Chapter 620 - 619: Combined Swords (4)

"Go to the back. Gas masks will be delivered soon. Remember to put one on."

Wu Sheng pulled Su Li aside and whispered his instructions, "I’ll go deal with him."

Captain Zhang knew Wu Sheng and had great faith in his abilities. He watched as the men Wu Sheng brought with him melted into the darkness, unnoticed by Song Shengfu, which was a testament to their skill.

As Captain Zhang was thinking this, Wu Sheng looked over at him.

"Captain, take your men and focus on protecting everyone. Make sure the evacuation goes smoothly."

Wu Sheng gave Su Li one last look before moving forward silently, like a leopard stalking through the darkness, not making a single sound.

He ignored Song Shengfu’s frantic shouts, focusing only on observing his surroundings.

The seconds ticked by. Seeing that no one was responding, Song Shengfu began to panic.

"Don’t think I can’t hear you out there just because you’re quiet! Get the hell away from here! Don’t even think about sneaking in. If you don’t back off, I’ll poison another one, and I’ll keep going until you all leave!"

Hearing this, the homeroom teacher, Xiao Hong, finally lost her composure. She rushed forward and began pounding desperately on the door.

"Song Shengfu, you promised me you wouldn’t hurt the students! You can’t hurt anyone else!"

"It’s them! They’re the ones who won’t back off!" Song Shengfu shrieked hoarsely.

On their side, just as Wu Sheng had said, the gas masks arrived quickly.

"Everyone, take one. Put it on immediately if you notice anything unusual. If you’re scared, you can put it on now."

Gas masks were distributed to everyone. Those who couldn’t get one were urged to go home.

"It’s dangerous here. This isn’t a spectacle to gawk at. If you don’t have urgent business, please leave the area as soon as possible. The hospital just called—the little girl from earlier was poisoned with methamidophos. It’s extremely dangerous."

Captain Zhang and Su Li’s group, of course, weren’t leaving. But the editor-in-chief and a few others, including Li Anna, were told they had to go back.

Mr. Cook and his people were also supposed to leave, but it went without saying that he wouldn’t. His daughter was inside. It was already a struggle just to keep him from rushing in.

"Chief Editor, it’s best if you and the others leave here quickly."

Su Li urged her editor-in-chief and a few colleagues.

Li Anna stood nearby with a sour expression, not saying a word. She had managed to use her connections to snag a gas mask and clearly had no intention of leaving.

The first time she’d been humiliated, she’d wanted to die. The second time, she must have had some experience, as she recovered much more easily.

Li Anna had already composed herself. She had also met with Ye Xilan, who told her that even though Su Li was Wu Sheng’s fiancée, their engagement would never work out.

It was all Su Li’s doing, clinging to Wu Sheng and using cheap tricks to seduce him. Everyone knew Su Li wasn’t good enough for Wu Sheng.

A man like Wu Sheng would never actually marry a divorcée with baggage. Ye Xilan told her not to worry about Su Li.

Ye Xilan comforted Li Anna, saying, "Only a lady from a prominent family like you is worthy of Wu Sheng. He’ll come to his senses. Everyone will see Su Li for who she really is. If she has any shame left, she’ll leave him!"

Li Anna was comforted by this. Ye Xilan had spoken as if Wu Sheng were her own son, and she also mentioned Li Xian’s attitude. Though she hadn’t said it outright, she had hinted at Wu Sheng’s true parentage.

Li Anna’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest when she heard this. The thought that she too could one day become a director’s wife like Ye Xilan reignited the fire in her heart.

While Su Li was running around all day investigating the missing student case, Li Anna had already spread gossip about her all over the TV station.

A divorcée with a child in tow who had seduced Wu Sheng with her trashy tricks—no matter how you looked at it, she was unworthy of him.

Her female colleagues, who had previously laughed at her, now had a change of heart. Their feelings grew complicated and sour. They no longer envied Su Li; instead, they looked down on her with contempt.

All the private chatter at the station was about how Su Li wasn’t good enough for Wu Sheng. Compared to Su Li, it was obvious that she, Li Anna, was the better match.

Li Anna had come along today because she didn’t want Su Li to keep stealing the limelight. ’Anything Su Li can do, I can do too.’

But Li Anna, who had come with that mindset, could only watch as Wu Sheng went straight to Su Li, his face etched with concern. The sight nearly made Li Anna grind her teeth to dust.

The few female colleagues who came with her couldn’t help but mutter amongst themselves when they saw this.

Li Anna had successfully gotten a gas mask, but they hadn’t. Still, seeing that Li Anna wasn’t leaving, they didn’t want to leave either.

’We might not be able to get to Wu Sheng, but we can at least get close to the people around him, right?’

With that in mind, they decided not to leave. If Su Li and Li Anna, who also worked at the station, weren’t leaving, then they weren’t afraid either.

Having made up their minds, they all shook their heads and refused when the editor-in-chief told them to go back with him.

Su Li tried to persuade them, but was met with strange looks and responses. Even in such a dangerous environment, there was a baffling undercurrent of jealousy.

Su Li was bewildered. She simply turned away and ignored them. Just as she was about to go over to Mr. Cook, who was trembling and constantly trying to rush to the front, a sudden commotion broke out ahead.

It was Song Shengfu—he had thrown out an open container of methamidophos.

One of Mr. Zhang’s subordinates was accidentally splashed with a few drops. Fortunately, his clothes protected him, and he wasn’t seriously harmed.

He may have been fine, but the commotion caused Mr. Cook to lose control. He suddenly broke free from the people holding him back and ran to the front.

If Wu Sheng hadn’t stopped him at the last second, Mr. Cook would have likely charged right inside.

"Mr. Cook, don’t get agitated! You’ll only provoke the kidnapper!"

"I want Alice! Alice!" Mr. Cook shouted a few times before a frustrated Wu Sheng clamped a hand over his mouth.

But it was too late. Song Shengfu had heard the commotion outside loud and clear.

"I knew you hadn’t left! I knew you were trying to catch me! Since you insist, I won’t be polite anymore. If I’m going down, I’m taking you all with me!"

Song Shengfu burst out laughing. "Is that the freakish little foreign girl’s parents outside? Looks like they’re important people!"

The next moment, Alice’s panicked screams rang out. She was crying for help, crying for her daddy.

Cook struggled even more violently. Wu Sheng acted decisively, knocking him unconscious with a single, sharp blow and having the people next to him carry him away.

Song Shengfu’s laughter echoed out. "Let’s kill her first, then! HAHAHA..."

A sharp glint flashed in Mr. Zhang’s eyes. He gave a look to the men he’d brought with him, signaling them to move in.

The man’s face showed a flash of hesitation, but he gritted his teeth, ready to act.

Su Li, watching from the side, saw everything clearly. She knew this was likely a risky move. Gritting her teeth, she suddenly stepped in front of the man, blocking him.

"Team Leader, do you trust me? I have an idea to buy you some time."

After speaking, Su Li suddenly stepped forward and called out, "Song Shengfu, do you remember my voice?"

The shouting from Song Shengfu’s side suddenly went quiet. A few seconds later, a voice replied, "Of course I do."

"Good. I want to ask you, why did you kidnap these children?"

Su Li’s voice was clear and pleasant, calm and soothing, and it carried steadily into Song Shengfu’s ears.

Song Shengfu was momentarily stunned.