Upon hearing the mention of a female doctor, Xu Yu's heart instantly tightened, and he instinctively thought of Su Anxi. But upon further reflection, he felt it couldn't be her—she should still be in Bajiao Township at the moment.
Indeed, the facts confirmed this. According to the information, the female doctor who had been taken hostage was from the inpatient department of Wangliu County Hospital, not Su Anxi.
In the evening, the police transferred the criminal suspect who had just been apprehended that day to Wangliu County Hospital for emergency treatment. Due to the suspect's extremely high level of danger, coupled with the deep gunshot wound and excessive blood loss, the situation was not optimistic.
The doctors at Wangliu County Hospital were not very confident about performing the surgery. After discussions between the hospital administration and the police, it was decided that the operation might require the assistance of several experts dispatched to Fangquan City.
Naturally, Su Anxi couldn't avoid being involved and ended up assisting in the operating room.
After the surgery, since the suspect had not yet passed the critical period, he was placed in a separate observation room, handcuffed, with the entire floor sealed off and guarded by police.
Then, in the dead of night, a gunshot shattered the hospital's tranquility.
Two armed assailants stormed the observation floor and engaged in a direct firefight with the guarding police, resulting in injuries on both sides.
Ultimately, the two assailants were unable to advance further into the observation rooms. With one of them injured, they retreated upstairs, where they coincidentally seized a female doctor attempting to flee, taking her hostage as a human shield. They then barricaded themselves in a patient room, which happened to house two other patients.
The criminal police and local officers on the scene quickly surrounded the room but dared not force their way in. They immediately reported to their superiors and awaited reinforcements.
It was at that moment when everyone in the temporary command center received the call for backup.
…
Everyone rushed to Wangliu County Hospital. In the darkness, the flashing lights of police cars illuminated the scene, which included not only public security officers and armed police but also firefighters, medical staff, and evacuated patients.
Further away, beyond the cordon, curious onlookers peered in.
Xu Yu jumped out of the armed police vehicle and immediately ordered snipers to secure high positions and stand by. The assault team was instructed to await further orders. Once everything was arranged, he strode quickly toward the commanders.
"Chief of Staff," Xu Yu saluted, speaking briefly and calmly. His handsome face was composed and steady, his eyes sharper than the night itself, piercing and intense.
As they discussed rescue and assault plans, the Deputy Director turned to Xu Yu. "Captain Xu, if your Special Forces Team launches a strong assault, what are the chances of successfully rescuing the hostages?"
Xu Yu looked at the Deputy Director and was about to respond when his earpiece relayed reports from the snipers: "Unable to aim." He spoke into the mic, "Stand by," then addressed the Deputy Director and the others. "The assailants are cunning. Knowing we would deploy snipers, they've drawn all the curtains. Our snipers currently have no clear line of sight for targeting. Given the circumstances, a strong assault is not advisable. The assailants are emotionally unstable, ruthless, and dangerous. If provoked, they might immediately execute the hostages."
"That's right," Captain Chen added, looking at the group. "We already have officers who were attacked and are still in critical condition. These are desperate individuals—clearly, if they can't achieve their goal, they're willing to go down fighting and take everyone with them."
Xu Yu's points to Captain Chen were quite reasonable. After all, everyone had already understood the cause and effect of this incident before arriving, so if the current situation couldn't be handled with force, the only option left was to use a softer approach.
Both sides had been deadlocked for a long time—those inside refused to come out, and those outside dared not storm in.
Xu Yu turned and called out to Xia Junnan. The young man immediately ran over upon hearing his name. "Captain Xu."
"Deputy Director, the best approach right now is to send someone inside to coordinate with us from within. Before that, agree to any demands they make."
The Deputy Director looked at Xu Yu and, seeing the calm expression on the young major's face, nodded. "This is the only option left in a difficult situation. Let's give it a try."
Once everything was prepared, Xia Junnan dialed the kidnapper's phone number. It rang a few times before the other side picked up but remained silent.
The Deputy Director quietly cleared his throat, leaned toward the phone, and said, "I am the Deputy Director of the Wangliu County Public Security Bureau. As long as you don't harm the hostages, you can make any demands."
The kidnapper on the other end laughed arrogantly. "Deputy Director, do you have the authority to make decisions?"
The Deputy Director responded calmly with a smile, "Since I'm calling you, I naturally have the authority. Go ahead, what do you want?"
"It's simple—release my brother." The other side indeed made a demand.
"Who is your brother?"
"Don't play games with me. I don't even know if my brother is dead or alive. I want to see him immediately."
"Fine." The Deputy Director paused, glancing at the words Xu Yu quickly typed on his phone, and continued, "Your brother just had surgery, so I'm afraid…"
"Five minutes. If I don't see my brother, I'll kill a hostage first." As he spoke, a gunshot echoed from the other end of the phone, followed by simultaneous sounds from the phone, gunfire upstairs, and the screams of civilians both inside the phone and outside the cordon.
"You…" the Deputy Director shouted into the phone.
The other end laughed again. "Don't worry, that shot was aimed at the wall. The next one will be at a person."
The Deputy Director looked at the words on Xu Yu's phone and continued, "Your brother is currently at… If we must bring him to you within five minutes, there's only one way."
"Speak."
"We'll have your brother sit in a wheelchair and have someone push him up to you."
"Deputy Director, don't try any tricks." The tone on the other end carried clear suspicion.
The Deputy Director deliberately slowed his speech. "You have three hostages. If I send someone up, it's just one more hostage for you. What tricks do you think I could possibly play?"
After these words, there was a long silence on the other end. On this side, everyone waited anxiously. The night grew darker, and as if by unspoken agreement, no one dared to breathe loudly. Many civilians even covered their mouths and noses, cautiously inhaling the night air.
Xu Yu quickly typed another line on his phone. Just as the Deputy Director was about to speak, the other side suddenly broke the silence.
"Fine, I doubt you'd dare to play tricks with me. You can send someone to push my brother up. I want a doctor—a woman. I know a thing or two about medicine, so don't try to fool me with a fake. You know bullets don't have eyes. The countdown starts now."
With that, the call ended.
The Deputy Director looked at his phone, then raised his head to glance at Xu Yu, sighing helplessly, "It seems impossible to get someone you want inside."
Indeed, Xu Yu's plan was to send a special forces soldier in as an undercover agent. Who knew the criminal was truly cunning and experienced? From the tone of his words, it was clear that his claim of knowing some medical skills wasn't a joke. As far as Xu Yu knew, many involved in shady dealings had to learn a bit of medicine one way or another.
"Now, find a female doctor, equip her with a listening device, proceed according to plan, and follow all commands," Xu Yu said.
"If discovered, it could be troublesome," the Deputy Director remarked, knowing the kidnapper was sharp and not easily fooled. If truly provoked, things could take a turn for the worse.
"Xia Junnan."
"Yes, Captain Xu."
Xu Yu looked at Xia Junnan. "Did you bring your invention?"
Xia Junnan, who had been listening nearby, smiled and nodded. "I brought it."
As he spoke, he took out something the size of earwax. "This is an invisible listening device. It can monitor and also allow communication. Even instruments can't detect anything in the ear."
"We have the device, but what about the female doctor?"
Captain Chen had just called the Hospital Director over, and everyone turned their eyes toward him.
The Hospital Director was also conflicted. There were indeed several female doctors in the hospital, but sending any of them would be putting them in harm's way!
Just as he was struggling with the decision, a clear voice reached everyone's ears. "I'll go!"
Hearing this, everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice. From the emergency department, a beautiful girl in green surgical attire walked toward them, removing her mask as she approached.
Xu Yu looked at Su Anxi, his deep eyes growing even darker, his brows unconsciously furrowing. Why was she here?
"And you are?" the Deputy Director asked, turning to Su Anxi.
Su Anxi calmly smiled at the Deputy Director and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Su Anxi, a military doctor at the Yujiang City Armed Police Hospital."
"Comrade Military Doctor, I must inform you that this mission is extremely challenging and dangerous. Are you sure you want to participate?" the Deputy Director solemnly explained the nature of the task.
"I'm absolutely sure," Su Anxi nodded firmly, glancing at the expressionless Xu Yu beside her. Her next words seemed directed at him, "Besides, my skills aren't bad either."
"Hmph…"
Everyone turned to look at Captain Xu of the Special Forces Team, who had let out that light scoff. They were somewhat puzzled by his sudden use of such an interjection.
Author's Note:
Updated late today. I really struggled with this chapter, deleting and rewriting many times. So, the confrontation I planned yesterday only came out in a tiny bit. Tomorrow will definitely be full of it~~
As an apology, 66 random red envelopes. Recently, there have been many lurking readers—time to shake things up a bit~~
I've opened a pre-release. As mentioned today, after writing two military-themed stories, I want to switch things up and write something meaningful yet lighthearted, still a sweet story
Tentatively titled "You Bring Me Joy." Please, please, please bookmark it Probably starting after the Lunar New Year~~
Ji Qingchen always thought the person living downstairs was a weird old man, constantly tapping away at stones. Little did she know, he was a stunningly handsome man.
Shan Jiyang always thought the person living upstairs was a lunatic, constantly stomping on the ceiling. Little did he know, she was a beautiful, fair-skinned woman.
When Shan Jiyang knocked on the door for the Nth time, the music from "The Legend of the White Snake" unexpectedly drifted out from inside. As the door opened, the woman leaned against the doorway, flicking her tongue like a snake spirit.
He said coldly, "How vulgar."
She rolled her eyes and retorted, "Hypocritical snob."
Later, when Ji Qingchen finished her performance and went to the dressing room to get her clothes, a tall male figure suddenly pressed against her from behind.
Shan Jiyang whispered in her ear, "When will you arrange an action scene for just the two of us?"
Actually, this is a sweet little story about a true snob meeting a fake vulgarian.