The man answering the phone glanced at Qin He again. "A local woman from Kun Dian."
Lu Mingxi's expression turned serious. "Let her take the call."
Though surprised, the man handed the phone to Qin He. "Someone wants to speak to you!"
Qin He took the phone from the protective netting and put it to her ear.
On the other end, Lu Mingxi's voice was tense. "Qin He?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Qin He's heart settled considerably. "Lu Mingxi, are you in this town?"
Heavy breaths sounded from the other end. "I am! I've brought a lot of people to find you. Stay put, I'll be there immediately!"
Qin He smiled and agreed.
She handed the phone back to the man in black. She found him much more agreeable now.
Furthermore, with Lu Mingxi bringing reinforcements, her safety was better guaranteed.
In less than ten minutes, a black car sped to a halt beside Qin He's vehicle.
The door opened, and Lu Mingxi's tall figure emerged.
Seeing the familiar face, Qin He's heart warmed. Finally, she had met a friend in this place called Kun Dian.
She opened her car door and stepped out. "Lu Mingxi."
Lu Mingxi looked at Qin He, walked right up to her, and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Qin He pushed him. "Let go."
Lu Mingxi held her so tightly it became uncomfortable.
"No," his voice was muffled, tinged with a hint of a sob, and he sighed hoarsely, "I finally found you."
Qin He felt a little awkward. "Let go first. It's not appropriate for you to hug me like this, given our relationship."
Lu Mingxi buried his face in Qin He's neck and took a deep breath before straightening up, a gentle smile on his face.
"Why not? Gu Qichen isn't here, what are you afraid of?"
He had reverted to his usual dissolute and unrestrained demeanor.
Qin He chuckled. "I've already called him. He's on his way and should arrive in about an hour."
Lu Mingxi's gaze deepened. "You knew to call him, but not me— or your brother?"
Qin He smiled. "I was afraid I wouldn't escape, so I thought it best to let you know only when I was truly safe. Otherwise, it would just worry my family unnecessarily."
As they spoke, Lu Mingxi led Qin He to his car. Before getting in, Qin He retrieved her phone.
She had been on the phone with Gu Qichen earlier, but the stolen phone was old, and even while charging, its battery slowly depleted during calls.
The phone had now run out of power and shut down automatically.
"Let's go to the capital of Kun Dian," Qin He told the driver. Gu Qichen was also coming from the capital, and this was the only route between them, so they were bound to meet.
The driver looked at Lu Mingxi. Seeing him nod, he started the car.
A convoy set off in grand fashion.
Along the way, Lu Mingxi incessantly asked Qin He about her experiences since disappearing.
Qin He recounted everything. Upon hearing that Shen Yicong had used ice sea to control her, Lu Mingxi's face darkened.
"What are you going to do now?"
Qin He's expression was complex. "Go back to the rehabilitation center in my country."
She was, in fact, hesitant. She knew what she was like when she had an episode.
Even when sober, she hated that wicked man Shen Yicong and wished she could kill him with her own hands. But during an episode, she felt an impulse to beg him for mercy.
This was only the beginning. Every time Shen Yicong injected her at the onset of an episode, if she continued to delay and didn't receive the ice sea injections, Qin He felt she would truly end up weeping and begging.
Her hands, resting on her knees, gradually tightened.
Before, she had only thought about escaping. Now, her concerns were broader. If Gu Qichen and Qin Yun were to see that side of her, how heartbroken would they be?
She even less wanted to expose such a humble and pathetic side of herself to Gu Qichen.
Lu Mingxi pursed his lips, observing Qin He's expression.
"You seem very hesitant. Why not return to see them after your rehabilitation is successful?"
Qin He turned to look at Lu Mingxi, clearly weighing the options.
Lu Mingxi added, "I know several experts in this field in country M. They also run very reputable rehabilitation centers."
Qin He still hesitated. "But I'm afraid my brother will worry, and I don't know how my mother is doing right now."
Lu Mingxi smiled. "I'll inform your brother and mother. They should be relieved once they know you're safe. Besides, being abroad doesn't mean we can't communicate; video calls are an option."
Qin He pursed her lips. "I need to see Gu Qichen first. He's less than an hour away. She just had an injection of ice sea, so she won't have an episode that quickly."
Lu Mingxi's smile faded slightly. "After seeing him, you might not be able to bring yourself to leave. And I don't think he'll let you go."
Qin He fell silent, her brows furrowed tightly. Her fingertips were turning pale from the pressure.
She didn't want Gu Qichen to see that side of her, but Gu Qichen had been searching for her for so long. Leaving now would be too selfish.
After a moment's thought, Qin He turned to Lu Mingxi.
"Let's meet up with Gu Qichen first, and then we'll head to the capital of Kun Dian."
Lu Mingxi's gaze deepened. "Are you sure?"
Qin He's voice was hoarse. "I'll come find you then. I'll go abroad afterwards. Until I'm successfully rehabilitated, please don't let my mother or my brother visit me."
Lu Mingxi nodded. "Alright."
The convoy continued to drive. Half an hour later, Qin He saw lights in the distance.
It was a convoy, approaching rapidly.
Qin He's heart surged with warmth. Gu Qichen. He had come.
Her eyes reddened. She hurried out of the car. The leading car of the approaching convoy had also stopped. The door opened, and Gu Qichen's tall figure emerged and strode towards her.
As soon as Qin He got out of the car, she ran straight towards him.
"Gu Qichen." She threw herself into his embrace like a chick returning to its nest.
The familiar scent of the man possessed a magical power that brought her peace.
Gu Qichen's voice was low and husky. "He'er, I finally found you."
They embraced under the headlights. In the car, Lu Mingxi's gaze grew increasingly sorrowful, then turned dark.
After hugging for a while, Qin He wiped her tears and smiled through them.
Gu Qichen was already pulling her aside, checking her over. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
Qin He shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm not injured at all. Don't worry."
She glanced around. "Having two convoys stopped here is too conspicuous. Let's head to the capital of Kun Dian first, find a place to stay for the night, and leave tomorrow."
Gu Qichen nodded. He took Qin He's hand and got into the car, his grip never loosening.
Qin He leaned her head on his shoulder and looked up at the faint stubble on his chin. "How many days have you not shaved?"
Gu Qichen's gaze flickered. "I'll shave when we get home."
Qin He's message had brought a ray of light into his dark life. He had no mood to shave and then come looking for her. He couldn't wait a second longer.