Chapter 699: I Was the One Who Leaked the Information

The battle at the cannery was gradually drawing to a close.

Under the powerful fire suppression of the police, the Snakehead Gang’s resistance quickly collapsed. Most chose to surrender, while the few diehard members were shot dead on the spot.

All eighteen hostages were rescued. Though shaken, none were injured or killed.

The media journalists captured the dramatic moment when police broke down the doors and heroically rescued the hostages, as well as the pathetic sight of Snakehead Gang members raising their hands in surrender.

Detective Davis, who led the operation, became an overnight hero—at least that’s what tonight’s headlines would say.

After the battle ended, Chu Yang withdrew from the battlefield and returned to Liu Yutong’s side.

“Young Mistress, the cannery situation is resolved. Snakehead Gang leader Wang Hai was killed. The rest either surrendered or were captured, and all hostages are safe and sound.”

Liu Yutong nodded slightly. “What about Zhao Weixiang?”

“Yun Cheng’s team captured one of Zhao Weixiang’s trusted lieutenants and got their rendezvous point out of him. Yun Cheng has taken people there.”

“Tell Yun Cheng that if there’s nothing there, pull back,” Liu Yutong said.

Chu Yang was taken aback. “Young Mistress means the intel might be false?”

“I don’t know if it’s false, but I think if Zhao Weixiang knows we’ve failed here, he definitely wouldn’t go to that rendezvous point. He might never have intended to go there from the start.”

Her speculation was quickly confirmed. Yun Cheng arrived there and found nothing.

In the basement were only two incoherent addicts. There was no trace of Zhao Weixiang.

……….

Los Angeles Port, Pier Seven.

An unremarkable white speedboat was moored quietly on the water. On the deck stood a woman in a red dress with a graceful figure.

The woman was Hong Jiao.

Hearing footsteps from the shore, she turned to look and saw Zhao Weixiang walking toward her, a smile appearing on her face.

“Why did you take so long? I thought they’d caught you.”

Zhao Weixiang boarded the speedboat, casually tossed his backpack onto the deck, loosened his tie, and said, “They won’t catch me that easily. Razor and his useless bunch bought me some time.”

Hong Jiao raised an eyebrow, turned into the cabin, grabbed a bottle of red wine, and poured two glasses. “You just left them behind? They were your most loyal men in America.”

“What good is loyalty? When they’re no longer useful, you discard them decisively.”

Zhao Weixiang took the glass and downed it in one gulp. “Let me tell you, in this place, having a soft heart is a death sentence.”

Hong Jiao didn’t respond. She simply sipped her wine, staring at the dark sea outside. The cabin lights were dim, casting half her face in light and half in shadow, revealing no emotion.

The speedboat slowly left the pier, heading toward other coastal cities.

Zhao Weixiang leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, seemingly tired.

Hong Jiao watched him quietly, then suddenly spoke. “You promised me that once we escaped to safety, we’d find a small town where no one knows us and spend the rest of our lives there. Does that still count?”

Zhao Weixiang opened his eyes and looked at the woman before him.

This woman had followed him for many years. She’d taken knives for him, taken the fall for him, and had as much blood on her hands as he did.

He had indeed promised that when it was all over, he would take her away to start a new life under new identities—he just never made good on it.

After a few seconds of silence, he slowly said, “In a few days. We’ll switch to a larger ship bound for South America. No one will know us there. Then I’ll buy a small seaside manor.”

Hearing this, Hong Jiao nodded. The last glimmer of light in her eyes extinguished completely.

She’d heard this excuse far too many times.

She could no longer believe him.

What she didn’t know was that Zhao Weixiang was actually telling the truth this time. As long as that Mr. Jiang helped him secure a new identity and gave him enough money to squander for the rest of his life, he really did plan to disappear and live as an ordinary person.

After all these years in the game, he was indeed tired.

Zhao Weixiang stood up, walked behind Hong Jiao, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder. “You’ve worked hard all these years. Once we’re settled, we’ll get married, have a child, and live a good life.”

Hong Jiao’s body tensed slightly, but quickly relaxed.

Then she turned her head and gently kissed Zhao Weixiang’s cheek.

“Alright.”

Zhao Weixiang smiled, released his hold, and walked to the simple bed in the cabin to lie down. “I’m going to sleep for a bit. Wake me when we get there.”

“Mhm.”

Hong Jiao nodded, downed the remaining wine in her glass, and carefully steered the wheel, gradually slowing their speed.

Once Zhao Weixiang was truly asleep, she pulled a phone from her pocket and quickly typed out a line of text.

【Pier Seven, heading south - Hong Jiao.】

After typing it, she hesitated for a moment before pressing send.

Then she threw the phone directly into the sea.

Having done all this, Hong Jiao gazed at the dark sea. A tear slid silently from the corner of her eye and was carried away by the wind……….

……….

On the periphery of the cannery.

Liu Yutong was discussing the cannery operation with Detective Davis.

“Snakehead Gang leader Wang Hai was killed resisting arrest. Three were killed, twelve captured. Nineteen detained individuals were rescued, three of whom were injured but not in critical condition. Two of our officers sustained minor injuries. No fatalities.”

Detective Davis breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “This might be our police force’s most successful anti-gang operation in recent years. We must also thank Miss Liu for your support!”

“It’s what we should do,” Liu Yutong said.

When this topic came up, Chu Yang suddenly interjected. “Detective Davis, when will you give our Wanlong Society a banner of commendation for our heroic actions?”

Davis was taken aback. “Banner of commendation? What’s that?”

Chu Yang explained. “In our country, a banner of commendation is a symbol of friendly cooperation between police and civilians. It represents the spirit of harmonious governance, courage, and fearlessness…”

Detective Davis: “……”

“That sounds quite nice. I can submit an application to my superiors.”

“Oh, then thank you so much!”

“……..”

Liu Yutong was about to speak when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She glanced at the text message, put away her phone, and looked at Davis with an unchanged expression. “Detective Davis, we have other matters to attend to, so we’ll be leaving first. When we get to San Francisco, I’ll treat you and your colleagues to dinner.”

Davis nodded. “Alright. Thank you for your generosity, Miss Liu!”

The moment Liu Yutong turned, she said to Yun Cheng and Chu Yang. “Immediately find several speedboats and a helicopter. Zhao Weixiang is on a boat that left from Pier Seven, heading south. We can’t let him escape.”

Yun Cheng was taken aback. “Who provided this information? Is it reliable?”

“The information should be reliable. Find the boats quickly,” Liu Yutong said.

“Yes!”

The convoy roared toward the port.

On the way, Chu Yang couldn’t help but ask. “Young Mistress, who sent that text message?”

Liu Yutong thought for a moment and said, “Probably someone whose heart has died.”

She could only think of this reason.

Otherwise, how could that woman Hong Jiao betray Zhao Weixiang?

Chu Yang seemed to understand but not completely, and didn’t press further.

They chose not to notify the police for this operation because Zhao Weixiang absolutely had to be brought back to their country. If the police caught him, they probably wouldn’t be able to take him.

First, there’s no extradition treaty. Second, Zhao Weixiang has also broken local laws in the United States. They would definitely prioritize trying him there first, then deport him after he serves his sentence.

So she decided to act on her own. Capture him and bring him back for trial.

Soon, with the power of money backing them, five speedboats and two helicopters were quickly assembled and began searching the waters south of Pier Seven.

By the time the helicopters located the target, the speedboat was already approaching international waters.

“Vessel ahead, this is the Coast Guard! Stop immediately and prepare for inspection! I repeat, stop immediately and prepare for inspection!”

The helicopter’s loudspeaker echoed across the water. Their equipment did somewhat resemble special police gear, so they simply borrowed the title to force the other party to stop.

Of course, they shouted this to try to minimize resistance, because they needed him alive.

Inside the cabin, Zhao Weixiang was jolted awake by the alarm.

When he looked up and saw the helicopters circling overhead and the speedboats rapidly approaching, his face instantly darkened.

“What’s going on? Why are the police chasing us?”

At that moment, Hong Jiao said calmly, “I told them our location.”

Zhao Weixiang: “???”