This was the boldest plan Giel had ever executed since its founding.
On the evening of December 27th, in the Flame Club, Ya Qian stood by the round table, listening to the former president’s instructions.
“Everyone has received their equipment, so after the meeting adjourns, check it all again. And remember, our goal tomorrow isn’t assassination. We’re taking advantage of the parade celebration to create chaos. We must intercept Rui’er Terrace’s vehicles on the road. Even if we can’t stop them completely, delay them as much as possible.”
Yuan Ersong spoke with resounding conviction. As the meeting neared its end, he emphasized safety once more. “Of course, we absolutely must complete the withdrawal at the end. Don’t let any Guard Institute operatives or police catch you. The pickup teams will be waiting on the designated streets—get ready in advance!”
Ya Qian raised her hand. “President, under what circumstances can we open fire?”
Yuan Ersong paused thoughtfully. When he looked up again, his gaze held a resolute determination. “If you’re facing a threat and need to make an emergency retreat, then you can fire.”
With that, Yuan Ersong scanned the room. “We only get one shot at this operation. Everyone, make sure you remember that!”
…
On the evening of December 27th, He Lilin had interned all day and was thoroughly exhausted. She planned to turn in early.
Duo Lin had gone out shopping and returned quite late. When Han Ya told her that the young miss wanted to rest, she hurriedly washed her hands and headed up to the second-floor room.
“Miss He, you worked hard today.”
“It wasn’t too bad, just that I read so much foreign-language material my eyes are dry,” He Lilin said as she shrugged off her coat. “Why were you out so long?”
Duo Lin smiled. “I was buying New Year’s decorations to spruce up the house. And… your birthday is coming up soon, so I wanted to prepare a birthday party for you.”
“That sounds nice, but Housekeeper Lan is already handling it. She has her own ideas.”
Every year for He Lilin’s birthday banquet, Lan Zhijing personally took charge. She decided the layout, the program, the guest list—all of it with a well-thought-out plan. In the end, it had to be submitted to He De for approval, to check for any important contacts to add to the invitations.
He Lilin had always found it odd. She was just an ordinary eldest miss, not the He Family’s diplomatic envoy. What sort of high officials did He De expect her to schmooze with?
So every year, she didn’t look forward to her birthday gathering. She treated it like an annual diplomatic affair—just show up looking pretty and collect the gifts everyone offered.
“Miss, tomorrow I’d like to prepare a birthday party for you. You don’t need to invite anyone else.”
He Lilin had just settled onto the bed, but her interest piqued. She didn’t lie down right away. “No guests at all? Just me?”
“And me. Just the two of us. Would you like that?”
Lavender scent wafted through the room, and the lights were dimmed to their softest. He Lilin looked up at her, squinting in disbelief.
“Why arrange it like that?”
Duo Lin clasped her hands tightly, a touch nervous but trying hard to hide it. “Because I know that even though your birthday banquets every year are lively, you’re not truly happy. It’s just going through the motions, a formality. I want to throw one that actually makes you happy.”
“Then why just you? Why not call a couple more people to help?”
“Because…” Duo Lin’s smile brightened. “I have a special gift I want to give you, and some words I want to say to you.”
“A special gift…” He Lilin murmured. She didn’t press further. It was obvious enough by now—Duo Lin wanted a private birthday party to pull off a surprise. Digging deeper would spoil it.
“But Miss, there’s one thing I need to ask of you. Tomorrow is the last day before the holiday break, and your school is putting on a New Year’s assembly, right? It might run late—could you try to leave a bit early?”
“Sure, I’m not that interested in the performances anyway.”
“Good. And this secret birthday party tomorrow—please keep it under wraps. Don’t tell anyone, especially the driver. Make sure he doesn’t let it slip. Otherwise, with Housekeeper Lan’s personality, she’d never allow it.”
In the past, He Lilin might have grown wary of such a request, suspecting Duo Lin wanted to use the private party as an excuse to shake off security and bolt. But over the past half-year, she had been so docile and endearing. Even with all those shopping trips outside, she’d never tried to slip away—not to mention during a birthday party with her right there.
The surprise and gift Duo Lin mentioned had He Lilin feeling a bit of anticipation. What did she want to say? Words of gratitude? Or something unexpected?
“Sure, don’t worry. I’m even less keen on her meddling.”
“Great, thank you, Miss.” Duo Lin’s smile grew sweeter. “Get some rest now. You have to head back to school early tomorrow.”
“No.” He Lilin’s eyes had been heavy with fatigue, but now they sharpened. She cranked the lights to full brightness, her gaze even brighter. “I want to work on my paper. Come help me shell some nuts.”
With that, she got up and pulled Duo Lin over to the desk.
She was in high spirits that night, her face glowing radiantly under the desk lamp. Duo Lin sat beside her—one quietly typing, the other deftly shelling nuts. They chatted now and then, staying up late into the night.
…
On the evening of December 27th, at Du Lengding’s home.
The weapons arrived faster than expected—and with them, news of the “Guard Institute mole.”
Her meeting with Wen Du had been months ago, when Du Lengding drove her home. She had worried even then and warned Wen Du to stay safe, but the danger had come anyway, like a curse fulfilled.
As a fellow undercover agent, though, Du Lengding understood the situation all too well. The Guard Institute was even more treacherous than the Police Bureau. Even as one of the Patrol Police Team’s top commanders, she often found herself without control. How much worse for Wen Du, with even tighter restrictions?
No matter. The Defense Adjustment System had Wen Du pinned down, but they could find a way to rescue her. Success wasn’t guaranteed, but there was still hope.
Du Lengding double-checked the layout map after receiving it.
“Miss Du, timing will be critical. Please arrange patrols to the specified location. We’ll handle delaying the Guard Institute side—and we need you to stall your own people too.” The liaison, dressed as a delivery courier, held out a receipt for the homeowner to sign.
The task was a real challenge for Du Lengding. She needed to ensure all her subordinates were firmly under her command and would obey without question.
“No problem. I’ll handle it flexibly.” Du Lengding signed and handed it back.
The liaison straightened his uniform, preparing to leave. “Everything you asked for is in the box. But I hope you never have to use them!”
Du Lengding hauled the cardboard box from the doorway into the living room. Inside, she found all the weapons she needed—both firearms and explosives.
She reviewed the layout map one last time, solidifying tomorrow’s action plan in her mind.
Her orders from the organization were crystal clear: delay and divert enemy firepower from the front lines. If she arrived at the scene amid active combat, she should find any excuse not to engage.
Giel wanted to rescue Wen Du but also keep Du Lengding safe—no direct combat required.
The plan took shape in her head, and she burned the map to ashes.
She returned to the living room and loaded the weapons into her vehicle’s trunk. As she exited the garage, she paused in the backyard. After a moment’s hesitation, she fetched the crate of explosives and loaded that too.
The next day at the office, excitement buzzed in the air. Even Cha Nan couldn’t help greeting her loudly as he passed, brimming with holiday cheer. “Morning, Captain Du! You look great in that outfit!”
“Thanks.” Du Lengding didn’t so much as blink, brushing right past him.
Cha Nan was used to her icy beauty by now—unmelting three hundred sixty-five days a year. Not even a twenty-day holiday would curve that mouth, let alone a three-day break.
Undeterred, Cha Nan continued on, radiating joy—until she called out. “Cha Nan.”
“Yes!” He snapped to attention on the spot.
“Get Group 2 in here. We’re having a meeting.”
“Huh?” Once she was gone, his cheer evaporated. Vacation was almost here—why call a meeting now?
New assignment?
Captain Du, take a break from work already!
…
On December 27th, after Ji Tingxi returned home, the household cleaning staff resumed their normal routine.
During her time in Winter Arrival, Hu Peier had nearly been reassigned to other residences, but she took sick leave to keep a gap open. Now back on duty, Ji Tingxi scheduled her again, and they met naturally once more.
“Miss Ji, we haven’t gotten a clear go-ahead from above yet. Isn’t organizing the operation now a bit rushed?”
Her rescue plan had dropped out of nowhere. It needed full prep in two days for immediate execution—and a joint op between two organizations at that. More people meant more strength, but also harder coordination and higher risk of slip-ups.
“Not rushed. Every moment we miss past the critical window makes the whole op less viable. We can’t afford to wait.”
It was now 7:15 p.m. on December 27th—two full days since Wen Du’s cover was blown.
Two days was short: just enough time for Ji Tingxi to meet Yin Chen once and the liaison once. But for Wen Du, two days were an eternity—ample for endless torture and agony.
Winter Arrival Guard Station had a brutal “time dilation” between inside and out. So Ji Tingxi synced her own sense of time to match the Interrogation Room’s. Only then could she pinpoint the key moments and share Wen Du’s ordeal.
Right now, she could feel it plainly: for those in the Interrogation Room, two days and nights were nearing the breaking point.
She felt Wen Du’s pain… and suffered it herself, every second dragging like years.
Hu Peier pressed on. “I know we need to hurry to rescue Giel’s key figure. But this operation risks exposing us too. Do you think… we’re really prepared?”
Ji Tingxi lifted her eyes, her usual decisiveness gleaming once more. But now it carried an all-or-nothing edge—ruthless, unyielding, victory inevitable.
“Don’t worry. With the election looming, society under Rui’er Terrace’s feet is a powder keg already. Why not light the first shot now? Ignite all the contradictions, hand them a parting gift of pre-election chaos. We’ve hidden and endured for three years. It’s time to take the stage and play our true role!”
…
On December 27th, in Kangman Industrial City at the Huayin Building—Giel headquarters.
Deng Rui hurried down the rest lounge corridor toward the general manager’s office.
The office building wasn’t tall, like a neat block of tofu. But its interior was densely packed. The company rented all four floors, with even the kitchen, cleaning, and security staffed internally.
So Deng Rui crossed the building without fear of outsiders. She focused solely on her task, rushing ahead with an urgent expression.
“Boss Bao, word from North County: tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., we need to position outside Babu Border Station for pickup.”
“Border checks must be tight right now. I hope they make it through smoothly…”
“Yeah, fingers crossed for smooth sailing!”
“Too bad international law ties our hands—we can’t cross the border to assist.”
“No problem. We’ll keep a safe distance, wait beyond the border. Once they’re out, we extract and protect them as best we can!”
After finishing, Deng Rui added, “Boss Bao, their exit plan’s been sent to your computer. Please review it.”
Bao Huaiben lit up his screen and accepted the file from intel.
His job was to review the plan, suggest targeted improvements, and give final sign-off.
But this time was too urgent for changes. He could only familiarize himself, quickly assign roles, and fulfill Libo Faction’s “entrustment.”
As he scanned the scheme, a thin sheen of sweat beaded on Bao Huaiben’s palms.
This was Giel’s boldest plan since its founding—but he believed it would yield massive returns!
