691 A DANGEROUS GIFT
The Great Escape concluded with a beautiful performance from the Firebird. It was a glorious show with a lot of flash and pomp, causing people to admire the stamina of the artiste. It was unbelievable he was able to sing and dance after talking the entire night.
Unfortunately, not all the guests enjoyed the finale.
The people invited to the special exhibition were on edge as they waited for the show to finish. It was like they were sitting on pins and needles. They were both excited and anxious. The invitation was more than a gesture of goodwill.
It was a door to a new future.
Meanwhile, Frank was giving Hu Lei more information about the planned exhibition.
“The room I have chosen is restricted.” He said with unusual reserve, which was uncharacteristic of his sociopathic tendencies.
“Explain.” Hu Lei ordered with sharp eyes.
“To be completely honest, these escape games were not intended for entertainment, at first. He used them as a method to torture those who… strayed.” Frank said with a slight grimace.
“I thought he just poked out eyeballs.” Hu Lei said with dark amusement.
.....
“I was his favourite,” Frank said with pride. “And you are each responsible for one of my eyes.”
The reminder of their violent past did not bother Hu Lei. “You can still see, can’t you? Continue.”
“Well, I will not spoil the surprise…” Frank turned back to his usual irritating self. “But apart from enjoying the thrill of supercars, he found designing the special escape rooms… relaxing. The room I have chosen was the last one he ordered made.”
Hu Lei and Zhong Feng became attentive. They could sense that Frank was trying to communicate something without giving away information. It was quite frustrating.
“Would it kill you to talk like a normal human?” Hu Lei lost her temper.
“I don’t want to ruin the gift he left, but I am now honour-bound to protect you,” Frank said as if he was struggling with a huge dilemma. “It is a hard balance to strike.”
Hu Lei turned to Zhong Feng. “Do you understand this person?”
Zhong Feng frowned deeply. “The escape room he has chosen to take us to was built by Yuan Haoran for you. Or at least, with you in mind.”
Frank laughed. “Sometimes, I understand why she keeps you around. You know, apart from your unnatural good looks.”
“What do you mean he made a room for me?” Hu Lei asked. “And why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
“Remember our little trip to Transylvania? You know, mountains, snow, witches, vampires?” Frank asked. “He gave the order to build the room not long after. He did not mention you by name, but he said he wanted to see you escape.”
Hu Lei touched her forehead at the unclear explanation. She did not want to hear anything more. “You know what? It does not matter. Just take us there.”
Frank nodded. “I will not be there with you, and you might be in danger. You know how he was. Even his goodwill is dangerous. Do not die.”
Zhong Feng was a little worried. He did not think that Yuan Haoran was smarter than he was, but he could not predict the mind of a true madman, driven by chronic disease, hate and love. He did not want to put Hu Lei in danger.
She reached to hold his hand. “We will be fine. If all else fails, we will use brute force. I have only failed to escape from only one place. And you got me out.”
In another room, Yagi and Shi were excited, but they were men who had seen the world. Therefore, they remained calm after The Great Escape was complete. When the performance by Firebird was almost over, they heard a light knock.
The door opened to reveal a man in black military gear. “Mister Yagi, Master Shi, please follow me.”
The two stood up. Yagi was curious about the address ‘Master Shi’, but he could not ask immediately. He knew that Shi was not who he presented himself to be, even though he did not seem to have any ill will towards him.
However, Yagi could feel the truth on the horizon.
In the other room, Inei and Emi faced a woman in the same military gear. Inei looked at his sister with concern, wondering if they were making a mistake. However, they still followed the woman who had a restrained aura of blood.
The six people and the three bodyguards met at the furthest end of the hotel, away from the areas with the arena and the casino. The first to arrive were Hu Lei and Zhong Feng. The two maintained their intimate air, with Hu Lei holding onto Zhong Feng’s arm.
Still, Frank noticed the subtle change in their air. The two did not have the feeling of two indomitable giants of the world anymore. Instead, Zhong Feng gave off a cruel aura similar to Yuan Haoran, except he somehow maintained a refined flair.
As for Hu Lei, she had turned into a typical companion of such a cruel man. Her body language showed a coquettish but cautious personality in the way she interacted with Zhong Feng. In other words, they had put on a disguise without changing anything.
Their appearance made Frank’s lips twitch. He did not know what they did in their free time to have such practised personalities and incredible tacit understanding.
The next two to arrive were Inei and Emi. The siblings greeted the first two arrivals, thinking they could find out something about the exhibition. Unfortunately, Zhong Feng did not spare them a glance while Hu Lei looked at them with disdain and snorted before turning away.
Frank once again realised that he did not understand his new boss and her husband when he saw their reaction to the greeting. They were so deep in character without their performance looking contrived. It was perfect in its subtlety.
Finally, Yagi and Shi arrived at the scene. Their attention was naturally captured by Zhong Feng because of his celestial appearance and powerful aura. They did not pay much attention to Hu Lei because she looked like a mere companion.
Their lingering gazes caused Zhong Feng to look at them with his sharp eyes. However, unlike his usual cold aura, he seemed to be soaked in blood. He seemed like a person who would kill someone for a wrong look.
These two did not speak, and they did not stare at Zhong Feng for longer. Their gazes were drawn to the other pair at the scene. The shock in the eyes of the four people could not be concealed. They wanted to ask each other questions.
However, before anyone could speak, an elevator door opened before them.
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