Chapter 173: Love and Sacrifice
“Ah…”
“My leg… I think it’s broken…”
“Brother…”
“You go on without me…”
The fake secretary forced a bitter smile, her expression full of pain. Hearing this, the fake Taotie froze for a moment before quickly glancing at her leg. Her professional outfit was soaked in blood, and a steel nail was embedded in her abdomen.
“Sis…”
Seeing this, the fake Taotie teared up.
He knew that even if they managed to escape the police blockade, she wouldn’t survive.
“Sis…”
“I’ll carry you…”
The fake Taotie wiped away his tears and dragged her out of the driver’s seat. Throughout the process, the fake secretary’s face twisted in agony.
“Brother…”
“My stomach hurts so much…”
She clutched her abdomen, groaning in pain.
“It’s okay…”
“I’ll take you to a doctor…”
The fake Taotie wiped his tears again and supported her as they staggered deeper into the forest. Behind them, two trails of bloody footprints—one large, one small—were left behind. In the slanting sunlight, a thick tree branch was lodged into the fake Taotie’s back. Blood trickled down his back, staining his shirt and pants red.
Two Minutes Later
The policemen, who had no choice but to pursue on foot, arrived at the crash site.
“Chase them!”
“They’re both injured!”
A middle-aged officer spotted the bloodstains inside the wrecked car and the footprints leading into the forest. His eyes lit up as he shouted an order.
“Brother…”
“Put me down…”
“I’ll cover you…”
The fake secretary’s face was ashen as she spoke. She didn’t notice that the fake Taotie looked even paler than her.
“We…”
“Stay together…”
The fake Taotie smiled.
Hearing this, her expression changed. Panic flickered across her face. For the first time, she realized something was seriously wrong with him.
“Brother…”
“Where are you hurt?”
She asked in a trembling voice.
“Heh…”
“It’s nothing…”
The fake Taotie let out a weak laugh. Just then, voices sounded nearby. They exchanged a glance and smiled.
“Brother, I can’t walk anymore…”
“Let’s fight to the end…”
She knew he was badly injured too. There was no escape.
“Alright…”
“Let’s go all out…”
The fake Taotie grinned.
They leaned against a thick tree and raised their guns toward the approaching sounds. Soon, a group of uniformed officers entered their sights. Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Since they wouldn’t make it out alive, they might as well go out with a bang. She emptied her magazine in a frenzy.
“Ahhh!”
Two pained screams came from the other side—she had hit someone.
“Brother, give me another magazine!”
She shouted without turning her head.
But…
There was no response. A chill ran down her spine. Just now, only her gun had been firing.
His had remained silent. Her body stiffened. Slowly, she turned her head to look at him.
The fake Taotie was kneeling on the ground, eyes wide open, glaring forward. She reached out, checking for breath. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He was dead.
Died with his eyes open. Choking back sobs, she took his gun and found a few magazines in his pocket.
“Brother, wait for me down there…”
“I’ll be with you soon…”
She whispered, wiping away her tears. Then, she reloaded her gun. Lifting both weapons, she aimed at the officers peeking out from cover. Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets rained down wildly. She didn’t care if she hit anything—she just kept shooting. After all, even a flurry of wild punches could sometimes land a knockout blow. And sure enough, sixteen bullets did their job.
Two more screams rang out. She wiped away more tears, ejected the empty magazines, and loaded fresh ones. She had enough for two more rounds. Taking a deep breath, she fired again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
This time, only one scream followed. The police had found cover. Undeterred, she fired again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
No one was hit this time. She reloaded her final magazines.
“Brother, wait for me…”
“I’ll be there soon…”
She whispered, smiling faintly. Then, she fired. Sixteen shots. Not a single hit. Dropping her guns, she collapsed into his arms…
Five Minutes Later
The police flanked them, surrounding the area. But the fierce outlaws had long since perished. All that remained were two bodies, clinging to each other. A bloodstained steel nail protruded from her pale neck.
“Call the forensics team. Take pictures and bring the bodies back to HQ.”
The middle-aged officer holstered his gun, his voice low.
“Yes, sir!”
A subordinate responded.
*
City Center, Private Apartment
The real secretary swayed her hips as she walked over with a phone.
“Boss, the two stand-ins are dead.”
Hearing this, Taotie remained expressionless and nodded.
“Find a way to retrieve their bodies. Bring them back to Blacklist for a proper burial.”
After a long silence, he spoke.
“Yes!”
“I’ll arrange it immediately.”
She responded.
“Any news on the target?”
Taotie asked.
“Our people are searching.”
She replied.
“Make it quick.”
“They’ll pay for this.”
Taotie’s voice was cold.
“Understood!”
She nodded and left the room. Alone, Taotie pulled out his gun and began to clean it.
(End of Chapter 173)
