Chapter 120: The True Objective
"Can’t you worry less? What if there’s a life-threatening situation later?" Even Bai Shishi, who was used to big events, couldn’t help but worry.
But this was her first time experiencing a bank robbery, and it was inevitable to feel panic.
Lin Tian reassured Bai Shishi, "As long as I’m here, you won’t get hurt!"
Lin Tian hadn’t planned on confronting the robbers, but if they had any designs on Bai Shishi, he would definitely stand up.
Bai Shishi moved her lips, habitually wanting to tease Lin Tian.
Why make such big claims? If you’re so capable, why don’t you just take down these robbers? You’re just like us, cowering with your hands over your head.
But when she saw Lin Tian’s determined gaze and serious expression, she ultimately didn’t say a word.
As for why, Bai Shishi didn’t know, but she felt that there was a sense of security in just that one glance at Lin Tian.
It gave a promise of action and unwavering protection.
As the group of inept robbers failed to rob the bank, all six of them seemed tense. It was evident from the way the bald robber paced around the lounge area, frequently raising his left arm to check the watch on his wrist.
"It seems they’re running out of patience!" Lin Tian could already perceive some clues from their expressions.
Suddenly, the bald robber shouted to his companion still trying to break the bullet-proof glass, "Stop what you’re doing, get ready to leave!"
After shouting, his gaze fixed on the woman, Bai Shishi.
This made Lin Tian’s heart skip a beat. Could they really be targeting Bai Shishi?
"Robbers inside the bank!"
"Listen up! You’re surrounded now!"
"Drop your weapons immediately and come out with your hands on your head!"
At this moment, a flurry of sirens and announcements from a loudspeaker could be heard from outside.
Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the sirens. Thank goodness the police had arrived, ensuring Bai Shishi’s safety.
Only five minutes had passed since the robbers started acting, and the bank’s alarm system alerted right away, showing how fast the police response was.
But soon after, a move from the bald man made Lin Tian frown. The bald robber looked at the time on his left wrist and revealed a sneering and disdainful smile.
"He’s checking the time again, what on earth is he calculating?" Lin Tian had seen the bald robber checking the time more than once.
Initially, he thought it was tension making him calculate the escape time, but now that the police have arrived and are already at the bank entrance, why is he still checking the time?
If it were a regular robber, failing a bank heist and being cornered by the police, he’d be panicking, racking his brain for a way out.
Yet the bald robber was calmly looking at the time?
The vanishing thought resurfaced in Lin Tian’s mind again: Is robbing the bank even their true intention?
Could they really be after Bai Shishi?
After checking the time, the bald robber instructed a companion next to him, "Tell the cops outside if they dare act rashly, the hostages’ safety will be compromised!"
The companion, brandishing a gleaming machete in his right hand, walked to the bank’s main entrance, opened half the door, and shouted outside, "If you dare act rashly, we’ll kill!"
After saying that, he turned without a glance back, entering again.
Arrogant!
Contemptuous!
This courage and audacity made Lin Tian nod inwardly; this group had strong mental fortitude, remaining unfazed by the police, suggesting they were vicious, experienced robbers.
But judging by their clumsy bank robbery methods earlier, they were undoubtedly amateurs!
Such contrasting behaviors left Lin Tian puzzled, increasingly suspecting something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
"These guys dare to threaten the police, launch an immediate assault!" the police captain outside the bank cursed angrily.
"Captain, we mustn’t act rashly. Just got word, there are nearly twenty hostages inside the bank, and the robbers have guns!"
"If we anger the robbers, the consequences could be disastrous!" A male officer nearby hurried to calm the fuming captain, explaining the severity of the situation.
"Are we just supposed to stand here and watch like fools? Get negotiators and snipers here immediately!" the captain cursed again.
"Yes, sir!" The male officer wiped his forehead sweat with his sleeve and acted according to orders.
Inside the bank, the robbers heard the annoying shouting from outside stop and nodded in satisfaction, grinning arrogantly.
Then the bald robber’s gaze passed over the people crouching in the lounge area. Many who met his gaze quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet eyes with him.
The bald robber was naturally selecting a hostage, and among the ten-plus hostages, his eyes finally settled on a striking figure.
"You! Stand up!" The black pistol was aimed at Bai Shishi.
On seeing this, Lin Tian’s heart shouted "bad," but he chose not to act and continued to watch intently.
Bai Shishi was taken aback, clasping her hands tightly together, with no intent to stand up.
She even cast a pleading glance toward Lin Tian, who had earlier boasted of protecting her.
Unfortunately, Lin Tian appeared as if he’d lost his nerve, hands over his head, seemingly trying to bury himself in the ground.
To Bai Shishi, this wasn’t surprising. In a crisis, everyone tries to save themselves.
But Lin Tian’s actions deeply disappointed her; as she thought, men would brag about their deeds in front of you.
Claim to be heroes, saviors, superhuman, omnipotent, and omniscient!
When faced with real emergencies, they vanish instantly, collapsing like a coward.
Never expected Lin Tian to be the same, leaving Bai Shishi utterly disheartened.
"Hey, didn’t you hear me?" The bald robber’s black pistol beckoned playfully, "Miss, I mean you."
"Do you want me to come over personally and invite you to stand up?"
If the robber came closer, who knows what outrageous things he might do.
Thinking this, Bai Shishi gritted her teeth and slowly stood up...
And at this moment, after checking the time again, the bald robber pulled a folded paper from his pocket. He opened it and seriously surveyed it, occasionally looking up at Bai Shishi slowly approaching him.
"Indeed, their real purpose isn’t to rob the bank; it’s Bai Shishi they’re after...!"
Lin Tian saw all of this clearly.
He hadn’t acted out of fear or cowardice but was like a viper waiting for the chance to deliver a fatal strike!