This was a thousand times worst than the local market area. Lovino always thought of the market area as super crowded. This changed everything Lovino thought of the market. Here everything was cramped together. The path was packed. Many sellers were shouting out deals. Costumers bargained for the best deal. The air was filled with so many different smells. Food was being fried or steamed. Children ran through the crowded with ease. If someone had claustrophobia this was not the kind of place you wanted to be.

It was easy to get separated from the group. Feliciano was glued to Lovino's arm. He didn't pull his arm away from Feliciano. He didn't want to lose him. Not in this crowd. Antonio's strong hand was holding Lovino's free hand. Again it was not to get separated. The three followed closely behind Gilbert and Françis. Françis was leading the way.

Françis led the group out of the crowded area. He led them through a series of questionable alleyways. The alleys were dirty with litter. Dumpsters sat against the buildings. The paint on the buildings was peeling off. This was the kind of place where someone would get mugged. The blond Frenchman leisurely strolled through the alleys. He clearly knew where he was going. Which made Lovino wonder just was kind of person was Françis.

They arrived at any ugly metal door. Two men sat outside of the door. They were both dressed in silk shirts and slacks. One of the men was cleaned face. He had a cigarette resting between his lips.

The other man had some facial hair. He stood up and stepped in front of Françis. "What is your business?"

"We're here to see your boss." Françis stepped forward. The man put his hand out to stop the blond man. Gilbert stepped up ready for a fight if it came to that.

"The boss isn't see anyone today. Come back some other time."

"Let your boss know Françis Bonnefoy is here on a persona; matter."

The man with the cigarette snuffed it out. He went through the door. Moments passed before the man came back. "Follow me." He led the way.

Inside there was a staircase heading down. It was the only way to go. Dim lights barely lit the way. This place was kind of on the sketchy side. The walls were bland. The hall was also bland until they walked deep enough. The hall opened up to rooms on both sides of the hall. The rooms were elegant. Each room had a different color theme. All the tables and sofas were low to the ground. People lay about on the sofas and floor pillows. Everyone seemed out of it. What ever they were smoking it was having affect on them.

The man in the silk shirt didn't lead them to any of the rooms. Instead he led them up another set of stairs. They climbed four sets of stairs. On the fourth floor there was another hallway. This hall was different. This hall was short. On the walls were a couple of paintings of landscapes. They were beautiful. Lovino and Feliciano couldn't but admire the artwork. At the end of the hall was a carved oak door.

"Wait here." The man knocked on the door and then entered. He closed the door behind him.

"Franny, just who are we seeing?" Antonio was feeling a little uneasy.

"Nothing for you to worry about. My connection will help us."

"If this is who I'm thinking of I don't think it's a good idea to get him involved." Gilbert voiced out his opinion. "It's too risky."

Lovino looked at the three friends. He didn't know what was exactly was going. All he did know Antonio wasn't too sure about it. And same went for Gilbert.

"The boss will see you now." The man left the door open.

The group of five entered. Most everything in the room was red. Gold accents here and there broke up the red just enough. Paper lanterns hung with tassels hung from the ceiling. White china pots vases sat in corners. Beautiful hand painted flower designs decorated the vases. White orchids stood in the vases. The red woven carpet had a dark green dragon in it. Thin paper folding walls divided the room that was one big room.

"Ni hao."

Lovino jumped. He was too busy taking in the room to notice the person standing next to one of the paper walls. This person fit with the room. The person was dressed in a red dress with gold flower accents. The sleeves were long and covered the person's hands. Black pants were under the dress. The person's long dark hair was pulled into a ponytail that was draped over the person's left shoulder. She was most certainly a pretty woman. Not only her clothes matched the room but her present too. This person had such grace to her. She was most certainly someone with money and power. This person had an unfriendly smirk.

"Mr. Bonnefoy, it is an honor."

"Likewise, Monsieur Wang."

Monsieur? "You're a guy?! How on earth are you a guy?!" Lovino couldn't fathom that the person standing in front of him was also a male.

Yao Wang just glared at Lovino. It wasn't the first time a foreigner thought Yao was female. He still didn't appreciate it.

"Please excuse my friend. He isn't very custom to other cultures. I hope we're not interrupting you." Françis quickly changed the subject.

"Not at all. I was just going over some paperwork. Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable." Yao motioned them in. The Chinaman went to close the door.

Antonio and Gilbert gave Françis a look while Yao's back was turned. The look went unnoticed by Feliciano, but Lovino caught it.

"Tea will be ready shortly." Yao joined them. He took his seat in a low armchair. Like all the furniture downstairs, everything was low. The floor pillows were tastefully placed on the floor. Françis, Gilbert, Antonio, and Lovino sat on the sofa. Feliciano happily sprawled out on the floor pillows. "What brings you to my place of business?"

Place of business? Lovino looked around the room again. This was where Yao worked. Lovino wondered what Yao's home looked like.

"We need some accommodations." Françis was the only one doing the talking. It was clear that Gilbert and Antonio didn't want to be here. Even Françis was a little tense.

Lovino studied Antonio. Antonio was not at all what Lovino was used to. The Spaniard's eyes were dark. There were no shining smiles in them like usually. His Jas was set tight. There was more to Antonio than what he showed Lovino, kind of like the night he got Lovino from Roderich. Just who was the Spaniard? And the same went for Gilbert and Françis. The three shared a secret.

"How long are you looking to stay?"

"I haven't thought about that. What do you guys think?" Françis turned his attention to his friends, neither one of them answered. The three friends just looked at each other.

That moment someone came in with a tray. This person was clearly a guy. He wore similar clothing to Yao. The difference was the tea person wore a shirt instead of a dress. He didn't say anything. He quietly kneeled down at the table. He poured the tea for everyone. He handed the a cup to each person. Once he finished, he got up and left the room.

"Xie xie, Jia Long." Yao took his cup and sipped the green tea.

Since Françis wasn't getting any answer form his friends, he answered Yao's question. "We need to lay low for a while."

Yao seemed quite pleased with the answer as he sipped his tea. "I think I will be able to help you out. We are good business partners after all."