bookcurios Chapter 424: Can't Breathe
Chapter 424: Can't Breathe
Despite this, Su Ming didn't make a decision lightly. He knew that rash actions could lead to unpredictable consequences. Furthermore, there was no support from the team at the moment. If anything unexpected happened, he would have to deal with it alone.
Su Ming's gaze remained fixed on the figure disappearing into the night. His heartbeat slowly calmed, but the intense unease he felt remained undiminished. Every detail could determine their life or death, and every decision required utmost caution.
"Don't act rashly," Su Ming muttered to himself, his lips trembling slightly. He knew full well that if he rashly approached that unidentified individual, the consequences could be disastrous. He wasn't afraid, but rather because their situation was too delicate. The team had just found supplies, which temporarily alleviated their predicament, but the enemy remained a constant threat. Their enemies had never shown any direct aggression, instead often creating confusion through confusion and ambushes. Today's situation was even more complicated, not only because of the appearance of this stranger, but also because of the potential risks he posed.
"We can't risk everything." Su Ming gritted his teeth and slowly closed his eyes, trying to calm his chaotic thoughts. His mind replayed everything that had happened during that period—Zhang Kai's sacrifice, the lack of supplies, the enemy's relentless pressure, and the increasingly exhausted figures of his team members. Each image was like a sharp blade, piercing his fragile heart.
"I have to calm down." He took a deep breath and his eyes became clear again.
He quickly pulled his communicator from his pocket and dialed Zheng Yaoxian's number. At that moment, Su Ming's heartbeat quickened. Zheng Yaoxian's position in the team was irreplaceable. While it was he who issued the orders and led the team forward, Zheng Yaoxian's experience and composure often provided greater security for the team. At this moment, Su Ming needed an objective opinion and Zheng Yaoxian's judgment.
The sound of the communicator was particularly clear in the quiet air. After a few seconds, Zheng Yaoxian's voice came from it, low and steady: "Captain, what's wrong?"
"Zheng Yaoxian, it's me." Su Ming's tone was steady, his voice slightly lowered. "I'm currently patrolling the suburbs and have spotted a suspicious figure. The figure is strange, and it's hard to tell whether it's friend or foe. What do you think I should do?"
Hearing Su Ming's question, Zheng Yaoxian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he remained silent for a moment, as if carefully analyzing the current situation. "Are you sure he didn't notice you?" Zheng Yaoxian's voice remained calm, carrying an undeniable authority.
"I tried my best to avoid him, but his reaction seemed unusual. He seemed to sense something was wrong, so he stood there for a moment before moving in another direction." Su Ming's gaze was fixed on the dark street, his voice slightly low. "I dare not act rashly now, for fear of being lured into a trap by him."
Zheng Yaoxian's thoughts clearly didn't stop. His voice returned, still in that steady tone: "If he's an enemy, he won't let you find him so easily. If he's an ordinary person, you can decide now to contact him and see if you can get some useful information. But remember—never expose yourself. If he's truly an enemy, rashly approaching will only reveal your position and could bring even greater danger."
"I understand." Su Ming nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the front. He pondered Zheng Yaoxian's words, and suddenly had a strong feeling that the figure didn't look like an enemy. If they were, they wouldn't let any opportunity slip away so easily. The man's actions, however, were more of a sign of hesitation and hesitation. Perhaps he was truly an ordinary person, or perhaps an innocent survivor.
"Captain, remember - the most important thing is to ensure your safety. If there is any accident, be sure to stay calm and don't put yourself in a passive position." Zheng Yaoxian reminded again, his voice clear and firm.
"I understand." Su Ming replied, his tone having returned to calm.
He was silent for a moment, gazing out at the dark streets in the distance, and once again began to assess the situation. While Zheng Yaoxian's warning was crucial, he was now filled with hesitation. If it was an enemy, the risk of action would be too great. If it was an innocent individual, they could attempt to contact them and obtain necessary information. However, if they approached rashly, exposing their position might lead to unnecessary trouble.
"I shouldn't have acted rashly," Su Ming said to himself silently, his impulsive thoughts gradually subsiding. He realized that he needed to wait for a better opportunity and not make a decision that would put the team in trouble due to a momentary misjudgment.
He took a deep breath and decided not to approach the figure for now. He would remain hidden and observe the situation. After all, the enemy's traces had not completely disappeared, and the surrounding situation remained unclear. Su Ming silently made a decision and slowly walked back, looking for a safer position.
After returning to the team, Su Ming's steps became much lighter. He quietly walked to the side, standing behind a pile of rubble, watching the busy figures of the team members. Li Hao and the others were still sorting supplies, and the atmosphere was quiet. Although the team members seemed normal on the surface, he knew that everyone was under tremendous pressure. Every minute and every second was dangerous.
"Captain, you're back." Li Hao saw Su Ming coming back and immediately stood up and walked towards him with a look of relief on his face. "What's the situation outside? Can we stay here?"
"It's okay for now." Su Ming frowned slightly, trying to sound calmer. "There's not much movement around, but we can't let our guard down. We must remain vigilant tonight."
Li Hao nodded, still looking a little nervous. "Captain, the supplies we just distributed should last for a while, right?"
"Yes." Su Ming nodded, but a heavy heart remained. "But this doesn't solve the fundamental problem. Our mission is far from complete. While the supply issue temporarily alleviates the immediate problem, the enemy could return at any time."
Li Hao seemed to want to say something, but ultimately remained silent. He glanced at the team members around him and seemed to understand something. Silence spread between the two of them, and the atmosphere became even more oppressive.
Su Ming said nothing more as he slowly walked towards his position, his gaze never leaving the distant darkness. He knew that his decisive decision tonight could directly affect the fate of his team. He hadn't yet fully confirmed whether the suspicious figure was an enemy, so he couldn't make an impulsive decision.
Su Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the dim street in the distance. He had just made a difficult decision—to not engage with the mysterious figure for now, choosing instead to remain hidden and await more information. However, the uneasiness in his heart remained, like an invisible thorn, deeply embedded in his nerves, preventing him from completely relaxing his vigilance.
In the darkness, the wind grew stronger, as if something was quietly approaching. Just as Su Ming's thoughts were swirling, he suddenly heard a faint metallic clang. The sound was so faint, yet it was enough to arouse his vigilance. Subconsciously, he quickly lowered his head and dodged to the side, hiding behind a dilapidated iron gate on the corner.
"Bang!" The iron gate behind him made a dull thud, as if reminding him that danger was not far away. Su Ming's heartbeat accelerated. He knew he couldn't afford to be distracted in this situation. He gripped the gun handle tightly with one hand, and the other held the communicator, ready to contact Zheng Yaoxian at any time.
"No more time to waste," Su Ming thought to himself, his eyes quickly scanning the area around the iron door, trying to find a place to hide. The iron door was rusted, and the edges and surrounding walls had long been worn smooth by time, making it look particularly worn. But this door still provided him with a temporary hiding place.
He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and dialed Zheng Yaoxian's number. Zheng Yaoxian's voice remained calm, as if completely unaffected by the outside world. "Captain, what's going on?"
"Zheng Yaoxian, I've spotted a suspicious individual who seems different from the enemy we previously anticipated. I'm currently hiding behind an iron gate and haven't been discovered yet. But I'm not sure if he's an enemy or just an innocent passerby." Su Ming's tone was filled with anxiety, but he tried to remain calm. "What should I do now?"
Zheng Yaoxian's voice remained calm. "Captain, remain calm. If they haven't spotted you yet, then continue to hide and don't act rashly. We need more information to confirm their identity. If they're enemies, exposing your position will only exacerbate the danger. If they're ordinary people, you can try to approach, but be cautious."
"Understood," Su Ming replied, his mind resolved. He gripped the communicator tightly, his eyes fixed on the movements outside the iron gate. The darkness grew heavier, as if the very air itself had begun to solidify. The night's silence was suffocating, with only the occasional echo of a distant explosion, a reminder that the enemy was always waiting for him to make a mistake in some unknown corner.
The sounds outside the iron gate gradually faded. Su Ming held his breath, his eyes involuntarily turning to the side of the iron gate. He slowly stood up, carefully leaning his back against the door, trying not to make any noise. Even on this empty street, he didn't dare to act rashly. Any carelessness could lead to exposure.
He heard footsteps approaching. This time, the figure seemed to have noticed something was wrong and quickened their pace, appearing somewhat hurried. Su Ming's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and every second in his mind was filled with alertness.