Plan

After Ye Wenjie finished speaking, it was as if the air had been sucked out of the living room.

Yang Dong's tears fell drop by drop onto the white rice before her, spreading into small translucent stains.

She made no sound, only trembling uncontrollably in Ding Yi's arms like a dead leaf about to be blown away by a cold wind.

Orderly, heavy footsteps sounded outside the door—not leather shoes, but combat boots striking the concrete stairs.

Shi Qiang did not knock again. He pushed the door open and walked in, followed by two operatives in black tactical uniforms.

"Ms. Ye Wenjie, under the National Security Law and related criminal statutes, you are hereby formally arrested on suspicion of endangering national security."

Shi Qiang's voice held no emotion, as though he were reading out a weather forecast.

Ye Wenjie did not resist, nor did she look at Yang Dong again.

She merely rose calmly, removed the faded blue cloth apron she wore, folded it neatly, and placed it at one corner of the dining table.

Two crisp clicks rang out as the cold handcuffs snapped shut.

Not a word was spoken throughout the entire process.

Only Ding Yi pressed Yang Dong's head against his chest, refusing to let her witness the scene.

Zhang Qi stood where he was, watching as Ye Wenjie was escorted away between the two operatives.

Shi Qiang followed last. Before leaving, he glanced back at Zhang Qi, but said nothing, merely pulling the door shut softly behind him.

The hinges gave a faint groan, cutting off the receding footsteps in the corridor.

Only three people remained in the living room.

The food on the table still gave off its last traces of warmth, but no one had any appetite left.

"Take care of her."

Zhang Qi