Crimson Instinct

Chapter 44: Crossing paths

---

As Rodey was busy in trying to make a plan to catch Xin Nianzu, he got a call.

"Yes, Neal. Did you find them?"

Neal sighed. "No. They somehow bypassed the checkpoint I set in Jinsong station. I had set up at some other places too, but I guess they took a long route."

"Don't waste time, Neal. It's an order from boss to quickly finish them off."

"I am on it."

"Order our men who are in Andingzhen too to look for them and take them out if they find them."

He said that to Neal, though, Rodey felt that Bai Li was like a parasite. He was not going to die so soon. In fact, he thought that they were quite similar in that sense.

Both were smart, stubborn, and not so easy to take down.

"And don't forget about that, the boy - Chu Jie. Sufi is going to meet him today."

"Yeah, I know. We will take him to our base like always."

"Good." Rodey hung up the call.

"Now, Xin Nianzu. How should I make you come out of your hiding?"

*Xin Lei*, ---

I was stunned for a few seconds.

Did Bai Li kiss me?

Oh...oh God! He really kissed me!

Even though it was a light peck on the forehead, I could hardly contain to squeal in excitement. I still felt his lingering sensation on my skin. He took me by surprise.

And damn it, he beat me.

I was going to kiss him on the cheek first!

So bad!

I didn't know whether to pout for snatching my chance away or be happy that he kissed me.

Bai Li cleared his throat.

"I hope you don't mind."

I blinked my eyes. He seemed a little nervous.

Seriously?

Why was he so cute when it came to things to like that?

I smirked as I got an idea. I typed. "No, I am angry."

He stiffened. "I am so-"

I bent and softly kissed on his cheek.

He froze.

I typed. "That's your punishment for taking the lead. I was going to kiss your cheek, but you beat me to it."

Bai Li came out of his stupor and grinned. "Well, I like this punishment. I think I should make more mistakes and make you angry."

That wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Arf!"

Aww. I guess Cocoa was feeling left out.

I giggled and kissed him on his head too. He seemed happy now as he furiously wagged his tail.

I looked ahead and saw that the teenage boy wasn't there anymore.

Maybe he met his date. Good luck.

Bai Li said, "Let's go. The last Liao Chuntao was seen was near Dalong lake, where she entered an unknown car."

I nodded and started the car.

---

We were almost ten minutes away from the Dalong river now.

Up ahead, I saw a crowd gathering near the roadside. In the middle of it was an open type of car where a man stood on it, waving his hands at the crowd. There was quite noisy and loud announcements going on.

I recognized the man whom I saw many times in the posters.

He was Zhang Chao. Then there was a woman too roughly about my age who was standing by his side, smiling at the crowd.

I had heard that he had two daughters. Maybe she was one of them.

Then there was a small unit of the army too where some men stood in front of Zhang Chao and the woman and some on the back.

I took a sharp breath.

Army? What if anybody recognized Bai Li?

Bai Li asked, "Is there some kind of rally going on?"

I quickly typed. "Yes. It's that politician Zhang Chao's rally. I see some army men stationed for his protection."

"Do you see a grizzly, old man with a light grey beard on his face?"

I craned my neck and faintly recognized a middle-aged man with a grey beard. He was looking stern and serious and standing in attention, observing everything.

I typed. "Yes. He is standing beside Zhang Chao."

"That is General Song Xiaosheng. We need to get out of here."

Suddenly my phone rang.

It was Lin Zihao's secure line.

"Bai Li, General Song is coming to -"

"Andingzhen," Bai Li interrupted him, "Well, we are already in his line of sight."

"Fuck! Leave now."

"On it."

I already started the car.

"Did you get any information on Chu Jie?"

"Not until now. Su Weiyuan is checking. We are also closely following up on the police in case if anyone complains about any missing Chu Jie."

"Call us immediately if you find any lead."

"Roger."

I cut the call.

We had to take a turn for which I had to drive a little towards the crowd. As we reached nearer, I heard people screaming with slogans.

"Vote for Zhang Chao!"

"Vote for Zhang Chao!"

I was driving a little slower, so I quickly typed. "Duck down, Bai Li."

He said, "Cocoa, hide."

Cocoa jumped from the seat and hid behind it.

As we reached nearer, my gaze accidentally met with General Song, but I quickly looked the other way.

Damn, I hope that he didn't recognize me!