America, Los Angeles Airport, 5:00 AM.
A German airplane landed on the American ground successfully. There were only a few passengers on it. Of between them, an excited blond-haired young man came down rushingly.
The young man opened his hands widely and raised his head towards the dark blue sky. As he said, "Woah! I'm finally here!"
He ran back to the flight attendant and asked her cheerfully, "Hey! Can you tell me where I can get Mr. Penipels? This is my first time flying alone to another country."
The woman smiled at him and said, "Just go inside and do the required procedure. Once you finish, go to the baggage claim area and you'll find your cat along with your bags, sir."
The blond-haired man nodded at her and said, "Thank you so much, miss!"
He walked between the people as he speculated all the beautiful decorations and the buildings that were shining throughout the airport's transparent glass.
When he finished the first task, Felix ran to get his cat. It was only a few minutes of searching when he managed to see its puffed black fur. Therefore, he ran to it happily, "Mr. Penipels! There you are!"
Mr. Penipels started scratching its box and meowing the moment it saw him. It was so clear that it hated being inside that box, so Felix smiled at it and said in a comforting tone, "Alrighty, alrighty. Once we reach our lodging I'll let you go out"
The cat seemed as if it understood him, so it moved its tail happily. Its owner smiled at it and picked up the box as he headed toward the output. He was about to get out when a female voice surprised him suddenly, "Oh my goodness, it's Felix Friedrich!"
Felix, "..."
The girl ran towards him and said, "Can I take a picture, please?"
When Felix saw her coming, he smiled gently and said happily, "With pleasure!"
The girl was already holding her phone in her hands. However, when she was about to take the picture, a rough hand covered her front camera as a hoarse voice came from above both their heads.
"I'm sorry, but no pictures with him are allowed."
The girl tried to object, but as soon as she opened her mouth to talk, the tall guy took her phone away, turned it off, and then gave it back to her.
"Please, don't make things complicated. I already said no," he said.
The girl looked down sadly as she expressed her frustration, "Alright… I'm sorry…" With that, she left them alone.
Felix wanted to follow her, but the guy stopped him immediately.
"You are Felix Freidrich, the chess player, Right?" he asked.
Felix pushed his hand away from his shoulder as he said angrily, "Who the hell are you? Don't tell me that you chased her away just to take my signature instead?"
Seeing how its owner got enraged, Mr. Penipels hissed inside the box, gave the guy a sharp threatening glare, and stepped forward.
The red-haired guy rolled his eyes at him, "It's you, I suppose. Good, now let me take you fast, I've got no time." he walked before him, but Felix didn't move a single inch as he asked, "And who are you? Why would I go with a red-haired stranger for no reason? What kind of guy colors his hair in red?"
Upon hearing that, the young man stopped furiously and turned around, eyes full of rage and hands ready to pick up a fight any second, he uttered, "Pardon me? What's the thing that you don't like about my hair?"
Felix crossed his hands and answered in a confident tone, "Everything. You look like a street fighter or a rock and roll player. I'm sorry but even if I knew you I wouldn't have gone with you. Just look at yourself… if all the guys that live in this country are like that, then I'll be telling my uncle that I no longer wanna compete here."
The guy's face got redder as he frowned at him. He wished he could beat the one facing him in front of all the people around them. However, he only took out his phone and said, "You don't know who I am, right? Okay, I'll let you talk to someone whom you know well."
Felix didn't believe him, so he dragged his baggage and said, "Alright, Mr. Penipels. Let's leave this insane tomato alone. We still have to find Mr. Noah" He was about to step away but a familiar voice caught him in his place. "Good morning Mr. Noah, how are you doing?"
Felix started looking for the source of the sound before he turned back to look at the guy who was looking at him mockingly. The voice was coming from his phone.
"Did Felix reach the airport?"
Noah didn't hesitate to make a fast declaration. He said, "Yes sir. He is next to me, and guess what. He refused to come with me. He also…"
Felix's face decolorized as he rushed towards Noah. He became sure that he fucked it up, so he started shaking his head and murmuring next to him, "Don't! Don't tell him about it! Please!"
Noah gave his pleading a deaf ear and said, "He also ignored your instructions. Mr. Freidrich, your nephew was about to let a random girl take a picture with him."
Mr. Freidrich's furious, strong voice sounded like a rumble in the whole airport. Even the people who were minding their business started stealing some peeks from time to time.
"What?! Give that stone-headed boy to me! I'll show him!"
Noah gave the phone to Felix who started trembling in fear as he winked at him. He said, "Good luck, bro." His tone was so mocking that made Felix frown at him hatefully as he talked to his uncle. And only after half an hour of scolding, he managed to finish that call. Felix handed the phone back to his owner and said, "Damn you! Why didn't you say from the beginning that you are Mr. Noah?"
Noah put his phone inside his jeans jacket and moved his shoulders up and down as he said, "Didn't you say that I only look like a street fighter? Guess what? You got it right."
Felix walked shoulder to shoulder with him and said, "I didn't know it because I didn't imagine you that way!"
"Then sorry for not being what you've imagined. Now cut the crap and get to the car now."
Felix didn't add a single word as he got inside alone with his cat.
Noah rode calmly as he peeked at Felix from time to time. This last one noticed his behavior, so he asked from behind, "Do you have anything else to tell me?"
"Yes." Noah said, "When we reach the palace, I'll chase away that cat of yours. It's not allowed to be there."
Felix, "..."
"You'll chase away what?"
"Just the way you've heard it." Noah added, "If you don't want to live in the streets from now on, then let that cat scram"
Felix hugged the box tightly and said, '"There will be no way! I won't let anyone bother Mr. Peniepels!"
Noah rolled his eyes and asked, "Just tell me how old you are already, little child?"
"19 years old"
"Damn it, and what are you doing along with us?"
"What do you mean?"
Noah didn't want to break his head by explaining such a long story to that child. Especially that he was already aware that Felix was not conscious of the whole matter, so he changed the topic, "I heard that you are the chess player ranked one in the world. How could it be?" he puffed a little laugh and added, "I mean, you're only 19 y/o. You also seem to be too naive for a chess player"
Felix shook his head as he looked at him. "No, I'm not… I'm only ranked third." he added, "Also playing chess had nothing to do with age."
Noah watched him as he thought: he looks too silly. I wonder what made them choose this stupid child as well.
Amidst the piercing repeated gazes that were landing on Felix, this last one didn't bother a lot, and fell asleep until he felt a hand touching his shoulder gently, so he said as he pushed Noah dizzily, "Nah… just two more minutes Mr. Tomato."
Noah rolled his eyes and shook him angrily, "Get the hell up, little child! We're already here!"
Upon hearing that, the youngster opened his eyes in full excitement as he rushed down the car along with his cat. He was so excited that he didn't notice how he hit Noah's chest with his elbow.
"Mr. Tomato" endured the hit and called angrily, "Come here, you childish bastard!"
Felix stopped right away. However, it was not because of Noah's call. But rather for what his eyes had seen. The boy's light blue eyes widened as he raised his head in a try for him to see the whole palace. He was so astonished that he hardly managed to talk.
"That's… that's the best thing I've ever seen in my life…" He looked at Noah and asked, "Is this a real palace?"
Noah took out the baggage and said sarcastically, "No, it's fake" He stopped for a while and added after getting out Felix's Last bag, "Stay near me. Don't mess around, or else you'll get lost. It's bigger than what you think"
Felix said cheerfully, "Woah! Could it be bigger than that? Oh my god! I'm in love with America!"
Noah rolled his eyes as he thought. When you'll know the real reason why you are here, you'll take back those words.
///
Fei Wang was inside the restaurant that was near the police station where his cousin was working. He was waiting for his order to come while watching the outside through the glass, the thing that gave him the chance to notice a black Bugatti parked there. Fei Wang couldn't help at that time but kept watching it in full admiration as he waited to see its owner.
Qian Deming opened the door and got out of it. This time, he was the one riding. He also changed into white trousers and a normal black shirt that made his slender waist look more seductive. When he entered many women started watching him and whispering to each other quietly. The slender man noticed it, however, he didn't spear them a single look. He went to the servant and said in a sweet calm voice, "Could you prepare me a cup of lemonade? I wanna take it with me, please."
The servant smiled as she nodded at him, "Of course, sir. It'll be ready after two minutes"
Qian Deming nodded at her and sat on the table that was facing Fei Wang.
Fei Wang wasn't able to take his eyes away from that black car, so Qian Deming noticed him. However, he only smiled warmly and started scrolling his phone.
The servant came with both their orders in one go. She gave Fei Wang his box first and then placed the lemonade in front of Qian Deming.
After getting his order, Fei Wang wanted to leave, but a warm call made him stop.
"Hey, little boy…"
Fei Wang directed his eyes toward Qian Deming. He didn't believe it at first, but when the tall-haired man waved at him, he didn't help but walk toward him hesitatingly.
"Come sit here, young boy." Qian Deming said as he placed his hand on the chair next to him.
"..It's… It's alright sir. You can tell me what you want just like this." Fei Wang said, stressed as he tightened his hands around the sachet shyly.
Qian Deming noticed his behavior. However, he didn't say anything about it. He was about to talk when Fei Wang asked, "Why…why do I feel that you look familiar, sir? I feel as if I've already heard your voice somewhere before…"
Qian Deming puffed a little laugh and said, "Yes, I am. You always look down when you talk to someone you don't know, so it'll be normal for you not to remember me. I'm the man who gave Ye Xiao Xie the blood that day… he is your cousin, right?" he looked at the sachet in his hands and added, "Is this food for him? Are you heading to the police station?"
Fei Wang nodded.
Qian Deming picked up his drink and stood up as he said, "I'm also going there. Let me take you with me."
Fei Wang felt so happy that his dream came true. He had always wished to go on a ride inside a Bugatti. Even if he had got many chances to do so. His cousin made it impossible for him by his rules. He always told him not to talk or go with anyone even if it was a friend of his. Also, he always scolded him if he went out with his friends without telling him. Ye Xiao Xie was a man of high responsibility when it came to taking care of his relatives. However, that also had negative results. Fei Wang was already a very reticent person. So he needed someone to help him interact with other people and not the opposite.
Fei Wang thought about it for a while. He was afraid of being scolded again. However, something inside him told him that Qian Deming was a good person. So he started looking down and said shyly, "A…alright… Th-thank you."
///
Ye Xiao Xie was leaning against his chair comfortably while sipping a little cup of hot coffee. Suddenly, Mei Han walked inside.
"Here you are, Gege."
Ye Xiao Xie rotated his chair and said sarcastically, "Stop acting as if you don't know my new house."
Mei Han laughed, "You didn't tell us so that we could've celebrated your moving in. Hahaha. Man, I was about to believe you if I didn't know that you're passing your nights here. Hahaha…"
Ye Xiao Xie tapped on his laptop and closed the surveillance camera recording he was scanning. Mei Han stood next to him and asked, "What were you watching?"
Ye Xiao Xie closed his laptop and stood up slowly. He answered, "It's just one of the records where the last victim appeared. I was just repeating it to conclude something. "
Mei Han asked, "What thing?"
Ye Xiao was about to talk when he suddenly realized something. He gave Mei Han a slight slap on his shoulder, hung on it, and said jokingly, "Hey! I won't explain anything until you buy me a meal. I'm hungry now."
Mei Han tried to free himself from his steady arms as he said, "Why are you so mean, Gege? You don't think about food until you see me, or when I ask you for something. What would happen if I wasn't a warm-hearted man and accepted buying you a meal, would you stay here the whole day washing your empty stomach with that black coffee?"
"Of course not. I would have stolen something from the cafeteria, a plate of noodles for example. I'm broke, you know" Ye Xiao Xie said.
"The biggest detective in our police station is stealing food from the cafeteria, it's bad just to be heard of, let alone happen." Mei Han said, "Okay, let's go down. I'll buy it for you."
When they both entered the cafeteria, Ye Xiao Xie's gaze landed on his cousin who was waiting for him on a table the first. He smiled and walked towards him, patting his head hurriedly as he said, "What are you doing here, you little demon?"
Fei Wang's face rendered a little as he muttered, "I came to see you…" he showed him the box of food and added, "I bought you this, I was afraid that you would lock yourself inside your bureau the whole day without eating anything again."
Ye Xiao Xie took it from him and opened it happily.
"Oh! Seafood! That's good." He sat down and added, "Is it from the Dragon restaurant?"
Fei Wang thought about it for a long while and then nodded hesitatingly.
Ye Xiao Xie had always hated the food from the outside. However, that only concerned fast food. His favorite plate has always been seafood and chicken. So he wouldn't say no when it comes to those two especially. However, Fei Wang was not able to tell if his cousin would like the idea or not. After all, Ye Xiao Xie was a man who would change his opinion about anything in two minutes.
Mei Han leaned against the chair and asked, "Gege, does it have the meaning that I'm off now?"
Ye Xiao Xie laughed, "Yes, yes!" He stopped for a long while and then opened the box slowly. He asked Fei Wang, "So, who brought you here?"
Fei Wang's face changed immediately as he started looking down. Mei Han noticed how the color in the latter's face started fading, so he peeked at Ye Xiao Xie and asked, "What do you mean?"
Ye Xiao Xie took out a grilled fish and munched on it as he said to his cousin, "You're wearing white sneakers, right?"
Fei Wang looked at his feet and nodded.
Ye Xiao Xie swallowed the delicious fish and added, "As I know, between our police station, and the restaurant, a new edifice is being built. Today, the weather is a little windy, therefore if you truly came on your feet, your sneakers wouldn't remain as white as they are now." he looked towards the door of the cafeteria and added, "There are only two roads that take you from here to the restaurant. The first one is the one I mentioned earlier, and the second one is too long. So if you went through it, the food won't remain as hot as this. Now tell me, who brought you here?"
Fei Wang was at a loss for what to do. He opened his mouth and closed it again, but words refused to come. However, Qian Deming who was gossiping with the rest of the police officers at the entrance walked in. His voice made Fei Wang feel that his ass was saved.
His ass was saved… That's what he thought at first. However, when he noticed the change in his cousin's face, he knew that he was done for.
"A-ye? It's already 7:30 pm, have you finally decided to have your lunch? You are not careful enough with your health" Qian Deming sat next to Fei Wang and faced Ye Xiao Xie as he added, "You have a sharp eye indeed. Yes, I was the one who brought him here." he started playing with his hair as he said arrogantly, "I was passing by that restaurant when I met him there."
Ye Xiao Xie tried to keep calm and not hit his arrogant face with that plate in front of him. So, he only frowned and said, "Alright, but from where did you get to know my cousin?"
Qian Deming leaned forward and said in a calm tone, "You won't believe me… Your cousin was an old lover of mine, hahaha."
Fei Wang, "??"
"Answer the damn question seriously." Ye Xiao Xie said, half enraged.
Qian Deming muttered in frustration, "I thought that you might be funnier than that, what a shame!" he asked Fei Wang after putting his hand on his head gently, "Can you tell him?"
Fei Wang was silent for a long while before he said in a shy tone, "Mr… Mr. Qian is the man who gave you the blood and paid for you at the hospital that day."
"Oh, so this is my savior?" Ye Xiao Xie said.
"Yes, my blood is running inside your meridians." Qian Deming laughed and added, "We became brothers now, hahaha…."
Ye Xiao Xie smirked as he wore a hypocritical gaze. He said, "Good news that I'm only your brother…" he rolled his eyes and said in a low voice, "I wish it was a pig's blood…"
"So, Detective Ye. As I've said earlier. I came here to see you." Qian Deming spoke without knowing how hard Mei Han was trying to hold his laugh after hearing Ye Xiao Xie's words. He halted for a while and added, "I wanted to talk to you privately. However, we are all together here now, so…"
Ye Xiao Xie didn't wait for him to add a single word. He stood up and said, "Could you forgive my rudeness, Mr. Qian? I still have a lot of work ahead of me so I must leave." He pushed the plate of fish to the center and said, "I'm full. Thank's for the food."
Qian Deming looked down as he wore an unreadable expression. He mumbled, "That's how it is then…" he stood up and wore a smirk again as he walked past him and said, "Before you go I have something good to tell you, Detective Ye." He put his hands behind his back as he stood on his tiptoes so he could place his lips next to his ear. He murmured something that made Ye Xiao Xie speechless. Qian Deming smiled at him as if there was nothing and turned around to leave. However, Ying Yang Li came hurriedly and declared without even taking a single breath, "Detective Ye! A taxi driver has been found dead next to Hen Meng Cliff!"
Upon hearing that, Ye Xiao Xie gave Qian Deming a sharp look. This last one only smiled at him and said, "Oh, so it's time to work again, That means that I must go, good luck my dear~"
Ye Xiao Xie tugged him away by his fair arm as he said in a sharp tone, "You have nowhere to go! Come with us!"