The leader continued assigning tasks, his voice cold, “Once we surround the seaside bar, Teams One and Two will secure the perimeter. Team Three will conduct a carpet search within three hundred metres of the bar, eliminating all visible living targets, leaving no survivors. Team Four will follow me into the bar. Understood?”
“Understood!” came the unified response.
Then, a voice crackled through the radio, “Sir, should we search and clear the island’s guest rooms?”
“No need,” the leader replied coldly. “This time, we’re making a move to shock the world. We won’t cut the island’s power or communications. Once I enter the bar, the tourists or staff might call for help. The Maldives military is over a hundred kilometres away. It’ll take them thirty to forty minutes to assemble and arrive by helicopter, enough time for us to complete the mission and withdraw calmly, but not enough to clear the guest rooms. Ignore them, but if anyone approaches and enters our range, take them out immediately!”
“Understood!”
Hearing this, Ye Chen wondered if these men were terrorists.
But on second thought, it didn’t add up.
Most terrorists were irregular fighters—fanatics, gangsters, or cult members. While ruthless, they lacked discipline and true modern military training. They were adept at wielding AKs recklessly against civilians but fell short of even third-world regular armies in combat ability.
These men in black were different. They were soldiers trained in a standard modern military system, possibly mercenaries, if not special forces, and highly disciplined. No terrorist group could produce such high-calibre fighters.
Initially, Ye Chen felt relieved hearing they would bypass the guest rooms, thinking he could avoid getting involved. But then he reconsidered. His unlucky in-laws were at the party, and he couldn’t let a vacation turn into their permanent rest.
He hurried back to the room and said to Xiao Churan, “Darling, are you tired? Want to rest?”
“Not tired,” Xiao Churan replied, watching a livestream and removing one earphone. “Why, are you tired?”
Ye Chen had no time for riddles. He approached her gently and said, “Darling, you’re tired. It’s better to sleep early.”
He patted her shoulder, sending a trace of spiritual energy through his palm. Xiao Churan suddenly felt overwhelmingly sleepy, barely able to keep her eyes open.
Murmuring dazedly, she said, “What’s happening… I’m suddenly so tired…”
Ye Chen supported her to the bedroom, saying, “You’ve travelled so far; you’re probably still recovering. Sleep well, and you’ll feel refreshed.”
He placed her by the bed.
Overcome with exhaustion, Xiao Churan’s mind was foggy. She mumbled, “I’m too tired… I’ll sleep first. You rest early too…”
Before finishing, she collapsed onto the bed, fast asleep.
Seeing her asleep, Ye Chen turned off all the room’s lights and rushed outside.
At that moment, the four speedboats carrying the men in black quietly docked at the pier!
