Chapter 108: Breaking Through the Door
Aixin's doubts lingered, but with Eastern Coast's fate hanging in the balance, he wasn't taking chances. He led A Long on a torturous detour—first to the first floor, then up to the fourth, then down to the fifth—wasting over ten minutes. For Wu Yifan and Fu Junyao, it was a grueling game of cat and mouse. They slunk behind pillars, ducked into broom closets, and flattened themselves against walls to avoid patrols, their hearts racing each time a guard's footsteps drew near. More than once, they'd nearly been spotted, leaving them silently cursing Aixin's paranoid tactics.
Finally, Aixin and A Long stopped at a shadowed corner of the first floor—a spot that looked like a grungy restroom entrance, guarded by two burly men in their thirties. The guards had the same fierce, muscular build as A Long, their knuckles scarred as if they'd trained in martial arts.
"Brother Aixin, Brother A Long," the guards greeted, bowing slightly.
Aixin nodded. "The boss wants us to move the girl. Keep her hidden from the cops."
The guards unlocked the door, revealing a pitch-black void beyond.
Fu Junyao tensed, ready to rush forward, but Wu Yifan's hand on her arm stopped her. He shook his head, his eyes saying *wait*. Confused, she held back—annoyed, but grudgingly trusting his instincts.
Then, Wu Yifan's phone buzzed. He fished it out: a text from Ding Shihan.
*Wu Yifan, where are you? Please hurry. I heard noises at the door—they're coming back. I'm so scared. They'll make me… I can't…*
The message trailed off, raw with fear. Wu Yifan's jaw tightened. No more doubts—she was inside. He itched to reply, to reassure her, but Aixin and A Long were too close. He slipped the phone away, muttering to Fu Junyao, "They're moving her. We strike when they're halfway—off their turf."
Fu Junyao nodded. Eastern Coast was a fortress; attacking here would be suicide. Better to catch them in transit.
Ten minutes later, Aixin and A Long emerged, dragging a figure between them. The girl wore a white dress, her legs pale and unmarked, pink plastic sandals on her feet. Her body was slender, her breasts full and high—undoubtedly a woman. But a hood obscured her face. Still, Wu Yifan knew. It was her.
"Got her," Aixin told the guards.
One guard snickered. "Boss is being too jumpy. Cops never find anything here. With his connections—"
Aixin's glare cut him off. "The boss's orders aren't up for debate."
The guard paled, stammering apologies. Aixin didn't linger, hurrying A Long and the girl toward Eastern Coast's back exit. Wu Yifan and Fu Junyao slipped out after them, hailing a taxi to tail them.
The sedan carrying Aixin, A Long, and the girl weaved through Beitian's streets, eventually turning into a desolate neighborhood. Weeds choked empty lots, and half-built skeletons of buildings loomed like ghosts. A few shabby two-story houses dotted the area, their residents lingering on porches, eyes wary.
"What is this place?" Fu Junyao frowned, scanning the surroundings.
Wu Yifan's gaze hardened. He'd grown up in a slum like this—cramped, forgotten, where hope withered faster than the grass. He said nothing, fixated on the sedan ahead.
The taxi driver, a middle-aged man with weathered hands, glanced back. "Wulong District. Undeveloped. But word is, developers are eyeing it—gonna turn it into a luxury complex in two years. Shops, parks, high-rises… or so they say." He smiled, proud, as if the dream were his own.
"Hope it works out for you," Fu Junyao said, forcing a smile.
"For my kid, mostly. He's taking the high school entrance exam soon. Deserves better than this." He nodded at the run-down houses.
Wu Yifan leaned forward. "You know the guys in that car ahead?"
The driver stiffened. His grip on the wheel tightened. "Who are you? What do you want with them?" Suspicion edged his voice—he'd noticed their relentless focus on the sedan.
Wu Yifan met his eyes. "They owe us. Big time."
The driver's face flickered—guilt, fear, protectiveness. "I don't know what you're talking about. Get out." He hit the brakes, the taxi lurching to a stop.
Wu Yifan sighed. "You can kick us out. But then you're aiding and abetting. Five, maybe six years in prison. Your son—"
"Enough!" Fu Junyao cut him off, shooting him a glare. She turned to the driver, her tone steady. "Sir, I'm with Minhe District Police. We just need to question those men. If we delay, they'll drag more people into their mess—including you, if you're helping them." She pulled out her badge, holding it up.
The driver's eyes widened. "Fu Junyao? The chief?" He'd heard of her—tough, unyielding, a legend in Beitian's police force. He slumped back, defeated. "I… I didn't know. I thought… they're good kids, mostly. Just mixed up." He restarted the taxi, speed increasing. "I'll take you. But please—go easy. They've got families."
The taxi pulled up to a small courtyard, its iron gate rusted but sturdy. The driver got out, gesturing for them to follow. "They're here."
Wu Yifan and Fu Junyao exchanged a look, tensing.
"Ah Xin! Ah Long! It's me!" the driver—Kang Shu, he'd said—shouted, pounding the gate. His voice boomed, echoing in the quiet neighborhood.
A voice called back—A Long's, cheerful. "Kang Shu? What're you doing here?" The gate creaked open.
Kang Shu grabbed A Long's collar, his face red. "What'd you do this time, you idiot?!"
A Long gaped. "N-nothing! I swear—" His eyes fell on Wu Yifan and Fu Junyao. "Who the hell are you?!"
Fu Junyao's lip curled. "The ones arresting you." She didn't hesitate, swinging a fist at A Long's face—fast, hard, the blow crackling with the force of years of training.
Kang Shu yelped, stepping between them. "Chief Fu, wait! Let me talk to them! Don't make this worse!"
A Long staggered back, clutching his cheek. "You're cops?!" He lunged, but Wu Yifan intercepted, driving an elbow into his ribs. A Long grunted, doubling over.
From inside the courtyard, Aixin emerged, his eyes narrowing. He spotted the hooded girl, still standing frozen near the door, and cursed. "Traitors!" He charged, but Fu Junyao was ready, sidestepping his punch and slamming a palm into his chest. He stumbled,撞 (zhuàng, crashing) into a pile of firewood.
Kang Shu watched, horrified. "Aixin! A Long! Stop fighting!"
But it was too late. Wu Yifan had already reached the girl, yanking off her hood.
Ding Shihan stared back, her face streaked with tears, her lips trembling. "You came."
Wu Yifan nodded, his voice soft. "I told you I would."
Fu Junyao handcuffed A Long and Aixin, her jaw tight. "Kang Shu, you're under arrest for aiding and abetting. But cooperate, and we'll go easy."
Kang Shu hung his head. "I should've known. They were always getting into trouble… but I thought I could protect them."
Ding Shihan stepped forward, her voice steady despite her tears. "It's not his fault. He didn't know what they were doing."
Wu Yifan glanced at her, surprised by her courage.
Fu Junyao hesitated, then sighed. "Stay here. We'll send an officer to take your statement." She turned to Wu Yifan. "Let's go. We've got two criminals to book—and a deputy chief to expose."
As they led Aixin and A Long away, Wu Yifan glanced back at Ding Shihan. She met his gaze, offering a faint, grateful smile.
The sun dipped below the rooftops, casting long shadows over Wulong District. For now, the chaos had settled. But Wu Yifan knew—this was just the beginning. Zhou Penglin and Qian Baoqing were still out there, and their reckoning was coming.
He looked at Fu Junyao, striding beside him, her back straight, her resolve unshakable. Whatever came next, they'd face it together.
Somehow, that didn't seem so bad.