Inside the unfinished building, it was pitch black.
The air was thick with the smell of damp mold and cement dust. Underfoot lay gravel and various construction debris, each step making a "rustling" sound that was amplified in the deathly silence.
Shen Xingling rushed ahead, only turning on her tactical flashlight. A narrow beam of light swayed in front of her, illuminating the maze-like, intricate reinforced concrete structure.
Qin Xiao was pulled along by her, following behind at a leisurely pace.
"Are you so sure he'll take this path?" Shen Xingling's voice was low, tinged with a hint of breathlessness and resentment.
"The most dangerous place is the safest place. The reverse is also true." Qin Xiao's voice was calm, as if he were taking a walk in his own backyard. "The least likely route is also the least likely to be searched. For a butcher who doesn't want to leave any trace, this is the only choice."
The two walked through a narrow corridor, barely wide enough for one person to pass at a time, and their bodies inevitably brushed against each other.
Shen Xingling could clearly feel Qin Xiao's chest pressing against her back from time to time. The warmth transmitted through her clothes made her feel uncomfortable all over. Her mind would uncontrollably flash back to the "pilgrimage" remarks and the feeling of his hand sliding over her buttocks.
Her heart was beating faster and faster, whether from the chase or something else, she didn't know.
There's no road ahead!
The flashlight beam illuminated a two-meter-wide fracture zone ahead, below which lay a bottomless darkness.
“He can’t possibly make it!” Shen Xingling asserted.
“He can.” Qin Xiao released her hand, walked to the edge of the break, and shone his flashlight downwards. The beam of light was reflected back by a layer of protruding steel bars below.
“Take a running start, jump over, grab the steel bar on the other side, and then swing to the next level. That’s the skill of a professional,” Qin Xiao judged.
He took a few steps back and said to Shen Xingling, who was still in a daze, "Watch closely, this is how amateur players go."
Before he finished speaking, he took a running start and leaped off the edge!
His body drew a graceful arc in the air and landed precisely on the other side. The whole process was clean and efficient, without a single unnecessary movement.
Shen Xingling was stunned.
This guy... is he really a "helpful citizen"?
After Qin Xiao steadied himself, he turned around and reached out his hand to her. The flashlight beam shone from behind him, outlining his figure as a blurry yet reliable silhouette.
"come over."
Shen Xingling gritted her teeth; she didn't think she was any worse than him.
She followed Qin Xiao's example, stepping back, taking a running start, and jumping!
However, she overlooked a loose pebble under her feet.
At the moment of takeoff, her ankle slipped suddenly, and most of the force was lost!
"Ah!" she cried out in surprise, losing her balance in mid-air and about to fall into the abyss below!
At this critical moment, a large, iron-like hand shot out like lightning and grabbed her wrist tightly!
It's Qin Xiao!
He used all his strength and pulled backward with a sudden jerk!
The immense inertia caused Shen Xingling's body to swing like a pendulum, crashing heavily into his arms.
"Bang!"
Another muffled sound.
But this time, it didn't hit his chest.
In the darkness and chaos, Shen Xingling's head was tilted back, while Qin Xiao leaned forward to pull her back.
Two warm, soft lips were pressed together without warning and firmly.
Time stood still once again.
If the last encounter was about softness and elasticity, this time it was an electric shock-like tingling sensation and the distinct hormonal scent of a man.
Shen Xingling's eyes were wide open in the darkness, her mind completely blank.
She could feel the outline of his lips, and even his steady breathing.
This kiss had no technique involved; it was simply a primal, impactful collision.
One second, two seconds...
Qin Xiao moved his lips away first, but did not loosen his grip on her.
"It seems... we always have to bump into something before we can get along properly." His voice carried a hint of teasing, and his warm breath brushed against Shen Xingling's cheek.
"You... let me go!" Shen Xingling finally found her voice, but it was weak and had no power whatsoever. She pushed Qin Xiao hard, but because she was unsteady on her feet, she staggered back two steps and was caught by Qin Xiao again.
"Don't move." Qin Xiao's voice suddenly turned serious. "There's movement."
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint metallic clanging sound came from the darkness not far ahead.
The two of them immediately held their breath.
The romantic, ambiguous atmosphere was instantly replaced by tension.
Qin Xiao gestured for Shen Xingling to follow.
This time, Shen Xingling didn't question it anymore. She gripped the pistol at her waist and followed Qin Xiao cautiously.
The two walked around a pile of cement bags, and ahead was a large room that was only half-finished.
A flashlight beam swept across the room, revealing a dark figure crouching in the corner, seemingly dealing with a large travel bag.
"Don't move! Police!" Shen Xingling shouted sharply, raising her gun at the same time.
The dark figure was startled and turned around. He was wearing a hood and holding a silenced pistol. Without hesitation, he fired a shot in their direction!
"puff!"
The bullet struck a nearby concrete pillar, sending sparks flying.
Qin Xiao pulled Shen Xingling behind a pillar.
"This is troublesome, this guy is a desperate criminal." Qin Xiao's tone remained calm.
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