With a slam, the iron door was kicked open.
Several police officers rushed in, their shouts of "Freeze! Don't move!" echoing through the room.
Everyone instantly fell into a panicked huddle, cowering on the floor, too scared to even pick up dropped money.
It was over.
Hearing the commotion, the long-haired man's eyes hardened. He grabbed a cup from the table and hurled it at Song Xi.
Unexpectedly, Song Xi's head tilted just in time. The cup missed her, instead smashing onto the head of the short-haired man she had been pursuing.
*Bang!*
The short-haired man face-planted.
Song Xi turned back, her voice sincere, "Thank you!"
The long-haired man: "..."
"Get up, get up!"
The slick-haired man scratched his ears in desperation, then, with a final resolve, abandoned his accomplice and bolted.
The buzz-cut man, sprawled on the floor, cried out helplessly, "Brother..."
But the slick-haired man had no idea that another exit was already swarming with police.
The black muzzle of a gun was pointed at his forehead. He turned deathly pale with fear.
Song Xi let out a cold laugh. Just as she was about to speak, the slick-haired man suddenly dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.
"I was wrong! I'm sorry, I was wrong!"
Song Xi blinked in surprise.
It took her a few seconds to realize he wasn't begging her, but the person behind her!
Ye Hai walked over, his imposing figure radiating an untamed aura.
Song Xi blinked again.
Did they know each other?
As she pondered this, her peripheral vision caught sight of the long-haired man from the gambling table, who had broken free from the police. He lunged at Ye Hai, brandishing a knife with fierce intent.
"Watch out—!"
Ye Hai's eyes sharpened. He spun around instantly, evading the attack with a professional stance while simultaneously kicking the long-haired man.
But the long-haired man was no easy opponent. He snatched up broken bottles and other sharp objects from the floor. Joined by his lurking comrades, he launched a pincer attack.
Ye Hai, outnumbered, even with his formidable combat skills, couldn't defend himself from all sides.
*CRASH!*
A bottle squarely struck his back.
Ye Hai's expression darkened. With an effortless over-the-shoulder throw, he slammed his assailant to the ground.
Then, with a crisp *crack*, he easily broke the long-haired man's wrist. The knife clattered to the floor, and Ye Hai cautiously kicked it away.
Fighting two opponents at once, his movements were fluid and seamless. Despite the shattered bottle, he remained unfazed.
Such exquisite skill and reaction speed were undeniably signs of someone extraordinary!
Song Xi watched, mesmerized.
Ye Hai looked at her, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
He approached the slick-haired man, his towering physique leaving the man with nowhere to hide. Ye Hai's sharp features and powerful aura were intimidating.
The slick-haired man, already trembling from Ye Hai's earlier display, grabbed his pant leg. "…Brother, we're family. My brother and I, this was our first time—"
Ye Hai kicked him in the head. "Who's family with you!"
He then pulled out his phone and dialed. "Big Brother…"
Song Xi stood silently to the side, contemplating asking about the situation, but decided it might be disruptive to the police's work.
While Ye Hai was on the phone, he glanced back at her several times. His attention diverted, he failed to notice a small group of people hatching a wicked plan behind him.
"…I'll cut the chandelier wires in a bit. Everyone escape in the chaos!"
"What if someone gets killed? I don't want to go to jail!"
"We fight, and there's a chance. If we don't, we'll spend our lives in prison! It's up to you!"
A police officer approached. "What are you whispering about!"
The group immediately feigned innocence, laughing and chatting nonchalantly.
After finishing his call, Ye Hai walked over to Song Xi. "Let's go. They'll handle the rest."
Song Xi glanced at the two men who had kidnapped her. Fine. Since they were caught, she could ask at the police station later.
However, after taking just two steps, the chandelier above began to sway precariously.
*CRASH!*
Before Song Xi could react, Ye Hai lunged at her. They tumbled across the floor, narrowly missing the falling chandelier.
Song Xi gasped in terror, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.
Ye Hai's gaze was sharp. "Are you alright?"
Song Xi shook her head dazedly.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead.
The gamblers, seizing the opportunity, were attempting to flee.
"Find a place to stay put, don't move!" Ye Hai instructed, then immediately charged forward.
The scene devolved into chaos.
Gamblers ran, others dispersed, some stuffing cash from the tables into their bags, and a few, overwhelmed, began assaulting the police.
This chaotic scene filled Song Xi with dread.
At that moment, a gunshot suddenly rang out.