Chapter 257 - You Dumb Ass

"Any news from The Qings?"

The Fox only buried his head deeper in the pillows. It was the morning and The Badger was bugging him. "Have you checked the mail?"

"There isn't anything yet."

The Fox bit his lip, contemplating if he should already get up. "I think it had only been twenty-four hours. We should wait before we send them another letter."

"Yeah, but you better get up soon. The Zookeeper is calling for you."

The Fox groaned. Last night, he could not sleep so he woke some juniors up and trained with them until the sun was peeking over the horizon. His whole body ached and his mind was pulsating like he had the worst hangover yet.

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"And put on some pants," said The Badger disdainfully and slammed his door closed.

The Fox looked below and saw that he had slept n.a.k.e.d again. The winter season was almost gone in this place. He was just making the most out of the cool winds that they had left.

After showering and putting on fresh clothes, he went to The Zookeeper's room but found that the boss was already sleeping. The guard that was there told him that he just dozed off.

He decided to get some breakfast and found The Badger on the long wooden table finishing his. As soon as he sat down, a plate was placed for him.

"What were you saying about the Qings again?" asked The Fox as he took in some ice cold water.

"I was asking if you heard from them. I think they were also getting creative with sending their messages."

The Fox felt slightly disappointed that they haven't heard from the family yet. "It was a simple riddle. How could they not have figured it out already?"

"Well, maybe it was too simple." The Badger said to him with a scorn.

"What?" he asked, confused. "I didn't even make a hard part on that riddle."

The Badger poked his spoon on The Fox's forehead. "You dumb ass. What I was saying, that maybe the riddle you made was stupid that they did not know how to crack it."

The Fox only made a face. The Zookeeper had not been well enough to write back to the Qings so The Fox wrote a draft for it and read it to him. He gave a slight nod and he sent the letter before The Zookeeper could change his mind.

"Do you think we're too far from them?" The Badger asked.

The Fox had the same thought last night, one of the reasons why he couldn't sleep. "Maybe we need to get nearer so we could keep a closer eye on them."

"We don't even know what's going on in that house."

The Fox started to eat even though the food had suddenly became hard to swallow. Once, they had tried to get the signals from Qing Chen's house but the house was a fortress. Impregnable. They couldn't even get to the phone lines.

He turned to The Badger. "Do you think we have a better chance in the other house? I think they'd hole themselves there until everything is resolved."

"Yeah, I think we do," answered the older man. "The problem is The Zookeeper."

They were in strict instructions that they were not allowed to leave the headquarters. Not when the boss was sick and needed every men possible in case someone would come for them.

"Yeah, that's the hard part. Getting his permission. He's asleep most of the day."

"Well, think about that," said The Badger, getting up from his seat. "Because we're not going to be able to get anything unless we have some information on where the Qings are." The Badger gave him a mocking smile. "I know you're very strong. But for now, it's a matter on who's smarter."

The Fox wanted to glare at the other man but made no contest to his statement. He was right. He was not the kind of person who should be playing mind games with the Qings. But what was he supposed to do? He was just acting on the part that was given to him. 

He didn't ask for this position but he couldn't also reject it. Now that he was there, he only had to make the most out of it and make sure to get Feng Xuan's head on a plate.

**

Sunday was spent trying to find references to the part of the riddle "the sun rises in the west". There were times that they thought they were getting close to the answer then realize they were too far away from the last paragraph that they should not think too much about it.

Alas, it was already Monday morning and the couple were already needed in the office. They both didn't want to go to work but it would look suspicious that they would disappear at the same time. Also, they could not afford that as Mondays were the longest days. Reports from everywhere would come in and flood them.

His father's secretary had came in today and was helping him organize every file that he signed and reviewed. She was very quiet and kept a serious face on—which Qing Chen appreciated because there was nothing else he would rather do than to finish work and get back to the riddle breaking.

When the phone started blaring, both of them jumped.

Qing Chen answered, a little annoyed that something was breaking the flow of his work.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Qing," said the dried voice of his other secretary outside the door.

"It's alright, Ms. Chi. What is it?"

"There is a certain detective who wishes to see you."

Qing Chen scratched at his ear. He already knew who it would be even before he asked. "What does he want?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It seems like I have made a mistake."

"What mistake?"

"He's not looking for you. He's looking for MRS. Qing."