Trust Issues

By the time the reception ended, Fuyuki was on edge, dreading his meeting with Feng Liwei. He had some ideas about why he wanted to continue their conversation at a different place, and neither option was to his liking.

Given Feng Liwei’s high position, leaving the reception too early was out of the question, so he had to wait almost until the end to not be impolite. Fuyuki’s hands weren’t so tied, so he left a bit earlier and went to that pub where he met the Major previously by accident.

This time he went straight to the VIP room and sat down at a table in one of the corners at the back. He thought of drinking something strong to make himself ready for what was to come but he didn’t even have the chance to taste the drink he ordered yet when the person he waited for sat down before him.

Feng Liwei must have been in a hurry to come right here as he didn’t even get changed and probably only took off his uniform jacket in the car to make himself less recognizable.

“You were fast.”

“A whiskey, please,” Feng Liwei told the waiter first without looking at Fuyuki. “Curiosity is a great driving force.”

“I’m not gonna tell you what document I was looking for,” Fuyuki said adamantly.

“I would’ve been surprised if you did. But what did you mean when you said it doesn’t matter?”

“Just what I said. It doesn’t matter,” he replied and took a sip of his drink to stall the time.

“Why?”

“Because I...”

At this moment, the waiter came back and put down the glass of whiskey before the Major, who immediately drank almost all of it.

“I don’t think I should trust you,” Fuyuki stated finally, making Feng Liwei freeze for a moment, and then he put down his glass.

“Not even after I saved you? I admit, it was kind of an unorthodox way but I didn’t have much time to improvise and you didn’t seem to dislike it either. I think I don’t have to remind you of the consequences of anyone noticing your presence there.”

“I am aware,” Fuyuki said and leaned forward and lowered his voice as if telling a secret. “But who knows what agenda you might have or an ulterior motive for saving me.”

Feng Liwei was visibly angered after hearing his response but he controlled his emotions as he leaned forward as well and looked into his eyes.

“I could say the same of you as well. Don’t even think I didn’t realize that you switched off your transparency mode so you won’t be detected while going to a place you have no place to be in. So, I suggest a truce,” he said and leaned back on his chair but still didn’t take his eyes off him. “I believe our goals are similar, so maybe we can help each other.”

Fuyuki didn’t even try to hide his surprise at hearing such things from a person, who should be his nemesis. Did he even realize that he is actually going against the system he embodies?

“Help how?”

“I have a much higher authority than you, so I can get you to places and information you normally can’t access.”

“In return for what? The information I could provide you probably already know.”

“I’m looking for someone,” he said after a while which wasn’t what Fuyuki expected to hear at all. “He is Japanese just like you and his age is also similar. But that’s all for now.”

“I... I have to discuss this with someone before agreeing to cooperate with you,” Fuyuki replied embarrassed, and picked up his glass to drink in order to avoid eye contact.

“It’s alright. But don’t take too long deciding,” he said and stood up to leave.

“I...,” Fuyuki paused then changed his mind. “Never mind. I’ll contact you.”

“I’ll be waiting,” he replied and left Fuyuki alone again.

This is like a weird nightmare I can’t wake up from, Fuyuki thought while thinking back to everything that happened during the past few days. He had to admit that in the end, it turned out better than he expected. The Major not only didn’t want to make him pay for what he did but he even suggested a truce. Now it all depends on his only ally if they take his offer.

Wintry Tree to Winter Breeze:

We gained an ally. Major Feng Liwei, the son of Feng Yiheng decided to help.

Fuyuki waited patiently but it took more than ten minutes until a reply came.

Winter Breeze to Wintry Tree:

Why?

Wintry Tree to Winter Breeze:

He wants us to help him find a person.

This time Winter Breeze replied almost immediately.

Winter Breeze to Wintry Tree:

If there’s someone even he can’t find then it’s probably a lost cause.

Reading this somehow made Fuyuki disappointed, and he was just about to write something persuasive when another message came.

But we can at least try. And we need his help. Tell him we agree to cooperate.

Fuyuki sighed in relief after reading this. But just as his disappointment disappeared, he became angry at himself for his sudden change of opinion. When did he even subconsciously decide to side with that Feng Liwei? If Winter Breeze knew this he would surely be disappointed in him. He has to show him that it’s definitely not the case.

Wintry Tree to Winter Breeze:

Now I have the info and the person you wanted. Let’s meet and make an exchange.