Chapter 313

Chapter 313

I Know Where It Is

Who would’ve guessed they were hiding here, even working overnight? No telling what they were up to.

Lin Nannan and her group tread carefully. When they returned to the small courtyard, they noticed movement inside. It wasn’t until they heard Xiao Bao’s sweet little voice that they realized Liu Jinzhi had brought him back the previous night.

“I thought you left. Why’d you come back?” Lin Nannan was surprised to see Liu Jinzhi.

That was her chance—if she had escaped, she wouldn’t have been implicated by the Zheng family and could have stayed with Xiao Bao. Yet, instead of fleeing, she had returned.

Liu Jinzhi smiled bitterly. After rubbing her son’s head and sending him off to play, she explained in a low voice, “I wanted to, but outside, I don’t know anyone or the place. With a child, survival would be impossible.”

No ID, no money, no place to stay—nothing. Having lived comfortably under Zheng Jie’s care, escaping with Xiao Bao would only mean hardship for him.

Even then, she might not have been able to keep him alive.

After thinking it over, she’d turned around.

Lin Nannan was surprised Liu Jinzhi was this clear-headed and was somewhat taken aback.

“Since you’re back, stay. But last night, Zheng Jun failed to escape—he was probably caught. Zheng Jie’s men are searching for me now. If they trace you, be careful,” Lin Nannan warned.

Liu Jinzhi’s eyes flickered with unease before she pressed her lips together and said, “He’s a goner—won’t last much longer. If we’re careful, we won’t be caught.”

Lin Nannan knew she had made her choice and didn’t press further, only mentioning she was hungry.

After running around all night, the food they had bought from locals was long gone. Everyone was genuinely starving.

Not just her—everyone was hungry. They got a fire going to cook, Liu Jinzhi pitching in.

She’d picked up some cooking skills to keep Zheng Jie happy.

Lin Nannan, though, was just there to eat. She and Xiao Bao watched the busy group, almost sitting in a row, waiting for the meal.

“What’re the odds if you go up against them?” Liu Jinzhi asked after putting rice in the pot. Seeing she wasn’t needed to tend the fire, she sat beside Lin Nannan.

“You rooting for us?” Lin Nannan shot back.

Liu Jinzhi paused, then said dryly, “In my shoes, why would I want Zheng Jie to win?”

Lin Nannan grinned. “Damn, you’re cold!”

Years of love, just like that—poof.

Liu Jinzhi and Zheng Jie were the same—both only cared about themselves.

Liu Jinzhi didn’t even blink—if anything, she looked proud. “So what? I’ve got my kid now. Besides, isn’t this all thanks to you?”

If Lin Nannan hadn’t kept pushing, would she have flipped on Zheng Jie like that?

Lin Nannan scratched her nose, laughing awkwardly. “Who wins? Hard to call. After all, this is the Zheng family’s territory. We’re outgunned and outnumbered.”

At this, she suddenly had an idea and stared at Liu Jinzhi. “You’ve been with Zheng Jie for years, often going out with him. Do you know who else in Nanshi has ammunition?”

The question took Liu Jinzhi a moment to process. “The Zhengs have the biggest stash in Nanshi.”

“Zheng Jie’s stash is a no-go—he’s got it locked down tight and won’t give us any chance. I mean smaller caches, stuff we can scrape together…” she explained helplessly.

"Why shouldn’t we consider it?" Liu Jinzhi asked in confusion. "I know where he hides his things."

Everyone listening, including Lin Nannan, suddenly fixed their intense gazes on Liu Jinzhi, their eyes blazing as if they’d eat her alive, making her jump.

"What are you doing?" She hugged Xiao Bao, who had clung to her, and asked fearfully.

Lin Nannan grabbed her arm, her voice shaky with excitement. "Do you really know where Zheng Jie hides his weapons?"

Realizing what she had said that made them so agitated, Liu Jinzhi replied, "Yes. It was discovered accidentally by someone investigating. I was afraid of causing trouble, so I didn’t let them look into it further. But I’m certain that’s where he stores the ammunition meant for shipment but hasn’t been moved yet."

Her answer hit them like a lightning bolt.

"Where is it?" Yu Jiadong couldn’t help but ask.

Liu Jinzhi hesitated, pressing her lips together. "Even if I tell you, you might not find it. I can take you there!"

Lin Nannan and the others realized with frustration that Liu Jinzhi was right—without a guide, they wouldn’t find the place even if she told them.

Their running around at night had been limited to areas Lin Nannan was familiar with, which was why she felt safe moving around. But unfamiliar locations posed a challenge, especially for Yu Jiadong and the others, making things complicated.

Liu Jinzhi’s willingness to guide them was good news, but her poor stamina meant she’d slow them down.

"We’ll need wheels!" Besides, they couldn’t leave Xiao Bao behind.

Yu Jiadong objected, "Driving during the day is too conspicuous. Besides, they’re searching for us. We can’t all go at once. We should wait until after dark."

Lin Nannan immediately agreed, "Then we’ll wait until nightfall. After dinner, two of us will keep watch outside while the rest rest."

"I can keep watch. We slept after returning earlier," Liu Jinzhi said with some embarrassment.

She hadn’t meant to do that. In truth, she had been scared when she didn’t see them upon returning. But when Xiao Bao fell asleep, she soon followed.

"Just take care of Xiao Bao!" Lin Nannan kept her out of it, not that they didn’t trust her, but because she simply wasn’t capable.

Liu Jinzhi felt left out but didn’t argue.

Knowing they still had work to do, the group finished eating, tidied up, and went to rest.

Those keeping watch outside disguised themselves—unless someone looked closely, they wouldn’t be recognized.

Lin Nannan, seeing the bed, face-planted onto it and fell asleep instantly, too exhausted to even think about cleaning up.

The tension from the previous night had kept her awake, but now, with the pressure gone, she crashed instantly.

Everyone was asleep except Liu Jinzhi and Xiao Bao, who stayed outside in the courtyard.

Unable to sleep and not wanting to disturb the others, she told Xiao Bao to keep his voice down.

After everything that had happened, Xiao Bao had become obedient and well-behaved, which tore at Liu Jinzhi’s heart.

Before, spoiled by her and Zheng Jie, Xiao Bao had been a spoiled little terror—pitching fits when he didn’t get his way, getting whatever he wanted. Yet in just a few days, the child had changed completely, becoming so quiet it killed her.

As Liu Jinzhi talked with Xiao Bao, she couldn’t help but recall what Zheng Jie had done to the child, making her blood boil.

"Don’t blame me for betraying you. You wronged me and our child first!" she whispered to herself, trying to convince herself.