Was this the message from the child he was meant to save?
Pei Feng could hardly believe it.
"Chief of Staff Pei!" He Zhongwu and the squad leader, hearing the newcomer's voice, turned their heads with surprise and joy.
It was good that Chief of Staff Pei had arrived. Huo Rou's gaze was too terrifying.
Huo Rou also looked over. Although the newcomer's face was hidden by the protective suit, his eyes were dark, like a pool of water so deep it couldn't be fathomed. When he looked at people, an unspoken authority emanated from him.
And now, in those ancient, placid eyes, there was surprise and doubt.
"Was it from that child?" he asked He Zhongwu.
He Zhongwu had been too focused on stopping the impulsive Huo Rou and hadn't paid attention to the tapping sound, so he couldn't say anything.
The squad leader nodded, "Yes, An An knows that Teacher Huo can hear the sounds from his watch, so he should be trying to convey some information."
He hadn't listened carefully either.
Pei Feng's eyes held a hint of anger. "On the battlefield, every detail must be noticed, and every detail should be magnified. What, are you not paying attention because it's one of your own you're facing?"
His words were calm, yet each one was a pearl of wisdom. His voice sounded like that of a young man in his twenties or thirties, but his demeanor when reprimanding was no less imposing.
After his words, He Zhongwu, the squad leader, and all the soldiers of 112 felt deeply ashamed.
They had only been thinking of stopping Huo Rou to prevent greater harm, forgetting that they were surrounding their own, a weak woman.
As everyone lowered their heads, a flicker of dark light flashed in Huo Rou's eyes as she looked at Pei Feng.
This voice, she was very familiar with.
This tone, she was also very familiar with.
Pei Feng, after scolding them, turned his gaze to Huo Rou and Qin Ningyi.
The moment Huo Rou met Pei Feng's gaze, she averted her head. It was natural, but the slightly clenched fist of her hand revealed a hint of unspoken emotion.
The instant Pei Feng met Huo Rou's gaze, his heart skipped a beat. This sense of familiarity made him want to investigate further. But before he could get a clear look at Huo Rou's face, she turned away and put on her protective mask.
He had heard that the son of a Teacher Huo, who was kidnapped from the laboratory, was that of a young woman. It was likely the person in front of him. She wasn't even taking precautions, which meant the problem in Yizhou was close to being solved.
If she were truly an expert in biochemistry, then his feeling must be wrong. He had never known anyone talented in this field.
Pei Feng's gaze lingered on Huo Rou for too long. Qin Ningyi subtly shifted his position and looked at him, "Chief of Staff Pei?"
He had heard his uncle mention this Chief of Staff Pei several times. He heard he came from a mysterious unit and was considered a prodigy.
Seeing him today, he was indeed extraordinary.
Pei Feng looked into the depths of Qin Ningyi's eyes and suddenly felt at ease. This sense of familiarity was probably due to the coldness in his eyes.
He had seen that same coldness in another person's eyes before, and Huo Rou's gaze just now was likely also one of cold clarity and loneliness.
"Mr. Qin." Pei Feng nodded. He knew that Qin Nishui had a brilliant nephew who inherited the family business and was involved in commerce. Just looking at Qin Ningyi's eyes, he could imagine his stern face beneath the protective suit.
Pei Feng was not one for pleasantries, especially with a mission at hand.
"I've looked at the terrain map. I heard it was you, Mr. Qin, who led the team to scout the actual situation. Please, tell me about it." He took out the terrain map he had drawn in the car and got straight to the point.
He Zhongwu finally felt at ease. With Chief of Staff Pei in charge, they could relax.
They gathered around, awaiting Pei Feng's instructions.
But when he saw Pei Feng's terrain map, his breathing suddenly stopped.
The markings on it were almost identical to what Huo Rou had initially made!
The squad leader, less composed, exclaimed directly, "This... isn't this..."
"What is it?" Pei Feng noticed their abnormality and asked, shaking the paper.
He Zhongwu's gaze shifted from Chief of Staff Pei's map to Huo Rou's retreating figure. He was beyond surprised.
The squad leader, younger and less steady, looked directly at Huo Rou. "Teacher Huo also drew a battle deployment map just now."
Pei Feng hadn't expected a laboratory expert to be able to draw a battle deployment map, which was a surprise. Perhaps this was a mother's instinct, willing to try anything to save her child.
He didn't dwell on it, merely giving a "hmm."
The squad leader said urgently, "It's almost exactly the same as yours!"
Huo Rou's hand, reaching into her bag, paused.
This squad leader wasn't much older than her, how could he be so impatient?
Pei Feng's attention returned to Huo Rou. "Then please, Teacher Huo, let us see it. It will save time."
Huo Rou had not wanted to move, but when he mentioned saving time, she had no choice but to take out the drawing.
As the battle deployment maps were exchanged, Pei Feng's eyes immediately noticed the calluses on the web of Huo Rou's hand.