Chapter 193: Tom’s Diversion Tactic
[Tom: Received. I’ll climb up the outer wall. Princess, keep an eye on Taotie’s movements for me.]
Tom hesitated for a moment before sending the message to Fang Xiaocao and began his silent approach toward the villa.
“OK!”
“Taotie just finished off that guy and is now desecrating the corpse!”
Fang Xiaocao listened carefully to the sounds outside the room. The dull thudding, akin to someone striking a heavy sandbag, along with Taotie’s curses, confirmed what was happening. She quickly updated Tom.
[Tom: Understood. I’m starting my climb.]
After confirming that there were no Blacklist sentries around the villa, Tom leaped up, gripping an ornamental decoration on the exterior wall. Moving with the agility of a gecko, he swiftly scaled the wall and reached the second-floor balcony of an adjacent room.
Squatting on the balcony, Tom retrieved his phone.
[Tom: Princess, I’ve reached the second floor. I should be on the balcony next to your room. What’s Taotie’s status?]
After sending the message, he tested the sliding door—locked.
“OK!”
“Taotie is still working on the corpse. But that woman who was shot, she’s not dead. The bullet just grazed her. Now she’s regrouped with Taotie, and they’re both outside the room!”
Reading Fang Xiaocao’s message, Tom’s expression darkened.
If this room was locked, then hers likely was too. Having her unlock it might make noise and alert Taotie. If that happened, she’d be in danger.
Tom tapped the window, gauging the thickness of the glass. “Just regular reinforced glass. I can break this with one punch.”
Estimating the distance from the door to the window, he muttered, “Three seconds. At most three seconds. If Taotie hears the noise, he can reach the window within that time. If I need to open the window, I must grab a weapon and fire within three seconds to ensure the princess isn’t harmed.”
“But does that woman have a gun?”
“If she does, even if I hit Taotie, she could still shoot the princess.”
Tom’s frown deepened. He would never allow Fang Xiaocao to be in danger—not even a slight risk.
[Tom: Princess, I need you to follow my plan exactly to minimize your risk.]
“No problem!”
“What’s your plan?”
Fang Xiaocao responded instantly, eager to proceed.
[Tom: The balcony I’m on is about 1.5 meters from yours. I will jump over. But before that, I will break this window to create a distraction.]
[Tom: You need to be at your window, ready to unlock it the moment you hear the glass shatter. Leave the gun on the balcony and drop to the floor immediately after opening the window. Crawl under the bed to avoid stray shots.]
[Tom: Once you’re ready, message me, and I’ll begin.]
“OK!”
“I’ll get ready now and message you when I’m set.”
After considering the plan, Fang Xiaocao found it perfect and immediately agreed.
Tom set down his phone, removed his jacket, and wrapped it around his fist in preparation to smash the window.
Fang Xiaocao listened for movements outside. Satisfied that Taotie and the secretary weren’t about to enter, she retrieved two guns from her bag and slowly crawled out from under the bed.
She checked the balcony door—locked. Setting one gun and a black dagger by the door, she ensured they could be quickly kicked onto the balcony once the door was open. Then, she picked up her phone.
“Tom, I’m ready!”
The moment he received her message, Tom took a deep breath—then slammed his fist into the glass.
With a loud “CRASH!”, the window shattered.
At the same moment, Tom leaped toward the next balcony, throwing his jacket forward mid-air.
“Intruder!”
Taotie’s roar echoed down the hallway as heavy footsteps pounded toward the noise.
Hearing the commotion, Fang Xiaocao knew Tom’s plan was working. She wasted no time—unlocking the balcony door in one smooth motion and kicking the gun and dagger onto the balcony.
Her actions were seamless.
Then, she threw herself to the floor, scrambling under the bed while chambering a bullet into her own gun.
“BOOM!”
A massive impact shook the walls as a door crashed to the ground.
“Not here!”
“Next room!”
Taotie’s voice roared outside.
A soft thud came from the balcony.
The next second, the crisp “click” of a gun being cocked reached Fang Xiaocao’s ears.
Hearing it, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Tom had made it.
Their plan was a success.
(End of Chapter 193)
