Fu Xueli’s hands were bound behind her back, her body trembling continuously, unable to stand steady. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Watching helplessly as Xu Xingchun stood several meters away.

A bitter, astringent taste spread through her mouth. She hadn’t been wrong—he really was a fool.

Fu Xueli’s vision kept going black in waves, her voice barely able to emerge.

The bald man shouted harshly at Xu Xingchun, “Don’t move! Don’t come any closer!”

Zhu Xia was wrapped in explosives, one hand holding the detonator, the other raising a gun aimed at Xu Xingchun. Her voice was shrill and thin as she involuntarily took a step back. “You’d better behave yourself. There will be no hostage exchange. If you try any tricks, worst case we’ll all die together!”

The bald man frowned. “I don’t want to die. You go get us a car!”

Xu Xingchun’s expression was deep and calm, his eyes fixed on Fu Xueli for a very long time. Sweat slid down his face all the way to his neck, his breathing gradually growing heavier. “You can state whatever demands you have. I have nothing left on me.”

“I’m here to negotiate with you, no ill intentions.” Xu Xingchun spoke slowly, his hands still raised.

“Does Fu Xueli know you?” Zhu Xia looked at his deep eyes and suddenly smiled coldly, speaking mockingly. “Looks like old acquaintances. Good. Then—”

Zhu Xia’s face darkened as she was about to continue, when she suddenly sensed something.

The accident happened in an instant! Taking advantage of the bald man’s momentary carelessness as he turned sideways, the sniper hidden on the roof finally found an opportunity and quickly fired, a single shot piercing through his skull. Instantly, brain matter splattered everywhere!

Everyone present was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Fu Xueli collapsed limply to the ground. Zhu Xia hid behind a crate, her face changing abruptly, her voice distorted with shock and rage. She stared at Xu Xingchun with eyes full of resentment and unwillingness, shouting furiously, “There really are people outside! You were just lying to buy time!!”

In that split second, a series of gunshots rang out inside the factory. Fu Xueli, lying on the ground, closed her eyes in agony, all the blood in her body turning cold in an instant.

A clear explosion sounded by her ear, the decibels so loud they made eardrums ache. Smoke filled the air, flames shooting skyward.

Scorching heat waves like sharp knives descended from all directions, burning with excruciating pain against the skin. Suddenly someone embraced her entirely from behind, holding her tightly in their arms. Blood stained his arms, the still-warm blood soaking through both their clothes.

Glaring, viscous red.

In this moment, for some unknown reason, everything suddenly became very quiet. Fu Xueli couldn’t make a sound. Usually fearless of heaven and earth, her frightened and helpless heart suddenly began racing wildly at this moment. She didn’t dare think about anything. Using all her strength, with difficulty, intermittently, she asked, “Xu Xingchun… you’re injured…”

After a pause, “Will you die?”

“…No.”

Who knows how much time passed.

He slowly lifted his hand, groping to cover Fu Xueli’s eyes. His breath very faint against her ear, speaking with great effort, “Don’t cry anymore.”