The Gift

Chapter 7

Another new day and Yunlan wasn't quite so bright today, he had to apologise to Chu and wasn't looking forward to admitting that he could have been wrong. So he did everything in his usual morning routine and left for work, trying to arrive before Chu which would be helpful. The apology would be less embarrassing if there were fewer witnesses and as he drove into the carpark, he noticed a different car sitting outside the office, wondering who the visitor was. The newbie was waiting patiently for the first member of the team to arrive so that he could introduce himself but it was Yunlan, and he approached him nervously.

"I am Guo Ying, the minister sent me to help during the flu absenteeism, I'm only here temporarily." He put his hand out to shake Yunlan's hand but noticed the whip and drew back.

"Pleased to meet you, there are several empty desks due to the staff being absent, pick any one." and Yunlan paused for a moment, "have you seen my whip before? I was just curious why you drew back, does it make you nervous?"  Yunlan asked as he stared at his face for an answer.

"Yes, I saw something like it a long time ago." Guo Ying answered.

"Here, let me show it to you." and Yunlan lifted it from his desk very quickly, not giving Ying the chance to say no, and held it out for him to hold.

Guo Ying didn't back away, he held both his hands out similar to the way Chu held it, but handled it the same way as Shen Wei with reverence, honoured to be given the chance to handle this ex-deity. He handed it back to Yunlan with a nod of respect, and smiled broadly as he excused himself to go and find a suitable desk which would allow him a total view of the office and all the staff.

Yunlan was so shocked that he never noticed Chu arriving until he was making coffee and he approached him while the office was still empty, apart from the new man who listened to every word.

"Good morning Chu, I owe you an apology for yesterday. I should have trusted your judgement even though I didn't agree with you at the time. The first bank job, the man in black was right handed, the second one was left handed, there is room for doubt. How did you know?"

"Human nature Yunlan, for someone to be so caring towards people to that extent in one bank, no way is he going to do a 180* turn around in character, it would be impossible."

"Then it's the second one we have to find before he causes harm and shoots someone. Chu this is Guo Ying, the minister sent him to help us, he's on temporary loan."

Yunlan took him over to meet the new person and they shook hands while he returned to his office.

"Why are you here, the minister didn't send you?" Chu asked the guard, recognising him from his kidnapping event.

"Orders from My Lord, to help, protect, and not interfere or influence in any way."

Chu was surprised that he was so open in admitting the purpose for his presence in this office, which meant that Shen Wei knew what was going on, and this was his way of protecting and helping Yunlan.