Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 576 Xioahu

"Plan, plan!" Gu Fan thought again. This concerned their comrades’ safe escape, so the plan had to be carefully thought out to anticipate potential issues and areas of weakness.

First, they needed to understand the changing of the guard times on the mountain, which they already knew. Second, they needed to understand where the pirate ships were docked as well as the security situation. Third, they needed to learn from the pirates about the patterns in which the strange fog appeared in the Triangle Sea Area.

However, gaining this understanding would take time. If the pirates did not receive the ransom, they would become agitated. Therefore, Gu Fan needed to buy time.

The pirates sent a negotiator, surprisingly from the same country as them, named Xiaohu. He communicated with Gu Fan using their shared language, demanding that they prepare the ransom to ensure their safety, or they would face grim consequences.

Gu Fan agreed immediately, promising that the ransom would be provided but would need some time. He asked for patience and informed them that the ship was owned by the Yongchang Group and suggested that the pirates contact them.

With experience, the pirates understood that preparing the ransom would take time. They gave Gu Fan a three-day limit, after which any delay would be considered a breach of agreement, carrying steep consequences.

Three days. Gu Fan knew that these three days were crucial. If they couldn’t figure out the patterns of the fog in the Triangle Sea Area or where the pirate ship was docked, they would have no choice but to fight.

Using force against the pirates to compel them to reveal the patterns of the fog or to have them escort everyone away might seem brutally simple. But the problem was the sheer number of pirates and firearms. In a head-on confrontation, bullets didn’t care where they landed. Even the tough Lin Xi might falter. Losing a comrade was the last thing they wanted.

Intelligence, intelligence. Time passed with no notable progress. First, the language barrier with the pirates, and second, the pirates were nonresponsive to them.

Although Gu Fan sought help from Qiao Ya and his group, they claimed to be unaware. It was their first time encountering such a fog in the Triangle Sea Area. They were also startled, realizing the area was more terrifying than the rumors suggested.

Just as Gu Fan was at a loss, Xiaohu brought food and kindly reminded them, "A day has already passed. You have two days left. If we do not receive the ransom within two days, you’ll be in big trouble. I hope you understand what I mean."

"I understand, thank you for the kindly reminder." As Gu Fan finished speaking and watched Xiaohu leaving, it suddenly dawned on him. Xiaohu was the person they were looking for!

Thus, Gu Fan quickly called out to Xiaohu, "Excuse me, it seems we’re from the same place. Why are you working as a pirate here?"

Xiaohu ignored him and walked away. This setback dismayed Gu Fan but Xiaohu remained their only possible lead.

Lin Xi reminded him, "Did you notice, Gu Fan? The fog doesn’t always appear—it seems to have a pattern. The pirates know this pattern and engage in seafaring based on it."

"You’re right. It seems so." After a careful reconsideration, Gu Fan noticed Xiaohu being scolded and slapped by the pirates for not doing something right.

With a empathetic sigh, Qin Jia said, "Poor guy. He seems too young to be a pirate. He must be compelled by some circumstances. If we can, we should help him."

"I want to help him too. But first, we need his cooperation. If he could tell us the patterns of the fog and where the pirate ship is docked, we can leave without any violent conflict," Gu Fan finished and turned to Xu Haowen, "Even if we escape, once the pirates discover this, they will still chase us. We are unfamiliar with the Triangle Sea Area. Xiaohu probably doesn’t go to sea often, so he might not be familiar with the center of the Triangle Sea Area. It’s certain that the pirates will catch up with us."

Gu Fan frowned. "With Lin Xi here, you don’t need to worry about pirates catching up to us. The key is how we convince Xiaohu to join us, and after we escape, we need to plan how we can proceed."

Gu Fan knew that a lot of people were unfamiliar with the center of the Triangle Sea Area. Even the seafarers around him, such as the sailors and Ouyang Jin’s tourist group, didn’t venture beyond the peripheral islands.

During this time, Dong Ni and Su Lei walked from the pirate leader’s room, chatting enthusiastically. Gu Fan was deep in thought and didn’t pay much attention to their conversation.

However, Qin Jia heard some of it. She was a bit surprised and promptly said, "Gu Fan, I faintly heard Dong Ni and Su Lei talking about a map and something about taking action according to it. I didn’t catch the rest."

Gu Fan furrowed his brows in thought. "I have a guess. The pirates might have drawn their own map based on their familiarity with the center of the Triangle Sea Area for their convenience. It would guide them accurately. If we could get that map," he stopped and grinned.

Lin Xi’s eyes sparkled. "If it’s really as you’ve guessed, then our trip here has been worthwhile. We really should thank these pirates."

At that moment, Gu Fan saw Xiaohu carrying a tray of food, evidently destined for the leader’s room. Gu Fan’s interest was suddenly piqued. He was now certain of one thing: Xiaohu was the person they needed.

Xu Haowen felt pessimistic, "Brother, sister-in-law. The second day will soon end. If we don’t seize the time, the third day will arrive. By then, a head-on confrontation will be the only choice. Who could endure that? At least I couldn’t. Who could withstand so many bullets?"

His words made sense, but the crew was puzzled. What did "a head-on confrontation in three days" mean? It was impossible, as they were currently hostages of the pirates. The pirates held all the power. There wasn’t the possibility of a confrontation.

Some crew members thought of the captain, Du Jun, Su Hui, Gu Ling, and Ouyang Jin, but relying on them for a rescue wasn’t realistic. There was no chance of confrontation. They wondered what these young people were thinking.

Gu Fan’s immediate focus was how to persuade Xiaohu, already terrified of pirates, to join them—a task of considerable difficulty.

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