Ice skates forward, regardless of east or west.

1

When Gu Xidong boarded the "Golden Bird Flower," it was not yet fully light.

The gambling ship was anchored in international waters. He climbed the gangway, his steps unsteady—not out of fear, but out of exhaustion.

I haven't slept much for three days, my wound is still hurting, and my mind is a jumble of thoughts.

Ye Shen was waiting for him on the deck.

"They arrived pretty quickly," Ye Shen said. "Didn't you encounter any sea police on the way?"

"The money you gave me is enough to buy the access." Gu Xidong tossed his backpack onto the deck. "Where is he?"

"What's the rush?" Ye Shen clapped his hands, and two men in black suits walked over and searched Gu Xidong.

Their movements were very professional; they even checked the soles of their shoes. When they found the gun Old Gun had given them, Ye Shen raised an eyebrow.

"That's it?" He picked up the old-fashioned pistol with only four bullets left. "You really think you can save someone with this thing?"

"We have to give it a try," Gu Xidong said.

Ye Shen laughed and tossed the gun to his subordinate: "Keep it, as a souvenir. You won't need it anyway."

He led Gu Xidong inside.

The interior of the gambling ship is even larger than it appears from the outside. The hall is filled with gambling tables, including roulette, blackjack, dominoes, and all sorts of games.

It's not peak season yet, but there are still quite a few people playing, their eyes bloodshot as they stare at the cards or dice like hungry ghosts eyeing meat.

Passing through the hall, down a long corridor covered with a red carpet, at the end is a double door.

Two uniformed men stood by the door and pushed it open when they saw Ye Shen.

Inside is a luxury suite, big enough to ice skate in.

The sea is visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the curtains are half-drawn.

Ling Wuwen sat on the sofa in the center of the room, wearing a white silk robe, his hair still wet.

She kept her head down and didn't look at the doorway.

The child was not in her arms.

Gu Xidong's heart sank.

"Go on," Ye Shen gave him a push from behind, "How touching it is for husband and wife to reunite."

Gu Xidong walked to the sofa.

Ling Wuwen slowly raised his head, but his eyes were empty, and he did not make a sound.

"Where is the child?" Gu Xidong asked.

"In a safe place." Ye Shen leaned against the doorframe.

"Don't worry, we didn't touch her. Such a precious 'sample' needs to be carefully nurtured."

Gu Xidong squatted down and took Ling Wuwen's hand in his. Her hand was icy cold and trembling.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Ling Wuwen nodded, then shook his head.

She gently traced her fingers across his palm a few times—

It's Morse code; they learned it during their training. She's writing: There are monitors, six.

Gu Xidong understood. There were at least six cameras filming them in the room.

"Are you stupid?" he suddenly raised his voice, his tone becoming very aggressive.

"I told you not to run around, but you wouldn't listen! Now look what happened! You got caught and brought this place here, and you've even dragged the child into it!"

Ling Wuwen was stunned.

She stared at him, her gaze shifting from blank to confused, and then she slowly understood something.

"I..." she began, her voice hoarse, "I wanted to save you..."

"Save me?" Gu Xidong stood up.

"What makes you think you can save me? You? Do you even know how much effort I've put in these past three years to find out what happened back then? And here you are, offering yourself up as a hostage!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and the veins on his forehead bulged out.

This isn't an act—at least not entirely.

All the resentment, exhaustion, and fear that had been building up over the past three years surged up at this moment.

Ling Wuwen's eyes reddened.

She stood up; her robe hung loosely, making her look particularly thin.

"Gu Xidong," she said, her voice still hoarse but with a bit more strength, "say it again."

"I said you're a burden!" Gu Xidong roared back.

"It's been like this for three years! If it weren't for you, I would have left long ago! I would have left this awful place long ago!"

That's a really harsh statement.

Ling Wuwen's face was pale. She stared at him, tears falling silently onto the carpet.

The room was eerily quiet.

Ye Shen watched from the doorway, his face expressionless, but his eyes gleaming—he liked watching this.

"Okay," Ling Wuwen nodded slowly, "Okay... so that's what you think."

She suddenly rushed over and slapped Gu Xidong across the face.

It made a really loud snap.

2

Gu Xidong didn't dodge and took the blow head-on. His face burned with pain, and he tasted blood in his mouth.

He looked at Ling Wuwen, and she looked at him too, her eyes frighteningly red, but her gaze was clear—

She was cooperating with the acting, and she was really into the role.

"Get out," Ling Wuwen said, his voice low, but each word was like a knife. "I don't want to see you again."

Gu Xidong touched his face, turned around and walked out.

As he passed Ye Shen, Ye Shen reached out and stopped him.

"Excellent," Ye Shen said.

"That's really exciting. I love watching people hurt each other; it's even more entertaining than a movie."

Gu Xidong ignored him and walked straight out of the room.

The door closed behind him, and he could still hear Ling Wuwen crying inside—not faking it, but real crying, a heart-wrenching cry.

Ye Shen followed him out and patted him on the shoulder:

"Don't be sad, women are all the same. I'll find you someone better after this is all over."

"Where is the child?" Gu Xidong asked again.

"I'll show you tonight," Ye Shen said.

"Now, let me show you the 'Final Stage'."

They took the elevator down. The casino ship has seven decks, but the bottom two decks are inaccessible to regular guests; they need to use a card.

Ye Shen swiped his card, and the elevator descended, stopping when the numbers reached B2.

The door opened, and outside was a completely different place.

It resembles a small stadium.

In the middle is a standard ice rink, the ice surface has just been poured and is as smooth as a mirror.

There are seats all around, enough to seat several hundred people. But the most eye-catching things are the equipment on the side of the venue—cameras, lighting rigs, and several complex-looking machines connected by cables and pipes.

"This is..." Gu Xidong asked.

"Your stage." Ye Shen walked to the edge of the ice rink and stomped his foot.

"Three days from now, right here, is the World Figure Skating Tour Grand Final. It will be broadcast live globally, with an estimated 200 million viewers."

He turned to look at Gu Xidong:

"And you will appear as a special guest performer. Halfway through the performance, you will suddenly fall ill, rush onto the judges' table, and attack the head judge with a blade hidden in your skate."

Gu Xidong stared at the ice surface. The ice reflected the lights, appearing as a blinding white expanse.

"Where are the blades?" he asked.

"I'll give it to you," Ye Shen said.

"It's specially made; it looks like a regular ice skate, but it pops out when you press a button on the heel. It's not long, but long enough to slit a throat."

He said it casually.

"Why do I have to do it myself?" Gu Xidong said. "Can't we just find a clone?"

"Because you are 'Gu Xidong'." Ye Shen walked up to him.

"A genius three years ago, a victim ruined by a conspiracy, a vengeful madman—what a great story. No matter how similar the clone is, it's not you. What the audience wants to see is you, the 'real' person, going mad."

He paused:

"Moreover, we conducted tests. Your gene sequence, your movement data, your neural response patterns... you are the perfect 'weapon.' With someone else, the effect is reduced by half."

Gu Xidong didn't speak. He looked at the ice rink, at the cameras, and imagined what it would be like three days later when the place was full of people.

Imagine yourself standing on ice, music starts, he glides out, jumps, spins, and then—

Then he became a murderer.

"Where are Ling Wuwen and the children?" he asked. "After I finish this, will you let them go?"

"Of course," Ye Shen smiled.

"I keep my word. After this is done, I'll give you new identities and enough money to live on. You can go wherever you want, and I promise I won't cause you any trouble."

He spoke with utmost sincerity. But Gu Xidong didn't believe a word he said.

"It's normal that you don't trust me now." Ye Shen saw through his thoughts.

"I'll let you see the child in a bit, then you'll know I haven't mistreated her."

He then led Gu Xidong further inside. Behind the ice rink were rooms resembling a small hospital, equipped with operating tables, monitors, and medicine cabinets.

At the very back is a nursery, which can be seen through the glass.

The child lay in the crib, covered with a light blue blanket, sleeping soundly.

She doesn't look much different, except that she's a little heavier than she was three days ago.

A woman in a nurse's uniform was sitting by the bed, watching a tablet.

"We're giving her the best care," Ye Shen said.

"The formula is specially made with added nutrients. We check her twice a day to make sure she's healthy."

Gu Xidong stared at the child. He wanted to go in, but Ye Shen held him back.

"Just take a look," Ye Shen said.

"You can't touch her now. You can hug her as much as you want after this is over."

"Can Ling Wuwen come to see her?"

"I can watch it for ten minutes every day," Ye Shen said.

"Under surveillance. This is for your own good—if Ling Wuwen gets too close to the child, she's prone to impulsiveness and doing foolish things."

Gu Xidong knew what he was talking about.

By using the child as leverage, Ling Wuwen had no choice but to obey.

"I want to talk to her," Gu Xidong said, "just the two of us."

"No," Ye Shen shook his head.

"You two just had a fight, it's not a good time to meet. Let's wait until tonight, I'll arrange for you to 'bump into' each other at a restaurant. Remember, keep up the act, don't give yourself away."

He glanced at his watch:

"Go back to your room and rest. Your room is on the fifth floor, 518. Just call for service if you need anything to eat or drink. Don't wander around; some areas on the ship... aren't very safe."

Two men in black suits walked over and gestured for Gu Xidong to follow them.

The room on the fifth floor was also nice, with a bed, sofa, and bathroom, and the window offered a view of the sea.

But the window couldn't be opened, and the door was locked from the outside. Gu Xidong sat on the bed, stared blankly for a while, and then began to check the room.

Sure enough, there was a camera.

3

There's a small red dot in the smoke detector on the ceiling, flashing on and off.

There might be one behind the bathroom mirror too. He pretended not to know, took off his coat, lay down, closed his eyes, but his mind was racing.

Ling Wuwen's gaze just now, the Morse code his fingers drew on his palm, and that slap—

She was telling him that she understood and that she was cooperating.

But they needed a plan. A plan that could rescue the child, escape the ship, and also turn the tables on Ye Shen.

Gu Xidong thought of the clones in the Northern City.

B-3 and the others should be with Ling Yaqin now, but it's unclear whether Ling Yaqin will help.

That woman is too complicated; she'll help you if she wants to, and she'll sell you if she wants to.

He fell asleep while thinking about it.

In his dream, there was only ice. He was gliding on it, faster and faster, but he couldn't stop.

The referee's stand was just ahead. He saw Ling Wuwen sitting there, holding a child, and shaking his head at him.

When I woke up, it was already dark.

Someone knocked on the door and brought dinner—steak, salad, soup, and a glass of red wine.

Gu Xidong ate it; it tasted good, but he couldn't taste the flavor.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the door opened.

The same two men in black suits said, "Mr. Ye would like to invite you to the restaurant."

The restaurant is on the second floor; it's quite large and has dozens of tables.

It's peak dining time, and the place is packed with people—gamblers, tourists, and performers hired from the ship.

The music was soft, the lights were dim, and the air was filled with the aromas of food and perfume.

Ling Wuwen sat alone by the window.

She changed her clothes; she wore a black dress, and her hair was up, revealing her neck.

She didn't eat anything, she just stared out the window.

Gu Xidong walked over, pulled out the chair opposite her, and sat down.

The waiter came over, and he ordered a glass of water. Only after the waiter left did Ling Wuwen turn back to look at him.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

"Does your face still hurt?" Ling Wuwen asked first.

"You've got a strong grip." Gu Xidong touched his face. "Have you trained?"

"I practiced grappling techniques at the police academy," Ling Wuwen said. "I never imagined I'd use them on your face for the first time."

She spoke calmly, but Gu Xidong noticed that her hand on the table was trembling.

"I saw the child," he said. "He seems alright."

Ling Wuwen nodded:

"I get to see her for ten minutes every day. They feed her special formula and do tests. But I know what they're up to—they want to mold her into the next guinea pig."

She spoke in a low voice, but every word was filled with hatred.

"We need to get her out of here," Gu Xidong said.

"How can we save him?" Ling Wu asked.

"There are at least a hundred of their men on this ship. There are two of us, with one gun and four bullets."

"We don't necessarily have to force it," Gu Xidong said.

"Ye Shen asked me to 'perform' on the ice rink in three days, which would be broadcast live worldwide. That was an opportunity—there would be a lot of people, it would be chaotic, and all the attention would be on me."

Ling Wuwen stared at him: "You want to make a move during the live stream?"

"Only at that time," Gu Xidong said. "At other times, we are watched too closely."

He paused, then said, "But I need your help. You'll bring the kids and wait for me backstage. I'll create chaos, and you can slip away in the confusion."

"And you?"

"I have a way to get away."

Ling Wuwen shook his head:

"You're lying to me. You have no way to get away. Ye Shen won't let you leave the ice rink alive—after you 'go crazy' and attack the referee, they'll 'shoot you on the spot.' That's how the story is complete: a genius becomes a madman and is punished by justice."

Gu Xidong remained silent. He knew Ling Wuwen was right.

"Then let's die together," Ling Wuwen said. "Anyway, I don't want to live anymore."

"Where's the child?" Gu Xidong asked. "You want her to die with us?"

Ling Wuwen fell silent. She turned to look out the window; the sea was pitch black, with only a small patch of light emanating from the ship's lamps.

"I have a way," Gu Xidong said, "but it requires taking a gamble."

"What are we betting on?"

"I'm betting that Ling Yaqin hasn't completely given up on us yet," Gu Xidong said in a low voice.

"Ye Shen said there are seven executors for the 'Gu Raising Plan.' Ling Yaqin should know where the others are. If we can pull Ye Shen's trail and uncover the people behind him..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Ling Wuwen understood.

"You'll be the bait," she said.

"I was bait from the start," Gu Xidong said with a wry smile. "I've been for three years."

4

The waiter brought water.

The two paused their conversation, and after the waiter left, Gu Xidong continued:

"Ye Shen will show me the specific layout of the ice rink tonight. I will remember the security positions, exits, and blind spots in the surveillance cameras. When you go to see the baby tomorrow, pay attention to the area around the nursery—how many guards are there, their shift changes, and whether there are ventilation ducts."

"Ventilation ducts?"

"Old-fashioned ships all have these," Gu Xidong said. "They're for maintenance, and they can connect to all the floors. If we could find the plumbing diagrams..."

"I'll go find them," Ling Wuwen said, "but I need the tools."

Gu Xidong thought for a moment, then took out a small object from his pocket—a paperclip—and straightened it.

"Will this work?"

Ling Wuwen took it and hid it in his hand: "That's enough. I'll try to get to the ship's library or office tomorrow; they should have the ship's structural blueprints."

The two then discussed some more details.

When to meet, what code to use, and how to deal with being discovered.

As they talked, Gu Xidong suddenly felt as if he had returned to three years ago, when they had just gotten together—

They would get together to discuss things, one speaking and the other taking notes, their eyes shining.

Back then, we were discussing how to win the competition. Now, we're discussing how to survive.

"That's about enough." Gu Xidong looked around. "It's time for a fight."

Ling Wuwen took a deep breath, then suddenly stood up and splashed the water from the cup onto his face.

"You bastard!" she shouted, her voice trembling with tears.

"I've done so much for you these past three years, and now you're telling me this?"

People around looked over.

Gu Xidong wiped his face and stood up as well: "I'm telling the truth! You're just a burden!"

"Okay!" Ling Wuwen nodded, tears truly streaming down his face.

"From today onwards, we're no longer related! You can die wherever you want!"

She turned and walked away, her high heels clicking on the ground.

Gu Xidong sat down, head down. He could feel the gazes of those around him and hear whispers.

But what he was thinking about was the two words Ling Wuwen had silently uttered as he turned around: "Be careful."

The waiter came over to wipe the table and handed him a towel. He wiped his face, paid the bill, and got up to go back to his room.

As he reached the elevator, Ye Shen suddenly appeared from the side and put his arm around his shoulder.

"You acted well," Ye Shen said, "but next time, just splash water, don't actually hit me. A swollen face doesn't look good on camera."

Gu Xidong remained silent.

"Training starts tomorrow." Ye Shen pressed the elevator button.

"You can use the ice rink to practice those moves. Don't overdo it, save your energy."

The elevator arrived. The two entered, and the doors closed.

"Do you really think I'll do what you say?" Gu Xidong asked.

"You will," Ye Shen said, looking at him. "Because you have no other choice."

The elevator arrived at the fifth floor.

Gu Xidong walked out, glancing back at Ye Shen. Ye Shen was still smiling, his smile illuminated by the elevator lights.

The door closed, and the elevator went down.

Gu Xidong returned to his room and locked the door—though it didn't really matter whether he locked it or not. He sat on the bed, looking out at the dark sea.

Suddenly, he heard a sound. It was very soft, a rustling sound.

He walked to the wall and put his ear to listen.

It's a knocking sound. A regular pattern: three short, three long, three short – the Morse code SOS.

But the rhythm quickly changed again. This time it was: waiting for the right opportunity.

Gu Xidong understood. It was Ling Wuwen, or B-3 and the others, sending him a message from another room.

He picked up his water glass and tapped it back on the wall: Received.

The knocking stopped.

Gu Xidong lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. His mind was filled with images of three days later: the ice rink, the lights, the cameras, the judges' stand, and the blood.

But now he has a plan. Although it's risky and might fail, it's better than sitting idly by and waiting to die.

Outside the window, a large, round moon rose over the sea, watching the ship, the people on board, and the play that hadn't even begun.

In a corner of the ship, Ling Wuwen squatted in front of the ventilation vent, holding a straightened paperclip in his hand, prying open a loose piece of floorboards.

Below the floor is a diagram of the ship's hull structure.

She had to hurry, because dawn was approaching.