novelhk Chapter 195: Detailed Recollections
Chapter 195: Detailed Recollections
Back home, Fang Xiaoxiao lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
As she reflected on what had happened that evening, her heart was filled with doubt and anger.
She knew that someone was manipulating everything behind the scenes, and she was determined to find that mastermind.
In the days that followed, Fang Xiaoxiao became exceptionally vigilant. She kept a close eye on her surroundings, not letting any suspicious signs slip by.
Every time she goes out, she carefully observes the crowds on the street, looking for anyone following her.
At home, she would also repeatedly check every corner of the room to make sure there were no hidden dangers.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Tuoba continued to observe Fang Xiaoxiao's every move in the shadows.
On the one hand, he was annoyed that his assassination plan had failed, and on the other hand, he gained a new understanding of Fang Xiaoxiao's vigilance and intelligence.
He found himself increasingly unable to understand the woman; she seemed to possess extraordinary insight and the ability to handle danger.
By chance, Fang Xiaoxiao discovered some clues.
She found some footprints in her room that didn't belong to her, and there were also signs of tampering on the windowsill.
These subtle clues aroused a sense of vigilance in her heart.
Fang Xiaoxiao looked around at the silent environment, her heart filled with doubts. But no matter how hard she searched, she still couldn't find the woman who had tried to assassinate her that night.
For safety's sake, she decided to leave Changle County, as it was fraught with danger.
This is the third assassination attempt since the last one.
It seems someone wants her dead.
This is the thought.
After daybreak, she quietly slipped out of the city alone, carrying a homemade backpack.
Upon arriving at the dock, she immediately told the boatman her destination.
The boatman was a man who looked honest and simple, with dark skin all over.
His face was covered in wrinkles, which were clearly caused by years of sun exposure.
"Good good!"
After receiving the boatman's confirmation, she took out ten taels of silver that she had prepared in advance from her bosom and handed it over.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, boatman."
The boatman chuckled as he accepted the silver she offered and gesturing for her to go inside the boat.
The ship looks very large, somewhat similar to a modern cruise ship, but with a wooden structure.
After Fang Xiaoxiao entered the cabin, she looked around and found that everyone there was a woman, which made her a little curious.
So he quickly walked toward the nearest woman.
The woman looked somewhat haggard, as if she hadn't slept well.
She was quite pretty, with a delicate and refined look, and the clothes she wore looked rather expensive.
Upon reaching the woman's side, Fang Xiaoxiao habitually greeted her.
"Hello, my name is Fang Xiaoxiao, nice to meet you."
"..."
The woman didn't reply; she just stared at her blankly, like a robot, devoid of any emotion.
There was nothing she could do; since the other person wasn't going to speak, she naturally couldn't bring herself to greet them again.
Suddenly, the entire cabin became somewhat eerie.
As soon as she sat down, the women who had been lying down with their eyes closed all turned their gazes toward her.
However, these gazes were strange, and some were not friendly.
Just in time.
A fair-skinned man walked into the cabin.
The man's first impression was that of a refined and scholarly person.
"Oh, what a pleasure to meet you, another wife."
This man's name was Li Tian, a mere scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, but he no longer referred to himself as a scholar, but rather...
Li Tian had a kind face and spoke very politely.
He was dressed in a white long gown and walked very quietly.
Fang Xiaoxiao looked up at Li Tian and nodded politely to show that she understood.
It's strange, I feel uneasy.
She didn't know why, but ever since she entered the cabin, there had been a particularly oppressive atmosphere.
This is the thought.
I've decided to take a nap first.
Who would have thought that, just as she was dozing off against a wooden box, she suddenly felt a pain in the back of her neck, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.
When she woke up again, she found herself in a dark and damp cabin.
He was surrounded by women, some sitting, some lying down, their eyes vacant, like wooden figures that had lost their souls.
The air was filled with a nauseating stench, a mixture of sweat, urine, and the decaying smell of despair.
Fang Xiaoxin was filled with fear and anger; she couldn't understand why she had encountered such misfortune.
But she knew that she couldn't panic at this moment; she had to calm down and find a way to escape.
Just then, a scholar-looking man walked in.
He was dressed in a long robe and held a folding fan, appearing refined and cultured, but the cunning and ruthlessness in his eyes sent chills down one's spine.
This man, named Li Tian, was the leader of this women trafficking gang, with more than a dozen men under his command.
Li Tian strolled leisurely through the cabin, scanning the women with his repulsive gaze while muttering to himself.
"This batch of goods is quite good; it's sure to fetch a good price. Especially the newcomer; he's rather handsome."
His gaze lingered on Fang Xiaoxiao, as if he were appraising a product.
Fang Xiaoxiao suppressed her anger, lowered her head, pretended to be afraid, and her body trembled slightly.
But in his mind, he was rapidly thinking of countermeasures: these human traffickers are so rampant that they must have come prepared. He couldn't act rashly; he had to find out the situation first.
She secretly observed Li Tian, only to see him walk around the cabin once before leaving.
Fang Xiaoxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but the gloom in her heart grew heavier.
She had no idea what fate awaited her and these women.
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and began to secretly observe her surroundings.
The cabin wasn't large, accommodating about twenty people. The surrounding walls were mottled and damp, emitting a musty smell.
The doors and windows were all locked tightly, and it was impossible to open them from the inside.
It would be virtually impossible to escape by force unless one could find the key or catch the guards off guard.
She then looked at the women with blank expressions and secretly vowed to lead them out of their misery.
Fang Xiaoxiao gently nudged a haggard-looking woman beside her and whispered, "Sister, how were you abducted?"
The woman's eyes were vacant, and it took her a long time before she slowly spoke.
"I...I was drugged and knocked unconscious at the market...When I woke up, I was already on this ship."
Her voice was hoarse, filled with endless despair.
Fang Xiao's heart tightened; it seemed these human traffickers were extremely cruel.
She continued, "Do you know where this ship is headed?"
The woman shook her head and fell silent again. Fang Xiaoxiao, helpless, could only continue observing everything inside the cabin, searching for a possible escape opportunity.