By the time Xiao Feng and Old White arrived at Protection Zone 64 with their companions, twilight had already descended. The sun, a fading ember, dipped behind distant peaks, casting a soft crimson hue over the weathered walls of the zone. That faint blush of evening light lent a strange beauty to the otherwise desolate place, wrapping the decaying shelter in a veil of melancholy splendor.
Protection Zone 64 remained much the same—unchanged in structure but heavy with weariness. The residents moved listlessly, their spirits dimmed even further. Even the guards atop the walls appeared lifeless, draped in an air of quiet despair.
Xiao Feng brought his rugged SUV to a halt directly opposite the main gate. The soldiers on the wall, no fools themselves, recognized the kind of man who could afford such a vehicle—and knew better than to obstruct his path. Without a single question, they opened the gates.
The black SUV rumbled past the threshold without pause, making a beeline for Lisa's home.
A few soldiers exchanged startled glances, and one shouted, "Quick—alert the captain!"
"Yes, hurry!"
—
Meanwhile, in the far-off city of Black Whale, Henry sat concealed in a dim, unremarkable tavern. Dressed in a trench coat and pressed fedora pulled low, he clearly had no wish to be recognized. Alone, he sipped beer in silence.
Before long, two figures approached—Charles and Mask. Dressed sharply, Charles slid into the booth beside Henry and asked in confusion, "Chief, what's going on?"
"Enough talk," Henry muttered, his tone heavy. "I've only just realized the full weight of my mistake. Who would have guessed that Kailey's father is the president of the Brownm Company—and Carey's father is his younger brother? I've stirred a hornet's nest. I can't stay here any longer."
Charles and Mask exchanged uneasy looks. They had heard the rumors, but hearing it confirmed by Henry himself erased any doubt.
"But what about us, if you're leaving?" Mask asked, sharper than Charles as always.
"That's why I called you here," Henry said grimly, downing another mouthful of beer. "You both have a history with Kailey. If she takes my place at the Second Bureau, she won't spare either of you. I'm offering you a chance—come with me. I need allies."
Charles nodded. "We're with you. Wherever you go, we follow."
But Mask was more cautious. "What exactly are we doing?"
Henry gave a cold chuckle. "That's not your concern. Just follow."
Mask hesitated. "I'm sorry, but that's not good enough. If I'm going to risk my neck, I need to know why. I've paid for my past mistakes—following you without knowing the plan feels like walking blind into a storm."
"So you refuse?" Henry's tone sharpened like a knife.
Mask stood firm. "That's right. I won't follow you into uncertainty. In this godforsaken world, I just want a quiet life. You're no longer my superior—I don't owe you obedience. I'll go see who my new chief is."
Without another word, he stood and walked out. Henry watched his retreating figure, eyes narrowing with a flicker of murderous intent.
Outside, Mask reached his car parked by the alley entrance. Just as he reached for the door handle—Bang!—a single, deafening gunshot echoed through the night. Blood erupted from his head, his mask flying off and landing on the street.
His lifeless body crumpled, blood pooling beneath his ruined skull. Onlookers screamed—some in horror, others drawn by morbid curiosity.
There on the pavement lay the man once known only as Mask. Without his disguise, a long, jagged scar stretching across his face was laid bare—perhaps the reason he had worn the mask all along. His fire-born abilities were no shield against a bullet fired in cold blood.
Henry stepped out of the tavern, tugging his hat lower. Without a glance back, he led Charles away in the opposite direction.
—
Xiao Feng brought the SUV to a halt before Lisa's home. Alice, brimming with joy, flung open the door and leapt out, racing toward the house, her laughter trailing like birdsong in spring.
"Mom! It's me, Alice! I'm home!" she cried, dashing into the yard.
The rest of the group stepped out, smiles blooming on their faces at the sight of her excitement.
Old White and Turner, the two hulking men, exchanged grins and lit cigarettes. Ivy, arms folded, leaned against the car, her generous figure accentuated, casting sidelong glances at Xiao Feng.
Alice knocked on the door. Moments later, it opened—and there stood Lisa.
Everyone froze. No one could believe their eyes.
In just a few short months, Lisa had aged decades. Her face was drawn, her hair grayer, her entire form cloaked in time's cruel hand.
But when her eyes landed on Alice, all hesitation melted. She threw her arms around her daughter and sobbed.
"Alice, you're really here! I've missed you so much!"
Alice wept too. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I was wrong. I won't ever leave without a word again. I promise."
Old White turned away, blinking back tears. Beneath his rugged exterior, his heart was soft—easily moved by genuine emotion.
The others watched in silence, their hearts stirred. In a world so marred by chaos and cruelty, perhaps only love as pure as this could still kindle warmth in their cold, battered souls.
—
Meanwhile, in another corner of Zone 64, a pale, corpulent figure thrust against a woman beneath him, grunting and sweating in the dark…