Red Light

Under Cover and Exposed

Xin Di grinned at her partner. "Ready, brother?"

Zizhen grinned back. "Of course, Gao Yuxi."

"So formal today, Gao Muchen." she replied.

"It's an important day. Maybe the Koi Tower Shelter can really help us." Gao Muchen looked soberly at his sister. She squeezed his hand.

They were sitting on an overcrowded bus coming from another part of the city. A much more reasonable entry to the area than arriving in a police van.

Gao Muchen yawned enormously.

"It'll be a while before we get to the right stop. Put your head on my shoulder and sleep, brother." she offered.

A comfortable smile and Gao Muchen took up his sister's offer.
-----

Meng Yao was happily cooking. His day at work had felt good. Positive. No dismissive glances. No sneers. No backhanded compliments.**

Just work.

He smiled and stirred the quick stir fry he was making.

The knock on the door was abrupt and pulled Meng Yao up short.

He wasn't expecting anyone.

He shoved the wok to another burner and turned off the stove. Quietly, he walked to the door and peered through the peep hole.

It was his father. And two of his bodyguards.

He leaned against the wall away from the door and thought for a moment.

It took him seconds to send an text to his lawyer and his brother, Jin Zixuan.

'Jin Guangshan is here with his body guards. If you don't hear from me in an hour, I'm in trouble.'

He waited to see if there would be another knock and jumped at the sound of a fist pounding on the door.

"I know you are in there, son. Open the door!"

Meng Yao's head jerked up. 'Son?' he thought. 'That's a first.'

"What do you want?" he yelled through the door.

"I need to come in and talk to you."

"What about?"

"I'd rather not yell it in the hallway." The words were frustrated. This was not going the way Jin Guangshan was hoping.

"I don't care. What do you want?" Meng Yao called out. He didn't trust that man any further than he could throw him.

"Meng Yao!"Jin Guangshan spat in a vain attempt to not yell.

"Tell me or I'm calling security and the police." Meng Yao answered.

"You wouldn't dare!" was the outraged response.

"Watch me!" was growled from behind the door.

There was silence for a bit.
Meng Yao was beginning to believe his fath- Jin Guangshan had left. Suddenly his phone started ringing, scaring the hell out of him. He looked at the caller ID. Jin Zixuan. A breath out.

"Wei?"

"Are you okay? Why would you think you would be in trouble? What is our father up to now?" Jin Zixuan's words tumbled out through the phone.

Meng Yao was truly touched. He had no idea his brother cared so much about him. There was no love lost between him and Jin Zixun. Well, Jin Zixun and anybody for that matter but knowing his eldest brother was concerned for him brought a tear to his eye.