Watching Captain Li being forced back step by step, and then seeing the glaring bloodstain on Zhouzhou's neck...

Zhou Qiqi's heart felt like it was being ground on a millstone, the pain almost causing it to split open.

A desperate, all-or-nothing resolve surged up from the bottom of my heart!

This stalemate can't continue! We have to do something!

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, took a small step forward, and called out to He Wanrou in a voice trembling with tears:

"He Wanrou! Look! The child's neck is bleeding! She's the only heir of the Shen family! If anything happens to her, forget about the job and money we promised you, the Shen family will fight you to the death! You'll get nothing and lose your life! It's not worth it!"

She paused, then uttered the suggestion that made everyone's hearts tighten:

"Okay! Let Zhouzhou go! She needs to get her injury checked right away! I'll take her place! I have a bankbook in my bag with just-arrived payment for goods, a full three thousand yuan! You take me hostage, and I'll go with you to the credit union to withdraw the money! After you withdraw the money, I'll help you negotiate with the police and guarantee you'll leave safely! Is that alright?"

These words startled everyone present.

He Wanrou was clearly stunned for a moment, and a struggle flashed in her eyes.

She knew better than anyone how important Zhouzhou was to the Shen family. He was the only bloodline left by Shen Huaiyue and the lifeblood of the two elders of the Shen family.

If Zhouzhou is injured, the Shen family will definitely retaliate at all costs.

As for Zhou Qiqi... in the end, she is a daughter-in-law from another family, so how can she be compared to a biological granddaughter?

Trading her for Zhouzhou would still give me leverage, and I'd also get real money... This exchange sounds like a great deal!

The immense temptation swayed her, but seeing Zhou Qiqi reach into her bag, she immediately snapped in alarm:

"You? What tricks are you trying to pull? Take your hands out! Don't move!"

"What tricks could I possibly play? I'll just show you my bankbook!"

Zhou Qiqi slowly withdrew her hands as instructed, and sure enough, she was only holding a dark red savings book in her hands.

She even slowly turned around to show that she had nothing else on her, and pleaded anxiously:

"I just don't want my child to suffer anymore! I'll come over there, you let go of Zhouzhou and let the police take her to get bandaged up! I mean what I say, I'll definitely cooperate with you to get the money and help you out!"

Captain Li, who was standing to the side, immediately understood Zhou Qiqi's intention.

She intends to use herself as bait to create the perfect opportunity to make her move when the hostages are exchanged!

His heart tightened. He admired the woman's courage but was also worried for her. He immediately and discreetly gave a few subtle hand signals to the team members around him. Everyone tensed up and was ready to go.

He Wanrou's eyes struggled, greed and doubt flashing across her face, but in the end, the desire for money and a way out prevailed.

She commanded in a harsh voice:

"Fine! Come here! Hands up! Slow down! If she tries anything funny, I'll kill her right now!"

Zhou Qiqi did as instructed, raising her hands high and slowly moving towards He Wanrou step by step.

Her gaze was fixed on He Wanrou's hand holding the knife, and every nerve in her body was stretched to its limit.

Just as she moved to within a step or two of He Wanrou.

He Wanrou's attention was completely drawn to the passbook in Zhou Qiqi's hand.

She unconsciously loosened her grip on Zhouzhou's arm a little, preparing to reach out and grab Zhou Qiqi.

Now!

Zhou Qiqi did not obediently go over to become a hostage as He Wanrou had expected!

Instead, he suddenly lunged forward!

But she lunged not at He Wanrou's front, but at her side and below!

The target was incredibly precise—He Wanrou's right elbow joint, where she was holding the knife!

She used all her strength and weight to slam her shoulder hard into He Wanrou's elbow, which was numb!

"Ugh!"

Caught off guard, He Wanrou felt a sharp, tingling pain in her elbow, and her hand holding the knife instantly went out of control, causing the fruit knife to slide off Zhouzhou's neck at an angle!

The left arm that was holding the child loosened abruptly due to the sudden impact!

"Let's do it!"

Captain Li has been waiting for this moment!

With a roar, he pounced like a cheetah, aiming straight for He Wanrou's weakened right hand, wanting to take away the murder weapon!

However, the excruciating pain and the anger of being deceived drove He Wanrou into an even more insane state!

She screamed and, driven by instinct, wildly waved her still-functioning left hand, her long nails viciously scratching at Zhou Qiqi's face!

At this moment, Captain Li had already taken the knife, but his knee had hit the stone hard, and he couldn't help Zhou Qiqi for the time being.

Zhou Qiqi, having just exhausted all her strength, staggered to the ground, powerless to resist, as the sharp fingernails were about to scratch her eyes!

At the critical moment!

A figure in military green, as fast as the wind sweeping through the forest, suddenly burst out from the side!

It was so fast that it was almost impossible to see!

It's the sinking of Huaichuan!

He had arrived without anyone noticing, his figure like a drawn sword, carrying a chilling killing intent honed on the battlefield!

Without the slightest hesitation, with a clean and swift military-style grappling move, she parried He Wanrou's hand that was reaching for Zhou Qiqi's face.

At the same time, his right hand swiftly reached out and mercilessly locked He Wanrou's shoulder joint and neck!

Almost at the same moment, Captain Li endured the excruciating pain.

With his superb instincts, the old policeman turned around and used his body weight to press He Wanrou's other twisted arm to the ground, rendering her completely immobile.

With a clang, the deadly fruit knife was kicked far away and landed among the dead leaves.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!