Day 4

He couldn’t concentrate at all on what was happening around him for the first time since the summit started. If anyone were to ask him what topic was being discussed and who said what, he would have no clue what to say. The only thing he was keenly aware of was the icy cold look Feng Liwei gave him when their eyes met for a few seconds making his unease return again with full vigor.

What is his problem again? Did I say something I shouldn’t have? I don’t think so. He was quite tolerable yesterday and now, he is back to his old intolerable self. Or does he want to use this way to pressure me into cooperating with him? Does he really think this method is working?

Well, he did decide to use him but not because of a few cold looks. He really needs his help. Even Winter Breeze thinks the Major is a great asset and that means something. At least that’s what he told himself when he braced himself before going to look for him. But even when he stood right before the door to his office, he was still reluctant to knock.

As it turned out, it wasn’t even necessary. A few seconds later the door opened with a click.

“Come in,” he heard Feng Liwei’s voice from inside.

Fuyuki went in and looked around while approaching his desk. He was so lost in thought that he almost bumped into him because he didn’t expect him to stand up and walk over to him.

“Sorry,” Fuyuki said embarrassed, avoiding eye contact.

“Have you decided already?” the Major asked, crossing his arms before him and leaning to the edge of his desk.

“Yes, I did. I will help you find the person you’re looking for. But you need to provide more information about him.”

“No problem. I don’t know what you want in return but I have something you might like. It’s a strictly confidential document that only a select few have the authority to read.”

“Does this person mean this much to you?” asked Fuyuki curiously and only realizing belatedly that his question might have been too personal. But to his surprise, he still got an answer.

“I don’t know. I hope so,” came the honest answer.

“Why take such a risk? What if I misuse the document and the information it contains?” Fuyuki asked seriously, bewildered at the other person’s recklessness.

Hearing this, Feng Liwei stood upright and took a step towards Fuyuki. He looked down at him with that serious expression of his making Fuyuki’s hands tremble.

“You said you want freedom. That means our goals are aligned. If you truly believe it can be achieved, then you won’t abuse your administrative authority or my power for illegal purposes.

“What we are about to do is already illegal.”

“You know what I mean.”

Feng Liwei looked at him for a long time without saying a word. It was so unnerving when he did that, especially while wearing his uniform that it made Fuyuki shiver all over inside and sweat from the effort of trying to hide how intimidated he felt.

Fuyuki looked away at last and his voice was so low that Feng Liwei was only able to hear his response because he was standing close to him.

“Maybe you misjudge me.”

“Then prove to me that I don’t,” he said and turned around to tap on the touch screen tabletop behind him.

What Fuyuki saw next was a 4D model of a building projected above the desk. When Feng Liwei made some alterations it changed to show its layout. The building in question was the private residency of none other but Feng Liwei’s mighty father.

“What is this?”

“A little extra. I’ll be visiting my father tonight to celebrate his birthday. I already have the document you might need but I can’t show it to you here. Come in undetected at night and you’ll get it,” he said casually.

“Is this a test?” Fuyuki asked angrily.

“You can take it as a test if you want to. If you can’t do it you won’t be able to find the person I’m looking for, nor will you be able to achieve your goal.”

“I see you don’t trust me just as much I don’t trust you.”

“Then it’s a test for both of us,” sneered the Major and sat down on his chair which was designed to be anatomically correct for his body proportions and posture, thus providing the most comfortable sitting experience there is.

Feng Liwei crossed his legs and waited patiently for his reply.

“Okay, so my job is to get in there, and...?” Fuyuki asked looking at the layout and trying to memorize as many details as he could.

“I’ll find you and take you to the room where I can show you the document,” he said and looked at Fuyuki with an observant look. “It’s not a trap. If it was, I would be just as doomed as you are for helping you.”

Fuyuki stared in shock at the calm figure of the person before him. He didn’t know how the Major was able to guess his thoughts this precisely. Perhaps, the lack of trust is what enabled him to imagine what his thoughts could be.

“What about the person you’re looking for?” Fuyuki asked finally.

“I have a wild guess where he could be. But that’s not important for now. If my guess is correct, after I help you get closer to achieve your goal, you will also help me find him.”

That was of course obvious. A favour in return for a favour is what their deal is based on not such sentiments as trust. But still, trust is necessary, otherwise they will hinder the way to their goals.

“Alright. Then, see you tomorrow,” Fuyuki said and turned to leave.

“We usually have dinner at eight. Come a bit before that so I can hide you until we are all in the dining room and you have the rest of the house for yourself so that you can walk around freely.”

“Understood.”

Fuyuki left the Major’s office in a daze as if everything he had just heard was part of a strange nightmare he dreamed during a delirium. He still couldn’t believe his luck, although he had a strange premonition that he might regret his decision later. But today this seemed the only possible and probably the fastest method to gain the trust of such a high-profile person.

He decided to lay low for a while and see what this new alliance would bring. And who knows, perhaps, he really is better than he appears to be.