Chapter 667: Stalemate
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Hahaha…”
Peals of laughter came from the large boat along with the rippling waves, giving off a chilly feel.
The feelings of tension reached its limit, like a tight string that could break any moment.
“Hahaha, no problem.” Ye Lun’s voice sounded relaxed. “Captain Bai, don’t worry. I’ll definitely show you. However, you have to get your boat closer. A little closer.”
“Don’t play tricks.” Bai Muchuan held the megaphone so tightly that the back of his veins appeared. “Ye Lun, don’t play the same trick twice. It’s not interesting at all.”
“It’s real. Just come closer a little more and I’ll let Teacher Xiang talk to you.”
“Fine.” Bai Muchuan turned around. “Laowu, bring the boat closer—”
“Little Bai.” Quan Shaoteng interrupted him, his tone hesitant, unlike his usual daring and fearless attitude. His eyebrows were furrowed into a troubled frown. Maybe he was worried as Ye Lun was too crafty. “Why do we need to go closer when this distance is just fine?” He shook his head. “Why must he insist that we get closer? This fellow has too many bad tricks up his sleeves. I’m worried…”
As he said so, he picked up the telescope and looked at the boat which was at least twice their size.
“Are you afraid that they have weapons on board?” Bai Muchuan asked coldly.
“That’s right.” Quan Shaoteng does not deny, “We’re at sea now. Our men…” He looked at his comrades-in-arms. “I’m afraid that everyone isn’t used to it.”
They were commandos but fighting enemies on land was very different from fighting enemies on the sea. They had not been training on the sea for a long time and he was worried that his men might not be able to hold out for long. If the opponent had some heavy weapons with them, it would be very dangerous…
Bai Muchuan nodded knowingly and put one hand on his shoulder.
“Laowu, you’re old already.”
“…”
Quan Shaoteng shoved his hand away.
“D*rn. I’m a hot young stud standing right in front of you. It’s already bad enough for you to ignore me but you even mocked me. Your conscience won’t hurt?”
Bai Muchuan snorted coldly, “Enough, stop blowing your trumpet.” He pointed at the larger boat. “Move the boat closer.”
Quan Shaoteng became solemn and his tone became low. “No… Little Bai, are you serious?”
“I’m serious.” Bai Muchuan nodded his head, his face stern and cold. “If we want to save Xiang Wan, we have to get closer to his boat. I’ve considered your concerns as well. However, we shouldn’t stop just because there’s danger ahead.”
“…”
“This is the responsibility of the police.”
Not to mention that Xiang Wan was on the other boat.
Even if that person was not Xiang Wan but just an innocent passerby who was dragged into the case, they had to make the same decision nonetheless.
Aye! Quan Shaoteng actually puffed a sigh.
“Fine. In order to prove that I’m not old, just leave it to me! I’ll put up a good fight for you—”
Bai Muchuan looked at him. “The same trick?”
“We’ll play it twice, just for that fellow,” continued Quan Shaoteng who showed a smile then he placed a hand on Bai Muchuan’s shoulder, the other hand pointed forward. “Listen to my command! Go forward at full speed.”
“Roger!”
The Operation Team members were his subordinates-slash-comrades-in-arms which he had brought along with him from Red Thorn.
They had been with him for years. They were trustworthy and tight-knit like brothers.
They followed the instruction, their expressions solemn and stern.
In the calm sea surface, the boat was moving at a fast clip.
The water’s surface was streaked with waves until it became nearer and nearer to the boat—
Everyone started to feel tense as the distance between their boat and the enemy’s boat reduced.
“Stop!”
Quan Shaoteng calculated the spot they would stop at and lifted his hand.
The boat stopped and Bai Muchuan used the megaphone again. “Ye Lun, I’m here. Where’s Xiang Wan?”
“Hahaha…”
Maybe Ye Lun had thought that teasing the police was extremely amusing for he actually laughed before he spoke indolently with a mocking tone. “Captain Bai is indeed a man who carries out his task with vigor. I appreciate that very much. However, the more you behave like this, the more I’m afraid to believe you. Isn’t it against the rules to exchange a person for another? Captain Bai actually dares to do things that go against the rules?”
“It’s against the rules to exchange one person for another. But if this person is a policeman, it’s another matter altogether. The police have an obligation to protect people’s lives and property. Cheng Zheng is willing to exchange for Xiang Wan and this does not violate any rule. This is called noble, upright and heroic!”
His voice was loud and strong. The surface of the sea seemed to be affected by his emotions. It had just turned calm but waves started to appear.
The boat moved up and down in a bobbing motion.
Their hearts sank deeper and deeper.
Ye Lun replied, “Alright.”
About half a second later, he instructed his men then spoke to Bai Muchuan.
“I’ll get Teacher Xiang out now.”
…
There were two men guarding Xiang Wan in the cabin.
She had heard what Bai Muchuan had said, as well as Ye Lun’s reply.
However, she wouldn’t be able to make a sound until one of the henchmen removed the cloth they stuffed in her mouth.
She was still a little dizzy and confused over what had happened that night.
She had been sleeping throughout the journey as she was drugged. She had a splitting headache ever since she woke up. Earlier on, she looked on helplessly when they dragged a woman out. She wore similar clothes and was of similar build as her. Xiang Wan then realized what Ye Lun wanted to do but there was nothing she could do about it.
One of the most terrible experiences a person could go through was having no control over their own actions and words.
“Come out, Teacher Xiang.”
Ye Lun was standing at the entrance of the cabin. His hands were in his pockets; he was wearing a casual smile like an extremely polite gentleman.
“Both of your hubbies are calling for you.”
Xiang Wan lifted her eyelids. “Your words sound a little sour?”
Ye Lun narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s not sour, it’s sweet. Teacher Xiang should take the chance to fully experience this sweet taste, for you might not taste it again…”
Xiang Wan remarked, “You’re vicious.”
Ye Lun let out a cold sneer and shrugged his shoulders. “I did all these to protect myself. Teacher Xiang, surely there’s no need to mind these details?”
Details?
So attaching a bomb on her waist was called a ‘detail’.
Xiang Wan pressed her lips together as she walked out of the cabin.
A verbal argument was meaningless.
She didn’t want to engage in that.
…
Xiang Wan walked on the deck. She could clearly see the vast, boundless sea, yet the atmosphere was so tense that her breathing was not smooth.
She lifted her head and suddenly realized that the night scenery with the moon was especially beautiful.
The round moon hung high up on the sky and the silvery light was being reflected on the sea; the shimmering waters rippling with the waves.
The scene was actually picturesque.
Xiang Wan could feel the weight on her waist. She took a puff of breath and took two steps forward to look at the boat before her.
The distance was still far away and she couldn’t see how the situation was.
But she knew that Bai Muchuan was just over there. She was separated from him for not sure how many days already. He was there now, to save her.
Being the girlfriend of a detective really was an endless, risky cycle…
She didn’t know why she showed a smile as Ye Lun passed the megaphone to her from his henchmen.
“Bai Muchuan.”
Xiang Wan tried to call his name and realized that her voice had gone hoarse.
“I’m here, Xiang Wan.” Bai Muchuan replied instantly.
It felt as though he was standing beside her.
Xiang Wan paused for a moment. “Have you recovered from your cold?”
“…”