43. Protect Her

Although Lin Xingzi rarely inquired about Jiang Yan’s work, she was well aware of how dangerous his profession was. Their lives hung by a thread; once an order was given, no matter where they were or what they were doing, they had to obey unconditionally.

She didn’t want to be a burden to him, nor did she want to be a liability that made him constantly look back.

Some words remained unspoken, crushing and scattering within her heart.

Lin Xingzi was in a daze until three in the morning. Jiang Yan probably didn’t want to wake her; his movements were very light as he got up. He didn’t turn on the lights and even took his clothes into the bathroom to put them on. She wasn’t fully asleep; a string in her mind was taut, making it impossible to sleep soundly.

Jiang Yan’s phone received a message. As he was about to leave, he returned to the bedside and turned on the wall lamp for Lin Xingzi. She was afraid to sleep alone, even at her own home.

In the faint light, Jiang Yan realized she was awake, her eyes misty.

Jiang Yan’s heart softened inch by inch. He finally couldn’t resist leaning down and embracing her.

He took off his wedding ring and placed it in Lin Xingzi’s hand. “I’m afraid of losing it. You keep it for me for now.”

“Okay,” Lin Xingzi rubbed her eyes. “You go, don’t delay.”

________________________________________

Zhou Feng had informed Jiang Yan of the meeting point for the contact person: the third-floor terrace cafe at the largest ten-intersection on Haishi Street. The area had excellent road access, with four department stores nearby, and the day before the New Year saw extremely heavy foot traffic.

People were already staking out the dock. Jiang Yan rushed to the vicinity of the cafe before dawn. Zhou Feng, Er Hu, and a few others arrived five minutes later.

“Did today’s operation alert Director Lin?”

“I came from the bureau; I didn’t see Director Lin. At this time, Director Lin should still be resting.”

When Jiang Yan left, Lin Xudong’s car wasn’t in the community parking spot, which meant he hadn’t returned yet. Previous suspicions and doubts forced him to think for the worst.

The Haishi Public Security Bureau had the most superior police force in the country, and anti-drug efforts had not slackened, yet criminals remained audacious.

“Master,” Jiang Yan stood beside Zhou Feng. In those last few minutes before dawn, the sky was at its darkest. “Why bypass Director Lin?”

Zhou Feng was the captain of the anti-drug squad, serving for ten years. Jiang Yan wasn’t his first apprentice, but he was the one he empathized with the most; his closest family had died from drugs, providing a rock-solid backing.

Jiang Yan’s gaze held sharp scrutiny. The fact that he could ask that question meant he already harbored suspicions about Lin Xudong.

Zhou Feng looked straight ahead, silent for a moment.

“The supervisory group leaders have the right to handle cases independently. We have no right to question them. We only need to strictly execute the tasks assigned by higher authorities, obey orders, and follow instructions.”

Jiang Yan straightened his back, “Yes.”

________________________________________

Near the cafe, all operational personnel were divided into three groups. Zhou Feng led a team disguised as passersby, ambushing on the terrace. The second group went to the cafe in advance. Jiang Yan led his team to guard on the rooftop of a building fifty meters away.

After finding a good shooting angle, they only needed to wait.

In the morning, the cafe didn’t have many customers; most were employees from nearby office buildings who picked up their orders to go.

At quarter past nine, a man in black walked into the cafe. He chose a seat near the side door.

“Attention, attention! Suspect spotted!”

“Received!”

Jiang Yan calmly aimed at the man in black. He was wearing a hat that covered most of his face. A waiter was taking his order.

Ten minutes later, Zhou Feng’s voice came through the communication device again, “Attention! Second suspect spotted, woman with sunglasses at the cafe entrance.”

The woman naturally walked into the cafe and sat at the table with the man in black. When she looked up to adjust her hair tucked under her coat, Jiang Yan clearly saw her face.

Ji Qiuchi!

How could it be her?!

At the same time, the man in black looked around before changing seats, now facing away from Jiang Yan’s direction.

That back...

The cold wind howled. In that instant, Jiang Yan’s breath hitched. He stared intently at the person in his scope, the wind whipping his pupils bloodshot.

Meanwhile, in the cafe fifty meters away, Ji Qiuchi accidentally knocked over a hot coffee that the waiter had just served.

Those desperate nights when she wanted to die, she survived by reliving memories with Jiang Yi until dawn. The contact man in front of her had a shadow of him, yet he was also like a completely stranger.

Looking closely, the man’s face had many scars; one even ran directly from his mouth to his eye. His eyes were murky and sharp. The displeasure he had just shown was because she had spilled coffee on him.

“I’m sorry,” Ji Qiuchi lowered her eyes, composed herself, though still trembling slightly. “Let’s order another cup.”

“No need.”

Surrounded by police, with a wiretap under the table, the man in black answered a call and immediately got up to leave.

The call said: Unexpected situation, transaction canceled.

Er Hu quickly apprehended Ji Qiuchi. Zhou Feng chased the man in black out the back door of the cafe, shaking off the others before following him into a small alley.

“What’s going on?”

“Zhan Tianxiong, that old fox, probably got wind of it beforehand and didn’t deliver the goods as agreed. Your people will only intercept two tons of seafood in twenty minutes.”

Zhou Feng wasn’t too surprised that this operation had been leaked.

“You failed on Jiang Yan’s matter. If I come back alive, I’ll settle the score with you. It’s come to this point, there’s no turning back.”

The man noticed Jiang Yan catching up and put his hat back on. “Protect her.”

Then he turned and disappeared into the depths of the alley.