Just in Time Chapter 127
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 127
Extra 17-Previous Life
"Honey, after I finish this mission, let's go to Sanya," Qi Huo squatted on a dirt slope, making a phone call. He absentmindedly plucked some wild vegetables, rolling them between his fingers. "I've already booked the flight tickets."
Chang Ziqi stood at the boarding gate, hearing the announcement to board over the loudspeaker.
He smiled, "You got time off?"
"Wang Lianhua wouldn't dare not approve it!" Qi Huo shouted. "Even if he's the deputy director now, I'd still dare to beat him up!"
Chang Ziqi said helplessly, "It's good that it's approved. I've finished all my work here too."
"Let's have a good time," he said on the phone as his assistant signaled that it was time to board.
"Alright, I have to go now. I'm boarding the plane," Chang Ziqi strode forward. They hadn't seen each other for a month. "Be careful."
"Don't worry, honey. I'll come back in one piece. We'll celebrate our wedding anniversary in Sanya," Qi Huo said with a smile. "Love you!"
Chang Ziqi smiled, "Love you too."
He hung up and boarded the plane with the crowd.
In the night, Qi Huo grinned foolishly at his phone for a while.
"Captain Qi!" Xu Chao ran over. "It's time!"
Qi Huo's smile vanished as he stood up from the slope, brushing dirt off his pants. "Damn, we can finally catch that bastard Ge San!"
On the plane, Chang Ziqi switched his phone to airplane mode and closed his eyes to rest.
He and Qi Huo had broken up in high school and reunited after a full ten years. He recalled their reunion five years ago.
That day, he had just returned to China. The next day was New Year's Eve. He went to the supermarket to buy things when he heard a commotion behind him.
"Stop! You idiot!" someone shouted loudly, their voice thunderous.
Someone pushed through the crowded crowd, running towards him.
"Damn it, Xiaobao, stop him!" the pursuer shouted.
A baby-faced young man behind him at the checkout tried to block the runner but was almost knocked over. "F*ck!?"
Xiaobao cursed and gave chase.
As the person running from behind passed by him, Chang Ziqi grabbed his arm the instant he recognized his profile.
"Sh*t!" The person stumbled unexpectedly, almost falling onto the checkout counter.
Chang Ziqi steadied him with a hand but didn't let go.
"You're obstructing law enforcement!" the man yelled ferociously, cursing at him.
"Qi Huo." After ten years, he finally called out that name again.
The previously aggressive and fierce person's expression suddenly changed as he recognized his face. His expression was very complex. "Chang Ziqi?"
They hadn't seen each other in ten years and were both stunned.
Ten years ago, their love had been passionate. They had overcome life and death but couldn't overcome distance and missed opportunities.
Perhaps it was unresolved feelings, or perhaps rekindled passion. They were no longer reckless teenagers in school uniforms who disregarded everything, but they were still attracted to each other. They were now mature enough to handle the difficulties that were insurmountable back then, finally reaching a perfect ending.
As Chang Ziqi fell asleep, he thought this must be heaven's favor upon them.
The plane drew a long white line across the sky.
—
Yi Chenliang sat in the driver's seat, cleaning his gun.
Wan Hui was touching up her lipstick with a small mirror. She stared at the blood-red color on her lips and suddenly asked, "Ah Liang, do you have a brother?"
"No," Yi Chenliang glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
Wan Hui smiled, "It's nothing. I just think having an older brother would be nice. You've always taken care of me, just like my brother."
Yi Chenliang didn't respond, starting the car. "Let's go, we're picking up the boss."
Wan Hui put away her small mirror, her smile slowly fading.
The large SUV sped through the pitch-black night, its headlights seemingly unable to penetrate the dense darkness.
–
"Xiaobao, let me tell you something," Qi Huo tucked his gun into his waistband and lit a cigarette.
Xu Chao crouched beside him, nervously watching their surroundings. "Yeah, bro, go ahead."
"I have an informant who's in direct contact with me in Ge San's inner circle," Qi Huo said solemnly. "I can't reveal his identity or name, but he's been working with us for many years and has made significant contributions. I'm also in direct contact with the higher-ups—"
"If something happens to me this time—" Qi Huo was interrupted by Xu Chao before he could finish.
"Captain Qi, don't say that. We've been preparing for this day for almost three years. Nothing will go wrong," Xu Chao felt his heart skip a beat for some reason.
"Let me finish, damn it," Qi Huo was never known for his patience. "I'm just saying 'what if', aren't I? If something unexpected happens, there's a safe under my desk at the bureau with his information. Ask your Brother Chang for the password; he knows it."
Xu Chao felt his heart racing as he listened. "Captain Qi, please don't talk like that."
"I'm just talking about the absolute worst-case scenario," Qi Huo stared at the distant lights. "If I die, I can still contribute. My handler knows about him, but I'm worried something might happen to my handler too... Ah, it's just me overthinking. If I make it back, you won't need to worry about any of this. Just keep it in mind for now. This doesn't count as leaking secrets."
Xu Chao felt like he was about to cry. "Captain Qi—"
Qi Huo slapped him on the head. "I'm not dead yet, what are you wailing about!"
Bzzt bzzt bzzt—
The walkie-talkie crackled with static.
"Target in position. Begin operation!"
—
The plane slowly touched down at the airport.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed through the valley.
Piercing sirens wailed under the flashing police lights.
The blast wave sent Yi Chenliang rolling. He struggled to his feet, coughing roughly. Police coming down the hillside surrounded him.
He vaguely realized Wan Hui had run in a different direction.
He also felt some regret for not convincing Qi Huo to bring him along.
Clutching the ring Qi Huo had given him, he looked up at the armed crowd around him. His ears were ringing, and though the people were shouting at him excitedly, their voices sounded muffled, as if wrapped in cotton.
After a long while, the lover from Qi Huo's photo finally rushed to the scene.
Chang Ziqi, nearly breaking down, demanded to know where the person was.
"Where is he! Are you fucking mute?!" Chang Ziqi's fist slammed into his face.
Yi Chenliang didn't dodge. He recalled Qi Huo's look before he turned away, a look he couldn't understand but that inexplicably saddened him.
Perhaps letting Chang Ziqi punch him would make them both feel less miserable.
"He's dead," he lowered his eyes, suddenly craving a cigarette.
Chang Ziqi was distraught, held back by those around him. Then Yi Chenliang tossed the ring to him.
"He said he was sorry to you."
Yi Chenliang realized for the first time how powerful a person's desperate, grief-stricken cries could be.
A young police officer came up to hit him, but he kicked him away. The officer broke down crying, demanding that he bring Qi Huo back.
He also cursed Yi Chenliang, wishing him an ill fate.
Yi Chenliang leaned against the wall and laughed, "I'll take that as a blessing."
A young man hurriedly got out of a car from the provincial department. He exchanged a glance with Yi Chenliang across the crowd.
Yi Chenliang didn't recognize this person, but felt that look was complex, as if confirming his safety.
Then the young man ran to Chang Ziqi's side and punched him, calming him down.
He heard Chang Ziqi call the other person "brother."
For some reason, he recalled what Wan Hui had said to him not long ago:
‘Having an older brother would be nice.’
He suppressed the absurd guess in his heart and extinguished the crimson cigarette under his foot.
They were good, he was evil.
They were crying, he was laughing.