The driver's face paled. He gave a dry laugh. "Well, good luck."
"I will. Can you turn off your phone now?" Chen Ge gave him what he thought was a kind smile. "This is all just a misunderstanding."
"Of course." The driver readily agreed. He tapped his phone a few times, then continued driving for another two or three meters. Suddenly, the walkie-talkie in the car lit up red. He touched it lightly, and before he could say anything, a gruff voice came through.
"Liu, are you at West City Private School too? I was wondering why anyone would be going there in the middle of the night. I picked someone up who's headed there as well. We're pretty close. By the way, what did you send in the group chat? I got kidnapped?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just focus on driving." The driver wiped the sweat from his forehead and switched off the walkie-talkie.
"Shouldn't that be 'I got hijacked'? Where's the most basic trust between people, sir?" Chen Ge raised an eyebrow. He was also worried the driver might attract the police. "Just stop here."
"Sure!" The driver stopped without hesitation, his calves still trembling.
Chen Ge checked his belongings, slung on his backpack, and got out of the car. As he shut the door, he glanced up and saw a line of text scrolling across the taxi's roof display: I'VE BEEN HIJACKED. PLEASE CALL THE POLICE!
"You've got quite a few tricks."
He watched the taxi speed away. A dozen seconds later, the area within a hundred meters fell into utter silence.
There were no stars or moon in the sky. It looked as if it might rain soon. The clouds hung low, blotting out every bit of light.
Chen Ge took out his phone and checked the time.