Little Fish. Chapter 14.

Wei Zangchen was at a loss. Gun Wen and Xiao Li had been taken from Chi Ren’s offices the day before and hadn’t returned. Chi Ren kept up her politeness towards him, yet he didn’t know what to say. He was grateful to her—she seemed to have a genuine wish to help him recover—but she worked for Gu Lang, and Gu Lang had his own agenda. Ever since their days as rookies, Gu Lang had worn two faces. A fact he knew to be as true as the sun rising during the day.

Sitting on the examination bed, he’d just been in for another scan. Chi Ren had been chatting his ear off about the removal of the exoskeleton and how they were assessing the situation using the previously available data on the project. It sounded like Gu Lang hadn’t filled her in completely, as she said nothing about the children that had been in his and Gun Wen’s care. In their time apart, Gun Wen seemed to have been swayed by the guide—or at least swayed enough to disclose that they’d killed the head researcher and buried the evidence.

All these interactions had brought back memories he thought he’d done his best to suppress. Out of anyone to get their hands on the documents, Gu Lang technically wasn’t the worst option… He could leak things, bend the rules, and get away with murder, and there’d be some lenience because his guiding was that good. He might have felt more positively if the guide hadn’t started showing up in his dreams again after they’d reunited. He could ignore Gu Lang all he wanted in real life, but he couldn’t escape him in his dreams.

With a light knock on the open door, the pest he’d been thinking about appeared. Sucking on a lollipop, he made Wei Zangchen want to punch him in the face, then destroy his body. Maybe then he’d be freed of their shared past.

“Is he ready to go?”

Great. Another outing. It was shameful enough that he’d been wheeled around in front of the team exhuming the bodies of people who had once been temporary friends. Years might have passed, but Gu Lang was always the same. Chi Ren nodded.

“Yes. I’ve completed another scan on his internal structure. I’ll have the complete data for you by the end of the weekend.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Ming Shen, we’re going for a drive.”

Wei Zangchen had given up glaring at the name, accepting it’d be a long time before he got his actual name back. Being mad at Gu Lang meant he couldn’t ask if the uncles and aunties who’d shown him such kindness were all alright. He doubted Gu Lang would have physically harmed them, seeing they were just normal humans—but with Ai Guo wielding his walking stick with such prowess, he wouldn’t have been surprised if the guide had lost his temper after being smacked.

Seeing he wasn’t answering, Chi Ren placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing me very soon. I’ll be coming by tonight to check that things are set up correctly…”

Gu Lang cut her off.

“Chi Ren, you’re ruining things. Ming Shen, don’t listen to her. I’m extremely confident that you’ll enjoy your trip out today.”

Between the pair of them, he was surprised to have any sanity left. Happy with himself, the guide held his hand out.

“Come, let’s go.”

For a grade-A guide, Gu Lang’s car seemed very pedestrian. Gu Lang’s family fell into the nouveau riche category. His great-grandfather had made his money in clothing for espers and guides that allowed greater movement. Wei Zangchen’s family had once been friends with his, only they’d fallen out after Wei Zangchen’s great-grandfather claimed he’d been swindled. He wasn’t there—he didn’t know—and he didn’t see the point of the grudge turning generational. There wasn’t time for feelings when inside a gate. Gu Lang had been the semi-obedient son who made separate money day trading. He used to talk about buying his own property and flipping off his ancestors.

The guide’s car seemed to suggest he hadn’t quite accomplished that—or perhaps he’d realized that being materialistic was too much effort to keep up with. Then again, the car could have also been a promotional gift.

The world outside had changed so much in four years. The cityscape now sported even taller buildings, more people, and more noise. Wei Zangchen stared at the world, wondering if anyone was staring back.

“There are sunglasses in the glove box if things are too bright. Chi Ren warned me that you may find the city too stimulating.”

Chi Ren has a big mouth. Wei Zangchen kept watching, leaving Gu Lang to do the talking.

“I think you’ll be surprised. I know it’s been four years, but some things never change. When we get there… Never mind. I’ve had Shu Min working on getting Xiao Li documented. Gun Wen’s been less tricky since we had all his files.”

It’d be good if Gun Wen could permanently adopt Xiao Li. He’d be with a man who understood his needs and would be able to provide him with a happy, stable life away from all this military drama.

“You could try talking to me. You should know I don’t bite much. We used to be able to talk.”

That was all in the past. He’d been a registered esper then, not a man assumed dead. Everything had changed since he’d come back from the dead. No more familiar faces, no more relaxed team moments…

“Ah, right. You haven’t met Shu Min. She’s been helping with the children…”

Wei Zangchen closed his eyes. Gu Lang noticed immediately.

“Don’t sleep yet, we’re nearly there.”

As they turned into another street, Wei Zangchen opened his eyes again. His hands clenched as he realized where Gu Lang was taking him. There’d never been a more selfish bastard than the man next to him.