99: Chapter 99 The Secret Behind the Hidden Door

The moment the gunshot exploded in the corridor, the eight thugs froze instantly.

No one dared to move.

The dark muzzle pointed at the doorway like an invisible wall, keeping everyone three steps away.

The sinister grin on the waiter's face froze, turning into a look of unbelievable shock.

He opened his mouth but made no sound.

Just then, a raspy voice came from behind the crowd:

"Move aside."

The thugs parted to the sides like a receding tide.

Guo Mingkai slowly walked out from the back, his bathrobe hanging loose and a half-smile on his face.

His gaze passed over Zhao Yang and landed on Jiang Nan's face, staring at her stunning beauty before slowly moving downward.

"Those long legs," he swallowed and spoke lazily, "I've seen them in the hallway before."

Guo Mingkai took a step forward.

"Girl, put the gun down. Do you know the consequences of firing a gun on my turf?"

Jiang Nan's gun didn't waver, aiming right between his eyebrows.

Guo Mingkai laughed, though it sounded a bit hollow.

From the way Jiang Nan held the gun, he could tell she was a police officer.

But he was certain that Jiang Nan wouldn't actually dare to shoot anyone.

"Interesting."

Guo Mingkai raised his hand and waved behind him.

"I like them feisty. Take this girl down for me!"

The thugs took on fierce expressions, and the two in front stepped forward simultaneously.

Zhao Yang stared at the aggressive thugs, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Damn that He Yunqiao, what on earth is he doing!

It's been two minutes since the alarm was sounded, and he's still not here!

His expression turned grim as he took out his phone and quickly dialed.

"Director Lu, Guo Mingkai is right in front of me, Platinum Member Area, Room 012."

"Wait!" Guo Mingkai barked at his men.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhao Yang:

"Kid, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Yang pulled out his ID and flashed it in front of Guo Mingkai.

"Guo Mingkai, your time is up. You'd better come with me quietly!"

At that moment, Jiang Nan showed her police ID and warned in a low voice:

"Police business! If anyone takes another step, I'll fire immediately!"

The color drained from Guo Mingkai's face instantly.

His legs trembled uncontrollably, like two pieces of rotting wood unable to support his weight.

He saw the bright red seal on the ID.

It wasn't the Tongan Commission for Discipline Inspection; it was the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Those words felt like a bucket of ice water poured over him from head to toe.

But he quickly steadied himself, his Adam's apple bobbing as he gritted his teeth and roared at his men:

"This girl doesn't dare to shoot! Stop her!"

Before his voice even faded, he spun around and bolted toward the end of the corridor.

His bathrobe flapped, revealing two short, pale legs that looked pathetic in the dim light.

The thugs hesitated for a second, making a move to charge.

Just then, a series of powerful footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.

Rhythmic and dense.

Accompanied by the crisp clinking of metal.

He Yunqiao led the way, followed by a squad of Special Police officers.

Their black combat uniforms surged forward like a tide in the dim light.

"Don't move!"

"Hands behind your head!"

"Squat down!"

In just over ten seconds, all the thugs were pinned to the ground.

Their hands were cuffed behind their backs, and they squatted against the wall like a row of quails.

He Yunqiao strode into the room, his eyes scanning the blood on Zhao Yang's face, his brow furrowing:

"Where is he? Are you okay?"

Zhao Yang pointed toward the end of the corridor:

"Don't worry about me. Guo Mingkai ran that way, go after him!"

He Yunqiao waved his hand:

"First Squad, follow me! Second Squad, seal all exits!"

He was already charging out before he finished speaking.

...

Guo Mingkai ran for his life.

Turning corners, going up stairs, turning again.

He didn't care that his slippers had long since fallen off; he stepped barefoot on the cold floor tiles, panting like an ox.

Third floor, fourth floor, fifth floor.

He pushed open an inconspicuous fire door and slipped into a narrow passage.

This was a secret passage built into Platinum Night for emergencies.

Through here, Platinum members could not only reach the first floor directly but also cross an underground tunnel to the backyard outside.

He reached the door of Room 888 and pounded on it forcefully.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Inside the room, Ji Hongwen was completely naked, "playing poker" with Bai Fengming, drenched in sweat.

The urgent pounding on the door sounded like a thunderclap; he jolted, nearly rolling off the bed.

"Who is it!"

His voice was filled with shock and anger, along with a hint of undetectable panic.

"It's me! Mingkai!"

The voice from outside was trembling violently, sounding like the squawk of a chicken being strangled.

Ji Hongwen's expression changed drastically.

He heard the terror in that voice—the kind of terror that only came when something catastrophic had happened.

He pulled away abruptly, grabbed a bath towel to wrap around himself, and rushed to the door barefoot.

The door opened a crack, revealing Guo Mingkai's deathly pale face.

"Guo Mingkai, you'd better have a damn good explanation for this!"

Guo Mingkai's lips trembled:

"The police have stormed in... and people from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection... they've specifically named me for arrest!"

He grabbed Ji Hongwen's arm: "Secretary, you need to get out of here! Go through the back door!"

Ji Hongwen's head buzzed.

Why so sudden?

Didn't Secretary Tao of the Provincial Committee promise him? Why did he go back on his word?

He shoved Guo Mingkai's hand away and rushed back into the room.

He haphazardly gathered his clothes scattered on the floor and ran barefoot toward a secret door deep within the room.

Guo Mingkai followed close behind, his legs shaking like a sieve.

After a few steps, Ji Hongwen spun around and grabbed Guo Mingkai's bathrobe collar, pulling him close.

Under the light, his eyes were as fierce as a trapped beast:

"You idiot! If we do this, neither of us will get away!"

The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection coming with the police meant they were fully prepared.

They wouldn't stop until they caught Guo Mingkai, and would likely turn the place upside down.

Guo Mingkai was being choked: "Then... then what should I do?"

Ji Hongwen stared at him, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes.

Hesitation, struggle, and finally, cold resolve.

He let go, his voice extremely low: "Go turn yourself in."

Guo Mingkai felt like he'd been struck by lightning and froze on the spot.

Ji Hongwen stared into his eyes, emphasizing every word:

"I'll find a way to get you out. Remember—"

He poked his finger into Guo Mingkai's chest, his nail almost digging into the flesh:

"Keep your mouth shut!"

With that, Ji Hongwen turned and slipped through the secret door, disappearing into the dark passage.

The door closed softly behind him without a sound.

Guo Mingkai stood there, his body shaking like a leaf.

The corridor was eerily quiet, save for his own heavy breathing, which sounded like a dying beast.

His mind was blank, with only one sentence echoing repeatedly:

"If we do this, neither of us will get away!"

With no vehicle and being barefoot, even if he made it out of the backyard, how far could he run?

He looked down at his bare feet, which were covered in dust.

He had cut himself somewhere, and beads of blood were seeping out.

From the end of the corridor, the faint sound of hurried footsteps and shouting could be heard.

Getting closer and closer.

Guo Mingkai slowly looked up at the passage sign at the other end of the corridor:

Guest Passage.

He forced his legs to move and walked toward the Guest Passage.

Every step felt like walking on knives.