Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 64

Bianque padded over to me and touched the bullet wound while I winced in pain. “You should be fine. Take care of
yourself, and… don’t hurt people, okay?”
I nodded. “I’ll be back soon.”
VI
My first three tasks were easy and straightforward. I had to gather information for shipments of opium in the black market.
With lots of experience as an agent of the future, I was able to pull out lots of information thanks to the training I got
before. The hardest part was actually writing a report with ink brushes and horribly thin and fragile paper. It took ages for
me to get used to using ink brushes. The paper tore every time I got too frustrated. I guess that’s why Bianque told me
calligraphy was an art when she taught me how to hold those brushes properly.
I was now sitting in the same cottage I first met Lin Zexu. Even though he was reading over my horrendous handwriting,
his face showed no signs of amusement or contempt. He was probably more concerned with the content than the
presentation.
“Qiao, you have assisted me greatly. You continue to impress me.” Lin Zexu continued. “But that is not enough. Are you
ready for your next task?”
It normally felt nice to earn someone’s trust, but I didn’t feel right with him. “I’m sorry, but when are you going to let me
off the hook? You aren’t going to keep me forever, are you?”
The wrinkles on his face deepened as a smile formed. “Alright.” He said. “I shall let you go if you complete this task. Your
last task. However, if you fail me this time, you shall pay with your head.”
“Hm. Let’s hear it then.”
“According to all the intelligence I have, we can conclude one thing.” He uttered. “That all the ahpenyen in this town
comes from the Liang’s.” He smirked as he noticed the change of expression on my face.
Liang’s Apothecary. That’s Bianque’s family shop!
“There’s no way the ahpenyen comes from there.” I shook my head. “The shop is perfectly –“
“Kill her.” Lin Zexu declared. I could see his eyes giving off a bright flash of bloodlust.
“Prove it to me.” I demanded. “Tell me all the evidence you have.”
“Strictly confidential.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “I cannot tell you.”
“But why?” I whispered. “Why?”
Being asked to kill a person that saved my life. Should’ve realized a step earlier so I wouldn’t have gotten myself into this
mess.