There was a little house behind the warehouse with a bed, a table and two sofas. It was simply furnished and very clean. A small river wound by the front of the house and an abandoned construction site sat on the opposite bank, silent as a grave. 

“I lived here for a period of time,” said Xia Changhe. He gestured for Xia Lei to sit on the sofa. 

Xia Lei sat on the sofa. “Dad, there are many things I don’t understand. We finally meet now so I want to get to the bottom of those things.”

Xia Changhe sat opposite Xia Lei. “I know. Now is the time to tell you the truth.”

Xia Lei looked at his father, waiting quietly for him to continue. 

“I believe you already know that I am not an ordinary civilian.” Xia Changhe said slowly, “I am part of the FA Organisation - the Free Agents. This organisation was established a hundred years ago during World War I. You cannot imagine how powerful and how mysterious it is.” 

Xia Lei couldn’t help interrupting. “How… How did you join this FA Organisation?”

Xia Changhe...