Sewer Escape

“Eh~ Leaving already? But the sun hasn’t set yet.”

After finishing their meal, Ye Feng took Su Yuxin outside the mall. According to him, he needed to go home in the afternoon to prepare his lessons so that he wouldn’t make any mistakes while teaching Li Mucheng the next day.

“Sorry, Yuxin. You know I’m tutoring both you and Mucheng now, so I need more time to prepare.”

“Mmm… But there’s still so much we haven’t done together.”

Su Yuxin’s expression darkened as she spoke. She had planned to take Ye Feng to the amusement park next, riding the Ferris wheel as the sun dipped below the horizon, and subtly confess her feelings to him when they reached the top. Now, it seemed all her plans were ruined.

“I’m really sorry, Yuxin. As much as I’d love to keep spending time with you, I’m running out of time. But I promise, whenever I’m free, we’ll have fun together just like today, okay?”

“W-well… alright then.”

Of course, Su Yuxin wouldn’t throw a tantrum at Ye Feng, no matter how unwilling she was. In the end, she could only reluctantly give in.

“But you have to message me the moment you’re free, Ye Feng! Otherwise, I’ll—I’ll order another table full of dishes and make you eat all of them!”

Su Yuxin waved her delicate fist threateningly, making it clear there would be consequences if he broke his promise.

“Don’t worry, Yuxin. I’ll keep our agreement. Now, I should get going. Message me when you get home, okay?”

“Mhm.”

Su Yuxin nodded and waved goodbye as Ye Feng left. But she had overlooked one thing—Ye Feng would never leave her side unless he was sure she was safe.

Watching Ye Feng’s figure disappear into the crowd, Su Yuxin sighed and turned to head home.

“Ugh… If only Li Mucheng didn’t exist. Then I could be with Ye Feng all day.”

The mere thought of Li Mucheng spending time with Ye Feng tomorrow made her heart twist in discomfort.

No, no! I have to find a way to keep an eye on Ye Feng! If Li Mucheng tries to monopolize him, it’ll be a disaster. With her personality, she might actually do something like that!

Su Yuxin hurried toward a quieter street near the mall, where she could quickly hail a taxi.

She had specifically told Su Wanli not to send any bodyguards today so she could enjoy her outing with Ye Feng alone—which meant she had to get home on her own too.

Just as she reached the curb and raised her hand to flag down an approaching taxi, a large, damp cloth suddenly covered her mouth.

Su Yuxin’s emerald-green eyes widened in shock. As a young lady of high status, she knew immediately—she had been targeted.

“Mmph—N-no… H-help… Ye Feng…!”

Her mind flashed to Ye Feng’s face as she desperately clawed at the hand muffling her. But her strength was no match for the kidnapper’s, and after inhaling too much of the cloth’s fumes, she soon lost consciousness.

“......”

Seeing Su Yuxin collapse, Ye Feng let out a quiet sigh of relief. After ensuring no one was watching, he scooped her up and slipped into a narrow alleyway nearby...

“Forgive me, Yuxin.”

“Mmm…”

An unknown amount of time later, Su Yuxin struggled to open her heavy eyelids. Blinking away the haze, she gradually woke.

“Wh-where… is this…?”

Her eyes darted around, taking in the rusted chains binding her to a pipe in what looked like a sewer. The steady drip-drip of water and the occasional skittering of rats sent a wave of terror through her.

“AHH—!!!”

Her scream echoed through the tunnels, and soon, a figure wearing a rabbit mask emerged from the shadows.

“Hello, Miss Su Yuxin.”

“Y-you… Who are you?!”

The masked man chuckled and slowly approached her.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve brought you here because I need your help.”

“This is how you ask for help?!”

Su Yuxin’s brow furrowed as she yanked at the chains, but it was useless. She quickly gave up.

“Release me now, or you’ll regret it within a day.”

“Oh my, our young miss is quite confident, isn’t she? But I won’t regret a thing. Dying together with you sounds rather romantic, don’t you think?”

“Disgusting! Who’d want to die with a coward who hides his face?!”

“I suppose you’d like to leave safely, no? After all… you have someone important waiting for you, don’t you?”

“......”

Su Yuxin fell silent for a moment, then slowly steadied herself. At the mention of “someone important,” the childishness vanished from her face, replaced by the cold authority of a young noblewoman.

“Fine. State your terms. You went to all this trouble—you must want something.”

“Oh? I’m surprised you’re adapting so quickly, Miss Su.”

The masked man paused mid-sentence, as if sensing something, then suddenly spoke faster.

“My demand is simple. I want you to—”

A loud crash echoed through the sewer, cutting him off.

“Who’s there?!”

Only the faint squeaks of rats answered him.

Realizing the danger, the man feigned panic, pulling out a key to unlock Su Yuxin’s chains.

“Move! Try anything funny, and I’ll kill you!”

“......”

As he hurriedly led her to a more secluded spot, he deliberately turned his back to her—right as she noticed a narrow crevice in the ground beneath her.

“No tricks, or I’ll—”

Seizing the moment, Su Yuxin, now slightly recovered, dove into the crevice.

“What—?! Get back here, you brat!”

The masked man spun around too late. By the time he lunged for her, she had already slipped through the gap. His furious roar echoed uselessly behind her as she sprinted away.

“Hah… Hah… Hah…”

Gasping for air, Su Yuxin ran blindly through the winding sewer tunnels until a glimmer of light caught her eye—a stairway leading upward.

Hope.

Summoning the last of her strength, she scrambled toward it.

I can’t… I won’t let them catch me!