Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

There was silence in the headphones, only the crackling sound of electricity piercing my eardrums like needles.

My heart was in my throat and my palms were sweaty.

Detective Lin's face was terribly gloomy. He kept trying to reconnect the signal, but each time ended in failure.

"No, I have to go in." Detective Lin said in a firm tone with a hint of determination.

I grabbed his arm and said, "It's too dangerous! The situation inside is unknown. If you go in like this..."

"But Hanchuan is still in there!" His eyes were filled with anxiety and worry, "We can't leave him there alone!"

I know his concerns, and I am also worried about Bai Hanchuan's safety, but rushing in like this would undoubtedly be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.

At this moment, a noisy sound suddenly came from the headphones, like someone running and the sound of metal colliding.

My heart sank suddenly. Could it be that Hanchuan was discovered?

"He's moving, moving fast!" Detective Lin stared at the computer screen, his fingers tapping quickly on the keyboard, "He triggered the alarm! Damn it!"

My breathing almost stopped, as if I could feel Bai Hanchuan's nervousness and danger at the moment. I clenched my fists tightly, and my nails almost dug into my flesh.

The headphones suddenly became quiet, leaving only the sound of rapid breathing.

"He's in hiding," Detective Lin said in a low, nervous voice, "but the situation is not good. Security is searching..."

The image of Bai Hanchuan hiding in some dark corner emerged in front of my eyes. He must be very scared and helpless... This feeling of powerlessness almost made me collapse.

Suddenly, a shrill alarm sounded throughout the building.

"What's going on?" I exclaimed.

"It was me," Detective Lin said with a barely perceptible smile, "I hacked into their security system and created a false alarm to lure the security guards away."

Before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, I heard Bai Hanchuan's voice in my earphones, with a hint of irrepressible excitement, "I found her... Accountant Chen..."

Bai Hanchuan's voice in the headphones instantly filled me with hope. Finding Accountant Chen means we are one step closer to the truth.

"Accountant Chen, I know you have evidence of the Li family's illegal activities," Bai Hanchuan's voice was low and powerful, reaching my ears through the noise of the electric current, "Don't be afraid, I will protect your safety."

After a moment of silence, a trembling female voice came from the headset: "I...I know...but Manager Liu...he..."

"Manager Liu?" I couldn't help but interrupt, "Is he the ruthless manager of the Li family?" I have heard of this Manager Liu. It is said that he used all means to get to the top and even forced several employees to death.

"Yes...it's him...he has...the leverage over me..." Accountant Chen's voice was tearful and intermittent, which made me shudder with fear.

Bai Hanchuan comforted her: "Don't worry, as long as you are willing to testify, I will guarantee the safety of you and your family."

"But...but Manager Liu has...evidence of my falsifying the accounts...If he hands that evidence to the police..." Accountant Chen's voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.

"Where is the evidence?" Bai Hanchuan said firmly, "Tell me and I will take care of it."

Accountant Chen hesitated for a moment, and finally gave an address. It was Manager Liu's private safe.

"Okay, I understand." Bai Hanchuan's voice was full of determination. "You hide first, I will deal with it as soon as possible."

Detective Lin's voice suddenly interrupted: "Hanchuan, what do you want to do?"

"Destroy the evidence." Bai Hanchuan's answer was concise and clear.

"This is too risky!" Detective Lin said anxiously, "Manager Liu's safe must have a strict security system. If you go in like this..."

"This is the fastest way." Bai Hanchuan interrupted him, "We don't have time."

"But……"

"No buts." Bai Hanchuan's tone left no room for doubt, "This is the only way."

As I listened to their conversation, my worries grew stronger and stronger. I knew that Bai Hanchuan was doing this for me and for the base, but it was too dangerous...

"Detective Lin," I said into the headset, "make sure Hanchuan is safe."

Detective Lin sighed through the headset: "I'll do my best."

Then, I heard Bai Hanchuan's voice, low and firm: "Action."

In the headphones, the conversation between Bai Hanchuan and Detective Lin continued, but the atmosphere became more and more tense.

"It's too risky to just steal the evidence, Hanchuan!" Detective Lin's voice was a little anxious. "Manager Liu's safe must have a strict security system. We should think long-term."

"Time waits for no one, Detective Lin." Bai Hanchuan's voice was low but firm. "This is the fastest way, and the only way. The longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."

"We can think of other ways! For example, find someone to pretend to be a bank employee..."

"It's too late," Bai Hanchuan interrupted him, "Accountant Chen may be controlled by Manager Liu at any time. We must get the evidence as soon as possible."

The two of them were in a stalemate, and my heart was also in a knot. I held the intercom tightly, my palms were full of sweat. Hanchuan, you must come back safely!

I closed my eyes, and every moment I spent with Bai Hanchuan came to my mind.

His stern eyes when we first met, his determined back when we fought side by side for the first time, and his gentle smile on our wedding day... These memories are like a warm current, flowing through my heart and giving me strength.

"Hanchuan..." I called his name softly into the intercom, but I didn't dare make too much noise for fear of disturbing him.

I seemed to feel that even though we were thousands of miles apart, there was still an invisible connection between him and me.

This connection is love, trust, and the ups and downs we have experienced together.

Suddenly, a sigh from Detective Lin came from the headset: "Okay, Hanchuan, I know I can't persuade you. But you must be careful, I will meet you outside."

"I know." Bai Hanchuan's voice remained calm. "The action begins."

My heart beat faster and I stared at the intercom as if I wanted to stare a hole in it.

Suddenly, there was a noisy sound from the intercom, and then, it was Bai Hanchuan's urgent voice: "Detective Lin, the situation has changed..."

There was a sharp electric sound coming from the intercom, mixed with unclear shouting, and my heart suddenly tightened.

Could it be... I didn't dare to think any further. I held the walkie-talkie tightly in my hand, and my knuckles turned white.

The few seconds of silence seemed as long as a century, and I almost suffocated.

"Hanchuan! Hanchuan! Please answer if you hear me!" I shouted into the intercom, my voice trembling slightly with nervousness.

Finally, Bai Hanchuan's low voice came from the sound of the electric current: "I... I'm fine." His voice was a little breathless, as if he had just experienced a fierce fight.

"The evidence...is obtained."

I breathed a sigh of relief, my tense nerves finally relaxing, but then tensed up again. "How are you? Are you hurt?"

"It's just a minor injury," he said lightly, "Detective Lin is waiting for me outside, we will leave soon."

My heart was relieved a little.

With the evidence, Accountant Chen's testimony will have weight, and we will be able to expose the true face of Li's opponent in court and completely reverse the crisis situation of the base.

A few minutes later, Detective Lin's voice came from the intercom: "Jinli, we are safe and on our way back."

"Okay, I'll wait for you." I suppressed my inner excitement and tried to keep myself calm.

The waiting time is always extraordinarily long. I recall the conversation over and over again, analyzing every detail, trying to find a hint of uneasiness in it.

Bai Hanchuan said that he had obtained the evidence, but his voice sounded a little tired, and even... there was a hint of subtle hesitation.

Suddenly, there was a burst of rapid braking sounds from the intercom, followed by Detective Lin's anxious voice: "Jinli, we are surrounded..."