---
Inside Xin Nianzu's office, Rodey was looking at the two dead bodies of Fan and Fa, who the chubby man Gen Gen had ordered to finish off Xin Lei.
Fan was hit at the back of his neck, but it didn't seem like the force of any blunt object. It was purely physical.
Fa's throat was clawed out. It was most probably an animal, a dog.
Their guns and cash were taken away. But the credit cards were still there.
Smart. No cards, no tracing.
Only one man appeared in his mind who was capable of this.
Gen Gen was dumbstruck.
"Fan and Fa had never failed any task." He gritted his teeth. "Just who is this woman!? And who is the man!?"
Rodey raised an eyebrow. That woman was alone until now, but she seemed to get some company.
If that man were involved in this, then they would have to tread carefully.
After all, only Major Bai Li had ever managed to reach so close to him. Though he didn't understand how he must have got connected to the case, but if he was, then they had to be alert.
He was blind, but not to be underestimated.
Rodey smiled.
'This is going to be fun. I hope it's you Bai Li. It would be so interesting to meet you again.'
Gen Gen's face was red in anger. "What should we do now! I will send someone else after them."
Rodey raised his palm. "Don't bother. It's of no use. Our opponent is not someone your measly men can defeat."
'Measly!?'
"If they were here in Xin Nianzu's office, then I know where they would head next."
Rodey called a number. "Keep an eye on who meets Fu Ting in the next few days."
*Bai Li*, ---
It was hardly a few days since I was kicked out of the Army, but Liao Chuntao's case reminded me of how close I had reached to Rodey, and how easily I lost him.
I lost my honor too.
I wanted to get it back.
"Get the details about that case too."
"Roger." Lin Zihao said.
"How is the old General Song Xiaosheng? Is he still alive?"
"Why won't he?"
"I thought my curse would have worked by now. Apparently, it didn't."
"Don't you think a gun would be much better? Since when did you believe in superstition?"
"Since I came to know that a respectable General at such a high position in the army can make such a stupid decision."
Lin Zihao chuckled. "He doesn't seem so tragic by your exit."
"He should. The Army has lost a great officer."
"Narcissistic son of a bastard."
"I take that as a compliment."
"Su Weiyuan will work on your request. Oh, and you are going to treat us tomorrow."
With that said, he hung up.
Sure, if he didn't mind washing the dishes after the meal, he was welcomed for my penniless treat.
I smelled the sweet scent of candy coming again from Xin Lei. It was kind of growing on me now. I liked it. I shifted a bit to have a better smell of it.
"Arf!"
Why did you have to interrupt doggo!?
I heard Xin Lei type. "Why is he barking at you?"
"He must be hungry." Though, that wasn't the case. He was questioning my character. On that note, I said, "We have to find a place to stay."
A few seconds of silence, and then I heard the same mechanical voice. "Those goons have crashed my apartment."
"Which is also not a safe place to stay either. So, a hotel. Let's go."
*Xin Lei*, ---
Bai Li, Cocoa, and I reached a small hotel, three blocks away. Just as we were about to enter the door, Bai Li looked down at Cocoa. "Hide."
I furrowed my brows as I didn't understand.
Cocoa disappeared in the shadows. I typed. "Why did you tell Cocoa to hide?"
He said, "In your father's office, Cocoa had killed a man. So, our next group of friends will find it easy to find a man and a woman with a dog. It would be better to hide him as much as possible."
He had a point. I typed. "Then where will he stay?"
"You will see. Now just lightly tug my arm."
Huh? Wait. Were we going in as a couple?
I don't know why, but with the thought, I was really looking forward to it.
Somehow, I imagined a lot of not-so-pure things happening between us.
I noticed an old lady looking at me like I was crazy. I saw my reflection on the windowpane.
'Why am I smiling like an idiot? Did I always have such a questionable character?'
Bai Li said, "Who will guide me inside? I'm blind."
"..."
Stupid me! Why did I think of that!?
I lightly held his arm as told.
"Just guide me, subtly."
We stepped inside the hotel and stood near the reception desk. A man was standing, writing something in a file.
He alternatively looked at me and then at Bai Li and said, "Room for one?
I coughed. Before I could correct him, Bai Li said, "Yes. One night."
I suppose I had to control my shock reaction, and it was difficult not to jerk my head in bewilderment.
Were we going to stay in one room? He never told me that!
"100 Yuan for one night."
I thought of it as reasonable.
"50."
Apparently, Bai Li didn't.
And from 100 to 50? Cut by half?
"100." The man didn't budge.
"You understand the difference between one night and one whole day?"
The man said, "Nights are costlier."
"How can six hours be costlier than eighteen hours? Stealing in broad darkness?"
My eyebrow twitched.
"90." He finally reduced some of it.
"60."
"85."
"65."
"80."
"70."
"75."
"Deal." Bai Li said.
I admired his bargaining skill. I thought this was never going to end.
"Write your names." The man said.
I took the pen and wrote the names just as Bai Li and I discussed.
Kim Tang for him. Bao Che for me. Fake names.
I took the key and slightly tugged his arm again.
As we opened the door, Bai Li opened the window and softly whistled. I saw Cocoa jumping in.