Chapter 869: Xiao Dong’s Decision

Chen Shi continued, “We should summon the SWAT team now and do everything in police power to save them, instead of debating whether to follow their set path.”

Xiao Dong shouted, “Isn’t that what they want!?”

Lin Dongxue walked over and said, “Captain Lin is contacting the SWAT team. They’ll arrive soon, Xiao Dong…”

Xiao Dong shrugged off Lin Dongxue’s hand from his shoulder, then turned and rushed out. Chen Shi saw him draw his sidearm as he pushed the door open.

“Stop him!”

A gunshot echoed outside, shaking the restaurant’s windows. Everyone rushed out to see Xiao Dong firing at the tires of a police car.

He shot several rounds, flattening everyone’s tires, including Chen Shi’s, then opened his car door, tears streaming down his face. “If I don’t save my mom now, I’ll regret it forever. Please don’t follow me, please!”

“Can we discuss this first? At least prepare before going,” Lin Dongxue tried to stop him.

Xiao Dong shook his head desperately. “If Captain Lin arrives, I won’t have a chance. I don’t care what happens afterward. I can’t… I can’t lose my mom!”

With that, he got into his car, threw his sidearm out the window, and sped away.

Chen Shi’s emotions were indescribable. Ling Shuang’s assessment seemed accurate: the police weren’t likely to adhere to rules, as group decisions were influenced by their stance, interests, and way of thinking.

Xiao Dong’s impulsive actions undoubtedly disrupted Ling Shuang’s plan. Would this be a turning point?

As dusk fell, the gloomy sky hinted at an impending storm. Xiao Dong wiped tears with his sleeve as he drove, his thoughts churning. The navigation showed they were nearing their destination, with a bleak cluster of buildings ahead.

Rumors years ago suggested a subway connection here, but speculative real estate ventures left a desolate mix of residential and commercial buildings, abandoned due to financial collapse. Calling it unfinished was generous; it resembled more a suburban concrete and steel ruin.

Blocking the path was a truck, the same one robbed earlier that morning, now obstructing the road. Xiao Dong was forced to stop.

People emerged from the vehicle: a woman with long black hair sucking on a lollipop, and another in a hoodie resembling Song Lang. But Xiao Dong noticed something odd about his eyes.

Xiao Dong spread his hands fearlessly. “I’m alone! No one’s following me, no tracking devices, no weapons!”

“Why should I believe you?” Ling Shuang sneered.

Xiao Dong erupted in anger and charged forward, a spring knife pressed against his throat by “Song Lang,” who stared threateningly, motioning him to step back.

“The police are preparing; I shot their patrol car tires. No one will come in half an hour. Release my mom, release my mom!!” Xiao Dong shouted.

Ling Shuang’s expression froze. The police officer before her remained calm; her prediction was wrong, ignoring the impulsiveness of the “patient.”

“Release my mom, you said it yourself. Don’t go back on your word!”

“Tch, like a child,” mocked “Song Lang.”

Xiao Dong advanced despite the spring knife, pushing “Song Lang” backward. Eyes blazing, he said, “Not honoring promises? How are you different from common criminals? Release my mom, and I don’t care about anything else!”

“Not even death?”

“Not even death!!!”

“Fine.” “Song Lang” took out a small bottle. “Take the pills inside.”

“I take them, and you release my mom?”

Ling Shuang answered for them, “We’ll keep our promise and release your mother. But it must be done our way. Now take the pills!”

Xiao Dong clenched the bottle, tears streaming. “I know what you’re capable of. Please, please release her. She’s never harmed anyone in her life. She shouldn’t have to face this. Please!”

“Enough, enough, so tedious!” “Song Lang” impatiently interrupted.

Ling Shuang said solemnly, “I understand your feelings. I won’t deceive you!”

“Thank you! Thank you!” Xiao Dong was overwhelmed with gratitude, pouring the pills into his palm and swallowing them. Within seconds, he grew disoriented and collapsed unconscious.

Zhou Xiao removed his lifelike mask, sweating profusely. “Your psychological trick worked. They really obeyed us, haha!”

“No, I want his mother released!”

“Why!?”

“He’s right. Not honoring promises, how are we different from ordinary criminals?”

“I see!” Zhou Xiao turned around in shock. “Miss Ling, the esteemed psychologist, swayed by a little cop’s words. Are you kidding me? Our mission is to kill a police officer’s loved one. We can’t release the old lady or the cop!”

“The revenge objective was already achieved. Elderly Mr. Lie hired us and will naturally respect our style!”

“You’ve truly inherited the old man’s teachings!”

“No class, no different from beasts.”

“So should we cancel the original plan?”

“Cancel it! We take this cop and leave, escape abroad with the money.”

Zhou Xiao expressed regret. “I was looking forward to the grand finale. Alright, let’s do it.”

He dragged Xiao Dong back to his car, entered the neighborhood, and Ling Shuang released the person. Dong Ma was forced to spend a day with them, already like a frightened bird. Seeing Ling Shuang’s indifferent face, she begged, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me!”

“We’ll let you go now.”

“Huh?” The old lady thought she had misheard.

Ling Shuang untied Dong Ma’s hands and led her out. On the way, Dong Ma kept talking to her, “Why did you suddenly let her go, my son paid the ransom?”

“Daughter-in-law, I think you’re a good person. Why do you do this kind of thing with that nasty man?”

“If you talk more, I’ll change my mind,” Ling Shuang said lightly.

Dong Ma dared not speak again.

Walking out, Ling Shuang pushed Dong Ma a little, asking her to leave.

Dong Ma felt relaxed for a while, but she didn’t worry to look back from time to be read