Yin Feng recalled that person’s words: “When you stand there, you’ll be standing at the highest point in this city.” It had sounded metaphorical. But looking at the riverside high-rise, his thoughts shifted. At a glance, it was almost the tallest building along the river.
“Let’s check it out.”
By the time they drove to the TV station, night had fallen completely. Neon lights on the rooftop shimmered against the darkness.
They parked silently by the roadside.
Despite being nearly 8 PM, many floors of the building were lit up, some entirely bright. Security guards stood at the entrance, where temporary security checkpoints had been set up. People continuously approached the entrance, passing through security and entering the building.
In just a few minutes, dozens had gone in. They didn’t look like staff but rather ordinary people of various types, many holding tickets to show the guards.
Xiao Yan asked puzzled, “What’s going on? Why are these people coming to the TV station at night?”
Before others could respond, Tu Ya answered, “They’re recording a show. These must be audience members who won tickets online. The provincial TV station has an amateur variety show called ‘Next Stop Starlight’ that records and broadcasts live every Thursday night. I’ve watched several episodes.”
Everyone fell silent.
Yin Feng looked up at the building of over fifty floors. The higher up, the hazier the lights became, but he could still clearly see the brilliantly lit floors near the top as if something grand was happening.
Yin Feng ordered, “Xiao Yan, go investigate.”
Xiao Yan got out immediately.
Audience members continued entering, chatting and laughing, creating a warm and lively atmosphere on this summer night. Nothing seemed unusual in the surroundings – no suspicious vehicles or pedestrians, no signs of the Punishers.
Xiao Yan returned quickly, excited: “I checked and asked around. It’s exactly the show Tu Ya mentioned – live recording broadcast, on the 50th floor in a studio that holds over 200 people. The recording runs from 8:30 PM until midnight.”
Everyone remained silent.
Yin Feng smiled and said, “Actually, the TV station isn’t an ideal location – tight security, difficult to enter and exit. If they want to control the situation, they’d need to control more points and people. Plus, such a tall building… if they go up there, perhaps they’re not planning to come down?”
Looking up again, he continued, “But it is indeed an unexpected choice. The studio is an enclosed space – actors, high ground, more viewers – it all fits… Tu Ya, you said it’s a live broadcast?”
“Yes.”
“Are they planning to take 200 people hostage during a live broadcast?” Yin Feng muttered while the others’ eyes widened.
Champion was most excited: “Damn…”
Xiao Yan looked terrified, Tu Ya rubbed his nose, and Chen Feng’s expression turned serious.
“I’ll go up and check…” Before Yin Feng could finish, the car door opened, startling everyone. They turned to see a woman in black wearing a baseball cap nimbly jump in, lifting her head to smile at them.
Yin Feng smiled too.
Besides preparing a phone for You Mingxu, Champion had also prepared disguise materials. Now she wore black street fashion, a soft, bright red wig, glasses perched on her nose, with heavy bangs covering half her face – at first glance, just an unremarkable street girl.
Only her bright eyes behind the lenses and her fair, delicate chin betrayed traces of You Mingxu.
You Mingxu’s gaze also settled on Yin Feng.
Though he too was disguised, You Mingxu seemed to see right through to his true self. After just a few days apart, she could tell he’d lost weight, yet sitting in this simple vehicle, his bearing remained as deep as an abyss, his eyes brilliant.
You Mingxu took two steps to reach him, throwing herself into his arms. Yin Feng held her tight, feeling her soft, warm body, as if for the first time in days, he felt life truly continuing.
The others waited quietly, smiling.
You Mingxu slowly raised her head as he cradled her face, looking at her.
“I thought the next time we’d meet would be you collecting my corpse,” he said slowly.
You Mingxu: “Shut up.”
He chuckled softly.
Their hearts both raced, seeing many things in each other’s eyes, yet any words seemed superfluous.
“Is it at the TV station?” You Mingxu asked, having noticed the flow of people outside when she approached.
Yin Feng answered, “Eighty percent sure, but can’t confirm yet. I plan to go up and look.”
You Mingxu smiled slightly: “Let’s go.”
But he suddenly gripped her hand tightly, saying, “You stay here.”
You Mingxu: “Is that possible?”
Yin Feng stared at her silently for a moment, light dancing in his eyes, before pulling her into his embrace again. You Mingxu just smiled gently, her expression composed.
Xiao Yan left the car again.
She returned shortly with two tickets and a staff ID.
Yin Feng gave one ticket to You Mingxu while Tu Ya hung the staff ID around his neck, grinning. If they all went in together, they might attract attention from either the police or the Punishers. At times like these, Tu Ya’s advantages became apparent. He wasn’t the smartest, nor the best planner, nor skilled at stealth, but he was the best fighter. So he was Yin Feng’s first choice to bring along – at any time, absolute combat ability was the best security guarantee.
Yin Feng instructed the remaining three: “Champion, find a way to hack into the TV station’s network and monitor the situation inside, just in case. Chen Feng, take this morning’s recording and those surveillance videos of the Punishers’ leader appearing and waitingx near the police station. As soon as you get concrete information from me, go straight to Ding Xiongwei. Xiao Yan, stay with them, don’t wander off.”
As the lights came on at dusk, the flow of people through security at the TV station entrance gradually thinned. Half the security guards had left.
Yin Feng, You Mingxu, and Tu Ya got out of the car. Tu Ya wandered off to one side, following them at a moderate distance. Yin Feng put his arm around You Mingxu’s shoulders, lowered his cap brim, and walked toward the security checkpoint.