Chapter 288  : Chapter 288  : Shen Chi, Put the Gun Down

Shen Chi’s eyes and hands moved quickly, catching Zhou Peitian’s arm and delivering a side strike right to his chest!

With a “thud,” the gun flew out of Zhou Peitian’s hand, tracing a messy arc through the air!

Due to the enormous force, the gun hit the floor and skidded far away!

Meanwhile, Shen Chi bent Zhou Peitian’s arm backward and gave it a fierce twist, the sound of bones “crackling” and “snapping” resonating from the break.

Zhou Peitian’s men, sensing trouble, rushed into the café.

For a moment, the ship was as quiet as death, but a few seconds later, the crowd erupted in chaos!

“The power’s out! Why is there a blackout on the ship!”

“The wind is blowing so hard, could something have happened?”

“God, it’s not going to capsize, is it? I just heard news a few days ago—a ship capsized, and everyone on board died!”

“Where’s the captain? Where are the crew members? Why isn’t anyone explaining what’s happening?”

Screams from women, cries from children, and curses from men rose and fell in turn.

As Zhou Peitian’s men emerged, Shen Chi’s men also leapt into action.

No one knew who fired the first shot, but with a “bang,” the deep silence of the night was completely shattered!

“Ah!” Zhou Peitian let out a blood-curdling scream as one of his arms was twisted and broken.

Just as Shen Chi’s gun was about to press against his temple, one of Zhou Peitian’s men dragged him back, shielding him with their body.

Bullets came flying; Shen Chi twisted his body to dodge!

The deck of the first-class cabin instantly descended into chaos!

Shen Chi fired his gun, unmercifully targeting Zhou Peitian’s men.

The gunshots were deafening, even Xu Chaomu could hear them.

She had been resting with her eyes closed but suddenly opened them in fright at the sound of gunshots, though she could see nothing.

Bai Man screamed, “Ah! Where is that gunfire coming from! Why are there gunshots, what’s happening!”

“Gege… Gege…” Xu Chaomu began to cry out.

She wasn’t confused now; her mind connected everything from the past few days, and suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.

Bai Man was frantic, “What’s going on? What’s happening outside? Someone, come! Somebody!”

No one responded to their calls, and the gunshots outside grew louder and louder!

Initially just a sporadic few, within minutes, it had spiraled out of control.

Xu Chaomu bowed her head to bite at the ropes binding her, gnawing desperately with a single thought in mind: Shen Chi must not be in trouble.

She wanted him safe, always safe.

The ropes that once felt thick and tough, impossible to chew through, now seemed to give way beneath her teeth, powered by an unknown strength.

Blood flowed from the corner of her mouth; she cast all concerns aside, untying the ropes and pulling off the blindfold.

The glaring light stung her eyes as she stood up, leaning against the wall.

Her legs, numb from sitting for so long, failed to support her weight.

Bai Man’s hearing was sharp; upon hearing the commotion, she quickly shouted, “Xu Chaomu, did you untie your ropes? Are you leaving? Help me untie mine, please!”

“Bai Man, they won’t dare to harm you. Because the person Shen Chi cares about most is you, he won’t let you be hurt in the slightest.”

After speaking, Xu Chaomu walked towards the exit, leaning against the wall.

The area around her heart suddenly ached intensely…

Having just bitten through the ropes, her mouth full of the taste of blood, an acrid smell assaulted her from the corner of her mouth.

She wiped her hand across her mouth; her hand came away covered in blood.

Steadying herself against the wall, she slowly walked forward.

“Xu Chaomu, don’t leave me behind! Take me with you, untie the ropes on me!” Bai Man was in a panic, hearing Xu Chaomu’s footsteps fade.

Xu Chaomu didn’t speak, continuing forward.

The sound of gunfire outside grew louder, each shot seeming to explode in her own chest!

“Gege… Shen Chi… please, don’t let anything happen to you…”

Her heart wrenched, the pain unbearable.

After eight years of constant companionship, she had grown accustomed to every aspect of him; she didn’t want him to die, he simply couldn’t die.

As Xu Chaomu was about to step out of the cabin, there was a “clang”—the cabin door swung open, and a cold wind blew in!

The lights outside were blinding; Xu Chaomu instinctively shielded her eyes.

“To think you’d dare to escape!” The newcomer was Zhou Peitian, who immediately grabbed Xu Chaomu’s arm and dragged her outside.

With one arm disabled by Shen Chi, he concentrated all his strength in the other—his eyes showed nothing but malicious fury, as if he was ready to devour his prey.

“Let me go; where are you taking me? Why are there so many gunshots outside?”

“All thanks to Shen Chi!” Zhou Peitian’s voice was ice-cold.

“It hurts…” Xu Chaomu wrinkled her brow in pain.

Her arm throbbed where he was gripping it, and suddenly, she noticed that Zhou Peitian was covered in blood.

Her eyes widened in terror—what exactly had happened? How was Shen Chi?

Zhou Peitian dragged Xu Chaomu onto the deck, his eyes bloodshot with red veins.

The cold wind seeped into Xu Chaomu’s clothes, sending shivers down her spine and making her shake uncontrollably.

The rain outside was heavy, soaking Xu Chaomu’s hair in a matter of minutes.

So cold, so very cold.

Her wet hair clung to her chin and forehead, refusing to be shaken off.

The sea breeze brought the stench of saltwater, layered with the coppery scent of blood, causing Xu Chaomu to feel nauseous.

She gagged, her large eyes brimming with terror!

As Zhou Peitian tugged Xu Chaomu onto the deck, he pulled out a pistol, pressing it against Xu Chaomu’s temple!

“Shen Chi, drop the fucking gun! Make one more move, and I’ll blow her head off!”

Zhou Peitian’s raspy, murky voice was especially grating!

“Everybody, cease fire!” Shen Chi furrowed his brows, halting in his tracks.

Beneath the night sky, his tall figure loomed even larger. His sharply contoured face, colder than the sea breeze, held a chill in his gaze.

The rain had drenched his clothes and hair, his lips pressed tight, eyes deep and inscrutable.

Everyone stopped, Zhou Peitian’s men retreating to his side.

Shen Chi’s men also ceased fire, standing their ground.

Shen Chi’s gaze fell upon Zhou Peitian’s hands before slowly shifting and finally settling on Xu Chaomu.

She was drenched in blood, her hair a tangled mess, her usually vibrant eyes now devoid of life.

She bit her lips stubbornly, blood seeping from the corners of her mouth.

“Chaomu…” Shen Chi’s voice broke through the tension, hoarse and choked with sorrow.

His Mumu, pure and precious Mumu, how had she come to this…

He couldn’t bring himself to hit her even once on a regular day, always cherishing and protecting her, yet these people had been cruel enough to harm her.

Rainwater trailed down Xu Chaomu’s hair, her large eyes fixed on Shen Chi.

Without saying a word, she just looked at him.

A stabbing pain tore through Shen Chi’s chest, searing agony in every limb.