Feng Wan Chun rushed to the scene, his face etched with tension.
Xu Hua Qiang, a seasoned veteran detective, stood outside the police cordon, explaining the situation to Feng Wan Chun.
He pointed at the old lady's window, where the curtains were drawn shut, not a sliver of light escaping.
"That cunning little Jiang Xiao, he's pulled the curtains tight. We can't see anything inside," Xu Hua Qiang said, his brow furrowed, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Feng Wan Chun nodded, his gaze piercing through the crowd, settling on the closed window.
He imagined Qi Tong Wei inside, engaged in a tense standoff with Jiang Xiao, trying to convince him to release the hostage.
But Jiang Xiao was a desperate man, and no one could guarantee he wouldn't do something crazy.
"Where's Jia Chang Fu? Get him here to check the situation immediately!" Feng Wan Chun commanded decisively.
His presence might offer some help to Qi Tong Wei.
Jia Chang Fu arrived on the scene shortly.
He was dressed in plain clothes, a handgun in hand, his eyes radiating determination and courage.
He crossed the police cordon and stood before the old lady's door.
Meanwhile, Qi Tong Wei was standing outside, engaged in an intense dialogue with Jiang Xiao inside.
He tried to persuade Jiang Xiao to surrender, to release the hostage, appealing to his reason and patience.
But Jiang Xiao, a stubborn man, continued to threaten the police, demanding they leave immediately or he would kill the hostage.
Qi Tong Wei's heart sank.
He couldn't give up.
He took a deep breath and yelled again to Jiang Xiao inside, "Jiang Xiao! Listen! We have the entire place surrounded! You can't escape! But if you release the hostage, we can consider giving you a chance to live!"
However, Jiang Xiao remained unmoved.
He sneered and mocked, "A chance to live? What kind of chance can you give me? I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't live long. But even if I die, I'll take some people down with me!"
Qi Tong Wei's heart lurched.
He knew that Jiang Xiao had slipped into a state of madness, and the situation would only worsen if they continued like this.
They needed to find a way to subdue Jiang Xiao quickly!
Just then, Jia Chang Fu arrived at the door.
Seeing the situation, he immediately charged forward, ready to break down the door.
But Qi Tong Wei grabbed his arm, whispering, "Don't be rash! We don't know what's inside. Jiang Xiao has a gun! We need a foolproof plan!"
Jia Chang Fu nodded, understanding Qi Tong Wei's point.
They couldn't act recklessly, or the situation would only become more dangerous.
At that moment, a roar echoed from inside the room, "You cops! Get out of here, or I'll kill this old woman!"
Qi Tong Wei and Jia Chang Fu exchanged a look, reading each other's unwavering determination in their eyes.
They had to act fast!
Suddenly, the old lady's window swung open!
A woman in her fifties, held at gunpoint by Jiang Xiao, stood trembling at the window.
Her face was etched with fear and helplessness, clearly under Jiang Xiao's control.
"Jiang Xiao! Calm down! Don't hurt innocent people!" Qi Tong Wei shouted.
But Jiang Xiao ignored his plea. He glared fiercely at Qi Tong Wei and Jia Chang Fu, "Listen to me! I'm counting to three. If you don't leave this place, I'll kill this old woman!"
Qi Tong Wei and Jia Chang Fu's hearts raced.
Then, a flash of inspiration struck Qi Tong Wei.
He had an idea!
He immediately told Jia Chang Fu, "Chang Fu! Be ready! When I count to three, you charge in! Remember! Quick, precise, and decisive!"
Jia Chang Fu nodded, gripping his handgun, ready to make his move.
"One!" Qi Tong Wei began to count.
"Two!" Jiang Xiao nervously counted along, his grip tightening on his gun.
"Three!" Qi Tong Wei roared, his voice a thunderous command!
Simultaneously, Jia Chang Fu shot into the room like an arrow released from a bow!
However, at that moment, Jiang Xiao suddenly turned and fired at Qi Tong Wei!
"Bang!" The gunshot rang out!
But the bullet missed Qi Tong Wei!
With no other choice, Qi Tong Wei took cover behind a stone.
"Jiang Xiao, you're surrounded. This is your last chance. Surrender!" Qi Tong Wei's voice echoed through the night, carrying an undeniable authority.
But he was met with silence.
Jiang Xiao, once a successful businessman, was now a trapped animal, struggling in despair.
The gun in his hand was his only solace.
The demolition team was ready, waiting for Qi Tong Wei's order to blast open the locked door.
But Qi Tong Wei hesitated.
He knew that if they detonated the explosives, Jiang Xiao would likely retaliate, putting the hostage's life in danger.
"No, we can't take that risk," Jia Chang Fu argued from the side, "We need to wait for the demolition team to get ready, to make sure it's safe."
But Qi Tong Wei shook his head, his gaze never leaving the door.
He knew he had to make a choice, and that choice would determine the hostage's fate.
Then, a gunshot shattered the night's silence.
Jiang Xiao finally fired, a bullet tracing a fiery line across the night, heading straight for Qi Tong Wei.