CHAPTER #2
The more Qihe fought other guys, the bigger the distance grew between the twins. He wanted to keep Lu He in the dark about how rotten their father really was and not just because he was a mafia boss. If distance prevented Lu He from feeling the pain and anger that Qihe did, then he would carry the burden of keeping the truth secret. By the time Qihe beat all the bullies at his school, in all grades, his knuckle skin had developed calluses. Then he picked fights with guys from other schools in his district. The worse the delinquent, the more Qihe wanted to fight him. It didn't matter how dangerous the situation was, he didn't back down, nor did he stop punching and kicking, until the guys couldn't get up. Qihe got a reputation as a street fighter in a very short time, but at school they never caught him. After that fight by the internet gaming place, Qihe made sure no witness was around, including cameras. His grades remained in the top tier, so the school couldn't suspend him or kick him out. Teachers who knew about the rumours, were scared to talk to Qihe. One male teacher had compared Qihe's need for violence, to his mafia boss father, which Qihe overheard. The look in Qihe's eyes and tone of voice, terrified that teacher.
"I'm NOTHING like my father."
Still the students began to call him 'Mafia Boy' and it wasn't always in fear. The nickname stuck. Many respected him too and that created another problem for the school. Mrs. Crane, Qihe's mother was called in and the principle recommended that Qihe be transferred to a school that was known to have delinquents and bad students. Qihe personally didn't care, because not seeing his brother all the time, would help him keep the secret. It would be the first time ever, that the twins would go to separate schools. But their mother declined the suggestion, pointing out that the school had no proof that the rumours were true and her son got top grades in all subjects. She did say that the school's recommendation would be discussed with the twins' father, when they graduated and would start senior high school.
Lu He didn't understand what was happening and finally confronted his brother. "Why do you always fight? Are you trying to get Dad to notice you or what?"
"Mind your own business."
"I can't, because everyone at school is blaming me for what you do!'
"Like who?"
"Chao, keeps saying I'm scum and a looser like you. And you know I have a crush on Li, but now she won't even talk to me, because 'Mafia Boy is a bully', her words not mine."
"She's cute, but dumb, you could do better. Any time one of the guys causes problems for you, tell me, I'll handle it."
"That's not the point Qihe!" Lu He complained. "Just stop fighting everyone. Why are you so angry all the time? Why won't you talk to me?"
He couldn't answer those questions and didn't want to try to lie, so he got up and left. Chao was his new target. Qihe might not be able to tell his brother the truth, but he could protect him from the gossips. Without telling Lu He, his hair was dyed to a silvery platinum colour. No one would mistake him for his brother for the time being.
When Lu He went to talk to his father about Qihe's fighting, he didn't think of it as betraying his brother, he thought he was protecting him.
"Dad he's constantly fighting. The other day he came home with a knife wound."
"Did he go to the hospital?"
"No, Qihe just used our first aid kit and bandaged it himself after disinfecting the cut."
"What's your mother say about all this?"
"Because he still submits all his homework, assignments and gets awesome grades, she doesn't do anything. She said you two would talk about him going to a different school when we go to senior high school."
"Do you want that too?"
Lu He sighed, "so you don't think he'll stop fighting?... Well then yes, he should go somewhere else. Because we're identical, the kids blame me for all his stupid shit. Those who know about you, call him Mafia Boy."
"Sounds like your brother has too much time on his hands. I'll keep him busy. Thanks for telling me son, but don't you go getting involved in his fighting, understand?"
"I won't."
After Lu He left, Mr. Crane told his most trusted enforcer to go pick up Qihe and bring him in. If his son wanted to be a badass, he'd put him to work.
Mr. Crane's 2nd Enforcer was impressed with Qihe's ability to fight. He let some of the men tangle with the boy, to gauge his skill. Once satisfied, the 2nd Enforcer pulled out his gun. "You can come on your own, or I can tie you up like an animal. Your choice."
Qihe knew this man was not to be messed with and so stopped fighting. "Call off your dogs and I'll come."
The 2nd Enforcer smirked, "men go get cleaned up." He kept the gun on Qihe, until they entered the car. Handing it to Mr. Crane's son, he commanded, "take it apart and put it back together."
Holding it in his hand, Qihe was surprised that it was heavier than it looked. Then he released the magazine, before continuing to disassemble. "This is a Glock G19 right?"
"Know that from gaming?"
"Yup."
Next Qihe opened the slide, by pulling it back and locked it open using the slide stop lever. He could push the lever up with his thumb, while holding the slide back with his other hand. He checked the chamber to make sure no bullets remained in the gun and double checked it by putting his finger in the chamber. Qihe closed the slide and pointing the gun at the ground between his feet, before pulling the trigger to release the firing pin. As he continued, the 2nd Enforcer occasionally glanced down at the gun and gave an approving nod. It wasn't quick, but the gun was in pieces.
"Back together and functioning," the 2nd Enforcer reminded.
"There's grime or something in the barrel, you need to clean it."
"Noted."
By the time they arrived at Mr. Crane's office, the gun was back together. He handed it to the man that was escorting him inside. "Safety is on."
"Keep it for now."
Qihe rose an eyebrow, but put the gun in his hoodie pocket. Seeing his father, he waited to find out what this was all about.
"You need to learn how to use that gun. This weekend you're going to be a body-guard for my business partner's daughter. Don't fuck it up."
"No."
Mr. Crane nodded for the enforcers to leave. Then with speed that a large man like him shouldn't have, Mr. Crane grabbed Qihe by the neck, "what did you say?"
Qihe could feel the contained power in the hand that was threatening his life. "Nothing... sir."
"From now on, you'll be working for me when you're not at school. This is a burner phone. If I text you or my Enforcers do, you go immediately to the location given. Keep your mouth shut. Leave your personal cell phone at home or in your locker at school. This phone has a tracker on it, if you leave school, I'll know. You want to fight or become Mafia Boy as the kids call you, then you'll work for me. Understood?"
Knowing that it was useless to argue, Qihe would obey for now. "Yes sir."
"Good. You'll be taken to a firing range. Accuracy is key. This isn't the Wild West, speed doesn't matter." Boss Crane let go of Qihe and put a hand on his son's shoulder, the grip was stronger now, but Qihe didn't flinch. Walking to the door, forcing his son to move with him, Mafia Boss Crane ordered two of his men to take Qihe for firearm practice.
"When he's done at the range, go take him to buy appropriate clothing for this weekend's job."
"Is he doing it alone?"
"One of you will be assigned as their driver. Her safety will be Qihe's responsibility."
The 2nd Enforcer asked, "same rules for him?"
"If she gets hurt, so does my son. If she dies, so does my son. However, no one touches him, only my hand will carry out judgement."
"Understood sir!" The men bowed.
Qihe didn't move, but was forced to bow, when the 2nd Enforcer punched him in the stomach hard.
"You respect the Boss, here he's not your father."
Qihe coughed. His rage was building again and he vowed silently to break the hand that had hit him. On his face, nothing of his inner turmoil showed.
"I'll tell you the details of the girl you'll be protecting and my expectations, when you return from the firing range." Boss Crane said in dismissal.