Chapter 16: Rapid Hunt

Li Chuzhe was momentarily stunned, staring blankly. Tang Yan narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious. “Li Chuzhe?”

“Yeah… it’s getting late. You should go rest.” Li Chuzhe tugged at his tie, turning to walk away.

Tang Yan suddenly stood up. “Li Chuzhe, I’m going back to work tomorrow.”

“What? Why go out and work? I can take care of you.” Li Chuzhe turned back, looking at her.

But Tang Yan stepped forward without hesitation, thrusting her resume into his hand with a firm resolve. “I’ve made up my mind. I just came to let you know.”

Watching her leave, Li Chuzhe froze in place. He realized—this bird wasn’t some common sparrow. It was a golden finch, wild at heart, self-reliant, meant for the sky.

“Tang Yan,” he finally asked, voice low, “what’s your relationship with Song Xieling?”

“Nothing. Just friends.”

Li Chuzhe wasn’t convinced. “From what I know, you two only met once. When was that?”

Tang Yan snapped. “Li Chuzhe, are you seriously going to micromanage everything? Wake up—this is a contractual marriage. We’re married on paper, nothing more. If you keep this up, we’ll divorce. Go find someone else.”

Seeing her unwavering stance, Li Chuzhe closed his eyes briefly. A sharp pain throbbed in his chest.

Back in the room, Tang Yan sat on the bed, unable to calm down. She opened her laptop, deciding to check the hacker forums for quick side jobs.

As soon as she logged in, she noticed that Yemu hadn’t been online in ages. She sent a message to Chaoyang: *Long time no see. You didn’t forget our showdown, did you?*

No reply. The chat window stayed dark. She scrolled through the tasks—nothing new. All were ones she’d already completed.

“Too quiet lately,” she muttered under her breath, about to lie down when her phone rang.

She picked it up. Song Xieling.

“Hello?”

“Tang Yan… someone’s trying to kill me.” The voice was frantic—like someone driving fast.

Tang Yan shot upright instantly. “Song Xieling, what’s going on? Where are you? I’m coming right now.”

She changed clothes in record time, then bolted downstairs, phone pressed to her ear. “I’m on Donghua Avenue. There are cars chasing me from behind—armed. They’ve got guns.”

“Got it. Stay safe. I’m on my way.” She hung up and immediately contacted the network.

*Turn left out the door, enter the pet shop. Someone will meet you.*

She slipped on her shoes and tiptoed out the house. On the second-floor window, Li Chuzhe stood silently, eyes heavy with sorrow, watching her disappear into the night before vanishing himself into the shadows.

Inside the pet shop, a guide led her through the back door. A car waited outside. “Donghua Avenue. Move fast.”

Tang Yan remained composed, but her pulse raced. This wasn’t just about completing a mission—it was about saving a life.

The car sped toward Donghua Avenue. Ahead, she saw several vehicles pursuing another at breakneck speed. “Can we protect the lead vehicle?”

“Chaoyang, suit up. Jump onto the roof. We’ll catch up fast—take out their tires.”

“Got it.”

She donned her gear, leapt onto the moving roof. Wind howled around her, nearly blinding her.

“Chaoyang, ready?”

“Yeah. Go.”

Crouched on the roof, her ears buzzing with the comms, she fired. Each shot blew out a tire with deadly precision—cold, focused, ruthless.

After taking out a few cars, the front pursuers realized the threat. They began deliberately ramming toward her vehicle, forcing her off balance. She barely held on, nearly thrown off the roof.

“Fire!”

“Wait—timing’s not right yet.” Chaoyang flattened herself against the roof, eyes locked on the gaps between the approaching cars.

“Turn left!” Tang Yan commanded.

The car swerved sharply to the left. The other vehicles, caught off guard, slammed into each other. In that split second, Chaoyang aimed and fired—her bullet hit the closest car’s tire. The vehicle lost control, veered wildly, plowing into the others. One bullet, three cars down.

“Song Xieling, stop at the next intersection—then get out immediately.”

Song Xieling had no idea what had happened. But he obeyed.

At the next corner, he jumped out and hid. Almost instantly, another car crashed head-on into his.

A deafening explosion echoed through the air.

Then, Tang Yan stepped out from behind, dressed casually now. “Song Xieling, what just happened?”

He didn’t question her. His face was pale, shaking. “My car exploded… How did you know?”

“I figured they were all desperate men—willing to die. So I tested it.”

“Tested? You’re insane. What if you’d gotten me killed?”

Tang Yan smiled faintly. “Won’t happen. I’m usually right.”

“Thanks,” Song Xieling whispered, still trembling.

Tang Yan noticed something off. “You okay?”

“My wound… it’s torn open. Hurts.”

He shook his head. She pulled up his sleeve—and gasped. The flesh beneath was rotting, oozing foul-smelling pus.

Her brows knitted tightly. “How bad is this? Hospital. Now.”

“No—can’t go to a hospital. I’ll handle it. I’m fine.”

His lips were white. Clearly infected. If untreated, the whole arm would have to be amputated.

“This is serious. You’re my guest. I can’t afford to lose you.” She reached for him.

Just then, a voice cut through the silence behind them.

“Guest? Who exactly are you two planning to run off with?”