Book 3 Chapter 5 – Mingzhu Tower

　　Shangbei is the cultural and economic capital of the country, standing proudly at the top of the world for its bustling neighborhoods and the endless opportunities they provided. It is an international metropolis with more than twenty million inhabitants. Li Yiming gazed at the landscape in the distance as he exited the train station. 'This is where Ji Xiaoqin and I… Now that I think about it, it might've been an accident since the very beginning.'

　　"Where are we going now?" Liu Meng's question stopped his pondering. Li Yiming looked at her and a nascent guilt suddenly sprang up in his mind.

　　"Where are you going? If we're going to the same place, I can give you a ride. You know, to thank you for the lunch," Li Huaibei proposed.

　　"We're going to Mingzhu Tower." Liu Meng was about to refuse him, but Li Yiming interjected before she had the chance to do so.

　　"Well, we're going to the same place then." Li Huaibei said with a smile and gestured for the two to follow him into the parking lot.

　　Liu Meng was about to say something, but Li Yiming stopped her with a glance. The two followed Li Huaibei quietly. His car was a top-grade Cadillac SUV. After getting into the vehicle, Li Yiming wrapped his arm around Liu Meng's waist. Liu Meng twisted around a little at first, but settled down after Li Yiming gave her another glance. She was not quite sure about his intentions, but still cooperated and even leaned a little more into his chest.

　　"Showing off your affection?" Li Huaibei looked at the two through the rear-view mirror and joked.

　　"It's just habit." Li Yiming answered with a calm voice. However, a gun appeared in the hand he hid behind Liu Meng.

　　Li Huabei smiled again and said nothing more. The car exited the station, and, as it traveled, Li Yiming stared at Li Huaibei's face from the side. He seemed calm, but tightened his grip on his pistol as he remembered what Xiao Hei said about Bai Ze. 'Perfect. It's simply impossible for a normal human being to be this perfect. This Li Huaibei, there has to be something wrong with him.'

　　Li Huaibei drove silently until he suddenly reached for the storage compartment between the front row seats. Li Yiming's heart skipped a beat and he slowly lifted his pistol. Liu Meng, who had felt Li Yiming's gesture, stiffened herself and leaned even tighter against Li Yiming. Li Huaibei opened the cover and waved a pack of cigarettes at Li Yiming.

　　"I don't smoke." Li Yiming let out a sigh of relief, but still held his pistol tightly.

　　"Do you mind me smoking then?" Li Huaibei brought the package to his mouth, bit on one and pulled it out of the box.

　　"Sure, go ahead." Li Yiming stretched his sore shoulder slightly.

　　"I also used to not smoke." Li Huaibei lowered the car window and turned on the electrical lighter. "But someone told me that 'a man who does not smoke…'

　　"No son he shall beget." Li Yiming finished his sentence before he could stop himself. He was all too familiar with that saying.

　　Squeak!

　　The tires emitted a painful, high-pitched screech as they left black smears behind them. The Cadillac, which had been speeding on the road, came to a sudden halt. The car behind almost collided against its rear, and its driver was quick to let its anger known through a string of insults.

　　"Where did you hear that from?" Li Huabei looked at Li Yiming with severity, without minding for a second pistol pointed at his face.

　　"A man." Li Yiming was very nervous; he had not expected a casual answer to provoke this big of a response.

　　"What kind of man?" Li Huaibei's gaze intensified.

　　"How should I describe it? With a knit bag?" Li Yiming picked the most conspicuous characteristic.

　　"You've met Mr. Kong?" Li Huaibei's seriousness was replaced by surprise.

　　"That's his name?"

　　"Everyone calls him that." Li Huaibei seemed to be reminiscing about something. His imposing air suddenly vanished, replaced by his former elegant self.

　　"Put your toy away, okay? You haven't even unlocked the safety. Are you new?" Li Huaibei started his car again and picked up the cigarette he had dropped.

　　"I…" Li Yiming wanted to say to him that his handgun was not just a toy, but he then looked at it and realized that the safety was indeed still on. He put down the gun, a little unsatisfied with his own performance. 'Well, at least I don't need to fight him.'