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NO.138 Robbery
update icon Updated at 2025/5/10 2:10:12

After finishing dinner, Luo Bing used the sofa to make a makeshift bed and lay down.

The bedroom did have a more comfortable bed, but it was too far from Xu Fang's position and couldn't be moved. Considering that ghosts might be able to kill through some special means, Luo Bing felt safer staying within Xu Fang's line of sight.

Isn't that how it's portrayed in movies? Ghosts specifically target those who are alone and weak. Luo Bing certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to go to another room to rest.

There was no need to prepare specific items for going abroad, just bringing a bank card, visa, and a small amount of cash was enough. The rest could be bought directly. Luo Bing had registered for EVUS and his visa was valid for another five years, so for him, going abroad was as simple as a long trip.

It seemed that she didn't need Luo Bing to buy the plane tickets either, as long as she could sneak on board. The first-class seat that Luo Bing had reserved had a large space, and even three or four people could squeeze in. The personal space was also more private.

However, when Xu Fang said he wanted to stay in the landing gear compartment, Luo Bing suddenly became anxious. "Hey, is that a place for people to stay?"

Xu Fang had already sucked dry two cans of natural gas. He manipulated the blue flames surging on the gas stove and controlled the white light spots from spreading to the outside world. He replied, "If the plane encounters danger, that would actually be the safest place."

Luo Bing found it funny, thinking that Xu Fang was worried about the plane having safety issues. "Don't worry, the probability of a plane crash is less than one in a million. It's easier to win five million in the lottery..."

"But, if we are on that plane... the probability will sharply rise to more than 10%."

"What do you mean?"

"If we get attacked by intercontinental missiles over the Pacific, could we still survive?"

A chill ran down Luo Bing's back, and he forced a smile. "Only the military has such terrifying weapons. Besides, ghosts couldn't possibly control the military, right? Wouldn't the world be in chaos if that happened?"

"Just kidding, relax." Xu Fang glanced at him. "I will stay by your side, but don't think that means you're safe. My protection is limited. If we encounter unforeseen circumstances, you will still die."

Luo Bing suddenly felt that this "loli" was not cute at all, and he suspected that she was intentionally trying to scare him.

"Your main task is to eliminate ghosts, right? I don't expect you to protect me. As long as I'm safe, I will fully cooperate with all your actions."

Though he had his own thoughts, Luo Bing still wanted to say something nice.

——————————————

The metal box was heavy and cold, with a mechanical password lock on the outside. She didn't know what was inside.

When she woke up, the girl sat blankly by the bed, holding the box. The surroundings had changed from a hospital to an unfamiliar hotel. She didn't remember where this was, only remembering that someone brought her here and gave her the box. Then that person left and never came back.

What was in the box?

Why was she here?

Who was that person? Was I kidnapped?

...

Damn it, I can't remember anything!

Luo Xiaoming covered her head, feeling that her memory was a mess. She covered her head and painfully pondered, but she still couldn't remember what had happened.

She could only organize the known clues first.

Due to an unknown phenomenon, she suddenly turned into a girl. After keeping it a secret for a while, her father eventually found out, and then Luo Qingyuan brought her to the United States for treatment.

She stayed in the hospital for a week, and the hospital couldn't figure out the reason for her transformation.

After that, she ended up here, in this unfamiliar hotel.

Luo Xiaoming knew that there was a large blank in her memory, and the disappearance of her memories was likely related to this metal box.

She leaned her ear against the side of the metal box and shook it. She could clearly hear a slight collision sound, but it seemed that the object inside was fixed, so there wouldn't be any particularly noticeable noise.

She didn't know the password for the box, so she couldn't open the lock.

It seemed that she could only find her father first. Luo Xiaoming touched her pocket but couldn't find anything—her phone was gone, and even her wallet was missing. Fortunately, her ID card and bank card were still there.

Luo Xiaoming stood up and went to the window to look down.She should be on the fourth floor, with a sidewalk below and a busy road on the outside. There is a highway overpass not far away, and at the end of the overpass is a green belt.

Given her location in a bustling urban area, it can be inferred that this is not a kidnapping.

(Maybe I should go out now, get some money, and contact Dad. Maybe he knows what's going on. If I can't reach him, I'll find the police.)

Being alone in an unfamiliar environment made Xiao Ming feel uncomfortable. She straightened her clothes and left the place.

When she went downstairs, she felt a bit nervous. But when she stepped out of the hotel and stood in the sun, she realized that her worries were unnecessary - the person who brought her here had no malicious intent, otherwise she wouldn't be able to leave so easily.

Boston is located on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The weather in late October is still quite cold, even with a sweater on, Xiao Ming still feels a bit cold.

She lowered her hat and tucked her hands into her sleeves, casually choosing a direction along the sidewalk.

Xiao Ming had never been to the United States before, and now walking on the streets, she gradually felt the differences from China.

The tall buildings along the road have a mix of North American styles, and all the billboards and signs are in English. Most of the pedestrians under the buildings are blue-eyed white people, occasionally there are a few black people, but she didn't see any Chinese for a while.

People on the street have all sorts of dress styles. She even saw a clown riding a bike freely weaving among the pedestrians, greeting everyone he passed as if they were all his acquaintances.

The atmosphere felt very relaxed.

The advantage of a big city is that no matter which direction you go, you can always find a bank. Soon, a large building with "Bank of America" written on it appeared on the opposite side of the intersection. Cars and people increased, and the traffic lights at the intersection were busy, indicating the freedom and vitality of this big city.

Next to the bank, there was a building of similar height with a huge screen on top playing advertisements. The upper right corner of the advertisement displayed the time: 10:45 AM.

"I finally found it..." Xiao Ming exclaimed happily. At least she doesn't have to worry about being hungry now, and she can use the payphones on the side of the road to contact her dad - payphones are not commonly seen in China, but they are everywhere in the United States, she had seen seven or eight of them along the way from the hotel to the bank.

After crossing the overpass, Xiao Ming entered the bank and looked around. Finally, she saw a few ATMs near the counter. She walked over and took out her bank card.

This bank card was opened by Luo Qingyuan for Xiao Ming's checking account. She can directly withdraw US dollars from the ATM.

(Uh... how much should I withdraw? Just to be safe, let's withdraw ten thousand.)

Xiao Ming had no concept of prices here.

...

Just as Xiao Ming was entering her password, there was suddenly a commotion outside, with men shouting and women screaming. Immediately, behind Xiao Ming, the glass door of the bank was shattered, making a deafening sound.

Xiao Ming turned around in surprise and saw a black car crushing the glass fragments of the door and rudely driving into the bank lobby. Four men wearing strange jackets jumped out of the car. They first fired several shots at the ceiling lights and corner surveillance cameras.

Bang! Bang! Bang!!

Bullets shattered the lights and cameras.

Everyone in the bank was shocked. The people close to the masked men were too frightened to move, while those further away at the entrance were screaming and running.

The masked men stared fiercely at everyone standing still, shouting a few words. Their voices were loud and drowned out the noise outside.

After hearing the masked men's words, people in the lobby started to crouch down one by one, raising their hands or placing them on their heads.

Is this some kind of joke? What is happening here?

Xiao Ming could hardly believe her eyes. This scene that only happens in movies was unfolding right in front of her. For a moment, she was unsure of what to do.

She started to suspect that this was a movie being filmed by a crew...

Xiao Ming's slow reaction immediately caught the attention of one of the masked men, who pointed a gun at her and yelled loudly.

"Give me down! Down!!"

This time, Xiao Ming understood his meaning and quickly crouched down, following the example of others by placing her hands on her head.(Is it this dangerous everywhere abroad? I was just withdrawing money, why did I encounter a robbery?)

One of the criminals was negotiating with the bank while the others held guns at the unrelated people in the hall. From his position, Xiaoming could see the crowd outside the bank through the glass, and faintly, she heard the sound of sirens.

A few of the robbers also heard it, and one of them became furious. He urged his companions loudly, and then his gaze settled on Xiaoming.

Women are easier to control as hostages.

——————————

It took Luobing 18 hours to fly from City S to Boston, but due to the 12-hour time difference between the United States and China, she arrived in Boston in the morning after departing from City S in the morning.

"Wow... it's so cold here!"

Luobing was wearing a newly bought designer coat and carrying a travel bag as she walked out of the airport. The weather forecast showed that Boston's temperature today was 9-12 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees lower than the average temperature in City S.

"Guxi, are you sure it's okay to dress so lightly? Should I buy you some clothes?"

Xu Fang was hiding in Luobing's travel bag.

"Try to talk to me as little as possible. You are currently under surveillance. There is a camera at two o'clock and a traffic camera at ten o'clock. Just follow my instructions and don't do anything unnecessary."

A pleasant voice came through the earpiece, but the content made Luobing very scared.

Without further ado, he hailed a taxi on the side of the road and told the driver the location Xu Fang requested in English.

The location was a commercial street in the city center.

In the following actions, Xu Fang would avoid exposing himself to any surveillance equipment.