Chapter 307: Jingshen, Your Wounds—
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Mo Jingshen knew that Ji Nuan would be more sensible in this environment, but she would act appropriately.
Since she did not wish to create trouble for others, he did not say more. He only gently pinched her little drowsy-eyed face: “Go wash up and eat something.”
At this moment, someone called for him from outside. The person seemed to be shouting, “Mr. Mo.” He took another glance at Ji Nuan and saw that Ji Nuan had already gone to take the toothbrush and toothpaste Feng Ling had prepared for her. He then turned and headed out.
Ji Nuan stepped out of the compartment and was facing the grass patch by the side as she brushed her teeth. All of a sudden, she heard an earth-shattering boom from the forest. The sound was deafening loud, and her hand trembled from fright.
Mo Jingshen had just brought over a bowl of porridge for her. Hearing the noise, he placed the bowl in his hands down and headed toward the forest.
Ji Nuan wanted to call him back, but the toothbrush was still in her mouth. Her lips were also covered in white foam. She hurriedly gurgled, but by the time she turned, Mo Jingshen was far away.
“Mrs. Mo, you shouldn’t go.” Feng Ling saw that Ji Nuan was about to follow and quickly approached to press her shoulder back. “A landmine in the forest was triggered. There’ll be several more successive explosions. You don’t have to pay it any mind.”
“Then why did they go?” Ji Nuan felt that Mo Jingshen’s earlier expression had turned heavy abruptly. Something must have happened.
Following which, she saw more than twenty people rush out from the base and into the forest. They were all dressed in the same black attire, armed with knives and guns. Their expressions were stern, and the people in front were even wearing bulletproof vests and carrying riot shields. This scene appeared just as serious and nerve-wracking as when they were at the camp yesterday.
Nan Heng had already disappeared. The man leading those people was currently issuing orders.
Ji Nuan asked, “Did something happen? Last night, I heard that their leader, the one named Aqib, had escaped?”
“He escaped, but he won’t be able to leave the forest.” Feng Ling tried her best to avoid hiding things from Ji Nuan, in case her thoughts wandered too far. She said, “We didn’t expect Aqib to be so scheming. His people had taken away eight children from the village on the other side of the Tonlé Sap Lake and locked them near a landmine area at the back of the forest. Right now, they are unable to escape and are using the innocent lives of those children as a threat. They’re requesting that we allow them to escape safely from the forest; otherwise, those children will…”
“Eight children?” Ji Nuan knitted her brows.
“Yes, those children are all below the age of six. They’ve already been there for several days. For now, we’re not sure how they’re faring. Earlier, Nan Heng sent news over. Apparently one of the children ran into the landmine area to escape, causing the whole area to blow up.”
“And that child?”
“…he’s dead.” Feng Ling’s voice turned heavy. “One has passed away. There are still seven…”
They were children below the ages of six. Exactly how insane were these people; they had actually captured so many children to be used as their escape plan!
This was a group of innocent children who had been implicated because of their conflict with Aqib and his people. They indeed had the responsibility to save those children.
As Ji Nuan was deep in her thoughts, Mo Jingshen returned. His gaze landed on Feng Ling before moving onto Ji Nuan. “Go and have a bite after you’re done washing up.”
Seeing his expression, Ji Nuan said, “You’re going in with them?”
“En.”
“But you’re still wounded! You shouldn’t be moving around so much! Besides, there’s still Nan Heng and the other people from the base. With the people Office Entes brought, it should be more than enough. There’s no need for you to—”
“Aqib’s target is me.”
Ji Nuan’s words immediately got stuck in her throat. She wanted to speak, but they were already out of time. He indicated for Feng Ling to bring Ji Nuan back into the warehouse compartment.
Ji Nuan’s voice tightened: “Your wounds—”
Mo Jingshen glanced at her. “If we waste any more time, those children will be losing their lives.”
Ji Nuan recalled the thunderous noise that she heard earlier. At the thought of how that innocent child had been caught in the explosion alive, she felt as though the blood in her body had frozen.
It was slightly difficult to breathe.
Although she knew that those innocent children had been implicated because of them, and she understood that Mo Jingshen could not stand not doing anything about it.
But a selfish corner of her heart wished she was able to speak up, to beg for him not to leave.
After faltering for a moment, Ji Nuan spoke, “I’ll go with you…”
“You stay here,” He firmly cut her off. “Feng Ling, watch her.”
“But in your state, if I accompany you, I might be able to…”
“Stay here obediently. You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”
His few words were sterner than ever. Mo Jingshen watched Ji Nuan expressionlessly, as though issuing an order.
Ji Nuan stood in her position, motionless.
Mo Jingshen gave Feng Ling a look, and Feng Ling immediately tugged on Ji Nuan’s hand.
Ji Nuan opened her mouth to speak up but eventually could only close it. She was unable to say anything.
Mo Jingshen turned and headed in the direction of those men. After walking for several steps, he suddenly inclined his head to the side to say: “Stay here obediently. Don’t get injured.”
—-
More than an hour had passed since Mo Jingshen left with the rest on the helicopter.
Successive explosions could be heard. She wasn’t sure if it was because a landmine had been stepped on, or if someone had fired a gun.
In this place, Ji Nuan could only hear all sorts of rumbling noises from the forest but was completely unaware of what exactly occurred.
She could not stop herself from running out of the warehouse. She stared at the forest. Feng Ling was also quieter. She did not comfort or nag at her like she usually did. The ambush Aqib had prepared wasn’t one made with people but with a ground full of landmines. No matter how capable a person was, it would be difficult to overcome such a dangerous threat.
Ji Nuan was most worried about Mo Jingshen. For Feng Ling, aside from Mr. Mo, there was also Nan Heng and the brothers who had gone through thick and thin with her.
Ji Nuan recalled last night before they went to bed; when Mo Jingshen helped her adjust the electric fan onto the lowest setting, as he straightened his back, the pain had caused his body to tremble. He was almost unable to stand firm.
With his state, even if he went in, how would he be able to save those children?
She suddenly turned to Feng Ling. “The person you care most about is inside. Don’t you wish you could be inside with him, even if you were to both lose your lives, it’s much better than waiting outside alone with worry.”
Feng Ling faltered. Clearly, Ji Nuan’s words had hit a sensitive spot in her heart. However, she still replied indifferently, “Mr. Mo has given his orders. I have to watch you. You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”
Ji Nuan stared at the small helicopter parked not far away. She then glanced at the key hung around Feng Ling’s waist. All of a sudden, she smiled and spoke meaningfully, “I’m quite good at driving; I’m flexible with controlling directions. I heard that piloting these sorts of helicopters isn’t as complicated as piloting an aircraft. You say, will I be able to operate that?”
“Mrs. Mo, don’t be rash.”
“Feng Ling, my man is in there.”
“You can’t.”
“Your man is also in there.”