"A week later, under the meticulous planning of Zhang Fan and the girls, the operation of Cat's Eye officially commenced.
Though the specified time on the Cat's Eye notice was 11 pm, Zhang Fan and Xiao Tong had already positioned themselves above the ceiling of the National Art Museum by 8 pm.
'I must say, Xiao Tong, this is our first collaboration,' Zhang Fan said, navigating through the ventilation shaft with night vision goggles, leading the way with Xiao Tong carefully following. He expressed his enthusiasm for working together with Xiao Tong, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.
'Be cautious, even with your advanced night vision goggles. Remember, numerous guards are waiting below us,' Xiao Tong warned, trying to mask her excitement with a steady voice. Despite her racing heart, she knew this wasn't the time to let their guard down.
'Don't worry, we're here,' Zhang Fan reassured with a slight smile. They had reached the ceiling area right above 'Lady Emerging from Water'. Looking down, there were no guards in sight. It was still before 9 pm, and the guards were unprepared, underestimating Cat's Eye due to their punctuality in past heists.
'I'll go down first,' Xiao Tong signaled to Zhang Fan before sliding down the rope, carrying a cylinder on her back. She quickly swapped the original 'Lady Emerging from Water' with a counterfeit she brought, skillfully reassembling the frame. The whole operation was executed with such professionalism that it barely took five minutes, a task that would have surely taken Zhang Fan much longer due to his inexperience in framing.
'Now, let's wait and watch the show unfold,' Xiao Tong said with a wink as they returned to the ceiling. Their next move was to wait for Black Mouse to take the bait.
As time ticked away, it was 10 pm before they knew it. Suddenly, a faint noise came from a nearby ventilation shaft. To others in the rooms below, the sound might have been imperceptible, but it was clear as day within the same ventilation system.
It was evident that Black Mouse had chosen the same entry point as Zhang Fan and Xiao Tong. They couldn't stay put; a direct encounter would disrupt the game. They quietly moved to a hidden corner, a perfect spot to observe Black Mouse's actions and still close to the target.
Zhang Fan felt grateful for his 'Silent Death' skill, which allowed him to move without a sound, something even a professional thief like Xiao Tong found astonishing.
Meanwhile, Black Mouse reached the same spot above 'Lady Emerging from Water'. He opened the ceiling and confidently slid down, only to be greeted by a surprise. Upon opening the frame, he found a Cat's Eye notice instead of the painting, signaling that Cat's Eye had already been there.
Caught off guard and with the museum's alarm blaring, the police, led by Junfu, rushed towards the exhibition hall. Realizing he'd been played, Black Mouse saw his only escape route cut off, the ceiling hatch closed and his rope retracted.
Despite his predicament, Black Mouse managed to escape the building, albeit in a rather disheveled state.
'Ha! Xiao Tong, did you see the look on Shin Valley's face? He looked like he had just eaten something disgusting,' Zhang Fan laughed heartily on their ride back. 'Daring to covet my girlfriend? He's literally asking for trouble!'
'Indeed, it was quite entertaining. But don't get overconfident, Zhang Fan. He's no simple character and might become our enemy in the future,' Xiao Tong replied, holding onto Zhang Fan tightly. Her furrowed brows hinted at concern for their future encounters with such adversaries.
'Heh, with our Xiao Tong around, that Black Mouse will surely become a useful tool for us. Who can resist Xiao Tong's charm? Even a Black Mouse or White Mouse would scurry towards you,' Zhang Fan jested, though his words carried a hint of jealousy.
'Who's 'our' Xiao Tong?' Xiao Tong playfully pinched Zhang Fan's waist, amused yet touched by his possessiveness. 'And I'm not cheese to attract these mice.'
'But you are my cheese, and I'm the biggest mouse who'll always keep you safe in my hands,'" Zhang Fan declared, his words laced with affection and possessiveness.