The White Olive Tree

Chapter 18

Song Ran saw his face clearly, and the tense nerves in her body snapped in an instant. She felt her limbs go weak, and tears silently streamed down her face.

He used one hand to support her, and she struggled to stand steady.

Gunshots echoed in the alley, trailing them.

Li Zan lifted the face mask to cover his face again with one hand and swiftly turned into another alley, pulling Song Ran along.

The alley was narrow, and both sides were packed with residential buildings.

While running, Li Zan surveyed the houses. Spotting a house with its window closed, he immediately opened it without hesitation and lifted Song Ran, placing her inside.

Song Ran understood and jumped into the room. Li Zan propped himself on the inner windowsill and leaped into the room, not a speck of dust touching him from the outside window ledge.

Song Ran quickly closed the window.

This house was a typical Dongguo desert dwelling, with small windows and thick walls, like a dark and cool fortress. All the valuable furniture and decorations had long been removed.

Just as the two entered the house, footsteps of searchers could be heard outside the window.

Song Ran felt frightened and wanted to climb the stairs to hide. She had just taken a step when Li Zan pulled her back, pressing her against the wall. His large hand quickly covered her mouth, and he moved closer, keeping her tightly pressed against the wall.

In the next moment, a shadow darted past the window beside them. A dark and slender silhouette slid into the room, slowly passing within the illuminated contours drawn by the window ledge on the floor.

Li Zan clenched his teeth, unconsciously pressing Song Ran even tighter against the wall.

Song Ran's heart pounded like a drum, and she tried her best to hold her breath. At this moment, she was even afraid of hearing her own breathing.

The next second, several figures flashed past the window, back and forth. The group of people lost track of their target and gathered near the window, cursing in the language of the Eastern country. Though she couldn't understand the content, the furious anger in their assembly was palpable.

Separated by a wall, Song Ran dared not even breathe, and her body was covered in a mix of hot and cold sweat. She looked up at Li Zan; he was very close, with his jaw almost touching her forehead.

His brow was tightly furrowed, and above the face mask, only his striking eyes were visible, unblinking as they stared at the window, sharp as an eagle's gaze. His right hand and the forearm held a rifle, with visible veins bulging on the back of his hand.

After a round of angry cursing, suddenly, someone said something towards the direction of the window. A figure approached the window, raising their hand to push it open.

Song Ran stared wide-eyed at Li Zan; however, he kept a close watch on that hand, and the right hand holding the gun slowly lifted.

He emitted an aura of ruthlessness, pressing down with an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Just as the person was about to push the window, someone said something. The person touched the dust on the windowsill and replied. It occurred to Song Ran that Li Zan hadn't disturbed the dust on the windowsill when he entered.

The person outside, judging that there was no one inside, turned to leave. At that moment, a gunshot rang out, and a figure outside the window fell to the ground.