I finally figured out where this place was.
A coal mine that Chi Na’s father had operated, where an accident had once killed people. Considering the soil characteristics of semi-arid desert regions, this could only be Nari Coal Mine.
It was said that this place had once been glorious because of mining, but the backfilling was poorly done, resulting in large-scale collapses and severe desertification. The nearby villages had all relocated.
This was a no-man’s-land spanning hundreds of miles.
And that Cullinan of Chi Na’s was almost out of gas.
Because his wounds were infected, he had a high fever for three or four days, constantly talking nonsense about how he often played in this area as a child, how there were many people here back then, how he had his own little horse, and how later his father insisted he go to school in the city where the classmates all laughed at him…
There were no medicines here. I could only give him water to drink every so often.
It wasn’t that I was kind-hearted. Only he knew how to get out of here. I had to keep him alive.
I probably had a severe concussion—groggy and constantly wanting to vomit—but I forced myself to keep eating. I had to recover quickly to have any hope of escaping.
On the fourth day, Chi Na finally became slightly more lucid.
I asked him, “What are you planning to do? The police will find this place sooner or later.”
He laughed softly. “What is there to plan? Wouldn’t it be nice to just die here?”
My heart tightened. His face was ashen, his eyes lifeless—he seemed to have lost all will to live.
But I had to survive!
After thinking for a while, I said, “Don’t you want to see Yu Shixuan?”
He looked up at me. His dead eyes finally showed a spark of life, then he lowered his head again. “Looking like this, how can I see her?”
“She’s doing well. Over these two years, she completed the renovation of that villa complex on the hillside. It’s very beautiful.”
“She’s the one who renovated it… I thought it was some creditor’s doing.” He actually managed to pull his lips into a smile.
“Of course she renovated it,” I said. “She sold it for money and kept it all for you. She loves you very much.”
Chi Na’s eyes finally showed some vitality. I seized the opportunity to continue, “Actually, you could find a way to contact Yu Shixuan and have her bring a car and passport. Then we can figure something out.”
He fell silent for a long time, leaning against the wall without speaking.
Chi Na was a very selfish person. Selfish people generally cherish their lives. Until the very last moment, they won’t give up hope of survival.
And Yu Shixuan, knowing I was missing, would definitely find a way to stall him and then call the police—though she was a romantic, she was absolutely clear-headed and wise.
I suppressed all my anxiety, like smoothing the fur of an injured tiger, slowly guiding him. Let’s go out, to a place where you can contact Yu Shixuan.
That’s when I can finish you off.
On the fifth day, Chi Na finally staggered to open the car door. I forcefully suppressed my inner joy and wanted to follow, but unexpectedly he said, “You stay here.”
My heart suddenly tightened. I forced a smile. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll run away?”
“Go ahead and run. But I’ll remind you—this is a no-man’s-land. There are wolves.”
He sneered and drove off with a press of the gas pedal.
I was left alone in that unmanned mining area.
Sand and stones piled up, desolate earth stretched everywhere. Wind blew through the iron gate, making sharp whistling sounds.
I checked the supplies. There were five bottles of water and some high-calorie puffed snacks. Chi Na must have used this place as a vacation villa to reminisce about his childhood, so he’d only casually brought some snacks. I couldn’t judge how long they’d last.
If I took these things and ran, I’d have to get out within three days…
But how would I find my way? This mining area looked endless, not to mention the desert beyond.
That was the moment I came closest to Stockholm syndrome.
I began frantically fearing that Chi Na wouldn’t come back. I was going to be driven mad by this boundless loneliness and omnipresent death.
In the yellow sand, the sun was like a pattern on a fabric collage, gradually sinking westward.
At that moment, I heard police sirens, coming from far to near. Police cars were approaching!
I almost jumped up, shouting “I’m here! Help!” while running out frantically.
But outside the iron bars, there was no one—only the vast wilderness.
I stood there stunned. It took me a long time to realize it was a hallucination.
I was already having hallucinations.
I returned to the mine tunnel and curled up in the corner, wrapping myself tightly in a tattered carpet.
After countless hallucinations, I suddenly heard footsteps again, real or illusory.
Chi Na appeared at the doorway. The expression on his face was strange—like happiness mixed with pain.
But I was already ecstatic with joy. So many times I had thought he wouldn’t come back.
“You’re back!”
“Yeah.”
He bought a bottle of cola and tossed it to me. I looked at him hesitantly.
He didn’t look at me but heavily placed a roasted lamb leg on the table. “Eat.”