After a few minutes, Lian finished his bath. He changed into the clothes Zigh had provided and made his way toward the living room.
"Lian!" Zigh called out.
Lian glanced back and came to a halt.
Zigh stood up and approached him, his eyes scanning the outfit. It's way too loose on him.
Lian sighed. "If you're still annoyed, just say it."
"Well, I was for a moment," Zigh admitted, "but you were just being honest, weren't you?"
"That's a change. You're not defending yourself," Lian remarked.
Zigh offered a small smile. Patience, he told himself. This is nothing compared to what's come before.
"What do you want me to do?" Lian asked.
Zigh tilted his head. "I'll tell you after we eat."
Lian turned away. "Fine. I'll be waiting in the room." Without another word, he headed up the stairs.
Zigh scratched his head and watched him go. It's true. He's incredibly sensitive to even the smallest changes.
Zigh pulled out his phone and immediately dialed Devin. The line rang for a moment before connecting.
"Dev, can I meet with that sniper?"
"Good morning, sir. Yes, absolutely."
"What's his status right now?"
"Lexin has already transferred him to the military prison, sir."
"Lexin works fast," Zigh muttered.
"Sir?"
"Ah, nothing. Has the shooter talked yet?"
"No, sir. He's been tight-lipped."
"Understood. I'll be there later."
"Understood, sir."
Zigh ended the call and ran a hand through his hair. "It looks like I'm going to need Lian. Or rather... Outer."
Outer, who had been observing Zigh from the shadows of the living room, let out a low, raspy chuckle.
Zigh opened a food delivery app. "What's good for breakfast this morning?" he murmured. A memory of carrot soup suddenly flashed through his mind. "I'll just ask Lian."
Accompanied by the invisible presence of Outer, Zigh headed up to the bedroom. Without a sound, he found Lian sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Lian, what do you want to eat?"
"Something that isn't as bland as yesterday's soup," Lian replied.
A faint smile played on Zigh's lips. For once, we're on the same page.
"But you can't have anything too oily yet, Lian. How about something steamed?"
"As long as it has flavor, I don't mind."
"Alright, let me check." Zigh scrolled through the menu. "Hakau and red bean buns. Two portions each. That should do it," he muttered. "Do you want more apple juice?"
"Just plain water."
"Got it."
Zigh pulled up a small stool and sat facing Lian. His expression turned serious as he looked him straight in the eye. "Lian... I need your help."
"To help interrogate the sniper?"
Zigh bit his lip. "You already knew?"
"Something like that."
Zigh clenched his fist. This is my house—why does it feel like I'm the one being watched? No, stay calm. "Can you do it?"
"I can. I'm bored of staying in this room anyway."
Zigh nodded. I don't even know if I should be happy or annoyed to hear that.
A brief silence followed.
"Lian, what do you usually do on your days off?"
"Look for work."
Zigh smiled, but the air felt heavy after that answer. "After we eat, we're going to buy you some clothes."
"Okay."
Zigh took a deep breath. "Is there anything you want to do while we wait for the food?"
Lian glanced toward the corner where Zigh's punching bag hung. "Are you a boxing champion?"
Zigh's eyes widened. "No, I'm just an amateur."
"Oh. Have you ever lost a match?"
"Not yet," Zigh replied shortly.
Lian stared at him. "I see..."
"Why the long pause? If you want to know about my amateur career, just ask," Zigh challenged.
"Have you ever been knocked down in the ring?"
Zigh smiled. "Yes, of course."
"By whom?"
Zigh's pupils dilated. "You mean the person who put me on the canvas?"
"Yes."
"Rhax Brown," Zigh stated.
"But you won in the end, didn't you?"
Zigh turned his gaze toward the window. "I only won on points. If there had been more than three rounds... I might have been knocked out."
"But that didn't happen, did it?"
Zigh looked back at Lian instinctively. This man... sometimes I really don't understand how his mind works.
A moment later, the doorbell rang.
"Looks like our food is here," Zigh said, standing up to leave the room.
Outer smirked, leaning toward Lian. "Lian, that Eosvile's face is turning red."
"I don't care about that."
***
Zigh walked briskly to the front gate. The courier was already waiting.
"Order for Sir Zigh Eosvile," the courier said as Zigh opened the gate.
"Yes, that's me."
"Here is your order, sir."
"Thank you."
After the courier left, Zigh locked the gate and hurried to the kitchen. He set the food on the table, prepared a tray with glasses and a pitcher of water, and neatly arranged the containers. Once everything was ready, he brought the tray back to the room.
Lian was still sitting in the same spot. Zigh placed the tray on the small table and slid it in front of him.
"Lian, I got hakau and red bean buns. Which one do you want first?"
Lian reached for a bun.
"The bun it is. Let's eat together," Zigh said.
"What... flavor is this?" Lian asked.
"Red bean."
Lian examined the bun in his hand.
"Don't just look at it. Eat up before it gets cold," Zigh urged.
Lian took a bite. His eyes widened slightly and then softened. "Sweet," he whispered.
Zigh smiled. "You like it?"
Lian gave a small nod.
They finished the buns in silence before Zigh offered the hakau. "Lian, try the hakau."
"Okay."
Lian bit into it. "Shrimp..."
"You don't like it?"
"It's not that. It's just been a long time since I've had shrimp. The last time was when I worked at a restaurant and took home the leftovers."
Zigh clenched his left hand under the table. "You can have mine too."
"No, this is more than enough."
Zigh ate his own portion while watching Lian. To think, Lian is just an innocent, impoverished youth. Yet he possesses such immense, abnormal power.
When they finished, Zigh reached for the medicine he had bought the day before.
"Lian, take your medicine first."
Lian held out his hand, and Zigh placed the pills in his palm one by one. Lian swallowed them all.
"The bitterness won't leave my throat," Lian complained.
"It's medicine; it's supposed to be bitter."
Lian remained silent.
"Alright, once I clear these plates, we'll go shopping."
"I'd rather meet the sniper first," Lian countered.
Zigh's gaze turned piercing. "What are you getting at?"
Lian smiled. "Aren't you going to meet that shooter later this afternoon?"
Zigh crossed his arms. "And then?"
"So I don't get too tired during the interrogation."
"I'm the one interrogating him," Zigh corrected. "You just need to intimidate him using Outer. You stay in the house. "
"Don't forget, you're only just recovering," Zigh added.
Lian let out a small chuckle, while Outer burst into loud laughter.
"Is something funny, Lian?"
"Don't worry, leave it to me. Don't you already know how I talk and act, Zigh Eosvile?"
Zigh clicked his tongue. I know Lian is good at talking his way out of things. "You don't even know the root of the problem."
"The Oleander Organization, right?"
Zigh exhaled sharply. That black entity really has been watching me all day. "Fine, Lian. You can interrogate him."
Lian smiled.
Zigh picked up the tray. "Wait for me in the living room. We'll leave as soon as I tidy up."
"Ready."
Zigh sighed.
They left the room with Outer trailing behind Lian. After Lian settled on the sofa, Zigh hurried to the kitchen to wash the dishes before quickly changing into his official uniform.
"Lian, let's go to the military prison. Wait for me at the gate."
"OK."
Lian headed for the gate while Zigh went to the garage. He started the car, pulled it out, and double-checked the house and garage locks. Everything's secure.
He drove up to the gate where Lian was waiting. "Lian, get in."
Lian climbed into the passenger seat as Zigh handled the gate. Once they were on the main road, Zigh glanced at his companion.
"We're heading straight to the military prison."
Lian simply yawned.
Zigh sighed, a wry smile on his face. "Never mind."
He pressed the accelerator, speeding toward the prison.
To be continued...