POV Zhan

Zhan, who is on his way back to Yiling together with his adoptive father in his private jet, looks thoughtfully out of the window and tries to review the past three weeks. But it was not so easy, because his worried father talked to him incessantly. "Will you finally answer me Zhan?" Asked Wen Rouhan after talking continuously for almost 5 minutes and Zhan not responding.

"What do you want me to say father? You were right and I wasn't? It's not like that. Not quite anyway." Replied Zhan tiredly.

"Oh no? I told you, you can't rely on the special agent. For a whole week he ignored your calls. If you had contacted me right away and told me about the meeting with Hamid, I could have gotten you two decent bodyguards in peace. But you said if you asked those agent, then he would help you for sure. And what happened? Within 2 hours two bodyguards had to be found and they sucked. You got shot and they both died."

"And how is that the agent's fault now? I'm sure if I had been able to reach him and ask, he would have helped me."

"Oh yeah, you're sure about that? You're sleeping with each other, but that doesn't make you friends. I'd be happy to get you a new toy, one you can count on in an emergency."

"Father, I already told you, he's not a toy."

"Yes, yes I know. You have a business relationship. He helps you in exchange for information. But Zhan, just be realistic. He's a special agent, yeah, maybe they weren't after us before, but that might have changed now that you've practically opened the door for them to our family. You betrayed your brother and what if they want more information now? What if we become their target now?"

"I don't think so. And I don't think Yibo is like that either."

"I want to believe you Zhan and I wish it too, but what are the chances he understands what we are doing and why we are doing it? Do you think he would have sat there quietly when you were talking to Hamid?"

"That's what he's been trained to do. I told you, this is exactly the kind of meeting I need someone who's trained specifically to be able to adapt quickly. To not show anything off. Not flashy guys like these bodyguards. My assistant is getting too old for that, I can't take him with me anymore. So I need someone young and strong. Someone who knows what he's doing and won't get caught off guard."

"And you think someone like this Wang Yibo is ideal for that? Do you really think he'll believe you, who we're all working for?"

"What does it matter now? You don't want me to involve him, so I won't. I'll give him the information he wants and then I won't see him again."

"It's better that way Zhan, believe me. I'll find a suitable assistant for you. I promise. Just stay away from that agent. I'm not comfortable with it."

"I got it father. As soon as we get back, I'll ask him to come in for a talk, then give him his information and break off contact."

"If he's really one of the good ones, it's better for him too. You don't want him to get in trouble do you?"

"No. Of course I don't. I'm going to get some more sleep father."

"You do that son. We'll be home soon and then you can get some real rest."

"Mmm. Wake me up when it's time." Said Zhan and closed his eyes. He had to agree with his father. Yibo is one of the good ones and he doesn't want to drag him into this. He doesn't want Yibo to get into trouble. Therefore, he will just tell him what he wants to know and then get out of his way.

*~*~*

EGO POV Yibo

Living and working with drill instructor Ran is really hard. But I already expected that. Because this man is a drill instructor with his heart and soul. The two weeks he has been my roommate and supervisor at the police station, it went by very slowly. At least that's how it seemed to me.

We still haven't made any progress and we still don't know which of the other police officers are taking bribes. They are supposed to get money not only from the Wen's, but also from other criminals or those who have a lot of money and want to use the bribe to avoid being reported.

A few days ago I had a serious talk with Seungyoun for the first time. He is still convinced that I should not have any contact with Zhan. And when he started nagging me about this again a few days ago, I had finally had enough. I turned to him, looked at him seriously, and asked, "Are you in love with me?"

Seungyoun was totally shocked and replied, "Are you stupid? We are best friends. I'm definitely not in love with you. You know I have a huge crush on Wooseok. I'm just worried about you."

"Still, you don't sound like my best friend, you sound like a jealous lover who is afraid of losing his lover. Honestly Seungyoun I can understand your concern, but enough is really enough. Every day you get on my nerves with this!"

"It's normal too, isn't it? That Xiao Zhan is one of the Wen's, after all."

"So what? That doesn't have to mean anything. You suspect him without evidence. Like the desk thing. You were convinced that Zhan bought it for me. You even wanted me to return it because otherwise it would be considered as bribe to a special agent. But as it turns out, Commissioner Miles bought it for me as a welcome gift. Just like he had done with every new team member. It was his way of welcoming someone. Just because he died, he couldn't tell me beforehand. Because he gave the order and was already dead when the desk then arrived and was set up."

"I know. But it could have been different."

"Could have, could have bicycle chain. I can't hear it anymore. Until you have proof of Zhan's criminal actions, don't talk to me anymore on any assumptions on your part. Because I've had enough with your constant accusations."

"Okay, yeah fine. I get it Yibo."

"I certainly hope you do. Because I'm not repeating myself again."

"So what now? Did you get the appointment from Xiao Zhan sent to you yet?"

"Mhhh, no. It's been 2 weeks and 2 days since our conversation, and he hasn't contacted me since then. And he also didn't respond to my message when I wrote him that I need the appointment in time enough because of my shifts at the police station."

"Nothing at all? No response?"

"No. I can see that he read the message, though. But he didn't reply."

"Mhhh, maybe he doesn't want you around now after all."

"Yes that would suit you. I think he's still mad at me. After all, he had been trying to reach me for days and I didn't answer a call. I have the feeling that something has happened."

"Then don't just write to him, just call him."

"No, I'll wait for him to contact me now and then I'll talk to him." It's been a few days now since I said that and Zhan wrote me a message this afternoon. He asked me if I had a minute in the evening to meet him at the bar.

So I drove to the bar in the evening and Zhan was already waiting for me. I was scared when I saw him because his right arm is in a loop. I asked him what happened and he just said, "It doesn't matter. I have your information here for you in the envelope. I'm dissolving the deal with this."

"What, why? Didn't you say it was unfair if only I got something out of it? And that I should earn my answers?"

"Yibo, just take the envelope. You'll find all the answers there and you can carry on as before. Don't worry, we won't interfere with your work or reveal you."

"What's that Zhan?"

"It's better this way Yibo. I have to go now as well then. Order yourself a drink if you want, it's on the house, the bartender knows."

Zhan got up and was about to leave, I held him by the wrist and asked him, "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

"No. There's nothing more to say."

"And what about your father? I think you wanted our help?"

"I'll find someone else."

"Why? I told you we'd help you."

"Yibo, I don't want you involved anywhere. Because you're one of the good ones and I don't want you to get in trouble. Don't worry, I'll find someone else."

"Someone else? Someone who can protect you as well as I can? Surely not! Because if I was the one protecting you, you wouldn't have been shot! Who was it mhm? Tell me, who shot you?"

"None of your business. I have to go now too."

"You're not leaving until I get my answers. Who shot you and why?" I asked him angrily.

"Don't you hear what my son said? This is none of your business." I winced when I heard that voice. Wen Rouhan!

Slowly I turned to him and asked, "And why is it none of my business?"

Wen Rouhan pointed to the manager's office and went there with me and Zhan. As we sat he said to me, "When my son needed your help, you ignored his calls. As a result, he was forced to take two bodyguards with him who were poorly trained and lost their lives."

"Dad he doesn't need to know all that!" Interjected Zhan.

"What exactly happened?" I asked, irritated.

"During an appointment with a very dangerous man, Zhan had been shot because of two poorly trained bodyguards. His bodyguards became nervous and restless, which made this man nervous as well. He had his men come into the room, the two bodyguards went berserk, a fight ensued that ended with the death of the two. Zhan was accidentally shot in the process." Wen Rouhan explained to me succinctly.

It made me angry when I heard that. Angry at me for ignoring Zhan's calls and because of that he could get hurt. I clenched my fists so hard that it hurt. I don't know why either, but I was just terribly angry. "I was working at the Agency during the week and couldn't get in touch. If Zhan had written me a message, I would have read it and gone with him. But I couldn't speak to him on the phone."

"Because of your colleagues, isn't it? Because you want to avoid getting into trouble." Said Wen Rouhan. And sure, he was right. I didn't deny it either. "And to keep it that way, and to keep you from getting into trouble, Zhan won't bother you anymore. He met you for the last time today." He continued.

"I want to help Zhan, though. We had a deal and I want to stick to it."

"And why is that? Are you hoping to gather more information about my family so you might find something to put us behind bars?"

"No! I just want to help Zhan and earn my answers. Besides, it's also my way of saying thanks because he helped my brother."

"I can't let that happen. You know, this is my son we're talking about. Even though we are not blood relatives, he is still my son and I love him very much like all my children. I want someone to be by his side that he can rely on 100%. Not someone who is afraid of being caught having contact with a son of Wen Rouhan."

"I have permission from my supervisor! I'm allowed to work with Zhan. And no, we are still not after you. You were not and are not our target! You won't find anyone better for Zhan's protection than me."

"Special agents with excellent training can be found in many places. Why should you, of all people, be the only one who can protect my son?"

"Because I'm the damn best at it! Because I always give 100%! And because I don't want Zhan to get hurt. So I'm not going to accept this information in this envelope and I insist that Zhan keep the deal!"

"Why do you want to do this so badly?"

"Because I know I can!"

"Okay. Zhan has a business meeting next week with a man from the Russian mafia. Prove to me that you really are the only one who can protect Zhan! Prove to me that you can really step into the role of an assistant and not let on that you're an special agent."

"I'll prove it!"

"All right. I'll send you the details about the business dinner and also, indications of your role in this whole thing. Then we'll go now."

"Not so fast."

"What else?"

"I would like to spend the evening with Zhan."

"The evening or the night?"

"Both."

"That's not for me to decide. Ask my son about that." Replied Wen Rouhan.

Zhan looked at me questioningly and thoughtfully. "The evening and the night? Why?"

"Why not? We got along great the last few times, didn't we? Besides, you gave me a homework assignment! You said you were going to add to what I'm not figuring out."

"Mmm, that's right."

"What homework?" Wen Rouhan wanted to know.

"Zhan told me to find out when and why you gave up the law-abiding life." I explained.

"So, did you find the answer?" Asked Wen Rouhan.

I shook my head and explained that I only knew when but not why. Wen Rouhan laughed and told Zhan that he would probably have some work to do then. He hugged Zhan gently, looked to me with a stern look and said, "Take good care of my son! If something happens to him..."

I interrupted him and said, "Don't worry. Zhan is safe with me. I'll take good care of him." Wen Rouhan nodded and left the office. Shortly after, Zhan and I also went away. Or rather, went to his house.