Li Qiao attributed it to coincidence and vigilant security. At each intersection, someone was on guard; the criminals couldn't distinguish the paths at night, and if they encountered a patrol, they didn't have a good excuse.
During the day, it was different. Local residents would come to pick up firewood, and some people exercised by running on the mountain.
If the criminals were mentally tough enough, they could spend a night outdoors and, even if they encountered a patrol the next day, they would only need to pretend they had been playing on the mountain to deceive them.
He almost got through by bluffing.
A colleague then asked, "Judging by your accent, you're not local. Where were you recommended from to attend university?"
"I was specially recruited after participating in a math competition last year. Did you think I was recommended because I told you I'm in my senior year? Actually, I skipped a grade," Li Qiao said with a smile.