Chapter 15 — After My Brother Passed Away, I Received a Mysterious Text Message

Low voice. Bringing a bit of hoarseness and fatigue. I walked up to the counter. Sit down in a high chair. Look straight at him. About thirty years old. Quite handsome face. But a few faint wrinkles appeared at the corners of my eyes. Shirt sleeves are rolled up to the elbow. Revealing a fierce scar running down his arm.

"I'm looking for Tieu Ma."

His movement of wiping the glass stopped. He raised his eyes. This time the look was different. There is more scrutiny. And be alert.

"I'm Tieu Ma."

"Who are you?"

I don't answer. Slowly took something out of his pocket. That's my brother's employee card. Something I always carry with me. I put it on the bar. Push towards him.

"Chu Duong..."

I looked straight into the eyes of the man across from me.

"...tell me to come find you."

Ma Tu Vien stared at the employee card. His pupils suddenly constricted. He slowly picked it up. His finger gently stroked over the slightly blurred photo on the card's surface. My brother is smiling brightly. The melodious blues music in the bar seemed to stop at that moment. His hands trembled very slightly.

"He..."

Ma Tu Vien's voice became even more hoarse.

"How is he?"

I looked at him.

"He's no more."

The voice is very light. But it was like a hammer blow straight to the opponent's heart. Ma Tu Vien's whole body stiffened. A very long time later. He slowly put the card down. I saw the corners of his eyes turn red.

"When did it happen?"

"Ten days ago."

"It was announced outside that he died from overwork."

Ma Tu Vien opened his eyes. It was filled with red blood and pain that could not be hidden. He laughed. A bitter smile.

"Died from overwork..."

"It seems they still can't think of any new excuses."

He bent down. Take two glasses out from under the bar. Pour whiskey. A glass pushed towards me. He drank the remaining glass in just one gulp. Strong alcohol burns the throat. It also burns away long-suppressed emotions.

"What did he say to you?"

"He didn't say anything."

"Just leave a notebook."

"And a database full of evidence."

"The first page of the notebook is my name and phone number."

"But that number is no longer reachable."

Ma Siyuan nodded.

"Three years ago."

"After leaving the Star Net."

"I've changed all communications."

"I think that would be a complete break with the past."

He looked at me. The eyes are extremely complicated.

"Really similar."

"Are he and I the same?"

He smiled softly.

"Your eyes are very similar to Chu Duong."

"They all look unyielding."

I said nothing. Ma Tu Vien was silent for a few seconds then continued.

"The person who sent you the message..."

He finally admitted.

"That anonymous account is also me."

"I'm always monitoring the movements of Tinh Vong."

"Always try to contact Chu Duong."

"But in the end..."

"I'm still late."

His eyes darkened.

"When I saw the account 'Victim of the Star Net - Chu Duong', I immediately understood."

"The person behind it can only be you."

"Only you can get what he hides."

But that frankness did not make me feel any better. I looked at him. The voice turned cold.

"The trap at the gym was also set up by you?"

"You revealed my whereabouts to Truong Vien?"

Ma Tu Vien did not deny it. He looked straight into my eyes. There was guilt in his eyes. But it's more than just cold reason.

"It's a test."

I clenched my fists.

"Check?"

"Chu Duong is dead."

"I don't know who else I can trust."

"I didn't know you would be like him."

"Or will I take that pile of evidence to bargain with So Minh?"

"So I had to try."

"I want to see."

"In the most desperate situation."

"You will fall."

"Or will protest."

"I want to know."

"Are you qualified to become my new ally?"

Every sentence and every word chilled me to the bone. The times I was close to death. In your eyes. Just a test.

"But she got over it."

He continued.

"Calmer than I thought."

"Braver than I thought."

"Now we can talk about avenging Chu Duong."

I don't answer. Just quietly looked at him. Ma Siyuan sighed.

"I know what you're thinking."

"That I'm emotionless."

"That I'm cold-blooded."

"But Chu Tinh."

"What we're facing is no ordinary crime."

"Behind So Minh is an entire empire."

"An empire lives by devouring others."

"Confront them."

"Just be weak once."

"Or hesitate for once."

"It will all fall into the abyss."

He stopped. Distant eyes.

"Chu Duong is too kind."

"Too much faith in justice in the system."

"That's why..."