Zhao Jun lowered his head and raised his hands slowly, signing an apology. His movements were steady, but the guilt was evident in the way his shoulders stiffened.
I am sorry.
The woman did not reply at once. She stood in front of him, her posture relaxed, her gaze fixed calmly on his face. There was no visible anger in her expression, but the silence that stretched between them felt heavier than any sharp words.
After a long moment, she spoke. "What happened?" Her voice was soft and even, betraying no emotion. "Why did you fail?"
Zhao Jun lowered his head further and began to sign again, recounting everything that had happened. He described the meeting at the dockyard, the detective, and how the woman had appeared.
He explained how things had spiraled out of control, how the woman had resisted, how the chase had unfolded through the darkness, and how she had ultimately escaped despite his efforts.
