One "surprise" after another

Gu Zheng?!

Only then did Song Ning realize that the sound of running water in the inner room had stopped.

The person who had been showering inside was Gu Zheng.

Song Ning breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Gu Zheng hurry back into the inner room.

Remembering the towel wrapped around his waist, she figured he had rushed out in the heat of the moment.

Song Ning stepped forward and pulled the hat off the man on the floor. His bald head and hooked nose left no doubt: he was "Brother Da," the trafficking ringleader who had escaped capture deep in the mountains.

Only then did her anxiety ease.

She checked his breathing. "Brother Da" was unconscious. Gu Zheng's strike had been swift and decisive.

A moment later, he emerged fully dressed.

His expression, however, looked rather grim, and his gaze... was a little too piercing...

Song Ning grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Regimental Commander Gu! Impressive! You took him down in one move!"

Gu Zheng did not seem particularly appreciative. "Comrade Song Ning, you really do keep giving me one 'surprise' after another!"

Unsure what he meant, Song Ning replied with a smile, "Oh, it was nothing..."

But Gu Zheng's expression remained stern. He pointed at "Brother Da" on the floor, his tone growing sharper. "Why didn't you call for help just now? Why didn't you get backup? Were you planning to take him on alone?"

Although this "Brother Da" was not as notorious as "Pan TuozI," he was still known for his viciousness!

After so many years in the underworld, his fighting skills were far beyond what an ordinary person could handle!

Fortunately, Gu Zheng had been inside. Had the room been empty, or had someone else been there, the consequences... would have been impossible to predict.

Song Ning could not help feeling a little guilty...

Unfortunately, Gu Zheng kept staring at her sternly, determined to get an answer.

Song Ning had no choice but to explain. "I-I was worried that shouting would scare him off! If we had to catch him again..."

"You really were planning to catch him yourself?!"

Gu Zheng's voice rose sharply. "You've already suffered at their hands! What gave you the nerve to face him alone?!"

"No, no! I wouldn't dare try to catch him myself! Didn't I run straight toward somewhere with people? And we caught him, didn't we?" Song Ning protested.

Although everything had happened suddenly, she had thought it through-

Calling for help might indeed have brought plenty of people out, but "Brother Da" was an underworld boss. Whether the ordinary guests at the guesthouse could catch him was one question; the chance of him injuring them was even greater. Another hostage incident would only make things more complicated.

If he really got away, who knew when they would ever catch him again?

Since she had run into him, she did not want to let him escape. He was someone she had a deep score to settle with!

She had been trying to find help as quickly as possible while also buying time to think of a plan and look for an opening.

Even if I really couldn't find anyone to help, I should... should still be able to handle a thug like him myself, right...

But she had never gotten the chance to test that.

Gu Zheng said gravely, "Next time something like this happens, protect yourself first! Then report it! Since he's shown up here, we'll find a way to catch him! It's only a matter of time!"

Song Ning promptly stood at attention, raised her hand to her brow, and gave him a very proper salute. "Yes, sir! Regimental Commander Gu!"

Gu Zheng gazed steadily at the young woman before him-

Her half-wet hair hung loose over her shoulders, framing her tiny face. Her eyes were lively and mischievous, with a hint of an eagerness to please. She was clearly just a delicate young woman, yet she had been ready to face a trafficking ringleader alone. He really had no idea where she had found such courage...

She was a victim herself. She should not have had to shoulder this kind of danger...

But... she really had known how to respond. When he struck, she had not been at a disadvantage...

She had not been acting on blind courage... she had both courage and a plan...

He composed himself and finally said, "All right! I understand what you were thinking. You didn't want to cause more trouble, and you didn't want to let him get away! Although I don't approve of you taking risks like that, I still have to commend you-you were very brave! And you really did make a valuable contribution!"

Song Ning smiled at him again. "I accept your praise!"

Hearing that familiar reply, Gu Zheng shook his head and smiled too.

The tension finally eased, and Song Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Only then did Gu Zheng ask her, "Now tell me, how did you end up here?"

Song Ning smiled. "I was just about to ask you the same thing! Regimental Commander Gu, you left Anping several days ago. How come I've run into you here?"

Gu Zheng replied, "Days of heavy rain caused a landslide on the mountain road ahead. We've been stranded here too, and we've been helping with the local emergency response these past few days..."

As they spoke, a voice called from the other end of the corridor, "Comrade Song Ning-Comrade Song Ning-"

Song Ning hurried out into the corridor and called back, "Comrade Xiao Zhang! I'm here! Something happened just now..."

Xiao Zhang looked surprised to see Song Ning at this end of the corridor.

After she introduced Gu Zheng to Xiao Zhang, then pointed to the man on the floor and explained what had happened...

Xiao Zhang was so shaken that he raised his sleeve to wipe his forehead...

"Good heavens! All that happened in such a short time! Thank goodness a comrade from the army was here! A close call, but everyone's safe! Comrade Song Ning, you must be careful! Until we get you to Yu City, we're responsible for your safety!"

After thanking Gu Zheng, Xiao Zhang urged Song Ning to go downstairs with him, saying that Section Chief Fang was looking for her.

Song Ning pointed at "Brother Da" on the floor and said, "Regimental Commander Gu! I'll leave him to you! I came here with Section Chief Fang and Comrade Xiao Zhang from the Anping County government! We can catch up later if we get the chance!"

Gu Zheng smiled and nodded.

Song Ning followed Xiao Zhang to a row of rooms behind the guesthouse.

Section Chief Fang was sitting in an office, talking to another person.

As soon as Song Ning arrived, Section Chief Fang said, "Comrade Song Ning! We've got a serious problem!"