CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 186: TWO WOMEN SETTLED DOWN

"No matter how they got in, why are they causing trouble in this city? This is the heart of Flame Country, not somewhere like Southeast Asia. Aren’t they afraid of getting crushed by an iron fist?" Chen Xin asked, carrying Qin Lan’s things into the shelter.

This was Chen Xin’s biggest question. Flame Country wasn’t like other nations — not only were firearms strictly controlled, but social order was also rigidly enforced. Before the disaster, the streets were filled with surveillance cameras, and strict household registration systems could track everyone’s movements.

This changed only because the original social order collapsed after the disaster, and the harsh environment weakened the government’s control over the nation. Otherwise, these people would have been identified, crushed with force, and brought to justice long ago.

Therefore, Chen Xin was puzzled as to why a group of mercenaries who operated in Southeast Asia had come all the way to Xiang Province, deep in Flame Country.

"Because a few core members of these mercenaries are from this city," Ding Ning explained to Chen Xin.

Qin Lan, having been injured and in the hospital, didn’t know much about this matter, but Ding Ning, having participated in this mission, understood the situation in more detail.

"Based on current information, the leader of the mercenaries is from this city, and several core members are companions who ventured into the Southern Ocean with him back then," Ding Ning continued to explain what the police currently know to Chen Xin. "Before the disaster, they were active in Southeast Asia. While not exactly committing every atrocity, they had no qualms about killing and arson. They were primarily hired by local warlords to fight and train armies.

When the disaster struck, the entire Southeast Asia region’s order collapsed. A large number of refugees poured towards the borders, intending to seek refuge in our country. Some had crossed into our borders at that time, likely including these people.

As for why they came back to this city, it probably has to do with their origins. They might have relatives or friends here. However, we haven’t fully figured it out yet. It’s no longer like before; even extensive investigations can only cover official shelters or privately known shelters. If someone truly wants to hide, it’s hard for us to find them."

At this point, both Ding Ning’s and the atmosphere became a bit gloomy. If it were before the disaster, it would have been much easier for the police to locate these mercenaries.

Even without considering the surveillance systems spread across the streets, the grassroots-level community and village officials of Flame Country could be very familiar with their respective areas, down to every house. Mobilizing them would have been enough to identify these mercenaries.

Chen Xin understood this logic but said nothing more. He simply led Qin Lan and Ding Ning to the bedroom prepared for them, put down their luggage, and introduced, "This room is specially cleaned out for you two. The conditions are limited, so if there’s anything inconvenient, do let me know."

"Chen Xin, you’re too kind. The conditions here are already excellent. Even before the disaster, it would be difficult to find a room this comfortable," Qin Lan responded to Chen Xin’s polite words promptly, and with some apology, said, "We’re adding trouble for you by coming here."

She had been to Chen Xin’s place before and understood the situation somewhat.

The clean and tidy room they now saw wasn’t there last time, so obviously Chen Xin had prepared it specially for them.

Qin Lan couldn’t help but feel that she and Ding Ning coming over had added trouble for Chen Xin.

Chen Xin shook his head with a smile, saying, "It’s nothing. You are here to protect me, so preparing a room for you is only right. Place your things and rest a bit. Qin Lan, you’ve been here before. Make yourselves at home. I’ll be in the greenhouse. Call me if you need anything."

With that, Chen Xin turned and left the room.

After Chen Xin left, Qin Lan and Ding Ning started unpacking their bags. Although they had brought equipment, they also packed spare clothes and personal items.

"Sister Lan, you’re still injured. You should take the lower bunk. I’ll take the top," Ding Ning said straightforwardly, tossing her belongings onto the top bunk.

Seeing this, Qin Lan could only nod without saying much.

Though her shoulder wound had healed, it wasn’t completely recovered, and climbing up and down would be difficult for her.

Despite thinking it wouldn’t greatly affect her movement, Ding Ning insisted she avoid any exertion.

Once they had unpacked, Ding Ning sat with Qin Lan to discuss their mission.

"Sister Lan, how should we go about executing this mission to protect Chen Xin?" Though Ding Ning understood the mission well, she was previously just an ordinary police officer and was unsure how to begin this protection task.

Ding Ning didn’t know what to do, and neither did Qin Lan have experience in this area.

Though she was a SWAT officer, she had never carried out a protection mission and could only say based on experience, "First, get familiar with the surroundings... but there’s not much to check around here. As long as Chen Xin stays inside, I don’t think those terrorists can get in."

She had noticed the heavy, metal-like door at Chen Xin’s entrance earlier, feeling it’s so sturdy that even if the entire SWAT team was mobilized with all equipment, they might not be able to break it down.

It’s not something that could be handled with light weapons.

"The main thing is to understand Chen Xin’s basic situation and see if there are any defensive gaps," Qin Lan proposed. "As for if he goes out, we’ll accompany him, but it’s best to avoid leaving here as much as possible."

Listening to Qin Lan, Ding Ning could only nod in agreement. Truly, without breaching that heavy, sturdy door, there was no way into Chen Xin’s shelter.

Despite this, Ding Ning’s mind was more agile, and she brought up another issue, "What if those terrorists show up at our doorstep? How do we defend? We can’t just shut the door and hide in the shelter, calling for reinforcements? That’d be too pathetic."

"Wouldn’t it be nice if we could complete the mission simply?" Qin Lan smiled at Ding Ning but thought for a moment and added, "Chen Xin built an observation room above his door. You can enter via a hidden door. It’s like a small bunker, where you can set up a fire point. If attacked, it’s a means of counterattack."

Hearing this, Ding Ning was pleased, "No wonder you brought the sniper rifle, Sister Lan. With a bunker and you as a top sniper, they’d all be sitting ducks!"

Ding Ning’s remark didn’t cheer Qin Lan up. She just shook her head, touching her injured shoulder, where a slight pain reminded her she wasn’t fully recovered.

Her injury was on the left shoulder, and she was accustomed to shooting left-handed, with the sniper rifle butt resting on that shoulder.

The injury would affect her shooting. Though if necessary, she could endure it.

Observing Qin Lan’s actions, Ding Ning quickly asked with concern, "Does your shoulder hurt again, Sister Lan?"

"No, just bumped it," Qin Lan shook her head, telling Ding Ning, "Why don’t you go see if Chen Xin needs help? We’ll be here for a month, so let’s help him with whatever we can. We can’t just stay here doing nothing, right?"

"Okay, I’ll go find him. You get some rest, Sister Lan." With that, Ding Ning left the room.

Once Ding Ning was gone, Qin Lan stood up and placed a long case on the table.

She sat in a chair by the table and opened the case to reveal her beloved sniper rifle. She couldn’t help but gently stroke it.

The cold touch under her fingertips provided reassurance but also a trace of dissatisfaction.

This was her weapon, and last time she failed to use it to stop those terrorists from committing a suicide attack. She wouldn’t let it happen again!

With this determination, Qin Lan endured the stinging pain in her shoulder and began assembling the sniper rifle.

Though slower than before her injury, when she rested the rifle on her right shoulder and practiced aiming, Qin Lan found it manageable.

Shooting left-handed might be affected, so she resolved to switch sides to mitigate this. Since she was here to protect Chen Xin, she needed to quickly restore her combat capability and ensure his safety.

While Qin Lan was fiddling with the rifle, Ding Ning reached the greenhouse where Chen Xin was watering the dry rice seedlings.

Seeing Chen Xin at work, Ding Ning greeted him and asked, "Sister Lan sent me to help. Is there anything I can do?"

"Helping? There’s nothing in particular right now, just watering, which I can handle alone," Chen Xin shook his head but told Ding Ning, "However, there is something you could help me with."

"What is it? Just say it, I’ll handle it," Ding Ning promised eagerly amidst the greenhouse’s greenery, eager to act.