Chapter 71: Xiao Feng Must Not Be Caught

As noon approached, Xiao Feng and Kelly were roused from slumber by the sharp chime of the doorbell. They rose hurriedly, exchanging an awkward glance before each reached for their scattered clothes.

"Stay in the bedroom and don't come out. I'll check who it is," Kelly instructed, now dressed in a simple nightgown.

Xiao Feng nodded silently as he continued dressing, retreating into the bedroom without another word.

"Sis, open the door!" came Carrie's voice from outside.

Kelly smoothed her tousled short hair and opened the door, her expression still wearied from sleep. "Carrie? So early?"

Carrie grinned. "Early? It's nearly noon! You're just waking up? I have something important to tell you," she said as she stepped into the apartment.

Carrie was dressed impeccably, as always—a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, and dark tie. As she entered, her gaze fell on the remnants of last night's meal—two place settings, wine glasses still half full. She frowned. "Who did you dine with last night?" she asked, her keen eyes already noting the obvious presence of two diners.

Flustered, Kelly stammered, "N-no one... it was just me."

Carrie raised a skeptical brow. "Come on, sis. Two sets of dishes? You're not fooling anyone." His eyes narrowed as he noticed faint red marks along Kelly's porcelain neck—evidence of an intimate night. His frown deepened. He knew precisely what had occurred.

A storm of emotions churned within Carrie. He wasn't sure if he should be happy for his sister—or resentful of the man who had so easily won her over. Still, he kept his thoughts guarded, choosing not to press further.

"Xiao Feng was captured last night and brought to Black Whale City. But during the night, he attacked Director Henry and escaped. Now, the entire division of gifted envoys has been mobilized to find him. I came to tell you to report to the branch office immediately and receive your assignment."

Kelly nodded. "Alright. You go on ahead—I'll get dressed and follow shortly."

Carrie gave her a knowing smile. "Don't be long, sis. I'll head out first." With that, he turned and left, making his way toward the elevator.

Once he was gone, Kelly closed the door with care, pressing a hand to her chest. "That was close... almost got caught," she murmured, before heading back to the bedroom.

Outside the apartment, Carrie had stopped in his tracks. Quietly, he returned and pressed his ear to the door, listening.

Inside, Kelly entered the bedroom and glanced at Xiao Feng, who lay under a blanket. "You'll need to stay here for the next few days. The entire city's gifted envoys are out searching for you. You absolutely must not go outside. If you're caught again, things will be far worse."

Xiao Feng responded calmly, "Even if I wanted to leave, they wouldn't be able to catch me."

"Please, just listen to me. It's safer here. No one would think to look for you in my apartment. Stay hidden. I need to report in and accept my assignment." She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Xiao Feng gave a faint smile. "Are you falling for me?"

Kelly's face froze. "What nonsense are you saying?"

Just as Xiao Feng was about to speak again, Kelly pushed him away. "Not now. Seriously, I have to go. There's food in the kitchen—help yourself."

She dressed quickly and opened the door to leave, only for Carrie to appear suddenly, forcing the door open and striding straight toward the bedroom.

"Carrie! What are you doing?!"

"I want to see who has the audacity to lay hands on my sister!" Gifted with incredible speed, Carrie easily bypassed Kelly and dashed to the bedroom door. But the moment he saw Xiao Feng lying in bed, his mind was consumed by fury.

"Damn you, Xiao Feng! I'm going to kill you!"

He lunged at the bed—but in that instant, two arcs of lightning struck his slender frame, rendering him paralyzed. His body convulsed as he collapsed onto the carpeted floor.

One bolt came from Kelly. The other, from Xiao Feng.

Kelly looked down at her brother with guilt. "I'm sorry, Carrie. But I can't let them capture him."

By the time Lin and Old White arrived at Black Whale City, the city had already been sealed off. Every vehicle entering or exiting the city was being thoroughly searched. A long line of cars stretched down the road.

Lin frowned. "We can't enter this way. If we go through the main checkpoint, we'll be discovered for sure."

A man behind him spoke up. "Team Leader Lin, I know a route that leads into the city."

"Storm, take us there."

Lin steered the car into the trees at the roadside, parking it out of sight. Then, with Old White and the others, he set off on foot toward the city wall.

Half an hour later, Storm led them to the mouth of a large drainage tunnel.

"It's here. We'll be completely undetected if we go through this."

Alice looked at the tunnel's dark, filth-filled opening and grimaced. "It's disgusting..."

Old White slung his hunting rifle off his shoulder and said gently, "Alice, stay here. We'll handle it."

But Alice clenched her fists. "No. I'm going with you. I have to save Brother Xiao Feng myself."

Without another word, Old White was the first to climb into the tunnel. As a seasoned free hunter, he was well accustomed to leading the way through unfamiliar, treacherous places. Gun in hand, he stepped into the foul waters and disappeared into the darkness.

Behind him, Rice, Alice, and Lin followed closely into the depths of the sewer.