I AM

Chapter 9

Us. There was that plural again.

"Who are you?" Zhao Yunlan nearly whispered the question.

"I am...Yezun."

"Yezun?" Zhao Yunlan had to concentrate hard on driving.

"It's not the first time we're meeting, but I understand your shock, since I've never introduced myself," the person calling himself Yezun said, as he relaxed and settled more in the back seat. "I know who you are, and I also know that you used to drive for that snake of a cousin, Zhu Jiu. He sent you to spy on Shen Wei, didn't he?" He casually looked at his fingernails, but his tone was that same silky, potentially dangerous one used with Zhu Jiu earlier.

"I was assigned to the CEO because I am the best driver," Zhao Yunlan calmly replied. Part of that was true.

"Yes, I saw that in your records," the voice from the backseat was cool. "Shen Wei is naive and starving for friendship. He trusts you and sees you as a friend."

"You do not trust me," Zhao Yunlan said cautiously.

"Would you? You are reporting to Zhu Jiu, aren't you?" the voice hardened slightly.

Honesty was the best policy...some honesty...

"Yes, I do make periodic reports to Zhu Jiu. He is quite concerned about you and wants to make sure you are handling your new status," Zhao Yunlan replied. "He knows that we workout together in the mornings, and judging from what just happened, I'm sure he's going to want to know about what's happening now." That was true.

"Obviously. And what will you tell him?" the cool voice asked.

This was it. Zhao Yunlan had planned to remain neutral for a while longer, and he knew Yezun wanted to know whose side he was on. He took a deep breath.

"I will tell him you were in a strange mood again - many people know about this anyway. I will also say that you wanted a drinking partner so we went out to dinner, and you ranted about nonsense that I did not understand," he had the picture in his mind.

It was silent for a few seconds, and just when Zhao Yunlan thought he had given the wrong answer, Yezun spoke.

"That sounds innocent enough," Yezun replied as Zhao Yunlan felt the iciness in the car thaw a little. "Knowing my cousin, after my little outburst today, he's probably having us watched. So I say we make your little story a reality. We'll go somewhere for dinner," Yezun said as he started to look up something on his phone.

Zhao Yunlan had not only been watching Yezun in the back view mirror, but he had also seen a seemingly innocent white car following them for a while. Without looking around, Yezun had correctly guessed that they were being followed. He seemed to know Zhu Jiu quite well. Shen Wei would not have noticed, or perhaps would not have wanted to think that of his cousin.

"Char Bar & Grill, New Intercontinental Hotel," Yezun commanded.

"Yes, Sir. I know where that is," Zhao Yunlan said as he began to input it into the GPS, then hesitated.

"What's the matter? You don't like the place?" Yezun asked.

"I've never eaten there, so I can't say, but it has very good reviews," Zhao Yunlan answered.

"But?"

"Zhu Jiu often goes to that restaurant."

"So you drove him there but he never let you eat?"

"I am just a driver, Sir."

"Well, Shen Wei would never forgive me if I made you sit outside while I ate," Yezun smiled. "I hope you like steak, because I feel like a carnivore right now."