After Gu Shiqiao left the bedroom, Pei Yang heard a commotion outside, but he couldn't make out a single word. He wasn't sure whether the newcomers were Gu Shiqiao's own people. If he called for help now, would they ignore him, or...
Every footstep, every exchange outside was amplified endlessly, mingling with the hum of the air conditioner's outdoor unit to weave a suffocating web around the sealed room.
Pei Yang had no other choice. If he sat there waiting for his fate, what Gu Shiqiao would do to him when he returned went without saying.
...Gu Shiqiao had looked grave when he answered the call, so it probably wasn't good news. With all that chaos outside, it didn't sound like his subordinates reporting on work, either.
Pei Yang could only take a gamble. He rocked his body desperately, throwing his weight to one side with a sudden burst of strength. After several attempts, he toppled to the floor with the chair, landing with a heavy thud. A tearing pain shot through his knees, the dull impact against the tiles mingling with the rustle of fabric.
Pei Yang couldn't spare a thought for any of it. He crawled toward the door inch by inch, making muffled sounds through his gag, but they were so faint that he knew no one outside could hear.
He had no idea how long he had been inching forward when he finally reached the door. He struck his forehead against it again and again. When no one answered, he gradually hit harder, until his head had gone numb and all his strength had drained away. Just as he was reduced to mechanically banging against it, he finally heard footsteps.
"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!!"
Pei Yang saw a glimmer of hope. As long as whoever came wasn't