Inside a certain safehouse under the National Security Bureau, the air was so tense it felt as if it could be wrung into water. Fang Zhiguo handed Kawashima Sakurako a cup of hot water. The paper cup trembled slightly in her hands, steam rising and blurring her vision. Her complexion had improved somewhat, but her eyes remained dim and lifeless, as if she were still trapped in painful memories.
"Miss Kawashima, we've known each other for some time. Let's get straight to the point," Fang Zhiguo's voice was deep and steady, carrying an authority that brooked no argument. "The people who tried to kill you today—who were they?"
Kawashima Sakurako took a sip of hot water, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim of the cup. After a moment of silence, she spoke:
"There were two groups. The truck in front belonged to Americans. The black sedan behind was an action team from the Kawashima Group."
I couldn't help but interject.
"How can you be so sure they weren't working together?"
Sakurako raised her head and shot me a look that clearly said: Are you doubting my expertise? Her eyes carried a flicker of disdain and helplessness, as though my question wasn't worth answering.
Qin Xiao put down his pen and added,
"She's right. You two are newcomers to this line of work, without formal training. It's normal you can't tell. But a professional can spot the difference immediately."
My second brother chuckled, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. He patted my shoulder.
"See, Brother Fa? Nobody thinks you're mute if you don't talk. But now I get dragged down with you!"
Then he turned to Sakurako with a mischievous grin.
"Beauty, don't mind him. Please, continue…"
Fang Zhiguo frowned, displeased with my brother's clowning, but he didn't interrupt. Instead, he pressed on:
"What exactly did you do that made even the Americans come after you?"
Sakurako closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath, as though struggling to steady her emotions. Her fingers clenched the paper cup until her knuckles turned white. After a long moment, she opened her eyes and stared directly at me, tears welling up. Her gaze was filled with torment and regret, as if painful memories were flashing before her eyes.
I froze, unsure how to respond, my chest tightening with a swirl of conflicting emotions. My brother shot me a look, urging me to comfort her. Gathering my courage, I gently patted her shoulder and whispered:
"It's over now. You're safe."
She didn't respond. Her tears slipped down her cheeks, falling onto the paper cup with faint "滴答" sounds. Her shoulders trembled, straining against grief.
Fang Zhiguo's expression grew grim. He realized that the intelligence Sakurako held was far more complex and dangerous than they had imagined. Taking a slow breath, he asked:
"Where are the virus and the vaccine now?"
Sakurako looked up, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"Virus? Vaccine? I don't know."
Fang Zhiguo's brows knitted tighter, clearly unsettled by her answer. He glanced at Qin Xiao, who immediately pulled up satellite images on his laptop. On the screen appeared shots taken before and after the yacht explosion.
"These are satellite images from that day," Qin Xiao explained. "Two fishing boats rendezvoused with the yacht. Look closely—did you overlook anything?"
Sakurako stared at the screen, surprise flashing in her eyes. She clearly hadn't known what happened after she fled. Her fingers rubbed the paper cup unconsciously as she murmured:
"Michiko…"
"Who is Michiko?" Fang Zhiguo immediately caught the name and pressed her.
Sakurako hesitated, weighing whether to speak. Finally, she whispered:
"Michiko was a nurse in the lab. The only person I could trust. That night, I asked her to give me immunoglobulin and adrenaline—that's the only reason I had the strength to escape. But I never thought… she would…"
Her voice broke, heavy with grief.
Qin Xiao picked up the thread, pointing at the satellite images.
"According to the timeline, after you boarded Guangtou's boat, another vessel retrieved the virus and vaccine… and then silenced everyone."
My brother gave a bitter laugh.
"Damn. Kawashima Fukuichirō really is a fox. First, lure us away. Then throw a beauty trap at Brother Fa. Next, feint in the open while sneaking in the shadows. Finally, deceive everyone and let someone else do the killing. He played us all like puppets. But even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. For him to sacrifice his own daughter… that's beyond cruel."
Sakurako bowed her head in silence, grief and guilt twisting in her eyes. Her knuckles turned pale as she clenched the cup, blaming herself for failing to protect her child, for failing to see through her father's schemes.
Fang Zhiguo inhaled deeply, his tone grave.
"The most urgent matter now is locating the virus and vaccine. If they've already entered the country, the enemy could deploy them at any time. The consequences would be catastrophic."
Just then, Qin Xiao's phone buzzed. He glanced at the message, and his face darkened instantly. Looking up, he said in a low, tense voice:
"Captain Fang, we've just received word. Cases of unexplained pneumonia have been detected at the South China Seafood Market in Wuhan."
Fang Zhiguo's face went pale with fury. He shot to his feet, barking:
"Contact the Wuhan field office immediately! Lock down the site and investigate the source! We need to confirm if this is linked to the EASV virus—now!"
Sakurako trembled, terror flashing in her eyes. She whispered:
"Could it be… they've already started?"
Fang Zhiguo didn't reply. His silence said everything. He was already on the phone, issuing urgent orders. The atmosphere inside the safehouse grew taut with dread—everyone knew that an unprecedented crisis was looming.
I sat quietly, my chest tightening with unspeakable fear. Beside me, Sakurako's eyes were still dim, as if she had already foreseen the coming disaster. She whispered, almost inaudibly:
"I'm sorry… I…"
I patted her shoulder again, trying to comfort her. But in my heart, I knew—this crisis was only just beginning.
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