"Let's forget about him." Before Sun Fatty could respond, Gui Bugui was already dismissing Ren San's idea. "Director Sun is too much trouble to keep. While we're raising him, we'd also have to guard against him changing the ownership of our assets to his name."
Ren San snorted, glanced sideways at Sun Fatty, and turned to Gui Bugui. "You think he's that capable?"
Gui Bugui chuckled, "I'm already being polite here. If we really kept him around for two years, we might end up being led by the nose by him. Then we'd no longer be raising him—we'd have to worship him like an ancestor." He paused, gave Sun Fatty a peculiar smile, and added, "Here's something you don't know. Wu Mian originally planned to step out of that cage. But because of Director Sun, he pulled the foot he'd already stepped out back in."
After saying that, Gui Bugui turned to Sun Fatty and continued, "Let's leave it at that. Go back and tell Wu Mian we did our best with what he entrusted to us. If someday Ren San and I get tired of wandering, we'll return to see him. Maybe by then, you'll need to save a spot in that cage for the two of us."
While the old man and the child spoke, Sun Fatty didn't interrupt. He just smiled and listened. Only when Gui Bugui mentioned saving him a spot did he sigh and say, "You've read my mind. In fact, before I came out here, I had a private talk with Director Wu. He also asked me to pass along a message—said you two have been away long enough, and it's time to stop fooling around. Come back sooner rather than later. He still has things to say to you."
As soon as Sun Fatty finished, Ren San leapt off his chair and onto Gui Bugui, cupping the old man's face with his hands. "Old fart! Didn't I tell you? I said Wu Mian would eventually have to swallow his pride and call us back! How long has it even been? A few years? Hahaha—let's go! Let's go now! I have to see what he looks like with his pride shoved down!"
Gui Bugui's face flushed red from the pressure. I was surprised—how could someone like him even have such a physical reaction? After struggling to push Ren San off and gasping for breath for a while, the old man said, "You've known Wu Mian for how long, and you still don't get it?"
Ren San blinked, clearly not following. After a moment, he asked, "What are you trying to say, old fart?"
Gui Bugui sighed and turned to Sun Fatty. "Director Sun, this little joke of yours has gone too far. I know what you're thinking—trick us into going back so you can add two more powerhouses to your Bureau. And even if the trick gets exposed, we'd be too embarrassed to turn on you because of Wu Mian's face. So, we'd end up obediently locked in your cage, working under your orders. That about sums it up, right?"
Sun Fatty still wore his usual roguish grin, but to me, his eyes were blinking rapidly—a classic tell for when he'd been caught lying and was scrambling for a new story. Looks like Gui Bugui really nailed it. Makes sense, too. Sun Fatty had been acting like a mouse around Wu Ren'di lately, and even made a special trip to see him before this mission. That wasn't just idle curiosity.
"Not to brag, but your suspicions are a bit much. If you don't believe me, just come back with me. Once you see Director Wu, everything will be clear." Sun Fatty grinned. "And if I'm wrong, you two can head right back out. No harm done."
At that, even Ren San caught on. He squinted at Sun Fatty and said, "You're not playing by the rules. Normally, people would say something like, 'If I'm wrong, punish me however you want.' But you? Either way, you don't lose."
Then Ren San turned to Gui Bugui. "You're right, old fart. This fatty's too crafty—no fun keeping him around." He looked back at Sun Fatty, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "You know, they say lying makes your teeth fall out…"
Sun Fatty shivered, but Ren San's tone suddenly shifted as he smirked at the deputy director. "Ah, forget it. You can keep playing mind games with Wu Mian. Can't let him live too comfortably either."
Just as Ren San finished speaking, Sun Fatty still wanted to argue and linger on the yacht a little longer. Unfortunately, the old man and the kid weren't giving him that chance. Thankfully, out of respect for Wu Ren'di, they didn't make things too difficult for him—just had a few of the foreigners escort us back to the small boat.
As we walked toward the boarding ladder, Gui Bugui's voice suddenly echoed in my ears:"Little blockhead, let me give you a piece of advice. Be careful of Guangren in the future. Back in the day, he and Wu Mian nearly tore each other apart over the seed inside your body. I don't believe he'll ever truly let you go."
I spun around in surprise, but Gui Bugui and Ren San were nowhere to be seen. The deck was empty—they must've already gone back into the cabin.
Yang Xiao was the first to jump down into the small boat. Judging from how wary he was of Gui Bugui and Ren San, he didn't want to stay on the yacht a second longer. Hugo went down second. Just before he stepped off the ladder, Sun Fatty, half-jokingly, called out, "Not to say anything, Director Hugo, but are you sure you don't want to stay and chat with those two elders a little longer? It's not like you get to see them often—you never know when the next time will be."
Hugo showed a hint of awkwardness in his smile. He glanced back at the two now-empty chairs on the deck. After confirming Gui Bugui and Ren San weren't behind him, he lowered his voice and muttered, "Sun, all Mr. Gui wanted to know was about Wu. As for the rest—it's harmless to you and Director Gao. And besides, I don't even have access to any other classified intel."
Sun Fatty chuckled. "Director Hugo, if there's anything you want to know in the future—classified or not—just come ask me. I'll lay it out for you plain and clear. I'm not like Old Gao; I've got nothing to hide from you."
Hugo sighed and gave a helpless shrug before stepping down from the yacht in silence.
Just before Sun Fatty followed him down, I suddenly asked, "Da Sheng, could you do me a favor and explain something? What really happened with Lin Feng and Hao Zhengyi? How did they end up going down together like that?"
Hearing my question, the smile on Sun Fatty's face began to stiffen. He glanced at the foreigners behind us, hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Lazi, this is something I will tell you—just not now. Once we're back at the Bureau, I'll find someone who can give you the full story."
And it wasn't until the next day, after we returned to the Bureau, that I finally learned the truth.
Because there were too many of us, we had to split into two flights on the way back. Thanks to my relationship with Sun Fatty, I got on the Bureau's special flight. The plane was packed, and I didn't get a chance to ask questions, so I had to wait until we were back at HQ.
Once we landed, something unexpected happened—Wu Ren'di, who had stayed behind to watch the Bureau's headquarters, was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Sun Fatty and the two Yangs acted as if nothing had happened, each returning to their departments and resuming their usual work. After submitting my report, I went straight to Sun Fatty's office and stayed there, watching people come and go, while he worked nonstop. Even as night fell, he showed no signs of slowing down.
The next morning, I was the first to arrive at the Bureau, thinking I could catch him early. But to my surprise, he hadn't left at all—the lights in his office had been on all night. When I pushed open the door, he was rubbing his bloodshot eyes as he signed the last document on his desk. Seeing me come in, he gave a groggy smile."Not to say anything, but did you time this or what? One minute later and I'd have found somewhere to sleep."
Seeing how exhausted he was, I felt a little guilty. "Da Sheng, no one else is around now. You said you'd find someone to tell me the truth. Just tell me who it is—I'll go find them myself."
Sun Fatty yawned. "That person will be here soon—it's not complicated. But we've got to wait for Hao Tou'er. After all, this is his brother we're talking about—it wouldn't be right to start without him."
Just as he said that, the office door opened again. Hao Wenming walked in, eyes just as red from lack of sleep. Sun Fatty stood up and double-checked that the door was locked, then returned to his seat and said, "Hao Tou'er didn't make it in time yesterday, but I'm sure he knows all the details."
Then he paused, as if debating how to begin. A moment later, he spoke again."What I'm about to show you was originally only meant for Hao Tou'er, but since you, Lazi, were practically a direct participant in this whole thing, I got his approval to let you in on it too."
With that, he took out a disc and slid it into the computer's drive. Moments later, the screen lit up.
The video was the portion that had been previously cut from the footage. Gao Liang appeared on screen, staring solemnly into the camera as he said:"Fatty, I think it's time we talk about Hao Zhengyi. Of everyone in my life, he's the one I've let down the most. From beginning to end, he's always been one of us—part of the Bureau…"