Chapter Thirty-Six: Identity

Thank you, brothers, for your generous rewards. I, Half-Immortal, humbly ask for your recommendations and collections—many thanks!

This was a branch of the Oderland River, where few people ever fished. In Texas, most folks didn’t care much for fish; they preferred meat. Yet the salmon here were excellent, and impressively large.

Qiu Fengyu drove to the river. After parking, he walked to the bank, set up his gear, fixed the rod onto the stand, and lit a cigarette. Turning, he addressed the thicket behind him, “Come out. I know you’ve been following me.”

No response came from the bushes. Qiu Fengyu grew impatient.

“Come out, I know who you are,” he said in Russian.

Two men emerged from the thicket, cautiously watching Qiu Fengyu as they approached, splitting to encircle him from either side.

“Don’t misunderstand; we only want to confirm one thing,” one Russian spoke in their native tongue.

Qiu Fengyu said nothing. He noticed the butt of a pistol peeking from one man’s waist—both were armed.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on this side of Sirsha’s business,” the man continued. “Just tell us where Sirsha went. It’s good for you, and good for us.”

“And if I refuse?” Qiu Fengyu shrugged, sat down, picked up his fishing rod, re-baited the hook, and cast it again into the river.

“We have our ways to make you talk,” the Russian sneered. “It won’t harm you. This is our only request.”

“I hear your business in Paso City has reopened,” Qiu Fengyu smiled at them. “Why meddle in Abilene?”

“We’re not talking about that. Just tell me where that Sirsha woman went,” the Russian snapped, growing impatient. “We don’t have much patience. The scenery here is nice…”

The threat was unmistakable.

“If someone were killed and buried here, who knows when they might be found…” the other Russian chuckled darkly, drawing his pistol, followed by his companion.

Suddenly, a startled cry burst from the nearby grass.

“Who’s there?” One Russian spun around, searching for the source of the cry, while the other kept his gun trained on Qiu Fengyu, glancing nervously toward his partner.

As the first Russian approached the grass, a girl emerged, trembling, attempting to flee. The Russian cursed and leveled his weapon at her.

Two muffled pops echoed, like tearing cloth. The Russian staggered back several steps and collapsed.

The second Russian, aiming at Qiu Fengyu, tried to redirect his gun, but two more dull shots rang out, and he too fell to the ground.

A figure appeared from another thicket, rushing to shield the girl, soothing her, “You’re safe now. It’s over.”

April shook violently, but she turned to look at the two bodies, trembling even more. She was not unfamiliar with killing, but each time she witnessed it, an uncontrollable shiver overtook her.

“I’ll take care of it. Sit here,” Anthony told April, seating her on a stone before dealing with the Russians’ bodies. Simple enough—he tossed them into the river.

As he disposed of the corpses, Qiu Fengyu reeled in a salmon, nearly a meter long.

With a splash, the bodies went into the river, drifting slowly downstream. Qiu Fengyu shook his head and began to pack his gear.

“Can’t fish anymore—there’s a scent of blood.”

“I saved you; aren’t you grateful?” Anthony addressed Qiu Fengyu. “You’re not even afraid. Tell me, who are you?”

“A noodle vendor,” Qiu Fengyu tossed the fish into his net and placed the net in the water tank in his car’s trunk.

“You seem accustomed to scenes like this.”

“Aren’t you? You killed them; what’s it to me?” Qiu Fengyu glanced at the girl, then at Anthony. “Your name’s fake, isn’t it?”

Anthony stared seriously at Qiu Fengyu. “No, my name is real. Hers isn’t. April is a witness in a murder case, under protection. I’m an FBI agent—here’s my badge.” He pulled out his credentials and handed them to Qiu Fengyu.

Qiu Fengyu didn’t accept, merely glanced at it.

“Don’t speak of today’s events,” Anthony said. “I know you’re capable, but… for April’s safety, do as I say. Forget what happened here.”

Qiu Fengyu laughed. “You helped me take down these two men; I should thank you. They came for me.”

Anthony said nothing. Of course, the Russians were after Qiu Fengyu. Had April not intervened, he wouldn’t have killed them. But everything had to be handled quietly. He couldn’t call for police backup—it would expose April.

If not for killing them in Qiu Fengyu’s presence, and if he wasn’t unsure how to handle Qiu Fengyu, he would never have revealed his identity.

“Take this silly girl away,” Qiu Fengyu shrugged. “I’m leaving. Goodbye.” With that, he started his car and drove off.

“Let’s leave here,” Anthony said to the girl. She clung to him, trembling. “We’ll find another place.”

“I’ll consider it,” Anthony watched Qiu Fengyu’s departing car, then drove the Russians’ old vehicle into the river. He erased the tire tracks, footprints, and bloodstains until there was no trace anyone had been there.

By the time anyone found the bodies, they’d likely be far beyond Paso City. The Russian gang probably wouldn’t even report it; their affairs followed their own code.

Qiu Fengyu wouldn’t concern himself with Anthony’s cleanup. He knew a professional agent would be adept at such tasks.

Dinner was assured. Qiu Fengyu believed the best way to cook was spicy soup with fish slices. First, clean the fish thoroughly and slice it thin. Prepare the hot soup, dip the fish slices in with chopsticks, and add tomatoes for extra zest.

While Qiu Fengyu was busy in the kitchen, the persistent Anthony arrived with April. The girl still looked shaken.

But Qiu Fengyu couldn’t be blamed. It was her curiosity—wanting to watch him fish—that led to the incident. Whatever April wanted to do, Anthony had to follow, which is how they stumbled upon the Russian mobsters.

“I warned her, but she insisted,” Anthony spread his hands helplessly to Qiu Fengyu, who was busy in the kitchen.

Qiu Fengyu glanced at the girl.

“I just wanted to see you. Why are you so calm when it comes to killing? Why are you so indifferent?” April stood at the kitchen door, her face pale, angrily questioning him.

“Wow—scared me to death,” Qiu Fengyu suddenly made a terrified expression and shouted.

Startled, April’s heart, just beginning to steady, raced again. She glared at Qiu Fengyu, calmed herself, genuinely frightened, “You’re really cold-blooded.”

“He killed them. He’s even calmer than me—why not call him cold-blooded?” Qiu Fengyu looked at Anthony standing aside. “This is unfair to me!”

“He saved me!” April mumbled.

“So because he saved you, the killer isn’t cold-blooded, but I, an innocent bystander, am? Should I have called the police for those two bastards?”

April was exasperated. She’d come to interrogate Qiu Fengyu, believing he’d dragged her into trouble. Now he’d distanced himself entirely.

“Fine,” Qiu Fengyu looked at April. “I won’t ask about your business, but don’t meddle in mine, alright?”