ASH | Chapter 9

“Hold​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ on to it carefully, all right?” When He Dongfang handed Fei Huan the item, her face wore the mischievous expression of a child up to no good.

But Fei Huan knew exactly how much this thing was worth.

The formula for Dongtang’s drugs. How many lives had this thing claimed, and how many families had it destroyed? How many people had lost everything fighting to possess it?

Looking​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ at He Dongfang’s gentle smile, Fei Huan found it hard to believe that she had developed it herself.

“What’s wrong?” A woman’s intuition allowed He Dongfang to notice Fei Huan’s unusual behavior.

“What?” Fei Huan hid his momentary lapse and glanced at the item in his hand. “Oh, why is this so strange? I can’t understand it at all.”

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Dongfang laughed, draped an arm around Fei Huan’s neck, and said fondly, “You idiot. Apart from me and Big Brother, no one who keeps the formula has the complete version. What you’re holding lists the ingredients and their quantities. The method is with He Xitong. Memorize it quickly, then burn this.”

So that was it. Fei Huan cursed himself inwardly, realizing that he had only achieved half his objective for now.

He hurriedly memorized what was written on the paper, burned it in front of He Dongfang, and then fooled around with her for a while. Fei Huan found an excuse and went out.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ knew he shouldn’t risk contacting Xu Luotao, but that feeling of excitement, that proud look on his face, was so difficult to bear without showing it to Xu Luotao.

Amid the bustling streets, Fei Huan dialed Xu Luotao’s number.

“Hello?” An elegant male voice came through the phone. It wasn’t Xu Luotao, but Tan Feng. Whenever Xu Luotao was in an important meeting, Tan Feng handled his phone for him.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan pursed his lips on the other end of the line, a little disappointed. “Tan Feng, it’s Fei Huan.”

“You?” Tan Feng’s reaction was somewhat tense. He lowered his voice. “Are you crazy? How dare you call this number?”

“It’s fine. I checked, and no one followed me. I’m using a public phone on the street.”

Tan​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Feng still disapproved. “You shouldn’t take risks. Anyway, what is it?”

Fei Huan was silent for a moment. In truth, he didn’t have anything to say. He had simply wanted to hear Xu Luotao’s voice and talk to him, even if Xu Luotao only made him angry. But if he told Tan Feng that, Tan Feng would certainly make fun of him.

Fei Huan said, “Tell Xu Luotao that I’ve obtained part of the formula.”

Tan​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Feng asked, “Fei Huan, he’s in a meeting. Do you want to speak to him?”

“No.” Fei Huan refused listlessly. Once his excitement faded, he realized that contacting Xu Luotao so recklessly had violated an undercover agent’s greatest taboo.

“Fei Huan, do you need me to arrange a meeting for the two of you?” Tan Feng asked seriously.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan considered the temptation for a long time before biting his lower lip and refusing. “No, forget it.” He thought for a moment with the phone to his ear, then said, “Tan Feng, tell him not to worry. I’ll take care of myself.”

After hanging up, Fei Huan somewhat regretted not asking Tan Feng to arrange a meeting with Xu Luotao. With Tan Feng’s abilities, he could certainly arrange for them to meet without anyone noticing.

What would Xu Luotao do if he saw him?

As​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Fei Huan walked down the street, many young women cast admiring looks his way.

That man who only ever thought with his lower half. Fei Huan remembered Xu Luotao’s lustful eagerness, and a faint smile touched the corners of his lips.

He made excuses for Xu Luotao in his heart. He was actually quite capable. Perhaps he only acted that way when he was with me.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan remembered those wild days in the apartment. He could almost still feel the touch of Xu Luotao’s fingertips lingering faintly on his body.

It was a ticklish, tingling caress.

Fei Huan’s body grew warm. It had been a long time since anyone had touched him, and he had touched no one either. He hadn’t even truly slept with He Dongfang. For a long time, Fei Huan had thought he had developed a kind of cleanliness obsession. Later, to his irritation, he discovered that it was because of Xu Luotao.

Was​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ the meeting over? Xu Luotao should be coming out of the conference room by now.

If Tan Feng told him I had called, how would he react?

Fei Huan kept walking and saw that several phone booths by the roadside were empty. He considered whether he should call Xu Luotao again.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ quickly dismissed the thought. Because he remembered the “ashtray.”

Xu Luotao, I’m not keeping you interested solely by getting into bed with you, am I?

Fei Huan stared hard at the phone booth for a while, but in the end, he walked away.

Just​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ as Fei Huan had expected, Xu Luotao was so agitated when he learned that Fei Huan had called that he nearly grabbed Tan Feng by the collar.

“What did you say? Fei…” Xu Luotao paused. Although there were only the two of them in the president’s office, he immediately changed his wording:

“You said he called?”

Tan​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Feng nodded.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Xu Luotao demanded angrily.

“He didn’t have anything important to say. There was no need to interrupt the meeting.” Tan Feng calmly watched Xu Luotao turn around abruptly, anger ready to erupt. Then he added casually, “Besides, the eldest young master gets worked up too easily. Getting worked up leads to taking risks, and taking risks could get Fei Huan killed.”

“What​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ do you mean?”

“If the eldest young master had answered the phone, you would certainly have demanded to meet him. Once you met, you’d inevitably get intimate. Afterward, Fei Huan would have marks on him. He’s He Dongfang’s future husband now. If anyone found out, it would be troublesome.” Tan Feng said teasingly, “And I know Fei Huan also wants very badly to see the eldest young master right now. Putting two agitated people together probably wouldn’t be wise.”

Xu Luotao gave a heavy snort.

Hearing​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Tan Feng say that Fei Huan also wanted very badly to see him made his heart warm.

But the feeling of unwillingness still clogged his chest.

“If I saw him, I could calm him down and remind him not to give himself away.” Xu Luotao glared at the large desk and muttered irritably, scratching his head. “I should have just kidnapped him the moment we met. Who cares whether he’s Interpol or undercover!”

Tan​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Feng ignored Xu Luotao’s complaints and said, “Fei Huan asked me to tell you that he’s obtained part of the formula.”

“Then can he withdraw safely soon?”

Tan Feng said nothing. In truth, he was somewhat worried. Judging from how Fei Huan had recklessly allowed his emotions to influence him today, he didn’t seem suited to working undercover.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ didn’t voice that concern.

Xu Luotao should have understood it perfectly well himself.

“Tan Feng, keep a close watch on Dongtang’s movements.”

“We’ve​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ been watching them closely all along.”

When Fei Huan returned to Dongtang headquarters, he was surprised not to see He Dongfang. She should have finished her work and slipped into Fei Huan’s room as usual.

Fei Huan shook his head. The eldest young lady of Dongtang was someone who frequently came up with fresh ideas too. Perhaps she had gotten a sudden whim and gone somewhere else to cause trouble.

Footsteps​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ approached, and Fei Huan sprang to his feet warily. The steps were heavy. They didn’t belong to a woman.

He Xitong entered.

He stared at Fei Huan challengingly for several seconds, then jerked his chin toward the door.

“Ash,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Big Brother wants to see you.”

His expression was strange, and Fei Huan grew tense.

“Oh? What does Big Brother want me for?” Fei Huan secretly gripped the small knife on the table and asked casually.

He​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Xitong said coldly, “You’ll know when you get there.”

Should he go, or attack immediately?

Fei Huan thought of the phone call he had made today. If he had really been followed without noticing, it wouldn’t be difficult for Dongtang, with its influence, to find out whom he had called.

The​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ consequences of letting his head run hot.

His grip on the small knife tightened.

“Hey! Are you coming or not?” He Xitong impatiently kicked the door. “I’ve delivered the message, so do whatever you want. Don’t put on airs. You haven’t even established yourself in Dongtang yet.” He seemed to feel that merely standing in Fei Huan’s quarters had dirtied him, and he left with a cold snort.

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan was somewhat surprised. He had gripped the knife so tightly that it had nearly cut into his hand, but now he relaxed.

He exhaled and began to consider what this was about.

What does Big Brother want me to do?

Have​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ I been exposed? He Xitong’s behavior didn’t look like it.

Fei Huan’s thoughts were a mess. Damn Xu Luotao, he’d made me lose my concentration!

He thought of Tong Ping, his former partner. Tong Ping was probably more suited to working undercover than Fei Huan was. He acted quickly, reacted quickly, and was especially good at gauging other people’s thoughts.

I​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ might as well go. Fei Huan stood up again.

He Donghua’s smiling face quickly soothed Fei Huan’s uneasy heart.

“Haha, come here, Ash.” He Donghua pulled Fei Huan down beside him, carefully studying Fei Huan’s slightly pale complexion as he said with a smile, “I know you’re feeling a little unhappy. Xiao Fang was only having a meal with an old friend today. Don’t worry, that person is in the past. You’re the one in Xiao Fang’s heart now.”

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan was confused by what he heard. But he reacted quickly and roughly understood. He Dongfang had probably run into an old lover and gone to eat with him.

“Big Brother, do you really think I’m that narrow-minded?” Fei Huan laughed foolishly, feeling relieved inside.

“Good!” He Donghua laughed several times, then his expression grew serious. “Ash, there’s something I need you to do.”

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan’s heart gave a jolt, but he kept his expression blank.

“Whatever you need me to do, Big Brother, just tell me.”

“It’s nothing difficult,” He Donghua said. “I want you to meet the leader of Lofusi.”

Fei​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huan abruptly stood up…