Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Catching the Traitor

Once she got the answer she needed, Lin Nannan said to the person, "Let's go find Commander Zhang!"

The two went together and found Zhang Shengguo. While keeping an eye on the situation outside as he stayed with Lu Hang, Zhang Shengguo asked anxiously upon seeing Lin Nannan enter, "Any news?"

Lin Nannan stepped aside to let the person behind her come forward.

The person presented the portrait Lin Nannan had drawn and said earnestly and solemnly, "Sir, reporting. We’ve identified the traitor. We’ve questioned multiple witnesses, and their testimonies are consistent."

"Him?!" Zhang Shengguo was unsure whether to be shocked that Zhu Yu was the traitor or amazed by Lin Nannan’s uncanny drawing skills upon seeing the portrait.

Lin Nannan walked over to Lu Hang, pulled up a stool to sit beside him, and, noticing Commander Zhang’s disbelief, remarked to Lu Hang, "This snake hid deep!"

Lu Hang was the one who was the most shaken. After all, they had lived and worked together, yet he never suspected a brother would stab him in the back.

"Indeed. On the surface, he never made waves, was generous and easygoing, rarely lost his temper, and had their backs like no other." The last sentence was uttered through gritted teeth.

Lin Nannan patted his back soothingly. "Don’t waste your rage on him."

Lu Hang took a deep breath to rein in his fury. The man didn’t deserve it, but they had all treated him as a brother, trusting him with their lives in the most dangerous moments.

Yet it was this very person who had betrayed them!

"He got dozens of our brothers killed!" he said bitterly.

"Then we’ll dig out everyone behind him and avenge the fallen," Lin Nannan reassured him.

Zhang Shengguo was seething. Staring at Zhu Yu’s amiable face, his fists flexed white-knuckled before turning to Lu Hang. "We all knew there was a mole in the unit. We assumed it was someone who had contact with you and knew about the mission. Never crossed our minds it’d be someone outside the op."

"That’s why he flew under the radar!" Lu Hang said grimly. "This time, my appearance spooked him. He was afraid I’d remember something, afraid you’d suspect him, so he went for the kill."

No matter how furious he was, Zhang Shengguo’s first priority was to arrest the traitor.

With evidence in hand, he couldn’t wait another moment.

A Zhang was recalled to hold the fort with a team to protect Lu Hang and the others while Zhang Shengguo led the arrest operation.

"What’s going on?" A Zhang asked, bewildered. Seeing Lu Hang’s grim expression, he flinched on reflex.

Even paralyzed, Lu Hang still radiated authority. Combined with the harsh training A Zhang had endured under him, he instinctively shivered.

Lin Nannan kindly explained, "They’re hauling in the rat."

"What?" A Zhang exclaimed. "They know who it is? Already?"

The two remained expressionless, making A Zhang’s heart sink. He lowered his voice and asked, "Who is it?"

They didn’t answer, but Lin Nannan handed him the portrait she had drawn. "Who’s not here is the rat."

A Zhang took it, puzzled. Upon seeing his own portrait, he was startled, then noticed the other familiar faces. Remembering Lin Nannan’s words, he blurted out, "Zhu Yu?"

"Him," Lu Hang said coldly. "Surprised?"

"How could it be him?" A Zhang was incredulous.

"He was acting shady at the hospital, constantly grilling us why A Hang needed another examination, whether he could recover—nonstop. To anyone else, it might’ve seemed like concern, but only he knew the truth. He was afraid A Hang might get better, afraid his treatment here would expose him, afraid A Hang might recall some clue that would lead to his capture. That’s why, knowing we were leaving tomorrow, he made his move." Lin Nannan laid out their suspicions before concluding, "When we entered the guesthouse, outsiders wouldn’t get past the door. Zhu Yu had to vouch for them. Who’d doubt one of their own?"

A Zhang was so shocked that he slumped into the chair, too stunned to speak for a good while.

Lu Hang knew exactly how he felt. After all, before this, he had suspected others but never once doubted A Zhang and the others.

"A Hang, I want to go back and see!" A Zhang suddenly stood up and said, "I'll leave them here to guard you!"

Lu Hang nodded.

If possible, he would have wanted to ask in person too.

"Ask him for me—when he struck, did he hesitate even for a second?"

A Zhang nodded, gripping the portraits tightly, and left without looking back.

The three in the room didn’t speak, but they all knew A Zhang was in such a hurry to return mainly because he wanted to confront Zhu Yu face-to-face. If he missed this chance, there would be no other opportunity.

If he didn’t ask this question, it would be a thorn he’d never remove from his heart.

The room stayed quiet for a long time before Lu Hang finally spoke to Lu Ming, who had been silent the whole time. "A Ming, go to the hospital and check on my mother. Ask about everything—leave nothing out—and come back and tell us."

Lu Ming snapped out of his daze, immediately responding with a quick "yeah, yeah" before saying, "Got it, I’ll go right now!"

After Lu Ming left, their guards kept vigil outside. Lin Nannan brought over the food Jiang Qianqian had bought, unwrapping it as she said, "We should eat first. There might be more people coming later."

This matter was far from trivial—it couldn’t possibly end here.

Lu Hang had no appetite, but with Lin Nannan there, feeding him spoonful by spoonful, he didn’t even get a chance to refuse. He was fed till he was stuffed.

Seeing this, Lin Nannan even reached out uncertainly to pat his stomach, making Lu Hang chuckle despite himself. "Are you treating me like a child?"

Lin Nannan arched a brow. Though she didn’t say it aloud, the implication was clear.

Her playful mood made Lu Hang crack a smile, and his mood improved considerably.

After they finished eating, Lin Nannan worriedly said, "Your parents haven’t eaten yet. I forgot to ask A Ming to bring them something earlier."

"A Ming will take care of it." If he lacked even that much consideration, he’d catch hell at home.

Seeing how messy the room was, Lin Nannan helped Lu Hang back into bed before picking up a broom to clean up the mess on the floor...

Lu Hang kept his gaze fixed on her retreating figure, feeling an unexpected calm settle over his previously turbulent emotions...

His continued silence made Lin Nannan uneasy—she worried he was in pain—so she casually asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Our fate, the two of us." It just came out before he realized he’d voiced his thoughts.

The answer surprised Lin Nannan.

She had expected him to be hung up on the betrayal by his comrade, but instead, he wasn’t even thinking about the traitor.

That was good news, washing her worries away.