Qing Ling nodded, "My cousin told me that if one has never been intimate with a human, no matter how many times one engages with a beast, it will go unnoticed. But the moment it happens once, you’ll sense something is off."

"So... you have experience in this?" Gao Yang swore he was asking with pure academic curiosity.

"No," Qing Ling shook her head. "My cousin explained that it’s easier to tell with males. Male beasts mimic the human reproductive system; their bodies react instantly. But with human males, the response is gradual."

Gao Yang blushed at the thought of the "test" that night.

"As for female beasts, my cousin said it's something that can only be understood, not explained." Qing Ling suddenly looked at Gao Yang, "Why don't we try it ourselves, so we'll both have experience?"

Gao Yang spat out his drink.

"What's so funny?" Qing Ling frowned.

"No, nothing... Maybe another time," Gao Yang quickly changed the subject, glancing at his phone, "It's almost six."

Qing Ling took out a note from her pocket, a sharp glint in her eyes.

"Are we going to kill someone?" Gao Yang had already guessed, "Who?"

Qing Ling handed the note to Gao Yang. "See for yourself."

— 6 PM, Observation Deck No. 2, Riverside Promenade. Kill the woman beside me. Aim for the head or heart.

Gao Yang stared at the note, deep in thought.

"The woman beside me" implies Officer Huang will soon appear. The target must be his colleague, friend, or family member. Instead of killing her himself, Huang plans to be with her, entering the surveillance area, likely intending to create a perfect "alibi" by having us do the killing, thus clearing himself of suspicion.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

This is not a simple matter.

Qing Ling pulled back the curtain, positioned the chaise lounge by the window, and set up a sniper rifle. Tilting her head, she pressed her right eye to the scope. It must be said, the sight of a tall, beautiful woman in a towel, sitting on a chaise with a sniper rifle, was nothing short of surreal.

After a while, Qing Ling spoke, "Target in sight."

Gao Yang hurried over, "Let me see."

Through the scope, Gao Yang looked towards Observation Deck No. 2 at the Riverside Promenade.

In the clean, gentle morning sunlight, a refined and artistic woman was standing on the observation deck, wearing a red dress and a white shawl, gazing out at the sparkling river.

Soon, Officer Huang appeared. He was dressed in workout clothes and running shoes, a towel draped over his shoulder, stopping at the observation deck. The woman turned, handed him a bottle of water, her smile tender.

Officer Huang took the water, and the woman casually picked up the towel to wipe his sweat, her actions affectionate and natural.

After a brief conversation, Officer Huang took back the towel and continued his run, seemingly planning a few more laps. The woman watched him leave with a look of deep affection, then turned back to admire the river.

"His wife?" Gao Yang asked.

Qing Ling nodded, sharing the same thought, "She probably suspects his awakened identity, or at least, has doubts about him. Officer Huang decided to eliminate her as a precaution, and thus wants to use us."

"Click—"

Qing Ling adjusted the rifle. "Let me handle it."

Gao Yang remained silent, feeling conflicted.

He wasn't a saint, nor was he in a position to judge Officer Huang's decision. But he considered if it were his own grandmother, father, mother, or sister under the sniper's scope, could he pull the trigger?

A mix of emotions surged within him, leaving him restless.

"The target hasn't moved," Qing Ling took a deep breath, "Three, two, one..."

"Thwip—" Qing Ling fired, but even with the silencer, the shot didn't sound right, muffled and short, as if the bullet misfired.

Gao Yang also sensed something was wrong. When he looked up, he was stunned.

Qing Ling furrowed her brows, equally caught off guard.

Just as she pulled the trigger, a dark figure descended from the sky, blocking the muzzle. The bullet hit the figure.

Soon, Gao Yang and Qing Ling saw clearly.

The figure was Wang Zikai.