Erik hauled Du Ying up. Du Ying's hands and right leg were injured, making it difficult for him to walk properly.
"You have the person! You can leave now! Why are you taking me?" Du Ying looked at Erik warily.
Irritated by his questions, Erik struck him with the gun.
"Move when I tell you to move. Why so much talk? Do you want to die now?" Did he need to explain his actions?
Du Ying was furious at being hit, but there was nothing he could do about it.
"I mean it! Whatever you want, I'll give it to you, just let me go!" Du Ying had fought hard for everything he had; he couldn't abandon it, nor did he want to leave this place. He had dozens of lives on his hands. If he left the border and returned to China, he couldn't survive. The police were still hunting him, with a bounty reaching hundreds of thousands. He truly couldn't go back.
Erik kicked him hard in the solar plexus.
"Are you deaf? I said get on the helicopter!" He was a hostage; did he lack even that basic awareness?
Seeing Du Ying abused like this, Du Ming was frantic but powerless.
"Don't hurt my brother! Please! Anything you want!" They were the only brothers each other had on the border. He couldn't lose him.
Erik forced Du Ying onto the helicopter.
The Eagle Gang members looked to Du Ming.
"Second Brother, what do we do now? If they take him away, there's no way to get him back!" No one knew who these people were, but they clearly weren't simple. The border had too many capable individuals. Without knowing the other side's background, no one dared act rashly.
Du Ming was furious. "Of course I know we can't let them take him! But what can we do now?!" If they fought, they had the numbers, but Big Brother was in their hands.
"Fine! Get men to follow them! Find a chance to snatch him back!" Du Ming snapped.
By then, Erik was already on the helicopter.
"Erik, take off now?"
"Wait."
Erik aimed his rifle at Du Ming's eyes.
Du Ying saw this and froze in terror. "NO!" He wanted to stop it, but he was utterly powerless.
Erik pulled the trigger. A bullet flew out, piercing straight through Du Ming's eye.
Du Ming screamed, clutching his eye.
The Eagle Gang descended into chaos. The boss was captured, the second-in-command grievously wounded. The Du brothers had oppressed their underlings for years. Now, some saw an opportunity.
Several men exchanged glances. A decision formed instantly; this was their best chance. If they missed it, it would never come again.
"Brothers, what do we do? These people are unknown... but clearly dangerous. Do we risk following?"
"You... you idiots! Take me to the hospital! What are you doing?! Are you rebelling?!" With his eye blown out, Du Ming just wanted medical help.
The men didn't move.
"What do you think you're doing?! Remember the Gang rules! Traitors face extreme punishment!"
"Second Brother, what are you saying? How could we betray the Eagle Gang? Every decision we make now is for the Gang's good!" one replied smoothly. "Big Brother's been taken, you're injured... we need to discuss what happens next!" With that, the group walked off to confer, ignoring Du Ming as blood streamed from his eye socket.
Du Ying trembled. From that distance, the man had precisely shot Du Ming's eye. This man was terrifying. They had truly kicked an iron plate this time.
Madalyn was also trembling. The gunshot terrified her. She clung tightly to Janelle.
"Janelle, who is that man next to you? Why does he have a gun?" Madalyn glanced fearfully at Erik. Blood stained his hands, making him look terrifying. Facing Madalyn's gaze, he tried hard to look harmless. His attempt at a smile only made Madalyn more afraid.
Yet, despite her fear, Madalyn instinctively stepped in front of Janelle. It was a mother's instinct. No matter the situation, she would protect her daughter.
"Janelle, don't be scared! Mommy will protect you! Mommy won't let anyone hurt you!"
Janelle hugged her mother tightly. "Mom, don't be afraid. He's my friend. He won't hurt us." In front of Madalyn, Janelle always reverted to the innocent girl. She didn't want her mother to know about the dark, painful things she'd endured.
"He's really your friend? But he doesn't look like a good person," Madalyn whispered very softly.
Nevertheless, everyone on the helicopter heard it.
Erik's mouth twitched.
Bryan couldn't help but laugh. Erik shot him a look, and Bryan instantly shut up.
"Erik, what about him?" Bryan asked, gesturing to Du Ying. He'd opposed them before and now dared to kidnap Janelle's mother. He couldn't be let go.
"Take him back to the country." That was why Erik had brought him onto the helicopter. Du Ying, with his heinous crimes, needed to face judgment.
Hearing this, Du Ying shook his head violently. "No! No! Don't take me back! I don't want to go back!"
"He's too noisy," Erik stated disdainfully.
Bryan stuffed a rag into Du Ying's mouth, silencing the complaints. Du Ying thought about escape, even considering jumping from the helicopter – maybe he'd survive. Being taken back to China meant a certain, brutal death.
Seeing this, Madalyn shrank back. Janelle shielded her mother's view, blocking the sight of the bloodied Du Ying.
The helicopter landed at their hotel. Sara was waiting. Seeing them return safely, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, spotting the blood on Madalyn, she panicked again.
"What happened?! Is Godmother hurt?! Janelle, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!" Sara frantically checked them both.
Five years had passed. Madalyn looked at the vaguely familiar young woman, confused.
Seeing Madalyn didn't recognize her, Sara's heart ached. "Godmother! It's me! Sara! Janelle's best friend, Sara!" Tears spilled from her eyes.
"Sara? Oh, Sara! Don't cry, dear. Godmother just hasn't seen you for too long," Madalyn said gently.