32: Ah Zhen's Intuition

That night,

Li Zhan leaned against the headboard in Feifei's bedroom, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Feifei lay on Li Zhan's chest, her hair sticking to her flushed forehead.

Her fingertips poked his firm arm, her voice still soft from the breathlessness.

"Brother Zhan, I finally know why Lily and the others say you're like a wild elephant..."

She looked up, blinking slyly. "Do you really not know what fatigue is?

You haven't been secretly practicing some evil 'Yin-harvesting to supplement yang' technique, have you?"

Li Zhan burst out laughing and gently patted the back of her head.

"Have you been reading too many martial arts novels?"

He stubbed out his cigarette and patted her buttocks.

"Get up, it's about time. I need to take a shower and go pick up your Sister A Zhen."

Feifei wrapped her arms around Li Zhan's neck and rubbed her nose against his chin.

"You're so good to Sister A Zhen... pick me up, let's shower together."

Li Zhan scooped her up in his arms.

Feifei laughed in surprise and hugged his neck tightly.

Ten minutes later, as Li Zhan pulled on a black T-shirt and headed out, Feifei leaned against the doorframe wrapped in a bath towel.

"I want steamed dumplings from Shaxian."

"I know, extra spicy." He waved his hand without looking back.

—

A Zhen walked out of Phoenix City's side entrance alone in her stilettos, the night breeze ruffling the stray hairs by her ears.

She looked around, her brow furrowing slightly. "Where are Lily and the others?"

"They went to the night market stalls first, said they'd get takeout to eat at home."

Li Zhan naturally took her handbag and let her hook her arm through his.

The moment the car door closed, the street's clamor was shut out.

Li Zhan didn't rush to start the car; instead, he lit a cigarette.

Smoke curled up inside the car as he took A Zhen's slightly cool hand.

"Take a day off tomorrow and take Lily and the others out for a few days."

A Zhen's fingers trembled in his palm. "Did something happen?"

"What could happen?"

Li Zhan smiled and blew a smoke ring. "Haven't you always wanted to go to Sanya?"

A Zhen suddenly turned around.

The lights from the nightlife district filtered through the car window, casting mottled shadows across her face.

"Is it... Ninth Master's side...?"

"What are you thinking?"

Li Zhan reached out to pinch her cheek, but felt a trace of damp coldness.

A Zhen suddenly grabbed his hand.

"I've been in Phoenix City for so many years; how could I not feel when something is up?"

Her voice tightened. "Sister Hong suddenly started acting all concerned about me, and the new girls are always hanging around my dressing room..."

She buried her face in Li Zhan's shoulder. "I've felt like someone's been watching me these past two days..."

Li Zhan's hand suddenly went stiff.

"Are they...?"

A Zhen suddenly looked up, her eyes glistening. "Are they trying to use me to blackmail you?"

Li Zhan's Adam's apple bobbed.

He tightened his grip. "Don't overthink it, I'm here.

Go back to your hometown tomorrow..."

"I'm not leaving!"

A Zhen suddenly hugged his arm tightly, her nails almost sinking into his flesh.

"If I leave, they'll become even more suspicious..."

Li Zhan opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound.

A Zhen was trembling all over, her warm tears soaking through his shirt.

He raised his hand to wipe them away but could only hold her tightly in the end.

Outside the car window, a moth was fruitlessly battering against the streetlamp, its wings crumbling into fine powder in the light.

—

Suddenly, there was a knock on the car window, and Lily's crisp laughter drifted in.

"Sister Zhen, Brother Zhan, are you hatching eggs in the car?"

A Zhen hurriedly wiped her face, and Li Zhan also composed himself, rolling down the window. "You talk too much."

Lily leaned on the windowsill, the smell of alcohol mixed with barbecue wafting in.

"The steamed dumplings are bought. Feifei insisted on making them insanely spicy..."

She suddenly paused, her gaze shifting between the two. "Did you guys... have a fight?"

"Go eat your supper."

Li Zhan took the plastic bag and ruffled her hair.

Back home, Feifei sat cross-legged on the sofa, stuffing her mouth with steamed dumplings soaked in red oil.

Lily leaned over and took a bite, sticking her tongue out from the heat.

A Zhen forced herself to eat two before saying she was full, her chopsticks poking around the food container.

Li Zhan leaned on the balcony smoking; behind him, the variety show on TV was full of laughter, but it only made the room feel exceptionally quiet.

Feifei suddenly came over and handed him half a can of beer. "Brother Zhan, Sister Zhen's eyes are all red."

He took the beer. "The chili peppers got to her."

Feifei started to say something but stopped, eventually just leaning gently against his shoulder.

—

The next morning, in the second-floor office of Xinyue Entertainment Center.

The aroma of tea wafted through the cold air from the air conditioner.

Li Zhan unhurriedly washed the teacups. As hot water rushed over the purple clay teapot, the rising white mist blurred his expression.

Old Zhou had a cigarette in his mouth, his crossed legs shaking slightly.

"The Bai Family's shipment is arriving tomorrow. Should I go get some pieces?"

Li Zhan didn't rush to answer, first pouring himself a cup of tea.

Since A Zhen didn't want to leave, his plan had to change.

The tea was scalding; he blew on it and took a sip before speaking.

"No, you, Big Courage, and Water Life don't need to show your faces this time."

Old Zhou lowered his leg, not even bothering to brush off the ash that fell on his trousers. "You're thinking..."

"I already leaked the news to Ninth Master last night."

Li Zhan flicked his cigarette ash.

"Given Ninth Master's temperament,"

he'll most likely use this to curry favor with Master Bai to ease the recent tension between them."

Old Zhou narrowed his eyes. "Then are we still going to the Wharf tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course we're going."

Li Zhan smiled, smoke escaping from between his teeth. "The show must be played to the end.

However, the target this time needs to change."

He leaned back, the sofa letting out a slight creak.

"Master Bai has so many elite forces; I can't beat them, but surely they can't stop me from running?"

Old Zhou also started laughing.

"If Seventh Uncle thinks we're useless, he's more than welcome to send his own people."

"Exactly."

Li Zhan stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray overflowing with butts. "We show weakness to the enemy so that we can..."

Before he could finish, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Little Night poked her head in. "Brother Zhan, Mad Dog Luo is downstairs, says he wants to see you."

Li Zhan and Old Zhou exchanged a look, and the teacup was gently placed back on the tray.

"See,"

Li Zhan stood up and straightened his collar. "The one urging the show along has arrived."

—

When Mad Dog Luo walked in, he brought with him a heavy scent of cologne; a dragon tattoo draped over his shoulder was faintly visible under his short sleeves.

He sat down boisterously on the sofa and reached for an orange on the coffee table to peel.

"Brother Zhan, that shipment is arriving tomorrow."

Li Zhan poured him a cup of tea and smiled. "Brother Luo coming in person? Is Seventh Uncle that worried?"

Mad Dog Luo stuffed a segment of orange into his mouth, juice splashing onto the coffee table.

"I've said a lot of good things about you to Seventh Uncle."

He wiped his mouth. "But Seventh Uncle said tomorrow night's operation proceeds as planned, and—"

He grinned. "I'm coming along."

Li Zhan's expression remained unchanged as he refilled the cup. "I'd be more than happy to have Brother Luo supervise."

Mad Dog Luo suddenly leaned in close, the smell of oranges mixed with stale smoke hit him.

Don't you play any tricks, kid. Seventh Uncle hates disobedient dogs the most."

"How could I?"

Li Zhan leaned back against the sofa.

"Tomorrow night at ten, Wharf No. 3. I'll be awaiting your arrival, Brother Luo."

Mad Dog Luo stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly laughing and slapping the table.

"Good! I like straightforward people!"

He stood up, tossing the orange peel onto the floor. "See you tomorrow night."

The door closed, then opened again.

Old Zhou walked in and kicked the orange peel on the floor. "That mad dog..."

Just then, Little Night rushed in.

"Brother Zhan, Master Bai's people were spotted downstairs..."

Li Zhan's eyes tightened. "What are they doing?"

Little Night shook her head. "Just watching from a distance. It looks like they're casing the place, or maybe... provoking us."

Li Zhan stood up and paced back and forth in the office.

"If they really wanted to fight, they wouldn't do this. I suspect..."

He looked at Old Zhou. "Old Zhou, wander around downstairs often these next two days, especially tomorrow night..."

Old Zhou sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.

“Alright, I'll take the guys out so they can see us. That way, even if something happens tomorrow night, it won't have anything to do with us...”