TEAMWORK

Chapter 14: TIED TOGETHER iv

Chapter
XIV
Dead Daddy 101
(Take the Picture for Example)

***

Mop entered the conference room to see Zhang Qi Ling and Wu Xie sitting side by side in an over-stuffed loveseat.

Zhang Qi Ling had a book in his right hand and Wu Xie was curled against his side fast asleep.

"Xiao ge?"

His hand shifted and he laid the book against the arm of the chair. He looked at Mop who looked at Wu Xie.

"He fell asleep while we were waiting for you to 'release' us." Zhang Qi Ling explained his voice totally devoid of any emotion.

Mop nodded and leaned forward to untie the boys, "You know that you could have done that, my friend."

"Trying to play by the rules." Zhang Qi Ling shrugged and rubbed his freed wrist. He flexed his fingers and noticed they felt lighter and... colder.

"This came for you tonight." Mop held out a manila folder to Zhang Qi Ling who took it and looked up at Mop.

"Today, you and Xiao San Ye were the only ones who 'learned' the lesson. You worked together and I don't think it's misplaced of me to say that when you are together you are a sight to behold."

Zhang Qi Ling's eyes widened and then narrowed into a dead stare.

"Have a nice night, Lonemoon." Mop smiled brightly and walked out of the room, whistling a vaguely familiar tune.

Zhang Qi Ling looked down at the folder and then over the dark brown hair that pressed against his shoulder. Careful not to jostle the sleeping man, Zhang Qi Ling slipped the first page of the folder's content out and read.

The note was from Hei Xia Zi and explained that this was what he could come up with on Wu Xie in such a short notice.

"Hey, Men You Ping. What's that?"

Zhang Qi Ling barely contained the urge to scream and instead turned slowly to look at the little puppy. His brown eyes looked up at him, swirling with sleep and curiosity.

"Nothing important. Just information that needed my immediate attention. Hei Xia Zi had them sent.

Wu Xie yawned and pushed himself up, "I can't believe we are still tied together. What the hell is that?"

This time Zhang Qi Ling's breath caught, he looked down and noticed for the first time that at some point after Mop left he had slipped his fingers back around the sleeping man's hand.

"Actually, Little Puppy, we're not. You just wouldn't let me go."

The blush flew across white cheeks and Wu Xie bit his bottom lip again, "Damn, Men You Ping, I'm sorry. My bad." Using his newly freed right hand, Wu Xie rubbed the back of his neck and stood up. "I'm going to head back. You coming?"

"En."

"Good, cause I don't have a key."

***

Wu Xie was brushing his teeth, humming lightly to himself when his foot hit something under the sink. Looking down he saw Zhang Qi Ling's suitcase and hanging out was the folder he had received from Hei Xia Zi.

The toothbrush hung loosely out of his mouth while he stared at the folder. What could be so important. Zhang Rishan had transferred ALL transactions for the week that they were going to be gone. Nothing was to interrupt his 'minions' bonding.

Wu Xie removed the toothbrush and spit, leaving the water on, he reached down and pulled the folder onto the counter. He looked at the door, then his reflection, then the folder and then at himself again.