"You've guessed it all correctly," Xu Ze's voice crackled with barely-contained excitement as he spoke rapidly. "She couldn't get through to the local militia at all. With no other choice, she had to place her trust in me. She's turned around and is now heading back to meet me for a deal!"
I strained to listen, and from the sounds coming through the line, it was clear that he had entered a vehicle. Then, I heard the roar of an engine starting and the hum of the accelerator.
"She hasn't reached the border yet; she's turned back already!" Xu Ze continued. "I've pointed her to a secluded spot. She's on her way there now, riding a local motorcycle. I'm heading there too!"
"We'll meet in about ten minutes. Once the motorcycle driver leaves, I'll make my move!" He paused briefly, then asked, "How much longer can you hold on?"
"I don't know... Maybe another ten minutes," I replied weakly.
"I..." Xu Ze hesitated, then spoke again after a moment's silence, "I've already called the embassy... but I'm not sure how long it'll take them to arrive."
"It doesn't matter." I forced a bitter smile, trying to keep my voice calm. "You've done so much already, you've done well. As for how much longer I can last, it's all up to fate now."
There was no response from him. On the other end of the line, only the sound of the car bouncing along the rough road filled the silence, echoing relentlessly against my chest.
"Can I... ask you one last question?" I gathered my courage and broke the silence.
"What is it?" Xu Ze replied curtly.
"Your child," I whispered softly, my heart filled with curiosity and compassion. In this final moment, I longed to uncover the hidden past he had kept buried.