Behind The Red Curtain | YiZhan ✓

17-"Mr. Yan"

"Fear is only temporary, yet regrets last forever."

As so his father would say. And he was definitely right about the second part. Yet the first half remained a mystery in his heart.

If fear was only temporary, then why had he been scared throughout the whole day? Even after getting a message from Mr. Yan, which should've subdued his worries a bit, his fear still remained. He had decided to call him Mr. Yan, because "the man behind the blindfold" was rather long and a codename was always optional. The word "Yan" was derived from the word "yǎn zhào", meaning blindfold. It was written with the same characters, since he had been too lazy to decide elsewise.

He read the words one by one once more, being only the sixth time and smacked his head against the steering wheel. "I hope i am not disturbing you. But i was wondering if you meant what you said last night. After all, you did sound a bit drunk."

So they had spoken after all! And he had answered him! So he had heard his voice.

He smacked his head once more and sighed. He wished he could answer him knowingly, but what they had talked about last night still remained lost in his memories. It was definitely about continuing to meet. Because, if he could recall, Hu Li had given him the number with that in mind.

Yet he still couldn't be sure. After all, when drunk, he was quite a mess. But he decided to try his chances anyways and wrote back. "About meeting again right? Yes, i would be happy to if you're still willing of course."

The response he got back was positive, although it had taken him an hour to answer.

He stared at the phone screen with lost eyes and bit his lip. He wished he had spoken to him when sober. If he did, then he would've heard his voice better. And even remembered it. After all, all he had gotten from him was one word in their session, which had already made it hard enough to concentrate on. So it was all fuzzy at the end, making him regret ever getting drunk.

One fear had gone away just like that. So the first part of his father's' quote must've been true too right?

Just then, the doors slammed close, startling him enough to drop his phone. "What's with the reaction? So we have secrets too now."

Zhan glared at him slightly as he started to drive. "Do you think... you could trace the location of a number if i gave it to you?" Shun was surprised as he crossed his arms. "Why? Is it for your exes? If you want revenge, then i'm sure you can settle things differently-"

"N-no.. not that. And hey- what do you think i am? Revenge is too childish no?" Shun smirked. "You would never know my dear Zhan. But then again, you were never the guy to hold grudges."

Zhan hesitated to ask more as he concentrated his gaze on the road. Moments later, Shun's voice was to be heard once more, yet his eyes were averted to the other side. "...but i guess i could. May i ask for who?"

"I don't know either. Just... concerned." Shun placed a cigarette in his mouth, waiting for the light to turn green so he could smoke. "Li never tells me the details when it comes to business, since the information his clients give him is confidential. And naturally, i help him maintain the secrecy by respecting our boundaries. Meaning, i never ask him anything."

"Of course, i am not oblivious to the fact that the bar welcomes illegal activities. And just because i am a cop, doesn't mean i'll seek for justice but-" Zhan sighed. "Just get to the point."

"..."

"From the looks it, this person you're dealing with might be dangerous. Who is it exactly?" Zhan frowned as he started to drive upon seeing the light turn green, which gave Shun the cue to lit his cigarette. "As i said- i don't know. And i don't think i want to find out either. I just need his location-"