The spy was really skilled. The lab had very tight security. Even though he had been hiding there for years, it wasn't easy to steal those files.
It was impressive that he managed to take them.
If the files weren't so important and the spy so capable, their special team wouldn't have been sent out.
Cris's team entered the coffee shop in small groups.
They sat in different corners and observed everyone inside. Cris noticed Tracy, but didn't greet her. During missions, everything else came second.
The spy, whose codename was Lone Fox, was sitting inside the coffee shop. If he already had the files, why hadn't he left?
It was simple.
All the exits in the city were blocked by the police. Even though he was highly skilled, it wasn't easy to escape with the files.
He had already noticed several people watching him. He figured the police had spotted him.
But he believed they didn't know the files were with him. Still, if he waited too long, the police might catch him, and the files would be lost. So he had to come up with a plan.
The coffee shop was actually a secret base for his organization. He could get orders from his higher-ups here without drawing attention.
After ordering a coffee, Lone Fox's expression darkened. He had just received word from his superiors that the police were on to him.
Even worse, the Special Ability Team was involved. He could identify some plainclothes officers inside the coffee shop, but he didn't know who in the room belonged to that team.
He realized he had to hand off the files to someone else for now.
He didn't want to. He had gone through so much to steal them from the lab. But if he didn't do it, and got caught, everything would be wasted.
Even though he trusted his skills, he knew the Special Ability Team was powerful.
After this leak, the lab's security would be even tighter. If he lost the files now, stealing them again would be almost impossible.
Tracy drank her coffee.
It was still early, so she ordered another.
After drinking too much water, she felt the urge to use the restroom.
She took her backpack and headed there.
When she came out and walked through the hallway, someone bumped into her hard. She almost fell.
She barely managed to steady herself and saw the man walk away without even apologizing.
She felt annoyed.
How could someone be so rude—bumping into her without saying sorry?
But the man was already gone.
He looked strong.
She was just a regular girl.
What if he hit her back if she confronted him?
She let it go.
Her good mood was ruined.
"Cris, the spy is leaving. Why aren't we catching him? Are we really letting him go?" Eric asked.
"There's no rush. We'll follow him," Cris said. "We need to find his base. If we catch him in public and he panics, he might take a hostage.
He's not an ordinary criminal. We need to avoid unnecessary risks."
"Cris, he got into a car," said Wang Linlin.
"We'll get in ours too. Stay close. Don't lose him," Cris ordered.
"Won't he notice us if we follow too closely?" Eric asked.
"He already knows we're tailing him," Cris replied seriously.
"He's smarter than we thought. I don't know if we'll be able to get the files back."
"What? You think he already gave the files to someone else?" Eric asked, surprised. "He went to the restroom earlier at the coffee shop. Should we send someone to check?"
"No need," Cris said.
"We weren't the only ones in there.
The police were also watching.
They already sent people to keep an eye on the restroom.
If he handed off the files, his partner would've been caught.
We just need to follow him now. Leave the rest to them."
"No wonder you're so calm," Eric said.
"You already had everything planned.
But I still think he wouldn't risk giving away the files in the coffee shop.
They must still be with him.
Let's stay close.
We have to get those lab files back."
After returning from the restroom, Tracy sat back down and finished her coffee.
Cris was no longer at his seat.
She didn't think too much about it.
A few minutes later, several plainclothes officers entered and started checking everyone's ID.
Tracy felt something was off.
She remembered Cris saying he was a police officer.
Was he working on a case right now?
These officers were checking for someone.
Was the criminal here earlier too?
But Cris was already gone.
The criminal probably left with him.
These officers must be looking for the criminal's partner.
Tracy had nothing to hide.
She wasn't nervous.
After checking her ID, the police let her go.
She didn't feel like staying at the coffee shop anymore.
The time was just about right.
Irish should be finishing work now.
Tracy walked to the jewelry company entrance.
She had already texted Irish earlier, asking to have lunch together.
Irish had replied, saying she'd be done soon.
It was almost 11:30. She should be out any minute.
"Tracy, I'm here! Were you waiting long?" Irish said.
"Not really. Is there anything good to eat nearby?" Tracy asked.
"There's a grilled fish place up ahead. It's not far. Let's go there," Irish replied.
"No problem. Let's go," said Tracy.
"Why are there so many police cars in front? Did something big happen? Or maybe some dangerous criminal came to our area?" Irish asked with doubt in her voice.
"It must be a criminal hiding here. When I was drinking coffee at a café earlier, the police even checked my ID. That person was in the café too. He must be dangerous. Otherwise, the police wouldn't send so many people," said Tracy.
"What? That's really scary. Are you okay?" Irish asked.
"Of course I'm fine. If I wasn't, how could I be standing here talking to you? There were so many police inside. Even if the person was really dangerous, he couldn't cause much trouble," said Tracy.
"I always thought criminals were far from us. I didn't expect them to be so close. Just thinking about it makes me scared," Irish said.
"There are still more good people in this world. Today was just a rare situation. And I'm totally fine," said Tracy.
"Good thing nothing happened to you. From now on, we need to be more careful when we go out. So, how did your meeting with Mr. Yan go?" Irish asked.
"It went okay. He agreed to raise the price by 50 yuan per gram to buy my gold jewelry. But I didn't accept it," said Tracy.
"Why didn't you accept? That's a really good price. Even if jewelry companies buy gold, unless you bought the piece from them, their price is usually the same or even lower than others. Mr. Yan gave you a higher offer. Why didn't you take it?" Irish asked in surprise.
"I have my reasons. Mr. Yan clearly saw something good in this deal. Otherwise, he wouldn't raise the price. He's not stupid.
Even though I didn't agree, I didn't lose anything. We just changed how we're going to work together. My jewelry designs are really good. Even Mr. Yan said so.
Now I'm not just selling gold jewelry. I'm selling design work. But we didn't agree on the price. He said he needs to ask his boss. From his attitude, I think the deal will go through. I just hope the final price is what I expect," said Tracy.
"I feel like you've changed a lot in the past few days, Tracy. You're more confident and look full of energy. Is it really because you started working? Why do I still feel the same as before?" Irish asked.
"I haven't changed that much. I just feel more awake today.
And now I have to support myself. If I don't act confident, how can I convince people like Mr. Yan to work with me?
I'm trying to make money by buying and selling gold jewelry. When I save enough, I'll open a small shop and become my own boss," said Tracy.
"You will definitely succeed. But when you become a boss, don't forget us. You must treat me to a big meal," said Irish.
"Of course. I can even treat you now," said Tracy.
"No way. You just started. Even if you made some money, it can't be much. I'll wait until you're really rich. Then I'll come for a big treat," Irish laughed.
After walking for a while, they reached the grilled fish restaurant Irish talked about. The smell coming out was so good they knew the food must be tasty.
"Smells amazing," said Tracy.
"It tastes even better. Let's go in fast. This place is always full. If we're late, we won't get a seat," Irish pulled Tracy inside as she spoke.
At the same time, Cris and his team were following Huro into a neighborhood.
"Captain, is this the enemy's base? He went upstairs. Should we go after him now?" Yifan asked.
"Follow him. I don't know what tricks he's planning," Cris said with a serious face.
Cris had already noticed that the spy saw them. He didn't believe the man would really take them to his base. Now they were in a residential area. Cris was sure something was wrong.
Huro knew they were following him. He also knew it was Cris's special team. So he had to lose them.
It wasn't easy to escape them, so he led them into this area where he knew every corner well.
Huro was very familiar with the place. He was confident he could get away here. After he shook them off, he planned to hide for a while. When things calmed down, he would get back the data he left with someone else.
After they followed him upstairs, Huro disappeared.
"Where did he go? We didn't hear any doors open. Could he be on the rooftop?" Yifan asked.
"Let's go up," said Cris.
They rushed to the rooftop. But Huro was not there.
"He's really good. He vanished right in front of us," said Cris.
"Captain, what do we do now?" Roy asked.
"Check the area. Maybe we'll find something," said Cris.
Cris took the team to search around. But they didn't see the shadow where Huro was hiding.
As soon as they left, Huro slowly walked out of the dark spot.
He looked at the team's backs as they walked away. A cold smile appeared on his face and he whispered, "You want to catch me? Try in your next life. But I need to be more careful now. If they find me again, it won't be so easy to get away."