Clouds of Suspicion

"Young Hero Li, you jest."

Madam Pei closed the door with her back turned, swayed her hips as she walked over, then spun around and sat sideways on the bench, crossing her legs and revealing her astonishing curves.

She propped her chin in her hand and looked at Li Yan, exhaling a fragrant breath. "Why must it be him? Can't I come looking for you?"

"Could it be that you find me old and faded?"

Her eyes brimmed with grievance as she spoke.

"Madam Pei, there's no need to test me."

Li Yan remained calm. He picked up the teapot and poured tea for both of them. "Your heartbeat remained steady while you were speaking. Clearly, it was some sort of verbal ploy meant to make the other person lose his composure before seizing the initiative. It won't work on me."

"Besides, you just called Brother Shen 'him.' Your relationship clearly isn't ordinary. You avoided the others, so obviously you had something to discuss with me privately."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Madam Pei's eyes flashed with surprise. She straightened and put on a solemn expression, her bearing becoming dignified.

In the space of a few movements, she seemed to have become an entirely different person.

She picked up the tea and took a sip before saying, "Young Hero Li, don't take offense. This matter is simply too important. San Lang and I are friends who have shared life and death. He was willing to entrust his life to me, but I still couldn't feel at ease."

"Now that I've seen you, I can tell that Young Hero Li is indeed no ordinary man."

"I only do what ought to be done, and refrain from what ought not."

Li Yan shook his head, his expression turning grave. "Brother Shen is a member