Fate has a strange way of playing games, doesn't it? The world turning in such a way that when you want something the most, it only happens when thinking of it the least. For three long months, Fang Duobing had spent every waking minute thinking about Li Lianhua. Where had he gone? Was he dead; was he alive? Was he well, or barely hanging on? Had he found something to warm himself with as the winter months had rolled over them? Did he have regrets? Did he think about the things and people that he left behind at all, or was he at peace with this and all of the hurt rippling in his wake? Sometimes he felt sure that he must have recognized the pain this would cause--Li Lianhua was not a stupid man. Other times, he was certain that he didn't; or his best friend would have never left at all.
However, acclimating to the strangeness of this new land had at least given Fang Duobing something new to turn over in his thoughts. A new mystery, a new puzzle, a new case to solve. A desperate wish (perhaps) to secure... He's so preoccupied with these thoughts that the buzzing of the device in his sleeve is barely a distraction. Nothing like the omen that it should be, if fate understood its purpose. He fetches the thing out, flips it open and activates it with a push of a button in the same motion as he brings it to his ear.
And the whole world tips sideways.
He feels off-balanced, and there's a ringing in his ears that makes him question if he heard correctly. Li Lianhua? Here? In this place? At first, there's no sound to confirm to Di Feisheng that his message was received, not even breathing. He feels... Dizzy. Sick. Elated. Hoping beyond any reasonable hope. Scared...
A war rages in his heart with no clear victor emerging. He thinks he hears another voice, and that might not be a feverish delusion washing over him. He is immediately and viciously torn in two directions. Good on Di Feisheng for keeping a strong hold on him--but gently he hopes. No matter the circumstances, he can't be in good health now.
"Where is he?" comes his response, finally and determinate. This news has coiled him like a spring, ready to snap at a moment's notice. He just needs to know which direction to run.
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However, acclimating to the strangeness of this new land had at least given Fang Duobing something new to turn over in his thoughts. A new mystery, a new puzzle, a new case to solve. A desperate wish (perhaps) to secure... He's so preoccupied with these thoughts that the buzzing of the device in his sleeve is barely a distraction. Nothing like the omen that it should be, if fate understood its purpose. He fetches the thing out, flips it open and activates it with a push of a button in the same motion as he brings it to his ear.
And the whole world tips sideways.
He feels off-balanced, and there's a ringing in his ears that makes him question if he heard correctly. Li Lianhua? Here? In this place? At first, there's no sound to confirm to Di Feisheng that his message was received, not even breathing. He feels... Dizzy. Sick. Elated. Hoping beyond any reasonable hope. Scared...
A war rages in his heart with no clear victor emerging. He thinks he hears another voice, and that might not be a feverish delusion washing over him. He is immediately and viciously torn in two directions. Good on Di Feisheng for keeping a strong hold on him--but gently he hopes. No matter the circumstances, he can't be in good health now.
"Where is he?" comes his response, finally and determinate. This news has coiled him like a spring, ready to snap at a moment's notice. He just needs to know which direction to run.