CHAPTER 427: CHAPTER 427: WISHFUL THINKING

"The most important thing right now is for you all to leave here as quickly as possible. Stop worrying about me. I’ve already made up my mind to stay. If you stay any longer, you’re just wasting time."

The old lady knew very well in her heart that if she didn’t stay behind, it would become incredibly troublesome for them to escape. Moreover, with her old, frail body, she would only drag them down.

Seeing that there was scarcely any time left, Lin Zhiyuan had no choice but to deal with the situation after first sending Ji Yu away.

"Mom, wait for me. I promise I’ll come back to take you with me. Otherwise, we’ll end up spending the rest of our lives here. We must make sure they don’t realize someone is missing, or they will hunt us down to the last person."

No one understood the methods these people resorted to better than the old lady.

The old lady watched them leave, her heart filled with helplessness. She also knew that, after this parting, there was little chance they would see each other again.

But all of this was her own choice. She wanted to see her son escape from here. Staying together would only shroud his future in unrelenting darkness.

Along the way, Ji Yu had many thoughts in her heart, though she wasn’t sure how to express them.

"You don’t need to worry about me. Since my mother has made this decision, I must come back to accompany her. I know this might put you in a difficult position, but it’s something I have to do."

This was also why Ji Yu felt that they didn’t belong to this place at all.

"Brother Lin, once you’ve safely taken me out, I’ll have the means to bring everyone else out too. I believe that not everyone here actually wants to stay."

She understood that the road ahead would likely be arduous, but as long as they got away from here, things could become much easier afterward.

"Let’s first focus on getting out. We can talk about everything else later. I know you’re capable, but these people are sure to be guarding the exits. Let’s draw them away first, then see what we can do."

At this moment, Lin Zhiyuan didn’t have the frame of mind to think about anything else. His thoughts were consumed by his mother and whether she might be enduring pain or humiliation, which filled him with sorrow.

In truth, the inspection team that came by earlier had already sensed something was off, though this time it was due to an informant’s betrayal.

"Mrs. Lin, if you don’t tell us the truth, your son will have to suffer the consequences with you. Think this through carefully."

The old lady stood there as she heard this, feeling both exasperated and incredulous. It was as if she thought these people were completely out of their minds.

"I don’t understand why you people insist on telling him things like this. Don’t you realize this is the best possible outcome for him?"

Even a slightly more astute mind would know where their loyalties should lie in a moment like this. If they truly wanted to leave, this might have provided the perfect opportunity.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about. My son has been out gathering herbs recently and doesn’t often come home. If you have anything else to say, just be direct."

The group exchanged uncertain glances, realizing that the old lady was determined to stand her ground.

"Since you’ve taken it this far, we’ll stop beating around the bush. The woman you’ve hidden is extremely important to us. She’s someone Mr. Jiang personally wants."

From the very beginning, they’d known this situation was far from simple, which is why they had been watching this area so closely. Yet so far, they’d found no real clues.

"I don’t know what woman you’re talking about. I’ve never seen anyone unusual. If that’s what you think, maybe you should check by the cliff. Perhaps she’s over there."

The group had already run out of patience. On hearing this, one of them slapped her across the face without hesitation.

"There’s no point in continuing this act. Just tell us the truth, and that’s all we need. We have no intention of harming you."

But their actions suggested otherwise, making a mockery of their words.

The old lady had already resigned herself to the prospect of death, so she felt no fear of their threats.

"Are you really willing to drag the village down with you? Do you know how well-behaved everyone here has been lately? And yet, your family is the only one still plotting to escape."

"Is it wrong for us to want to leave? This place isn’t our home. Our home is not here." The old lady thought about the past and realized that even if she were to die here, it wouldn’t matter much. At the very least, she had ensured her son’s freedom.

Seeing her in such an unyielding state left them at a loss. They knew their top priority now was to find Ji Yu, so they locked her up and then went off in search of Ji Yu’s whereabouts.

By this time, Ji Yu and Lin Zhiyuan had reached the final gate.

Her heart was uneasy. She didn’t know if they could successfully escape this time, and she worried for the old lady’s safety. Who knew if harm might soon come to her?

"Miss Ji, I’ll distract them shortly. But I can only take you this far. After that, I need to go back for my mother. I can’t leave her here alone."

Lin Zhiyuan had no intention of leaving. From the moment the old lady made her decision, he’d already given up on escaping.

Ji Yu felt helpless when she heard this. Perhaps their familial bonds were driving all of their final decisions.

"If you truly stay behind, it will only break the old lady’s heart. Deep down, she wants you to find freedom, because here, you’re not truly free."

She wasn’t trying to preach to him, only to speak the truth. After all, everything the old lady had done was for him to leave.

"Remember what the old lady said back then? She understands everything. She just doesn’t want you to keep being torn apart by guilt."

She had been fully aware of everything yet still chose to make that sacrifice, which proved she had no regrets and believed that it was worth it.