EM Chapter 16. Adversity

Shao Xiujie didn’t know the full story, but the Shao family had its own intelligence network. When he woke up that morning, he was informed that Fu Shanming’s estate had been attacked during the night. Fu Shanming himself had been abducted and was now hospitalized. The news caught him off guard. He asked a few more questions, then realized something was off. He immediately ordered a thorough investigation, and finally confirmed that the one behind it all was Song Feng.

Their contract had ended. Technically, this had nothing to do with him. But Song Feng had just risked his life to save him. Even if that was a mercenary’s job, hearing that something had happened to him, Shao Xiujie couldn’t bring himself to do nothing.

It was said that Fu Shanming had been taken from a private dock. Shao Xiujie had immediately mobilized a search team and scoured the area since dawn. Maybe he had grown too fond of that man during their brief time together, because deep down, he was uneasy. If they didn’t find him, he could at least pretend Song Feng had escaped. But if they did… he feared all they would find was a corpse. It wasn’t until he saw Song Feng safe and alive that he finally let out a breath of relief.

Song Feng sat slumped on the deck, half-dead. He snatched the water bottle handed to him and took a few quick gulps. “Where’s Fu Shanming now?”

“He just discharged himself, against the doctor’s advice. Should be here any minute now,” Shao Xiujie replied, glancing at Xiao Mingxuan. Since Song Feng had risked everything last night to save him, turning Xiao Mingxuan over to Fu Shanming now would likely earn his fierce resistance.

Song Feng gave him a look. “You got a gun? Or a grenade?”

He wasn’t stupid. Shao Xiujie had just stepped into his new position and hadn’t solidified his standing. This wasn’t the time to go head-to-head with someone like Fu Shanming. Even if they tried to escape now, it wouldn’t help. Fu Shanming would soon find out that Shao Xiujie had taken a boat out, and he wasn’t the type to let things slide. Song Feng knew that too. There was no way Shao Xiujie would risk a direct conflict for their sake. What happened next was anyone’s guess.

Shao Xiujie didn’t answer the question. Instead, he asked, “After you take him back, where are you going?”

“Back to the company. Why?”

“No reason. Just asking. I can’t stay long. I’ll have to leave you here,” Shao Xiujie said. He turned and gave an order. One of his men nodded and walked off. A moment later, a faint sound came from behind, like something being lowered into the water. Song Feng got to his feet and leaned over the railing. When he saw what it was, he lunged toward it. “You really are a good man.”

Shao Xiujie stepped back slightly. “I’ve got Fu Shanming to deal with. Don’t rub yourself on me.”

Song Feng reluctantly drew back his hands. “Former boss, if there’s ever another chance to work with you, I’ll give you twenty percent off.”

Shao Xiujie didn’t love the word “former.” He instinctively wanted to correct it, but it was true, so he just nodded. “Don’t forget that.”

Before Song Feng could reply, a voice came from the cabin. “Do I get a discount too?”

He instantly lit up, a flirtatious smile playing at his lips. His eyes shimmered with mischief. “For a beauty like Miss Liu, I’m always generous.”

He kept chatting with her, making her laugh.

Xiao Mingxuan felt a headache coming on. The man wasn’t even out of danger and he was already hitting on someone else’s woman. Shameless didn’t even begin to describe it. The crew glanced stiffly at Shao Xiujie. The latter remained calm, already used to this kind of behavior. “Do you need me to find you a pretty girl for the road?”

Song Feng finally quieted down a little. He scooted over to Xiao Mingxuan. “No need. I’m trying to escape right now, and I’ve got a burden to carry.”

“So you do know you’re running for your life,” Shao Xiujie said. “There’s medicine, guns, cash, food, and water on the speedboat. Head north and you’ll reach the Andaman Sea. The range of a small boat like this is under eight hundred nautical miles. You’ll need to land along the way and cross through Thailand if you want to get out. Good luck.”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded. He and Song Feng walked to the edge of the deck. Just before getting in, Song Feng suddenly stopped and turned back. “One more thing—”

Shao Xiujie listened quietly. He didn’t quite understand, but still nodded.

“Then I’m off.”

Shao Xiujie gave a nod, then paused and caught up with him. “Here’s my card. Give me a call once you’re back at the company. And think about my previous offer.”

Song Feng took it with a grin. “We’ll see.”

Xiao Mingxuan had already started the engine. Once Song Feng got on board, they headed north. Xiao Mingxuan asked casually, “You two really had a boss-mercenary relationship?”

“Yeah. What are you getting at?”

“He treats you awfully well.”

“Of course. Not like someone I know, who only makes his subordinates get fucked or run for their lives.”

“…”

Shao Xiujie watched them go, then turned and swept his gaze across the deck. “Not a word of what happened today leaves this boat. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

They turned the boat around and passed by Fu Shanming’s private dock, finally anchoring at a quiet spot. Then they set up a parasol and lounged in the sun, enjoying the beautiful view as if on vacation with a fiancée.

Song Feng slowly worked his T-shirt off, then removed his shoes and pants, leaving only his underwear as he sat on the boat. He was a bit lean, but the muscle definition along his abs and thighs was sharp and taut, surprisingly attractive. He grabbed the antiseptic and gauze, treated the wound on his leg first, then pulled on his pants and reached to remove the bandage from his left shoulder. But he couldn’t quite reach.

Xiao Mingxuan glanced over. “Come steer. I’ll do it.”

Song Feng let out a breath and sat down with his back to him. “Fuck, it’s hot. Must be over forty degrees. You believe that?”

“I do.” Xiao Mingxuan began unwrapping the bandage. The dried blood had long since stuck to his skin. He picked up the disinfectant and dabbed it on slowly, trying to make it hurt a little less. “What did you say to him before you got off the boat?”

“Oh, I told him that if Fu Shanming asked about me, he should just tell him I’m Xiao Mingxuan.”

“…”

Song Feng turned and glanced at him. “Don’t look at me like that. Your identity’s been blown wide open this time. No way you can use it again. You’ll go back to the military zone, safe and sound. I don’t have that luxury. I still gotta survive out here, you know?”

Xiao Mingxuan tossed the bandage aside and started cleaning the wound with cotton soaked in disinfectant. “If he digs up my file and sees my photo, he’ll know he got played. Then he might start looking into whatever name you used at the Shao house. He could still find you.”

“Yeah, true,” Song Feng muttered. “I should’ve just told him I was in disguise. Said my name was Song Zhe and let my big brother take care of it. Would’ve saved me the headache.”

Xiao Mingxuan’s hand paused. Song Zhe, the eldest son of the Song family. A venomous bastard if there ever was one. Even a freak like Fu Shanming wouldn’t stand a chance against him. Honestly, not a bad plan. “You’re not afraid Song Zhe would come after you for dragging him into it?”

“Eh, whatever,” Song Feng sniffled pitifully. “I’m used to him fucking me up anyway.”

“…”

His black T-shirt was soaked through and clinging to his skin, sucking in heat like a sponge. He didn’t bother putting it back on. After patching himself up, he just left it off. Xiao Mingxuan told him to steer while he sat nearby and peeled off his own tank top. The bandage was crusted with dried blood. Song Feng glanced at him. “You got hit on your back too?”

“What do you think?”

“I doubt your little lover only whipped you from one side. Do the front yourself. I’ll handle the back.”

Xiao Mingxuan gave a nod and slowly unwound the bandages. Some of the wounds had already started to fester, looking nasty as hell. Song Feng kept one hand on the throttle, the other on the wheel, eyes drifting over the crisscrossed lashes on his back. He stared in silence for a while, then the two of them spoke at the exact same time.

“Shut up.”
“Your little lover…”

Song Feng: “…”

Xiao Mingxuan glanced at him. “You were about to say my little lover’s got some serious bite, weren’t you?”

Song Feng: “…”

“Just drive, rich boy.”

Song Feng’s fun was ruthlessly crushed. He sniffled and hunched over the wheel, steering in silence, looking absolutely pitiful. Xiao Mingxuan ignored him, kept applying the medicine, then walked over. “Switch seats.”

Song Feng nodded. He moved to the back and took one look, then raised a brow. The wounds on Xiao Mingxuan’s back weren’t many, but they’d gone untreated all night and were now even worse after a soak in seawater.

“You’ve got some pain tolerance, I’ll give you that. Didn’t think you had it in you, Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Mingxuan didn’t respond. He did pause, though, at the sound of that nickname. “How long have we known each other?”

“Over twenty years, give or take.”

“Yeah… that long. So why does it feel like I’m just getting to know you now? What the hell were we even doing before this?”

“I dunno. Didn’t feel like there was much worth getting to know. Didn’t see each other much either.”

Xiao Mingxuan made a small sound of agreement. His upbringing had been strict. His future had been laid out for him from the start. The Song family was the complete opposite. Song Feng’s grandfather let him do whatever the hell he wanted. They really hadn’t had many chances to cross paths. But now that they’d been through so much together, something had shifted. At least, that’s how he felt.

Song Feng thought about it, then added, “Probably ’cause you looked boring as hell.”

“…”

Fu Shanming scoured that stretch of sea twice, then returned to confront Shao Xiujie. He had lost too much blood, his face pale as a ghost. With that smile on his lips, he looked downright sinister.

“Shao, you seem to be in a good mood.”

“Xiao Shuang said she wanted to see the ocean, so I brought her out for a bit of fun,” Shao Xiujie replied. “Just relaxing. What about you, Mr. Fu?”

“I’m looking for two people.” Fu Shanming stared at him. “I wonder, Mr. Shao… have you seen your so-called lover today?”

“He left yesterday. Haven’t seen him since. Why?”

“He barged into my house last night and shot at me. I drove him out to sea. No sign of him since.”

Shao Xiujie raised his brows. “Are you sure it was him?”

“I am.”

Shao Xiujie was silent for a moment. “He was just a mercenary I hired. Left last night. I had no part in this. And besides, I’ve got no reason to go against you, Mr. Fu.”

“I’m not accusing you.” Fu Shanming cut him off. “But if you don’t mind, I’d like to search your boat.”

Shao Xiujie looked at him for a moment, then calmly sat back in his chair. “If it’ll ease your mind, be my guest.”

Fu Shanming didn’t move right away. He might have seniority, but this was still the underworld, and pulling a search like this was a slap in the face to the Shao family. And if this man was willing to let him search, then chances were the two fugitives weren’t aboard.

“I trust Mr. Shao’s character.” With that, Fu Shanming returned to his boat and gave the order. “Set off.”

His voice turned cold. “Have someone keep watch on the Shao family. Send out two more teams. One will search north along the strait, including the coastline. The other will take the highway south. Pull surveillance footage. Get their photos circulated in Thailand and Myanmar.”

He narrowed his eyes, his expression twisted. “No way in hell they’re just going to vanish.”