First of all, the pseudo-holiday was on the agenda anyway. As if they could enjoy it, with Xu Zhengqing breathing down their necks. As long as Captain Luo's life was hanging by a thread, that was out of the question for Wenjie. What was certain, was, that they had to make both sides believe, that they had come to terms with them. 

If he got the chance to talk to his father, perhaps they could find a solution together to outsmart both Xu Zhengqing and Ding Shenghuo. However, he could then expect Ding Shenghuo to seek revenge as soon as he was at large again. Why was it all so complicated?

Wenjie used the following days to make amends with Ding Shenghuo on the one hand, and to make Monsieur feel that the hypnosis sessions were already bearing fruit on the other. At the same time, he was waiting for an opportunity to turn the manipulation tables. 

Before one of Xu Zhengqing's hypnosis sessions, he tried his luck. “I know you still want revenge on my father.” He took a deliberate pause for breath. “But what, if he could forgive you?”

Xu Zhengqing eyed him thoughtfully. Then he laughed. “That will never happen.” 

For a fraction of a second, something flickered in his eyes. Not greed, something else that Wenjie couldn't categorize. “You never tried. Instead of just taking the painting then and leaving us alone, you rigged his car to crash.”

Xu Zhengqing sighed deeply. “Wenjie, your father and I won't be friends in this life. Focus on the hypnosis session.”

Wenjie cooperated in pretense. Some of the images Xu Zhengqing planted in his mind were too good to be true. All that was missing was, that he gave him memories of his mother. If she had survived, there was a real chance of reconciliation. 

Xu Zhengqing still sat on the chair next to his bed, when he woke up from a deep sleep. There was a gentle smile on his lips. 

“Why don't you offer the same to my father?”

Xu Zhengqing got up and sat by his bed. Despite his previous friendly behavior, this immediately put Wenjie on alert. He sat up and put some distance between himself and the man.

“What are you thinking again? The knockout drops half a year ago must have left their mark. I'm disappointed and sorry that I upset you so much.” 

Wenjie kept his thoughts to himself. “I've done what you want. May I see my father?”

“To do what?”

“To do what you don't want to do yet. Talk to him sensibly. You've shown me, that you can do things differently. Ding Wei told me, that you actually wanted to break me. He persuaded you, to take a different path.” That's why he saw hope for his daring approach. 

“I was just curious to see, where this other path would lead. But don't be too sure, that the wind won't change again.” 

Wenjie understood the subliminal threat. 

“If you think, you can get Ding Shenghuo on your side, you're wrong.” 

Before Wenjie could stand up, Xu Zhengqing grabbed him by the arm. 

“Captain Luo is our common enemy. Don't forget that.”

Wenjie swallowed. The grip on his wrist tightened. It hurt. He pressed his lips together and met Xu Zhengqing's hard gaze. 

“I'll break with Captain Luo, if you let me see him.”

Xu Zhengqing let go of him as abruptly, as if he had been electrocuted. The corners of his eyes twitched. 

Wenjie withstood the elder's gaze. 

“You have nothing to lose.”

Xu Zhengqing remained silent. Time stretched out between them. A slight rocking went through the ship. Wind whistled over the roof. The sky was cloudy. 

“Come here.” Xu Zhengqing stood up and walked over to the seating area. 

Wenjie followed him and sat down opposite him at the table. 

Monsieur pulled a netbook out of an inside pocket of his jacket. He switched it on, ran his fingers over the display and finally showed him a picture. In fact, it was a photo of a painting of a landscape. It was different in style and drawing technique to Water Lily or Luoshen, but certainly as valuable as the latter. 

“No, it's not from the collection of lost relics, you leaked to the police.” There was a sharp undertone in his voice. “It's by an artist from the Yuan period and is currently in the hands of an American art collector, who owns a large estate on Hong Kong Island. He has many works of art in his possession, that he acquired on the black market.”

Wenjie looked at the picture thoughtfully. Just a few days ago, he had spoken to Ding Wei about offering Xu Zhengqing the chance to steal Chinese works of art from the hands of overseas collectors. Now, Monsieur did this move himself. He didn't quite know, what to make of it. The bait was obvious and he had no choice but to bite. 

On the one hand, he could ease his conscience with such a theft. At least he could tell himself, that they were only taking back what belonged to China. On the other hand, the act would prove, that he had decided against the police. 

“What do we know about the estate and the security mechanisms? And how do we get ashore unnoticed? The police must have put out a nationwide manhunt for you.” 

Xu Zhengqing smiled. “Let me worry about that. You just have to follow my instructions when the time comes.”

“You trust us, not to do anything stupid?” Both Captain Luo and his father would expect them to take every chance to escape. 

“You won't jeopardize your father's life or that of your policeman friend. One mistake and the life support equipment will be switched off. Captain Luo hasn't come out of his coma yet. But you can talk to your father for all I care before you go on the mission.” 

Wenjie waved him off. “There's no point, as long as you're both convinced, that the past can't be buried. Prepare me for the mission. We should attract as little attention as possible. We may be harder to catch on the water. But if the Chinese police work together with the international authorities, that could change quickly.”

Xu Zhengqing seemed satisfied with his cooperation. This kept his focus on him. If he could do the same with Ding Shenghuo, it would be easier for Ding Wei to provide clues for the police during the mission.

to be continued ...