Qin Yu hadn't paid much attention to the four men and the girl initially, but after Old Cat's warning, he discreetly observed them. The men wore identical sheepskin coats, work pants, and scuffed leather boots. Their exposed skin showed signs of frostbite, their eyes sharp as knives.

  "They're not from the Special Zone," Qin Yu muttered.

  "How can you tell?" Old Cat asked.

  "Overdressed with frostbite marks," Qin Yu replied tersely. "Probably 'thunderers' from the unregulated zones."

  "What's a 'thunderer'?"

  "Men who live by the blade." Qin Yu scratched his nose.

  Old Cat paled slightly. "Then we're screwed if we try to play heroes, huh?"

  "You carrying?" Qin Yu asked.

  "Just came to eat. No piece." Old Cat shook his head.

  "Then stay put," Qin Yu said, frowning. "Call the squad."

  As they debated, the four men stood to leave with the girl.

  "Shit, they're moving!" Old Cat's hands trembled as he gulped his liquor. "Should we tail them?"

  "You got rocket boosters in those shoes?" Qin Yu scoffed. "They've got wheels. We don't."

  "Right...forgot that."

  Qin Yu studied the men. "If they're really thunderers, they're definitely armed. We'd be dead meat trying to stop them."

  Old Cat, though terrified—his field experience limited to desk-adjacent duties—still muttered, "If we were civilians, fine. But we wear the badge. We can't just ignore this. Think of something!"

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "No weapons, outnumbered, no wheels, and backup's too far. What exactly—"

  The tavern door burst open. Six hulking figures entered, led by none other than Third Brother, who bellowed, "Qin Yu!"

  Both Qin Yu and Old Cat whirled around, eyes widening. "Holy shit," they whispered in unison. "The miracle's here."

  Third Brother, in full police greens, swaggered over with his squad. "Fancy dinner on day one? Must be rolling in cash." He grabbed Qin Yu's collar. "Outside. Now."

  "Third Brother, you here for the op?" Old Cat cut in urgently.

  Third Brother blinked. "What op?"

  "You tailed them here, right?"

  "...I tailed Qin Yu."

  Old Cat smacked his arm. "Stop fucking around! Do we hit them here or outside?"

  Third Brother pointed at Qin Yu. "I'm here for him."

  Old Cat subtly gestured toward the four men. "Not for those traffickers?"

  "Traffickers? Who—?"

  "Perfect timing then," Old Cat hissed, sweat beading. "They've got a kidnapped girl. We were just figuring out how to—look, we've got numbers now. Let's take them."

  Third Brother's face cycled through confusion, irritation, and resignation. "I...you...goddammit." He glanced at the four men, now eyeing the cops warily.

  The girl, sandwiched between her captors, tensed as they edged toward the exit.

  "Quit stalling!" Old Cat jabbed Third Brother. "What's the plan?"

  Third Brother exhaled sharply. "Fine. Xiao Hu, call HQ. The rest, fan out." He nudged a rookie. "Guo, ID check. Ask for residency permits. If they resist—lights out."

  Guo looked ready to cry. "Why me? Send Old Cat!"

  "They're not in uniform. Move."

  Grumbling, Guo stepped forward. "Black Street PD. Residency permits. Now."

  The four men froze. The girl between them clenched her fists, sweat dripping.

  The short leader reached for his pocket. "We're traders from the unregulated zone. No permits."

  "Then show your entry pass."

  As the man reached deeper, the girl suddenly screamed, "HELP! THEY KIDNAPPED ME!"

  The man beside the leader flicked his sleeve—revealing a T-34 grenade. "Pin's out. Move, and we all die."

  Chaos erupted. Patrons dove for cover.

  The leader yanked the girl backward. "Cover me. Back exit."

  Third Brother, hand on his holster, warned, "Easy, brother. That thing goes off, it's a whole different—"

  CRASH!

  Old Cat launched a liquor bottle at the grenadier's wrist.

  The man didn't hesitate—he lobbed the grenade into the crowd.

  Qin Yu yanked Old Cat backward just as—

  BOOM!

  The explosion shattered tables, sent debris flying. Three officers went down, bleeding.

  Third Brother, sprawled on the floor, roared, "Take out the grenadier—"

  BANG! BANG!

  Two shots rang out. Third Brother clutched his bloody ass and collapsed, howling, "OLD CAT, YOU SON OF A—"