Zhou Chenghai turned toward the front door the moment the handle began to move.
For one second, no one else seemed to react properly.
Luo Xin was still kneeling beside Rouxi with both hands hovering over her spine, his face pale enough that Chenghai honestly wondered if the man was about to pass out on top of her.
Yuche had one hand on Rouxi's arm and the other already lifting slightly, like he could kill whatever came through the door without standing.
Lingyun was near the window, fire moving under his skin in a way that made the air around him feel sharp, while Commander Li's men were split between watching the burning jungle outside and staring at Rouxi as she continued to scream without waking.
Chenghai hated that sound.
He hated it more than the fire, more than the smoke, and more than the fact that someone outside had apparently decided that burning down their defenses was a reasonable way to introduce themselves.
