Chapter Seventy-Four: Something Is Amiss

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Dongfang Zhiyi and the others were already retreating toward the emergency exit. Of the three bodyguards, two led the way ahead, one covered the rear, firing as they moved. Meanwhile, Dongfang Yuyan was still unable to get a call through. Damn it, the quality of this simulated signal was truly abysmal.

"Miss, what should we do if the call doesn't go through?" Dongfang Yuyan, drenched in sweat, asked anxiously.

At this moment, Dongfang Zhiyi was the picture of composure. "If it can't get through, then so be it. With all this commotion, someone is bound to have called the police. For now, let's just focus on getting out." She then turned to the bodyguard at the rear and said, "Go help Zhuo Nan and the others."

The bodyguard nodded and hurried back along the way they'd come. In the corridor, Lan Qian and Zhuo Nan were exchanging fire with the attackers. In terms of firepower, these assassins were each armed with submachine guns—a far cry from the 'Type 54' pistols that Lan Qian and Zhuo Nan wielded. Pressed against the wall, Zhuo Nan gritted his teeth against the pain in his right arm and cursed under his breath, "Damn it, what the hell is going on? They've even brought out the submachine guns—next thing you know, they'll be tossing grenades!"

No sooner had he spoken than fate obliged his grim prediction. With a metallic clatter, a melon-shaped grenade rolled to a stop right at Zhuo Nan's feet. Lan Qian, sweating profusely, shot him a glance. Nan, with an innocent look on his face, managed a wry smile and, with one swift kick, sent the grenade skittering back down the corridor. "Get down!" Zhuo Nan shouted, throwing himself over Lan Qian as an explosion thundered behind them, shattering the glass in the hospital room door to smithereens.

"Are you alright?" Lan Qian asked, concern etched on her face.

Zhuo Nan shook his head. At that moment, fresh gunfire erupted behind them, bullets tearing into the wall by his side and sending dust flying. "Damn it... Still not dead. Sis, we have to move!" He got up, grabbed Lan Qian's hand, and dragged her in retreat toward the emergency exit.

Just then, the bodyguard sent by Dongfang Zhiyi intercepted them. "Miss instructed that you two should withdraw first," he reported.

Zhuo Nan nodded. "Sis, let's go." Nan was no fool—he wasn't about to nobly clap the bodyguard on the shoulder and say, "Brother, you take care of it here." That would be idiotic. These bodyguards were all seasoned veterans, hired at great expense by the Dongfang family. If they didn't take the risks, should Nan himself go charging in?

But Zhuo Nan's hopes were dashed almost instantly. Even as he spoke, something warm and sticky splattered across him. He turned to see the bodyguard's face twisted in a look of reluctant farewell to this world and its pleasures as he collapsed to the ground. "Run!" There was no use for words now. Zhuo Nan grabbed Lan Qian and sprinted desperately toward the emergency exit.

Their retreat was a haphazard barrage of wild shots—Zhuo Nan's Type 54 held only eight rounds, and by now he was out of bullets. With no time in the chaos to grab a spare clip from the bodyguard, Zhuo Nan did the only thing he could—he hurled his empty pistol down the hallway, imitating a scene he'd once seen in a Stephen Chow movie.

"Over here, little brother!" Lan Qian had reached the emergency stairwell and called back.

"Coming!" Zhuo Nan didn't hesitate for a second, clutching Lan Qian's hand as they fled downward. Gunfire raged behind them, but Lan Qian was exhilarated by the rush. Bullets rained around them but, as if by miracle, not a single one found its mark. In that moment, Lan Qian thought if she were to die here with Zhuo Nan, it might be the perfect ending for her.

After descending several flights, Zhuo Nan realized the gunfire had stopped—and no one seemed to be in pursuit. A sense of unease crept over him. If the attackers truly wanted them dead, he doubted they would have made it out of the ward alive.

He pulled Lan Qian to a halt. She looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

Zhuo Nan shook his head. "Something's off..." He spoke silently to his own mind: "It's up to you now."

"Understood..." came the simple reply, as his 'brain'—that mysterious inner voice—snapped into action.

"What's wrong, exactly?" Lan Qian urged.

"Sis, why aren't they following us? With their firepower, they could have taken us out easily—so why let us escape?" Zhuo Nan fired off his suspicions. Lan Qian thought for a moment. He was right—something was strange.

Two or three seconds later, his inner 'brain' responded. "Zhuo Nan, this emergency stairwell leads straight to the underground parking lot. They've already prepared vehicles below. Dongfang Zhiyi has been captured. According to their brainwave readings, you're also a target."

Zhuo Nan's heart raced. "What about the others? Are they in danger?"

"They're safe for now, held as hostages. They're waiting for you to come down."

"Do you have the exact number and positions of the enemy?"

"Don't worry, that's child's play for me." Hearing this, Zhuo Nan was tempted to retort, "Can't you ever stop bragging?"

Turning to Lan Qian, Zhuo Nan said, "Sis, it's dangerous down there. How many bullets do you have left?"

"Five, but I have a spare magazine," she replied gravely.

"Good, that's enough. Trust me, give me your gun and the magazine." He looked deep into her eyes.

"Are you kidding? Even if things go bad, I'll protect you and get you out," Lan Qian insisted, refusing to back down.

Zhuo Nan was desperate. The people below were safe for now, but who knew what might happen next? "Sis, give me the gun..." he nearly shouted.

Lan Qian stared at him, then, almost instinctively, handed him the weapon. Zhuo Nan quickly reloaded, then said, "Sis, this stairwell leads straight to the underground parking lot. If I'm right, Xin Xin and the others are already being held down there. Their plan is to drive us into the basement... I need your help."

Lan Qian, realizing the gravity of the situation, nodded fiercely. "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"Sis, this is dangerous. I shouldn't let you take the risk, but it's just the two of us." Seeing Zhuo Nan's serious expression, Lan Qian understood they were walking into a deadly trap.

But dying for Zhuo Nan didn't mean a thing to her. With a smile at the corner of her lips, she said, "Go on, I'm not afraid. Even if you asked me to die for you, I wouldn't flinch." This was her nature—when she loved, nothing was too much.

Zhuo Nan was at a loss for words. In this moment, all the eloquent things he could have said felt empty. Staring into Lan Qian's eyes, he reached his left arm behind her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her fiercely on the lips. This time, Lan Qian didn't resist. She knew it might be their last kiss, so she let herself go, responding awkwardly but passionately, their tongues entwined in a frantic declaration of love.

The poignant moment was soon marred by Zhuo Nan's next move. Despite his injured right arm, he somehow summoned the strength to lift it, and his hand found its way to Lan Qian's chest, kneading gently.

Lan Qian felt his boldness, but didn't stop him. To her, even her life belonged to Zhuo Nan—what else could she deny him?

But time was pressing, and this was hardly the moment for passion. "Nan, that's enough. You're not trying to take your pants off, are you? There are still beauties waiting downstairs..." Even without looking, Zhuo Nan knew it was his 'brain' making the wisecrack.

Reluctantly, Zhuo Nan withdrew his tongue from Lan Qian's mouth and his hand from her chest. "Sorry, Sis, I couldn't help myself."

Lan Qian, blushing, shook her head. "It's alright, little brother. If we both make it out of this alive, I'll be yours."

Zhuo Nan stared, dumbfounded by her words. He was so slow to react that Lan Qian burst out laughing. "Silly, what are you gaping at? You'd better pray we both survive—then you'll have all night to look your fill."

"Is this really Lan Qian standing in front of me? Or is she a seductive widow in disguise?" Zhuo Nan had no time to ponder. If they survived, he would have ample opportunity to verify her true nature.

Thinking this, a wicked grin crept onto his lips. Lan Qian, seeing his expression, knew exactly what was on his mind. "Stop daydreaming, little brother. There'll be time for that later. You haven't told me what you need me to do."

"Oh... right, the plan. I almost forgot..." Zhuo Nan said sheepishly, then grew serious. "Sis, when we reach the exit, you need to run out quickly and draw their fire. I don't know if they'll shoot, but please be careful. As soon as you rush out, I'll fire as fast as I can and try to take them down."

He spoke heavily. "Sis, I know it's unfair to you, but it's the only way..."

She cut him off. "I understand, little brother. All this time, I've never been able to figure you out. You're too good a fighter, and you know people like Long Kun and Ghost Man Chao from the underworld. Then there's that floppy disk—I still don't know how you got it. But none of that matters anymore. All I know is, I've been happy with you. If we both survive, I want to be your girlfriend. Will you have me?"

"Sis..." Zhuo Nan was at a loss, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes as he pulled Lan Qian into his arms.

Lan Qian gently pushed him away, wiped away her own tears, then his, and said, "Come on, little brother, let's go..."

Zhuo Nan nodded, then blurted out, "Sis, let me just reach in for a feel..."