"Target vehicle: Hyundai Kia, license plate Hu A-xxxYZ, heading toward Shanghai. Keep your distance and alternate tracking to avoid exposure."
The voice of Fang Zhiguo came calmly through the radio, low and authoritative, every word carrying the weight of command.
Qin Xiao gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes locked on the nondescript white Kia ahead.
"Received, understood," he replied softly. His voice was steady, but sweat dampened his palms, and his fingertips tapped unconsciously on the wheel, as if trying to bleed out the tension.
I sat in the passenger seat, my heart pounding like a war drum, cold sweat dripping down my palms. I stole a glance at Er-ge. Normally playful and grinning, his face was taut now, brows furrowed, gaze locked dead ahead. His fingers tapped lightly on his knee, as if calculating something. I knew he was as uncertain as I was. This was our first time in such a high-risk operation. We could be facing desperate men with nothing to lose—one misstep could mean disaster.
"Don't panic," Er-ge muttered suddenly, his voice hoarse and low, as though comforting me—and himself. "We're just here to tail them. The rest is their job."
Even as he spoke, his eyes never left the Kia.
I nodded and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but unease still surged in waves inside me.
Inside the Kia, the atmosphere was no better. Baldy and Kawashima Sakurako sat in the back seat. Outside, the city blurred past, but within the car, the air was suffocatingly heavy.
Baldy broke the silence first, his tone laced with both caution and resignation.
"Miss Sakurako, you've made quite the mess this time. The organization's issued a kill order on you."
As he spoke, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, checking—double-checking—what might be lurking behind.
Sakurako smirked coldly, the corners of her lips curling while her eyes glittered with ice.
"What, you planning to cash in on me?" Her voice was soft, but it cut like a blade.
Baldy forced a laugh and waved his hand.
"Us? We wouldn't dare. You know as well as I do—we've been in China too long. Our edge is gone. We're not cut out for something this suicidal. We just need to deliver you safely to Shanghai, then we're done."
His tone sharpened suddenly, his gaze darting back to the mirror.
"But… not everyone sees it that way."
Following his eyes, Sakurako glanced back. A black sedan tailed them at just the right distance, windows tinted, occupants unseen. Her gaze hardened.
"Stay sharp. Prepare for combat."
Before the words had even settled, four pistols were drawn, bullets chambered with chilling precision.
Then—impact.
A DHL truck barreled out of nowhere, swerving hard. Its frame smashed into the Kia's side with a bone-shaking bang! The car slammed into the median, metal shrieking, airbags detonating in a blinding burst. Chaos erupted.
Baldy's head rang from the collision. Damn, I was watching the tail, never thought the truck was one of them too!
Before he could recover, two men in sunglasses leapt from the truck, movements sharp and disciplined. Professionals.
"Down!" Baldy roared, but it was too late.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Gunfire shattered the windshield. Glass exploded inward, shards slicing the air. The driver and passenger in the front were riddled before they even fully registered the crash. Blood spattered across the seats.
Sakurako and Baldy ducked behind the seats, using what little cover they had. But things only worsened—doors swung open on the black sedan behind, and two men in dark suits advanced, guns barking.
"You take the front, I'll take the rear," Sakurako said, ice-calm.
Baldy nodded, jaw clenched, eyes sharp as a hawk. They raised their weapons, returning fire with lethal precision. Both were veterans—every shot was deliberate, controlled.
But numbers spoke louder. Gunfire rained down from both sides. A round grazed Sakurako's arm, blood trailing down her wrist, but she didn't flinch. Baldy, sweating, knew it: they couldn't hold much longer.
"Out of ammo! We need a way out!" he barked.
Sakurako yanked at the door. Stuck. Jammed shut.
And then—salvation.
Two quick shots rang out. The men at the rear collapsed.
Qin Xiao had one hand on the wheel, the other firing out the window. He slammed the brakes, threw his door open, and rolled onto the asphalt. Er-ge screamed in panic, while I lunged across the seat, steadying the wheel.
"Shut up and drive!" I snapped at him.
Qin Xiao hit the ground near the Kia, using its frame for cover, trading fire with the gunmen by the truck. Stalemate.
I grabbed the radio.
"Captain Fang! We need backup!"
Within minutes, Fang Zhiguo's vehicle screeched to a halt. His team of three spilled out like predators unleashed, forming a tactical triangle, advancing in flawless cover formation. A flurry of gunfire followed—and when the smoke cleared, the last of the assailants lay still.
The crisis was over.
Qin Xiao slumped against the Kia, exhaling hard. Fang clapped his shoulder.
"Good work."
They exchanged weary smiles before Fang picked up his phone.
"Requesting support. Secure the site. Lock down the news."
I helped pry open the mangled door. Sakurako sat within, pale, her face drained of strength. For a moment, words failed me.
"Hah! Look at you—tongue-tied in front of a pretty face. Pathetic," Er-ge jeered, breaking the silence.
"No time for jokes," Fang ordered. "You two, stay and sweep the scene. You—bring Baldy back in custody."
His eyes flicked toward me, tone meaningful.
"And she's yours to escort."
The ride back was quiet. Sakurako leaned against the window and fell asleep almost instantly. Er-ge tried to start a conversation more than once, only for me to silence him with a glare.
I figured she was lost in thought, weighing her next move.
Later, I realized I was wrong. She really was just exhausted.
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