Within the passageway, 13 continued strumming his immutable repertoire. Xiao Wu stood before him. 13 did not acknowledge her. She was beginning to intensely dislike herself; clearly unable to accept others, yet seeking their assistance when faced with trouble. She felt worse than the villainesses on television—selfish, despicable, cowardly... all pejorative terms seemed applicable to her.
"Long time no see..." After standing for an hour, she finally offered an awkward greeting.
13 remained silent, continuing his performance.
Xiao Wu's heart ached anew. "I know you resent me, but how am I supposed to accept you? Accept your past? Accept your values? I am merely an ordinary student attending classes punctually, working part-time during breaks. My life is just this ordinary. And you... we belong to entirely different worlds..."
"I have never resented you." 13 ceased playing the guitar, interrupting Xiao Wu's agitated words. "You are correct; we are from different worlds. Becoming friends? Merely a ludicrous notion. As you said, I am vulnerable in life, because I can never adapt to this society..."
Xiao Wu said nothing.
"I will help you." 13 looked up at her. "I can assist you, but you must provide equitable remuneration. This is a transaction!"
Xiao Wu looked back at 13, her gaze tinged with reluctance, yet this seemed the only recourse.
"Fine, consider it a transaction!" She clenched her fist.
"State your predicament." Abruptly rising, 13 put his arm around Xiao Wu's shoulder, guiding her towards the exit, disregarding the guitar and loose change on the ground.
Xiao Wu's heart suddenly pounded rapidly; this was her first time being embraced by a male.
"Do not look back; we are being followed. The adversary is skilled; it seems the remuneration you must offer will be substantial," 13 stated calmly, looking straight ahead.
Xiao Wu understood his lack of sincerity, yet felt no surprise at being followed.
"He appeared suddenly in my room this morning, demanding an item. But I do not possess that item. He stated he would return this afternoon, and if I couldn't produce it then, he would kill me." Recalling the scene, Xiao Wu's eyes moistened again.
13's right hand, still around Xiao Wu, gently patted her shoulder. A subtle gesture, yet it offered Xiao Wu immense encouragement, as if conveying, "It's alright, I am beside you..."
"That item must be highly significant. The pursuer is considerably skilled. Hiring him for a single task likely costs at least two million US dollars." 13 guided Xiao Wu out of the passageway. All eyes on the street turned towards them. Imagine the spectacle: a beggar suddenly appearing on the street arm-in-arm with a beautiful woman.
The numerous stares made Xiao Wu blush with embarrassment.
"But I truly do not know," Xiao Wu's face flushed crimson. "He wants my father's notebook."
"Tell me about your father," 13 continued walking down the street with Xiao Wu, heading towards crowded areas. The stranger behind understood this person was also formidable; attempting an attack amidst so many onlookers was unfeasible even for him.
Men on the street lamented profoundly: "What has become of the world? Beauty paired with a beast was excessive enough, but now beauty paired with a beggar parades openly? Is the Earth doomed?"
Women on the street focused more on 13: "Such unconventional attire. Is this the current trend? I should have my partner dress like this too, but I fear he couldn't capture the same essence..." It had to be admitted, 13 was handsome; even in tattered clothes, remarkably so.
"Do not tell anyone else. He never allowed me to boast using his name, even after his passing..." Xiao Wu's voice held a trace of melancholy. "He was the former Deputy Director of the National Procuratorate General—Li Yuntian."
"Li Yuntian, Deputy Director of the Chinese National Procuratorate General. Known for his impartiality and penchant for speaking up for the common people, earning the popular moniker 'Blue Sky'..." 13 recalled information he had previously reviewed. "I remember anti-corruption was his lifelong goal. It seems everything is becoming clear."
"I don't understand your meaning," Xiao Wu was bewildered.
"Your father's notebook likely pertains to evidence of corruption involving certain officials. They hired an assassin to eliminate the evidence," 13 explained, standing with Xiao Wu at a pedestrian crossing, waiting for the light.
"But my father didn't leave me anything significant. Just a pile of miscellaneous thank-you letters, several certificates and medals, and a few books and calligraphy scrolls..." Xiao Wu stated.
13 glanced at a nearby reflective surface; the man stood not far behind.
"I will kill you!" the stranger mouthed silently.
13 smiled back and mouthed a reply just as the light changed and the crowd surged forward.
The stranger paused momentarily, clenching his fists, because 13 had mouthed: "You are not worthy."
"Alright, the clue should be among those items. First, we need to devise a way to shake off our tail, then retrieve what we need." 13 spotted a bar nearby.
The bar's sign read: "Masquerade Ball. Conventionally dressed patrons, please refrain."
"I have an idea. Come," 13 quickened his pace, leading Xiao Wu towards the bar.
"Hey! You're not thinking of going in, are you?" Xiao Wu assessed 13's appearance. Handsome, yes, but his attire looked likely to be cleared away by sanitation workers.
"Naturally!" 13's tone was exceptionally certain.
Xiao Wu felt apprehensive...
Striding boldly, 13 reached the bar entrance.
"Please halt. This establishment denies entry to improperly attired individuals." The doorman was polite, at least refraining from curses.
13 turned back, looked at the sign, and retorted, "Isn't this a masquerade ball?"
"We are indeed hosting a masquerade ball, but your attire..." The doorman appeared troubled, gesturing towards 13's clothes, implying, *Look at yourself*.
13 glanced down at himself, then suddenly roared at the doorman, "Is it forbidden for me to specifically dress as a beggar?!"
The doorman was rendered speechless...
13 tossed a hundred-yuan banknote onto his stunned face.
"Have you ever seen such a handsome beggar?" 13 affected a ruffian-like demeanor.
"You are acceptable, Sir. But this lady..." Defeated, the doorman looked towards the silently blushing girl beside 13.
"I..." Xiao Wu wished the ground would swallow her whole.
"Are you blind? I'm dressed as a beggar; naturally, she is the beggar's wife. Idiot!" The doorman was speechless again. 13 put his arm around Xiao Wu and strode boldly into the venue.
"You truly are a scoundrel..." Xiao Wu sighed.
"This is far from the limit. If it were 1, he could enter even without clothes. He excelled at disguise..." 13 thought of 1.
"By the way, where did you get the hundred-yuan banknote?" Xiao Wu wondered how this typically frugal person had acquired such generosity.
"It's from the money that bald man tossed into your box, the portion you didn't want!"
Subsequently, the stranger entered. The doorman dutifully stopped him again.
"Apologies, Sir. This is a masquerade ball. Your formal suit is unsuitable for our venue. Please return after changing into appropriate attire."
The stranger retrieved a pair of black sunglasses from his breast pocket, put them on, ignored the doorman, and continued walking inside.
The doorman grew somewhat irritated. Why encounter only unreasonable people today? He blocked him again: "Apologies, please return after changing."
"Still don't recognize this?" The stranger seemed impatient, pulling out the silenced pistol from his coat and brandishing it slightly. "I am dressed as an 'assassin'!"
The doorman was speechless yet again. His sole thought was: *Time to resign. Society is truly dark...*
The bar's interior was vast. Deafening music coupled with the writhing bodies on the dance floor created an atmosphere akin to a rave.
It was indeed a masquerade ball; even the cleaning lady wore a terrifying mask. Guests dressed as eccentrically as possible. Elvis and vampires were passé. Most were costumed as aliens; prominent politicians were also popular targets for imitation. For instance, after getting slightly tipsy drinking with someone dressed as E.T., you might head to relieve yourself only to find "George W. Bush" doing the same beside you...
This was Xiao Wu's first time in such an environment; she felt quite exhilarated.
13 led Xiao Wu to sit at the bar counter.
"A tequila for me," 13 tapped the counter, signaling the bunny-costumed bartender.
"Give me..." Xiao Wu also wanted to try something new, but barely started speaking.
"A glass of plain water for her," 13 preemptively decided for her.
The bartender swiftly prepared the drinks.
"Why can you have alcohol, while I must drink water?" Xiao Wu pouted like a bullied child, asking discontentedly.
"Children cannot drink alcohol," 13's reply was simple and direct.
The bartender placed the ordered items before 13.
"You're only twenty yourself..." Xiao Wu muttered complaints under her breath.
"Thank you. That will be 120 yuan," the bartender stated, not leaving immediately.
"So expensive?" Xiao Wu nearly cried out.
"Tequila is 100 yuan, plain water is 20 yuan. That's the minimum charge," the bartender explained, a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Beside her, 13 leisurely sipped his drink, sighing lightly. Xiao Wu paid the bill.
"Still prefer blue," 13 raised his glass towards the entrance, looking at the "assassin" who had just entered.
"Arrogant brat," the stranger muttered to himself.
Suddenly, soft music began playing—a tune for ballroom dancing.
"Come, let's dance!" 13 again pulled Xiao Wu firmly onto the dance floor.
Assuming the standard posture, he lightly encircled her slender waist, his other hand gently holding hers. Gazing at 13's familiar smile, Xiao Wu felt almost intoxicated, completely forgetting they were portraying a pair of fugitive lovers.
"Consider this dance your remuneration," 13's words were soft, but Xiao Wu heard them.