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“After the case in Cai Lan Manor, you better stay as far away from A-Fei as possible.”
“What do you mean? Do you think I bullied him? I’m helping you!”
“(...) Fine! Since you have discussed all the way and have a tacit understanding, and you’re only dishonest with me you can investigate this case by yourselves. I quit!”
…
Stupid Li Lianhua. Stupid A-Fei! Fang Duobing has had enough!
Ever since they left Baichuan Academy the two men have been keeping more and more secrets from him, having more conversations without Fang Duobing in the room. He is not stupid, he knows when he’s not wanted around, and it seems that right now both Li Lianhua and A-Fei are just keeping him with them for Fang Duobing’s amusement! He’s not a child! He doesn’t need to be coddled.
They use his family’s name, they use his detective’s position, they use his martial arts, they use him all the time, yet they continue to keep him in the dark as to their plans, their knowledge. Their intentions. Is Fang Duobing not good enough to be included? Why do they continue to keep him out of the loop? He is not a toy to be flashed around for the two of them to get what they want!
A-Fei is nothing but mystery and danger wrapped in a person yet Li Lianhua insists on working with him rather than Fang Duobing. Had A-Fei’s martial skills been any better Fang Duobing would be truly concerned about his friend, not to mention the amount of knowledge he has about the Jinyan Alliance…
Bolting from his bed, Fang Duobing’s mind kick-starts into a frenzy. Who exactly is A-Fei? What’s his background? Why does it feel like everything Fang Duobing learns about him seems to either be a lie or simply doesn’t match the type of person the man seems to be. There is a discrepancy too great to be ignored.
Racing to the desk, he stops only for a second to lock the doors to his room, an idea forming in his mind. If neither of the two men will tell Fang Duobing the truth he will find it out himself. He is a detective after all. Him, and not Li Lianhua or A-Fei. It takes a bit of time for him to draw the two portraits, Fang Duobing for once being glad he took to drawing during his early years, and gather all the information Li Lianhua has shared about A-Fei. It’s not a lot, but it’s a start.
A-Fei, South Sea Sect. Li Lianhua, owner of the Lotus Tower. The two pieces of paper lay in front of him as he puts the brush away, the request for information ready to be sent, the eagle waiting quietly at the windowsill. As he lifts the portrait of Li Lianhua his heart aches. Li Lianhua is his first friend - the only friend so far Fang Duobing made in the martial arts world, does he really not deserve Fang Duobing’s trust? He has no such doubts about A-Fei, but Li Lianhua…
Perhaps it’s a mistake but Fang Duobing will always believe in the best of people. Bunching up the letter he tosses it to the side, the decision made up.
“You can keep your secrets if you want,” he whispers into the empty room, “One day, I’ll let you ask me in person to trust you again.”
…
To Mr. Worried
A-Fei and I have a personal affair to attend to, we have to take our leave. I’m writing this letter to inform you. I’m not leaving without saying goodbye.
I’m not an old fox, and I’m not cunning at all. This letter is to warn my friend to stop sulking, and leave this place as soon as possible. Otherwise, things will change.
You can surely buy that. Please check the surroundings behind the rock. I’ve sent out a smoke signal, your aunt is coming to catch you. Leave now.
“Li Lianhua, I hate you!”
…
Fang Duobing was left behind. Again!
The anger almost chokes him as Fang Duobing looks at the yellow smoke signal rising in the sky. How dare Li Lianhua do this to him! They are partners, are they not? They are friends! Yet Li Lianhua tricks him again and again, taking with him A-Fei who is an unknown danger and going who knows where without leaving Fang Duobing so much as a direction to follow. How is he supposed to protect Li Lianhua this way?
He crushes the letter in his hands, the paper making a satisfying crunch under his fingers. What was Li Lianhua even thinking? Fang Duobing knows the elder is blind to his affection, but he had hoped Li Lianhua could see that his feelings are sincere and that however Fang Duobing decides to care for him the elder would appreciate it. Was it all for nothing? Was A-Fei really better as Li Lianhua’s companion?
The thought plagues his mind as he makes his escape, refusing to be dragged back home after all the hardships he endured while away. He hates Li Lianhua so much! Hates everything about him from the way the elder treats him like a child to the condescending way he calls Fang Duobing’s name! Hates his stupid tower and how easy it is for him to leave. Hates how the elder man sees him as a child and tricks him whenever he sees fit.
But what Fang Duobing hates the most is this feeling of helplessness and abandonment.
…
“Li Lianhua has no conscience at all! Why didn’t he give me more money? Now I don’t even have a place to stay! And I have to live on air, and eat solid food on the roof.”
…
Li Lianhua doesn’t deserve his trust, he doesn’t deserve his care or his attention - that is the conclusion Fang Duobing has come to in the past day. He disappears whenever he wants, treats Fang Duobing without any respect, and threatens him with the one thing he knows Fang Duobing avoids at all cost. Li Lianhua truly is merciless!
Taking another bite of his bun, Fang Duobing scowls deeply. His cheeks are stuffed to the brim yet the anger still doesn’t subside as he recalls the events of the day, the trickery and hurt Li Lianhua dashes out to him with such ease. Once upon a time, Fang Duobing had hoped he mattered to the elder man but now he knows the truth - he doesn’t. If he did, Li Lianhua wouldn’t treat him this way. If he did, Li Lianhua would explain why it was so important for him and A-Fei to go on their own, but instead, he chose to behave like a sly old fox.
The sky above him is littered with sparse clouds, the moon full and so bright in the darkness around him. Why can’t he enjoy it for once?
It’s all because of Li Lianhua, it’s all his fault!
His eyes begin to sting as he continues to munch on his food, and he sniffs stubbornly, keeping the tears at bay. So what if Li Lianhua doesn’t want him around? So what if Fang Duobing sees him as his only and closest friend, the one he would do and sacrifice anything for? Fang Duobing is more than what Li Lianhua sees him as - a tool to reach his own ends.
As he sits on the roof he hears the eagle from his home approaching and he rises to intercept it. The message is short - After Investigation, no one from the South Sea Sect is called Fei. He frowns. No one is called Fei? If that’s the truth then-
“Li Lianhua is in danger!” He jump starts, his feet sliding over the terracotta plates. And then he stops himself. Why should he care that Li Lianhua is in danger?
His hand is still clutching the small message in his hand, the unfinished bun in his other one. He’s unsure of what he should do. It’s true that Li Lianhua clearly doesn’t want him around, his actions and his words are enough for the young man to understand that, yet the thought of anything dangerous happening to the physicist stings more than the feeling of abandonment Fang Duobing has been nurturing since this morning. He can’t sit and do nothing knowing Li Lianhua might be in trouble.
Gathering his things, Fang Duobing makes up his mind. It’s his duty as a martial arts practitioner and Li Lianhua’s friend to ensure his safety.
…
…