The moment that deep, commanding voice echoed from outside the mall's entrance, the entire atmosphere froze.
The relief that had just begun to settle among the costumers and staff vanished instantly
Every head turned toward the entrance. The manager swallowed nervously before slowly looking outside.
The moment he saw what was waiting there His eyes widened in shock. And he wasn't the only one.
Everyone present stood frozen in disbelief. Outside the mall stood an imposing security formation. At the front were four senior police officers.
They wore dark navy-blue uniforms decorated with shining insignias and polished name badges. The three stars on their shoulders clearly indicated their high-ranking positions.
Their stern expressions and commanding presence made it obvious that they were far from ordinary officers.
Standing beside them were five elite security guards.
Dressed in perfectly tailored black suits, they stood with disciplined posture and vigilant eyes, carefully observing every corner of the surroundings.
They looked less like bodyguards and more like professionals trained for high-risk situations.
Yet none of them drew as much attention as the man standing at the very front. Secretary Mr. Zhao. He stood calmly before the entire formation.
A high-tech tablet rested in one hand while a pair of silver-rimmed glasses sat neatly on his face.
His perfectly fitted silver-gray suit and composed demeanor gave off an unmistakable aura of authority.
He didn't need to say anything. His presence alone commanded respect.
Behind them, five black luxury sedans stood in a perfect line. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Under the glow of nearby buildings and storefront lights, the vehicles reflected a sleek and intimidating brilliance.
The convoy looked like something reserved for a powerful figure..The entire atmosphere shifted.
Fear was slowly being replaced by authority. Then—
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Mr. Zhao stepped forward. Each measured footstep echoed through the entrance hall.
As he entered the mall, everyone instinctively straightened their posture.
Adjusting his glasses calmly, he swept his sharp gaze across the devastated scene.
The shattered glass. The destroyed stores. The burn marks left behind by the explosions. And finally—
The bound figure of Youlang and his men. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Then his deep, commanding voice echoed throughout the mall.
"No customer is... leaving this.. mall yet."
There was no anger on his face no panic. only a cold, composed authority that instantly brought order to the chotic atmosphere
His sharp eyes slowly swept across the mall. The frightened customers The exhausted staff.
The destruction left behind by the explosions. Nothing escaped his attention His presence alone was enough to calm the crowd.
Silence gradually settled over the area Then Mr. Zhao turned his gaze toward the manager His expression remained completely serious.
"Conduct an immediate.. medical inspection of every..customer."
His voice was firm and unquestionable.
"Make sure no one.. has been injured. Anyone requiring treatment should receive.. medical attention.. immediately."
After a brief pause, he continued in an even more serious tone.
"And until it is confirmed that... everyone is safe, no one is permitted to.. leave."
It wasn't merely an order It was the decision of a responsible leader. The manager instantly straightened his posture.
Respect flashed across his face.
"Yes, sir!"
he replied without hesitation.
"We'll begin.. checking everyone immediately and.. provide treatment to anyone..who needs it."
Mr. Zhao simply nodded Yet even that small gesture carried undeniable authority.
The moment the manager finished speaking, a cold glint appeared in Mr. Zhao's eyes
Without saying a word, he started at the manager for several seconds. The pressure behind that gaze was overwhelming.
It felt as though every mistake and excuse was being exposed before him Then, in a firm voice, he asked,
"Where exactly... were you?"
His deep voice echoed throughout the mall.
"And more.. importantly..."
His gaze shifted toward the bound figure of Youlang.
"How did Youlang.. enter this.. mall?"
His expression hardened.
"Where was our.. security?"
"What were the guards.. doing?"
"And who is going to.. answer for such a massive security... failure?"
Each question carried more weight than the last Silence immediately descended over the entire mall.
The staff members who had only recently begun to relax became tense once again.
No one dared to interrupt The manager's throat went dry Straightening his posture, he lowered his head. Guilt and shame were clearly visible on his face.
"I apologize, Mr. Zhao..."
His voice trembled slightly.
"This is entirely my... responsibility...You trusted me to oversee the..mall while you.. were away..."But I failed to fulfill that.. responsibility properly."
His fists tightened unconsciously Disappointment in himself was evident Seeing the manager's sincere remorse, Mr. Zhao's anger eased slightly.
At the very least, the man was taking responsibility After a brief silence, the manager slowly raised his head and continued.
"Sir..."When I left my office.. and entered the.. main area..."
His eyes briefly moved toward Youlang.
"He was already...there...And not only was.. he there...He had already taken control of the.. entire situation."
The memory caused frustration to flash across his face.
"But the.. strangest part was..."
"I couldn't find a single one of our... security guards.. anywhere."
Several staff members exchanged confused glances They had clearly noticed the same thing The manager took a deep breath before continuing.
"However, please don't.. worry."
His tone became firmer.
"Youlang and all of his men.. are now completely.. restrained...there is no chance of them..escaping."
After hearing those words, the frightened customers and staff remained silent.
Their eyes instinctively shifted toward the bound criminals Once again, silence filled the mall But this time,
it wasn't the silence of fear. It was the silence that comes before the truth is revealed.
A cold fury flashed across Mr. Zhao's face. Grinding his teeth, he swept a sharp gaze across the mall before speaking in a heavy voice.
"It seems Youlang bribed... our security guards with a large.. amount of money... that's why every one of them..disappeared when they were... needed most."
The suppressed anger in his voice was enough to make the surrounding staff tremble.
A moment later, his piercing gaze shifted toward Youlang and his men..They were still tightly bound to their chairs. Some hung their
heads weakly while others drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness. Seeing their miserable state, a cold smile appeared on Mr. Zhao's lips.
"But it.. doesn't matter.. anymore..."
His voice turned icy.
"Everyone will receive.. their punishment."
Silence instantly engulfed the entire mall.
The staff, customers, and even the manager quietly stared at the defeated criminals. It was obvious that their fate had already been decided.
At that moment, the manager turned toward the Senior Fashion Consultant standing nearby.
"Shinu!"
he called out firmly.
"Go to the medical room... and bring the first-aid kit.. immediately. We need to treat all injured... customers, and I'm..putting you in charge of.. it."
Shinu nodded confidently.
"Don't worry, Sir. I've received medical..training. I'll handle... everything."
Without wasting another second, she turned around and hurried toward the medical room.
As soon as she left, Mr. Zhao shifted his attention toward the police officers.
Pointing at Youlang and his men, he said in a commanding voice,
"Officers, these are the.. criminals."
"Take them into custody.. immediately. Their crimes are far too serious.. to be overlooked. I want them to.. face the full consequences... of their actions."
After a brief pause, he added coldly,
"The mall owner... will personally provide all the.. necessary evidence and..testimony against them."
"It's time for them.. to pay for every crime... they've committed."
The moment Mr. Zhao finished speaking, one of the senior officers stepped forward.
The Senior officer cast a cold glance of Youlang and his men.
"Prisons exit for people...like this!"
He said firmly.
"A place where they.. can pay for very crime they've.. committed!"
With that, he raised a hand and ordered,
"Take them.. away."
The officers immediately moved into action.
They removed the scarves stuffed into the gangsters' mouths and untied the ropes binding them.
However, the moment two of the gangsters were freed, their legs gave out.
THUD!
They collapsed onto the floor.
"Aaaagh!" Aaaaaghh"!
Painful screams echoed through the mall. The officers showed no sympathy. They grabbed the men firmly and forced them back to their feet.
Another officer pulled Youlang up. The once-arrogant gang leader now looked pathetic.
His clothes were torn, his face was swollen, and all traces of confidence had vanished.
Surrounded by police, the defeated gang was slowly escorted toward the exit.
Just then—Rapid footsteps echoed through the hall Everyone turned.
Shinu, the Senior Fashion Consultant, came running while carrying a first-aid kit.
Stopping before the customers, she spoke in a calm and reassuring voice.
"Please come forward.. one at a.. time."
Opening the kit, she continued,
"Anyone who has.. been injured, let me examine you. I'll provide.. treatment, and afterward you'll all be... able to return home.. safely."
Her gentle words brought visible relief to the frightened customers For the first time since the nightmare began, hope appeared on their faces.
Then a young man carefully pushed his mother's wheelchair forward. Looking worried, he stopped in front of Shinu and said,
"Miss... my mother is.. injured."
He tightened his grip on the wheelchair.
"Please treat.. her first."
Hearing the concern in his voice, Shinu's expression softened She immediately crouched beside the woman and said kindly,
"Of course. Don't worry."
"I'll check... her first."
As she began examining the woman's injuries, Shinu notice a deep wound near the woman's knees.
The blood had already dried but it was obvious she had suffered greatly.
Looking at the exhausted woman, she offered a warm smile.
"Please don't..worry."
Her voice was gentle and reassuring.
"You're completely safe... now. Once I finish the treatment, you'll be able to.. return home safely."
Hearing those comforting words, a faint smile appeared on the woman's tired face Her son also sighed in relief.
Shinu immediately opened the first-aid kit and began treating her injuries carefully.
The sight brought comfort to everyone nearby Even the manager and Mr. Zhao felt some of the tension leave their shoulders.
The nightmare was finally coming to an end Youlang and his men had been taken into police custody.
The customers were safe And peace was slowly returning to the mall.
One by one, the remaining customers received treatment But then—
Thud... Thud... Thud...
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed from deep within the mall Everyone instantly turned toward the dark corridor.
The entire hall fell silent And then, A tall, imposing silhouette emerged from the shadows At the front was Zavian.
His expression remained calm and unreadable, while his presence alone commanded attention.
Behind him walked Fangxi And alongside them were Sheyaan, Younshu, and Alisha.
The five walked forward with quiet confidence There was no fear left on their faces.
Only relief and the satisfaction of survival As they stepped fully into the light, many people couldn't help but stare.
Even Mr. Zhao froze briefly He had never seen these young people before.
Yet something about them felt extraordinary Soon, the group stopped before the staff.
Zavian's sharp gaze swept across the hall before finally meeting Mr. Zhao's eyes.
A strange tension filled the air.Mr. Zhao frowned and turned toward the manager.
"Who are they?"
His voice carried both surprise and suspicion The manager straightened immediately With sincere respect, he replied,
"Sir..."
His eyes briefly moved toward Zavian and the others.
"If we're all...standing here alive..today...it's because of them."
Mr. Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly The manager continued,
"They risked their.. lives to stop Youlang and..his men And more.. importantly..."
Respect filled his voice.
"They played the biggest role... in finding and stopping the deadly.. bombs planted throughout..the mall."
The surrounding staff nodded in agreement Many customers now looked at the five with gratitude and admiration Silence filled the hall.
As soon as the manager finished speaking, Mr. Zhao carefully observed the five young people.
His sharp eyes moved from Zavian to Fangxi, then to Sheyaan, Alisha, and Younshu.
It was as if he was trying to measure the unusual presence hidden within them.
After a brief silence, the manager turned toward Fangxi and Zavian.
"Are all the...bombs really.. defused?"
he asked anxiously.
"There's no.. danger left anymore,. right?"
Fangxi nodded calmly.
"Don't.. worry."
His voice was firm and confident.
"Every bomb in the.. mall has been completely.. defused."
Then he added,
"There is no... danger here.. anymore."
The manager immediately sighed in relief A grateful smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you... truly."
His voice carried genuine emotion.
"You all helped us.. during the worst moment..of our lives..Thank you so..much."
Hearing that, Sheyaan smiled warmly.
"You don't need.. to thank us."
Her voice was gentle.
"Helping people was..simply the right thing..to do..It was our.. responsibility."
Her innocent words brought smiles to many faces around the mall However One person remained completely serious.
Mr. Zhao. He continued staring at the group in silence Then Fangxi spoke.
"We should get..going now."
With a tired smile, he added,
"We've been stuck.. in this mess since.. morning."
The manager nodded.
"Of course."
Then he smiled again.
"But once again.., thank you."
The five nodded politely smile began walking toward the exit For the first time all day, their steps felt light.
The nightmare was finally over Or so everyone thought Then—
"STOP."
A deep, commanding voice suddenly echoed through the mall. The atmosphere froze instantly Everyone turned around.
Mr. Zhao stood there with an even more serious expression than before.
His sharp gaze remained fixed on the five Then he said slowly,
"You cannot leave..like this."
The entire hall fell silent The manager looked shocked The staff exchanged confused glances Even Fangxi frowned slightly.
Only one question remained in everyone's mind Why was Mr. Zhao stopping them?
And more importantly...What did he want from them?