The old man had invited both Shībài zhě and David up to his office. It was quite spacious. It had a desk in the middle, a cupboard near the entrance, and a bathroom to the left. On the right side of the room, there were a table and four one-person sofas on both sides of it. The other man stayed downstairs, but the old man still poured tea in two cups on the table. It seemed to be waiting there for them already.

“I would pour one for you, but I am afraid you will not be able to drink it.” The man said to David.

The man was dressed in what looked like the clothes that the Buddhist monks would wear but still had hair on his head. The clothes were so loose around him that David couldn’t guess what kind of build he had.

“Don’t let his appearance fool you.” Shībài zhě said. “He may look like a monk, but he is the biggest scammer that you will ever mee…”

The old man had punched Shībài zhě across the room and when David looked at him, there was no anger or ill intention on his face.

“Pay respect to your elders my young student.” The old man said.

“I’m not your student.” Shībài zhě answered as he got back on his feet and sat back down in front of the old man.

“While you work for me, you are my student.”

“That reminds me, where’s everyone else?”

“They are out on a job in Ordos city. A high-profile client needed a job done.”

“What kind of job.” David finally spoke. “Is it something, … illegal?”

“And if it is.” The old man asked.

“Then I will try my best to stop Mister Shībài from being associated with people like you.”

Shībài zhě saw the conviction in David’s eyes and didn’t speak, while the old man began to laugh. And then said, “Hahahahaha. It looks like you have quite an interesting friend there Shībài.”

“Yeah, I know.” Shībài zhě “He’s an idiot. As if I would listen how to live my life from him.”

David felt belittled by these words, but with the same dedication, he asked the man again, “What’s the job.”

“Interesting.” The man mumbled under his breath as he stopped laughing, but he still had an amused look on his face. “Someone sent death threats to the client, and he asked us for help.”

“What about the police?”

“They were paid to dismiss the case. We were the only option for him.”

“So that’s why you didn’t send meathead back there huh.” Shībài zhě said. “I guess he isn’t suited for jobs that require his brain to work.”

“Yes, that and he has a job here.”

“No, No, No.” Shībài zhě said. “I am not doing a job with him.”

“This job needs two people.” The old man said. “But I guess that you two can do.”

“How can you see me anyway?” David asked.

“I will answer you once you get this job done.”

“How about you answer us right now old man.” Shībài zhě asked with force in each of his words.

“I have already told you. You will get your answers once you finish this job.” The old man said, with firmness in each word.

Both Shībài zhě and the old man looked at each other with intensity. Finally, Shībài zhě sighed and stood up and asked,

“What are the details?”

“Ask Xiaoshi. He will give you the rundown.”

Shībài zhě walked to the end exit of the office and David followed him.

“My name is Ping Zhao. Nice to meet you.” The old man said to David. “What is your name.”

“I’m David,” David answered. “Then, who is Le Zhao.”

“A story for another time.” Ping Zhao answered as he poured himself another cup of tea.