Guo Xiaopeng quietly appeared behind Wang Jingfei, watching Li Xinjian's retreating figure. He gently called, "Jingfei." Startled, she did not turn around but replied, "Chairman, why did you come down?"
"It's getting chilly outside. Take care of yourself. Are you alright?" Guo Xiaopeng asked with concern.
Wang Jingfei turned to face him, already composed, and smiled. "What could be wrong? Let's go back inside."
Guo Xiaopeng carefully took her arm, and the two walked back into the glittering lobby.
As the sky darkened and the autumn wind grew harsher, the reeds swayed wildly, resembling dancing specters.
In the frigid air, Qiang Min shivered in his tattered clothes, pacing back and forth beside the crate of samples, occasionally glancing up. Hidden within the dense reeds, Lin Xiaoliang lay prone on a small hillock, aiming his silenced pistol with a scope.
Growing impatient, Qiang Min cursed, "Damn it, are you going to show up or leave me here to freeze?"
The crosshairs finally centered on Qiang Min's restless figure. Lin Xiaoliang's hands trembled. It was his first time targeting a police officer, and his nerves betrayed him. He couldn't steady the scope on Qiang Min's head, so he aimed lower, holding his breath as he targeted Qiang Min's chest. He squeezed the trigger, and a muffled shot rang out. The bullet whistled past Qiang Min's shoulder, startling a few wild birds into flight. Qiang Min dropped to the ground and rolled, but instead of fleeing, he sprinted towards the source of the gunfire in a zigzag pattern.
Lin Xiaoliang panicked and fired again. Qiang Min rolled again and closed the distance rapidly. Unnerved, Lin Xiaoliang, who had never faced such a situation, fled in terror. He lowered his motorcycle helmet's visor, mounted his hidden bike, and sped away.
Qiang Min, like a cheetah in pursuit, dashed through the reeds. Lin Xiaoliang's superior motorcycle skills shone as he raced down the narrow paths. The gray sea of reeds, whipped by the wind, rolled like waves, and the man and machine race within was a heart-stopping sight. Qiang Min, taking a shortcut, leaped from the reeds, aiming to tackle Lin Xiaoliang but missed. Lin Xiaoliang, in a panic, accelerated, leaping over a trench and quickly reaching the coastal highway, disappearing like a wild horse.
Qiang Min reached the highway, picking up Lin Xiaoliang's discarded pipe, waving it regretfully. He had failed to see the assailant's face and felt deeply frustrated.
A Game of Cat and Mouse
Nightfall brought bright streetlights and bustling crowds to the city. Lu Hui maneuvered his battered jeep through traffic and noticed a Mitsubishi SUV following him at a distance. Realizing he was being tailed, he made a sharp turn into another street, but the Mitsubishi remained in pursuit. His nerves tingling, he devised a plan. At the next intersection, he slowed down, then suddenly sped through the yellow light, leaving the Mitsubishi stuck at the red. Furious, Li Xinjian slapped his steering wheel as Lu Hui sped away, weaving through the city.
Lu Hui drove into the parking lot of a large entertainment complex, jumped out, and blended into the crowd. Moments later, the Mitsubishi arrived, and Li Xinjian quickly followed, entering the complex. The entertainment center, with its multiple floors and maze-like layout, was bustling with activity. Lu Hui darted through the arcade, past the disco, and down to the underground skating rink and karaoke rooms, finally hiding in an abandoned women's restroom.
Li Xinjian, relying on intuition, searched room after room. Bursting into a dark karaoke room, he shone his flashlight on two scantily clad women and a middle-aged man who quickly ducked. Another man angrily knocked the flashlight aside. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm a police officer on urgent duty. Step aside," Li Xinjian explained.
The man grabbed Li Xinjian's jacket collar. "Police? Who do you think you are? Get on your knees and apologize!"
Li Xinjian, realizing he had no time for this, twisted free and knocked the man back onto the sofa.
Meanwhile, Lu Hui had slipped out the back door and flagged down a taxi. After a quick getaway, Li Xinjian exited the complex, looking around in vain. His phone rang. Answering it, he heard Qiang Min's breathless voice. "Nephew, it's your Uncle Tie Zhu. I was almost ambushed. The situation has changed!"
Li Xinjian, irritated, barked, "Who tried to ambush you?"
"Didn't see clearly. Where are you?" Qiang Min asked.
"I'm tracking Lu Hui. Get back to the factory. He's in the city, and the place is leaderless. Stabilize the situation and await orders!" Li Xinjian ordered, hanging up.
The Trap Tightens
Jianqiao Cinema was the most luxurious and well-equipped theater in Haizhou. Inside the New York Hall, an American action movie played, its car chases and gunfights shaking the room.
Lu Hui entered the dimly lit theater, scanning for Liu Mei. Seeing only a few couples, he cursed under his breath. Just then, his phone rang. Recognizing the number, he quickly answered. A young woman's voice said, "Mr. Lu, I'm waiting for you at the West Second Ring Prince Bar. Don't be late."
Feeling a rush of excitement, Lu Hui called out, "Sister!" But the call had already ended. His desire ignited, he hurried out of the cinema and hailed a taxi to the Prince Bar, eager to fulfill his long-held fantasy.
At the bar, the dim lights, smoky atmosphere, and sultry music created an intimate setting. A boy with lipstick and eyeliner approached. "Excuse me, sir. A lady is waiting for you."
Lu Hui followed him to where Liu Mei sat. Immediately, he was captivated by her striking beauty, his eyes devouring her exposed chest.