Chapter 343: The Bandits

As Lin Xiao and Ning Xi talked, the bus driver reluctantly opened the doors.

Three burly men, all wearing black hoods, stormed onto the bus with menacing auras. Each of them wore camouflage uniforms and carried handguns, their fierce gazes sweeping over the passengers like hunters eyeing prey.

At first, the passengers were clueless about what was happening. After all, not everyone had the same sharp instincts as Lin Xiao. But the moment the three bandits rushed in, the bus erupted into chaos—screams filled the air, and people panicked.

The lead bandit raised his gun and fired a shot into the ceiling, leaving a bullet hole in the metal panel.

“Shut the hell up!” he roared. “Anyone who makes another sound, I’ll blow your damn head off.”

The shrieks and cries stopped instantly.

The bus fell into absolute silence, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Passengers huddled together, terrified, not even daring to breathe loudly.

The lead bandit nodded in satisfaction, then gestured to the two men behind him.

Understanding the signal, one bandit positioned himself at the front door, while the other guarded the back, guns raised, ensuring no one could escape.

“Listen up!” The lead bandit crossed his arms, his sinister gaze sweeping across every passenger.

“We’re only here for money, not to kill. As long as you all cooperate, no one gets hurt. But!”

His voice suddenly dropped into a cold, murderous tone.

“If any of you dare to call the police, or even think about resisting, don’t blame me for turning this into a bloodbath.”

Hearing this, the passengers nodded frantically, desperate to show obedience.

The lead bandit then pointed his gun at the trembling bus driver and motioned with his chin.

“You! Get over here.”

The driver’s face turned pale. His hands shook violently, and his knees threatened to give out.

“B-Boss, I…I…”

He stuttered but couldn’t finish his sentence.

The bandit’s expression darkened.

“I, I, I—your mother!” He snapped impatiently, his voice thunderous. “Do you need me to shoot you before you understand? Move!”

The driver shuddered violently, the threat of death awakening an incredible agility within him. He leapt from his seat and scurried to the bandit’s side.

The lead bandit pulled a bag from his waist and shoved it into the driver’s hands.

“You’re collecting the money. No funny business. Got it?”

“Y-Yes, yes, I understand…!” The driver nodded frantically, sweat pouring down his face.

The bandit turned back to the passengers.

“Alright, listen up!” he waved his gun threateningly.

“Put everything valuable in the bag. Watches, phones, necklaces, rings, cameras. All of it. No pushing. No hiding. No running. Follow my instructions, and you’ll walk out of here alive. Disobey, and I start killing.”

The passengers sat paralyzed in fear, staring at the bandits, minds blank.

Seeing no one moving, the lead bandit grew furious.

“Are you all deaf?” He waved his gun aggressively. “I said, move!”

“Y-Yes! W-We understand!”

The passengers snapped out of their daze, their voices trembling.

The bandit smirked, then pointed his gun at a middle-aged man in the front row.

“You first.”

The man was pale and sweating. He had a thick gold chain around his neck, a luxury watch, and gold rings on multiple fingers, making him a prime target. With his entire body shaking, the man clumsily removed his jewelry, watch, and wallet and placed them all into the bag.

“B-Boss… That’s… That’s all I have…!” His voice quivered, fearful that he might still get shot.

The bandit eyed him and, satisfied with his cooperation, waved him off.

“Sit down. Don’t move.”

“Y-Yes! Yes!”

Relieved, the middle-aged man quickly retreated. But in his nervousness, he accidentally let out a loud fart. A rank odor immediately spread through the bus.

The lead bandit’s face contorted in disgust.

“Fucking disgusting.” He kicked the man away. “Get back to your seat.”

The man scrambled back, shaking like a leaf.

The robbery continued. Passenger after passenger approached, dumping their valuables into the bag.

One man tried to hide a gold ring, but the bandit noticed. Without hesitation, the bandit shot him in the leg.

“Ahhhh!”

The man collapsed, screaming in agony. The rest of the passengers were horrified, too afraid to resist anymore.

Finally, it was Lin Xiao and Ning Xi’s turn.

The bandit pointed his gun at Lin Xiao.

“You, in the back!” he barked. “Hand over your stuff. Now!”

Yet, Lin Xiao didn’t move. He remained seated, completely calm.

The bandit’s eyes narrowed.

“What’s wrong with you, idiot? Are you deaf or just fucking stupid?”

Lin Xiao’s voice was indifferent. “If you want my money, come take it yourself.”

His words were quiet, but crystal clear.

Had the bandit been a little smarter, he might have noticed something off. However, arrogance had made him blind.

“Well, well,” the bandit sneered, approaching Lin Xiao. “I love dealing with tough guys. Makes it more fun when I break you.”

The bandit pressed his gun against Lin Xiao’s forehead, preparing to force him up. But then, his eyes widened in shock. He just noticed Ning Xi.

“Fuck…”

A low gasp escaped his lips. For the first time, the bandit’s demeanor shifted. Hidden beneath his mask, his eyes burned with undisguised greed.

With the seats blocking his view before, he hadn’t seen her clearly until now.

But now?

His breath hitched, and he swallowed hard.

This was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Ning Xi’s beauty wasn’t delicate and fragile—it was alluring, intoxicating, deadly. Even with no makeup, even in a simple outfit, she radiated a mesmerizing charm.

She didn’t need to act seductive. Her natural aura alone was enough to drive men insane.

The bandit had played with plenty of women. He had been with top nightclub girls, women who had tried to tempt him with every trick in the book.

But compared to Ning Xi, they were nothing.