Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Only one encrypted directory popped up on the host computer.

Wen Yan entered the password, and it opened.

There was no full video inside.

Only a single audio clip and a surveillance file that had been partially deleted.

I clicked on the audio first.

The background was chaotic.

People were shouting.

The sound of glasses shattering rang out.

My brother’s voice was kept very low.

“Don’t change the song yet. Lock the booth door.”

Then came Wen Yan’s voice.

“Call the police.”

“Don’t be so damn impulsive.”

After that, the audio became a complete mess.

Only one intermittent sentence remained.

“Pei Shi, don’t trust Wen Yan…”

My hand froze instantly.

Wen Yan heard it too.

But he didn’t say a word.

I clicked on the surveillance file next.

The footage lasted only a few seconds.

The camera was shaking violently.

My brother was being shoved against the wall by someone.

Wen Yan was grabbing him.

A second later, the screen went black.

The file ended right there.

I stared at the screen, motionless for a long time.

Wen Yan stood beside me, his voice deep.

“That isn’t the whole thing.”

“I know,” I said, “but it’s enough.”

“Enough for what?”

I turned to look at him.

“Enough to prove that my brother’s final words before he died were still about not trusting you.”

Wen Yan’s expression finally shifted.

“Pei Shi, listen closely. That recording is broken.”

“But my brother told me not to trust you. I heard that part loud and clear.”

“You think I would leave something like this for you?”

“What wouldn’t you leave?” I stared at him. “Wen Yan, isn’t this your specialty? Throwing out half the truth and watching others jump into the pit themselves.”

Wen Yan suddenly fell silent.

He stayed quiet for a moment before saying:

“The complete backup isn’t on this host computer.”

“So?”

“There’s another mirror image in the backup projection system for Anniversary Night.” He looked at me. “That was a contingency Pei Che left for himself. If you really want the full version, don’t destroy me just yet.”

I grabbed the USB drive from the desk and turned to leave.

As I reached the door, I gave him one final response.

“You’d better pray you’re telling the truth.”

The next night, as soon as I entered Distortion, I started looking for trouble on purpose.

When customers came to strike up a conversation, I answered.

When someone used the alcohol as an excuse to brush against the back of my hand, I didn’t pull away.

I just wanted to see how long Wen Yan could hold back.

Sure enough, within ten minutes, he came down from the stage.

He set a glass of wine down in front of me.

“Come out.”

I continued wiping a glass, not even looking up.

“I’m busy.”

“Pei Shi.” Wen Yan looked up at me. “Don’t make me say it twice.”

Only then did I follow him to the back area.

As soon as the door closed, he spoke first.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What, should I be playing house with them instead?”

“Are you fishing for Lu Qi, or are you fishing for me?”

I curled my lip slightly.

“What’s the difference?”

Wen Yan’s face darkened instantly.

“There is a difference,” he said. “Lu Qi’s people will actually lay hands on you.”

“And you?”

“I’ll just haul you back first.”

At those words, my heart gave an inexplicable skip.

But I didn’t look away.

“Wen Yan, what exactly are you afraid of?”

“I’m afraid you’ll take that half-segment of a recording and lose yourself along with the last things Pei Che left behind.”

“That’s my business.”

“It isn’t,” Wen Yan said. “The backup projection system doesn’t open until after midnight. The mirror image is in the Stage Control Room, and the access card is with the manager. If you act recklessly now, Lu Qi will wipe the whole system clean first.”

I understood.

He wasn’t trying to persuade me.

He was telling the truth.

“So you’ve already planned how to get in?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for three years.” Wen Yan glanced at me. “I was just missing someone willing to go in with me.”

I didn’t respond to that.

He took a step forward.

“Pei Shi, I’ll say it one more time. Don’t use yourself as bait.”

“Why? Do you actually care?”

“I just think you’re a nuisance.”

“Good,” I stared at him. “Because I find you annoying too.”

Wen Yan was silent for two seconds.

“If you’re determined to test me, fine,” he said. “Just don’t do it under Lu Qi’s nose.”

There was a sudden knock at the door.

The manager shouted from outside:

“Brother Wen, President Lu wants you to go over and review the schedule for Anniversary Night.”

Wen Yan didn’t answer immediately, looking at me first.

“Go back tonight and put that recording away,” he said. “Don’t play it again.”

I gave a small laugh.

“What, is Teacher Wen actually afraid?”

Before opening the door, Wen Yan left me with one final sentence.

“I’m afraid you’ll regret it.”

I stood there, waiting for the sound of his footsteps to fade before looking down at the phone in my hand.

I was supposed to be the one fishing for him.

In the end, I was the one who got caught by those words.

But I still didn’t plan on stopping.

If Wen Yan really had things left unsaid, then I would force him until he spoke.