I felt Li DanFC carry me up and bring me back to my room.
I opened my eyes but I didnât dare to move.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Yun Huanâs room. The door was shut and judging from how loud he slammed it, he mustâve been really mad.
Li DanFC opened my door with one hand.
I closed my eyes again to prevent getting caught.
He took a few steps forward and placed me on the bed, before covering my body with a blanket.
I opened my eyes only after hearing the door close.
I sat up and reached for the table lamp.
All kinds of emotions hit me at once.
What were they going to do to me at the end of the month?
According to their exchange, Yun Huan had already killed two people. He was likely going to get rid of me once Iâve served my purpose.
I should just mess up his plans to imitate me so that the people I know will definitely sense something unusual about him.
F*cking hell!
The more I replayed the conversation I just heard, the more I start to panic. I was going to have to keep his secret if he did take over my identity, and who else, other than a dead person, could best keep a secret?
Things were looking bad.
I considered escaping since theyâve yet to restrict my freedom, only to be hit by the fact that I had no money on me. I had my phone, of course, but people donât use renminbi here so I wouldnât be able to survive outside, much less get a ticket back to China.
And I donât think that theyâd give me money if I ask for it.
Or I could just steal some things from them? Iâm sure that the pieces in this house were valuable. I think I could even bring a few bottles of wine out. Any bottle in here would probably fetch me tens of thousands.
Or, more simply, I could flip through their wallets.
I stood up and got the shock of my life upon seeing Li DanFC lying on the ground beside my bed.
Our eyes met and we remained silent for a few seconds.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Panicked, I raised a foot to smash his head, hoping to knock him out before escaping with some valuables.
Of course, I had forgotten that he was a bodyguard and could easily kick my ass.
Before I could land my foot on him, he rolled aside and kicked my other leg, causing me to lose my balance and fall over.
He punched me in the head before holding me down, all without making too much noise.
I was completely sober but I felt as though I had downed half a bottle of white wine.
Before I could scream, he covered my mouth. âWake him up and youâll be dead. Keep quiet.â
I was at a loss. He didnât want Yun Huan to know? What was going on?
Li DanFC pointed at the window. âI can smell the Vodka coming from outside but none from your body. Iâve served the army for over 10 years and I have had my fair share of sneaking alcohol into camp... but I was never able to conceal the smell as well as you. It was as if you hadnât had any at all.â He snorted. âWho are you trying to fool, boy?â
I only realized how much of a failure I was after he said that.
âYouâre pretty active, huh? Itâs only the second day and youâre already making so much trouble. I wonder if you would be able to turn the world upside down in a few daysâ time,â he mused quietly.
With the pain numbing down to a dull ache, I managed to squirm a little, but he merely used an elbow to hold my head down while his other hand covered my mouth.
âAre you really trying to wake him up and expose yourself? I doubt youâd wanna know what happened to the previous victims,â he whispered.
I stopped struggling.
Li DanFC loosened his grip on me and pulled me up.
He pushed me towards the door. âLetâs go out, itâs not safe here.â
We left the villa and walked on for a bit.
When were quite a distance away from the house, he let go of my hands.
âBeing smart is not a bad thing, but youâll need to learn how to act dumb at times. You donât know that, apparently, and youâre making my job tough for me.â
âWhat do you mean?â I asked, massaging my aching neck and leg.
âI have to admit, you impressed me. I had thought that it was going to take you half a month, at least, to find out what was really going on. Iâm not sure if youâre intelligent or you just have a death wish, but youâre ruining my plan either way.â
âAny normal human being will be suspicious, donât you think? What are you trying to do?â I asked nervously.
âI just want to know what you can offer me,â he replied.
âWhat I can offer you?â
âYun Huatengâs plan is to have you two switch identities completely, but Iâm not looking forward to the return of that lunatic. Iâm certain that heâll mess up again. I wonât have worries, however, if you will be the one taking his place. Of course, thatâs if you can act well enough,â he answered.
âAct?â I parroted.
âI can keep you alive and help you take over Yun Huanâs position. I can help you cover up a lot of things and even help you become the new director of the company â as long as you listen to my orders, of course.â
âYou mean youâll bring me back after a month and Iâll lay low for 10 years before taking over the company and splitting the profits with you? 50:50?â I clarified.
â10:90, but youâll be dead if you donât agree. You really donât have a choice. Anyway, 10% is enough for you to live on extravagantly for the rest of your life, so consider carefully.â
âIâll agree, obviously, but youâll be the only one who knows of this. Wonât I still die if you let the secret out?â
âItâs extremely simple except for two things.â
âGo on,â I urged.
âBoss and I have decided that the only way to tell you two apart is the fact that you canât speak English. I can buy you a monthâs time when we get back, but youâll need to learn how to speak fluently within that period or youâll be busted for sure.â
I nodded, still not revealing that my English was at least of some standards.
âYouâll also need to find evidence of Yun Huanâs crime. He was released from custody because of the lack of evidence. Bossâ plan is for you to stay here for a month and for Yun Huan to call the cops on you before returning to China,â he went on.
âWait, what about my video recording? Whatâs the point of going back if you canât get rid of it?â
âIâve been told to find out your email address. When Yun Huan gets back to China, Iâm supposed to report the loss of your telephone card. I would then request to get rid of that email on the account that Iâve lost both its password and the phone card that was supposed to help reset it. Is it really that difficult?â he asked.
I took a sharp intake of breath.
âIâm planning to help you, but youâll need to get substantial evidence as soon as possible. That way, I can get rid of Yun Huan and have you go back as yourself. As long as you can fool Yun Huateng, nothing else will be a problem.â
âYouâll help me if I can get hold of the evidence? What if I canât?â I questioned.
âThen I can only apologize. But donât worry about that, Iâm sure youâll find a way since youâre so smart.â He smiled.