ASH | Chapter 5

Today​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ was a good day. The father of the head of the underworld organization “Dongtang” was celebrating his hundredth birthday.

“Dongtang” had originally been no more than a small Asian gang, but it had grown rapidly over the past two years and was already beginning to emerge among the major drug dealers. Tan Feng received an invitation to the banquet and tactfully suggested that Xu Luotao attend, if he was not too busy.

Tan Feng’s opinions were always taken seriously. Thus, as the boss of “Shengtong,” Xu Luotao dressed to the nines and attended the banquet.

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ hotel lobby was packed with people. Don’t assume that underworld figures these days all wore jackets, carried guns at the small of their backs, and kept two rows of bodyguards at their sides. They were more gentlemanly than gentlemen, more ladylike than ladies, when the occasion called for it.

Clinking wineglasses, resplendent chandeliers, men in designer suits, and beautiful women in low-cut evening gowns. How was any of this different from the high-society banquets Xu Luotao usually attended for the Tianping Group?

Xu Luotao held an elegant wineglass as he spoke with several gang leaders. His manner carried a hint of confident arrogance. After all, there were not many organizations that could stand alongside “Shengtong.” Every one of his meaningful remarks was followed by a few compliments and exclamations of admiration. From time to time, he also let his underworld nature show by making a few suggestive jokes about men and women, naturally drawing knowing laughter from the crowd.

Asian​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ underworld figures all seemed to like this sort of thing. Xu Luotao sighed impatiently inwardly. Good grief, when would Xu Luqing be coming back to help out? Otherwise, his older brother was going to be harried gray by all those trivial gang affairs.

The centenarian birthday boy, the old man sitting in the middle with a face full of age, was not the main character tonight. He was merely an excuse for his son to display his filial devotion and gather underworld figures from every corner to demonstrate his strength. So he wore a broad, cheerful smile as he sat with his young grandchildren.

The real stars were He Donghua, the current boss of “Dongtang,” and Xu Luotao, who constantly radiated the bearing of a leader. They stood at opposite ends of the venue, each drawing a crowd around him. Though one was the host and the other an honored guest, neither took the initiative to greet the other, as if they were secretly competing.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao naturally did not mind. “Shengtong” had influence across every continent and could not be compared to a major Asian gang like “Dongtang.” To take issue with it would only make him look petty.

As for He Donghua, many people admired his courage: after all, there were not many who dared to oppose Xu Luotao.

Just as Xu Luotao was thinking about how to escape this banquet he had already grown sick of, someone suddenly entered the lavish ballroom on the hotel’s third floor.

Coming​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ in at this point was rather late. The banquet was practically drawing to a close.

And yet this man seemed born with the ability to draw people’s eyes. The moment he entered the ballroom, countless gazes lingered on him. Most irritating of all, he seemed completely unaware of them. His entire body radiated a tranquil air, as though he were wandering through a dream, but his bright eyes, which rivaled the stars, occasionally flashed with a sharp glint. Like a beautiful beast half-closing its eyes in sleep, he gave off an alluring and stimulating impression.

He entered the ballroom and paused briefly, turning his neck to glance around before walking toward He Donghua. His legs were long and powerful, making it impossible not to look at the shapely, slender calves outlined by his suit trousers.

“Who​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ is he?” someone asked quietly.

“Never seen him before.”

Xu Luotao’s eyes had not left this man from the moment he entered. He silently stared at the handsome, self-assured man, struggling to control his fist as it began to tremble faintly. Even the faint smile he habitually kept on his face had vanished without a trace.

His​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ throat suddenly went dry, as if it were burning. There were only two words in his mind: Fei Huan…

Fei Huan, Fei Huan, Fei Huan, Fei Huan!

He had to be Fei Huan. Though his air had changed so much, and the way he dressed had changed so much, he had to be Fei Huan!

From​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ the moment Fei Huan stepped inside, Xu Luotao could no longer hear the hotel’s soft music. In an instant, the world had fallen utterly silent. Fortunately, his reason still faintly conveyed everything happening around him.

“I know who he is.”

Someone beside him said this, pulling Xu Luotao’s hearing back and focusing it on the mouth of the short, pudgy arms dealer.

Seeing​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ everyone around him turn their attention toward him, the arms dealer gave a sly smile. “He’s just a nobody, not even qualified to be considered a veteran in Dongtang. He spent a year playing a minor role down below. But things are different now…” He lowered his voice and leaned forward slightly. “He slept with Boss He’s younger sister, so he’s about to rise through the ranks. Heh heh, these days, being handsome still gets you everywhere.”

“That is true…” Xu Luotao’s sharp, hawk-like gaze stayed fixed on Fei Huan as he ground the three words out from between his teeth.

“But to be fair, the kid is a brave fighter. Last time, he took a wound to the back to save Boss He’s sister’s life. That counts as playing the hero to save the beauty.”

“Looks​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ are still what matter. If a fellow like you went to save Boss He’s sister, I think…” The speaker made a slight grimace, provoking a ripple of laughter from those nearby.

In the distance, Fei Huan was speaking with He Donghua. His profile was still so beautiful that it made people want to pounce on him and kiss him fiercely, to see marks left there by their own hands.

He Donghua was delighted to see Fei Huan. He pulled him around, introducing him to familiar friends from various gangs. Xu Luotao gritted his teeth, standing rooted to the spot like a nail as he watched people laughing and patting Fei Huan on the shoulder.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ was just about to walk over and drag the hateful, damned traitor aside for a lesson when, as though sensing him, Fei Huan suddenly turned around. Facing Xu Luotao’s direction, he gave him a polite nod.

A politeness that made Xu Luotao grind his teeth.

Not only did Fei Huan nod at him, he also began walking over. His steps were leisurely, and his face wore a light, faint smile.

With​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ his first step, Xu Luotao’s heart had already stopped beating. He watched the person he had thought would disappear forever bounce into view before his eyes.

The people in front of Xu Luotao automatically made way for Fei Huan, who was brimming with confidence and composure.

He stopped in front of Xu Luotao and looked earnestly into his eyes before asking in a low voice, “Mr. Xu Luotao?”

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao’s face twitched imperceptibly. He quickly smiled, recovering his usual debonair manner, and gave an affectedly proud nod. “Yes, I am Xu Luotao.”

“Hello. Nice to meet you.” Fei Huan extended his slender, pale hand and shook Xu Luotao’s. “I’ve heard Mr. Xu’s name countless times. Big Brother He has mentioned you to me more than once.”

“You’re too kind. This isn’t our first meeting, is it?”

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan was slightly taken aback and said in surprise, “Have we met before?” He smiled faintly again. “If we had, I certainly wouldn’t have forgotten. A man of Mr. Xu’s character is absolutely unforgettable.”

“Is that so?” Xu Luotao tightened his grip on Fei Huan’s hand and refused to let go, saying coldly, “For a moment, I mistook you for an old friend of mine. I haven’t asked your name.”

“Oh, my name is easy to remember. Zhang Xiaoqiang.” Fei Huan gave a self-deprecating laugh. “It’s a very rustic name. That’s what you get when your parents aren’t educated.”

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao was furious. He suddenly squeezed Fei Huan’s hand hard, instantly wiping the feigned smile from his handsome face and making him knit his brows slightly.

“I think your old name sounded much better.” In front of everyone nearby, Xu Luotao leaned in ambiguously and whispered against Fei Huan’s ear.

Before Fei Huan could answer, He Donghua’s sonorous voice sounded behind him.

“Ash,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ I’m about to make the announcement. Are you ready?” As he spoke, he walked over and patted Fei Huan on the shoulder, then turned as if only just noticing that Xu Luotao had attended the banquet.

“Ah, Mr. Xu! Welcome, welcome! Why didn’t you say hello when you arrived? I’ve been a poor host.” He Donghua warmly stepped forward to greet Xu Luotao. The fact that he dared to look Xu Luotao straight in the eye so openly was enough to show that he was fiercely ambitious and decisive in action.

Xu Luotao calmly released Fei Huan’s hand, then threw his head back in hearty laughter, acting as though he did not mind at all as he addressed He Donghua like a brother. “Of course I had to show my support for Boss He’s event.”

After​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ exchanging a few pleasantries, He Donghua seemed to have something to do. He apologized to Xu Luotao several times, then pulled Fei Huan away.

Xu Luotao’s penetrating gaze followed them as he watched Fei Huan accompany the delighted-looking He Donghua onto the stage at the center of the ballroom.

He Donghua picked up the microphone on the podium and cleared his throat twice, drawing the attention of everyone in the ballroom. All the voices died down as they waited to hear what the host had to announce.

“Dear​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ relatives and friends, thank you all for coming to celebrate my father’s hundredth birthday…