Teacher Qin Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Ah Fei

As night fell, the area around Hongke Bar became a blur of neon lights and revelry. Inside a private booth, Lu Fei smiled and pushed back the half-empty bottle a man had extended toward her. The man’s grip on the bottle tightened, though his expression remained unreadable as he sat back down.

The man was named Wang Xin, though Lu Fei knew nothing of his background.

Sitting not far from Wang Xin was the man who had led the group to trash Lu Fei’s stall at the amusement park that day. His surname was Xu, and he was the second-in-command at Hongke Bar; his subordinates all called him Brother Xu. Brother Xu twisted the jade ring on his finger, glanced at Lu Fei, and then lowered his hand to bark, What are you still standing there for? Don’t be an eyesore to Mr. Wang. Get out.

Lu Fei trembled at the sound of Brother Xu’s voice, nearly dropping the bottle in her hand. She looked at Brother Xu, pursed her lips, and lowered her head in response as she began to retreat toward the door.

Wang Xin stretched his arms out and gave Lu Fei a deep, inscrutable look before turning to Brother Xu. Meeting Wang Xin’s gaze, Brother Xu’s anger vanished into a smile. He raised his glass in a toast and said, Don’t mind her, Mr. Wang. She’s a newcomer and doesn’t know any better. I was just afraid she’d spoil your mood. Wang Xin let out a cold smirk and drained his glass in one gulp.

Seeing the opening, the lackey sitting next to Brother Xu hurriedly raised his glass with a chuckle. That’s right, Mr. Wang, don’t lower yourself to this woman’s level. She—

And what if I insist on being petty? Wang Xin suddenly interrupted. He slammed his glass down, and it shattered near Lu Fei’s feet. Her hand froze on the doorknob.

The air in the booth instantly solidified. The lackey’s hand remained suspended in mid-air, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. After an indeterminate silence, a sudden burst of laughter rang out. Hahaha! Mr. Wang is a distinguished guest of Hongke Bar. It’s our honor to have you here. Brother Xu changed his tune and looked at Lu Fei. Mr. Wang thinks highly of you. Why haven’t you come over to offer him a toast?

Lu Fei bit her lip upon hearing this. She had no choice but to steel herself and turn back. Seeing her return, Wang Xin propped himself up, his predatory eyes landing squarely on Lu Fei’s body, which was hugged tightly by her qipao.

Mr. Wang. Lu Fei had spent years navigating the bar scene and knew there was no avoiding this. She raised the bottle and poured a third of a glass. Wang Xin watched her every move, his eyes roaming over her body.

Wang Xin smiled as he took the glass. Once Lu Fei had finished her drink, he reached out and pulled her down beside him. Startled, Lu Fei instinctively tried to push him away, but Wang Xin was not one to give up easily. Seeing her struggle, he increased his grip. In the midst of their struggle, Wang Xin’s low whisper reached Lu Fei’s ear. Stay with me for one night, and I’ll cover the cost of all this alcohol.

His voice was very soft and low, heard by no one but Lu Fei. She felt a sudden wave of nausea. Her resistance grew more frantic, her eyes filled with pure loathing.

Brother Xu watched silently from the side, his eyes cold beneath the shifting lights.

The sudden crash of a bottle hitting the floor caused Wang Xin’s movements to jerk to a halt. Lu Fei seized the opportunity to break free from his grasp, stood up, and ran out of the booth without looking back.

Finding his arms empty, Wang Xin’s face instantly darkened. He looked down to see the lackey crouching on the floor, picking up glass shards. Brother Xu stood up and raised his glass with an apologetic smile. My subordinate was clumsy. Please don’t take offense, Mr. Wang. Wang Xin fixed his gaze on Brother Xu for a long time before finally standing up with a cold sneer. Without a word, he walked straight over to the lackey.

Brother Xu’s hand, still holding the glass, hung in the air. A shadow moved slowly under the flashing lights and stopped right above the lackey’s head. The lackey’s Adam’s apple rolled uneasily again. Wang Xin looked at Brother Xu with a smile, then raised his foot and brought it down hard on the back of the lackey’s hand as he reached for the broken glass. When a dog makes a mistake, it must be punished. Otherwise, it will just do it again.

The pain of the glass shards piercing his palm turned the lackey’s face deathly pale. Brother Xu watched the man on the floor enduring the agony, his own hand trembling as he gripped his glass. Wang Xin withdrew his foot, stepped close to Brother Xu, and leaned into his ear with his hands in his pockets. As a dog, don’t forget your place. Wang Xin pulled his hands out, straightened Brother Xu’s collar, and patted him with a smile. When a dog messes up, the owner is also responsible.

Wang Xin looked at Brother Xu pointedly. Brother Xu’s expression turned even more unsightly at those words. With a cold laugh, Wang Xin turned and pushed his way out the door.

Only after the door to the booth closed again did Brother Xu bend down to help the lackey up, his eyes full of guilt. The lackey looked at Brother Xu and forced a grin. Big brother, it’s fine. It’ll heal in a few days. It’s not ruined. Brother Xu said nothing. Only the two of them knew that the bottle falling earlier hadn’t actually been an accident caused by the lackey.

Lu Fei hurried away from the booth and returned to the breakroom. The sudden sound of the door opening startled Gu Yuwei, who was inside. She put down the photo in her hand and turned around. Seeing it was Lu Fei, she relaxed, but when she noticed Lu Fei’s panicked state, she rushed forward. Aunt Lu, what’s wrong? Lu Fei blinked, only then remembering that Gu Yuwei was still there. Aunt Lu is fine. Lu Fei leaned in and hugged Gu Yuwei tightly, as if the girl were her only sanctuary.

Gu Yuwei’s eyes darkened as she looked over Lu Fei’s shoulder, but she remained silent.

After a moment, Lu Fei released her. What was Xiao Wei looking at just now? Lu Fei led Gu Yuwei over to Yang Qianwen’s seat and smiled. Gu Yuwei looked at the photo on the table, bit her lip, and shook her head. Aunt Lu, it’s getting late. I should head back.

Lu Fei noticed Gu Yuwei’s gaze and understandingly picked up the photo, handing it to her. If you want it, Xiao Wei, keep it. Gu Yuwei looked up at Lu Fei, then nodded with a smile and took the photo. Lu Fei walked Gu Yuwei to the entrance of Hongke Bar. A light, drizzling rain had begun to fall at some point. Lu Fei crouched down in front of the girl, reached out to tidy her messy hair, and said softly, Aunt Lu will go get an umbrella. Wait for me here.

Once Gu Yuwei nodded, Lu Fei turned and went back to the breakroom. When she returned, she was holding an umbrella. She handed it to Gu Yuwei and gave her a few more instructions. Suddenly, a voice came from behind them. Ah Fei, Brother Xu is looking for you.

Lu Fei’s brow furrowed. She turned to acknowledge the call, then watched Gu Yuwei leave. Gu Yuwei gripped the umbrella, her eyes turning cold and dark in an instant. Only after Gu Yuwei’s figure had vanished did Lu Fei pull out her phone and dial a number.

Two days later, Gu Yuwei did not leave the house early as she usually did. She stayed in her room, writing feverishly at her desk. It wasn’t until she heard the sound of Gu Tao closing the front door that she finally stood up and left her room.

Gu Yuwei walked over to the coffee table and picked up a half-bottle of white liquor. She then pulled out a paper packet and unfolded it, revealing a fine powder. She poured the powder into the bottle.

Suddenly, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door. Gu Yuwei hadn’t expected Gu Tao to return so quickly. She set the bottle back down and stood to the side. When Gu Tao opened the door and saw Gu Yuwei staring at him, he felt a momentary flash of confusion, as he had assumed she was out as usual.

Gu Tao looked away, the words he might have said seemingly stuck in his throat. He walked over and sat on the sofa. Gu Yuwei turned and stood a short distance away. The two remained in silence. Gu Tao leaned back, turned on the television, and naturally reached for the bottle on the coffee table.

Gu Yuwei’s eyes brightened imperceptibly the moment Gu Tao’s hand touched the bottle. However, Gu Tao merely held the bottle and paused. After a long time, just as Gu Yuwei began to wonder if he had changed his ways, Gu Tao finally raised the bottle.

But in the next second, before the bottle could reach his lips, the doorbell rang. Gu Tao set the bottle down, looking annoyed. Gu Yuwei’s expression also darkened. She hurried to the door and opened it to find two men in police uniforms.

Bai Yang looked at the young girl and gave a gentle smile. Student, is your father home? We need to speak with him about something. Gu Yuwei stared at the two of them for a moment before nodding and stepping aside to let them in.

Once they were inside, Gu Tao noticed their uniforms and stood up with a frown. Bai Yang scanned the room’s decor and walked over nonchalantly. You must be Gu Tao.

Gu Tao nodded, unsure of why they were there. Gu Yuwei quickly grabbed the bottle Gu Tao had left on the table and took it into the kitchen. By the time she returned to the living room, the three men had already sat down. Bai Yang took a photograph from the younger officer and placed it on the coffee table in front of Gu Tao. Mr. Tao, do you recognize the person in this photo? Gu Tao looked at the photo, stunned for a moment, before nodding in silent admission.

Gu Yuwei walked over and glanced at the table, freezing instantly.

Noticing her presence, Bai Yang turned and pulled out fifty yuan with a smile. Student, could you do us a favor and go buy a few bottles of water? Gu Yuwei looked at Bai Yang, then at Gu Tao, and finally took the money and agreed.

Only after Gu Yuwei had left did Bai Yang’s smile vanish. He said seriously, Mr. Tao, we’ve come today to learn more about the situation. Seeing that Gu Tao remained silent, Bai Yang continued, According to the leads we’ve gathered, the victim’s last phone call before her death was to you.

Gu Tao’s eyes snapped up, filled with shock. What did you say?

Bai Yang observed Gu Tao’s reaction and went on, Because this case involves many factors, it hasn’t been made public. We’re here because we want to know if the victim, Ms. Lu, mentioned anything in that final call.

Gu Tao’s hands were shaking. After a long silence, he managed to choke out two words: No.

Bai Yang and the younger officer exchanged a look before both stood up. Bai Yang said, Then we won’t disturb you further. If you think of anything, Mr. Tao, please contact us at any time. Gu Tao sat on the sofa with his head buried in his hands. Mm. Seeing this, the two didn’t linger and headed for the door.

Just as they opened the door, a low male voice came from inside the room. When did it happen?

Bai Yang paused and turned back to Gu Tao. After a long pause, he said, The time of death was two days ago.

The sound of water bottles hitting the floor came from the doorway. Bai Yang realized then that Gu Yuwei had returned at some point. He looked at her, pursed his lips, but ultimately said nothing. Gu Yuwei stood frozen at the door, her mind filled with Bai Yang’s words as images of Lu Fei flashed before her eyes.

Suddenly remembering something, Gu Yuwei turned and ran toward the departing Bai Yang. Xu… that man’s surname is Xu. Bai Yang reached out to steady the panting Gu Yuwei.