Before long, a sharp knocking echoed from the door. "Xiao Chuan," my Uncle called from outside, "Your friend is on the phone for you."

A flicker of confusion crossed my mind. Why wouldn't they just call me directly if my phone was on? Which friend could it be?

I opened the door, and my Uncle handed me the phone. As I brought it to my ear, a tense voice stammered, "Xiao Chuan, is that you? It's Mu Yun. There's something wrong with the animal muscle tissue you gave me. I was trying to bring the lab results to you personally, but when I got to your doorstep, I saw several vehicles. What are those people doing parked outside your house?"

Mu Yun was my university classmate, also from my hometown, currently working at a biological research bureau somewhere in Sichuan.

Sensing he knew something about the people tailing me, I pressed him urgently, "Who are they? Do you know?"

Mu Yun fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "I don't even know how to tell you this. Two years ago, there was a chemical leak accident at our bureau. The situation was horrific; all personnel evacuated, and nearly half of the city's fire brigades were dispatched, but they still couldn't contain the hazard. Not long after, a convoy of off-road vehicles bearing military license plates arrived. Then the police extended the cordon five hundred meters out and ordered us to withdraw. The next day, the leaked chemicals were controlled. So, these people are definitely not ordinary; they must be connected to higher-ups—special forces or something."

I frowned, puzzled. "How do you know it’s them?"

Mu Yun replied, "Because their off-road vehicle doors all have a flame-like insignia, and they all have military plates. What have you gotten yourself into? These people seem to be monitoring you; I didn't even dare to call you directly."

I stroked my chin, finding the whole situation increasingly unbelievable. If they were truly from above, why go to such elaborate lengths to surveil me?

Hearing my silence, Mu Yun continued, "I don't know where you've been or what you've been doing, but this specimen is very unusual. How about this: let's meet tomorrow somewhere—the more chaotic and mixed the crowds, the better. I'll give you the files."

I was warmed by my friend's loyalty. After a moment's thought, I suggested, "Do you remember that time we used to go to the strange little internet café near the edge of the city? Let's meet there."

Mu Yun agreed with a quick "Okay," and hung up abruptly.

My Uncle, who had been watching me from the doorway, asked what was going on.

I told him, "It's nothing. I think those people outside are after me. Uncle, could you lend me a car tomorrow? I can't stay here; I have a bad feeling something is about to happen."

My Uncle clapped me on the shoulder. "Don't be afraid. I have some connections too. You stay right here; do you think I can't protect you?"

I knew I couldn't tell him I was being watched by people from the top brass. "Uncle, I have a way out. Just get me a car. Your people can't fight these guys, but if you let me leave, I promise I'll be back in two months, safe and sound. Also, don't tell Mom and Dad about this yet."

My Uncle had always doted on me. Hearing my insistence, he only frowned slightly. "Then be careful. Call me immediately if anything happens."

I smiled. "Don't worry. If these people wanted to hurt me, they would have stormed in already. It probably won't be too dangerous."

I barely slept that night, repeatedly pushing the curtains aside only to see those dark, tireless off-road vehicles still staked out in front of our house.

The next morning, before six o'clock, I borrowed my Uncle's car and nervously drove out.

I thought I was up early enough to slip away unnoticed, but as soon as I drove out, those vehicles started their engines one by one, following me all the way toward the west side of the city.

Being tailed made me furious. I deliberately took side streets, weaving around the city to shake them off. Only after successfully losing the tail did I exit the city via the west side and head to the Qidian Internet Café where Da Xiong and I used to game.

The café was located in the most lawless part of the urban fringe, surrounded by a multitude of beauty salons, massage parlors, and countless street stalls.

When I first returned to Chengdu, Da Xiong had wanted to take Mu Yun and me out for some excitement, but standing outside those foot-soaking establishments, we were scared off by the women whose makeup was thick as wok soot and who seemed to bathe in cheap perfume. In the end, we settled for finding an internet café.

Later, the three of us found the incident hilarious, so we remembered that specific café.

We had only been to this café once, and its environment was extremely chaotic. According to counter-surveillance principles, it should have been difficult for them to locate me there.

I parked the car inside a private repair shop, paid the owner a little cash to cover it with a tarp, and walked toward the internet café.

Reaching the second floor, the entire hall was saturated with a thick cloud of cigarette smoke, mingled with the faint stench of the recently flushed toilet.

Every seat was occupied by someone intensely focused on a game; some had kicked off their shoes, lying sprawled across the darkened sofas, snoring loudly.

I lit a cigarette myself, hoping to mask my breath, and began searching for Mu Yun's tall, thin silhouette.

After walking a few steps, I saw a figure stand up from a table and wave me over.

In an instant, I recognized the bulky shape, like a bear from League of Legends. If it wasn't Da Xiong, who could it be?

Da Xiong—why was he here? I was taken aback.

I immediately prepared to walk over and give his 'bear face' a good punch to release the frustration of the past few days.

I strode over, about to launch into an insult, when I saw Da Xiong's face set in a grim line. He grabbed his backpack from the seat, pulled me along, and muttered, "We can talk later."

Seeing his expression, I swallowed my teasing remarks for the moment. I followed him down the stairs and into the narrow alleyway.

The street was jammed with fruit and snack vendors on both sides, the crowds surging back and forth, making movement tight.

We walked a short distance when we suddenly spotted several tall figures rushing toward us from the opposite direction, looking around furtively as if searching for someone.

Da Xiong spat out a curse, "Damn it, they tracked us down already? Go!" He yanked me in the opposite direction. I glanced back and saw that group had spotted us; they were savagely pushing through the crowd to charge over.

We hadn't run a few steps when seven or eight people suddenly burst out of a side alley, blocking our path.

Da Xiong grit his teeth and told me, "Let's take down two of them first."

Saying that, he pulled a short, metal-looking rod from his backpack. The surrounding people seemed accustomed to brawls; seeing Da Xiong produce a club, they weren't panicked, merely instinctively stepping aside to watch the show.

I saw those men charging through the dispersing crowd, but they weren't carrying any apparent defensive weapons. I had no choice but to snatch Da Xiong's backpack down and use it as my weapon.

I'd seen Da Xiong fight before, back in the Black Bamboo Gorge, where he'd batted away iron-armored centipede spiders. These guys, without a doubt, would be on the ground in under five minutes. My job was just to survive until then.

It happened in the blink of an eye. Da Xiong let out a fierce roar, charging out like a bear. He used his elbow to ram the man charging head-on, sending him flying over a meter before crashing down.

At that moment, two men lunged from the side; one was holding a baton.

Da Xiong wasn't exactly agile; he couldn't stop his momentum in time and was instantly caught around the neck by the man with the baton. But he kicked out, sending the other attacker tumbling away, then seized the baton, ducked low, and swung the man behind him over his shoulder in a backward throw.

Just then, another man with a baton slammed it hard against Da Xiong's back with a dull thud. I felt a pang of sympathy for Da Xiong's pain.

Stung, Da Xiong staggered slightly but quickly recovered. He dropped low, grabbed the attacker's leg, and threw him to the ground.

I didn't have time to check on him because four men rushed at me from behind, tackling me.

I inwardly cursed, swinging the backpack wildly at one of the attackers.

The bag must have weighed over twenty pounds. I thought I could knock one out, but the man caught the backpack easily and started pulling me toward him. I had to let go, intending to use the forward momentum to kick another one down.

Unfortunately, I was too slow. One man lunged from the side and pinned me to the ground.

I choked on a mouthful of dirt, struggling furiously but unable to break free, suddenly overwhelmed by despair.

I turned my head and saw the man pull a handgun from his pocket, pressing the cold muzzle against the back of my head, and whisper grimly, "Don't move, or I'll blow your head off."

My heart plunged. Who were these people, carrying guns? The police? I didn't think so! At that moment, the other men also drew handguns, aiming them at the raging Da Xiong.

Seeing the firearms, a collective gasp rose from the crowd. The onlookers scattered like sparrows, frantically trying to get away.

Da Xiong was just slamming one man's head against the ground when his expression changed upon seeing the guns, but his hands refused to release his grip.

I thought we were finished; these thugs looked vicious—who knew what they planned to do, maybe drag us somewhere remote and execute us.

Just as I was thinking this, a loud horn blared directly ahead. A minivan, its headlights blazing, barreled toward us without slowing down.

Those men jumped, scrambling out of the way. Da Xiong also dodged aside, while the vehicle drove straight toward me.

The man pinning me rolled away instantly. As I scrambled to sit up, not quick enough to move, the vehicle's front end was only two meters away.

Then, with a screech, the minivan slammed on its brakes, stopping a mere twenty centimeters in front of me.

Everyone was stunned, unsure what was happening, when the driver's door flew open. Da Xiong rushed back, grabbed me under the arm, and hauled me into the van.

As soon as we were inside, the driver shouted, "Get down!"

I ducked my head just as I heard several sharp cracks behind us. The rear window shattered, showering glass all over my neck.

The driver frantically slammed the van into reverse, tires squealing. Not knowing if he had hit anyone, the vehicle backed up all the way to the street corner.

Then the driver stomped on the gas, spun the van around, and sped onto the main road.

This scene, straight out of a Hong Kong action flick, left me reeling. The terrifying moments just passed had truly shaken me.

It took a while before I could catch my breath. The minivan was now speeding far out toward the suburbs along the main road.

Da Xiong handed me a bottle of mineral water, then grabbed one for himself and took a long drink. Panting, he asked, "Chuanzi, what's up? Are you okay?"

I carelessly tossed the water bottle aside, grabbed Da Xiong by the collar, and roared out the sudden surge of anger, "What the hell is going on!"

Da Xiong sighed, not struggling, and said, "Hey... calm down. I'm just as frustrated as you are. You think only you were being watched? We’re in the same boat. That’s why I couldn't wait for you to discharge me from the hospital before leaving."

Seeing his sincere expression, I let go of his collar and asked for the details.

He told me he had woken up in the hospital long ago, but every time his attending physician made rounds, he was always followed by several unidentified men.

Da Xiong was highly vigilant. He realized the hospital staff must have colluded with these men, who intended to do something harmful to him once he woke up. So, he pretended to remain asleep, searching for an escape opportunity.

After three days of playing dead, he finally waited for the little mustache man's people to visit. He then borrowed some clothes, disguised himself as one of the little mustache's men, and managed to slip out of the hospital with them.

After leaving, Da Xiong went to the little mustache's residence in the suburbs and tried calling me, but the phone call wouldn't connect. That very evening, several off-road vehicles showed up parked outside the little mustache’s house.

Da Xiong guessed that my phone must have been compromised, which inadvertently exposed his own location.