flesh to flesh sound echoed through the halls after he answered. "I'll give you a second chance to tell the truth."
Spitting a mouthful of blood, Alexander stood in front of Chen Nan and blocked him from Shi Kow Wan. With bleeding gums, he answered, "He's my friend. I'll bring him out of here." Within milliseconds of his response, a punch slammed into his stomach, making him kneel to the ground. Chen Nan quickly caught him in his arms.
Hugging his stomach with one arm, he squeezed Chen Nan's palm to signal him to not make a sound. Forcing his body back up, he looked his grandfather in the eye again. "That's my final response. It won't change."
"Drag them to the cell. Chain them. Without my permission, nobody can give them food." The guards separated them and held onto their limbs as they walked to the cell.
Meanwhile, Qian Ling saw everything from the small gap between the lab entrance. She heard a loud noise and decided to take a look. After hearing where the guards would take them, she sighed in relief. 'The cell is better than the punishment room. I need to get them out as soon as possible.'
After seeing everyone going away, Qian Ling helped Ariana out of the hiding spot. "We need to get out of here fast. Both of them were caught and are being sent to the cell. Let's go back to my room first and come up with a plan."
Ariana's face had turned pale. Under her careful movements, Qian Ling brought Ariana back to her room where they discussed their upcoming actions.