Chapter 66: We’ve Fallen Into a Trap

The heavy weapon in their opponent’s hands was nothing their motley collection of battered guns could compete with. The threat of the military police! For men like them, small-time figures on the fringes, that threat was immense. Yet the man in the red floral shirt refused to accept it—damn it all. It was his first time being played for a fool.

He’d taken this job with the understanding that he’d kidnap the target and deliver them to Blackwater City. But the person delivering the payment never appeared; instead, he found himself facing the police. If that wasn’t being tricked, what was? Only when they saw the vehicles from both the Shield Corps and the military police approaching did they realize they’d stirred up serious trouble.

Wasn’t it just a kidnapping? Barely any time had passed, and already both the Shield Corps and the military police were here. For the man known as Brother Tiger, who’d committed murder and robbery in the capital, this was the first time he’d been surrounded by armed forces—an overwhelming display that left them all terrified.

“Tiger—Brother Tiger... If it can’t be helped, maybe we should just give their guy back,” someone suggested timidly.

“Idiot!” Brother Tiger’s rage boiled over, his face darkening as he slapped his subordinate so hard stars danced before his eyes.

“You think this is like stealing something you can return? What do you take this for, shopping? This is kidnapping—murder! Do you even understand murder?” Brother Tiger was infuriated.

In moments of crisis, a person’s mind races for a way out, searching for any escape. But there was nowhere to run—they could only try to flee.

“So what about the person we kidnapped—are we just abandoning them?” his subordinate asked.

They’d gone through hell to snatch their target.

“Forget it, unless you want to die,” Brother Tiger nearly slapped him again. “Can’t you see we’re surrounded by both the Shield Corps and the military police?” At this point, worrying about the hostage was pointless.

They hadn’t gotten their money; in the end, they might lose their lives.

They tried to escape to the other side of Blackwater City, but the detectives had already stormed in, guns raised.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, bursts of gunfire erupted, deafening and fierce. Brother Tiger and his men had no time to run—they could only fight back. Under the overwhelming hail of bullets, their dozen or so guns were hopelessly outmatched by the special forces.

Bullets swept through the air. Two of Brother Tiger’s men were struck in the head, blood splattering across Brother Tiger’s face. He wiped his face with a trembling hand, finding it slick with blood—damn it, the firepower was intense!

The air was thick with the stench of gunpowder.

Meanwhile, those who had gone out to check the circuit breaker earlier returned to the factory they were guarding, only to bump straight into Shen Chaoxi and her companions coming down from the second floor.

The moment their eyes met, Shen Chaoxi’s expression turned cold. She slid down the iron staircase, seized a gun from one of the men, and smashed it hard against his neck. Her movements were swift and fluid as water.

Jiang Chen and Xiao Xiao sprang into action as if they’d rehearsed it. There was no need for words, only a glance; just as Shen Chaoxi struck, they dispatched the others nearby.

Suddenly, someone tried to sneak up from behind. Jiang Chen’s eyes flashed with tension as he shouted, “Boss, look out!”

In the next instant, Shen Chaoxi’s movements shifted, a dagger flashing in her hand. She didn’t even lift her gaze—her speed was astonishing. As she spun, she slashed the man’s throat in one fluid motion.

Warm blood splattered across Shen Chaoxi’s face. She didn’t blink, as if she’d grown accustomed to scenes of life and death.

Shen Sisi was petrified. Crouched in the corner of the iron staircase, she watched the dramatic scene unfold in the dimly lit factory. Watching Shen Chaoxi’s knife slice open a man’s throat, she struggled to contain her shock and terror, her chest constricted so tightly she could barely breathe.

She huddled there, arms wrapped around herself, tears streaming down her face—fearful, miserable. Her shoulders trembled, giving off a low, helpless whimper like a frightened child abandoned and lost. Yet, because of Shen Chaoxi’s earlier warning—don’t cry—she dared not make a sound.

She must have been terrified, having never witnessed such violence. Once, Shen Chaoxi had been like her: pure, innocent, believing the world was a beautiful place. She’d had her grandfather, parents, brother, and the recently adopted Shen Xin.

But later, she learned the world was not so simple. There were villains, darkness.

"Stop crying," Shen Chaoxi said quietly, stepping forward to gently touch her head.

Shen Sisi looked up at her, sobbing softly. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes red and swollen, struggling to hold back the pain. At last, unable to contain her fear and agony, she wailed aloud.

“Wuuu... Shen Chaoxi…”

She threw her arms around Shen Chaoxi, burying her face in the older girl’s embrace.

Xiao Xiao watched from the side, her expression icy and speechless. She hadn’t expected their trip to Blackwater City—meant to investigate contacts tied to Dongzhou—would land them in the middle of this, rescuing a kidnapped Shen Sisi.

It was only because their commander was kind-hearted; if it were up to her, she’d have let it go.

Jiang Chen chuckled, as if he could read her thoughts. He lifted his brows and asked, “You really wouldn’t save her?”

Xiao Xiao shot him a glare—mind your own business.

Even as a soldier, or just an ordinary person, if you have the ability, your first instinct is to help.

Xiao Xiao was all tough talk and soft heart.

She recalled the time since returning to Country Y, when the commander had convalesced at the Shen family. But this Shen Sisi seemed hopelessly clueless. Ever since Sanqing Peak, she’d caused endless trouble for the commander. Had Shen Sisi not interfered that day, things would have played out differently.

Because of that, Xiao Xiao showed her no warmth. Her personality was naturally aloof; her time at the Shen family was only a mask.

Shen Chaoxi, blood still streaked across her face, lowered her gaze to the sobbing Shen Sisi before her.

“When were you kidnapped?” Shen Chaoxi asked suddenly.

Rescuing her had been a matter of convenience, but now their main task was delayed.

Shen Sisi paused, struggling to recall. “I—I don’t remember,” she stammered, as if something had come to mind. “Last night, at the Shen house, they knocked me out, and when I woke up, I was here…”

She sobbed, pitifully.

Hearing this, Shen Chaoxi’s eyes grew cold. Jiang Chen glanced at her.

“We walked right into their trap,” Shen Chaoxi said.

There are still two more chapters—though it may be a bit late.