On the last day in Country L, Salingauke City was calm. The sunset dyed the snow-white buildings rose-colored, and the whole city seemed immersed in the shallow sea. Just as they were about to step into the hotel, Ling Lie suddenly stopped, and Zhao Fan walking in front of him also became alert.

There was no change in the surroundings, but the experienced sniper had already heard the dangerous movement in the wind.

Zhao Fan took a step back without looking back, “Did you bring a gun?”

Ling Lie: “Hmm.”

Zhao Fan: “It seems we can’t come like tourists and go back like tourists.”

The brief stop had attracted the attention of the doorman. He came down the steps and asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

More waiters came out of the foyer. Ling Lie noticed at a glance that they were all unfamiliar faces and carried some coldness from fighting in the hail of bullets.

At this time, roaring car sounds came from the road behind. One, two… five off-road vehicles modified beyond recognition stopped haphazardly, and burly men with rifles drilled out of the sunroofs.

And those waiters also showed their guns one after another.

Ling Lie and Zhao Fan reacted quickly, back to back. In the blink of an eye, a gun appeared in their hands. Ling Lie faced the off-road vehicles, and Zhao Fan faced the hotel foyer.

The doorman was scared pale, shouted in local dialect, fell to the ground and couldn’t stand up.

“Originally wanted to invite you in first.” A middle-aged man with sparse but long hair walked out of the foyer. He had a scar on his face and looked at Zhao Fan fiercely, “You can’t escape. If you don’t want your brains splattered on the street, come in with me obediently.”

Zhao Fan glanced back from the corner of his eye. Ling Lie whispered, “It’s people from ‘Jasmine Tea’, probably related to Duan Wande’s arrest.”

Zhao Fan: “Then listen to them?”

Ling Lie: “A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him.”

Zhao Fan laughed, “Listen to you.”

People jumped off the jeeps one after another. Three groups of people slowly walked up the steps of the hotel. No one put down the gun in their hands, but no one fired the first shot. The sunset was even grander, as if melting, pouring bloodily on this city licked by flames. At the moment before retreating into the hotel, Ling Lie raised his eyes and looked at the round moon rising from the horizon.

All guests and normal waiters in the hotel were locked in their rooms, and no one dared to come out. Ling Lie and Zhao Fan were escorted to a spacious conference room. The leading middle-aged man grabbed Ling Lie’s hair, “Are you the one who trespassed into the ski resort?”

Ling Lie was still smiling, “Oh, recognized me? Did the eldest nephew complain?”

The middle-aged man raised his hand and punched. Ling Lie’s face was beaten fiercely to one side, spitting out a mouthful of blood foam.

“But I want to correct one thing.” He turned back, shook his head, sweat and blood splattered on the faces of people next to him, “I just looked at the ski resort from a distance and didn’t go in. If your Mr. Wonder invites me in, I will be happy to.”

Hearing this, the middle-aged man was so angry that he wanted to hit him again. A person with cleaner clothes and a younger face walked over and grabbed the middle-aged man’s wrist.

“Su Yi, let go!” The middle-aged man shouted.

The young man called Su Yi smiled, released his hand, but his eyes were fixed on Ling Lie’s face, “Have you forgotten our goal? Even if you beat Mr. Ling to death now, Mr. Wonder won’t come back.”

The middle-aged man spat, “I’m relieving my anger!”

“Tsk.” Su Yi sneered contemptuously and nodded to the attendant beside him. The attendant immediately stepped forward and “invited” the middle-aged man aside.

The middle-aged man cursed, speaking words Ling Lie couldn’t understand.

Ling Lie’s temples were buzzing from the punch just now, and his vision was a little blurry. He barely saw that Su Yi looked delicate, but there was a ruthlessness of a perverted murderer in his eyes. Looking at the bone structure, he should also be from the East.

“Mr. Ling, I apologize for Shutong. He is a barbarian. We are compatriots.” Su Yi smiled and said: “Alice Crown Carnival, if you want to see it again, I can accompany you. Inviting you to chat today is not because of your visit to the ski resort.”

Ling Lie narrowed his eyes, “Is it because of Duan Wande?”

Su Yi’s smile froze slightly, then smiled again, “We rarely call Mr. Wonder by his real name.”

Ling Lie: “Look, I’m injured and it’s hard to talk. I’m too lazy to talk nonsense. What are your demands?”

Su Yi sat down, “Mr. Ling is straightforward. I want your Xiarong City police to release Mr. Wonder immediately.”

Ling Lie shrugged, “I’m not from the Xiarong City police. I have no right to interfere with their actions.”

Su Yi: “Mr. Ling must be joking. Isn’t the Special Action Team the superior unit of the local police? You and your teammate are in my hands. You are hostages. Mr. Wonder is also equivalent to a hostage detained by you. Exchanging hostages for hostages, you won’t lose.”

Ling Lie: “Then what if we don’t want to exchange?”

Su Yi looked at him for a moment and gestured to the attendant. Three seconds later, a muffled groan came from behind Ling Lie, as well as the sound of a sharp weapon tearing flesh and blood.

Killing intent suddenly overflowed in Ling Lie’s eyes.

Su Yi smiled and said: “Oh, does the pain of your teammate hurt your heart? But why didn’t he scream? Would you hurt more if he screamed?”

The conference room was very quiet, filled with Zhao Fan’s rapid breathing and the smell of blood spreading. Ling Lie didn’t look back, and he couldn’t look back.

Su Yi raised the index finger and middle finger of his right hand: “I swear, my intention is never to harm you. Mr. Wonder handed ‘Jasmine Tea’ to me and Shutong before leaving. We just want to bring him back safely.”

Saying that, Su Yi approached, almost to Ling Lie’s ear, “Mr. Ling, consider it?”

Ling Lie said: “You should let the people in charge of Xiarong City consider it. What’s the use of my consideration? If I issue an order to them now to release people, will they do it?”

Su Yi stood straight, frowning, his expression gradually becoming indifferent. Shutong jumped irritably aside: “Don’t talk nonsense with them! Kill one first to show them. If they don’t release people, I’ll kill another!”

Su Yi shouted angrily: “Shut up!”

Shutong: “…”

Ling Lie smiled: “Well said. With both of us here, you still have chips to negotiate with Xiarong City. If the one behind me dies, this won’t be just a matter of exchanging hostages.”

Su Yi was silent for a while, nodded, “I will contact Xiarong City. Mr. Ling, will you cooperate?”

Ling Lie shrugged, “I don’t want to die either. Why not try if I can live?”

Ji Chenjiao rushed back to the municipal bureau. At this time, only the team members on duty were still there. Shen Qi asked strangely: “Brother, why are you back?”

Ji Chenjiao immediately said: “Help me track Ling Lie.”

Shen Qi: “Why do I still need to track Brother Lie? Can’t you just call him?”

“Can’t reach him!”

Shen Qi also became vigilant, put down the coffee, “I’ll track him right away!”

Ling Lie and Zhao Fan’s communications were all shielded. It could only be seen that their last appearance was still in Salingauke City, but Shen Qi couldn’t accurately locate where they were now.

“Brother, could something have happened?”

Ji Chenjiao’s eyes grew colder bit by bit. Ling Lie wouldn’t take the initiative to cut off contact. It must be forced. What happened to them? Involved in local conflicts? Or similar to what he expected just now, controlled by “Jasmine Tea”?

Time passed by minute by second. Ji Chenjiao became more and more nervous. He contacted Xie Qing and Shen Xun successively, informing them of the current situation and his inference. The Special Action Team also started tracking there. Xie Qing rushed back to the municipal bureau shortly after.

“How is it now?” Xie Qing asked.

Ji Chenjiao shook his head, “Still no news.”

Xie Qing patted him on the shoulder, “If they are controlled by ‘Jasmine Tea’, then ‘Jasmine Tea’ will definitely contact us. Their ultimate goal is Duan Wande. Junior brother, don’t panic. Go and bring Duan Wande here.”

Ji Chenjiao: “Me?”

Xie Qing said: “If negotiation is needed, then you are the best person now. Don’t forget, their ultimate goal is Duan Wande, which means Duan Wande can decide the final situation.”

Ji Chenjiao understood, “Yes!”

Seeing Ji Chenjiao, Duan Wande’s reaction was still very plain, “It’s so late. What’s the matter?”

Ji Chenjiao handcuffed him and put a blanket on his arm, “Follow me.”

The technical investigation office area was empty. Ji Chenjiao poured a cup of hot tea for Duan Wande. Duan Wande smiled and said: “Are we going to talk all night?”

Ji Chenjiao suppressed his worry and said calmly: “What do you want to talk about?”

Duan Wande thought for a long while, “Did you find the photo I hid?”

Ji Chenjiao nodded, “Hmm.”

Duan Wande smiled, “I only hid this one, and you took it for me.”

A few more minutes passed, Duan Wande said: “Is Officer Ling who was with you that day your family?”

Ji Chenjiao’s eyes immediately became sharp.

Duan Wande was like an old father caring about his child’s love life, “There’s nothing that can’t be said. Who you like and who you want to be with, even God can’t change.”

“Just like me and Alice.”

“Officer Ling and I are actually quite destined.”

Ji Chenjiao asked: “What do you mean?”

Duan Wande said: “When I first arrived in Xiarong City, I took a taxi and met him when getting off. Only then neither he nor I knew each other’s identity.”

Ji Chenjiao was silent, and said after a moment: “Really.”

“Hmm, yes.”

They didn’t seem to have much to reminisce about. Even if they were not in the interrogation room at this time, they were like a suspect and a police officer handling the case.

In the early morning, Shen Qi suddenly connected to the communication of Salingauke City. Ling Lie and Zhao Fan’s faces appeared on the screen.

After being stunned for a moment, Shen Qi’s eyes turned red immediately, “Brother!”

Ling Lie was very calm, “Shh, why are you shouting? Where is your Brother Team?”

Ji Chenjiao and Xie Qing were next door and came immediately upon hearing the news. Ji Chenjiao’s pupils contracted suddenly, staring at the screen unblinkingly.

In the lens, Ling Lie’s face was swollen, one eye couldn’t open. Zhao Fan’s leg was dripping with blood. They were both tied to chairs, with masked gunmen beside them.

Xie Qing spoke, “What are your demands?”

Su Yi appeared in the lens, clapped his hands gently, his gaze fell on Xie Qing’s epaulet, “You are a high official. Do I negotiate with you?”

Xie Qing said: “Yes, with me.”

“Our demand is very simple. Release Mr. Wonder.” Su Yi smiled, but the smile was very insidious. The rifle in his hand poked Ling Lie’s temple, “Exchange one for two. You make a sure profit.”

Ji Chenjiao felt that the surrounding sounds were separated by a drum. It was clearly rumbling, but he couldn’t hear clearly. On the screen, Ling Lie looked up, looking for the lens blankly at first, then seemed to see him, and the corners of his lips curved upward.

Ling Lie’s lips were moving.

Ji Chenjiao saw clearly. He said: “Xiao, Ji.”

The heavy drum seemed to be torn apart by a huge force. Ji Chenjiao suddenly sobered up.

The rifle lifted Ling Lie’s chin high, facing the lens. Ling Lie’s sweat ran down his tendons. His prominent Adam’s apple was like exquisite but fragile porcelain.

“Duan Wande violated the laws of our country.” Xie Qing wrestled with Su Yi while giving Ji Chenjiao a look. Ji Chenjiao found it difficult to move his eyes away from Ling Lie, but time was tight at this moment, and there were things he must do.

Su Yi smiled and said: “Laws are made by people. If you insist on not releasing Mr. Wonder, then don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Ling Lie’s breathing sound came from the video. Ji Chenjiao turned his back, gritted his teeth and walked towards the next door.

The tea in front of Duan Wande was already cold, “Bringing me here suddenly, I guessed that tonight wouldn’t be peaceful. Say what you have to say directly.”

Ji Chenjiao tried his best to calm down, “‘Jasmine Tea’ contacted us.”

Duan Wande raised his eyebrows, “Oh?”

“Two of my teammates are in your hands. ‘Jasmine Tea’ wants to exchange them for you.”

The room was as quiet as if there was no one.

After a seemingly long but actually short time, Duan Wande put down the cup, “Remember I told you that I accept both endings?”

Ji Chenjiao was silent.

“After revenge, escape smoothly before being targeted by the police; after revenge, be caught by you and bear all the penalties I should bear.” Duan Wande said: “There is no third way, for example, escaping guilt by some means after being caught.”

“Let’s go. You need me now, right?”

Ji Chenjiao’s chest was hot, “Yes!”

Duan Wande slowly walked into the office where international communication was taking place and appeared in front of the lens.

Su Yi didn’t react at first, then said ecstatically: “Mr. Wonder!”

There was a very light smile on Duan Wande’s face, “Xiao Su, what did I tell you and Shutong before I left?”

“You said…”

“I have paid enough for ‘Jasmine Tea’ in my life. Now I am old, don’t want to do it anymore, want to retire, go… go home to find an explanation for my life.”

Su Yi looked at the screen in surprise, “No, Mr. Wonder, no matter when, you are our leader! I am willing to do anything for you!”

Duan Wande shook his head, “In the past five years of recuperation, you have been worrying about almost all the business of ‘Jasmine Tea’. What I did was just build some useless buildings.”

Su Yi shook his head vigorously.

“Listen to me.” Duan Wande sighed, “I don’t intend to return to Country L after returning to the country this time. I have no regrets handing ‘Jasmine Tea’ to you.”

Su Yi suddenly became irritable and strangled Ling Lie’s neck with a gun, “Mr. Wonder! Did they force you to say this?”

Ling Lie was a little painful, showing an expression of struggling to endure.

Duan Wande looked at Ling Lie, his smile disappeared and became majestic, “Let him go.”

“Mr. Wonder!”

“I said let him go. Are you going to disobey my order?”

Su Yi released Ling Lie unwillingly, “Mr. Wonder, I can’t accept it!”

“Everyone has their own destiny and different pursuits.” Duan Wande said: “Su Yi, you are a smart person. Can’t you see why I chose you? Why I cultivated you these years?”

“I…” Su Yi lowered his head. Of course he could see.

Duan Wande nodded, “I am no longer the leader of ‘Jasmine Tea’. I am responsible for my own decision.”

“But!”

“And you are the person currently in charge of ‘Jasmine Tea’. You held hostage police officers from another country and wanted to kill the hostages. Have you thought about the possible consequences for ‘Jasmine Tea’?”

Su Yi paused, his mouth half open, unable to speak.

“You are very smart, far better than me. Don’t let anger confuse your mind.” Duan Wande said: “You know what is good for ‘Jasmine Tea’.”

Half a minute later, Su Yi’s hand dropped, and the rifle was thrown on the ground. When he looked at the lens again, his eyes were red, “Mr. Wonder, is this really your decision?”

Duan Wande said: “I brought you up. You should know clearly that no one can force me to make a decision.”

Su Yi wiped his face hard, turned his back to the lens, and said a few words in the local language. Masked men stepped forward and untied the ropes on Ling Lie and Zhao Fan.

Ling Lie moved his wrists and looked at Ji Chenjiao across the time difference.

“Su Yi.” Just as Su Yi was about to leave the lens, Duan Wande stopped him.

Su Yi turned around quickly, “Mr. Wonder, have you changed your mind?”

Duan Wande smiled and shook his head, “I have one more request.”

Su Yi’s expression was ugly, “Don’t say request. What you ask me to do is not a request.”

Duan Wande pointed to Ling Lie and Zhao Fan, “The injuries on them were caused by ‘Jasmine Tea’. Please trouble ‘Jasmine Tea’ to send them safely onto the plane returning to the country.”

Su Yi frowned tightly. After a few seconds, he said: “Mr. Wonder, don’t worry. But… this is also the last time I obey your order.”

Duan Wande smiled: “Thank you. ‘Jasmine Tea’ will be up to you, Su Yi, from now on.”

The communication screen was interrupted at this time. Ji Chenjiao’s hanging heart couldn’t be put down. It was already the second half of the night, and everyone was very sleepy. Xie Qing thanked Duan Wande, and Duan Wande shook his head.

On the way to send Duan Wande back to the detention room, Ji Chenjiao said: “You blocked the possibility of their last move.”

There is no airport for international flights in the Salingauke Region. The south seems peaceful, but there are crises on the Gobi highway rushing to the port city. Plus the power of “Floating Light” may have penetrated deep into Country L, there is a chance that Ling Lie and Zhao Fan will have an accident on the way to the airport.

Regardless of whether “Floating Light” or “Jasmine Tea” is making trouble, Su Yi can declare that it is not him. He only promised to release people, not anything else.

“Su Yi has deep thoughts. He can think of possibilities that you and I can think of.” Duan Wande said: “If Ling Lie doesn’t come back, then my negotiation will lose its meaning. Letting Su Yi escort, on the one hand, cuts off his thought of making a move on the way, and on the other hand, prevents other forces from obstructing. Moreover…”

He looked at the light at the end of the corridor and stopped talking.

Ji Chenjiao looked back, “What do you want to say?”

Duan Wande smiled, “Alice and I fell in love freely. As parents, we have tasted the sweetest feelings in this world. Our child shouldn’t miss it.”

Ji Chenjiao froze.

Duan Wande walked towards the detention room, “We have never accompanied our child. Someone can accompany him in the days to come. Seeing Alice in the future, I can be considered to have an explanation.”

“I will tell her that our child is not lonely.”

Under the escort of “Jasmine Tea”, Ling Lie and Zhao Fan successfully boarded the flight leaving Country L. The flight landed in a third country where society operates normally. The two stayed for a day. After professional medical staff treated the injuries, they set sail back to the country.

As soon as they got off the plane, Ling Lie and Zhao Fan were sent to the hospital. Zhao Fan hurt his leg, stabbed by a knife. Fortunately, no bones or muscles were injured. He could hop alone without crutches. Ling Lie’s injury was theoretically lighter, but it was on his face. The swelling hadn’t completely subsided, and his eyes were still congested.

Ji Chenjiao felt blocked in his heart at a glance. He held Ling Lie’s face falsely, his fingertips trembling slightly. He wanted to hug the person fiercely, but was afraid of using too much force and hurting Ling Lie.

“Let me see.” His voice was very hoarse. He hadn’t slept much for a few days. As long as he was awake, his mind would automatically start “calculating” massive clues. He couldn’t stop, and couldn’t stop. Once he didn’t think about the case, he would be swallowed by surging personal emotions.

“Xiao Ji.” Ling Lie simply covered Ji Chenjiao’s hand, letting that warm and rough palm stick to his slightly swollen cheek, “Hiss——”

Ji Chenjiao quickly withdrew, “Did I press it? Does it hurt?”

“Swollen like this, you say it hurts or not?” Ling Lie seemed to enjoy the pain very much, pressing Ji Chenjiao’s hand again, “Hey, don’t move, let me lean for a while.”

Ji Chenjiao felt his palm seemed to be burning, with a heart beating slowly there. He had touched swollen places. Previously, when he fell or bumped during training and got swollen, he needed to apply some medicinal wine to reduce swelling. That place would be heated by the surrounding skin, and there would even be an illusion of blood vessels beating.

But this time it was different. What he touched was not his own, but Ling Lie’s. That temperature was unrealistically high, as if it could melt him.

“Xiao Ji, you are so nervous about me.” Ling Lie tilted his head and smiled. When he smiled like this in the past, it always made Ji Chenjiao feel owed. This time, he didn’t know if it was because of “battle damage”, short hair, or any other reason, Ji Chenjiao only felt sad.

“Can’t I be nervous about you?” Ji Chenjiao said softly: “The one I am most nervous about is you.”

“I know!” Ling Lie smiled and extended his index finger, poking Ji Chenjiao’s chin, “Why are you so unkempt when I haven’t been here for a few days?”

There was a mirror next to it. Ji Chenjiao turned his head and looked. The man in the mirror was really sloppy, with stubble all over his chin, dark circles under his eyes, collar pulled up on one side by Ling Lie, and mud spots splashed on his trouser legs at some unknown time.

“My little snake has turned into a dirty stray dog.” Ling Lie squeezed Ji Chenjiao’s face hard, “I’m going for a physical examination in a while, and you can’t go in. Why don’t you go shave and wash your face?”

Ji Chenjiao frowned, “No hurry…”

“I’m in a hurry!” Ling Lie said: “I am a person who values appearance very much. Do you know what was the motivation for me to hold on and come back?”

Ji Chenjiao: “Hmm?”

Ling Lie: “It’s to see my handsome boyfriend. He has become ugly and dirty now. I rather want to break off the engagement.”

Ji Chenjiao: “…”

Ling Lie patted Ji Chenjiao’s shoulder with both hands, turned him around, and pushed him on the back, “Go, elf Xiao Ji. Come see me after washing clean, otherwise I really will change my love!”