Xie Chi couldn’t bear the suffering, so he bought a first-class seat. The compartment had a comfortable soft bed.

He Feng was also on this train. She deliberately went to the tea room several times and finally “happened” to encounter him.

He Feng wore a black Western suit, looking quite presentable.

It was Hanada Takeshi who first spotted Xie Chi. Beautiful girls always left lasting impressions. He nudged He Feng, wanting to go say hello.

He Feng directly pushed him into the compartment.

After getting water, Xie Chi leisurely returned, only to be blocked by He Feng in the corridor. He had one hand in his pocket, the other pressed against the train wall, saying nothing.

Xie Chi raised his eyes and gave him a casual glance. “Good dogs don’t block the path.”

He Feng lowered his hand, letting her pass.

He followed Xie Chi into the compartment and closed the door behind him. Leaning against the door, he looked down at Xie Chi who had sat by the window to drink tea. “What are you trying to do?”

“Nothing at all.” Xie Chi blew on the tea water and looked at him. “I’ve long heard Changchun is prosperous, so I’m going to take a look. I happen to have a relative there, so I can mooch a few meals.”

He Feng sat across from her. “It’s called Xinjing now, don’t call it by the wrong name.”

“Whether it’s Changchun, Xinjing, or old capital, it has nothing to do with me.” Xie Chi smiled faintly, setting down the teacup. “One night as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace – we’ve also had many days of fleeting romance. Your accomplice is quite annoying, always staring at me. Won’t you do something about it?”

“Are you actually afraid of being looked at?”

“I’m not afraid, but I’m worried you’ll start wildly swinging knives around again.”

He Feng reached over and took her cup, drinking from it.

“A dog’s mouth that’s touched shit – I don’t want it anymore.”

“Go ahead and curse, curse harder.” He Feng pushed the cup back in front of her. “Curse a few more times.”

“Waste of breath.”

He Feng glanced at her two suitcases. “What do you have packed in those cases?”

“Women’s things. Are you interested?”

“Once we pass the checkpoint, I’ll see if you don’t obediently open them.”

“The young master can open them and look first.” Xie Chi lifted the suitcase and placed it on the table. “Should I do it?”

He Feng didn’t touch the suitcase, but he moved his body. He stood up and pressed toward her, pinching her chin and tilting it up to face him. “Trying to manipulate me?”

“Are you easy to manipulate?”

He Feng let out a frivolous laugh, gripping her neck and pressing her down onto the soft couch. “That depends on where you want to manipulate?”

As he spoke, Xie Chi forcefully pinched his waist.

This one pinch nearly scrambled his wits.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose control like a beast and sleep with you right here?”

“You can try. At worst, it’s either you die or I live.” Xie Chi’s hand fell on his back. “Dragging along a handsome man as a burial companion wouldn’t be a loss, especially since he’s the only remaining seed of the He family.”

He Feng applied pressure with his hand, gripping until her face flushed red. “You think I can’t bear to kill you? Do you know how much blood these hands of mine have been stained with?”

“Don’t want to know.”

Suddenly someone knocked on the door.

He Feng tugged at his collar and opened the door, instantly changing his expression, irritably shouting: “What is it?”

It was the ticket inspector. First-class passengers were generally not to be provoked, so they always inquired carefully. He had originally come with a smile on his face, but seeing such a frightening tall man, he became even more submissive and was just about to speak.

“Get lost.”

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Xie Chi quietly watched him. “The young master’s temper hasn’t diminished from years past – still always has the word ‘scram’ hanging from his lips.”

He Feng grabbed her, seized her hair and shook her head. “If you mention those three words again, I’ll throw you off right now.”

“It hurts.” Xie Chi frowned at him. “I won’t mention it anymore, let go.”

He Feng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He released her and sat down with his legs spread, downing half the cup of tea on the table in one gulp.

Xie Chi also sat back down, rubbing her neck. “You’re also going to Changchun, right? Ah, no – Xinjing.”

He Feng didn’t answer.

“I’m a weak woman unfamiliar with the place. I’m terrified of Japanese soldiers. When we get off, can you give me a ride for a stretch?”

He Feng’s expression didn’t change, looking coldly stern.

Xie Chi moved closer to him and waved her hand. “Koike-kun?”

He Feng suddenly stood up, pressed her head against his neck, leaving a faint lipstick mark on his collar. His voice hoarse, he whispered in her ear: “Little woman, you’ve learned to threaten people.”

Xie Chi forcefully pushed him away. “I wasn’t threatening you.” She raised her eyelids, looking at him pitifully. “I’m truly afraid.”

Acting, exactly the same as before.

But He Feng was particularly susceptible to this act of hers. His heart felt itchy, numb, sour, and stuffy. He turned around and walked straight out the door.

…

The train crawled slowly through another night. The inspections along this route had indeed become much stricter.

This morning, Xie Chi had evaded them twice.

After the night, the next stop was Xinjing.

About twenty minutes remained. Xie Chi was pondering what excuse to use to see He Feng when he came to her.

He Feng was indeed doing well among the devils. When getting off, there were Japanese soldiers carefully inspecting everyone along the way. Xie Chi followed behind him and left the station directly – not one person dared to stop them.

Xie Chi had He Feng take her to a hotel.

She had envisioned every possible scenario that might unfold next and prepared countermeasures.

But He Feng had business and left after dropping her off.

Xie Chi checked in, just waiting for tonight to meet the contact.

She entered her room, locked the door, placed her two suitcases, and lay on the bed to rest for a while. The room was too dark with the curtains tightly closed, so she got up and walked to the window to pull them open. She looked down at this land controlled by the Japanese.

The streets were full of kimono and the clatter of wooden geta sandals.

Everywhere were small flags, Japanese lanterns, Japanese shops…

Xie Chi abruptly pulled the curtains closed again.

She’d rather stay quietly in this darkness.

…

He Feng returned to the special agency. In the evening, Major Sagawa invited him to drink at Tsubaki House, along with Hanada Takeshi.

He Feng was famous for his drinking capacity, but he always pretended to be drunk – these Japanese didn’t know where his limits lay.

Sagawa drank too much and mentioned a batch of military supplies to be transported to Heilongjiang – five full cars of guns and ammunition.

This drinking session was worthwhile. He Feng got both Sagawa and Hanada Takeshi completely unconscious. Usually, whether for business or private gatherings, he would always keep three or four parts sober. This time he also got carried away, unable to control his hands and feet.

He helped the two men out of the bar, had the driver take them home separately, and finally returned to his own residence.

He had a two-story villa where he lived alone.

The driver saw him lying unconscious in the back seat, helped him upstairs to rest, then left.

He Feng heard the car drive away, immediately rolled off the bed, stumbled to the bathroom, stuck his fingers down his throat, and forced himself to vomit up the alcohol.

But he was still dizzy, the alcohol numbing his body, nearly drowning his remaining consciousness. He repeated the transport route Sagawa had mentioned over and over in his mind, struggling to carve every word into his heart.

He filled the bathtub with cold water and plunged his head in.

…

In the latter half of the night, Xie Chi returned to the hotel.

She was very happy – she had finally successfully delivered the items, and what happened next was no longer her concern.

She wanted to take a bath, then have a few drinks to relax, sleep, and return to Nanjing tomorrow.

Before she could dry off, there came the sound of someone pounding on the door. She ignored it. But then the person started kicking, making thunderous bangs as if the ground itself was shaking.

Xie Chi guessed roughly who it was. This kind of mad dog behavior – nobody but He Feng could pull it off. She calmly put on her nightgown and opened the door. “Are you sick?”

He Feng rolled straight in, falling to the floor.

He had sobered up, but just wanted to sprawl by her legs – even lying on the floor was good. He smiled foolishly, looking very happy.

Xie Chi didn’t close the door and kicked him while crossing her arms.

Now she wasn’t afraid of him.

“What good news? Smiling like that.”

Five cars of military supplies – the message had been passed along, and soon they would be theirs.

How could he not smile?

He was overjoyed.

After Xie Chi kicked him five times, He Feng rubbed his stomach and slowly got up, lying down on the bed.

Xie Chi closed the door and kicked his foot once more. “Pretending to be drunk?”

He Feng didn’t move.

Xie Chi had intended to pour alcohol on him, but after opening it, she felt it was wasteful and quietly put it back. She went to get a cup of water and splashed it on his face. He Feng still had no reaction whatsoever.

So she prepared to get another cup.

Just as she turned around, a hand reached out, grasped her wrist, and pulled her directly onto the bed. He Feng pounced over like a tiger, embracing her from behind.

Xie Chi tried to pry apart the arms locked around her waist.

He Feng buried his face in the back of her neck, took a deep breath, and despite her struggles, lifted his leg to pin her down.

Xie Chi couldn’t move. “Let go.”

Of course He Feng wouldn’t let go – he held her even tighter. “A’Zhi.”

Whether it was his breath or this low call, it made her involuntarily shiver. Xie Chi went numb and let him cling to her, no longer struggling.

“A’Zhi, I missed you.”

Xie Chi sneered coldly in her heart.

“Where did you go all these years?”

“No comment.”

“Did you miss me?”

“If I hadn’t seen you again recently, I would have forgotten what you even looked like.”

“Is that so.” He Feng’s hand moved up, gripping her shoulder, his face buried in the back of her neck. “I’ve been thinking of you constantly.” He shifted slightly, pressing her beneath him, his hands threading through her hair, his eyes misty as he examined her. “Every night.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Nothing.” He Feng half-closed his eyes and smiled, his voice hoarse and sultry, making one’s scalp tingle. “But if you want to do something, that’s fine too.” His hand moved downward. “Try and see what’s different from five years ago.”

Xie Chi knocked his hand away and forcefully pushed him off. She rolled to the foot of the bed, but He Feng pulled her back, kneading her in his arms. Xie Chi was smothered until she could barely breathe. His body was burning hot, his shirt soaked with sweat and alcohol, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

“Don’t move, let me hold you for a while.” He Feng kissed her hair. “Just let me hold you for a moment.”

Xie Chi was stunned for a moment, then turned her face to ask: “Are you acting coquettishly with me?”

He smiled and murmured in her ear: “You can think of it that way.”

“You really have no shame.”

“I really want to sleep with you.” His nose nuzzled her forehead. “It’s rare that we meet – want to reminisce a little?”

“Is this the only thing in your head now?”

“It’s only with you that I have this thing.” He Feng held her tighter, letting out a long sigh. “I’m picky too – not just any woman can receive my favor.”

Xie Chi scoffed. “Think you’re an emperor?”

She knew she couldn’t break free, so she pressed her hands against his chest, creating some space for herself. “Is your new love not lovable enough? That’s why you’re coming to tease me, this old flame? That shouldn’t be right.”

“Stop the nonsense, there’s no new love.”

“Really? I heard Mr. Koike is quite the playboy.”

“Who said that?” He Feng loosened his arms and looked at her face. “That four-eyes?”

Xie Chi didn’t answer him.

“He’s talking shit.” He Feng pressed her head, continuing to hold her in his arms. “I don’t have anyone.”

“Whether you do or not is none of my business anymore.” She suddenly remembered what the Jiang family driver had said and looked up at him. “When did you develop that strange fetish?”

He Feng naturally understood what she meant. “Scared?”

Xie Chi remained composed, but being held by him made her break out in sweat, feeling like she was about to burn up too. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll call for help.”

“Go ahead and call – call louder, I love hearing it most.”

“Have those Japanese women call for you, lining up to call until you’re satisfied.”

“Shut up.” He restrained himself, his chin resting on top of her head, letting out a long breath. “Stop talking.”

Xie Chi took the opportunity to slip down like a fish and pin him beneath her instead.

These past few days of being choked, having her chin twisted, and being pressed around – she was quite vengeful.

Xie Chi raised her fist to strike down, but He Feng suddenly opened his eyes to look at her with a pitiful expression. “Are you going to hit me?”

Xie Chi’s heart immediately softened. She loosened her fist, then gripped it tight again and punched beside his ear.

He Feng squinted and smiled. “Go ahead and smash it – if you break the bed, come sleep at my place. The bed is more comfortable and much bigger.”

This mouth of his really wasted such a pair of soulful eyes.

Xie Chi actually punched him in the face.

His mouth hit his teeth and immediately bled. He Feng didn’t bother with the blood, letting it flow. “You little woman, such a vicious hand.”

Xie Chi pulled out his gun.

He Feng closed his eyes, letting her cock it, slowly saying: “Don’t let it misfire – this life of mine is precious.”

Xie Chi pressed the gun to his neck. “Are you truly working for the Japanese?”

“What? Want to join?”

“Have you forgotten how your family and friends died?”

“They didn’t know how to adapt to circumstances – who can they blame?”

“Beast.”

“Curse away, curse more – it makes me feel good all over.”

Xie Chi felt stifled and uncomfortable inside.

Sensing her distraction, He Feng swiftly grabbed the gun from her hand, released the safety, casually tossed it to the wall corner, and pulled her into his arms. Xie Chi couldn’t struggle free, gritting her teeth as she pressed tightly against him. Not knowing what he might do next, she had a knife hidden under her pillow. If it really came to that point, would she unhesitatingly draw it and stab it into his chest?

Xie Chi thought for a long while but couldn’t come up with an answer.

“A’Zhi, these years… have you been well?”

This one sentence suddenly completely shattered her remaining willpower.

Like falling into a boundless, rotting giant web, while he became a huge poisonous spider covered in knife-like spines, but now suddenly retracted all his sharp legs, molting into soft short fur that could pierce her heart strand by strand.

Haven’t forgotten?

No.

Do you miss him?

Yes.

Do you still love him?

Uncertain.

Even when she was seventeen and asked this question, she couldn’t give a definite answer. The only time she said it out loud was under his coercion in bed.

In recent years, her temper had grown increasingly sharp. If anyone else spoke such crude words to her, she’d probably turn and spit, or simply finish them off with a knife. But when it came to He Feng, why did these unseemly dirty words sound so flavorful? She felt she was somewhat abnormal.

Xie Chi wasn’t someone as bland as water – she had desires, especially after tasting those forbidden fruits… Just like He Feng had said, her mouth shouted “no” and “get away,” but her body and heart had long since surrendered.

She was always stubborn with her words, before and now…

Lying to him about having many others.

What bullshit.

Not even half of one.

Like being under some curse, always thinking about a dead man.

Now that dead man was alive.

He might as well have stayed dead.

He Feng fell asleep.

His breathing was somewhat heavy – at least heavier than it had been five years ago.

Xie Chi pushed him away. This time, he easily let go.

Kill this traitor.

This thought cycled in her mind for half an hour.

Xie Chi couldn’t count how many times she picked up the gun and put it down again.

She still held two parts… no, at least one part hope for him. So she was willing to take the risk and gamble – gamble on his heart, gamble on the last bit of conscience in his eyes. Even if he really was a traitor, even if he really forced himself on her. After sleeping and having enough pleasure, she could kill him then. Dying while taking a major traitor with her wouldn’t be a loss. All the traitors, devils, and spies she’d killed these years – which one was worth as much as him?

Xie Chi carefully studied his face.

Before, he’d had a body and features more mature than his peers. Now at twenty-three, he looked like he was twenty-eight or twenty-nine. No wonder he could impersonate He Zhan. If she didn’t know the background and the past, she wouldn’t have suspected either.

Xie Chi had painted many portraits – artists always liked observing people. There were sanctimonious gentle scoundrels, and rough, wild gentlemen, but she believed more in physiognomy. With He Feng’s upright-looking face, how did he become a devil?

Though he was a scoundrel, he wouldn’t go to this extent. Perhaps there were other reasons. Perhaps those unspeakable secrets.

“He Feng?”

He lightly hummed in response.

“When did you go to Japan?”

“Thirty-one.”

“Did you go alone?”

“Mm.”

“Who sent you?”

He Feng didn’t answer.

Xie Chi moved closer to his face, staring at his eyelashes, vaguely yearning for something. “Are you Nationalist or Communist?”

He Feng made a humming sound.

“Are you an undercover agent?”

He Feng remained silent.

“Are you still Chinese?” She lightly touched his earlobe with her finger. “If you are, just hum once, and I won’t ask anymore.”

She waited quietly, hoping he could make even the slightest sound.

He Feng turned over and fell into deep sleep.

Xie Chi sat up straight and silently watched him for a while.

She was covered in his alcohol scent. So she went to the bathroom to shower again.

The water rushed.

In the room with no lights on, it was extremely dark. He Feng faced the window, quietly watching the hanging gauze curtains and the faintly bright window outside.

That was an even darker world.