Invitation

When Chen Yuan woke up the next morning, Zhang Xiu'e was already dressed and ready.

She had changed into a clean shirt and jeans, her long hair tied into a neat ponytail. She looked fresh and full of energy.

Two bowls of plain rice porridge, a plate of pickled vegetables, and two freshly fried dough sticks sat on the coffee table.

"You're awake? Go wash up and eat."

Chen Yuan sat up and rubbed his eyes. Sleeping on the sofa had left his back a little sore, but it was far better than the iron bed at the detention center.

He washed his face in the bathroom, then came out and sat by the coffee table, picking up a bowl of porridge and taking a sip.

The rice porridge was thick, with a few chunks of sweet potato in it that gave it a pleasant sweetness.

Zhang Xiu'e sat across from him, took a bite of a dough stick, and said as she chewed, "I'm going out in a bit."

"Where?"

"A friend's staffing agency, to see if there's any suitable work. There's no way I can go back to working for Wang Dahai. I need to find something else."

"I'll go with you."

Zhang Xiu'e shook her head. "Stay home and rest. You've had a tiring couple of days too. Catch up on some sleep. I can go on my own. I'm just asking around."

Chen Yuan wanted to say something, but Zhang Xiu'e waved him off.

"All right, don't argue with me. Stay put and wait to hear from me."

She finished the last bite of her dough stick, stood up, and picked up her bag. After changing her shoes at the door, she turned back to Chen Yuan.

"There are vegetables in the fridge. Cook yourself something for lunch. Don't live on instant noodles."

"Okay."

The door closed softly. Her high heels clicked a few times, the sound fading into the distance until it disappeared altogether.

After breakfast, Chen Yuan carefully washed and dried the bowls and chopsticks, then put them back in the cupboard.

He returned to the living room, sat on the sofa, and took out his phone.

That blond-haired guy had picked Zhou Min up again last night, and she hadn't come back all night.

He scrolled through videos for a while. They were all random nonsense: someone singing on a construction site, someone selling products on a livestream, someone teaching people how to cook.

After watching for a bit, he grew bored. Just as he was about to close the app, his phone rang.

It was a local Deep City number.

Chen Yuan paused. He had only been in Deep City a few days and barely knew anyone. Who could be calling him?

He answered and held the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by an elderly man's voice.

"Is this Chen Yuan?"

The voice was a little hoarse but strong, and sounded vaguely familiar. Chen Yuan thought for a moment but couldn't place it.

"Yes, this is Chen Yuan. Who's speaking?"

"Young man, I've finally found you."

Chen Yuan paused. "You..."

"You pulled me out of the car at that intersection the other day. Remember?"

It clicked, and Chen Yuan blurted out, "Sir? It's you? Are you all right now?"

"I'm fine. Just a few scratches."

There was a smile in Chen Desheng's voice.

"You ran off before I could thank you that day. Luckily, I managed to find you."

Chen Yuan scratched his head. "How did you find me?"

"You know Zhao Jianguo, don't you? The deputy chief at the Lotus Police Station. He watched the surveillance footage and recognized you."

Zhao Jianguo?

When he had driven Chen Yuan home yesterday, he had indeed asked about the car accident.

"Young man, are you free today? I'd like to invite you over and thank you properly."

Chen Yuan felt a little embarrassed. "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. I just lent a hand. You don't have to thank me."

"You call that just lending a hand?"

Chen Desheng's voice grew serious.

"If it weren't for you, this old man would be dead. You saved my life. How could I not thank you?"

Chen Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to decline.

Chen Desheng gave him no chance. "Where are you now? I'll send a car to pick you up."

"No, no, that's not necessary. I can get there myself."

"Where do you live?!" Chen Desheng asked again, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Chen Yuan hesitated, then gave him the address.

Chen Desheng grunted in acknowledgment on the other end. "Wait at home. I'll send someone to pick you up. He'll call when he gets there."

"Sir, there's really no need..."

"Just wait." With that, Chen Desheng hung up.

Chen Yuan held his phone, stunned for several seconds. All he could hear now was the busy tone.

He leaned back on the sofa and stared at the ceiling, his mind a jumble.

The overturned Rolls-Royce, the old man he had dragged out of it, Zhao Jianguo's knowing look, and that invitation over the phone that had left no room for refusal.

This old man certainly knew how to throw his weight around!

About half an hour later, his phone rang.

He answered. It wasn't Chen Desheng this time, but another man with a low voice and a brisk way of speaking.

"Chen Yuan? I'm Lei Zhen. The master sent me to pick you up. I'm at the entrance to the alley. Come out. Look for a black car."

"Right, okay."

Chen Yuan hung up, took his phone, and walked out the door.

The alley was a little dim. Overhead wires crisscrossed like a spiderweb, and several electric scooters were parked along the foot of the wall.

He walked briskly toward the entrance. After turning two corners, he saw a black sedan parked at the mouth of the alley, polished to a gleaming shine. Among all the old cars and electric scooters around it, it stood out sharply, looking completely out of place.

A man stood beside it.

He was in his forties, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and downturned lips. Wearing a black jacket, he stood ramrod straight.

He had a menacing face and didn't look like a good person at all.

Chen Yuan walked over, and Lei Zhen looked him up and down.

"Chen Yuan?"

"That's me."

Lei Zhen nodded without saying anything else, then turned and opened the rear door. "Get in. The master is waiting."

Chen Yuan ducked into the car.

The leather seat was soft, and there was plenty of room. He could easily have crossed his legs.

He sat with both hands neatly on his knees, not daring to move around carelessly. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered inside the car, soothing and pleasant.

Lei Zhen got into the driver's seat, fastened his seat belt, and glanced at him in the rearview mirror.

The look made Chen Yuan a little uncomfortable, but he didn't look away. He simply met Lei Zhen's eyes in the mirror. Lei Zhen looked away first and started the car.

The car turned out of the alley and joined the traffic.

Chen Yuan gazed out the window as buildings swept past. Sunlight streamed through the glass, warm against his skin.

He glanced down at his phone and, after a moment's thought, typed out a message and sent it.

"Sister Ezi, an older gentleman invited me over to his home. I'll be back tonight."

After sending it, he slipped his phone into his pocket, leaned back in his seat, and stared absently out the window.

They drove for about half an hour. The buildings along the road grew shorter, while the trees became more numerous and their trunks thicker.

The road grew wider and cleaner too. Tall walls lined both sides, with a gate every so often and security guards standing outside.

The car turned onto a tree-lined avenue. The branches of the plane trees on either side met overhead, completely blocking out the sky.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering patches of gold across the ground.

Chen Yuan looked out the window, silently wondering just who this old man was.