You are my mission

Autumn hues filled the park, fallen leaves carpeting the paths. Su Xiaoxi mechanically memorized each surveillance camera and escape route Lin Yi pointed out, but her heart felt torn in two. 

When they reached a secluded woodland trail, Lin Yi suddenly stopped and held out an arm to block her. "Someone's here." 

Su Xiaoxi tensed immediately—but it was too late. Three men stepped out from behind the trees, led by the same masked man from the alley that day. 

"Finally found you," the man sneered, pulling out a handgun. "Hand over the photo, and we'll let you die intact." 

Lin Yi instantly shielded Su Xiaoxi, his right hand moving toward his waist. "Run. Remember the route I taught you." 

"No!" Su Xiaoxi grabbed his sleeve. 

A gunshot rang out. Lin Yi shoved her aside, twisting away as the bullet grazed his shoulder. Blood instantly bloomed across his white shirt. Su Xiaoxi screamed as he pushed her behind a thick tree. 

"On three, run east," he whispered, drawing his own gun. "One, two—" 

The count of three was drowned out by another volley of gunfire. Lin Yi returned fire without hesitation, a single shot striking the leader's arm. The man howled, his gun clattering to the ground. 

"Go!" Lin Yi shoved her forward. 

Su Xiaoxi sprinted eastward, gunfire still echoing behind her. After rounding several turns, she realized Lin Yi hadn't followed. Dread crashed over her—he was injured, maybe worse... 

She immediately doubled back, retracing her steps quietly. The gunfire had stopped, the woods now eerily silent. Peering through the bushes, she saw Lin Yi kneeling on one knee, his shoulder drenched in blood, but his gun still trained ahead—two assailants lay groaning on the ground, the third nowhere in sight. 

"Lin Yi!" Su Xiaoxi rushed out, catching him as he swayed unsteadily. 

"I told you to run..." His voice was faint, his face frighteningly pale. 

"Shut up, I'm getting you out of here," she gritted out, hauling him up and following the memorized route toward the nearest exit. 

Every step felt like dragging a mountain, but fear lent her strength. Lin Yi's weight pressed into her, his warm blood seeping through her coat. They finally flagged down a taxi, and Su Xiaoxi lied about a sports injury, directing the driver straight to the safe house.