The start of a new week brought an unexpected announcement from the meteorological department: a typhoon was approaching.
The weather in coastal cities is unpredictable and often changes rapidly. Because a strong whirlwind formed just this morning, the typhoon materialized quickly, leaving authorities unable to provide an accurate early forecast. They could only advise residents to reduce outdoor activities and brace for wind and rain.
Despite this, the conference trip to North City couldn't be rescheduled.
After nearly a week of hard work, Nangong Qingcheng finally prepared the project titled "Research and Analysis of Network Sales Safety and Consumer Protection in the New Environment." It aligned with the current trend of microbusinesses and online sales, while also addressing the practical issues she encountered since founding Fengming. The project was insightful and meticulously crafted.
Of course, the project wasn't completed by her alone. Chu Feifei, Liu Shiyuan, Zhang Qinyao, and thirteen other classmates contributed significant effort — a true collective achievement.
The weather turned unfavorable by morning. The northern sky was overcast and gloomy, and fierce winds were blowing from North City, as the typhoon's eye was directed just beyond North City's coastline.
Nangong Qingcheng stood at the campus gate with fifteen classmates ready for the conference, waiting for the college shuttle bus.
Today, the college arranged a fifteen-seater shuttle bus to take them there. Vice Dean Han, along with several teachers and Dean Ji, were traveling separately by charter to Finance University to meet with colleagues.
"Qingcheng, when will Uncle arrive?" Chu Feifei asked Nangong Qingcheng while lightly hugging herself against the chill from the dropping temperature, having donned an extra coat.
"He went to the company first, said he'd drive over shortly. Once the shuttle departs, he'll follow us," Nangong Qingcheng replied while looking toward the gate, but Jiang Feng was not yet in sight.
Standing a short distance away alone, Zhang Qinyao overheard their conversation, also failing to spot Jiang Feng.
Soon, the shuttle bus arrived, over ten minutes earlier than expected. Even if she wanted to wait for Jiang Feng, Nangong Qingcheng had no choice but to leave him a WeChat message notifying him they'd left and to meet at Finance University.
Jiang Feng was on his way, driving Bai Zhiqing's Audi when he received Nangong Qingcheng's message. He had left the office early, too, but the morning rush-hour traffic was intense, with one red light after another, making it impossible to speed up.
"In just this little while, nothing should go wrong, right?" Starting last night, Jiang Feng's right eyelid had been twitching, premonition of something happening today. But all he could do was be anxious as car after car blocked him, and detours proved futile.
"Brother Bin, they've left." Outside Binhai University's gates, a black sedan parked earlier to keep watch saw the shuttle bus leave. Someone in the passenger seat pulled out a phone to notify, signaling the driver to follow slowly.
...
The shuttle bus traveled against the wind on its way to Finance University.
Regardless, this was the first group activity since enrolling. Despite the tight schedule and inclement weather, everyone's spirits were generally high and relaxed. Representing the whole college filled each person with pride and a sense of duty.
"Qingcheng, it's a two-hour journey to Finance University from here. How about we have some impromptu performances on the bus?" Zhang Qinyao approached with a smile, intending to ease the tension with Nangong Qingcheng.
"Do you mean singing and telling jokes on the bus? Come on, that's what kindergarten kids do." Sitting next to Nangong Qingcheng, Chu Feifei scoffed, feeling annoyed just seeing Zhang Qinyao.
Embarrassed, Zhang Qinyao could only awkwardly sit back without saying anything further.
Nangong Qingcheng noticed that Chu Feifei had been upset since getting on the bus and asked, "Fei'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"A bit car sick." Chu Feifei forced a smile, giving a casual explanation, then turned to look out the window.
The northern sky had darkened significantly, no longer resembling daytime. Occasional thunder resounded from above, and the intensifying winds painted a heavy and grave atmosphere.
Mysteriously, Chu Feifei felt a pang of unease.
She harbored a secret she had never shared with Nangong Qingcheng and Liu Shiyuan — traveling from Binhai University to Finance University meant leaving South City and heading to North City!
Due to her father's influence, Chu Feifei knew a ruthless figure named Mr. Scar existed in South City, her father's sworn enemy. She never dared venture into North City, fearing danger, but today she had to make an exception.
"It's just attending a conference at Finance University. Am I overthinking?" Chu Feifei couldn't comprehend her own anxiety, repeatedly reassuring herself while occasionally glancing back, hoping to see Jiang Feng. His presence would calm her, but unfortunately, he was nowhere to be seen.
The shuttle moved slower than expected. Nearly fifty minutes passed before it managed to weather the winds and leave South City, entering North City's territory.
By now, a light drizzle had begun.
From a cityscape perspective, there wasn't much difference between South City and North City. However, Chu Feifei knew this marked the end of her father's turf, now stepping into Mr. Scar's domain.
The rain intensified, and pedestrians and vehicles on the roads quickened their pace to escape it. To avoid the wind, the shuttle bus had to take an alley shortcut to reach Finance University, saving some time.
However, as the shuttle sped through a cross street, unexpectedly, a truck appeared out of nowhere, heading straight for a collision!
The shuttle driver was shocked, steering frantically, but it was too late. They had been ambushed — the collision was sudden yet precise. The shuttle couldn't react in time and was violently shoved aside.
"Ahhhhh!!!!"
The abrupt, earthquake-like jolt terrified all fifteen students, who screamed in panic. Despite the driver's desperate attempt to maintain control, the immense force coupled with a wet road created reduced friction, causing the shuttle to crash into the alley wall on its side. Its side scraped along, throwing sparks, as it skidded further, ripping half the vehicle apart.
The shuttle finally came to a halt after sliding over ten meters, slamming into a utility pole with a "boom." The buckled seatbelt couldn't absorb the impact's shock, leaving the driver unconscious, slumped over the wheel.
With the driver in such a state, the students suffered a worse fate — many hadn't even grasped what was happening before they were left bloodied and bruised, all fifteen knocked out in almost the same instant.
At this moment, another black sedan that had been waiting in ambush emerged from the alley's other side. Two burly men jumped out into the rain, boldly opening the shuttle doors in the absence of surveillance. After a cursory search among the unconscious students, they focused on Nangong Qingcheng and Chu Feifei, each carrying one to their vehicle, and swiftly drove off in reverse.
Everything transpired with stealth, but Zhang Qinyao, sitting at the back of the shuttle, was the first to slowly regain consciousness as she had the least impact due to her position.
Rubbing her aching head, Zhang Qinyao was horrified as she watched the men abduct Nangong Qingcheng and Chu Feifei!
She hesitated briefly, unsure whether to intervene, but then hurriedly stumbled out of the shuttle through her discomfort and chased after them. Eventually, panting heavily, she reached the roadside and hailed a passing taxi, following after the captors' vehicle.