An accidental encounter

*Xin Lei*, ---

A while later, into the drive, we were about to reach the crossroad where it was the Jinsong subway station.

But there was a problem. I saw a cop car just up ahead if we went straight. And according to the map, we had to go straight.

I couldn't type and drive and at the same time. So, I stopped the car on one side.

Bai Li asked, "Is there a cop car?"

I typed. "Yes. Just up ahead if we went straight."

"Where are we now?"

"Jinsong station."

"We cannot go straight."

I typed. "Yes. We need to find another route."

"Check the map."

I opened the maps application and saw our current location. Then I traced a path if we could take a U-turn.

I typed. "If we take a right, there is Jinsong road."

I paused and checked again.

I typed. "There is again a crossroad where we take a left at Jinkelong supermarket and then again a left where we meet at this main road, completing the square circuit."

Bai Li nodded. "If we take that long route, then we don't have to face the cops."

I typed. "It will take a little longer than usual, but we will be safe."

"Let's go."

I let out a deep breath. Being on the run was so dangerous. It felt like a knife was constantly hanging around our neck.

God, let this plan work.

I saw Bai Li raising his hand, trying to make his way towards me.

I held his hand.

"You are too stressed. Just be calm. Only then does the brain come up with the plans to save our ass. I'm here with you, and we are in this together."

He firmly pressed his hand. It was as if magic because then I wasn't so nervous anymore. His large hand was warm and reassuring. I wanted him to keep on holding to my hand forever. It felt so nice.

"Look at the bright side. We are so famous now. Isn't it everyone's dream at one point in time?"

"..."

Not for good reasons!

Annoyed, I shook my hand away.

Bai Li laughed, although I couldn't feel the same for such dry humor.

But his laugh was infectious. I couldn't help but smile as well.

"Thank me for lifting your mood."

I typed. "I am not smiling." I lied.

He sneered. "Hah! Bai Li's jokes never fail. Don't underestimate me because I am blind. You cannot fool me."

I rolled my eyes.

Just as decided, I took a right at Jinsong road. There was no checkpoint. At Jinkelong supermarket, I took a left. A little straight and then a left again.

We were finally on the main road.

Now when I looked back, I saw the cops from a distance. We had successfully cheated our way.

It took fifteen minutes more, but it was better than getting caught.

"Good job."

"Arf!"

I grinned.

So let's go to Andingzhen now.

---

Almost forty minutes later, we finally reached Andingzhen in the Daxing district. Thankfully we didn't encounter any more cops.

We decided to grab a quick lunch, so we stopped at McDonald's.

Before stepping out, I took a paper bag that I had kept in the back seat. Cocoa promptly shifted to aside.

In it, there were some things for disguise. I checked again, and there was a wig and scarf for me and a beard and mustache for Bai Li.

I was going to need them now since we were going for a takeaway. We had to minimize our public appearances as much as possible.

Bai Li said, "I will bring lunch for us. Come Cocoa. Give me the beard and mustache."

I quickly typed. "I will bring it."

"No need. If you saw a cop car, you can just start the engine and zoom the car away."

"..."

As if I was going to leave you alone!

But he already snatched the bag away from me.

He felt his way and rummaged inside it. He slowly took out the mustache and beard in his hands and then put it on his face. I had to admit that he looked even hotter than before. It added to his manliness. Or was it just me being biased because I liked him?

"Stop gawking. I know I must be looking even more handsome than before." He smirked.

I take that back.

Bai Li and Cocoa went outside, and I anxiously looked everywhere to check if there was any cop.

Five minutes later, I saw him coming back carrying a bag, and then only I could let my breath out.

I typed. "Did anybody see you suspiciously?"

"Nope. The disguise worked."

I unpacked my cheeseburger and took a big bite.

Yummy!

God, I was so hungry!

Bai Li said, "We will head to the place where Liao Chuntao was last seen, climbing in a cab."

I nodded.

Then from the corner of my eye, I noticed something red in color.

I glanced that way and saw a boy, maybe sixteen or seventeen years old, anxiously standing at a spot. He had worn a red tee and jeans. He was fidgeting with his fingers, then clasping his hands together, which told that he was anticipating something. He then took out a burger from the bag and started eating it.

I chuckled.

I typed. "There is a teenage boy nervously standing at a distance from our car. He is so cute. I think he is waiting for his date."