Chapter Thirty-Six: Firefight and Trembling

Cheng Jiu and Xiao Shi got into the car, started the engine, and drove forward. The other vehicle was drawing closer, its speed suddenly dropping as it kept a steady distance behind them. On the empty highway, in the depths of night, with so few cars on the road, the sudden appearance of this vehicle put Cheng Jiu and Xiao Shi on alert.

Although Xin Gan couldn’t say for certain, she had a nagging feeling that the car following them was trouble. She couldn’t help but think of the fire at the small inn.

Xiao Shi kept his eyes on the car behind them and asked Cheng Jiu, “Brother Jiu, that car looks familiar.”

The car was a black SUV, maintaining a five or six meter distance, never too close, never too far. Cheng Jiu accelerated slightly, and the car behind matched his speed at once.

Even Xin Gan felt something was wrong and asked, “Are they following us?”

Cheng Jiu responded with a vague sound, offering no explanation, his attitude perfunctory.

Xiao Shi glanced at Cheng Jiu’s expression and kept silent.

At last, Cheng Jiu spoke up. “Yes.”

Xin Gan’s heart pounded wildly. At that moment, something struck the rear of their car with a dull thud, followed by three or four more in quick succession.

At the first sound, Cheng Jiu shouted, “Get down, Xin Gan!”

Xin Gan curled up, clutching her head against the seat, feeling as if the blood in her veins had stopped flowing, her hands and feet going cold in an instant.

“Xiao Shi!” Cheng Jiu called out calmly, flooring the accelerator. Xiao Shi, obeying at once, drew his gun from inside his jacket, rolled down the window, fixed his eyes on the rearview mirror to find the right angle, and, grabbing the opportunity, leaned out and fired several shots at the pursuing vehicle.

Gunfire shattered the stillness of the plateau night.

After emptying a few rounds, Xiao Shi ducked back inside. “Brother Jiu, it’s them!”

Xin Gan, still clutching her head, dared not move, not even to lift her gaze. All she could hear were the constant reports of gunfire. Before long, the rear window was struck, the safety glass crazing into a spiderweb of cracks, but mercifully not shattering.

The car behind clung doggedly to their trail, clearly targeting them, and on this deserted stretch of road, it was the perfect place for an ambush.

Cheng Jiu’s brow furrowed deeply; he had no time to worry about anyone else. He spun the steering wheel sharply, recalling that there was a small town about ten kilometers away. If only they could make it there, the people in the car behind wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

“Damn it, bastards! Brother Jiu, what now? They won’t back off!” Xiao Shi shouted.

Cheng Jiu answered, “Switch seats. You drive!”

Without hesitation, Xiao Shi holstered his weapon and moved to switch places with him. Cheng Jiu steadied the wheel as Xiao Shi slid into the driver’s seat and took over. The swap was swift and practiced, as if they’d done it many times before.

Cheng Jiu took Xiao Shi’s gun, mirroring his earlier actions. He watched the car behind through the rearview mirror, lips pressed into a thin line, fingers resting on the door handle, poised to react at any moment.

Xin Gan remained huddled on the seat, her head in her arms. She didn’t dare move; even her lips trembled. Terror crept through her entire body. The car swerved violently, and soon she could hear the sounds of gunfire exchanged between the two vehicles.

Cheng Jiu calmly directed Xiao Shi on which way to turn, positioning himself for a clear shot. Their coordination was seamless. Cheng Jiu leaned out the window and fired several rounds in return; the opponents quickly adjusted their aim, but Cheng Jiu dodged, ducking back inside just in time.

He reloaded, the magazine clicking crisply into place. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw the car behind begin to slow; he’d hit a tire, and it had deflated instantly, their speed dropping off.

Sniping in the dead of night was no easy task, for it was almost impossible to see the precise location of their pursuers.