Keeping the cell phone back in his pocket, the male made his way through the crowd to an alleyway by the road. As he walked past a rubbish chute, he identified a black plastic bag amongst the heap and picked it up. Walking to the end of the alley, there was a worn shutter gate.
Entering through the gate, the male flicked the light switch, and the dim and flickering lighting revealed a shabby room that was only ten square metres wide. The room was stuffed with assorted junks and exuded a foul odour.
The male expressionlessly tore open the plastic wrapping and retrieved the briefcase within. Opening up the suitcase, what was revealed was a Colt M1911 model pistol, in addition to a silencer and several bullets.
Keeping the equipment hidden underneath his clothes, the male took out a sling bag from the black plastic bag too and slung it over his back.
With the preparations complete, he looked at the time again, before finding a corner of the room to sit down. He then closed his eyes, to gather his concentration for the task ahead.
The time now was nine-forty, with there being fifty more minutes before the commencement of the signing ceremony.
At that time, in the police station, Ling Chen and Jiang Hao were idly chatting with each other.
"Bro Chen, Bro Hao."
Hearing a voice calling their names, the two raised their heads, only to see Nanrong Hao hurrying towards them, with Xia Mutong leading him.
"Why did you come as well?"
"Bro Chen, you smashed my car, how could I possibly not find out about that? More importantly, are you alright?"
"The bones in my body are much more durable than that broken car of yours. You came at just the right time, hurry up and get us out."
Nanrong Hao helplessly replied, "I already asked about your situation. It seems like I can only bail Bro Hao out. Bro Chen, you have to stay behind."
"Why?"
"You have to be detained for seven days before we can release you." Xia Mutong coldly pipped up from the side.
"Lil Hao, come over here."
Ling Chen beckoned to Nanrong Hao with his finger and started explaining anxiously. "Relay this message to Liu Kun or your grandfather. Tell them that someone is plotting against your sister and warn her to keep her guard up. She should beef up her security detail and avoid going out."
Ling Chen knew that Zhong Wei would not register any warning he gave; thus it was more useful to report to Liu Kun directly.
"Bro Chen, it seems like you do not know this. Today, my sister went to the Old City District. There's a signing ceremony there that requires her presence."
"What?!"
Ling Chen was stunned by this news.
The Old City District was chaotic and messy. If he were the killer, he would definitely choose to take action there.
"Lil Hao, this is no joking matter and involves your sister's life! You need to inform her immediately and get her to return to the company. She mustn't stay in the Old City District any longer!"
Seeing Ling Chen speaking so seriously, Nanrong Hao grew anxious as well and nodded frantically. "Ok, I'll see to it immediately."
"Jiang Hao, accompany Lil Hao back to the Old City District."
"Understood, Bro Chen."
After watching the two leave, Ling Chen looked at Xia Mutong and solemnly said, "Officer Xia, I'm not joking over here. A killer is aiming for Miss Nanrong's life right now. Please send some reinforcements to the Old City District."
"Ling Chen, I advise you to stop wasting your saliva. I will never believe your words. Furthermore, the security over at the Old City District is already so tight. If there's really a killer who chooses to make a move there, he'll just be sending himself to his doom."
With that, Xia Mutong turned to leave the detention cell.
Back at the office, Xia Mutong had just taken a seat. However, a colleague came rushing in with a folder in his hand. "Officer Xia, I've investigated the Buick and discovered that the owner of the car is holidaying overseas right now. The one driving the Buick wasn't him."
"Then could it be his family or one of his friends?."
"I've already asked around. His family members have all gone on the holiday with him. The car was supposed to be parked at home. There's no mistake."
Xia Mutong frowned and immediately took over the file from her colleague.
Ten minutes past ten o'clock, at the event venue.
Zhong Wei put down the phone and whispered something in Nanrong Wanqing's ear in a low voice. "Chairwoman, just now Steward Liu gave me a call, asking you to return to the family manor immediately. He said that this was an order by the Old Master."
"Did he give a reason for this decision?"
"Ling Chen reported to the Old Master that there's a killer who harbours malicious intentions towards yourself. Old Master is worried for your safety, thus he..."
"There's only twenty minutes left before the signing ceremony starts and all the high-ranking bureaucrats in the government have arrived at the venue. If I leave at this time, what explanation can I possibly give?"
Speaking till this point, she paused and gave Zhong Wei a searching look. "Don't tell me you believe Ling Chen's words?"
"That… I...."
"If a killer appears, can your squad ensure my safety?"
"Rest assured, Chairwoman. We will not let you come to harm."
"Then, that's enough. I will not doubt the people under me."
Zhong Wei retreated to a corner and gestured towards Liang Zhaohui, calling the latter to his side.
"What's wrong, Captain Zhong?"
"Yesterday, you came to recce the surroundings. Are you certain that there are no problems?"
Liang Zhaohui gave a firm nod, answering unhesitatingly, "There are no high vantage points in the surroundings, so even if there is a killer, it's impossible for him to use a sniper rifle. The only way for him to make his move is to get into proximity. With the few of us around, the killer cannot possibly hope to get close to the Chairwoman."
With that said, he could not help impishly adding, "Captain Zhong, don't tell me you believe in the nonsense that punk Ling Chen is saying? How can an amateur like him match up to seasoned professionals? Put your heart at ease. There will not be any problems."
"I hope things will go well as you said."
At that moment, Nanrong Hao and Jiang Hao were both rushing to the Old City District.
After they reached, the two dismounted the vehicle and ran towards the event venue.
"Bro Lil Hao, Bro Hao, over here!"
Jiang Hao's footsteps came to a stop, and when he turned to look at the origin of the voice, he was astonished.
"Bro Xiong, what are you doing here?"
After a period of recuperation, Zhao Zhengxiong's legs had mostly recovered, and he no longer required the support of crutches to assist his mobility.
"I've received news that Yang Sheng was assembling people. I reckoned that he wanted to cause a huge upheaval. Thus, I rushed here with our brothers."
Jiang Hao listened to his words and instantly flew into a rage. "That bastard is truly the worst kind of scum, is there no end to the harm to his malice? Even if he doesn't come looking for me, I'll never let him off! Lil Hao, go find your sister, I'll go gather my brothers."
"Alright."
Nanrong Hao gave a flustered response and continued dashing towards the venue.
The entire event venue was on tight lockdown, preventing entry to everyone. Even Nanrong Hao was not spared from this treatment and was forced to stand outside the barricade. Luckily Zhong Wei's squad just happened to patrol the area and caught sight of Nanrong Hao, allowing him to enter.
"Big Sis! Big Sis!"
Nanrong Wanqing looked at Nanrong Hao, who was sweating furiously and frowned. "Why did you come here?"
Nanrong Hao anxiously explained, "Big Sis, someone wants to kill you! Let's go home immediately!"
"Where did you hear that from?"
"Bro Chen told me."
"Who?"
"Bro Chen! Ling Chen, you know him, he's an employee of our company!"
Nanrong Wanqing's face frosted over, and her eyes blazed with overwhelming fury.
"You're interacting with him?"
"I..."
Noticing the cold murderous intent that his sister was exuding, Nanrong Hao shrank back his head, the words that he was going to say unable to leave his mouth.
"Nanrong Hao, you better listen closely. In the future, you are not allowed to interact with this kind of scum. If you dare to disobey me, then don't blame your elder sister for turning nasty,"
"Yes…...Big Sis."
Nanrong Hao meekly replied, crying out bitterly in his heart. Bro Chen, what exactly did you do to offend my sister? Why does she seem to have an unforgivable grudge with you? If he had known that this would happen, he never would have brought up Ling Chen's name.