Chapter 55: Chapter 54: Big Sister June 19th. 11 days remained until the end of the [June Snow] rule.
At dusk, just outside a courtyard in a suburban district of Capital Yong’an, over twenty fully armed soldiers quietly surrounded the compound.
The snow around the compound had been piled up in the distance. The road near the main gate showed clear signs of having been shoveled, and the snow on the surrounding walls had also been cleared. It was evident the owner possessed professional snow removal equipment and had plenty of manpower to operate it.
"Reporting."
The team leader reported to his Commander via headset.
"We’ve arrived outside the target’s safe house. Requesting permission to commence the operation."
"Commence immediately," the Commander’s voice came through the earpiece.
"Roger that."
The team leader gave a few hand signals. Several members of the squad knelt, opening cases that contained military-grade drones.
An operator activated them, and a total of five drones took off. They ascended high above the compound, transmitting high-definition video of the interior.
"The outer courtyard contains a snowplow, a boring machine, a snowblower, and other equipment. Three armed individuals are sitting under the eaves on the left, playing cards. The inner courtyard is roofed, blocking camera visibility."
"Switch to thermal imaging."
"Thermal scan shows activity in three rooms of the inner courtyard. Total count is twenty individuals. The south-side room contains only two people. Suspected location of the target."
The team leader commanded, "All units, prepare to move. Squad One, front breach. Squad Two, scale the walls on both flanks. Squad Three, circle to the rear and secure the perimeter. Drones, deploy flashbangs."
The drone operator confirmed, "Flashbangs deployed."
BANG—!
The three men playing cards under the eaves heard a muffled pop, followed by a blinding flash of light and a high-pitched whine that left them deaf and blind.
The tactical team immediately stormed the outer courtyard, subdued the three men, and then breached the gate to the inner courtyard.
By then, the people in the inner courtyard were alerted. A flurry of footsteps was followed by the sound of automatic gunfire. BANG BANG BANG BANG! The wooden gate to the inner courtyard splintered under the barrage.
A team member reported via headset, "Enemy engaging with hostile fire. Requesting permission to eliminate."
"Permission granted," said the Commander. "Aside from the target, eliminate all armed combatants on sight."
"Roger."
The five drones whizzed into the inner courtyard and dropped more flashbangs, leaving the armed men inside completely disoriented.
The squad members then filed in, neutralizing all armed individuals in the courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the room on the south side of the inner courtyard, a man in his fifties clutched a terrified woman, using her as a human shield while frantically dialing a number on his phone.
His first call went straight to a message: the phone was off.
He tried a second number. This time, it connected.
"Hello, Big Sis!" The man’s voice was tinged with a desperate sob. "You said you could handle it if anything happened! They’re here for me! They’re about to break in!"
"Oh, Jiping," a raspy, elderly woman’s voice replied from the phone.
"You have only yourself to blame for being so careless. Letting some third-rate gangster trace your identity... Big Sis can’t help you now. But your relatives overseas... Big Sis can still look after them. You’re on your own now."
A chill ran through the man’s heart. He understood exactly what Big Sis meant.
The line went dead. He swore under his breath and pulled a pistol from under the bed.
THUD!
The door was kicked open, and a flashbang was tossed inside.
But before it could detonate, two gunshots echoed within the room.
BANG! BANG!
When the soldiers stormed in, they found two bodies—a man and a woman—lying on the floor.
The team leader stepped forward to examine the male corpse. "Reporting," he said into his comms, "mission failed. The target, Zhao Jiping, has committed suicide."
After a moment of silence, the Commander replied, "Recover the target’s body and personal effects. Mission complete."
"Yes, sir."
...
["Chairman of Hengyun Real Estate - Zhao Jiping" has been removed from the group by "Big Sis"]
A system notification appeared in the group chat for all members of the Qingmei Association.
A flood of replies appeared almost immediately after the notification.
"Big Sis is here???"
"Why did Big Sis kick Zhao?"
"What happened to Zhao? Why’d he get kicked out?"
"Did something happen? I can’t seem to get a hold of Zhao..."
The group members had no idea what was happening, but they were all surprised to see the group’s owner, "Big Sis," make an appearance.
As the founder of the Qingmei Association, Big Sis rarely spoke in the chat, but she had the respect of every single member.