ASH | Chapter 6

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

“Friends and relatives, thank you all for coming to celebrate my father’s hundredth birthday. Today is a wonderful day, and I’m absolutely delighted!” He Donghua’s face was wreathed in smiles. Though he was already nearing fifty, he had taken excellent care of himself. He was bright-eyed and vigorous, lean and trim enough to pass for a man in his thirties. Of course, he still fell far short of Fei Huan standing beside him.

Fei Huan had only stood quietly off to the side with a faint, indifferent expression, yet he had already drawn everyone’s eyes. While everyone raised their heads to listen to He Donghua, the host of the banquet, more than half of their gazes were fixed on Fei Huan.

“Today​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ isn’t only my father’s hundredth birthday. I also have a wonderful piece of news to announce!” He Donghua patted Fei Huan beside him and took his hand, pulling him a little closer. “I, He Donghua, am giving my little sister away!”

As soon as he said this, the crowd erupted.

Many of He Donghua’s friends offered their congratulations at the tops of their voices.

“Two​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ celebrations at once!”

“Congratulations, congratulations. We’ll be drinking Big Brother He’s wedding wine again.”

…

He Donghua nodded repeatedly, his face glowing with delight. He seemed even happier than he would have been at his own wedding.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao stood among the guests, his face already dark with anger. He glared fiercely at Fei Huan, and only felt slightly better when he saw that Fei Huan kept his head lowered, as though none of this had anything to do with him. If Fei Huan had looked excited and smug, as if he could hardly wait to become a bridegroom, Xu Luotao would probably have rushed up and dragged him away by force.

Fei Huan seemed to sense Xu Luotao’s anger. He suddenly looked up and gave Xu Luotao a faint smile, making his heart race, then lowered his head indifferently again and ignored him.

“Everyone knows that my little sister is the person I treasure most!” He Donghua ignored Fei Huan beside him and thumped his chest as he spoke loudly. “But once a girl grows up, she still has to marry. There’s nothing an older brother can do, no matter how much it hurts. So now I’d like to introduce my future brother-in-law, Zhang Xiaoqiang. He’s the man my precious little sister chose for herself, and he’s still young. Brothers, please look after him in the future.”

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Donghua dragged Fei Huan forcefully to the center of the stage. “Come on, Ash, say a few words too.”

The moment the guests saw Fei Huan standing beside He Donghua, they had already guessed part of what was happening. Now, seeing He Donghua force a microphone into Fei Huan’s hands, they all began to make a commotion. Even the Dongtang brothers started shouting for Fei Huan to explain how he had managed to win the He family’s young lady.

Fei Huan stood coldly onstage. He stared at the microphone in his hand for a moment, bored, then finally raised it to his lips.

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ entire hall suddenly fell silent. Everyone was curious about this handsome young man of unknown origin. With Fei Huan’s appearance drawing so much attention, they all wanted to hear what he would say.

Fei Huan’s speech was very simple.

“I was supposed to come with Xiao Fang tonight, but she got stage fright and was too embarrassed to attend even her father’s birthday banquet. So I’d like to apologize to everyone on her behalf. If she does anything wrong in the future, please be understanding.”

Those​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ ordinary, formulaic words sounded especially pleasant coming from Fei Huan’s lips. Although his expression showed no desire whatsoever for anyone’s understanding or guidance, the guests still gave him face and responded with plenty of polite words.

Fei Huan quietly swept his gaze across the crowd. When he looked at Xu Luotao, there was not the slightest sign of anything unusual. He pursed his lips, handed the microphone back to the grinning He Donghua standing nearby, whispered a few words in his ear, and walked off the stage alone.

He seemed to be in a hurry to leave and headed straight for the door. As the newest rising star poised to enter Dongtang’s inner circle, he naturally had no shortage of people eager to curry favor with him. Along the way, many guests came forward to congratulate him, and he dealt with them all quickly.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao’s eyes followed Fei Huan the entire time. Skillfully shaking off the group around him, he secretly followed Fei Huan outside.

Xu Luotao hurried around the corridor, intending to pull Fei Huan into a secluded spot the moment he left through the door. But just as he approached the entrance, another acquaintance came over to greet him. Xu Luotao suppressed his irritation and exchanged a few words, then left the man behind and hurried to the door. Fei Huan had already vanished.

His anger suddenly flared. Xu Luotao wished he could grab that acquaintance and beat him up. But he already knew where Fei Huan was. What was there to fear about not finding him?

Thinking​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ of this, Xu Luotao’s mood improved considerably. He raised his hand to check his watch. The banquet was almost over anyway, so he might as well leave now. He called Tan Feng’s cell phone. “Tan Feng, I want all the information on Dongtang. Especially everything about He Donghua’s little sister. …Yes, as detailed as possible!”

After hanging up, he suppressed his impatience, calmly walked to the underground parking lot, and retrieved his car, preparing to leave.

The parking lot was extremely quiet, and the fluorescent lights covering the ceiling were painfully bright. Declining the attendant’s offer to bring the car around, Xu Luotao decided to go get it himself.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ was in a bad mood and wanted to walk around and do something.

Fei Huan’s faint smile, his handsome profile, and the slender, elegant fingers holding the microphone kept flashing before his eyes.

Damn it, he had actually pretended not to know me!

Could​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ changing to a ridiculous name really make him into another person?

Am I going crazy from missing Fei Huan?

Xu Luotao stopped in front of his own car and shook his head in disbelief.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ had driven a red Ferrari today, a car he rarely used. There were too many luxury cars at home, and in truth, he seldom drove any of them.

Now, beside the meticulously maintained Ferrari, there was someone.

With a lazy smile on his face, he was half-kneeling beside the car door, apparently doing something.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan!

Xu Luotao nearly shouted. Fortunately, his self-control was well honed, and he managed to keep his expression composed as he quietly approached Fei Huan from behind.

“What are you doing?” Xu Luotao narrowed his eyes dangerously. He had already seen exactly what Fei Huan was doing. The little bastard was using an ordinary Korean coin to scrape the paint off the car door.

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ once-brand-new door was covered in scratches. It looked as though replacing it was the only option.

Xu Luotao obviously would not get angry over a door. Even if Fei Huan dismantled the entire car, it would not matter.

He had far too many scores to settle with this bastard! The matter of the car door could be ignored.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan was not surprised in the slightest. He casually turned his head and gave Xu Luotao a faint smile.

He stood up, tossed away the evidence in his hand, the coin, and said fluently, “I’m creating an opportunity for us to spend time together.” He jerked his chin toward the mangled car door. “Seeing it like this, don’t you want to take me somewhere and teach me a proper lesson?”

“There are plenty of things I need to teach you a lesson for!” Xu Luotao snarled. He grabbed Fei Huan by the collar, shoved him against the hood, and kissed him fiercely.

Before​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ he could touch those long-missed sweet lips, Fei Huan flashed his teeth in a smile and suddenly drove his knee upward, landing a deliberately restrained blow between Xu Luotao’s legs. Xu Luotao had not expected Fei Huan’s skills to have improved so much. He was too agitated to remain alert, and Fei Huan’s sneak attack landed cleanly. Although Fei Huan had not used his full strength, that was still a vulnerable spot. Xu Luotao released him, clutching himself with a pained expression.

“Damn it!” Xu Luotao cursed under his breath.

Fei Huan rose gracefully from the hood, gave him a coquettish smile, opened the car door, and sat inside, as though waiting for Xu Luotao to drive.

At​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ that point, even Xu Luotao had no idea what Fei Huan was up to. He cursed irritably a few times before getting into the car.

He started the engine and floored the accelerator, speeding out of the parking lot. All he could think about was finding some secluded place to stop and settle the score with the man beside him.

What method should he use to punish him? A little SM might be nice.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao thought all the way, repeatedly turning his head to stare at Fei Huan’s neck.

Fei Huan, on the other hand, was utterly relaxed, turning a blind eye to the look in Xu Luotao’s eyes, which seemed ready to devour him.

“Drive to Tan Feng’s place,” Fei Huan suddenly said.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao raised his brows and glanced at him.

“If you caught a hoodlum who damaged your car, and that hoodlum happened to have a little background, then by your usual practice, you’d hand him over to Tan Feng to deal with, wouldn’t you?” Fei Huan said to Xu Luotao. “If you take me somewhere else, He Donghua will become suspicious.”

An inexplicable anger rose in Xu Luotao’s heart…

“Wonderful.”​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Xu Luotao turned the steering wheel and said through his clenched teeth, “You really did have to become a damn undercover agent.”

“You knew I was a police officer.”

“I couldn’t find you! You disappeared without a word!”

“This​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ mission was assigned by Interpol headquarters. They needed an experienced undercover agent who was an unfamiliar face in Korea, so I volunteered. For my safety, they naturally made appropriate arrangements.”

The shriek of brakes rang out.

Xu Luotao slammed on the brakes, and the Ferrari’s tires dragged two gray streaks across the road.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan had not expected such a sudden reaction. He lurched forward and slammed his forehead against the windshield with a thud. Before he could even raise a hand to rub the sore spot, Xu Luotao had already pounced on him like a tiger and pinned him against the passenger seat.

“Appropriate arrangements? Do you know how long I searched for you?” Xu Luotao gritted his teeth as he pressed down on Fei Huan’s shoulders.

Fei Huan lay beneath him and looked up, smiling. “What were you looking for me for?”

“Don’t​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ ask me what I was looking for you for!” Xu Luotao roared, then commanded imperiously, “Give up your ridiculous undercover mission and come with me immediately. And stop using that ridiculous name!” He rubbed his already swollen lower body against Fei Huan’s trousers a few times, making Fei Huan feel how close he was to losing control. “I’ll make sure you can’t get out of bed for several months!”

Fei Huan showed not the slightest trace of fear. He continued to regard Xu Luotao lazily.

“My alias does sound unpleasant, but I have a nickname. If you don’t like Zhang Xiaoqiang, you can call me by that.”

“Don’t​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ bother. I heard that old bastard He Donghua calling you Ash in that sickening tone.” Xu Luotao muttered with thick jealousy, lowered his head, and bit at Fei Huan’s lips.

Fei Huan nimbly turned his head and dodged his lips.

“My nickname is Ash, as in cigarette ash.” A strange smile appeared on his handsome face. Fei Huan lifted his neck and leaned lightly toward Xu Luotao’s ear. “Isn’t it cool?”

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ words cigarette ash left Fei Huan’s mouth in such an indifferent tone, yet they stabbed Xu Luotao like a knife. He could hear the anger Fei Huan was suppressing beneath his calm voice, anger that had not yet erupted, though he had no idea how long it had been building.

A buzzing suddenly filled his ears. For several seconds, he could not clearly see Fei Huan’s familiar face beneath him. The strength seemed to drain from his entire body, as though someone had taken it away.

Even if someone had slapped Xu Luotao several times, his expression would have looked better than it did now.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan sneered and pushed away the suddenly powerless Xu Luotao, sitting up.

He straightened the collar Xu Luotao had just pulled askew, revealing the faint dimples in his cheeks.

“He Donghua is an extremely shrewd man. I spent a great deal of effort getting close to him through his sister. He Dongfang is his sister in name, but in reality, she is the daughter he had with his father’s youngest concubine. He Donghua has doted on this nominal little sister since she was a child. By marrying He Dongfang, I’ll be able to enter Dongtang’s inner circle. He Donghua likes to use a rough, boorish image to mislead people, so I catered to his tastes. I deliberately acted foolish, damaged your car, let you beat me up, and gained a reputation for being reckless.” Fei Huan turned his head to look at the dumbfounded Xu Luotao and laughed twice, his shoulders shaking. “Don’t underestimate He Donghua. He has secret dealings with the Lofusi Group and possesses many abilities no one knows about. Once I understand Dongtang’s internal structure, I’ll move closer to the Lofusi Group.”

“You​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ hate me.” Xu Luotao quietly listened to Fei Huan, then suddenly said this without rhyme or reason. It was not a question and held no emotion, merely a simple statement.

Fei Huan paused briefly, then continued with a soft laugh. “Taking down the Lofusi Group will benefit you too. Isn’t the Shengtong you lead always opposed to it? That’s why I’m seeking your cooperation.”

He smiled and leaned against Xu Luotao’s shoulder, asking in the same coquettish manner as he had that day, “What do you think? Cooperation will benefit you, so you shouldn’t refuse, right? Take me to Tan Feng, teach me a small lesson, then send me back to Dongtang. Let everyone know that He Donghua’s future brother-in-law is all brawn and no brains, with nothing but a handsome face. That way, once I enter Dongtang’s inner circle, there won’t be too many people trying to obstruct me from competing for power.”

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ chuckled and bit Xu Luotao’s ear. “As long as you keep my identity absolutely secret, I’ll spend tonight with you. Do you miss me?” A faint, familiar scent drifted beneath Xu Luotao’s nose…“I miss you very much. I think about you every day.” Fei Huan licked Xu Luotao’s lips as he spoke.

Xu Luotao sat dazed in the driver’s seat, letting Fei Huan seduce him. Then, as though he had suddenly come to his senses, he turned and pressed Fei Huan beneath him once more. “Why did you choose this name? Fei Huan, why did you choose this name!” Xu Luotao’s breathing was somewhat ragged. Even Fei Huan, who was usually so composed, felt a little uneasy at the sight of him losing control.

Fei Huan stared coldly into the depths of his eyes and said nothing.

“If​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ it’s because of what I said, then I apologize.” To hell with all that talk about teaching Fei Huan a lesson and punishing him after he caught him. Xu Luotao clearly understood now how painful the madness of missing Fei Huan had been over the past year.

All he wanted was to have Fei Huan by his side.

To look at his face, kiss his brows, forehead, and eyes, touch every part of his body with his tongue, and hear his beautiful, honeyed voice rasp from deep in his throat…

“Apologize?”​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Fei Huan pulled at his cheek and gave him a strained smile. “I don’t need your apology.”

“Don’t be like this. You love me, Fei Huan. I know you love me! You accepted this mission to deal with the Lofusi Group, to get my attention!” Xu Luotao gave Fei Huan a charming, irresistible smile and urgently kissed Fei Huan’s lips as he said, “I love you too. God knows how much I missed you. When I couldn’t see you, I only wanted to kill everyone who reminded me of you, but I still missed you.” He spoke softly. “I really, really missed you.”

Fei Huan had not been prepared for Xu Luotao’s sudden confession. He stared blankly for quite some time.

In​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Fei Huan’s dreams, he had longed for this moment for a very, very long time. He had even rehearsed how he would respond countless times. But he had never imagined it would arrive so easily.

Xu Luotao, that arrogant, conceited playboy who stood at the very top.

For him to say the words I love you was simply unbelievable. Xu Luotao usually preferred saying, “Have sex.”

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ silent confrontation wasted quite a bit of time.

Fei Huan regulated his breathing, doing his best to keep tears from spilling out of his hot eyes. He took a deep breath of the cool night air, then spoke softly and slowly. “I love you too.”

Those four words made Xu Luotao want to kneel down and weep with joy. He let out a huge breath, his body going limp as though he might collapse on top of Fei Huan, while a sweet smile spread across his handsome face.

But​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Fei Huan was not finished.

He continued, “I’m going to continue this mission until I deal with the Lofusi Group. Because only then can I prove that I’m capable of being your lover, rather than a…” His sharp gaze stabbed Xu Luotao like a needle as he spat out two words mockingly: “Cigarette ashtray.”

“You can’t continue working undercover.”

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan refused to yield. He immediately shot back, “Then should I stay at home and continue being one of the many ashtrays in your collection?”

Xu Luotao felt a wave of weakness. He stubbornly said, “Fei Huan, you aren’t an ashtray. I love you. You’re my lover.”

Fei Huan said decisively, “I don’t believe you.” He mocked him, saying, “Although I love you, I’ll never trust your sweet words again. Now I only believe in what I can accomplish through my own abilities. If you don’t let me complete this mission, don’t even dream of seeing me look at you.”

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ gave Xu Luotao a meaningful once-over, deliberately stretching out his long legs to brush against Xu Luotao’s lower body. With a smile, he said, “Of course, you can rape me. There’s nothing I can do to resist that.”

Xu Luotao was speechless before Fei Huan’s smile. He knew how stubborn Fei Huan was. This year of disappearance had given him an even deeper understanding of Fei Huan’s hardheadedness.

He gently pressed his forehead against Fei Huan’s, furrowed his handsome brows, and said helplessly, “The Lofusi Group is not to be trifled with. You’re gambling with your life.”

“The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ moment anything feels wrong, I’ll run to you,” Fei Huan joked carelessly.

The wind shook the small trees along the roadside outside the window, and all the stars had hidden themselves away.

The lights of Korea’s night were brilliant, yet the night was exceptionally quiet.

Xu​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Luotao held Fei Huan in his arms and sighed countless times in his heart.

Fei Huan was using a dangerous method to take revenge on the Xu Luotao of that day. This stubborn man, whose pride had been wounded, wanted Xu Luotao to worry and waste away over him day and night.

But Xu Luotao had no grounds to oppose Fei Huan’s request.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan was giving him one final chance to make peace. If he refused, there was a very real possibility that he would never see Fei Huan again.

Helplessness mingled with worry and anxiety…Yet he had no choice but to return the person in his arms to that dangerous place.

A gamble over trust and self-respect began amid a power struggle stained with blood and drugs…