Chapter 69#
Night Boat: Young Pei Goes to Enzhou (IX)#
Green Wave Lake was renowned for its crabapple blossoms; the seasonal chrysanthemums in their pots were large and lush, dazzling and vibrant along the lakeside paths and garden roads. Usually, it was a sight of elegance, but tonight, under the intermittent lantern light, it all became a warm hue beneath the night sky.
Pei Xiting looked around and, seeing no one behind him, instinctively reached out and tugged at Zong Suiyang’s arm. “Captain Yu is gone.”
“Let him be; he won’t get lost.” Zong Suiyang said. “Where do you want to go?”
“Nowhere in particular—let’s just wander a bit, get some air.” Pei Xiting pointed at a small stall up ahead. “What’s that? A fruit platter?”
Zong Suiyang glanced at it. “Spring Orchid and Autumn Chrysanthemum. Made from jade pomegranate, snow pear, and orange. It’s most popular around the Double Ninth Festival, but it’s available year-round.”
Zong Suiyang couldn’t see Pei Xiting’s expression, but he could smell his craving. “Come on.”
Pei Xiting followed Zong Suiyang to the vendor and waited a moment. Zong Suiyang handed him a bowl of Spring Orchid and Autumn Chrysanthemum. The jade pomegranate and snow pear were as white as orchids, while the orange flesh was golden like chrysanthemums, paired beautifully—truly capturing the colors of autumn.
“Pretty nice.” Pei Xiting took a bite. “Hmm, what’s blended with the powdered sugar? It’s sour and sweet. Is that green plum juice?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes, it’s pickled and called plum brine.”
“Not bad, not bad. Want some?” Pei Xiting offered generously. “I’ll treat you to a bowl too.”
Zong Suiyang sized up Pei Xiting, his gaze dropping to that slim waist. “Did you bring any money?”
Pei Xiting felt his waist and said sheepishly, “My bad, I was being presumptuous.”
Zong Suiyang shook his head lightly. “I don’t want any. Let’s go.”
Pei Xiting stepped forward to follow Zong Suiyang, eating with great focus. Luckily, the path wasn’t too crowded, and he stayed close, so he didn’t bump into anyone or any trees.
At a turning ahead, there was a “trash bin.” Pei Xiting tossed his bamboo cup in, clapped his hands, and smacked his lips. Suddenly, he heard the noise of a crowd growing louder.
They turned the corner and walked a bit further, spotting a small building ahead draped with red silk. Below it stood a crowd, all craning their necks in anticipation.
Pei Xiting looked away and said as they walked, “Are they putting on an opera or a song?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I don’t know.”
As they spoke, the two were passing by a stone path behind the crowd. But just then, a large red silk ball flew out from the small building, heading straight for Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting instinctively tried to dodge, but a hand reached out from beside him—incredibly fast. He only felt a blur before the silk ball went flying back the way it came.
The crowd: “…”
In all their years of watching spectacles, they had never seen a silk ball returned with such precision and force, right back to its origin.
A well-dressed, pretty young woman clutched the silk ball and stepped to the front of the building, looking both embarrassed and angry as she stared at them.
Zong Suiyang didn’t feel he had done anything wrong—in fact, he was rather displeased. “Throwing things and hitting people in broad daylight. Rude.”
“…Brother,” Pei Xiting urged, “it looks like they’re holding a silk ball wedding. Please don’t take offense. Let’s just go.”
Zong Suiyang reached out and parted the curtain, meeting Pei Xiting’s eyes through the gap. “If it’s a wedding, then throwing the ball to someone without even seeing your face—isn’t that just careless?”
“Oh, right,” Pei Xiting realized belatedly. “So she just aimed badly. Whatever, it’s fine. Let’s go.”
Zong Suiyang said nothing more, withdrew his hand, and turned to leave.
Pei Xiting hurried to follow. But before they could go far, a middle-aged man dressed like a steward, along with a group of servants, caught up and blocked their way.
“This young master,” the steward addressed Pei Xiting with a respectful hand gesture, “I am the steward of the Xu family in the northern part of the city. Greetings.”
Pei Xiting nodded in return. “Steward, is there something you need?”
“The silk ball thrown by our second young lady was meant for you, young master,” the steward said.
“But my brother tossed it back. I never touched it from start to finish—how can that count?” Pei Xiting replied. “Besides, my brother and I were just passing by. We didn’t participate in your family’s wedding.”
Brother? Zong Suiyang silently savored the title, finding it pleasant but not quite perfect—something still missing.
The steward said, “But… our second young lady’s silk ball was indeed thrown to you, young master. Everyone present saw it.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Pei Xiting’s voice turned cool, indifferent. “If your family insists on pestering me, then I have to ask—my brother and I were walking normally, nearly hit by something thrown from above, and now you’re forcing this silk ball on me. What kind of logic is that?”
The steward smiled, but there was a hint of menace. “Tonight, everyone knows that these flower lanterns on Green Wave Lake are hosted by our Xu family. You knew full well there was a wedding happening there, yet you still walked past. Wasn’t that intentional?”
“Shamelessness knows no bounds—that old saying truly never gets old.” Pei Xiting smiled, and before the steward could speak, he cut in: “First, you hosted the lantern fair, but Green Wave Lake doesn’t belong to the Xu family, does it? Just because you’re holding an event here, others aren’t allowed to set foot on the lake? Second, we didn’t know there was a wedding. If you ask me, blame it on your poorly built building for hiding your lady so well that not even a thread of her clothes was visible. Third, even if we did know there was a wedding, why couldn’t we walk by? What gives you the right? Fourth, if going by what you say—anyone who passes by is intentional—then every man, woman, old, and young standing at the foot of that building is just dying to become your Xu family’s son-in-law? Fifth, it’s your lady’s freedom to throw the silk ball to whomever she wants, but it’s also the other person’s right to refuse. This is a wedding invitation, not a forced marriage.”
The steward choked on his words, unable to refute. But he couldn’t disobey his lady’s orders. Lifting his chin slightly, he said, “Young master, the Xu family is a well-known wealthy clan in Enzhou. Any man who marries our lady is a fortunate gentleman.”
“Oh, quite the bold claim. If there were a princess on the throne, even she probably wouldn’t dare use that word ‘any.’” Pei Xiting feigned surprise. “Or have I fallen out of touch? Is the Great Ye no longer the ruling dynasty—has it changed its name to Xu?”
Such treasonous words rolled off Pei Xiting’s tongue easily. Zong Suiyang wasn’t shocked; he just stood by, listening to Pei Xiting’s verbal sparring, feeling there was no need for him to intervene.
“When did our Xu family ever say such a thing?” The steward looked around fearfully and lowered his voice. “Don’t spout nonsense!”
“Doesn’t that sentence of yours mean exactly that? Anyone who becomes your family’s son-in-law is fortunate—that ‘anyone’ includes everyone, doesn’t it?” Pei Xiting smiled. “So high and mighty. If your Xu family isn’t the imperial house, I wouldn’t dare utter such words.”
The steward had never encountered someone so brash and unrestrained, even daring to mock the imperial surname. His face turned pale, and he said nothing more. With his equally stunned servants, he quickly scurried away from Pei Xiting.
“Boring.” Pei Xiting pouted, then turned to Zong Suiyang. “Let’s go.”
Zong Suiyang withdrew his gaze. “That mouth of yours.”
He left his words half-spoken, ambiguous in praise or blame. Pei Xiting said, “Are we passersby or not?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
Pei Xiting asked again, “And that old Xu family—aren’t they thick-skinned and way too eager to puff themselves up?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
Pei Xiting concluded, “And don’t I have the right to refuse someone’s wedding?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
“There you go. So tell me—was I wrong?” Pei Xiting said.
Zong Suiyang said, “When did I ever say you were wrong?”
“Because you always leave your words half-finished,” Pei Xiting said. “How am I supposed to know if you’re praising me or mocking me?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I was thinking—if I sent you to deal with those imperial censors, would that be putting the right person in the right place?”
“Oh, no thanks.” Pei Xiting said. “I’m not dumb, but you can’t just use me as a mouthpiece. I don’t want to argue and bicker with people all day. Hey, there’s a little boat over there. Let’s take that path down.”
Zong Suiyang had no objections. He followed Pei Xiting as they turned and headed toward the lakeside along a fork in the road.
Pei Xiting walked for a bit, then suddenly stopped. He moved his right foot aside, bent down, and peered at the ground. “Hey.”
He picked up the object and held it up to Zong Suiyang’s face. “I found some money—a little piece of silver.”
Zong Suiyang glanced at the silver, then at Pei Xiting. “What are you going to do?”
Pei Xiting looked around, planted his feet shoulder-width apart, and put his left hand on his hip. “Who lost some money?”
His shout made everyone on the winding path stop and pat their purses. A young man in a coarse blue shirt exclaimed, “Oh no!” and immediately raised his hand. “My money’s gone!”
The man shouted as he ran over. Pei Xiting said, “How much did you lose?”
The man thought for a moment. “About one tael.”
Close enough. Pei Xiting handed him the silver ingot. The man clasped his hands and thanked him repeatedly before hurrying away.
The two continued toward the lake. The evening wind rustled the flowers, sending petals and leaves fluttering past. Pei Xiting reached out and caught a petal—peach red, from some unknown flower.
The wind blew the petal away. Pei Xiting lowered his hand. “I love nights like this. The wind is cold, but it feels good. Coming out here to let it blow on me makes me feel so refreshed. Spring nights are nice too, and winter snow is beautiful. Summer has its charms, but it’s too hot, and there are mosquitoes.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Didn’t you claim that all living things have souls?”
“Mosquitoes are the exception.” Pei Xiting thought for a moment, then added, “And maggots and venomous bugs—also exceptions. I’ll kill every single one I see, grind them into dust so fine that even the King of Hell couldn’t piece them together.”
He said this with a childlike intensity, full of emotion and vivid expression. Zong Suiyang said, “What about snakes?”
Pei Xiting quickly stepped back into a defensive stance, putting distance between them. He stared at Zong Suiyang warily, his gaze like a scanner. After a thorough sweep, he finally spotted the small snake head poking out of Zong Suiyang’s collar.
Pei Xiting sighed in disappointment. “Pervert.”
Zong Suiyang reached up to his neck, and when the little black snake obediently coiled around his wrist, he lowered his hand, hiding it beneath his sleeve. He was puzzled by Pei Xiting’s remark. “What’s perverted about that? You treat Little King like a kitten, yet you’re afraid of this tiny snake?”
“When I first saw Little King, it was still very small and didn’t bite just anyone. What’s the difference between it and a well-behaved fatty cat? Even though it’s grown up now, I still watched it grow, and it’s especially close to me—of course I’m not afraid of it.” Pei Xiting glanced at Zong Suiyang’s sleeve, then turned and continued walking. “But this little black snake—I don’t know it, and besides, it’s not your snake.”
Little King was Zong Suiyang’s tiger, but this snake wasn’t his. Zong Suiyang savored that statement. “What difference does that make?”
“What difference? You’re not its master, after all. For all we know, it might suddenly go wild and bite even you, let alone me.” Pei Xiting rolled his eyes and teased, “Or is this snake something you and Director Fu raised together?”
“No, it’s not that.” The Crown Prince said. “Just think of me as its foster father.”
“Then is Director Fu Little King’s foster father?” Pei Xiting said.
“No.” The Crown Prince said. “He carries too much killing intent. Little King doesn’t like him.”
Pei Xiting laughed. “Little King just likes me.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t confirm or deny. The aura around Pei Xiting was indeed very pleasant—clear without being cold, gentle without being scorching.
Pei Xing paced along the shore, selected a small boat, and asked the price. Zong Suiyang handed over the money.
They boarded the boat one after the other. The attendant untied the rope and gave the boat a push. As it drifted out, Pei Xiting stuck his head out from under the canopy and looked around. “No one to row?”
“You can either row it yourself or have someone come aboard to row.” Zong Suiyang sat down leisurely. “The rope at the bow is tied to a large boat. It’ll bob even without rowing.”
Pei Xiting sat opposite him. “They don’t even give us a fruit platter? At least a plate of sunflower seeds would be nice.”
“Bring your own or buy separately.” Zong Suiyang said. “It was written on the sign by the shore.”
Pei Xiting hadn’t noticed at all. “Why didn’t you remind me?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I overheard you burping quietly earlier and thought you couldn’t eat any more.”
“How dare you eavesdrop on someone’s quiet burp?” Pei Xiting picked a fight. “No class.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t take offense. He casually raised his right hand, and the little black snake poked its head out, its glossy black eyes fixed straight on Pei Xiting.
“…” Pei Xiting turned slightly to the side. “A gentleman uses words, not fists.”
Zong Suiyang said, “I didn’t intend to use my fists.”
“Stop trying to scare people.” Pei Xiting said. “If you push me too far, I’ll bite it in half.”
He even bared his teeth to demonstrate.
Zong Suiyang let out a soft laugh. “It’s venomous.”
Pei Xiting smiled. “You keep a venomous snake as a pet?”
“Just kidding. Its fangs have venom, but it’s not fatal—at worst, if the antidote isn’t administered in time, it might cause paralysis.” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting gave a faint smile. “Wow, such a minor consequence.”
Zong Suiyang teased the snake with his fingertip. “It doesn’t bite randomly. Even someone as obnoxious as Fu Buzhi, who sleeps with it every night, has never been bitten.”
Pei Xiting asked politely, “Really? Isn’t there a risk of rolling over and squashing it in your sleep?”
“Fu Buzhi sleeps like the dead, so that’s not a risk.” Zong Suiyang said.
“Oh,” Pei Xiting smiled. “Your Highness is so well-informed. Have you and Director Fu ever shared a bed?”
Zong Suiyang’s finger paused, recalling Fu Wei’s earlier teasing. He looked up at Pei Xiting. Those eyes were indeed sharp with sarcasm, poking at him unkindly.
Zong Suiyang gave an almost imperceptible smile. “No, I never said that.”
The sound of hawking grew closer. He tilted his head slightly. “There are vendors selling fruit, tea, and wine outside. If you want something, just call out.”
Pei Xiting rolled his eyes, stood up, and stepped out of the small canopy. He waved at a hawker’s boat drifting by.
The small boat with a little flag floated over. The attendant aboard greeted him warmly. “Sir, please take a look at the menu.”
Pei Xiting took the menu, glanced at it, and said, “One bowl of Spring Orchid and Autumn Chrysanthemum, and a small jar of chrysanthemum wine. Do you have cups?”
“Yes, we provide cups, sir. No need to clean up—just leave the used items on the boat, and we’ll collect them ourselves.”
“Alright, wait a moment.” Pei Xiting ducked back into the canopy. “Do you want anything?”
Zong Suiyang was busy playing with the little snake. “Just bring two cups.”
“Oh.” Pei Xiting held out his palm.
Zong Suiyang unfastened his money pouch and placed it in Pei Xiting’s fair palm. Pei Xiting closed his hand and turned to leave.
“Also, give me a four-item box and a pot of chrysanthemum tea.” Pei Xiting pulled out a small piece of silver from the pouch and handed it over. “Keep the change.”
“Thank you for your generosity, sir.” The attendant expressed his thanks, then handed Pei Xiting a basket containing the tea and wine. “Which four items would you like in the four-item box? I’ll pack it for you.”
Pei Xiting glanced at the boxes on the boat’s table, made his selections, and said, “Give me candied walnuts, preserved crabapple, chestnut cake, and crispy fried cashews… Oh, and rent me one of your decks for a bit.”
“Coming right up.” The attendant deftly scooped the items into the box, handed it over with both hands, then took a porcelain bowl from the attendant behind him, passed it forward, and then handed Pei Xiting the cards. “Here you go, sir. If you need anything else, just call, and we’ll be right over.”
“Alright, thanks.” Pei Xiting carried the items back into the canopy and set them on the low table.
He slapped the card box onto the table. “Want to play?”
Zong Suiyang knew Pei Xiting was skilled at dice and that so-called mahjong, but this leaf-card-like game was new to him. “What are the rules?”
“Truth or dare.” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow. “Do you dare?”
Zong Suiyang understood the meaning. “What are the rules?”
“Simple. The loser has to accept either a truth or a dare, but they can’t choose the same option twice in a row; they have to alternate. If they really can’t accept the penalty, they have to drink three cups as self-punishment. How about it?”
“Simple enough.” Zong Suiyang gently pressed the little snake’s head onto the table. “How do we play the cards?”
“Compare sizes. There are twenty-five cards: two each of one through ten, and the remaining four are plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, plus one high mountain card. I’ll take out those five, leaving only the number cards. We each draw three cards blindly, reveal one at a time, and the best two out of three wins.” Pei Xiting said. “We’re competing for the higher number.”
Zong Suiyang smiled. “I want to add one rule.”
Pei Xiting didn’t know what was so amusing. He snorted. “Go ahead. I’m game.”
Zong Suiyang reached out and tapped the high mountain card with his finger. “Let’s designate this as the Imperial Violet card. It can substitute for any number, and the penalty for this round is doubled.”
“Fine.” Pei Xiting said. “Let’s make this clear—we play by our own skills. I won’t go easy on you. And if you lose, you’re not allowed to flip the table by brute force or cheat.”
“Let’s make this clear too—we play by our own skills. I won’t go easy on you. And if you lose,” Zong Suiyang said with a hint of a smile, “you’re not allowed to flip the table by quibbling or cheating.”
Pei Xiting cursed, “Copycat.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t react. “Let’s start.”
Pei Xiting shuffled the cards, and they each drew three.
Pei Xiting revealed: “Seven.”
Zong Suiyang revealed: “Seven.”
Pei Xiting popped a candied walnut into his mouth, glanced at Zong Suiyang’s expression, and revealed another card: “Eight.”
Zong Suiyang casually flipped his: “Ten.”
Pei Xiting crunched the walnut. “Don’t get cocky.”
Zong Suiyang wasn’t cocky. He elegantly flipped his third card: the high mountain card.
“…” Pei Xiting felt a bit defeated. “You cheated.”
Zong Suiyang smiled faintly, glanced at the man who was already showing signs of reneging from the very start, and reached over to flip Pei Xiting’s card still pressed under his finger. “Three—such a small number,” he said regretfully.
“Wow, that’s some strong tea.” Pei Xiting waved the air disdainfully and scoffed, “You already have the Imperial Violet card. Even if I drew a ten, I’d still lose.”
“Glad you understand.” Zong Suiyang said calmly. “Time to accept your punishment.”
Pei Xiting weighed his options. “I choose truth.”
“What difference does your choice make?” Zong Suiyang reminded him kindly. “The penalty is doubled.”
Oh, right. Pei Xiting tried to weasel his way out. “Then that means two truths.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t pressure him. “Fine, as you wish.”
Seeing his opponent so composed, Pei Xiting felt a bit embarrassed, but his face was thicker than a city wall, so he quickly regained his composure.
“Go ahead and ask. I’m a man with no secrets.” Pei Xiting said calmly.
“First question,” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, “what is your name?”
Pei Xiting was taken aback for a moment, then understood: Zong Suiyang wasn’t asking for the name “Pei Xiting,” but for his real name—as if he was convinced that Pei Xiting wasn’t really “Pei Xiting.”
“Pei Xiting.” Pei Xiting said, “That’s my name. ‘Wenjuan’ is a courtesy name given to me by an elder.”
Speaking of that, he recalled something. “Do you still remember what you promised me back then?”
Zong Suiyang nodded. “I remember. When you come of age, I’ll bestow a style name upon you.”
Pei Xiting smiled. “I didn’t lie to you.”
“Alright. Second question,” Zong Suiyang said, “do you want to leave the Ye capital?”
“I used to think about leaving, but now I feel that the Ye capital is pretty good. There’s food, drink, and friends. I’m comfortable on Lanyin Street. Of course, I can’t stay in the capital forever. I’ll definitely travel more when I have the chance—the world is vast, with so many mountains, rivers, and scenic spots I could never get tired of admiring.” Pei Xiting looked into Zong Suiyang’s eyes. “Just like I told Director Fu—traveling is one thing, but home is home. You can’t forget it.”
Pei Xiting’s attitude toward the Pei residence was lukewarm. Zong Suiyang said, “Do you consider that courtyard your home?”
“I rented that courtyard. Everything in it was bought by me, and even the rose wall was tended by my own hands. When I get back, I’m going to buy that place outright and put my name on the deed. Isn’t that my home?” Pei Xiting retorted.
Zong Suiyang asked no further. “Let’s start.”
“You’re done for this round.” Pei Xiting instantly became cocky. “I have a feeling you’re going to lose badly.”
“Oh?” Zong Suiyang was indifferent. “I’ll wait and see.”
That attitude was truly irritating. Pei Xing rubbed his hands together, silently pumping himself up, determined to teach Zong Suiyang a lesson.
They each drew three cards. This time, Zong Suiyang revealed first. “Five.”
Pei Xiting flipped his card, his tone lifting. “I’ve got six.”
Zong Suiyang flipped again. “Ten.”
Pei Xiting’s face fell as he turned over a seven.
“It all comes down to this last card,” Zong Suiyang said flatly. “If you lose this time, it’ll be a dare.”
Pei Xiting said bitterly, “I knew you were full of ill will toward me.”
Zong Suiyang flipped his card. Pei Xiting looked at it and exploded. “Cheating! You definitely cheated! How the hell did you draw the Imperial Violet card again?”
“You shuffled the cards. How could I cheat?” Zong Suiyang frowned slightly, looking a bit wronged, and even found Pei Xiting unreasonable.
He looked at Pei Xiting, pondering, then said, “I see. Are you deliberately trying to lose, so you helped me cheat?”
Pei Xiting laughed in exasperation. “Stop spouting nonsense! Why would I deliberately lose to you? Am I a glutton for punishment? And how could I help you cheat? Do you think I’m some kind of fairy shit with divine powers?”
“So you also know that cheating isn’t allowed?” the Crown Prince said. “Then why do you want to do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself?”
“Because I have no class, and I feel like it.” Pei Xiting took a spoonful of orange flesh and crossed his arms. “I lost. I admit it. So, how are you going to torment me?”
Zong Suiyang was just about to speak when Pei Xiting added, “But I’m warning you, Zong, when you’re at your most merciful, remember that you might need mercy in return. If you go too far, when you fall into my hands, I’ll make you run—no, swim—naked around Green Wave Lake.”
“What?” Zong Suiyang was a bit surprised. “I was just going to ask you to sing a little tune. I never imagined your heart could be so malicious. Compared to that, my punishment seems far too kind.”
“…”
What is it called when you talk too fast and cause trouble? What is it called when your sharp tongue brings its own retribution? What is it called when someone who can’t handle the game inevitably gets played? This is it.
Pei Xiting poured a cup of tea for Zong Suiyang, then filled his own cup with wine from the jar. “The chrysanthemum tea is for you. Better not drink too much alcohol. Let me toast you.”
He downed his drink in one go, then smiled, exposing eight white teeth. “My apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I was petty and malicious. I confess my sins. When I get back, I’ll kneel and kowtow to Heaven and Earth in repentance. I’ll drink eight cups of water every day to wash away my vile heart. But Your Highness, you have a compassionate heart. Please don’t let me taint you.”
“How so?” Zong Suiyang asked.
Pei Xiting’s expression shifted, turning fearful. “I fell into water when I was young, and I’ve always had a trauma. I’m terrified of water, and I can’t swim at all. If I had to swim a lap, even forgetting the embarrassment, I’d lose my life. They say saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Your Highness, can you do a good deed for the day?”
“That pathetic, huh?” Zong Suiyang studied Pei Xiting, who nodded pitifully and turned away as if about to cry. His heart softened. “Since that’s the case, I can’t be too harsh on you.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince is so kind and compassionate, worthy of song and praise—”
Pei Xiting’s impromptu “Ode to Compassion” hadn’t even performed two lines when the Crown Prince interrupted with a sigh and a pitying tone:
“You don’t have to swim naked around the lake. Right here,” Zong Suiyang said gently, “just sing naked.”
The words hit like a thunderbolt, leaving no room for reaction. Pei Xiting didn’t even remember that he could drink as a substitute penalty. He stood up and made a dash for the back of the boat, ready to jump into the lake and escape!
But a low table was no obstacle for Zong Suiyang. He stepped forward, reached out, and grabbed Pei Xiting’s belt, yanking him back.
The boat rocked. Pei Xiting was flipped over and pinned to a seat. Zong Suiyang held his wrists, leaned down, and pressed a knee against his stomach. “Strip.”