The elegant ambiance of Tianze seemed to fade into the background as Su Wanyan pressed the phone closer to her ear, her back still turned to the camera. Su Wanyan listened intently, her golden-rimmed glasses slightly askew from the tension. The gentle classical music continued playing softly, but it no longer registered in her mind.
The barrage on the live stream was clamoring for them to turn their mics back on, but unfortunately the two didn't know, and even if they did, they wouldn't turn it back on. Meanwhile, Su Wanyan's focus was entirely on the chaotic sounds coming through the line—hurried footsteps, overlapping shouts, and the unmistakable edge of panic.
