Chapter Eighty-Four: The Island of the Capital

Cheng Che glared at Chi Tan, who wore a look of defiance, and a surge of anger rose in his heart. He reached out, ready to strike.

“Cheng Che, for my sake, let it go. We see each other all the time around here, and don’t forget how often you’ve eaten Granny Gu’s wontons,” Zhang Qinglin said softly, pressing down Cheng Che’s arm.

Cheng Che considered this and realized it was true. Over the years, whenever he was with Zhang Qinglin, they often went to Granny Gu’s little food stall for wontons—he’d eaten them for free for years.

Chi Tan’s family wasn’t well off. His parents had divorced and left to work in other cities, leaving only Granny Gu to raise him. It hadn’t been easy. Chi Tan wasn’t a bad person by nature, just hot-tempered and stubborn.

Cheng Che glanced at Zhang Qinglin, then shot a look at Chi Tan. His gaze quickly fixed on an ancient jade pendant hanging around Chi Tan’s neck. It was obvious at first glance that it was no ordinary piece, with its rare coiled-dragon pattern. Cheng Che’s eyes narrowed, and with a swift motion, he tore the jade from Chi Tan’s neck.

“Fine. For Granny Gu and old Zhang’s sake, I’ll let this go. But I’m taking this as payment for my clothes,” Cheng Che said, inspecting the jade carefully in his hand.

“No, give it back! Give it back now!” Chi Tan shouted, turning to snatch it back.

Cheng Che gripped it tightly, smugly declaring, “This will cover the cost!”

“No! If you want money, I’ll pay you, but give that back!” Chi Tan lunged for it, but Cheng Che had already slipped it into his pocket.

From behind, Granny Gu pulled at Chi Tan, coaxing, “Oh, it’s just a piece of jade. I’ll buy you another one, darling. If Da Che likes it, just let him have it.”

Chi Tan turned, his expression crestfallen, and cried to Granny Gu, “This was from my mother!”

“That’s all the more reason not to keep it. Da Che, you take the jade,” Granny Gu said, her face momentarily clouded upon hearing it was from Chi Tan’s mother. She tugged Chi Tan along, saying, “Come on, let’s go home.”

Helpless, Chi Tan was led away by Granny Gu.

Cheng Che stood frozen, pulling out the jade to examine it again, and cast a glance toward the distant gate.

Uncle Jiang stood at the entrance of the courtyard, watching. He rarely involved himself in young people’s affairs; scuffles like this, he preferred to let them sort out themselves. With the commotion over, Uncle Jiang prepared to go to the teahouse. After all, he hadn’t been there in a while, and needed to personally look over the accounts. Before leaving, he told Zhang Qinglin to rest well at home.

Once Uncle Jiang had gone, Zhang Qinglin and the others, bored at home, decided to go out for a walk with Cheng Che.

Riding the subway toward Pinggu District, Zhang Qinglin looked at the crowd of office workers packed into the train. He marveled at how they went about their busy, fulfilling days, striving for the lives they wanted. Then he thought of his own life—hadn’t he too wished for a normal existence? But he couldn’t have that yet. He needed to find his father, and the one who killed his family.

Zhang Qinglin hadn’t told Cheng Che or the others about his trip to Pinggu District. In the past, Cheng Che had already suffered and faced danger alongside him; this time, Zhang Qinglin wouldn’t let him take the risk again.

So, after lunch, when Cheng Che suggested they go to Sanlitun and then see a movie in the evening, Zhang Qinglin claimed he wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t join them, telling Cheng Che to take Jiang Xinyue instead.

Once they’d left, Zhang Qinglin slipped out and took the subway to Pinggu District.

Pinggu District, under Beijing’s jurisdiction and located in the northeast, was often described as a wonderful place, though not a place where one could easily make a living. It was peaceful, like a small town on the outskirts.

Zhang Qinglin had always wanted to see this tranquil place for himself. When he exited the subway, he saw several taxis lined up along the street. Scanning his surroundings, he found the atmosphere heavier than he’d imagined. Under the same sky, the feeling here was somewhat oppressive. He hailed a cab to Duhuan Island. To his surprise, it was quite close. He checked his watch—it was already 5:50.

Arriving at his destination, he looked up at the row of storefronts before him. Most were restaurants; two were coffee shops, and one was a high-end private club. A large sign stood at the club’s entrance, reading: Duhuan Island, with an arrow pointing upward.

“Welcome, sir. What service would you like today?” A woman in a pink uniform approached, her smile warm and friendly.

“Service? No, thank you. I just wanted to ask—is this place called Duhuan Island?” Zhang Qinglin waved her off.

The woman remained pleasant. “Duhuan Island is upstairs. Are you here to register for a membership? I can offer you a discount. There’s no need to see the manager—you can sign up right here with me.”

“I’m not here for a membership. I’m here to find someone. It’s on the second floor, right? I’ll go up myself.” Zhang Qinglin looked past her, noticing a counter to the left behind her, and several rooms beyond it.

“Who are you looking for, sir? I can call them for you. The second floor isn’t open to just anyone. How about this—you sign in here first, and I’ll take you up.” The woman moved to the counter, picking up a pen and notebook.

Zhang Qinglin checked his watch again; the appointed time was near. He walked to the counter and scribbled a name and phone number at random.

The woman then led him toward the stairs. Just as they reached the staircase, a man in a grey suit hurriedly came down. The woman greeted him with a polite smile.