Trafford’s Trading Club

Luo Qiu had already finished the shaved noodles, while Old Feng was still absorbed in either the taste of the shaved noodles or in his memories.

Now, the city night was already occupied by different lights.

After Old Feng almost finished telling all the details about the woman who brought the child, he drank the remaining soup in the bowl.

Then he stayed silent for a second.

At last, he said, “Later, which was the day I was arrested, I finished making the clothes of that lady. What’s interesting, I’ve only seen that policeman twice. The first time was when he came up with his wife and the second time was the day of collecting the goods which I was arrested.”

Luo Qiu was already immersed in the story, as if he was watching the story repeating in the living room.

“Do you think that policeman started to suspect you the first time you met each other?”

Old Feng smiled and shook his head, “Who knows? Maybe you’re right, he just wants me to finish making the clothes; or he found that out by accident, so he investigated it; and by chance, the day he came to arrest me was exactly when I finished that… but whatever, it was a good ending for me.”

Luo Qiu nodded, as if thinking about something.

But Old Feng longed to tell more, “Because I’m a criminal anyway. And it’s a gift for me to have lived for so long…”

If Old Feng took it this dress as a common order, it would take more time to finish it. Of course, there would be more time for the father and the daughter got along with each other then.

…

Old Feng took off his glasses, massaging his nose and then wore it again, “I didn’t stick this photo on the wall. That day, I asked if I could finish my work before going to the police station. That policeman agreed and then he took the photos.”

Old Feng heaved a sigh, saying with a complex expression, “I think it should be stuck on the wall by that policeman. But he never mentioned it to me.”

“He never told you that?” Luo Qiu asked.

“That policeman even came to visit me several times.” Old Feng said, “The first year, he came three times, and then once every year. But in recent years, he didn’t come to the prison.”

Old Feng smiled as looking at Boss Luo, “Maybe he forgot it. But it’s common that one wouldn’t remember an old man except for their relatives. You should know this better than me. I think time holds no meaning for you. Maybe you have met much more similar incidents.”

“He didn’t forget you.” Luo Qiu interrupted him.

Old Feng gave a start, he wanted to know the answer.

“Well, it’s too late. I’ll leave now. Have a good rest.” Luo Qiu stood up, “I like your story, and I’ll come again later… Of course, I’ll bring you some food next time.”

After saying that, Old Feng saw a living person disappeared from his sight.

Old Feng told himself that all this behavior was of part of the ability of the club boss.

“He’s also a weird guy.”

Old Feng shook his head, slapping his face gently to wake him up. It was getting dark outside, but his work had just started.

He picked up the needle, starting to sew.

He had never been so quiet like this in the recent decade.

…

After leaving Old Feng’s house, Luo Qiu just turned to the shaved noodle restaurant again to buy two portions of noodles.

He didn’t go back to the club, but went back home.

Ren Ziling came back with a tired face, not long after Luo Qiu’s arrival.

“Huh, our dinner is shaved noodles?”

Boss Luo poured some vinegar, but didn’t answer her.

They didn’t talk anymore during dinner.

He thought, if his parents had tasted the shaved noodle those many years ago, they should have the same feeling as he had now.

…

…

There were two cases waiting to be processed by the boss, but he treated them both equally.

“Black Soul No. 18 greets master…” She never had that experience where the boss suddenly came to her.

The former boss seldom walked out of the club—at least she had never seen him appear in front of her.

“You Ye ever said you met some problems, right?” Luo Qiu calmed her down, “Don’t be reserved, you can speak about it freely.”

But the Black Soul Envoy dared not to be rude to the boss… through the countless years, all those rude guys have been smashed.

There was only one Black Soul Envoy that dared to query and contradict the boss sometimes, but it could not go against the boss…

“Yes, I met some troubles that I can solve myself.” Black Soul No.18 nodded, “But I thought a Black Soul Envoy should not hide anything from the boss, so I came back to report it to Miss You Ye. I never expected Master will participate in this.”

Black Soul No. 18 seemed to try to express something, “Master, don’t worry! That guy is just a dabbling magician, I can solve it by myself.”

It was not a magician with real skills, but only had a false and nice appearance.

Luo Qiu asked curiously, “How did you know it is a dabbler?”

Black Soul No.18 answered, “Because he didn’t show any basic manners of a magician. The magician of a sect appears like a noble and his temperament can reveal that easily. But that person…”

Black Soul No.18 shook her head, “…he didn’t seem to receive any traditional education. So I speculate that he may have learned magic by himself. And only those dabblers will not care about regulations and cause chaos in the ordinary society. Adversely, orthodox magicians will look down upon those matters except for some of them with psychological problems… but there won’t be a lot of that. So the conclusion is that he must be a dabbler.”

“You have more experience than me, so I’ll choose to believe your speculation.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Black Soul No. 18 was surprised and honored… after all, the boss was supposed to be omniscient.

But she didn’t know that the boss would seek enjoyment in the process of digging out the answer by himself, instead of asking others.

That was the boss’s habit since childhood.

He could just ask his followers, why should he get ripped off by the altar?

“Tell me about the information on Miss Zhao Ru.”

Black Soul No.18 nodded, “Master, this potential customer has a serious antisocial disorder…”

…

While listening to the report of this Black Soul Envoy, Boss Luo didn’t stop looking.

He saw Zhao Ru sitting alone in her paper ‘house’.

She sat in darkness hugging her knees. With her head buried in her arms and knees, her world turned even darker.