I snagged a bargain in a melodramatic novel and became incredibly wealthy!

Chapter 147 The Three Who Returned

Xiangxiang pursed her lips hesitantly, but finally decided to tell Xu Zhizhi the truth: "Xu Zhizhi, Jiang Li and Cai Yi might be police officers. They might have come to the program to investigate poachers."

Xiang Xiang originally thought that saying this would dissuade Xu Zhizhi from going back, but unexpectedly Xu Zhizhi frowned slightly and said, "Senior Xiang Xiang, I know you are scared, but you can't just say things like that!"

"They are just ordinary girls. If they encounter poachers, it would be extremely dangerous!"

"Even if you have a problem with them, you can't say things like that at a time like this!"

Having worked in the entertainment industry for many years, Xiang Xiang naturally understood the meaning behind Xu Zhizhi's words. She patiently explained, "Jiang Li's skills are the best proof."

"She can easily crush a tightly screwed-down mineral water bottle, which is something not everyone can do."

"Moreover, she also possesses professional desert knowledge, such as how to deflate tires, which are skills that ordinary people cannot master."

However, Xu Zhizhi did not believe Xiang Xiang's words and retorted, "Being strong does not mean being good at fighting. We have all done our research on desert knowledge before coming here."

Xiang Xiang listed many more examples in an attempt to persuade Xu Zhizhi, but Xu Zhizhi wouldn't listen at all.

Xiangxiang stared wide-eyed at the madwoman, her face full of disbelief. She simply couldn't understand why, after she had said so much, Xu Zhizhi still looked at her with an expression that said nothing reasonable.

In the end, Xiangxiang was rendered speechless by Xu Zhizhi's last words.

Xu Zhizhi smiled, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes, and slowly said, "The police have height requirements, you know, and that Cai Yi is clearly not even 1.6 meters tall."

Upon hearing this, Xiangxiang was stunned and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

At this moment, chaos erupted inside the car. Feng Shiyu and Zhao Heng were fighting over the steering wheel, while the other tried to stop Xiang Xiang from helping.

Xu Zhizhi then feigned concern and advised, "Yuyu, Shi Changyu is very weak. You shouldn't lay a hand on him."

Then he turned to Zhao Heng and said, "Zhao Heng, Xiang Xiang is a girl, don't be so rude to her."

Changyu suddenly slammed on the brakes because he was worried that continuing like this might cause an accident or even cause the vehicle to overturn.

Under these circumstances, Shi Changyu had no choice but to stop the car and make them all get out.

However, to Changyu and Xiangxiang's even greater surprise, they actually asked to leave the car to them.

Xu Zhizhi looked troubled and worried as she looked at Shi Changyu. She said softly, "We really didn't mean to, but there are a lot of us. Once we rescue those animals, we'll need vehicles to help us escape the scene."

“You are different. Helicopters are on their way, and you will be rescued soon.”

Xiang Xiang looked at Shi Changyu, who was swaying in the sun after being pulled down by Feng Shiyu, and said to Xu Zhizhi, "Shi Changyu has always been very weak. Do you know that if this continues, he may faint in the desert before he can even wait for the helicopter?"

Xu Zhizhi's eyes immediately reddened, and she didn't say anything. She couldn't bear the consequences of Chang Yu's accident.

Therefore, she cannot say what follows.

Just then, Zhao Heng, that brainless bastard, jumped out. His eyes were filled with obvious disgust and disdain. He shouted, "He just sat in the sun for a while. Does he think he can just faint? That's ridiculous!"

His words revealed his dissatisfaction and doubt towards Shi Changyu, believing that Shi Changyu was just putting on an act.

"Anyone who doesn't know him would think he's some kind of perfect, innocent saint!"

Zhao Heng continued to mock, his tone tinged with contempt.

At this moment, Shi Changyu's fair and jade-like cheeks were covered with red burn marks from the scorching sun, which made him look less delicate and weak than he had been in the car, and instead added a sense of vitality to his appearance.

Moreover, he did not faint as Zhao Heng had expected, which made Zhao Heng even more convinced that he was faking it.

After all, in Zhao Heng's view, how could a man faint from sunbathing? He wasn't a weak woman like Xu Zhizhi.

Finally, Xu Zhizhi looked at Shi Changyu with a worried expression, but Feng Shiyu forcibly pulled her into the car, and Zhao Heng followed her in.

And so, the three of them drove toward the desert oasis.

Xiangxiang wanted to say something more, but she was startled when she saw Shi Changyu suddenly collapse.

She quickly reached out to touch Shi Changyu's abnormally hot cheek, but was so frightened by the burning temperature that she instinctively withdrew her hand: "Why is it so hot?"

Xiangxiang exclaimed in surprise.

She then quickly took off her coat and covered Shi Changyu's head to prevent the sun from shining directly on his face.

Because she was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt underneath, she wouldn't be greatly affected.

The backpack was left on the bus, otherwise it would have been wet.

Xiangxiang carried Shi Changyu on her back and walked away step by step into the distance.

Jiang Li once said that the farther you go, the better, so that the noise of the helicopter won't easily attract the attention of poachers in the desert oasis.

Xiangxiang's face was covered in sweat, and she was panting heavily. She secretly rejoiced that she exercised regularly, otherwise, whether she could carry Shi Changyu would be a big problem.

At that moment, all she could do was pray that the helicopter would arrive as soon as possible.

Viewers in the live stream watched this scene intently and began a heated discussion.

[Weren't Zhizhi and Yuyu going too far?]

[ZhiZhi is right, those two don't need a car at all.]

Get lost! They wanted to go back themselves, and they still have the nerve to ask others to give them their cars.

[Didn't you see my baby fainted?]

They are murdering my baby.

I used to really like them, but now I'm totally done with them.

Fortunately, the drone is still following the kids; otherwise, the production team would have had a hard time finding them later.

……

The off-road vehicle slowly drove into the desert oasis, its wheels making a rustling sound as they rolled over the sand.

The three people in the car looked nervous and got out of the car cautiously.

They moved lightly, afraid of disturbing any potential dangers lurking around them, after all, there were poachers in this oasis.

They just want attention, not to risk their lives.

The three walked silently into the depths of the oasis, their eyes scanning their surroundings with a mixture of wariness and excitement.

They didn't know the exact location of Caiyi and the poachers, so they could only search slowly.

Zhao Heng looked at the several conspicuous drones in the sky and hesitated.

He worried that if he didn't smash it, it would attract the attention of poachers and expose their whereabouts.

Although he wanted to be famous, he didn't want to risk his life.

However, Xu Zhizhi did not agree with Zhao Heng's point of view. Her eyes remained vigilant as she constantly scanned the surrounding environment. She lowered her voice and said, "Don't worry, as long as we don't get close to those poachers, they won't notice us."

Feng Shiyu also agreed with Xu Zhizhi's opinion. If the drones were destroyed, who would know that they had come to rescue these rare and protected animals?

With so many drones, their actions can be filmed from all angles, perfectly broadcasting their heroic deeds live.

Zhao Heng still had some worries in his heart, but he could only suppress these emotions.

After all, he longed for fame and hoped to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xu Zhizhi, rather than just watching her from afar.

The two poachers on lookout duty in the distance exchanged a glance, their attention now focused on the drones.

At first, they didn't notice the three people hiding in the bushes, but they couldn't possibly ignore the drones overhead unless they were blind.

The two men, carrying hunting rifles, cautiously approached. These three didn't look like anti-poaching agents, so they didn't go back to report.

By the time the three spotted the poachers, they were already right in front of them.

Feng Shiyu instinctively tried to run, but after only a few steps, he was shot in the leg by a poacher.

He screamed and fell to the ground.

Zhao Heng protected Xu Zhizhi, and then they were both captured by poachers.

Xu Zhizhi stared at the dark hole pointed at her hunting rifle and screamed in terror, "You can't kill me! This drone is still broadcasting live!"

"I'm a celebrity, I have lots of money!"

"I'm worth far more than those protected animals you stole!"

The poachers glanced at the drone, then dragged the three men back like dead pigs.

Xu Zhizhi wanted to cry out in pain, but she gritted her teeth and swallowed it back under the poacher's indifferent gaze.

Zhao Heng was putting on a brave face and didn't dare to shout.

When Feng Shiyu was shot in the leg, he fainted from the pain.

The poachers shot and destroyed the drone, leaving one behind. We'll ask the boss what he has to say later.

The comments section fell silent for a moment, until finally one person commented: "No zuo no die."

With the drone broadcasting live, netizens are now more concerned about when the police will arrive.

Xu Zhizhi and the other two were dragged back to the poachers' gathering place, tied up, and dumped with some dead rare animals.

The smell of blood and decay filled their nostrils, and Xu Zhizhi couldn't help but vomit.

The poachers nearby watched them with amusement and laughed.

Some people even reached out and groped Xu Zhizhi's chest in a lewd manner.

Zhao Heng kicked his feet, trying to stand in front of Xu Zhizhi, but was dragged out and beaten with fists and feet.

Zhao Heng retorted, his neck stiff, "Don't bully her! If you're going to bully someone, bully me!"

The poacher leader gave him a second look and stopped his men who were about to attack: "You're a tough guy, I'll let you off this time."

He had just heard from his men that these three were celebrities, very valuable, even more valuable than animals like themselves.

He was getting old and wanted to retire. He had spent five years hiding in the desert just to pull off one last job.

Now that these three celebrities have seen it, they might as well go all out and pull off a big heist.

The eldest brother used his foot to lift Xu Zhizhi's face and said, "How much money do you have to redeem yourselves?"

Xu Zhizhi's eyes flickered slightly, and she stammered, "Three...three million."

The eldest brother frowned, stroking his stubble, and said, "The money for three cats? I don't believe it!"

After all, one of his cats is worth a million, so three million for such a big person is too cheap and not worth the cost at all.

Thinking of this, he stomped hard on Feng Shiyu's foot, the one that had been shot, and even ground it.

After all, she had just promised that the kid who was about to be beaten to death wouldn't bully this woman, and she couldn't go back on her word.

"what--"

Feng Shiyu screamed and woke up in pain.

His face was contorted, his hands were bound, and he couldn't even look at the wound on his leg.

The boss nodded in satisfaction at the fear Feng Shiyu displayed, then looked at Xu Zhizhi again and asked, "How much money did you say you had? I didn't hear you clearly."

Xu Zhizhi's face turned pale. She didn't dare to lie anymore and said, "Two hundred and seventy million."

Upon hearing this, the eldest brother narrowed his eyes. Is being a celebrity really that lucrative?

The next second, his eyes flashed with bloodthirsty greed as he looked at Feng Shiyu, who was still screaming in agony, and asked, "How many do you have?"

Feng Shiyu was in too much pain to hear what he was saying.

Seeing this, the leader snapped him out of it and stepped directly on his foot.

Feng Shiyu snapped back to reality, his lips trembling like a leaf as he stammered, "Over five million... I don't know the exact amount!"

Seeing that his expression didn't seem to be lying, the eldest brother asked with some doubt, "Are you really that useless? You don't even have as much money as a woman?"

"We're both celebrities, how come you're so pathetic and useless!"

Before he could even look at Zhao Heng, Zhao Heng had already tactfully said, "Over 190 million."

The boss stroked his chin. "Over four hundred million, much more than this one vote."

He told his men, "Just keep him alive; we'll have to pay him back later."

The production team received a threat from poachers directly via drone, demanding that 500 million yuan in cash be transferred to an overseas account within three days.

Five hundred million in cash is no small sum; even if he gets it, he might not be able to take it with him.

Overseas cards are difficult to track, and even if they are tracked, it's hard for them to take them away because they have connections there and have enough room to maneuver.

All of this happened right under Cai Yi and Jiang Li's noses.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Cai Yi's eyes. Were these celebrities brainless?

Now neither she nor Jiang Li can act rashly.

Poachers already possess protected animals, and now with hostages added to their mix, they have to be even more cautious in their actions.

Moreover, if Cai Yi's assessment is correct, Feng Shiyu's leg should be almost completely severed.

Taking them away is also troublesome; for now, we can only wait for Xiao Baihua and the anti-poachers to arrive before making any further plans.

However, the immediate priority is to avoid the poachers who have begun searching for the oasis.

The leader is a smart man; he suspects there are other people in this oasis and is currently conducting a map-based search.

Caiyi and Jiangli quietly ran off to another location, making almost no sound.

Instead of hiding inside the oasis, the two ran directly to the other side of a sand dune, some distance away from the oasis, and lay in ambush.

The poachers clearly didn't expect them to hide outside the desert oasis, because the desert outside the oasis was completely exposed with no cover whatsoever.

After their search yielded no results, the poachers sent a few men to guard the perimeter, while the rest returned to their settlement.

The poachers guarding the area were not close together, after all, the desert oasis was quite large, and it would take all the poachers to guard it to make it truly impenetrable.

Caiyi took out her binoculars to observe the poachers on lookout duty. Both of them had brought binoculars, which made things convenient.

Cai Yi sent a message to Xiao Baihua, and Jiang Li explained the current situation to the poachers.