Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin secretly prepared to travel to America to rescue Zhong Lizhen, arranging a fake identity and a short round-trip through Xu Yan. By the end, his flight arrangements were underway, and he was ready to leave the next morning with a contact waiting for him in America.

• Dong Xuebin asked Xu Yan to arrange an urgent round-trip ticket to America under a fake identity, and she agreed to seek help through her connections.
• Dong Xuebin gathered American dollars, studied a map of the area where Zhong Lizhen was believed to be, and researched her appearance online.
• Dong Xuebin checked that he had one hour and thirty-two minutes of stored ability time and prepared himself for a fight.
• Xu Yan called to say that a passport under a made-up name was being arranged for the morning and gave Dong Xuebin the number of her friend in America, who would meet him and help with lodging.

Dong Xuebin used false documents arranged through the Ministry of State Security to board a flight to Fu Continent, America, keeping his destination and identity secret. He sat beside Zhai Lei, an undercover agent on a mission to locate and rescue Zhong Lizhen, unaware that Dong Xuebin might be able to help.

• Dong Xuebin collected a fake passport, fake ID, and boarding pass from a Ministry of State Security contact at the airport.
• Dong Xuebin boarded the flight to Fu Continent using his false documents and mistakenly sat in Zhai Lei’s seat.
• Dong Xuebin and Zhai Lei exchanged brief introductions, with Dong Xuebin giving only the nickname Little Dong and Zhai Lei claiming to work for an internet company.
• Dong Xuebin fell asleep after takeoff while Zhai Lei privately considered his mission to investigate the research institute and rescue Zhong Lizhen.

Dong Xuebin arrived in Fu Continent and met Zhang Longjuan, Xu Yan’s outgoing old classmate, who offered to host and help him. He kept his real purpose vague as Zhang drove him away from the airport.

• Dong Xuebin landed in Fu Continent after a long flight and called Zhang Longjuan because he did not know where to stay.
• Zhang Longjuan met Dong at the airport, greeted him flirtatiously, and drove him away in her BMW convertible.
• Zhang offered Dong her car, but he declined because he did not want to involve her in his business.
• Zhang introduced herself as a single businesswoman who had inherited her family’s company in America.
• Dong said he was in Fu Continent mostly to sightsee, and Zhang invited him to stay at her place and explore the area with her.

Dong Xuebin traveled with Zhang Longjuan to her luxurious home on the outskirts of Fu Continent, where her teasing and flirtatious behavior left him embarrassed. The chapter ended as she invited him to eat steak while dressed only in a bath towel.

• Zhang Longjuan drove Dong Xuebin along the highway and teased him about his looks and his relationship with Xu Yan.
• Zhang Longjuan told Dong Xuebin she lived alone and owned all the shares in her local business.
• Zhang Longjuan brought Dong Xuebin to her mansion and showed him to a room on the third floor.
• Dong Xuebin showered, and Zhang Longjuan entered his room without knocking to say that dinner was ready.
• Zhang Longjuan led Dong Xuebin to eat steak while wearing a bath towel, leaving him flustered.

Dong Xuebin shared a late-night steak and wine with Zhang Longjuan, who teased him about Xu Yan’s concern for him. The evening ended with Zhang Longjuan’s bath towel falling off, leaving Dong Xuebin flustered while she calmly picked it up and wrapped it around herself again.

• Zhang Longjuan served Dong Xuebin steak and opened a bottle of red wine for their midnight meal.
• Zhang Longjuan spoke with Xu Yan on the phone and told Dong Xuebin that Xu Yan was worried about him.
• Dong Xuebin noticed Zhang Longjuan’s towel riding up as they ate and hurriedly focused on his steak.
• When Zhang Longjuan stood, her towel fell to the floor, and Dong Xuebin turned away in alarm.
• Zhang Longjuan picked up the towel, wrapped it around herself, and laughed off Dong Xuebin’s embarrassment.

Dong Xuebin settled in for the night at Zhang Longjuan’s home after speaking with Xu Yan, who urged him to discuss investment in Zhenshui County with Zhang. He woke to find Zhang Longjuan lying beside him in bed.

• Zhang Longjuan said she would show Dong Xuebin around the next morning, then left him to sleep.
• Dong Xuebin called Xu Yan, who explained that Zhang Longjuan had never married and suggested he discuss investment in Zhenshui County with her.
• Dong Xuebin thanked Xu Yan, exchanged good nights with her, and went to sleep.
• Dong Xuebin woke during the night and found Zhang Longjuan beside him in bed, smiling at him seductively.

Before dawn, Zhang Longjuan teased Dong Xuebin in bed and tested his self-control while he insisted he would not betray Xu Yan. She eventually left him cigarettes and returned to her room, and Dong Xuebin fell asleep.

• Dong Xuebin woke to find Zhang Longjuan beside him, and she teased him with questions about his relationship with Xu Yan.
• Zhang Longjuan flirted with Dong Xuebin and shared his last cigarette with him beneath the blanket.
• Dong Xuebin massaged Zhang Longjuan’s shoulders while she moaned, then she got up and said she had only been testing his self-control for Xu Yan.
• Zhang Longjuan gave Dong Xuebin a pack of cigarettes, winked at him, and returned to her room.
• Dong Xuebin breathed in the scent left on the blanket and quickly fell asleep.

Dong Xuebin spent the morning with Zhang Longjuan and found the military research institute where Zhong Lizhen was believed to be held. He left the area uncertain how to enter and aware that he had little time to act.

• Zhang Longjuan woke Dong Xuebin, served him breakfast, and offered to take him sightseeing.
• Dong Xuebin chose an inconspicuous Buick and asked Zhang Longjuan to drive west.
• Zhang Longjuan told Dong Xuebin about a military industrial site near the western roads, where soldiers had recently been patrolling.
• Dong Xuebin recognized the site as the likely research institute and glimpsed a building across open lawns.
• Dong Xuebin spent the rest of the day sightseeing with Zhang Longjuan while worrying about how to enter the institute and rescue Zhong Lizhen.

Dong Xuebin prepared to infiltrate the research institute, but an unexpected meeting revealed Zhang Longjuan’s connection to National Security. Zhai Shun asked her to help with a Level One mission after the previous liaison died, and she agreed to hear the details.

• Dong Xuebin mapped out the area around the research institute and prepared his gear for a move the next day without involving Zhang Longjuan.
• Zhai Shun arrived at Zhang Longjuan’s home, identified himself as a National Security officer, and verified her identity.
• Dong Xuebin recognized Zhai Shun from their flight, grew suspicious of the pair, and used STOP to hide beneath a bed while they spoke privately.
• Zhai Shun explained that he was taking over as the local liaison and that National Security considered Zhang Longjuan an external operative.
• Zhang Longjuan refused to take on work beyond providing money, but Zhai Shun urged her to help with a Level One mission linked to the deaths of his classmate and other agents.
• Zhang Longjuan agreed to hear what the mission involved.

Zhai Shun told Zhang Longjuan that National Security needed help rescuing scientist Zhong Lizhen from an American-controlled research institute, and Zhang agreed to provide funds and show him the perimeter. Dong Xuebin overheard their discussion and worried about the complications of joining the mission while Zhang Longjuan was involved.

• Zhai Shun explained that National Security's agents had been killed or captured while investigating Zhong Lizhen's situation and asked Zhang Longjuan for assistance.
• Zhang Longjuan refused to gather intelligence because of the risks to her company and employees, but agreed to provide funding and take Zhai Shun to view the institute's perimeter.
• Zhai Shun said he would bring another National Security expert when they visited the institute the next morning.
• After Zhai Shun left, Dong Xuebin used STOP to return to his room without being seen.
• Dong Xuebin decided not to tell Zhang Longjuan why he had come and worried about the mission's growing complications.

Dong Xuebin prepared to infiltrate the research institute and rescue people, then joined Zhang Longjuan and Zhai Shun on their trip toward the facility. The group headed out together, with Zhang arranging a nearby place for Zhai Shun’s work.

• Dong Xuebin hid two table knives in his sleeves and packed his maps and compass before breakfast.
• Zhai Shun arrived, and Dong Xuebin persuaded Zhang Longjuan to let him accompany them despite Zhai’s objections.
• Zhang Longjuan and Zhai Shun agreed to travel with Dong Xuebin, while Zhai warned driver Old Hong that an outsider was joining them.
• Zhang Longjuan told Zhai Shun she had arranged a convenient place near where he worked, and the group set off in a Buick.

Dong Xuebin rode with Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong as they surveyed the area around a research institute while planning a rescue for Zhong Lizhen. Their drive came to an abrupt halt when armed American soldiers set up a checkpoint and began searching cars and passengers.

• Zhang Longjuan drove west with Dong Xuebin, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong, disguising herself and Dong Xuebin with sunglasses as they chatted.
• The group passed a research institute, where Zhai Shun and Old Hong observed the exposed surroundings and military patrols while Old Hong secretly took photographs.
• Zhai Shun asked Old Hong to continue south so they could inspect land for the company, and Zhang Longjuan directed him along the route.
• Old Hong spotted two military vehicles stopping traffic ahead, where American soldiers searched cars, trunks, and passengers and demanded identification.
• Old Hong stopped the Buick Business, and Zhang Longjuan and Zhai Shun realized the checkpoint could expose the gun at Zhai Shun's ankle.

Zhai Shun and Old Hong tried to escape a military checkpoint after realizing their State Security mission was exposed, but the soldiers pursued and overturned their vehicle. With Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong injured and surrounded, Dong Xuebin remained inside the wreck with no gun aimed at him.

• Zhai Shun told Zhang Longjuan and Dong Xuebin that he and Old Hong were State Security agents and apologized for endangering them.
• Old Hong reversed the Buick Business and sped away from the checkpoint, but two Military Jeeps caught up and forced them off the highway.
• Zhai Shun and Old Hong prepared to hold off the soldiers so Zhang Longjuan and Dong Xuebin could escape.
• A Military Jeep rammed the Buick Business, flipping it into the grass and injuring Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong.
• Old Hong and Zhai Shun fired at the pursuing soldiers, but their ammunition ran out and seven or eight soldiers surrounded them.
• Zhai Shun and Old Hong faced capture while Dong Xuebin stayed inside the vehicle, with no soldier aiming a gun at him.

After soldiers captured Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, Old Hong, and Dong Xuebin, they beat and humiliated the captives while Zhang Longjuan tried to protect Dong Xuebin. Dong Xuebin freed himself and prepared to fight the soldiers.

• Soldiers surrounded the overturned Buick, disarmed Zhai Shun and Old Hong, and ordered the captives out.
• Zhang Longjuan identified herself and protested, but an injured soldier dragged her out and slapped her.
• Zhang Longjuan kicked the injured soldier in the crotch, and other soldiers stopped him from shooting her.
• Zhai Shun and Old Hong resisted when the soldiers harassed Zhang Longjuan, but the soldiers restrained and beat them.
• Dong Xuebin freed his trapped leg, stepped out of the vehicle, and told the others to lie down while he dealt with the soldiers.

Dong Xuebin confronted the armed soldiers surrounding the smoking Buick and showed Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong that he was far more than an ordinary tourist. After killing Peter and dodging the soldiers’ bullets, he kept advancing toward them.

• Dong Xuebin ignored Zhang Longjuan and the others’ warnings and walked toward Peter, the wounded soldier who had harassed Zhang Longjuan.
• When Peter swung his gun at Dong Xuebin from behind, Dong Xuebin dodged and stabbed him in the neck with a dinner knife.
• Dong Xuebin told Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong to get down, then advanced toward the soldiers with another dinner knife.
• Two soldiers fired four bullets at Dong Xuebin, but he dodged them and deflected the last one with his knife.
• The soldiers were shocked that every shot had missed and shouted for the others to fire.

Dong Xuebin faced eight American soldiers and dodged their gunfire before killing two of them with a dinner knife. When the remaining soldiers opened fire with Submachine Guns, he used Stop to collect the bullets and resumed time unharmed, leaving them stunned.

• Dong Xuebin calmly dodged successive rounds of bullets as Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong watched in alarm.
• The American soldiers kept firing, but Dong Xuebin reached them and killed the nearest young soldier with a dinner knife.
• Dong Xuebin killed an older soldier, leaving three soldiers down and five remaining.
• Two soldiers fired Submachine Guns at Dong Xuebin, who used Stop to seize the bullets and return to his original position.
• Time resumed, and the soldiers saw Dong Xuebin unharmed as their bullets appeared to have missed.

Dong Xuebin killed all eight soldiers who attacked Zhang Longjuan and her group, then armed himself with their weapons. Zhang Longjuan and Zhai Shun questioned who he was, and he revealed that he had come to bring Zhong Lizhen back but would not disclose his name or job.

• Dong Xuebin dodged the soldiers’ gunfire, killed Ike and the other soldiers, and stopped the commander’s attack with a dinner knife.
• Dong Xuebin collected the soldiers’ guns, Submachine Gun, and magazines before returning to Zhang Longjuan and the others.
• Zhang Longjuan asked Dong Xuebin who he was after seeing him defeat eight armed men without a scratch.
• Zhai Shun and Old Hong asked whether Dong Xuebin belonged to State Security or the Military Department, but he denied being part of either and kept his identity secret.
• Dong Xuebin told Zhang Longjuan he had come to help bring Comrade Zhong Lizhen back, leaving Zhai Shun and Old Hong astonished by his strength.

Dong Xuebin insisted on rescuing Zhong Lizhen alone while Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong tried to make him retreat. He revealed his marksmanship by killing four soldiers in a Military Jeep with four headshots, then armed himself and continued toward the research institute.

• Dong Xuebin told Zhang Longjuan, Zhai Shun, and Old Hong to leave while he went to rescue Zhong Lizhen, and they argued over whether to go with him.
• Old Hong and Zhai Shun burned the Buick Business and cleaned the scene as approaching Military Jeeps drew near.
• Zhai Shun offered to charge in with Dong Xuebin, but Dong Xuebin stepped out of hiding and fired four shots at an approaching Jeep.
• Dong Xuebin killed all four soldiers in the Jeep with headshots, collected their weapons and ammunition, and prepared to continue alone.

Dong Xuebin sent Zhai Shun, Old Hong, and Zhang Longjuan away while he headed alone to the research institute to rescue Zhong Lizhen. Afterward, Zhai Shun reported Dong’s extraordinary abilities to his superior, who said no government or military unit had sent him.

• Dong Xuebin killed four soldiers hidden in a vehicle with four pistol shots, convincing Zhai Shun and Old Hong that they would only hinder his rescue attempt.
• Dong urged Zhang Longjuan and the others to leave, promised to try to rescue Zhong Lizhen, and watched to ensure no soldiers pursued them.
• Zhai Shun, Old Hong, and Zhang Longjuan escaped in a car sent to collect them, while Dong set off alone toward the research institute.
• Zhai Shun contacted his superior and described Dong’s combat skills and marksmanship, but the superior said the higher-ups and military had sent no one.

Dong Xuebin infiltrated the heavily guarded research institute to find Zhong Lizhen, using his time-stopping ability to get inside. After forcing a researcher to reveal her location, he rewound two minutes and headed for the sixth floor undetected.

• Zhai Shun dropped Zhang Longjuan off and followed orders to hide rather than attempt a rescue at the research institute.
• Dong Xuebin waited outside the institute, then stopped time and slipped through its gates.
• Dong Xuebin searched the building and confronted a researcher, who revealed that Zhong Lizhen was in Isolation Room No. 1 in the Sixth Floor West Zone.
• Dong Xuebin used back two minutes to erase the confrontation, stopped time again, and headed upstairs toward Zhong Lizhen's location.