CH 43.1

Chapter 43.1

Fourth Floor (21)

Translated by boilpoil

Edited by boilpoil

“I Am Writing to Express My Joy at Your Coming Visit”

The independent space has been decorated in a private style by its owner.

However, this ‘style’ is not exactly Lin Yi’s preference. He hurries through the corridor splattered with old blood stains, and knocks on the door.

The door opens.

Lin Yi looks past the orderly bookshelves, stopping his eyes at the man admiring the scenery with his back to him.

“Finally here?” Zhou Zong snuffs his cigarette out while turning around to face Lin Yi with an expressionless face, “you are brave to come see me alone.”

“There was a request, and I intend to honour it. So here I am.” Lin Yi walks in, and looks around the absolutely immaculate surroundings. Here, there is almost no sign of that preferred personal style——There is actually nothing with personality save for the photo frame on the table.

Lin Yi picks it up to look at the photograph within.

Two youthful men with arms wrapped around the other’s shoulder. The photograph is quite the vintage.

One of them looks stronger and has a pretty dumb style. The other is slightly thin, and looks a little camera shy.

The two young men with ambition were ready to take on the world.

“A request…” Zhou Zong mumbles, then asks, “what did he leave me with?”

Lin Yi flips the frame over, noticing the lack of any wear and tear——And in fact, he believes this frame has been in use for less than a week, judging by the faint smell of wood still lingering.

He smiles as he puts the frame back on the table.

“Vice-Captain said, he was honoured to be able to complete his duty.”

Zhou Zong observes Lin Yi closely.

Compared to Black Glove, Zhou Zong appears far less noticeable, mostly because he does not look nearly as aged and old. He has definitely kept up appearances, and looks like any successful middlge manager. Still, the authoritative aura of someone in power for a long time is evident.

Time has given him invaluable experience, his authority has given him strength. These combine into a form of personal charisma even despite the largely unremarkable facial features.

“Honoured, he said?” Zhou Zong lifts a brow at that, then suddenly bares his fangs, “a great honour, isn’t it, Redcloud… Or, should I call you Xü Zheng?”

Wasn’t this a secret? Why does everyone and their dog know he’s a double agent now?

Lin Yi sighs, though he is not much surprised at the development. The moment that person in black in Stargaol called out his name, he knew this was going to happen.

The enemy has no incentive to help keep your identity hidden, after all.

“Very good, Xü Zheng, Redcloud… I really was none the wiser…” Zhou Zong is gritting his teeth, “I sent a-Tai a traitorous dog.”

“My condolences for his passing.”

Lin Yi offers rather empty sympathies, then takes a paper a pen from the table, to start drawing.

“Before angrily accusing me to try and make me feel guilt and shame, how about you first let me dictate what I need to hand over?”

Zhou Zong’s anger suddenly fades into emotionlessness, “what do you want?”

Lin Yi doesn’t stop. He recreates the mess of shapes and lines with efficiency.

“Though you may not believe me, I am only here to make good on Vice-Captain’s last wishes.”

Zhou Zong shows no visible emotional response, asking again, “you think you can fool me a second time?”

“It is up to you whether you believe me.” Lin Yi finishes, and looks back up at Zhou Zong, “all that I have to do is return that sentence and this piece of paper to you.”

He relinquishes both the paper and the pen, then puts his hands away, backing off a step as well, to indicate his harmlessness.

“I never thought you were the sentimental kind.” Zhou Zong puts his hands on the paper, scrutinising, “still happy to offer a bonus service for a former employer?”

“You jest. Someone simply told me.” Lin Yi pauses, his usual, unchanging casual tone finally betrays a more solemn quality, “it is not a good habit to go back on promises.”

Zhou Zong’s eyes are still fixed to the paper, but he adds, “the Doctor?”

That solemn quality quickly fades, as Lin Yi makes a surprised face and asks, “Captain is already aware of him?”

“You forgot?” Zhou Zong looks up from the piece of paper at Lin Yi, “you tried to dig for information on him through Nianluo’s channels.”

“I suppose I did.” Lin Yi admits without hesitation, “I used many different means I had at hand to investigate Doctor. Just slipped out of my mind that I used Nianluo’s too.”

“Looks like you’ve dealings with quite the amount of powers around.” Zhou Zong comments emotionlessly, “it is curious anyone would believe a backstabbing dog like you.”

“How many years has Nianluo cared for you? How have I, Zhou Zong, treated you these years? Tell me.”

Lin Yi answers honestly, “Nianluo has been honourable, and Captain is like second family to me. I cannot possibly complain about the care you have given me.”

Zhou Zong appears pissed enough to start smiling, “good. Your judgement is intact, and you know exactly what a piece of shit you are.”

Then his tone takes a turn for the worse, glaring at Lin Yi, “there were some rumours that you were a traitor. I dismissed it, and so did the brothers. You’ve put your life on the line for Nianluo; we cannot betray all you’ve done for Nianluo for some unfounded rumour.”

“And in the end? We were all motherfucking fools!” Zhou Zong’s speech is slowing down as well, “betray what you’ve done for Nianluo? Our brothers treat you as family; I wouldn’t even be angry if you couldn’t reciprocate, but to stab us in the back right as we’re turned?”

“You truly are brave.” Zhou Zong is grinding his teeth at this point, “to dare come visit me again.”

Lin Yi is showing a slightly embarrassed smile, but the lengthy accusations evidently had no effect, “Captain, that is a basic requirement of all spies. Don’t you think it’s a little odd to ask someone undercover to develop actual loyalty to the place they are undercover in?”

“Besides, Nianluo has treated me well, but the Organisation is the same.” Lin Yi then sighs, “it’s honestly a little rich to be talking ‘loyalty’ to a spy.”

“Good. Very good.” Zhou Zong repeats the word again, but has calmed down in no time, “then let’s talk about something less rich to you.”

“It is well-noted you have no soul, and you betrayed us without a second thought, meaning you did have that little bit of loyalty to your actual Organisation…” Zhou Zong has a vaguely derisive smile, “so what made you betray them and choose Doctor instead?”

Lin Yi’s generally amicable and casual demeanour sinks down to nothing, “you all like to ask the same questions?”

“Since Doctor will not be able to stay out of everything forever.” Zhou Zong replies, “we will eventually have to make contact. Is it really that hard to imagine that we would like to know him beforehand?”

Lin Yi nods, “it’s not. I do not think that it is what Nianluo needs right now, however.”

Zhou Zong’s expression changes a little, immediately realising there is more to this, “what do you mean?”

“The second reason I came to visit personally.” Lin Yi says calmly, “a little piece of advice.”

“Nianluo is in dire straits. The end of the road is coming, please do exercise caution.”

Zhou Zong looks up and down Lin Yi, the same way someone would observe a mind-boggling creature.

“This is the last vestiges of your conscience remaining? Or simply another chip on the table for your next deal?”

“Neither.” Lin Yi speaks the truth, “Doctor simply likes it better I do it this way.”

“You sure are… quite the traitor.” Zhou Zong smirks, “some serious loyalty to your new boss?”

Lin Yi smiles, but does not reply.

“Well, fine. Treat me courteously, and I shall return the favour.” Zhou Zong takes the pen, and starts writing on the paper.

Lin Yi is somewhat suspicious of his seemingly generous attitude——No matter how he comports himself, Zhou Zong is still the one who ordered Vice-Captain’s death without blinking an eye. His actions speak louder than any word, and it says he has no mercy nor honour for anything beyond Nianluo’s benefit.

Zhou Zong gives him the paper, and Lin Yi scans it, raising a brow at the opening words, “that was the info?”

“I think this will be useful for Doctor.”

“Captain, you’d like it to…” Lin Yi pauses, looking at Zhou Zong.

“As a token of my gratitude…” Zhou Zong turns his eyes over to the photo frame, “for bringing me his words.”

“Captain, your bond with Vice-Captain is truly touching.” Lin Yi politely comments, showing zero emotional response——He’s speaking to the one who ordered Black Glove’s death, after all. It’s quite difficult to be touched by his display of fraternity post-mortem.

It is not Lin Yi’s place to critique, though. Ugly, dirty as things may be, they exist for a reason. Pointing it out only obscures the correct judgement one makes and serves no other purpose.