A Good-for-Nothing

181. He Zheng Is Gone (1)

Translator: Dragon Rider

In West Lake Film Studio.

“Cut! It’s a pass!” shouted the director into a loudspeaker, and with that the leading man and the leading lady, who had been acting with each other in a very romantic scene, immediately stopped and pulled themselves out of their roles with professionalism.

“Well done, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Tang. Let’s call it a day, everybody. Go back and have some rest.” The director wiped away the sweat on his forehead and started fanning himself with his broad collar constantly to cool down.

Zhao Fei’s assistant hurried over and handed him a glass of water, of which Zhao Fei took two sips. While he was drinking, his assistant craned to his ear and breathed, “Chief, Group Leader Li and his men have arrived. They’re now in Lianhua Hotel.”

“I see.” Zhao Fei took another two sips of water and looked at his watch. After he withdrew his gaze from it, his unfocused eyes rested on the face of a man standing under a tree not far away.

The weather was getting hot, but the man was still wearing a long-sleeved shirt. His features were very attractive, especially his eyes, which were unnaturally deep; if someone looked at him carefully enough, they would notice that the man’s pupils were not pure black but dark gray.

Zhao Fei’s eyes met the man’s in mid-air and with that he raised his eyebrows. He had no idea how long that man had been standing there. As though having been specially waiting for Zhao Fei to cast him a glance, the man got into his car almost immediately after seeing Zhao Fei turn his head back at him.

A black Benz Maybach was quietly parked by the roadside. After the man got in, the car started and drove off fast.

“Chief, that guy’s really weird. He’s been waiting there since you started rolling.” The assistant, watching the retreating car, scratched his head.

Zhao Fei withdrew his gaze impassively. “How long has it been since the shooting began?”

“Ahem… We’ve been here for three days, I think. And he showed up every day,” answered the assistant, who was also Zhao Fei’s subordinate and a smart dog Yōkai. He sniffed and continued, “Chief, that guy’s Qi is very special.”

But Zhao Fei seemed to have lost interest in that man. Unconcernedly returning the glass to his assistant, he said, “Let’s go to the hotel.”

He had just walked two paces when the leading lady’s assistant caught up with him and asked him whether he had time to have a meal with her. Smiling, Zhao Fei declined the invitation and got into his RV.

In the vehicle, Zhao Fei quickly removed his makeup and put on a pair of dark glasses and a surgical mask. When he got out of the RV, his whole aspect was totally different, as though he were no longer Zhao Fei the famous TV star but merely an ordinary man who had caught a cold and had to wear a surgical mask…

It was 8:30 P.M. that Zhao Fei arrived at Lianhua Hotel. For the moment it was unnecessary for the trainees to get involved, so Li Zong and Zu Zhichong were the only ones meeting Zhao Fei. The trainees were allowed to move freely this night but had been warned not to get too far away from the hotel, and they had to return to their rooms by midnight.

They had had enough rest on the train, so after bathing and having their fill of food and drink, they decided to go outside for a walk. He Zheng was in his room playing a mobile game when Jin Qianlai sent him a text message inviting him to go for a stroll. Having nothing in particular to do, He Zheng joined them.

Since they were not on a task or a test, all of them were wearing informal clothes. Chi Li, for example, was in a polka-dot dress, and He Zheng, before leaving his room, had casually changed into a Valentino black-white outfit that Li Zong had brought to the room.

Their casual clothing was making the mood among them a lot more relaxed.

Of all of them, Wu Fangshuo was the only local in this city, so naturally he felt obliged to perform the duties of the host. “Where do you want to go? I’ll lead the way for you.”

Chi Li suggested, “How about we go have some fun in a karaoke bar first and then enjoy some midnight snack?”

Nobody raised any objections.

Wu Fangshuo said, “I know this karaoke bar that is only one street away from sidewalk food stalls. All the foods there are very tasty. I’ll take you there.”

“Let’s have some serious fun!” someone chuckled.

Chen Qianlin and He Zheng were bringing up the rear. Both of them had been friendly to the others, but the moment they set eyes on each other, their faces instantly hardened with sulk.

Beneath the inky sky, countless flashing neon lights were displaying the grandeur of industrial civilization. Pedestrians were filing along the road in endless streams. Suddenly, a flurry of inharmonious sound came.

Embarrassing groans were issuing from a pitch-dark alley on the side. They were fairly loud and all trainees heard them. The couple of young men exchanged knowing glances, but Chi Li appeared somewhat awkward.

Wu Fangshuo scratched his cheek and let out an unnatural cough. “Ahem, it’s already night… Let’s pick up the pace a little.”

In order not to prolong Chi Li’s embarrassment, they quickened their pace. What with the influence of the moans, none of them noticed that the pitch-black alleyway was dead deserted. The sounds were coming out of thin air.

Owing to the direction He Zheng was facing, the whole entrance of the alley was within his sight. He tossed a casual glance inside and abruptly came to a halt, bodily straightened. “Wait – something’s wrong.”

As He Zheng’s voice died away, everybody else looked in his direction. Though not carrying any Fu (Fu is a piece of rectangular paper on which magical figures are drawn by Chinese Taoist priests to invoke or expel spirits and bring good or ill fortune), He Zheng didn’t feel afraid, took his smartphone from his pocket, switched it to Flashlight mode, and cast its light through the entrance of the alley.

The faint, embarrassing groans suddenly disappeared.

“What’s wrong?” Jin Qianlai walked over and saw his cellphone. “There will be retribution for deliberately being a hindrance to people seeking pleasure.”

“Look. There’s nobody in there.” He Zheng, lighting the entrance with his cellphone, knitted his eyebrows. On his face was a hint of graveness, but there was no sign of fear.

“Eek?” Jin Qianlai and the others were amazed. Chen Qianlin stepped over and squinted at the entrance of the alley lit by He Zheng’s cellphone.

“I saw black gas in it.” He Zheng’s mouth tightened into a thin line with solemnity. Jin Qianlai, standing side by side with him, strained his neck for a better view. Both of them were seeing it.

“Black gas is billowing out,” said Jin Qianlai.

“Is everybody carrying your stuff?” Chen Qianlin balled his hands which were hanging at his sides.

“No. What should we do?”

“Let’s go in there and take a look. There are four of us here. Nothing could go wrong,” a voice suggested.