Under the dim yellow streetlight, Youlan and several of her men had already gotten into the car.
Hong Liang grabbed Liu Nian, ready to shove her into the car and set off.
But at this crucial moment, Liu Nian lifted her little face and flashed Hong Liang a brilliant smile.
With the blindfold covering her eyes, the smile looked rather sinister.
Hong Liang was startled by Liu Nian's behavior. He had thought the little girl was scared senseless, since she hadn't said a word or screamed since waking up.
While Hong Liang was momentarily distracted, Liu Nian's hands, which had been bound behind her back, suddenly reached for his neck. A length of hemp rope was still in her hands—the very rope that had been used to tie her up.
For an instant, Hong Liang's mind held only one thought: When did she get free?
Liu Nian pulled off the blindfold with her left hand. With the rope in her right, she gave it a light flick, sweeping her hand through a graceful half-circle. Carried by the force and momentum, the rope spun around Hong Liang's neck. Liu Nian's other hand caught the opposite end with perfect precision, leaving her gripping one end in each hand.
She raised both feet and slammed them into Hong Liang's chest.
The scene was like a sudden crack of thunder. Hong Liang had no time to react; he had never imagined Liu Nian would pull a stunt like that.
Liu Nian's kick sent Hong Liang toppling backward. The rope around his neck was pulled taut in her hands, and Hong Liang instinctively let go of her, reaching to tear off the life-threatening thing.
But as he leaned back and Liu Nian yanked again, the sudden lack of oxygen made his vision go black for