Chapter Sixty-Four: Infernal Affairs

Prince Old Wang watched Liu Yunfei’s excitement ignite, but he said nothing, for he knew Liu Yunfei already believed, though he was unwilling to accept it and needed time to digest the news.

Pouring a glass of red wine for Liu Yunfei, who sat atop the small sofa, Prince Old Wang saw him refuse the offering, tossing aside several sheets of paper before heading straight out the door. Prince Old Wang watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and sighed.

In Liu Yunfei’s heart, Yu Qing had come to occupy a weighty place—almost the most important person in his life aside from his parents. Though he believed he loved Park Minji more, Yu Qing was his first woman, and he always felt her affection for him was deep and true. Since their relationship began, they’d been inseparable, bound by tender love. The last time he doubted Yu Qing, remorse lingered for days.

Perhaps, because he’d doubted her once before, or perhaps his suspicions had always simmered beneath the surface, when the truth now emerged, Liu Yunfei found himself less anguished or furious than he’d imagined. He simply wore a cold expression, made his way alone to his room, ignored Yu Qing lying there, and walked through the bedroom to the broad balcony.

Lying on the chair, he recalled how just nights ago, he and Yu Qing had blissfully squeezed together here—yet perhaps, even then, she’d been dreaming of lying in another man’s embrace.

“My dear Prince Awahid,” a gentle voice sounded behind him.

“Mm.” Liu Yunfei grunted, unsure what to say to this woman. How he wished Yu Qing would confess everything, tell him that even if she’d approached him with ulterior motives at first, she’d truly fallen in love with him and was willing to repent, to part from the cult forever.

“What’s wrong today? Is something troubling you?” Yu Qing noticed Liu Yunfei’s sour mood and asked cautiously.

“Nothing, I just want to be alone for a while.” Whether it was the knot in his heart or something else, Liu Yunfei found Yu Qing’s every look and gesture increasingly false and affected.

“Oh, then I’ll head inside. Come in soon; it’s chilly out tonight,” Yu Qing replied sweetly, heading toward the room.

As Yu Qing was about to enter the bedroom, Liu Yunfei suddenly spoke: “Hey, do you love me? Are you really with me because of love? Is it love?”

Yu Qing turned, saw Liu Yunfei slouched in the chair, his eyes full of expectation, and a flash of guilt crossed her heart. “Of course. What’s wrong?”

Liu Yunfei didn’t receive the answer he hoped for. He sighed softly and waved Yu Qing away.

He spent the night on the balcony, dozing for a while, but most of the time he reminisced about the happy moments with Yu Qing. Was it all a lie? Once, he had nothing and was abandoned by women; now, he had everything and was still abandoned. Sigh—perhaps he was doomed to be dumped.

The next morning, seeing Yu Qing’s dark circles and weary face, it was obvious she hadn’t slept well either. Was it fear that he knew, or guilt? Liu Yunfei pondered this question over breakfast.

Prince Old Wang was leaving for Riyadh today. His mood seemed fine, as if last night’s events were forgotten, and he even joked with Yu Qing. “You two lovebirds shouldn’t exhaust yourselves by not sleeping—it’s bad for your health.”

Breakfast barely finished when Belgrade arrived. He was catching a ride to Riyadh with Prince Old Wang. With time to spare, the three sat in the living room chatting. When the conversation turned to the Electric Three Brothers, Liu Yunfei was surprised to learn the local police claimed there was no evidence they were involved in the kidnapping; they were merely helping their master repel illegal intruders. Not a single mafia member involved in the kidnapping had been caught, nor was there any corroborating evidence—so the case faded away, and the brothers were released on bail. Liu Yunfei shook his head; clearly, the mafia’s influence in Italy was unrivaled.

What puzzled Liu Yunfei was Belgrade’s apparent desire to say something to him, but every time he began, Prince Old Wang interrupted, leaving the atmosphere awkward.

The awkwardness didn’t last; time was running short. Liu Yunfei saw them out. He’d intended to drive them to the airport, but as Belgrade climbed into the car, Prince Old Wang grabbed Liu Yunfei’s hand and said, “He wants to persuade you to join the CIA. I know you’re unwilling, so I blocked him. That’s why I’m rushing him back to Riyadh. Be careful here—let’s hope this ends soon. Americans are no saints; if you really refuse them, they’ll use every trick. The Electric Three Brothers were bailed out only because they agreed to work with the CIA. Do you think they’re really free? Luckily, since they need campaign funds, I’ll do my best to shield my brothers. May Allah protect you!”

Liu Yunfei was moved. He’d thought Prince Old Wang was leaving out of fear of kidnapping, but it turned out to be for his sake. He’d worried before, knowing that exposing his powers to Old Shagen would bring trouble—but hadn’t expected it to begin so soon. If only he hadn’t gone to rescue him.

He patted Prince Old Wang’s hand. “Thanks, old friend. Allah will always stand on the side of justice!”

After Prince Old Wang left, Liu Yunfei and Yu Qing had even less to say. That afternoon’s piano lesson, Liu Yunfei didn’t want to go, but worried Lam might be kidnapped again, so he went along. On the way, he felt a bleak sadness—once, there was no division between them; now, he was wary of her.

Arriving at the class, Liu Yunfei was in low spirits and didn’t want to be pestered by the wolfish women. He stayed in the car, smoking alone, but was still spotted by the teacher.

“Hey.” The bald old man waved from the second floor like an old lady. Liu Yunfei pretended not to see, but the old man hurried down, out of breath.

“Piano genius, I don’t even know your name!” he said.

Liu Yunfei shot him a glare. The old man grinned sheepishly. “I know you’re a master; why study with someone inferior? I won’t try to teach you, just want your autograph for one of my students.”

Many famous pianists had become Liu Yunfei’s fans. He’d seen celebrities, writers, and athletes signing autographs on TV—never thought he’d do it himself.

He scrawled his Arabic name, Awahid, and added: Not Schwarzenegger.

His craving for cigarettes was strong that day; he finished a whole pack of Nanjing, strewing butts everywhere. “Don’t say I have no manners—I simply don’t,” he muttered, squatting down to tear all the cigarette filters into strips, letting the wind scatter them.

As Liu Yunfei crouched doing this pointless, self-destructive task, a snow-white leg appeared before him—long and straight, with sexy toes painted red, slender high-heeled sandals. Looking up, he saw shapely thighs, firm muscles, a short black leather skirt—a model’s figure indeed. A little closer and he’d see her underwear.

“Who would have thought the distinguished Prince Awahid enjoys picking up cigarette butts?” came a voice.

Liu Yunfei looked up; it was Betia, the tall, dignified negotiator.

“Oh, so that’s why your figure’s so good—you really are a model,” Liu Yunfei muttered.

“What did you say?” Betia actually heard him clearly. She hated being called a model, feeling it wasn’t praise but mockery—that her position and work were owed to her looks and physique.

Betia had heard from the teacher about the piano genius’s arrival. The autograph was for her. The teacher had just called to say the genius was here again, so she hurried over to see for herself. Stepping out of the car, she noticed someone squatting nearby and looked twice.

Betia was a passionate environmentalist; as a student, she’d joined Greenpeace, even sailed the Atlantic to protest oil spills. Seeing someone so careless—throwing cigarette butts everywhere, tearing filters and letting the wind scatter them—she looked closer and realized it was Prince Awahid, whom she’d met days before.