if there is no tomorrow

Chapter 15
The next day, the last day of 2014, the sky turned gloomy, just like the mood of Luan Bingran and me.When we packed up and were ready to go on the road, Jack and Ruth were still sleeping soundly in the tent. We met by chance without saying goodbye, and Luan Bingran and I started on the road.

For a whole day, my eyes began to turn dead gray again, which is the color of the end of the world often used in American blockbusters.This kind of color has been in front of my eyes for two months. After Luan Bingran appeared, she used her pair of pure and shining dog eyes to dispel the dead gray and bring color to my world.But after the embarrassment of last night, the color disappeared.

As the evening approached, there were snowflakes in the sky, and Luan Bingran and I finally arrived at Simatai on foot.We were both silent all the way, avoiding each other's eyes.I felt pain all over my body. I didn't know if it was the muscle soreness caused by the heavy mountaineering, or the cancer cells showing their hideous features.I fear the arrival of this moment, and it seems that I am looking forward to the arrival of this moment, because when this moment really comes, I will not be afraid anymore.

Because all the water we brought was used up, we had to camp at night on the river bed next to Gubei Water Town in order to buy water from the small supermarket in the water town.It’s so narrow. When I was buying water in a small supermarket, I met Zhao Juemin, who was picking out condoms.At this time, I suddenly remembered that today is the day when all the staff of my original company hold their annual meeting in Gubei Water Town.Zhao Juemin also saw me, he hurriedly dropped a box of condoms in his hand, greeted me awkwardly, and asked me how I got here?I said that I came here for hiking and camping, preparing to welcome the first ray of sunshine in the new year in a different way.I asked Zhao Juemin how many people vomited from drinking?Zhao Juemin smiled wryly, and said to me: "Thanks to you, the company has given all employees a holiday this year, and only the middle managers of the company came here. It is a practical annual meeting, mainly discussing the company's development direction and strategies next year, so , no one drank too much."

I asked Zhao Juemin: "Is the condom the direction or strategy of your development next year?"

Zhao Juemin's face turned red and white, and he said in a low voice, "I... I was just trying to make love, so... I used this brand when I had an affair with Liang Anni..."

I said, "Listening to your words, it feels like the two of you are already in the past tense."

Zhao Juemin let out a long sigh: "I'm already divorced, but... But, I found out that Liang Anni and Wei Dangjun have gotten together."

I said, "I have a lot of appetite, Anni Liang is going to take down the company in one fell swoop."

Zhao Juemin looked at me: "Tell me, is there true love in this world?"

I said: "The foundation is fooling around, and you still expect loyalty? What you are competing with Wei Dangjun now is not true love."

Zhao Juemin asked me: "What is that?"

I said: "Who has a big tool and a good job, with a good tongue and a clever finger."

From the supermarket to the campsite, the distance was less than 500 meters. When I gave Zhao Juemin the enlightenment and returned to the campsite, I found that Luan Bingran was missing.The tent and her backpack were there, but no matter how much I shouted, there was no response from the empty riverbed.I think she might still be angry about what happened last night, and deliberately find a place to hide from me.Snowflakes are falling scattered, it seems that there will be a heavy snow tonight.I turned on the headlight and followed the riverbed to look for Luan Bingran.A shiny object on the river bed caught my eye, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Swiss Army knife.I recognized it as Luan Bingran's knife. Last night, she used this knife to open a can of sardines.I continued to search and found Luan Bingran's headgear and scarf. At this moment, I knew that something had happened to Luan Bingran, because these items were scattered far away, and she should have thrown them away on purpose, leaving them for me to look for. trace.I immediately took out my mobile phone and called the police, but found that there was no signal here, probably because the cliffs on both sides of the strait were too high.Just when I was at a loss, I suddenly noticed a faint light flickering in front of me. I hurried over to see what happened. It turned out to be Luan Bingran's mobile phone, and the password lock was unlocked.Her cell phone had no signal either. I pressed the power button, and an unsent text message was displayed on the screen saver of the cell phone. I opened the unsent text message on the cell phone, and it turned out to be a message sent to me: I was kidnapped and SOS.

I clearly remember that Luan Bingran's phone has a combination lock, and now that the combination lock is unlocked, she must have done it secretly, wanting the phone to tell me more information.I continued to look through the phone, and when I opened the photo album, all I saw were photos from today’s journey. I opened the folder again, and found that there were many audio files in it.I opened the top audio file, and there was a noisy but rhythmic sound in it. It was easy to tell that it was recorded while walking. The phone should be operated in a pocket. Occasionally there was a voice, but it was vague. clear.I didn't hear any valuable information in the first audio file, so I opened the second file, and Luan Bingran's voice came: "The further up the river, the colder it gets, are you trying to freeze me to death?"

An indistinct male voice replied: "Don't yell...not far ahead, there is a cave, it won't freeze you to death."

Luan Bingran continued: "Where is the cave? How far do you have to go? Don't you feel ashamed when you three big men bully me, a weak woman? How did I offend you?"

This girl is really smart, she deliberately told me the number, gender and whereabouts of the other party.A man spoke, perhaps because he was too far away, he couldn't hear a sentence clearly, and then came Luan Bingran's voice again: "How do you know that I still have a boyfriend? Could it be that the three of you have been following us? That's right, my boyfriend came back to see When I disappear, he will definitely call the police."

An indistinct male voice: "...don't mention your boyfriend, the police came to collect your body..."

Luan Bingran: "It's okay to rob money and sex, why kill me, what kind of hatred is there between us?"

…………

In the next few documents, the voices were all indistinct, and there were occasional yells from a man urging Luan Bingran to hurry up, but no more valuable information was heard.These three people actually wanted to kill Luan Bingran, and not for money.Also, Luan Bingran didn't deny that I was her boyfriend, which made my heart warm.I am rarely moved, because the world has given me too much passivity.At this moment, the mobile phone has no signal, and it must be too late to go down the mountain to call the police. What should I do?The falling snow had almost covered the ground, and I couldn't think of any way to save Luan Bingran for a while, so I could only bite the bullet and track and find the cave ahead.There were already some messy footprints on the snow, and I quickened my pace to catch up, because the snow was getting heavier and heavier, and I was worried that the snow would cover the footprints.I turned off the headlights so that the gangsters would not find me. Judging from the footprints on the ground, I should not be far away from them.The surroundings are covered with snow, even though the night is dark, the footprints on the ground and the surrounding environment can still be clearly identified.I opened the backpack, took out a bottle of mineral water I just bought from it, and threw it on the road. The purpose of doing this was to reduce my own weight, and to imitate Luan Bingran's practice and leave clues on the road.I chased about one kilometer forward, and I could already hear voices coming from the front. I looked up, and there were four figures on the river bed about 100 meters ahead.Moreover, I clearly heard Luan Bingran speak loudly: "Why haven't you arrived yet? I can't walk anymore."

Another man said: "You don't need to waste your time shouting, here, even if you call the wolf, no one will answer you."

At this point, several people stopped in their tracks, and one of the men asked the other, "Xu Erpao, should we be there?"

Xu Erpao turned on the flashlight, took a photo of the cliff on the left, and said, "It's here."

After speaking, the person called "Xu Erpao" led the way to a small path on the cliff. "Second Pao Xu"?Why does it sound so familiar?Hey... I suddenly took a deep breath. Three days ago, I met that group of people who touched porcelain on the street. The peacemaker called the person lying on the ground "Xu Erpao".That being said, the peacemaker's accomplices have been following us for the past two days, the army green padded clothes I met at the North Railway Station, and the three people who followed us up the Great Wall yesterday afternoon...the reason why they didn't do anything last night was because Because those two Americans broke in suddenly.It seems that it is a blessing not a curse, and it is really a disaster that cannot be avoided.The peacemaker has six lives on his back, so he will definitely die if he goes in this time. In this way, we will have a bloody feud with this group of people.However, the cases reported in the legal column broadcast on TV all said that the criminals were immoral.

I followed the gangster and Luan Bingran, climbing up a zigzag path on the cliff.On the cliff about 30 meters away from the river bed, there is a cave like a catfish’s mouth. The four people in front carefully approached the stone wall to enter the cave, because the stone steps under their feet are less than half a meter wide, and there is a steep cliff below. If you fall, you will definitely die.Before stepping on the stone steps, Luan Bingran screamed again, I knew she was deliberately warning, because she was much more courageous than me.The screams on the cliff spread far away, and the two gangsters behind Xu Erpao grabbed Luan Bingran's arms, pushed and dragged her into the Niaoyuzui cave.I followed closely to the edge of the cave, weighing the width of the stone steps and the layer of trampled snow on it, no less than the feeling of being sent to a bungee jumping platform.I stood in front of the stone steps and grabbed a small tree next to me, taking deep breaths hard, trying to calm myself down.I knew in my heart that I would die if I went in now, and it was impossible for me to beat three experienced gangsters.But I don't even have the courage to turn around and run away. Luan Bingran is the person I have repeatedly emphasized to care for. Being a backpacker is also my long-cherished wish, and the innocent Luan Bingran is the one who helps me fulfill my last wish in life. How can I leave her in the wolf? In the nest, escape alone.Besides, even if I escape, it is not an escape. Death is doomed, but my time limit is shorter.Staying is also death, running away is also death, why can't the hooligan pretend to be righteous for a while, and accompany Luan Bingran to die together.The whole incident started because of me. If I hadn’t got cancer, if I hadn’t done hospice care, if my wish hadn’t been to be a backpacker, if I hadn’t bothered to expose Pengci that day… Luan Bingran wouldn’t have been in such a catastrophe .

I made a decision to face death head on. I must enter the cave to stay with Luan Bingran, and take another look at her pure dog eyes at the last moment.On the road to Huangquan, with such a pair of dog eyes to accompany me, it is not in vain for me to be useless in this life.I took off my backpack and hung it on a tree. I was worried that the backpack would not be able to stick to the rock wall. I took off the serrated engineering shovel from the outside of the backpack and held it tightly in my hand.I took a few more deep breaths, stepped on the stone steps with a shovel in my hand, and carefully moved towards the entrance of the cave step by step.Halfway down the stone steps, my sweat must have soaked my underwear.At this time, a jumping light extended from the entrance of the cave, which must be a bonfire lit in the cave.At this moment, I heard someone speaking in a male duck voice: "Second brother, this girl only has so little money, less than two thousand, but she has a bank card."

Xu Erpao said, "How much money do we have now?"

The male duck said in a voice: "Adding these two thousand, the total is thirteen thousand."

Another man said: "This little money should be enough for us to go to Yunnan, so let's not waste our time and run as fast as we can."

Xu Erpao said: "I dare not take trains and planes. Long-distance buses go from one station to another. It costs money and time. Food, drink and accommodation along the way. How can you not spend money? Even if you arrive in Yunnan, you will not be paid by the smugglers." Head money, who will send us out of the country?"

The male duck said in a voice: "Second brother is far-sighted and thoughtful. We should make a big deal before leaving. In today's society, it is difficult to move an inch without money."

Xu Erpao said, "Brother Heizi, go outside to gather some firewood, and come back to make a fire. These branches will be gone in a while."

Heizi responded, "Okay."

Immediately afterwards, I heard footsteps getting closer, and I felt every pore on my body open.At this moment, I am in a dilemma, and it is impossible to go back. I instinctively squat down, trying to make my center of gravity lower and more stable.Suddenly, I had a flash of inspiration, and I quickly lay down on the stone steps, with my head facing the direction of the cave entrance.Just as I lay down smoothly, I heard the sound of Heizi's footsteps approaching, and just as one of his feet stepped on my chest, I grabbed his ankle with both hands and pushed it down the cliff.Following Heizi's low humming, there was an even more dull landing sound.

"I killed, I killed, I killed..." I muttered to myself, lying motionless on the stone steps, as if the whole world had frozen.Snow fell on my face, in my mouth, in my eyes, and I continued to lie still like this, not knowing what to do next.If Luan Bingran can be accompanied on Huangquan Road, then Heizi, who just died, will definitely go along the way. Will he continue to kill us both halfway?So, I will hold on for a while longer, let Heizi cross the Naihe Bridge first, and after crossing the Naihe Bridge, you have to drink Mengpo soup. After drinking Mengpo soup, Heizi will not remember what happened in this life, and will not make things difficult for me and Luan Bingran up.If you can't remember what happened in this life after drinking Mengpo soup, it doesn't seem to matter whether you have Luan Bingran's company or not.Just as I was lying in the snow in a daze, suddenly there was a scream, it was Luan Bingran's voice: "Don't kill me with a knife, I'm afraid of blood, can you give me medicine, any medicine is fine. "

I can't continue my mind wandering anymore, I originally thought of lying in place and waiting for the next gangster to come out, and then I will repeat the old trick.When there is only one gangster left, maybe they can fight him to the death, which may ensure Luan Bingran's survival.But at this moment, the gangsters might be about to kill Luan Bingran, so it's meaningless for me to lie down any longer.I slowly stood up and moved forward to the entrance of the cave, and found that the cave was very deep. It was the man in the army green padded coat who put a knife on Luan Bingran's throat, and another man was fiddling with the bonfire.The army green cotton-padded jacket opened his mouth, and it was only then that I realized that he was Xu Erpao, who was lying on the ground touching porcelain that day.Xu Erpao said to Luan Bingran: "Tell me, what is your bank card password?"

Luan Bingran tightly grasped Xu Erpao's knife-holding arm with both hands, and his voice began to tremble: "Can you... make me understand?"

Xu Erpao's knife was a little bit harder, and a small cut was cut on Luan Bingran's neck, and blood flowed down the blade. Luan Bingran screamed, and then cried loudly: "Why did you kill me? How did I offend you? why……"

Xu Erpao let go of the knife, rubbed the blade against Luan Bingran's down jacket, and said, "Okay, let me make you understand, three days ago, our brothers were doing business in Wudaokou, and your boyfriend came to disturb you. The ending, what's even worse is that you tripped my brother with your feet, causing him to be caught by the police. He has a murder case, and if he enters, he will die. Therefore, I will arrest you today and pay for my life. Pay homage to my elder brother Xu Dapao."

That's why, I think today's hooligans are not so righteous, and the peacemaker turned out to be Xu Erpao's brother.After hearing Xu Erpao's speech, Luan Bingran suddenly slumped on the ground, probably knowing that he was doomed.Xu Erpao grabbed Luan Bingran by her hair, grabbed her from the ground, and said viciously: "If you want to die more happily, just tell me your bank card password, otherwise, I will make your life worse than death." .”

Luan Bingran said tremblingly, "I...I love you, I love you."

Xu Erpao was taken aback: "What are you talking about? You want to..."

The male duck explained from the side: "She said the password of the bank card, 520520."

I hurriedly took out my wallet and took out the two bank cards in the wallet. I didn't know where to hide them for a while, so I had to stuff them into my underwear.The bank card is all my belongings, even if I die, I will leave it to my son, and I cannot let the money fall into the hands of criminals.

Xu Erpao let go of Luan Bingran's hand and put Luan Bingran down. He stared at Luan Bingran's face for a while, and said, "You reminded me, the little girl looks good, so it's a pity to just kill her like this. It's better for the three of us to have a good time."

The male duck leaned forward and stared at Luan Bingran's face: "Second brother is right, brother, I haven't touched a woman for a long time. This girl is prettier and cleaner than Miss."

Xu Erpao said to the male duck's voice: "Tie it up first."

Drake took out a bundle of adhesive tape from his pocket, and began to bind Luan Bingran with his backhand, while Xu Erpao untied the belt.Luan Bingran's pure eyes were full of fear, and two large teardrops came out of her eyes. She stopped screaming, but said in a pleading voice: "Please, use the knife, please, kill... kill me."

The male duck's throat bound Luan Bingran's hands, and began to tear her pants.I couldn't hesitate anymore, I rushed into the hole with my engineering shovel in my hand, imitated the rescuers in literary works, and shouted: "Stop!"

My voice really had a deterrent effect, both Xu Erpao and the male duck's throat couldn't help trembling, I took advantage of the moment when the two gangsters were in a daze, raised the engineering shovel and slapped the male duck's throat closest to me on the head , He immediately fell to the ground.Xu Erpao didn't care about lifting his trousers, and hurriedly took out a knife and put it on Luan Bingran's neck, saying, "If you move again, I'll kill you bitch first."

Holding my sapper shovel in the air, I stood still like a statue, because I knew these guys would do what they said.Xu Erpao shouted loudly: "Throw away the shovel, hurry up!"

Luan Bingran said: "Don't throw it away, if you throw it away, they will kill you too."

Xu Erpao straightened out the knife in his hand, another wound was added to Luan Bingran's neck, blood gushed out, and I hurriedly threw away the engineering shovel.At this time, the male duck lying on the ground got up his voice, picked up the engineering shovel from the ground, and slapped it hard on my face. Before I felt the pain, I heard a crisp "click" , I think the bridge of my nose must be broken.Immediately afterwards, my two nostrils became hot and blood flowed profusely.The male duck's throat seemed to have not yet relieved his anger, and he slapped my head, face, and shoulders with a shovel after another, until I fell to the ground, and then took out the tape and tied my hands behind my back.The moment I fell to the ground in pain, I felt dizzy, as if my whole head didn't belong to me.

When I fainted on the ground, I heard Xu Erpao say: "I didn't want to kill more innocent people, but since your kid came to my door, I'm looking for death."

(End of this chapter)