Trade
The chief loaded a bullet into his gun. “Listen to my command. We’ll break in and arrest them directly. If anyone resists violently, shoot them with rubber bullets. Just avoid vital areas.”
They were equipped with rubber bullets, which had a strong deterrent effect but lacked lethality.
Song Yuhang sighed deeply. It was already too late to stop them.
“Where’s Auntie Hong, looking down on me… me… me, huh? Not coming out… out to entertain me?”
His speech was somewhat slurred and unclear.
Liu Zhi, having seen big scenes with Wang Qiang and been instructed by Lin Yan, calmly poured him a cup of tea without a rush.
“Boss Qian, no hurry, our Sister Hong will surely bring out some good stuff for you shortly.”
Two beauties in shiny low-cut tank tops fed him a grape, easing his mood.
“Fine, in the absence of Brother Wang, I’ll trust Auntie Hong one more time, for your sake.”
Lin Yan, trapped inside her room, pondered over and over but couldn’t find a way to send a message out. There must be something wrong with this deal!
Now, she could only hope that the police wouldn’t come, must not come, for if they did, she would be exposed, and it would be the end of her, and those who come would also be in danger. If they don’t come, she might still have a slim chance.
Her current cellphone was definitely tapped, calling was not an option, and emails were out of the question, with all accounts under Wang Qiang’s control.
Lin Yan gently pushed open the window, creating a small gap to look outside.
Behind the bustling Huange Nightclub, the quiet alley was also wandering with quite a few unfamiliar faces, not seeming like her people.
She closed the window again, pacing back and forth in the room, her heart burning with anxiety.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside again, likely someone sent to hurry her, with a voice she did not recognize.
“Where’s Sister Hong?”
“She’s inside.”
Then, there was a knock at the door.
“Sister Hong, Boss Qian is asking for you.”
Lin Yan pressed her fingernails hard into the cigar, leaving several marks, then lit it, draped on a shawl, and stepped out with it in her mouth.
“Here I am, changing clothes, what’s the rush?”
After giving him a glance full of allure, she slipped the cigarette into his mouth.
“Here, it’s a gift from sister.”
As soon as she turned her face away, he sneered silently, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and tossed it onto the ground.
These transactions, aimed at thoroughly dismantling the drug-producing gangs behind Tiger, usually involve a third party. Pei Jinhong and Wang Qiang act as intermediaries, taking a cut of the money or drugs as their reward after the deal is done. Tiger himself hardly ever shows up in person; after delivering the goods, he’d hide in the shadows, sending his men to watch over the situation under the guise of preventing a double-cross, but in reality, they’re also watching out for their own.
These criminal gangs are indeed filled with nothing but deceit and malice.
As Lin Yan pondered this, she couldn’t help but worry for herself.
With Wang Qiang absent, without any support, facing buyers ahead and Tiger behind, she’s truly caught between a rock and a hard place, treading on thin ice.
She needs to be cautious about every word she says, every expression she makes, every gesture, and even every glance.
Any slight slip-up, not to mention waiting for the police to blow her cover as an undercover agent, if she shows even a hint of fear or something amiss under the watchful eyes of these ruthless criminals, she could be torn to pieces and fed to the dogs, with not even the scraps left behind.
Her first real challenge since going undercover was about to begin.
Lin Yan’s palm was covered in a thin layer of cold sweat as she silently adjusted her breathing, getting ready to step downstairs.
Suddenly, the main door was kicked open, and several waiters stumbled in, their faces bruised and battered.
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The myriad lights of the dance hall flickered over her, casting shadows on Song Yuhang’s sharply defined face.
Why is it her?!
Lin Yan’s hand, holding onto the railing, trembled slightly.
Song Yuhang, wearing half-finger tactical gloves, was holding a dark Type 54 pistol, her expression cold as ice as she aimed at everyone.
“Police! Don’t move. We’ve received reports suspecting you’re involved in a drug deal. Calmly put your hands on your head and squat down for inspection!”
Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was forceful and resonant, just enough for everyone to hear.
The moment Lin Yan saw her, she felt unsettled, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she couldn’t cry.
Because from the corner of her eye, she saw Tiger’s men already drawing their guns from behind their backs, bullets chambered.
More footsteps approached, and Song Yuhang and her companions found themselves surrounded.
Although she didn’t know these people, they were wearing the exact same police uniforms she used to wear.
She couldn’t stand idly by, especially when Song Yuhang is here.
The Song Yuhang she had been so determined to protect.
So, you finally came.
Lin Yan closed her eyes slightly, her Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. Then she quickly opened them, a cold glint flashing through.
She gently pushed the gun of the person behind her back.
“This is my turf. Leave it to me.”
“But today, we won’t let any cops go. People and package, no one can leave.”
Lin Yan lowered her voice and coldly said, “F*cking saying you killed someone in broad daylight, so many police stations nearby, and you think you can just walk away.”
In the end, she still diverted the gun aimed at Song Yuhang away and pushed him into the shadows when she hadn’t been seen yet.
“I’ll hold them off; take your men and get out of here fast.”
The man was momentarily stunned, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
Lin Yan—no, it was Pei Jinhong who had spoken.
As she spoke, she started walking downstairs, step by step as if blooming lotuses appeared under her feet, her figure enchantingly graceful.
“Wow, what kind of wind blew the police over here, huh? In our small place, doing a bit of alcohol business, listening to some songs and singing some tunes, is that illegal now?”
This female voice was unfamiliar to her, even somewhat hoarsely enchanting, but the way of speaking was immensely familiar to her.
Song Yuhang suddenly looked up, and the moment she saw her, her whole body shook, and she slowly lowered the gun in her hand.
She took a step forward, her eyes reddening, and said in a hoarse voice, “Lin… Lin Yan?”
“This officer, you must be mistaken,” the woman scoffed, holding onto the railing as she descended the last step.
If Lin Yan didn’t maintain her composure, she felt she might lose her footing and collapse right there.
She steadied herself, adjusted the shawl that had slipped down to her shoulders, and wrapped herself in a qipao with a slit up to her thigh root, walking towards her with a seductive gait. She sized up the woman before her, a harmless yet cold smile spreading across her face.
“Just by the word of an official, we’re labeled as drug dealers? Without any reason or evidence, I’m going to sue you guys for breaking into a house and assaulting people.”
Hearing this, Liu Zhi’s beaten subordinates struggled to their feet one by one, limping over to her side.
“Sister Hong…”
Their faces bore no light injuries.
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As Lin Yan scrutinized her, Song Yuhang was also observing her.
Although the woman’s face was covered with a layer of black veil, her eyes, the familiar jawline, her figure, her posture, her every move, and even the habitual tone of her speech were all identical to Lin Yan!
Unless it was a clone or she had never died in the first place, Song Yuhang couldn’t think of any other reason she could be standing here, she would be standing here.
From the moment she appeared, Song Yuhang’s eyes were glued to her.
Lin Yan felt her fighting spirit crumble.
Song Yuhang slipped her gun back into its holster, an action that quietly eased the tense atmosphere.
She took a small step forward, realizing that they were about the same height.
Song Yuhang lifted her hand to remove her veil. “Who exactly are you?”
By the end, her words were almost clenched through gritted teeth.
Lin Yan couldn’t move, and she shouldn’t.
With her current skills, she was just a weak woman, unable to dodge no matter what. Even if she could, she wasn’t supposed to.
She had to make Song Yuhang give up hope to protect her, to protect herself.
“Sister Hong!” Thinking she was about to make a move, Liu Zhi rushed out and pulled someone back.
The veil fell.
Revealing a face strikingly similar to Lin Yan’s.
Yet, the expression was exceedingly cold, even carrying a hint of disgust towards an impolitely intrusive stranger.
Song Yuhang staggered back a step, tears swirling in her eyes.
“Lin… Lin Yan…”
Supported by Liu Zhi, Lin Yan stood firm, their eyes meeting.
Tears filled her eyes, her lips trembling. After such a long absence, her hair had grown longer, unkempt, almost covering her eyelids.
She wore nothing but the uniform of an ordinary police officer, with no double bars on her shoulder epaulets, just a few cold four-pointed star badges.
The person who always used to step out perfectly groomed now wore her uniform all twisted, with the collar button done up wrong, missing the lower one it should have been.
Her clothes were also dirty, face grimy, pant legs rolled up, one bootlace undone.
It was unclear what she had been through these days, having been stripped of her position, to end up in this disheveled and slightly pitiful state.
Lin Yan wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, feeling a sourness in her heart. Tears welled up to the tip of her nose, but she forcefully pushed them back by pinching her palm.
She couldn’t afford to laugh, nor could she cry.
She had to maintain enough coldness and vigilance.
After all, she was now a “drug dealer,” and Song Yuhang was a police officer.
Her people and Song Yuhang’s people clearly stood on opposite sides, both watching each other like hawks.
Lin Yan had no choice but to meet her gaze, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“I told you, my name is Pei Jinhong, they all call me ‘Auntie Hong’.”
“Officer with the badge number 015765, I’ve got you memorized.” Lin Yan said, lightly tapping on the body camera on her chest, then tiptoeing to whisper in her ear with breath as soft as orchids.
“You’re going to bear legal responsibility for your impulsiveness today, Officer.”
The last two words dropped gently, drawing out the tone, carrying a hint of intimacy.
Lin Yan’s crimson nails rested on her shoulder, watching the blush that came over her earlobe due to her proximity, in a place she couldn’t see, she zoned out for a bit, nearly bursting into tears in a moment, a strong impulse made her want to embrace the person she had been longing for day and night.
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Yet, she ultimately restrained herself, and after a moment of daze, Lin Yan stepped back.
“Move aside, let them search.”
Led by Liu Zhi, the crowd hesitantly followed his lead and stepped back.
Only Boss Qian in the private room was restless, sweating profusely.
Song Yuhang looked down at the face that was extremely similar to hers, the difference was, her eyes had added teardrops moles.
When she approached, Song Yuhang didn’t dodge, as if also to confirm something. Song Yuhang smelled the residue of shampoo in her hair, the scent of cheap perfume mixed with smoke from her neck, but what she didn’t smell was the light floral fragrance on Lin Yan.
She had a face extremely similar to Lin Yan’s, spoke with a tone and habits like hers, had her height, her figure, but what she didn’t have was her scent, and her love for her.
The woman before her had only indifference in her eyes, complete and utter coldness, mixed with a hint of disgust and contempt.
Lin Yan… wouldn’t look at her like that.
Song Yuhang was deeply conflicted and in agony.
Nonetheless, she realized that no matter who the woman before her was, be it Pei Jinhong or Lin Yan, they were ultimately on opposing sides.
Song Yuhang gave her a cold look and finally found her voice, “Secure her well and conduct a thorough search.”
LP: So close!!!