บท 76: 76
Jiang Wenxiu quickly located the address and sent the detailed IP to Pei Yujang.
Minister Chen's address was in a seemingly ordinary residential area—not in the city center but not too remote either. It wasn't isolated like the water plant, where there were hardly any people. Anyone passing by would see nothing unusual, just a normal neighborhood with shops, bathhouses, and other everyday amenities.
Jiang Wenxiu peeked over Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan's shoulders, asking curiously, "Why are you looking for this place? Did someone owe you money?"
Pei Yujang didn't fully disclose the truth, only saying, "It's important, but I can't explain it. Don't ask too many questions."
Jiang Wenxiu responded with a sarcastic "Ohhh" before noticing the tension in the air. Though she wasn't close to Yu Zhiwan, she could sense that the Omega wasn't in the best mood. Sensing she'd done her part, Jiang Wenxiu quickly retreated to tackle her homework, mindful that Fan Zhaozhao would inspect her progress later.
With Jiang Wenxiu gone, the atmosphere grew even heavier. Yu Zhiwan's face was impassive as she stared at the computer screen, making Pei Yujang uneasy. She lightly patted Yu Zhiwan's shoulder but got no reaction.
With a forced smile, Pei Yujang tried to soften the mood, calling out, "Zhiwan? Zhiwan?"
Yu Zhiwan maintained her professional demeanor, typing away on the keyboard as she researched the area around the residential complex. "This is an old neighborhood with outdated security measures. The surrounding walls are damaged and have been for a long time. Many areas don't have functioning surveillance cameras. Residents even have to go to a different location to pick up their packages, or to the security office, which has had multiple reports of missing parcels."
She continued in a calm, almost detached tone, "The poor security means they'd have ample time to move people around. It's possible they have a safe house or an accomplice nearby. We should be prepared for the worst."
"If I were them, I wouldn't keep my main base too close to this area to avoid being caught in one sweep. But it wouldn't be too far either. I'm guessing it's within this range." She drew a red circle on the map, marking an approximate five-kilometer radius. Twirling Jiang Wenxiu's pen in her hand, Yu Zhiwan adjusted her blue-light glasses and said with certainty, "We should search this area. I can take a few people to provide backup. The main goal is to rescue Minister Chen; we'll focus on others later. One person will go in with you."
She locked eyes with Pei Yujang, her tone half-warning, half-advising: "Pei Yujang, they're dangerous. Don't be a hero."
Pei Yujang didn't respond immediately. She wasn't one to make empty promises, especially not when she knew she might break them.
In the dimly lit room, with the glow of the computer illuminating half of Yu Zhiwan's face, she looked almost like a figure from a painting—half in light, half in shadow. The gold-rimmed glasses added a touch of sternness to her already striking features. Seated on a lower stool, Pei Yujang found herself gazing up at Yu Zhiwan, who, with her long black hair cascading down, looked even more ethereal and commanding.
Finally snapping out of her daze, Pei Yujang hesitated before mumbling, "I'll try."
Pei Yujang wasn't good at hiding her emotions, a habit she'd developed while treating Yu Zhiwan as a blind person who didn't require facial expressions. But Yu Zhiwan could easily read her, seeing through the facade to the real thoughts behind Pei Yujang's reluctant agreement.
The silence stretched until Pei Yujang felt a sharp pinch on her cheek. Yu Zhiwan, applying just enough pressure, playfully scolded her, "Were you like this during your missions too?"
With her soft cheek squished in Yu Zhiwan's grasp, Pei Yujang's words came out muffled, "Like… what?"
"Like this… overreaching," Yu Zhiwan initially wanted to accuse her of meddling, but the term felt off.
But Pei Yujang understood. "It's not overreaching. Minister Chen is one of our own; we have to save her. The others trapped inside are likely suffering unspeakable horrors. If we can destroy their base, it would be the best outcome. Even if we wanted to take a slow and steady approach, they wouldn't give us the chance."
Quick and decisive action was necessary. The fact that they were openly opposing the A Organization meant they weren't as powerful as they appeared. Otherwise, they would have unleashed the zombie virus already. Why else would they resort to covert human trafficking and secret experiments?
"Have you considered the danger you might face?"
Pei Yujang met Yu Zhiwan's steady gaze, unable to dodge the pointed question. "I have, and after hearing you, I've thought about it more seriously."
In the past, Pei Yujang had been a loner, not worrying about anyone else's safety. Death didn't scare her because it was just another dark place, no different from the life she led. But now, things had changed.
Yi City was vibrant again—no longer the bleak, desolate place she remembered. People walked by Yi Lake without fearing mutant creatures that might leap out and snap their necks. The white tower stood tall, not reduced to ruins in a war, not turned into a bloody prison for human slaves.
She had Yu Zhiwan and Pei Junhuai—two people she couldn't bear to lose. She knew that if something happened to her, it would devastate them.
Pei Yujang gently hooked her pinky around Yu Zhiwan's, giving it a light shake. "You're calm. I'm not. Even if I promised to only save Minister Chen and leave, I'd be lying. But I don't want to lie to you. I'll be honest. If you can't accept it, we can discuss it, but you have to be honest with me too, okay?"
Pei Yujang knelt on one knee to be at eye level with Yu Zhiwan, their gazes locked. She intertwined their fingers, taking a deep breath of Yu Zhiwan's subtle scent, feeling a wave of calm wash over her.
"First, I'll ensure our safety as much as possible. If there's little chance of rescuing others, I'll get Minister Chen out immediately. And I'll make sure they don't have guns."
Though she had trained to dodge bullets, Pei Yujang wasn't invincible. If there were a sharpshooter or more than five armed men, she wouldn't risk her life for a slim chance.
She could tolerate getting injured to save lives, but she wouldn't throw her life away on a reckless gamble.
"Then, I'll plan a careful attack strategy, including a backup escape route, and figure out a contingency plan."
She quickly ruled out the unreliable 711 system. Since guns were illegal for civilians, Pei Yujang considered other options. She thought about carrying a signal device to ensure she could broadcast live in an emergency. Even if someone tried to cover it up, the public wouldn't be silenced.
Yu Zhiwan didn't comment on her plan, simply leaving the room with a curt, "Figure it out."
Later, Pei Yujang found Yu Zhiwan tutoring Jiang Wenxiu, who looked utterly defeated. Yu Zhiwan patiently explained the math problems, guiding her through the correct method.
Watching from the doorway, Pei Yujang couldn't help but think, My girlfriend is really something.
Two days later, Yu Zhiwan mysteriously handed Pei Yujang a gift. Thinking it might be another fake marriage certificate, Pei Yujang was puzzled by the tin box's size. When she lifted the lid, revealing something black inside, her mind jumped to some sort of… costume?
She quickly grabbed Yu Zhiwan's hand, stammering, "Zhiwan, I—"
With everything nearly ready for the mission, Pei Yujang hadn't been in that sort of mood. But she understood if Yu Zhiwan wanted to be close, knowing how worried Omegas could be.
Before she could express her gratitude, Yu Zhiwan lightly swatted her arm, looking confused. "What are you thinking? Just open it."
Realizing she'd misunderstood, Pei Yujang opened the tin box, revealing a sleek, black bulletproof vest. Beneath it was a carefully wrapped handgun and two fully loaded magazines.
Stunned, Pei Yujang didn't move. She had expected her girlfriend to be resourceful, but she hadn't imagined Yu Zhiwan could procure something like this.
"You should have good aim, coming from the military. This is a new model silenced pistol. It's not the most powerful, but it's the quietest on the market. You can use it without drawing too much attention, and it's easy to conceal. I've arranged for someone on my team to back you up. They'll go in with you, so don't try anything reckless."
Yu Zhiwan pointed to the map. "I've mapped out the area. When Zhao Manlin video calls Minister Chen, they'll likely move her here. This place probably has one of their safe houses. You can avoid the cameras by entering through this door. If you need to escape, follow this blue route."
"Three kilometers away is an abandoned coal plant. I suspect they've turned it into a small compound. Avoid it if possible."
Yu Zhiwan's calm demeanor and meticulous planning left Pei Yujang in awe. The Omega's confidence was palpable as she outlined the mission, her fingers gliding over the map with a commanding presence.
Pei Yujang found herself feeling emotional, her eyes misting up. She quickly blinked it away, not wanting to appear weak. Crouching down, she gently kissed Yu Zhiwan on the cheek.
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