A waiter-looking man exited the elevator, followed by a man carrying a toolbox, looking like a repairman. They walked quickly along the corridor to Room 1508, where Wang Jingfei was staying, opened the door, and entered. They checked the bathroom and bedroom before starting their work.
Meanwhile, Wang Jingfei sat in the general manager's office, operating the computer. She opened Public Mailbox No. 7 and retrieved her email, which displayed a long string of numbers. Activating the translation program, the screen read: "High winds and rough seas, the ship is leaking, and hidden reefs are surfacing. Adapt accordingly. There will be a feint attack tonight." Her expression turned stern as she swiftly erased all electronic traces and shut down the computer. The storm she had anticipated was finally upon her.
The phone rang, breaking Wang Jingfei's tense thoughts. She jumped slightly and grabbed the receiver. "Is this Ms. Wang Jingfei?" a stern female voice inquired.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"I am the secretary of General Manager Huang Shibai."
"Hello. What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Huang has instructed you to return to Hong Kong immediately for a debriefing."
"I have some matters to attend to. Can I return in a couple of days?"
"I have delivered the full message."
"Alright. Thank you."
Wang Jingfei hung up the phone and, after a moment's contemplation, picked up the internal phone and ordered the office, "Book me a ticket to Hong Kong for 8 PM tonight."
After the call, she walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window, pondering the series of seemingly unrelated events that had occurred within a few minutes. She watched taxis glide by below, and by the fountain in the plaza, she noticed a familiar-looking motorcyclist loitering. The distance was too great to investigate further, so she shifted her gaze.
The motorcyclist downstairs, whom Wang Jingfei indeed recognized, approached a shabbily dressed laborer and asked quietly, "Want to earn some money?" The laborer raised his head eagerly, "Of course." The motorcyclist handed him fifty yuan and pointed to a nearby phone booth, "Call and report that there are drugs in the general manager's suite at Haizhou Tower." The laborer nodded, took the money, and entered the phone booth.
Dark clouds gathered, and a light rain began to fall, making the reeds by the bay sway.
The windshield wipers of the Mercedes kept clearing the mist from the windows. Wang Jingfei, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at Guo Xiaopeng, who was driving. His face was gloomy, his eyes filled with melancholy, and he remained silent. The car cut through the tall grass and stopped deep within the reeds.
Guo Xiaopeng jumped out, walked around the front of the car, and opened the door for Wang Jingfei. She looked around and asked, "Chairman Guo, you must have something important to discuss to bring me to such a remote place?" He nodded, "You could say that. Please step out of the car." She glanced at the drizzling rain, "Can't we talk inside the car? It's raining outside, and..." He interrupted, "The rain adds to the mood." She clearly sensed that the confrontation had begun. Guo Xiaopeng saw her tight-lipped and sullen, and after a moment of silence, suddenly asked, "Are you afraid?"
"Afraid? Why should I be afraid?" Wang Jingfei retorted, looking at her watch, "Please hurry. I have to return to Hong Kong for a debriefing tonight." She got out of the car as she spoke. Guo Xiaopeng stepped closer, his face dark and fierce, "Who exactly are you?" Wang Jingfei met his gaze without flinching, "Who do you want me to be?" "If you're a cop, our relationship ends here. Go back to Hong Kong!" he snarled, looking at the swaying reeds in the cold wind.
"Is that it?" Wang Jingfei asked, bewildered.
Guo Xiaopeng nodded, gritting his teeth. Wang Jingfei said nothing, turned, and walked away. He followed her for a couple of steps, then stopped. At that moment, he felt conflicted—he wanted to uncover her true identity but feared losing everything if she was indeed a cop.
Wang Jingfei continued walking. Guo Xiaopeng caught up and grabbed her, attempting to kiss her forcefully. Wang Jingfei slapped him hard, knocking him to the ground, "You've disappointed me to the core! You don't trust or respect people! What kind of doctor or entrepreneur are you?!" She turned and walked away quickly.
Guo Xiaopeng got up and ran after her, trying to tackle her. Prepared, Wang Jingfei landed a straight punch, knocking him down again. She looked at him furiously, "You'll never see me again!"
Enraged, Guo Xiaopeng jumped up, wiped the blood from his mouth, and drew an American fighting knife, advancing towards her.
Facing the armed Guo Xiaopeng, Wang Jingfei knew she had to be serious. She spread her arms defensively. But being unarmed, she was at a disadvantage and had to retreat step by step as he pressed on. When she backed up to the parked Mercedes, she had nowhere left to go. Guo Xiaopeng's face twisted into a sinister smile as he inched the knife closer to her chest. In that critical moment, Li Xinjian appeared from behind the Mercedes, holding a pistol steady, "I'm the police! Drop your weapon!"
Guo Xiaopeng froze, slowly lowering his arms.
"Drop the knife on the ground!" Li Xinjian commanded loudly again.
Guo Xiaopeng reluctantly dropped the knife.
"I am arresting you for assault!" Li Xinjian said, taking out handcuffs and stepping forward. Wang Jingfei blocked him, "Please don't abuse your power and interfere in personal matters!" Li Xinjian froze, staring at her intently, then regained his composure, "I am performing my duty."
Wang Jingfei coldly retorted, "You always use duty as an excuse to achieve personal goals!" Hearing this, Li Xinjian's anger flared, "You despise the police, obstruct justice, and harbor criminals. You're an accomplice!"
Calm and unruffled, Wang Jingfei asked, "Who is the criminal? Who is committing a crime? Show me the evidence."
Li Xinjian, seething with rage, pointed his gun at her, "Stand with him!"
Wang Jingfei sneered, "Personal vendetta! You're not fit to be a cop!"
Li Xinjian's hand trembled. After a moment, he lowered his gun, sneering coldly, "You will regret this!" He turned abruptly and walked away.