Wenjie stood up again and walked to the door. A smile played around his lips. “Let's continue our vacation for now. We can always talk to him about business later.” If Xu Zhengqing was playing nice, they had to take advantage of it. The idea was, make Monsieur belief he had the upper hand, until they had worked out a plan. 

First of all, he was interested in what Ding Shenghuo had to say. He didn't trust the thief, after he had already tried to kill him once. But the enemy of his enemy did not necessarily have to be his enemy. Maybe there was a way to make him his temporary friend through Ding Wei. 

Ding Wei seemed to understand the hint and did not question his actions. He trusted him, just as Wenjie trusted Xiao Dao. The less they talked about their plans, the better. Because Xu Zhengqing would certainly have them under his surveillance and would try to play them off against each other. At least that was, what Wenjie expected. 

There was not much going on on deck. Xu Zhengqing had either gone below deck or was up on the observation deck. One of his men was playing weiqi with Ding Shenghuo. When the thief saw Wenjie, he said something to his counterpart, that Wenjie couldn't understand from a distance. As a result, the man stood up and fiddled with the minibar.

Ding Shenghuo waved to them. When they arrived at his table, he gave Ding Wei a signal. Xiao Dao was probably supposed to distract the man at the bar so, that he could talk to Wenjie undisturbed. Wenjie's gaze followed Ding Wei, but then turned back to the thief at the table. 

The Weiqi board was empty, the stones neatly placed in two bowls at the side of the board. “Play a round with me,” Ding Shenghuo invited him. 

Wenjie sat down opposite him. Inwardly, he was on pins and needles, outwardly he was relaxed. Deliberately, he put on his poker face. 

Ding Shenghuo smiled and made his first move. 

Wenjie's eyes were immediately drawn to the thief's interlaced fingers. The same number, as when he had met him in the interrogation room at the police station. Morse code. 

Do you still think you don't need my help? 

Wenjie placed a stone on the board. He placed his other hand on the table, so that the board and the bowls partially covered it. Only Ding Shenghuo would see when he answered him. 

What kind of fake deal do you want to offer me this time?

Ding Shenghuo smiled. “You're starting out just like your father.”

Wenjie shrugged his shoulders. He leaned back slightly and put his left arm over the armrest. 

You can't hide your nervousness from me. Your father and I are even. There won't be a second attempt on your life.

As if he was just buying it. "My father and I are still two different people", he replied. That not only matched the Morse code message, but also his comparison. Despite the reconciliation, he didn't like being compared to him all the time.

We have a common enemy, Ding Shenghuo told him and placed another stone on the board. 

Wenjie nodded. There was no denying that. He looked at the board before making his second move. Then, he ventured a cautious glance in the direction of Ding Wei. He had engaged the guy at the bar in conversation. 

Fascinating what has developed between you two. 

Wenjie winced. He felt alternately hot and cold. 

Ding Shenghuo laughed. The third stone landed on the board. “Focus on the game, not my son.”

There's nothing between us. You'd better tell me why you wanted to see me, Wenjie sent him via Morse code. 

Tell that to someone else. If you want to keep this friendship, you either have to become a thief or get him to quit the business altogether. You want the latter. I could help you. But my help comes at a price. 

Yes, they knew what that help looked like. Wenjie looked skeptically at the wheelchair. Had Ding Shenghuo really got it that bad, or was he fooling them all and could walk normally? In the latter case, he didn't need him to get Xu Zhengqing out of the way. Why was he offering to help him? That stank to high heaven. 

Is that the only reason you wanted to talk to me? No, Wenjie didn't believe that. He made his next move.

It was Ding Shenghuo's turn again. 

I'm still interested in whether you'll be able to free yourself from the past and what you're prepared to do to do so. You want to rescue your cop friend, help your father and put Xu Zhengqing in prison. But you are not in a position to make even one of your wishes true. He won't give you the opportunity.

Yes, of course. Ding Shenhuo just wanted to use him for his own purposes again, to watch his fall. That was where the wind was blowing. The elder placed another stone on the board. His moves were strategically well made, but so far the danger of falling into a trap was not so great. The challenge grew with every stone. 

What do you want from me in return for helping us to defeat Xu Zhengqing without anyone losing their life?, Wenjie asked the question in Morse code, which Ding Shenhuo was already eagerly waiting for. 

This offer of help was like the first moves in a game of Weiqi. He only knew, what he was getting into, when there were more than a few pieces on the board. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Ding Wei had now finished his conversation. That meant, that he and Xu Zhengqing's lackey would be coming to the table at any moment. Wenjie watched the movements of his counterpart's fingers intently. 

Ding Shenghuo remained relatively calm. He calmly placed another stone before answering him with Morse code. 

You will prevent the police from catching me a second time and make sure that the cultural artifacts end up in my hands. How you do that is up to you. 

Of course. He didn't have to tell him how. There was only one way - and that meant he had to do criminal things for him. I'm not a thief. 

Ding Shenghuo smiled. To catch a thief, you'll have to become one.

to be continued ...