The darkness before dawn was thick and impenetrable. Lin Chen tossed and turned on the hard bed in his dilapidated rented room, every nerve taut. The encryption device pressed against his chest, cold and heavy. Any unusual sound outside the window—the fighting of stray cats, the babbling of a drunkard, even the howling wind through the tattered awning—would startle him awake, cold sweat pouring down his back.
He dared not sleep, nor could he fall asleep. Time crawled slowly in the agonizing fear and waiting.
When finally, a faint, pale light appeared on the horizon, Lin Chen sprang from the bed like a soldier on command. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to dispel the exhaustion and fear. The person in the mirror had sunken eyes, a stubble of stubble on his chin, and a look of bloodshot eyes, weariness, and a desperate, resolute determination.
He carefully examined the encryption device, confirming it was intact and hidden in a specially designed compartment inside the inner pocket. He changed into the most inconspicuous dark tracksuit he knew, donned a hat and mask, and minimized his presence.
At seven o'clock in the morning, he left his rented apartment, like a drop of water merging into the bustling morning crowd. He didn't go directly to the library, but instead repeatedly changed buses, weaving through the rush hour traffic and crowds, cautiously observing whether anyone was following him.
At 8:40, he arrived near the municipal library. He didn't go in immediately, but lingered behind the convenience store window across the street, observing the library entrance and the surrounding environment. Everything seemed calm, but he dared not be careless in the slightest.
At 8:55, he pulled his hat down low, quickly crossed the street, and entered the library. Third floor, social sciences section. Next to the "General History of Music" bookshelf. His heart pounded like a rapid drumbeat.
Time ticked by, and it was exactly nine o'clock.
Chen Kai did not appear.
Lin Chen's heart sank. Had he missed the email? Or had something gone wrong?
Just as he was filled with anxiety and almost gave up hope, a figure appeared at the other end of the bookshelf. It wasn't Chen Kai, but the somewhat dull young apprentice at Chen Kai's studio who helped with chores and occasionally played the piano. The apprentice carried a canvas bag, his eyes nervously scanning his surroundings, then he pretended to browse through the books and slowly approached.
In the instant they brushed past each other, the apprentice swiftly stuffed a palm-sized, hard object wrapped in newspaper into the open tote bag Lin Chen was carrying. At the same time, Lin Chen smoothly slipped a small cloth bag containing an encryption device, which he had prepared beforehand, into the side pocket of the apprentice's open canvas bag.
The whole process was silent, taking less than three seconds. The apprentice didn't stop, immediately turning and walking towards another area, as if he had just happened to be passing by.
The item was delivered! Lin Chen suppressed his excitement, tightly clutching the hard, newspaper-wrapped object in his reusable shopping bag—it must be the blank USB drive Chen Kai had prepared, perhaps containing other instructions or tools. He didn't dare check it immediately, quickly leaving the bookshelf area and heading towards the stairs.
However, just as he was about to descend the stairs, two tall men in black jackets appeared on either side of him like ghosts, silently flanking him.
"Mr. Lin, President Lu wants to see you." The man on the left spoke in a deep voice, carrying an undeniable force, one hand already subtly gripping Lin Chen's arm.
Lin Chen froze, his blood running cold. They had found him after all! Had they been watching him outside the library, or did they have an informant inside?
He didn't struggle, knowing it was futile. He was "escorted" by the two men, not towards the library entrance, but led towards the fire escape leading to the rooftop.
On the rooftop, the wind howled, blurring the city's hustle and bustle into a distant background noise. Lu Tianyu stood with his back to him on the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the city gradually awakening below. He was still wearing a well-tailored suit, his figure upright, and his refined elegance unchanged.