After finishing the biscuits, Zhao Ming generously shares the last of her water. Jia De, observing from the side, cuts in abruptly: "Keep dividing it like that, and you'll run out fast." You scratch your head, nodding in agreement—conserving supplies makes sense. Ying, unfazed, sips Zhao Ming's water calmly before leisurely twisting an unassuming thermostat on the wall.
Click.
The weapon rack beside Jia De slides to the right, revealing a hidden iron door, unsecured and inviting.
"No surprise there," Jia De says, twirling her handgun with a playful whistle before swiftly loading a few rounds. She takes point, cautiously stepping into the unfamiliar space, gun raised. Inside, she finds a treasure trove: ample supplies, several comfortable beds, a shooting range, and even a bathroom. "Looks like she found us a sweet spot," Jia De calls back, grinning.
Ying brushes past you, slipping something into her pocket, then peeks out from behind Jia De, her expression as impassive as ever. "Of course she spotted the structural anomaly," she says. "Why else would she hand me that card out of nowhere?" Curiosity stirs, and you ask, "Who's 'she'?" Ying steps into the bathroom to investigate, emerging moments later. "Just an insignificant lunatic," she replies coolly, "but still one of us."
Jia De flops onto a bed, rolling over lazily. "Crazy, sure, but not an idiot. A few hours ago, she slipped in here, hacked the system, and left a message saying she'd stay behind. No clue where she's hiding now."
"A hacker, then?" you ask, settling onto the bed next to her.
The control room must be her work. Jia De glances at you. "She's a top-tier spy and hacker. Used to go by a dozen codenames, but now it's Yan Kui, I think. She's our advance scout, sniffing out intel."
Before you can press further, Ying interrupts, her tone sharp yet casual: "Go shower, Jia De. You stink." Jia De smirks, catching the hint, and heads off to the bathroom. Ying sits across from you, her gaze icy. "Miss Fish, I know you're dying to dig for answers, but some things you're better off not knowing." She pulls your dagger from behind her back, twirling it idly.
Only then do you realize your weapon's been stolen.
It must've happened while you were handing out food or watching Jia De, distracted. A teenager like you is no match for a seasoned mercenary like Ying.
You narrow your eyes, wary. It seems Jin Mao's only here to keep you safe, not to reclaim stolen blades. You glance at Jin Mao, who senses the tension. It wraps its massive form around you from behind, crimson eyes locked on Ying's every move, tail still, ears alert. If she tries anything with that dagger or a gun, Jin Mao will shield you in an instant.
"Relax," Ying says, tossing the dagger back. "We know we can't kill you. Just a warning: don't pry too much." You catch the blade, hands trembling slightly as you slide it back into its sheath. Ying's gaze shifts to Zhao Ming, who's packing supplies into her suitcase. "And naturally," she adds, "we wouldn't touch a precious heiress either."
Your eyes widen in shock. You stare at Ying, stunned, and she raises an eyebrow, equally surprised. "You didn't know?" she asks. Zhao Ming notices the odd exchange and hurries over, sitting beside you, her expression anxious. "What's wrong?" she asks.
You hesitate, voice heavy with complexity. "Are you… some kind of heiress?" Zhao Ming's eyes widen, and she looks away, flustered. "I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I didn't mean to hide it. It just… wasn't the right time to say."
You think to yourself: That makes sense, but maybe I can learn more.
"Can you tell me about it?" you ask, leaning closer and taking her hand, your gaze earnest. Startled, Zhao Ming pulls back slightly but then leans in again, clasping your hand in return. "Honestly, I'm just the daughter of a small company owner," she says softly. "Not much to tell."
Her eyes meet yours, brimming with sincerity, but Ying's silent, observant stare suggests Zhao Ming's words are only half-true. Noticing your doubt, Zhao Ming glares at Ying, who quietly looks away.
Jia De, fresh from her shower, catches the tense atmosphere and plops down next to Ying with a grin. "Oh, come on," she teases. "Just a local loan shark outfit, right? You're here to collect debts, aren't you? We worked with your company on that big 'collection' job last time." Clearly, Jia De loves stirring the pot.
You turn back to Zhao Ming, whose eyes flicker with evasion. She's definitely hiding something. Still, you squeeze her hand gently. She lifts her gaze, meeting yours, and takes a deep breath. "I came here to sign a loan contract with their boss and scope out their operations," she says firmly. "They borrowed five million from us, and I'm auditing their finances for my foster father."
You pause, searching her eyes. A flicker of vulnerability surfaces in her expression, a fragility you've never seen before. She bites her lip, as if steeling herself, then suddenly wraps her arms around you. Caught o