Chapter 398: Four Little Donkeys

2022-05-20

In the end I let go, tempted by the two points Shi Huacheng had made. What exactly happened seven years ago between Shi Huacheng, Zhao Mingkun, and Team Leader Shao? Why did Shi Huacheng and his former disciple become bitter enemies? And what really happened to my parents twenty years ago?

For most of my life, people called me the kid without a mom or dad. For over twenty years there was no news of them. But as my investigation deepened, I finally uncovered a tiny bit about my parents, even if I knew they were probably already gone.

Ever since people start to understand the world, they begin to wonder where they come from and where they’re going. If you’re destined to die, the least you can do is die without regrets.

Wu Zui and Jasmine each grabbed one of my arms, too pressed for time to help me up. They just pulled me right along the hallway, and the floor was so clean it shone like glass. We slid so fast it actually beat running. Then, in a single motion, they tossed me out.

I slid through the falling doorway, barely managing to escape. Wu Zui and Jasmine, moving with surprising agility, rolled through just as the electronic door was halfway closed. Shi Huacheng, meanwhile, had already bounced his way out ahead of everyone. Wu Zui and Jasmine exchanged a look but kept silent. Wu Zui helped Shi Huacheng up and Jasmine pulled me to my feet.

Wu Zui yanked off the tape that was stuck to my mouth. At this point, no matter what I said, it really didn’t matter anymore. Wu Zui pointed at my head and said, “There won’t be a next time.”

With that, Wu Zui ignored me and kept moving forward, supporting Shi Huacheng.

The chaos around us hadn’t settled one bit.

Wu Zui glanced toward the main entrance in the distance and said, “Come on, it’s time, though it’s a shame—opportunities like this don’t come often.” Wu Zui actually sounded genuinely regretful.

We took advantage of the confusion and slipped out through the breach we’d found earlier.

It was clear Wu Zui had already scoped out the terrain. Helping Shi Huacheng along, she led us quietly downhill through the woods. None of the four of us spoke a word. Our faces were blank, but I knew everyone was silently calculating their next move.

One thing was certain—the roads down the mountain were sealed. I had no idea how Wu Zui planned to get us out. Judging by Gu Chen’s relaxed attitude, he didn’t seem bothered at all. Wu Zui led us in circles, hacking at branches with a knife as she pushed ahead.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. Looked to me like Wu Zui planned to keep us wandering around up here for a while.

Dongxing City slopes from high in the west to low in the east, with unbroken mountains stretching along the southwest side. No matter where Wu Zui chose to descend, we’d eventually have to leave the mountain. With how serious things had gotten, the entire area would be crawling with people locking everything down in no time.

We’d already been moving through the hills for more than an hour, still no sign of Wu Zui heading down. Just as I couldn’t hold back any longer and was about to ask her what the plan was, the path curved and a rough mountain trail appeared ahead. Calling it a road was generous; wild grass had nearly swallowed it, clearly abandoned for years.

Up ahead, Old Zhang was waiting, holding four little donkeys by their leads.

“How’d it go?” Wu Zui called out.

Old Zhang’s face visibly relaxed when he saw Wu Zui. “There you are. About time.”

But when he counted the people in our group, he frowned. “Wait a minute, weren’t we supposed to be four including me? I only brought four donkeys.”

He sounded a little annoyed. “Well, you and Jasmine can squeeze together. Don’t underestimate these little donkeys—two to three hundred pounds won’t slow them down.”

“No, no,” Wu Zui shook her head, then said, “Have you heard that grade school math problem? Four cookies, but five kids. How do you split them up?”

Old Zhang scratched his head. “No idea. You know I never finished elementary school. If I was good at this stuff…”

Old Zhang collapsed to the ground, dead in an instant.

“What the hell are you doing!” I couldn’t stand Wu Zui’s habit of killing at the drop of a hat. I tried to charge at her but Jasmine held me back with all her strength.

Wu Zui said, “My grades were bad too. Back then, I answered it like this: Four cookies for five kids—you just kill one kid, right? Later I realized, since you already killed one, why not just kill the rest too? That way, all the cookies are mine.”

I clenched my teeth, glaring at Wu Zui. “Every person you’ve used up, you’ve killed, no matter how long they’ve followed you. What’s your endgame? And Old Zhang didn’t even look surprised to see you and me together. Which means he knew about us being twins.”

I kept going, “Anyone who’s been with you long enough probably knows the secret. So whether it’s Scarface, Li Ai, or now Old Zhang, you leave no survivors. What about Lai San, Jesse—even Vivian and Yinzi? Are you planning to kill them too?”

Wu Zui patted one of the donkeys and looked at me. “You really are my brother. At least we’re both pretty sharp. If you figured that out, you’re surprisingly rational. And yeah, do you really think Lai San or Jesse could get away? From their underlings, I picked someone and gave each a million to make sure that, as soon as things started, their first move was to kill their leader.”

I pointed at Wu Zui. “So once they’re dead, no one knows about the twin thing. Plus, you hypnotized Guan Zengbin into thinking you’re me. So you plan to take my place?”

Wu Zui snapped her fingers. “Exactly. Sounds fun, right? By now, Jesse and Lai San are most likely worm food. Liu Jian should be catching all those Lai San henchmen right about now. Whatever happens, he’ll get the credit. It’s my little gift to him.”

“Liu Jian knows the truth too. Haven’t you thought about killing him?” I challenged.

Wu Zui pointed at me without answering, but the look in her eyes was deadly cold.

As we talked, the four of us mounted the donkeys. Wu Zui still led the way, riding beside me.

My mind raced through all the clues, trying to piece together Wu Zui’s scheme. If she wants to replace me, killing me would be easiest—so why hasn’t she? My eyes flitted to Shi Huacheng, whose face was just as dark, lost in his own thoughts.

The procession pressed on in silence, moving with determined speed.

Knowing Wu Zui, anyone but Jasmine who knew the secret is marked for death. But I can’t warn anyone first since I always meet them with Wu Zui at my side.

So what about Guan Zengbin? And Gu Chen? What does Wu Zui have planned for them? And isn’t she afraid that Liu Jian could turn on her the same way, covering his tracks by taking her out?

All the mysteries are coming together, every clue falling into place.

I know it now, the truth, the answers—everything—will be revealed soon. And when that happens, it’ll probably be right around the time I die.

The four donkeys picked their way along the winding trail for nearly two hours. It was about nine o’clock, and I still didn’t know where we were headed.

But as we got closer to our destination, a chill ran down my spine and a deep, cold dread crept into my heart. It was obvious—Wu Zui had planned every step. From the start, she’s been orchestrating every move in every case. She saw further than anyone, hid deeper than anyone.

Suddenly I remembered the case with Liu Yinyan. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You throw around millions—even tens or hundreds of millions—like it’s nothing. Where’s your money coming from? About Liu Yinyan’s case… did I miss something? And this route we’re taking now—is this all part of your plan too?”

“That’s right.” Wu Zui smiled. “You were born thirty seconds after me, little brother. That means you’re always one beat behind—it’s your destiny. Now, look at this place ahead. Looks familiar, doesn’t it?”