In the forest.

Up in the trees, Ah Sang was carefully surveying the surroundings. Watching through the peephole as Leng Zimo successfully entered the second floor, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Hearing sounds approaching from a distance, his heart skipped a beat. He turned his gun towards the source of the noise to take a closer look.

No figures were visible, but the swaying of trees and bushes indicated something was rapidly approaching his location.

Ah Sang tightened his focus, immediately aiming with caution.

In the dim forest, a faint white shadow flickered in and out among the bushes.

Seeing the figure drawing nearer, Ah Sang held his breath, his finger on the trigger, ready to shoot as soon as the figure emerged.

In the forest, Leng Zirui advanced swiftly.

A gleam caught his eye from a position in the trees, startling him. He suddenly lunged aside.

Thunk!

A bullet grazed the tree beside him, disappearing into the woods.

Ah Sang missed his shot, quickly readjusting his aim. But Leng Zirui had already darted into the forest, vanishing from sight.

Behind the bushes, Leng Zirui cautiously raised his finger, looking towards where the bullet had come from. Unable to determine if it was someone on Leng Zimo’s side, he dared not speak out.

He stripped off his shirt and threw it forcefully. As Ah Sang fired, Leng Zirui leaped forward, grabbing a branch of a slender tree and letting go.

Smack!

The branch snapped back, hitting Ah Sang in the tree, making him lose balance and fall to the ground.

Leng Zirui seized the opportunity, pouncing towards him, intending to capture him.

Ah Sang refused to comply, swiftly rolling away and raising his gun for another shot. Leng Zirui missed his tackle, but twisted his elbow to strike Ah Sang’s gun, simultaneously grabbing his wrist.

They locked eyes, both caught by surprise.

"Mr. Leng?"

"Ah Sang!"

"Are you really Mr. Leng?"

Ah Sang looked at Leng Zirui with confusion, not lowering his gun immediately.

The person resembled Leng Zirui, but the hair seemed different. Wasn’t he supposed to be undergoing training? How could he be here?!

In his ear, the wireless earpiece transmitted Leng Zimo’s voice.

"He’s Zirui."

"Sir, understood." Ah Sang immediately lowered his gun. "Mr. Leng, I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you."

"Now’s not the time for apologies." Leng Zirui’s eyes flicked to the wireless earpiece on his ear. "You’re talking to big brother, where is he?"

"Sir has already entered the villa," Ah Sang replied.

"Damn," Leng Zirui swore under his breath, "Give me the mic!"

Ah Sang hurriedly took the wireless earpiece from his ear and handed it over.

"Bro, where are you?!"

"I’m in the second-to-last room on the east side of the second floor. This is Xiao Qian’s room, right?!" Leng Zimo’s voice came through, low and urgent.

Leng Zirui frowned anxiously, "That’s right, but..."

Before Leng Zirui could finish, Leng Zimo urgently cut him off, "Don’t say anything more, Xiao Qian’s back!"

"Bro, listen to me, don’t make any rash moves. The current Xiao Qian isn’t the same as before; just don’t make any rash moves. Hide there; I’m coming over right now... Ah Sang, stay here. I’ll find a way to get big brother out. Remember, be very careful."

After warning Ah Sang, Leng Zirui took off at full speed, racing towards the villa, all the while tucking the earpiece wire into his collar as he ran.