Shangguan Hou did not know why Fan Shun was so determined to help Yuan Huan recover. He knew that even if he asked Fan Shun for more details, the man would never divulge the truth. He pondered and said, “I’ll do my best, but I need a favor from you too.”
“Go on.” Fan Shun was more than happy to help Shangguan Hou. Once he returned the favor, he would not owe Shangguan Hou anything.
Shangguan Hou touched his chin and the mask made of human skin gave way. After taking off the mask, a youthful-looking face could be seen beneath.
He looked at his face briefly before he said, “I want the person who has done this to Yuan Huan. Once we find the culprit, can you hand the guy over to me?”
Fan Shun rapped his fingers on the table gently without answering right away. He was far more interested in the test subject with over 60% brain power than this culprit, so he did not take Shangguan Hou’s request to heart.
Since Fan Shun was open to the suggestion, Shangguan Hou paused and said, “Perhaps you can start with the woman.”
Fan Shun felt puzzled. “Do you mean a woman did this to Yuan Huan?”
“Uh huh. If I’m not mistaken, it’s probably a woman,” replied Shangguan Hou.
“I see. I understand.” Fan Shun nodded. This conversation reminded him of something. He had told Yuan Huan to go back to the base, but Yuan Huan insisted on staying over.
He vaguely recalled Yuan Huan staying back for a woman.
After hanging up the phone, Fan Shun pondered briefly before he told his assistant to find the woman who had landed Yuan Huan in trouble.
…
Shangguan Hou turned on the tap after hanging up the phone. He rinsed his face with cold water for some time before he finally raised his head.
Since his face was concealed behind the human skin mask long term, his complexion was very pale. Also, his face looked stiff with hardly any expression on it. It was impossible to tell his emotions apart.
Shangguan Hou turned to leave the bathroom after he was done washing his face. He walked over to the refrigerator, retrieved a can of beer, opened it, and tilted his head back to take a big gulp.
He stood still for a couple of minutes in deep thought before raising his head to glance at a bedroom door. He walked over to the room holding the can of beer and opened its door.
It was a small room containing a bed and a lounge chair. A man lay on the bed sleeping. When Shangguan Hou entered the room, the man on the bed did not react whatsoever.
Shangguan Hou walked up in front of the bedside cabinet and put down the beer can. He opened the drawer, retrieved a stick of incense, and lit it up. A faint scent of sandalwood and Chinese herbs could be smelled in the air.
Shangguan Hou glanced at the man lying on the bed. He turned to pick up a can of beer and walked up in front of the lounge chair. He sat down and crossed his legs. He leaned into the seat backrest languidly as he took a sip of beer every now and then.
Before long, the man lying on the bed moved his eyes and opened them.
Shangguan Hou did not even bother to look at the bed and seemed to expect him to regain consciousness. He said mildly, “I just knew it. Shangguan Yu is still alive.”
The man lying on the bed was still a little groggy. When he heard Shangguan Hou’s voice, he finally noticed his presence. He tried to move his hands, but he was so tired that he could not even raise his hands, let alone sit up by himself.
“What did you just say?” said Mi Wei hoarsely. He gave up struggling and simply turned his head slightly to look at Shangguan Hou as the latter sat on the lounge chair.
Shangguan Hou smiled. He took a sip of beer and looked up at the ceiling. “Stop pretending that you’re surprised. Didn’t you leave the clan to find her?”
He was not as oblivious as Mi Wei thought.
