Wenjie returned to the common room. The underwater telephone had done its job. With inadequate results, but he trusted Zhijian's skills. His friend was still working on his laptop. Zhiyue sat next to him.

When Wenjie entered and closed the door, she jumped up.

“Were you able to make contact? Where is Ding Wei?”

He shook his head. “We'll probably have a visitor soon. Does it work?” 

Zhijian looked up. “Got it in a minute.” He busily tapped the keys. “Bridging successful. Signals out. Yeah, done.” He thrust both hands in the air. “Give me a few more seconds.” 

Wenjie heard noises in the hallway. Only softly, because the engine covered them. Someone came and approached the room. “Cover your tracks,” Wenjie urged. 

The footsteps stopped in front of the door. Wenjie turned around and stepped back a little, looking forward to cover up his friend's view. He heared him closing the laptop behind him. 

The door swung open. It was Ding Wei. He didn't come in, but remained under the door frame. His gaze glanced around the room before stopping at Wenjie. 

“The boss wants to see you.” The sound of his voice had changed, it was harder, more distant than usual. 

There was a rustling behind Wenjie. Xiao Dao didn't bother to look. 

“What does he want from him?” Zhiyue whispered. 

Ding Wei shrugged his shoulders. “Don't ask me. Fasten your seatbelts again. The transfer will take place soon.” He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Oh, and don't get your hopes up. They've intercepted your signals.” 

“What …” Zhijian began. 

That was when Wenjie grabbed Ding Wei by the collar and pushed him out of the room. “What have you done?” he snapped at him. 

Ding Wei grinned. “You shouldn't have trusted me. The boss knows everything.”

A little way down the corridor, Wenjie saw one of the men. Good timing. He glared angrily at Xiao Dao and boxed against his shoulders. “I should have known. When it comes to your father, you'll sell your friends.”

Ding Wei adjusted his jacket. “I was just waiting for you to recover. No fun teasing you, when you're lying on the ground in despair. Xu Zhengqing is looking forward to see you again.”

Wenjie felt a chill run down his spine. So he was right with his suspicions.

He heard a rumble behind him. “You told them our plans?” With a bright red head, Zhijian rushed over. Before he reached Xiao Dao, Wenjie grabbed him by the jacket and pulled him back. 

“That won't help us. Go back inside. I'll talk to the boss.”

Zhijian uttered a series of curses. A heavy pressure settled on Wenjie's chest. It hurt to trick his friends like this. But it had to seem real. Xu Zhengqing should think, Ding Wei was on his side. It probably wouldn't happen that quickly. But it was a first step in the right direction. 

Xiao Dao grabbed Wenjie's arm and pulled him down the corridor. The man in the corridor walked past them to the common room. Instinctively, Wenjie glanced back. Zhijian was still standing at the door, his face bright red, his fists clenched. He couldn't see Zhiyue from his position. He hoped his friends wouldn't accidentally give themselves away. The men would surely be on to them. 

Wenjie followed Ding Wei to the command center where the boss was waiting for them. He offered each of them a seat by the surveillance monitors. 

“Your little show is amusing.”

Wenjie's nerves were on edge. It became harder to keep his composure on the outside. The man still distrusted them. “Play?” he hissed. “He betrayed us!” 

Ding Wei laughed and put one arm over the back of Wenjie's chair. “Do you see what I mean? He's so cute when he's angry.”

Wenjie pushed his arm off the back of the chair.

“Did you think we hadn't taken any precautions?”, the boss asked.

Wenjie swallowed and forced herself to make eye contact. 

“Monsieur is right. Your resistance is remarkable. Now that you know what's going on, there's a slight change of plan. The consequences for your friends remain to be seen.” 

Wenjie jumped up, but Ding Wei pulled him back to his seat. His fear was no longer feigned. His mind was racing.

“Don't worry. They didn't try to prevent your reunion, did they? Monsieur only gets rid of those who thwart his plans.”

“Hey, boss. Take a look at this,” one of the others interrupted their conversation. 

The leader turned to his sidekick and the communication systems.

“We're picking up a fair amount of water patrol activity from above.” 

The boss wheeled around. A deep furrow appeared between his eyebrows. “So you've actually managed to get a signal through? Do you value your friends' lives so little?”

The content of the words hit Wenjie harder than his sharp tone. “They have nothing to do with this.” His voice trembled. He gathered his strength. “Xu Zhengqing gets my unconditional loyalty and obedience. No more attempts to escape. I'll work for him.” 

The corners of the man's mouth twitched. But his expression remained firm.  

“We leave the boat via the locks with the diving equipment and set off. Xu Zhengqing is nearby, isn't he? Take me to him. Leave my friends to the water patrol.”

The boss laughed maliciously. “Are you so longing for him?” He slowly approached him again. “If that's the case, we can grant you your wish. What happens to your friends is not for me to decide.”

“He has no use for them,” Wenjie replied.

“I wouldn't be sure about that.” He leaned down again, resting his hands on the armrests. “You failed in the engine room. But one of your friends managed to navigate past our interception circuit and the jamming signals. I wonder who?”

Wenjie's breath hitched. He felt alternately hot and cold. “I told them what to do.”

“Oh, really?” 

Wenjie nodded quickly. “Please.”

“Well, fine. Since you beg me like that. I'll talk to Monsieur. Then we'll see.” With that, he turned his attention back to his men. “We'll leave immediately. Put Wenjie in the transport box and give him an oxygen mask. Monsieur wants him alive.” 

to be continued …