Chapter 69: Encounter?

Outside Ankang Town, hidden in a secluded corner—

Inside the surveillance vehicle, Captain Wang Xu stared at the monitor and frowned.

“Strange… who is that girl next to Lu Yunze?”

Right now was a critical mission period, yet suddenly an unknown girl appeared and was standing extremely close to Lu Yunze. That alone was enough to make people uneasy.

Even if she was not an enemy, involving unrelated civilians into a dangerous area was never a good thing.

Wang Xu and his police team had been lying in ambush outside the town for a long time. They had only two sources of intel regarding the situation inside—one was staying in contact with Lu Yunze, the other was relying on disguised officers’ surveillance footage.

Before the mission started, the police had already traced Hu Ming’s movements. After he left the city yesterday, no one saw him again.

The officers stationed near his home waited a long time yet failed to catch sight of anything useful.

Because they could not locate Hu Ming, the entire operation had stalled.

Do we need to drag this into a long-term siege?

Wang Xu leaned back against the vehicle seat, staring at the car ceiling.

The communicator suddenly rang—Lu Yunze’s voice came through:

“I’m fine. You don’t need to guide us. We’ll just look around on our own. Besides, my ankle is sprained—I should rest. Let’s treat today as a casual meeting. If there’s another chance, we’ll talk later.”

It appeared Lu Yunze rejected the strange girl’s invitation.

Good choice.

Her sudden appearance was too suspicious—keeping distance was safest.

Since Lu Yunze was not compromised, Wang Xu switched the monitor to another angle—this time it showed Luo Yao.

Luo Yao had already returned to the market area and was actively searching for Lu Yunze’s location. She even pulled out her phone to call him.

Seeing this, Wang Xu sighed deeply.

His biggest pressure for this mission was actually… her.

He remembered her barging into the station, staring coldly at the bureau chief, and demanding to join the operation.

If something happens to Lu Yunze… will she come to kill us?

“I’m just a small town police chief…”

Whenever the pressure became too high, Wang Xu had a habit: he pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

Lighting one, he took two deep drags—then froze.

He suddenly realized the car window was still closed. He quickly opened it.

Right then—

Bang!

A hand slammed against the glass, nearly making Wang Xu swallow his cigarette.

“What the—!?”

The sleeve over that wrist—

police uniform.

Wang Xu immediately drew his gun. Calling through his communicator, he exited the vehicle defensively.

One glance outside—and his expression turned dark.

The officers standing guard outside were all lying unconscious on the ground.

And the owner of the hand was also collapsed beside the car, trembling.

“What happened!?” Wang Xu demanded.

The officer forced out his final breath—

“A… ambush…”

Instantly, cold shivers crawled down Wang Xu’s spine.

Then—

a strange fragrance filled his nose.

Wang Xu’s vision spun violently.

Damn—poison gas from outside?

He tried to climb back into the car to call for help, but his entire body lost strength.

The communicator was just a few centimeters away—yet he could not touch it.

He collapsed to the ground.

The entire forest fell silent—

no movement, no survivors.

Only a black crow perched on the tree, silently watching the scene.

Its golden pupils scanned the area, seemingly searching for something…

Finding nothing, it spread its wings and flew into the forest.

Meanwhile—

“Lu-ge, why did you run off again?”

After reuniting, Luo Yao’s arms wrapped around Lu Yunze as she questioned him coldly.

“I didn’t go far. I was just walking nearby.” Lu Yunze forced a smile.

“Really? You clearly told me not to run off, yet you disappeared yourself.”

“I’m not a child. I won’t get lost.”

“Fine, at least you’re safe.”

Luo Yao pouted.

“This market is boring. Nothing worth buying.”

Everything here was novelties at first glance, but after browsing a while it felt meaningless. Buying anything was the last thing she wanted.

While Luo Yao muttered, Lu Yunze touched his hidden earpiece and whispered:

“Captain Wang? How’s the situation? Any progress?”

…Silence.

Maybe he’s busy?

“Lu-ge, who are you talking to?” Luo Yao asked.

“Nothing, don’t worry.”

She narrowed her eyes:

“You weren’t out having a romantic encounter, were you?”

“How could I?”

“No… Actually someone like you is more likely to be chased by admirers.”

“…How does that make sense!?” Lu Yunze nearly choked.

“With someone like me beside you, why would I look at other women?”

“Really?”

“A gentleman never lies.”

He patted his chest confidently—

and at that very moment—

a soft, charming voice called out behind him:

“Lu Yunze~!”

Both he and Luo Yao turned—

A beautiful woman stumbled and ran toward them.

Lu Yunze blurted:

“Xiao Yan!?”

Luo Yao’s eyes sharpened like blades.

“So I finally found you, Lu Yunze.”

Xiao Yan ran all the way over, chest bouncing wildly with each step.

Luo Yao stepped forward, blocking her:

“Wait. Who are you?”

The girl’s eyes flashed with coldness, but her expression remained innocent.

“Hello, you must be Lu Yunze’s family. I’m Xiao Yan, his friend.”

Luo Yao smiled dangerously:

“Funny. Why don’t I know he has a friend like you?”

“Because… we only just met.”

Luo Yao’s face went dark.

Lu Yunze froze.

Even after surviving life-and-death fights, nothing strained his heart like this moment.

Luo Yao’s voice dropped:

“How did you meet?”

“I’m clumsy, so I accidentally ran into Lu Yunze. Usually, people would demand compensation… but he was gentle and even asked about my health.”

Luo Yao inhaled sharply.

“And he even paid the bill for me. I wanted to repay him, but he ran away too fast.”

Luo Yao slowly turned her head toward him.

“Lu-ge?”

“Uh… misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!”

“I didn’t think you were that kind of person.”

“WHAT KIND!?”

Lu Yunze almost fainted.

After struggling to explain, Luo Yao finally calmed down.

“So I misunderstood?”

“Of course!”

Luo Yao nodded… then:

“So Lu-ge did have a romantic encounter.”

“STOP SAYING ‘ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER’!”

But Xiao Yan wasn’t done:

“Sorry for intruding. If it’s to repay him, I’ll serve with everything I have until he is satisfied.”

“…Can you not say things like that!?”

Luo Yao suddenly smiled:

“Fine. Then I want to see just how ‘good’ of a guide you are. Impress me, and I’ll pay you. Fail, and don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Xiao Yan smiled sweetly:

“I’ll serve you both well.”

With their new “tour guide” leading, Lu Yunze and Luo Yao entered a massive courtyard—

The Hu Family Estate.

A cultural performance was being held.

Luo Yao refused to believe something so small could impress her, yet she still sat down.

Lu Yunze followed silently.

Behind them—

Xiao Yan smirked.

“Idiot virgin males… so easy.”

She checked her disguise—

perfect.

Even a mirror almost fooled her.

Though the transformation couldn’t last long, using it on these two was more than enough.

Just as she prepared for her next move—

her eyes flicked to the corner.

A black crow waved its wing at her—beckoning.

And Xiao Yan’s smile slowly disappeared.