Chapter 146: Tom – May I Have the Honor of Knowing You?
“I’ve said everything I need to say.”
“Whether you choose to cooperate with my operation is up to you. I don’t have time to wait for you.”
“His accomplice could return at any moment.”
Standing solemnly, Song Lin spoke in a deep voice.
He admitted that he was acting on impulse.
But the opportunity was rare—he didn’t want to let it slip away.
If he didn’t act now, perhaps…
There wouldn’t be another chance.
Who knew when they would leave?
It was highly possible that once that woman returned, they would leave together.
“Captain Song, I’m with you!”
At that moment, Luo Fei spoke in a steady voice.
Song Lin was momentarily stunned.
He hadn’t expected Luo Fei to be the first to stand up and support him.
In Song Lin’s impression, Luo Fei was someone who knew how to protect himself and was simply waiting for retirement.
It was hard to imagine that such a career veteran would be the first to step forward.
“Captain Song, I support you!”
“I’ll act with you!”
Luo Fei gripped his gun firmly, speaking with determination.
“Alright, I’ll go first. You cover me!”
After a brief moment of surprise, Song Lin smiled.
Although Luo Fei was older, his shooting skills were incredibly refined—certainly not inferior to those fresh graduates, and he had the added advantage of composure.
Song Lin had reviewed Luo Fei’s record.
In his decades of service, Luo Fei had turned the tide multiple times, personally taking down extremely dangerous criminals.
That kind of shooting experience and record of success was something many officers could never achieve in a lifetime.
“Captain Song, let me knock on the door. You cover me instead!”
“I’m getting old. My reaction speed isn’t what it used to be. I may not be able to support you in time.”
“If I go to knock, you can react quickly and back me up.”
Luo Fei smiled at Song Lin.
“No, I’ll do it!”
Seeing that Luo Fei was about to argue, Song Lin added:
“Luo Fei, stop fighting me on this. That’s an order!”
“Yes, sir!”
Luo Fei straightened his posture and responded quietly.
“Captain Song, we’re joining the operation too!”
Seeing that even the veteran Luo Fei had volunteered, and after hearing the exchange between him and Song Lin, the rest of the Major Crimes Unit was moved. They all stepped forward, requesting to join the fight.
“Good!”
“I approve!”
Song Lin nodded, smiling with satisfaction.
“I’ve dealt with that guy before. We almost killed each other.”
“If it really is him, he’ll recognize me the moment we make eye contact.”
“And the second he sees me, he’ll attack.”
“So, I’ll be the first to approach and open the door.”
“The moment shots are fired, you all move in immediately, surround Room 512, and eliminate the target at all costs.”
“The breaching order: I go first, Luo Fei second, Xiao Lin third, and the rest will follow in order.”
Song Lin’s expression turned serious as he efficiently laid out the plan.
While this strategy might seem reckless, urban combat in confined spaces was very different from military operations.
Police officers were neither equipped nor trained like special forces.
They couldn’t all storm in at once—this was the only way.
The first officer breaching the room had the highest chance of being shot, possibly fatally.
The second had a slightly better chance of survival.
The third, however, had the greatest probability of taking down the suspect.
“Yes, sir!”
The team responded in unison.
“Move out!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Song Lin, his face set with determination, strode toward Room 512.
Luo Fei followed closely behind, with the rest lining up in a single-file formation.
Room 507
Fang Xiaocao, who had just switched the surveillance feed back to the fifth floor, was stunned.
“What’s happening?”
She blinked in confusion at her phone screen.
After rubbing her eyes to confirm she wasn’t imagining things, she widened her gaze in shock at Song Lin.
“Did Song Lin just figure out Axi’s identity?”
She muttered to herself, trying to guess the purpose of their operation.
“He must have!”
She answered her own question.
Realizing this, she immediately switched her phone to split-screen mode, opening WeChat and clicking on Tom’s profile.
Fang Xiaocao: “Tom, where is Han Xue right now?”
Tom: “Reporting, Princess. That woman named Han Xue just left the mall. She’s probably heading back to the hotel.”
As soon as she saw Tom’s response, Fang Xiaocao’s expression changed.
Han Xue is coming back?
That meant Song Lin and his team…
Could be in danger!
Thinking quickly, she sent another message:
Fang Xiaocao: “Tom, find a way to delay Han Xue!”
“The police are about to take action against her accomplice. This is the perfect chance to take them down one by one. Keep her from returning to help, and don’t let her escape either!”
In that moment of clarity, Fang Xiaocao had already mapped out the best way to coordinate with Song Lin’s team.
The key was to keep Han Xue occupied.
If she couldn’t rush back to assist Axi, and she couldn’t flee, then once Song Lin’s team subdued or eliminated Axi, they would inevitably turn their focus to Han Xue.
At that point, as long as Tom stalled her a bit longer and discreetly tipped off Song Lin about her whereabouts—
Han Xue wouldn’t stand a chance of escaping.
And if she resisted just a little…
A wicked smile curled Fang Xiaocao’s lips.
Two birds with one stone!
Both Han Xue and Axi would be dealt with.
Tom: “Understood!”
Seeing her message, Tom immediately replied.
He put away his phone and looked up at Han Xue, who was walking toward him.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered his approach.
Since Fang Xiaocao had given the order, he had to complete the mission—
He didn’t want to disappoint her.
Lifting his gaze to Han Xue, Tom stepped forward and blocked her path.
Startled by the sudden appearance of a man in her way, Han Xue instinctively reached into her bag.
Her movement didn’t escape Tom’s notice.
His internal alarms blared, and he immediately heightened his guard.
He knew she was carrying a weapon.
Despite his heightened vigilance, he maintained a calm exterior, flashing a charming smile.
“Oh, beautiful lady, may I have the honor of knowing you?”
Tom grinned as he spoke in a classic, cheesy pickup line.
Han Xue was caught off guard.
“What’s happening?”
“Am I… being hit on?”
“By a foreigner?”
She blinked in surprise.
Then she chuckled to herself.
“Heh… my charm is just irresistible.”
With a playful giggle, she replied,
“Of course! But I should warn you—I already have a son.”
(End of Chapter 146)
