Lin Xiaoliang cursed and dialed the number again, only to be told by the automated voice, "The user has turned off their phone, please try again later..." Enraged, he slammed his phone down. "Damn it, my life is in her hands, and she turns off her phone!" Finally, the traffic light turned green, and the Toyota shot forward, weaving through traffic at breakneck speed. Despite the delay, he soon spotted the Haizhou Tower. He drove the Toyota swiftly into the music fountain square. The tower was brightly lit, with employees bustling around, preparing for the tenth-anniversary celebration. Liu Mei, who had been waiting in the lobby, immediately rushed out when she saw the Toyota approaching. She jumped into the car before it even stopped and instructed, "Don't talk. Drive out of the city to a secluded spot!" Lin Xiaoliang quickly turned the car around and sped away from the tower.
Li Xinjian was racing towards the headquarters in his Mitsubishi, hoping to squeeze in some work before attending the banquet at Haizhou Tower. Suddenly, his pager beeped. Holding the steering wheel with his left hand, he retrieved the pager with his right and read the message: "Lin and Liu left the tower. Be alert!" Li Xinjian was puzzled. He hadn't ordered anyone to follow Lin Xiaoliang or Liu Mei. Who could have sent this strange message? Deciding to investigate, he turned his car towards Haizhou Tower.
As the Toyota sped down the wide coastal road, Lin Xiaoliang was about to answer his constantly ringing phone when Liu Mei snatched it away.
"What's wrong, sis?" he asked, confused.
"Use this," Liu Mei said, handing him a new SIM card. "Your phone might be bugged. This one is under a fake name."
Lin Xiaoliang, now more anxious, blurted out, "Sis, I saw Detective Qiang Min on the island!"
Liu Mei was shocked. "Are you sure?"
"Positive! He was a local cop back when I was in middle school, always giving us kids a hard time. I'd recognize him anywhere," Lin Xiaoliang said, breathing heavily.
"This is serious. Did he see you?" Liu Mei asked, her voice trembling.
"No, he didn't. But the real danger is Qiang Min and Lu Hui," Lin Xiaoliang said, pounding the steering wheel.
Liu Mei directed him to pull over and decisively tossed her hair back. "We need to cut off this link immediately. If the police get evidence, we're finished!"
Lin Xiaoliang's eyes narrowed with lethal intent. "Then we eliminate both of them."
Liu Mei, feeling a chill down her spine, hesitated. "Killing Lu Hui is one thing, but Qiang Min is a police officer. Murdering a detective, especially a major crimes unit captain, would bring the entire force down on us."
"Leave no loose ends!" Lin Xiaoliang insisted, glaring at her. "Are you scared, sis?"
Liu Mei's face darkened. "I've faced death before. I'm not afraid. I'm just worried about ruining our future."
"Future? We need to survive day by day. We can't surrender," Lin Xiaoliang said, his face hardening.
Liu Mei lit a cigarette, her hands trembling slightly. "What's your plan?"
"We split up. You take care of Lu Hui, and I'll handle Qiang Min," Lin Xiaoliang said confidently.
Liu Mei was still uneasy. "How? This is a matter of life and death, not a game. We need a solid plan."
"I've got it all figured out. At six this evening, Lu Hui will send Qiang Min to deliver the rough samples to a secluded spot in the reeds. It's a perfect place for an ambush. Meanwhile, I'll arrange for Lu Hui to meet you tonight. You can take care of him then. He's been lusting after you for ages; killing him will be a piece of cake," Lin Xiaoliang explained, smugly.
Lu Hui, dressed in a sharp suit and with his hair slicked back, was driving his jeep into the city, frantically trying to call Lin Xiaoliang but with no success. Frustrated, he cursed, "Damn it, trying to mess with me?" Just as he was about to throw his phone, it rang. Seeing an unfamiliar number, he answered angrily, "Who the hell is this?"
"Watch your mouth. Don't want to talk? I'll hang up," came Lin Xiaoliang's voice.
"Lin, I'm sorry! I was just trying to call you," Lu Hui quickly apologized, stopping his car and holding the phone with both hands.
"Tonight at seven, my sister will meet you at the New York Hall of the Jianqiao Cinema," Lin Xiaoliang informed him.
"Great, I'll be there. Thank you, Lin!" Lu Hui said eagerly.
"Don't get followed. Keep a low profile," Lin Xiaoliang warned.
"Got it, got it. I know the drill. Have you changed your phone?" Lu Hui asked.
"My phone's dead. I'm using my sister's," Lin Xiaoliang replied, hanging up immediately.
Lu Hui sped off, feeling exhilarated. He hummed a tune, his mood soaring as he drove with exaggerated movements, relishing the anticipation of the evening ahead.