EIP 12

In the following days, Zhou Jun either arranged to go out to watch movies or enjoyed afternoon tea, or he would have dinner at the Zhou family home. One day, his sister-in-law organized a mahjong game and happened to rope him in as a player. The table was filled with ladies in cheongsams and Western dresses, wearing diamond rings and red nail polish. The women held the small tiles, calling out for wins and melds. Zhou Jun’s luck was average, and after several rounds, he lost quite a bit of money.

During the game, he felt someone intentionally brush against his leg. Zhou Jun discreetly tucked his leg away, pretending to be an upright gentleman and not even glancing in that direction. However, once the game broke up, he made his way to the car of the lady who had just brushed against him, hoping to steal a kiss.

After some time Zhou Jun’s hair was disheveled, he had worked up a bit of sweat. He carefully tidying himself up and got out of the small, swaying car. He strolled leisurely along the street, planning to have a bowl of wontons. The wonton shop was a well-known establishment, with fresh broth, thin skins, and tender meat, allowing him to easily devour a large bowl and work up a sweat. After the meal, Zhou Jun wiped his mouth contentedly, left the money for his meal, and prepared to leave.

He was just about to go to the barber shop to shave his face, tidy up his sideburns, and get a haircut. After getting into a rickshaw, he told the driver the destination and leisurely lit a cigarette. The ride wasn’t fast nor too slow, but it took a long time. He knew that the shop he mentioned was nearby and shouldn’t take this long to reach. Zhou Jun glanced around at the increasingly secluded surroundings and asked, “Master, have you taken the wrong route?”

The driver, dressed in a jacket, was focused on pulling the rickshaw and didn’t respond to the question. Zhou Jun looked around and shouted, “Stop the rickshaw! I said stop, do you hear me?” But instead of stopping, the driver turned into an alley. Then he looked back over his shoulder, a small knife in hand. “Young Master Zhou, I’m sorry!”

As soon as the man finished speaking, Zhou Jun, who seemed like a frail young master, had already drawn a revolver and aimed it at him. “Step back.”

Before the man could retreat, Zhou Jun fired a shot, hitting his left leg. The gunshot rang out, deafeningly loud. The man screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground. Zhou Jun leapt out of the rickshaw, gun aimed squarely at him. “Who sent you?” he shouted. The man didn’t answer. He just clutched his leg, howling in agony. Zhou Jun fired again, and this time into his right leg.

Blood poured out, soaking the ground around Zhou Jun’s feet. Feeling a bit disgusted and impatient, he said, “Aren’t you going to speak?” The man hurriedly replied, “I really don’t know. They just told me to bring you here…”

Just as the man finished speaking, Zhou Jun heard a sharp whistle behind him. He instinctively dodged and saw someone swinging a wooden stick at his back. A closer look revealed a dozen men, all with fierce expressions closing in. Zhou Jun glanced at the few bullets he had left, then at the hostile crowd. He quickly raised his hands and forced a smile. “It’s a misunderstanding, really! I surrender—just don’t get violent.”

Before they could advance, a sudden screech of tires echoed through the alley. Everyone turned. A black car came crashing in, knocking over debris and sending dust flying. Seizing the moment, Zhou Jun turned and ran. But just as he got going, the injured man on the ground reached out with bloody hands and grabbed his leg. Zhou Jun fell hard, his gun skidding out of reach.

He thought to himself that it was all over, when suddenly he heard gunshots from behind and the tires of the car screeching against the ground. Zhou Jun kicked away the man holding onto his leg and scrambled to his feet. To his surprise, the car came crashing up next to him, and the door swung open with someone shouting for him to get in.

Zhou Jun didn’t care whether the driver was friend or foe. He rolled and scrambled into the car. Just as he was about to pull in his other leg, the vehicle lurched forward. The door slammed shut from the sudden motion and nearly caught the leg that was still hanging out.

Fortunately, he reacted in time. One shoe was left behind, but at least he got into the car in one piece. Behind him, the group gave chase, their sticks thudding against the back of the trunk. Zhou Jun braced himself against the seat and looked up. To his surprise, he saw Yong Jin seated inside, dressed in a formal uniform. Yong Jin sat straight with his hands neatly folded and even offered him a faint smile.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Zhou. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

It wasn’t until the car shook off the group that Zhou Jun took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his face and smiled back. “What a coincidence, Major Yong. It’s been a while. How have you been lately?” As he spoke, he climbed up from beneath the seat and suddenly felt the aches and pains all over his body.

His clothes were torn, bloodstains marked his body, and one of his shoes was missing. His hair was a complete mess. Zhou Jun sat in the seat, wiping his face and hands. The handkerchief was now soaked in dark red and black, filthy beyond recognition. He did not ask why Yong Jin had appeared at that exact moment, and Yong Jin did not question what had happened to him.

The two sat in the back seat, exchanging polite greetings as if they had simply run into each other on the street. Yong Jin even offered gently, “Mr. Zhou, you can come to my place and change into a fresh set of clothes. Your wounds need some treatment, too.” Zhou Jun held the soiled handkerchief and declined with equal politeness. “No need for that. Please just take me back to my apartment, Major.” Yong Jin’s expression did not change. He turned to the driver and said calmly, “Back to the mansion.”

This was Zhou Jun’s first time visiting the Yong mansion, and it was just as grand as he had imagined. The European-style architecture stood tall and elegant, complete with a fountain at the entrance. The car passed through the main gate and came to a stop. Zhou Jun stepped out behind Yong Jin, feeling painfully aware of his disheveled state. One foot was bare, and his clothes were stained and rumpled. Standing beside Yong Jin, who looked clean and composed, he felt the contrast all the more sharply. Yong Jin appeared even more handsome in comparison.

Fortunately, the servants in the mansion were discreet and didn’t gawk at the guest Yong Jin had brought back. Zhou Jun was led to the bathroom, where he found a set of clothes thoughtfully prepared for him. However, he actually preferred to treat his wounds first, as he had several injuries, and soaking in water would cause them to sting.

In the bathroom, Zhou Jun carefully removed his clothes, revealing numerous scratches and bruises reflected in the smooth mirror. He noticed a bruise on his face and felt a pang of sympathy for himself, quickly washing it with water and sighing as he looked in the mirror.

The bathtub was filled with steaming hot water, and just as Zhou Jun settled in, there was a knock at the door. “Are you done changing?” came Yong Jin’s voice. Zhou Jun was still in the tub and hadn’t replied yet when the door swung open. Yong Jin entered, carrying a tray with several medicine bottles placed on it.

Yong Jin looked at him lying in the water and frowned. “You haven’t applied the medicine yet.” Zhou Jun innocently gazed back at him. “I thought since you prepared the water, you wanted me to wash up before going out.”

Yong Jin set the tray aside, took off the bath towel, and approached him, urging him to stand. Zhou Jun instinctively covered himself as he rose from the bathtub but nearly lost his balance and fell back in. Quick as a flash, Yong Jin wrapped the towel around him and pulled him into his arms, speaking gently as if soothing a child, “Be careful, step with your right foot first.” Zhou Jun obediently followed his instructions, extending his right leg first before stepping out with his left.

Once he stood steady, Yong Jin handed him the clothes to wear. Zhou Jun stood in front of him, completely naked, but the man’s gaze was not lewd. He was focused and serious as he helped him put on the garment. It was a silk robe, fitting snugly against his body, with a nice drape that cinched at the waist. After Zhou Jun was dressed, Yong Jin suddenly smiled. “The first time I saw you, I thought this style would suit you perfectly.”