Chapter Fifty-One: The Director of the IA Arrives

“Qingqing, why don’t you move in and live with me? I can’t help but worry about you staying here all by yourself.” After their passion had subsided, Liu Yunfei wrapped his arm around Yu Qing, his hand naturally wandering over her body, toying idly with her sensitive bud.

“Mm, I’ll listen to whatever you say.” Yu Qing nestled against Liu Yunfei like a gentle little lamb, her slender finger circling playfully around his member. Suddenly, she let out a silvery laugh, “Will your child chase this stepmother out of the house?”

“What stepmother? You really think she’s my daughter?” Liu Yunfei said, giving her soft, plush bottom a light smack. “If you count by age, would I even have the ability to father a child at eight or nine? I’m not that formidable.”

Yu Qing laughed so hard she was out of breath, grasping him tightly. “I think you’re pretty formidable. Just talking and you’re already strong again, aren’t you?”

Liu Yunfei rolled over to press her beneath him once more. “Then let me show you again just how formidable I am...”

The Knight’s Castle was tranquil at midnight, but the countless golden spotlights illuminated it in resplendent splendor. Ever since Liu Yunfei had started learning to channel energy from Gao Renhou, he hardly slept anymore. The technique didn’t require meditation—any position would do, as long as his mind entered the right state. So, it was common to see Liu Yunfei lying on his bed, seemingly asleep, when he was actually cultivating. Unfortunately, he had yet to sense any energy within himself.

Sometimes, just as he did during the day, Liu Yunfei would push open the door behind his bedroom and step out onto the highest open-air terrace of the Knight’s Castle. His master bedroom was the largest and most elevated in the castle, offering the best views. The private terrace was equipped with large sun umbrellas shading several lounge chairs—perfect for sunbathing by day or enjoying the cool breeze by night.

Leaning back in a lounge chair, Liu Yunfei picked up a glass of juice from the table and took a long, satisfying sip of the sweet, tangy drink. He gazed at the night sky. Europeans valued environmental conservation, so the stars above were bright and clear, like countless pinpricks on a dark cloth, revealing the hidden brilliance behind.

He thought back to just over a month ago, when he had been nothing more than an ordinary high school student, worrying about why the girl he liked wouldn’t give him a second glance, or scrounging for enough change to buy a pack of cigarettes. Now, he was living in a castle straight out of a fairy tale, with a princess-like beauty by his side, driving luxury cars and sipping fine wine—a life almost divine. Thinking of cigarettes, he instinctively took out the red Nanjing pack from the luminous jade slip, drew one, and lit it.

He took a deep drag, leaned back, hands cradling his head, and let out smoke rings one after another. Suddenly, his mind turned to his first love—if he’d been rich, handsome, and refined back then, would she have left him? Was it her lack of vision, or was he simply too inadequate then? But even if he were to see her now, would he still care for her? Perhaps, in the end, they simply were not meant to be.

He couldn’t help but sigh softly.

“My dear prince, what are you thinking about?” A gentle, clear voice came from behind. Without turning, Liu Yunfei knew it was Yu Qing.

“Nothing much, just counting the stars. Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I woke up and found you gone. I suddenly felt so afraid—afraid that you’d leave me.” Yu Qing didn’t take another chair, but squeezed onto Liu Yunfei’s lounge.

“Silly girl, how could I leave you? I’ll never leave you.” Liu Yunfei shifted over, making more space for her.

“Darling, what does your name, Awahid, mean?” Yu Qing asked softly.

“I don’t know. It’s Arabic—doesn’t have any special meaning. Does every name have to mean something?”

“But you don’t speak Arabic, do you?” Ram, that girl, had recently done an about-face and started telling Yu Qing everything.

“How do you know that?” Liu Yunfei remembered he hadn’t mentioned it.

“I heard it from Ram.” Yu Qing smiled gently and continued, “My mom said, before I was born, it rained for days, flooding the river. But as soon as I was born, the skies cleared. That’s why she gave me this name.”

“Makes sense. Wherever you go, you bring sunshine. Where in China are you from?” Liu Yunfei stroked her soft hair.

“Hangzhou. There’s an old saying in China: ‘Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou and Hangzhou.’ It means Hangzhou is as beautiful as paradise. And another saying: ‘Since ancient times, Hangzhou has produced beauties.’ We have many beautiful women there.” Yu Qing explained, switching between Chinese and English. “Awahid, you seem to have a deep connection to China. Do you speak Chinese?”

“No, there’s no real connection.” Liu Yunfei thought it best to keep up his Arabic identity for now—otherwise, he’d have to explain everything to Yu Qing.

“But Ram said you can speak Chinese. And I saw you smoking Chinese cigarettes just now.” Liu Yunfei was surprised by her sharp eyes; she’d noticed the writing on the cigarette pack even in her drowsiness.

“Oh, haha.” Liu Yunfei neither wanted to explain nor lie, so he just laughed awkwardly.

But Yu Qing was persistent. “Tell me, have you been to China? Which city did you live in?” Liu Yunfei found it odd—Yu Qing seemed convinced of his connection to China and was very interested in where he’d lived, asking more than once.

“I... I did live in China—a small city called Huangjiang.” Liu Yunfei hesitated for a long time, wrestling with himself, but finally decided he should trust Yu Qing, the woman who already belonged to him.

But Yu Qing, tired from waiting, had succumbed to sleep, her gentle breathing steady. Liu Yunfei kissed her forehead and held her tight.

The next day, the old prince arrived in Florence with a tall white man. Awari’s relationship with this uncle wasn’t good, so he didn’t want to come downstairs, leaving Liu Yunfei to entertain the guest alone.

“Ah, my dear Awahid, we meet again at last! I’ve missed you so much.” The old prince opened his arms wide from afar, clearly wanting to embrace Liu Yunfei.

“My brother, my dear Saleh.” Liu Yunfei emphasized the word “brother,” feeling he was getting the better end of the deal.

“Let me introduce an old friend—our best friend, partner, and brother among Arabs.”

Liu Yunfei had thought this was merely a negotiator brought by the old prince, but with such elaborate introductions, he realized this was someone important.

“How do you do? I am Belgrade, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States.” The white man couldn’t wait and introduced himself, extending his right hand.

“Mr. Belgrade, may Allah bless you.” Liu Yunfei gripped his hand firmly, his mind racing—why had the old prince brought him here? Was it because he didn’t trust him? Had he revealed Liu Yunfei’s identity? What Liu Yunfei feared most was someone investigating him and ultimately involving his parents. This was also why he still hesitated to reveal his identity to Yu Qing.