Chapter 117: A Real Shot Was Fired

Chapter 117: The Gun Actually Went Off

Li Huihui’s movements were sudden and completely without warning. No one had expected her to whip out a pistol and aim it directly at Tian Yaopeng.

Tian Yaopeng’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat. He was truly terrified—scared to death. The murderous intent and hatred in the woman’s eyes were undisguised, and he began to regret his earlier actions.

"Do you remember what I said earlier? Your retribution has arrived," Li Huihui said calmly.

"Captain, you see this? This woman is insane! She is in the Special Service Office, pointing a gun at a squad leader of the Action Team. Is there no rule of law anymore? Sir!" Although Tian Yaopeng feared she might fire, he was no ordinary man. He quickly sought a breakthrough and turned his gaze toward Wu Zhengke.

Wu Zhengke’s face was indeed dark. Regardless of how powerful the woman’s background was, or what the Action Team might have done wrong, having one of his subordinates held at gunpoint right in front of him was a humiliation he found infuriating. This was the Special Service Office, not a place for anyone to run wild. If word of this got out, he would have no future in Shanning.

"Put the gun down," Wu Zhengke said coldly.

Unfortunately, Li Huihui didn't even register his words. Her hand remained steady, and her expression didn't flicker.

"How did she get a gun?" Wu Zhengke glared fiercely at Bai Zeshao and asked directly.

"Captain, the gun in her hand is mine," Bai Zeshao muttered quietly.

Deep down, Bai Zeshao actually hoped Tian Yaopeng would die right there. He didn't know the full extent of Li Huihui’s background, but the fact that Wu Zhengke had come to the interrogation room in person—despite the higher-ups not intervening—was telling. It was clear her connections were formidable. Even if she killed Tian Yaopeng, Wu Zhengke likely wouldn't dare punish her and would be forced to swallow the insult. Everyone had seen what happened to her in the interrogation room; even if Bai Zeshao claimed he had intervened just in time, everyone knew what that implied. If an enraged Li Huihui did something irrational, people might frown, but no one would actually hold her accountable.

"Captain!" Tian Yaopeng’s eyes darted around, and he was forced to appeal to Wu Zhengke again.

But Wu Zhengke remained silent. Bai Zeshao was right; Li Huihui’s background was terrifying. Wu Zhengke had received a call from the head of the Special Service Office, which was why he had ordered Bai Zeshao to save her while rushing over himself.

Li Huihui was clearly venting her fury on Tian Yaopeng, the primary culprit. If Wu Zhengke stopped her now, a single word from her or her backers later would spell disaster not just for Tian Yaopeng, but for him as well. He had already made a token effort to stop her, which saved some face, but keeping his career was more important. Still, he couldn't do absolutely nothing. He glanced at Bai Zeshao and said, "Xiao Bai, I’ll leave this matter to you. You handle it. I have a meeting to attend, so I’m leaving."

Without giving Bai Zeshao a chance to argue, Wu Zhengke turned and walked away.

Bai Zeshao, who had been enjoying the show, was stunned by this "authorization." *He* was supposed to handle it? Was this a joke? He was speechless.

Tian Yaopeng was truly panicking now. Wu Zhengke’s departure left him cold with dread. He hadn't realized Li Huihui’s background was so deep that even Wu Zhengke was willing to abandon his dignity to avoid the fallout. If he had obtained a confession that she was a Red, her background wouldn't have mattered, but he had failed; he hadn't expected her to be so resilient under torture. Now, his life was in the hands of Li Huihui and Bai Zeshao.

"Team Leader Bai," Tian Yaopeng said, his voice trembling, "even if we have our differences, those are just work matters. You wouldn't just stand by and watch me die, would you?"

Bai Zeshao chuckled but said nothing.

"Bai Zeshao, are you trying to use someone else's hand to kill me?" Seeing Bai Zeshao’s expression, Tian Yaopeng knew that given their enmity, getting him to help was impossible. He dropped the pretense and cursed angrily.

Bai Zeshao’s smile faltered. He said coldly, "Be careful what you say. Some consequences are not ones we can bear."

As he spoke, Bai Zeshao could feel the eyes of the members of the First and Second Squads shifting toward him. He inwardly sighed at Tian Yaopeng’s cunning. Tian had tried to provoke Wu Zhengke, but had underestimated Li Huihui’s background. Now, he was trying to sow discord between Bai Zeshao and the others. In the Action Team, where everyone lived on the edge, if word got out that Bai Zeshao used others to dispose of his rivals, he would lose the support of his men, and his future missions would become deadly traps. Moreover, while Wu Zhengke had handed over the decision-making, it was a poisoned chalice. If things went wrong, Bai Zeshao would be the one to take the fall.

Feeling a headache coming on, Bai Zeshao decided to save Tian Yaopeng. He sighed and looked at Li Huihui. "Huihui, you’ve held it long enough. Put the gun down."

Li Huihui shook her head.

"Sigh. If you really kill this bastard here, have you thought about the consequences for yourself? If you want revenge, why not wait until you’re out, then have someone trip him up in the dark? No one would know, and even if they suspected you, without evidence, there’s nothing they could do, right?" Bai Zeshao urged. His words caused a stir among the onlookers; the Third Squad members suppressed their laughter, while the Second Squad members looked at their leader helplessly.

Tian Yaopeng was livid, hearing Bai Zeshao repeatedly call him a "bastard." Was this advice? It was a terrible idea, but since his life depended on Bai Zeshao, he had to endure it. His face flushed red with rage, and he wanted nothing more than to shoot Bai Zeshao himself.

Nearby, Li Huihui hesitated at Bai Zeshao’s words, then nodded thoughtfully. She glared at Tian Yaopeng one last time and slowly lowered the gun.

Tian Yaopeng finally let out a breath of relief.

Perhaps because of the intense emotional strain, Li Huihui’s body went limp as she relaxed, and she nearly stumbled. Bai Zeshao reached out quickly to steady her.

But this gesture caused a disaster. As he grabbed her, her arm was accidentally bumped. Through a twist of fate, as Tian Yaopeng’s eyes widened in terror, the trigger was pulled.

Li Huihui had truly fired the gun.