SFTD -Chapter 416 White Spots Reappeared (Part 57)

The group did not hesitate. In an instant, the sounds of knocking and questioning rose one after another.

The other two men were just as quick. They hurriedly knocked open the door of the west apartment on the first floor. One of them entered first and briefly explained the situation. Since everyone was neighbors, there was no need for much persuasion before they agreed.

The door was quickly opened wide, and everyone swiftly hid inside. The entire process was completed silently. One child was about to cry, but his mother quickly stuffed a lollipop into his mouth to quiet him.

In less than a minute, the only sound left in the stairwell was knocking. The people upstairs were also quietly moved downstairs, since evacuation would be easier that way in the end.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhou Hai quickly dialed Liu Yong’s number. He knew Liu Yong was coordinating everything from command, and the SWAT team Wang Xuchao had mentioned earlier had also been arranged by Liu Yong precisely for a worst-case scenario.

And now, that worst-case scenario had arrived.

The phone was answered on the second ring, and Liu Yong’s voice came through.

“Haizi, how’s the situation over there?”

“Director Liu, we found Xu Biao’s car, along with a message he left behind.

He stuck chewing gum onto the security door of Room 401 in the east unit of Building Five in the faculty dormitory area. There was also a disposable mask discarded in the corner. Across from that apartment is a property registered under Agricultural University teacher Pang Yuchang’s name.

I’m requesting SWAT intervention. There’s no way to escape from here anymore.”

Liu Yong instantly stood up, his voice rising sharply.

“Oh? Are you certain Xu Biao and Yang Duxiu are inside that room?”

Zhou Hai clearly understood the responsibility attached to that question. Wang Xuchao even tried to snatch the phone to make the guarantee himself.

But Zhou Hai shook his head, stopping him. His voice was unwavering.

“I’m certain.”

Hearing such confidence in Zhou Hai’s answer, Director Liu gained confidence as well.

“Alright. Don’t act recklessly. I’ll bring the SWAT team over immediately. First evacuate the nearby civilians. We’ll launch a top-down assault from the rooftop with sniper support.”

After hanging up, Wang Xuchao looked at Zhou Hai.

“So we just wait like this? If the SWAT team enters that unit again, won’t the suspect become suspicious? We already evacuated the residents just now. I’m afraid he’s already been alerted.”

Zhou Hai stood motionless for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the east unit.

“He’s definitely watching outside through the window. Fortunately, the area tight against the wall is still a blind spot, so you all need to move toward Building Six immediately. Also send people to Building Seven on the south side. Once Huang’s team arrives, continue evacuating residents.”

“And you?”

“Me? I’ll stay downstairs and wait. The person he most wants to kill is me. As long as I’m here, Xu Biao will be safe.”

Wang Xuchao grabbed Zhou Hai’s arm, glaring at him as he whispered harshly: “Are you insane? Do you realize this is disobeying orders?”

Zhou Hai shook his head.

“I’m not trying to play hero. But I can’t back away from this.

I didn’t send you to Buildings Six and Seven so you could retreat.

Quickly evacuate the residents from the east apartment on the fourth floor of Building Seven. Clear it out as fast as possible so the snipers can get a proper angle. Every other position is too far away.

As for Building Six, these are old buildings. If they use a ladder bridge from the roof of Building Six to cross over to Building Five, it’s possible.

That way they can drop down from above and attack while negotiations distract him. That’s the most effective rescue method.”

Wang Xuchao knew Zhou Hai was right, though he hated letting him take such a risk. But he had no better option.

He pulled out his sidearm and shoved it into Zhou Hai’s hand.

“Take this.”

Zhou Hai gave a bitter smile.

“After this is over, teach me how to shoot. If I carry this, it’s basically preparing a weapon for Yang Duxiu. I’m safer without it.”

By then, the officers who had gone upstairs to investigate had already returned. Wang Xuchao knew how stubborn Zhou Hai could be—otherwise he never would have persisted in investigating his own case back then.

Right now, as Zhou Hai said, the best option was to prepare Buildings Six and Seven first.

Wang Xuchao tore off his bulletproof vest and forced it onto Zhou Hai.

Grinding his teeth, he waved at his men.

“We’re going to Building Seven. Xiao Liu, take your team to Building Six. Did everyone understand what was just said?!”

The officers looked confused, staring at Wang Xuchao. But seeing how dark his expression had become, no one dared ask questions. They immediately exited the building.

Wang Xuchao was the last to leave. Before stepping out, he turned back and looked at Zhou Hai.

“You better stay alive, kid. I still owe you a drink.”

With that, more than a dozen men left the unit and headed toward Building Six, deliberately lowering their noise and communicating mostly through hand signals.

Only after their figures disappeared did Zhou Hai adjust the bulletproof vest and slowly move toward the east unit while keeping tight against the building wall.

The moment he stepped into the stairwell, his phone flashed.

It was a WeChat message from Liu Yong.

Liu Yong: Zhou Hai, evacuate immediately. We’ve arrived!

Zhou Hai: I’m on the first floor of the east unit. Wang Xuchao has already cleared out Room 401 in the neighboring Building Seven. A sniper attempt can be made from there. If I move from my position, it’ll easily alert Yang Duxiu upstairs. Besides, if negotiations become necessary, I’m the most suitable person for it. I’m the one he wants to kill. That way Xu Biao remains safe. Lastly, I suggest a direct assault from the rooftop of the fourth floor.

A while after Zhou Hai sent the message, the phone lit up again.

Liu Yong: I’ve already called in a negotiation specialist. They’re on the way. At 20:50, the SWAT team will cross over from Building Six to Building Five using a suspended ladder bridge. Other personnel will simultaneously move into position and launch a frontal assault through the stairwell. So you can come down now.

Zhou Hai: A negotiation specialist won’t understand Yang Duxiu. Sending one is meaningless. Let Huang Zhongsheng accompany me instead.

This time Director Liu did not hesitate long. Glancing at Huang Zhongsheng beside him, he realized Zhou Hai was absolutely right. No one understood Yang Duxiu better than Zhou Hai did. A negotiator would only try to calm the situation, which meant nothing against such a vicious criminal.

“Zhongsheng, proceed according to Plan A. Lead the SWAT team and organize the assault.

Coordinate carefully from all directions. Follow Zhou Hai’s proposal exactly. The SWAT team will cross over from Building Six using the ladder bridge, while your team handles front-door negotiations to distract him.

Xuchao will handle sniper operations from across the way. Once identities are confirmed, shoot to kill if possible. But Zhou Hai and Xu Biao’s safety comes first. If anything happens to either of them, none of you are getting off lightly!”

Huang Zhongsheng nodded forcefully. On the other end of the call, Wang Xuchao quickly acknowledged the order as well.

There were only ten minutes left until 20:50, and everyone sprang into action.

Inside Building Seven, Wang Xuchao had already finished clearing the room, moving all civilians downstairs.

The sniper crouched silently beside the window, peering through the narrow gap toward Room 401 of Building Five.

Everything was pitch black.

The room’s windows were small, and the curtains were made from specially designed blackout material rather than ordinary fabric. Aside from faint overlapping green and orange glows shifting on the thermal imager, nothing else could be seen.

Wang Xuchao frowned deeply as he reported in a low voice:

“Director Liu, nothing is visible with the naked eye inside Yang Duxiu’s room. But the thermal imager shows two overlapping figures. The room is definitely occupied. Two people are standing together. It’s difficult for us to distinguish them clearly… and even harder to take aim.”