The night was dark, and rain pelted down on the iron railings outside the police station like a foreboding warning pounding on their hearts.
Su Wanqing stood by the corridor window, gazing at the pitch-black sky, her mind in turmoil. She had only just emerged from the chaos of her recovered memories, her emotions still unsettled, when she received an urgent alert from her superiors—remnants of the "Abyss" organization were regrouping, seemingly preparing for a large-scale retaliation.
She turned to look at Lu Chenzhou, who stood at the center of the office with the deputy chief and several core investigators, analyzing intelligence with a grim expression.
"They've made their move," Lu Chenzhou's voice was low, yet it thundered through the meeting room like a bolt of lightning.
"Half an hour ago, a group of armed assailants attacked our western archives facility, stealing several case files and weapons," the deputy chief said, pushing his glasses up, his tone heavier than ever. "At the same time, we discovered something even more troubling."
He clicked on a projection, revealing a grainy video—Lu Guodong, Lu Chenzhou's father, bound and held captive in a dim underground bunker. In the footage, a masked man sneered at the camera, holding up a hard drive. "This is the evidence you want. It can also be the price for his life."
Su Wanqing's heart clenched. That hard drive was unmistakable—the very one she and Lu Chenzhou had risked everything to retrieve from one of the Abyss outposts. It contained crucial evidence implicating Zhou Zhengxiong and the organization's top brass—enough to completely dismantle the Abyss.
"This is their final act of madness," Lu Chenzhou said, fists clenched tightly. "They know there's no going back."
"We can't trade the evidence for him," Su Wanqing said resolutely. "But we can go on the offensive—raid their base and bring back both the hostage and the evidence."
The atmosphere turned heavy. After a brief silence, the others nodded in agreement.
The operation was set in motion. At 3 a.m., Su Wanqing and Lu Chenzhou led the special operations unit to the Abyss's hideout—a long-abandoned chemical plant on the outskirts of the city. It had been shut down for three years, sprawling and complex, a natural labyrinth. Drone surveillance confirmed frequent activity there, consistent with high-ranking members and hostages being hidden inside.
"I'll take point," Lu Chenzhou said, loading his pistol and turning to Su Wanqing. "Remember, if you find my dad—priority is getting him out."
Su Wanqing didn't answer immediately. She met his gaze and said calmly, "We'll bring him out together. And we'll both come back alive."
They locked eyes, silently aligned.
At 5 a.m., the assault began. The team split into three groups and stormed the factory grounds. Gunfire erupted, echoing through the empty buildings. Police lights and flames created a scene out of an apocalypse.
Su Wanqing and Lu Chenzhou pushed forward to the main warehouse, where a heavy iron door blocked their way. Lu Chenzhou blew the lock with explosives. As they charged inside, they were met with fierce gunfire. They dove behind machinery wreckage, flames flickering across their faces. From above, they spotted Zhou Zhengxiong's cold, calculating face leering down at them.
"Welcome, Captain Lu, Forensic Su," Zhou Zhengxiong said from atop a steel staircase. At his feet was the bound Lu Guodong. A crazed smirk twisted Zhou's lips. "Seems the evidence really matters to you. But brains don't beat bullets."
"You've already lost," Su Wanqing said coldly, her voice devoid of emotion. "Everything is recorded. We've already set up a live stream. One push of a button, and the whole city will see your true face."
Zhou's expression faltered briefly, but he quickly regained his composure. He signaled his men to move Lu Guodong.
"Stop them!" Lu Chenzhou roared, leaping toward the staircase.
Gunfire exploded around them. Su Wanqing threw a smoke grenade. As thick clouds rose, she rolled forward, fired two precise shots, and took out the guards. Lu Chenzhou seized the chance to reach the platform and grabbed his father.
"Dad, don't be afraid. I'm here to get you out."
Lu Guodong's eyes welled with emotion, but before he could speak, Zhou Zhengxiong raised his gun and pulled the trigger at Lu Chenzhou.
In a flash, a figure lunged in—
Su Wanqing.
The bullet grazed her arm, but she didn't flinch. She tackled Zhou to the ground, kicking the gun from his hand.
"You've failed," she said firmly, each word like a hammer.
By 6 a.m., the battle was over. Zhou Zhengxiong was captured. The rest of the Abyss members were wiped out. Lu Guodong was rescued safely. The special ops unit recovered a large cache of hard drives, documents, and weapons—this operation marked the final downfall of the Abyss organization.
The sky slowly brightened, dawn pushing through the gray clouds. Su Wanqing sat quietly on a bench in the hospital corridor, her arm bandaged, watching as Lu Chenzhou helped his father with admission paperwork.
She thought of all they'd been through—the gunfire, the traps, the memories, the tears. There was a time she believed she couldn't bear the weight of emotions. But now, she finally understood—some people are meant to walk with you to the very end.
Lu Chenzhou walked over with two cups of coffee.
"Still hurting?" he asked softly.
"I'm okay," she smiled, her gaze gentle and steady. "We've finally ended it—all of it."