Yang Yi felt he was going mad.
Whether it was Wayne the beast, or this Brian, did they all have X-ray vision? Why could they see things others couldn’t at a glance? This ability was not simply marvelous, it was downright terrifying.
So-called piercing insight, it was nothing more than this.
Yang Yi quickly made up his mind. Sometimes one needed to take risks, to be honest, and now was such a time.
Of course, he couldn’t spill everything right away; when speaking, one must still have some tact.
After pondering for a while, Yang Yi said to Brian in a low voice, "Do you want to leave this place?"
Brian began to laugh, delighted, and then he said softly, "Of course, I dream of it."
Yang Yi knew Brian wanted to leave, simply saying a name could drive Brian insane, just as Brian would ask everyone he met if they knew Kate.
Brian’s behavior was indicative of one thing: despair.
Brian had lost hope. He knew he couldn’t leave this prison, yet in his mind, he was frantically thinking of a woman. Finding this woman had become his obsession, the faith that sustained him.
Therefore, Yang Yi was certain that Brian would never betray him, would never report him to the guards. That was absolutely impossible, for Brian had been locked up too long. He was like someone living in stagnant water, any opportunity that might stir up this dead pool, Brian would not miss.
"I want to become a spy. Can you teach me?"
Yang Yi didn’t hesitate any longer; he immediately voiced his desire.
Brian seemed surprised. He lowered his voice and asked, "You want to become a spy?"
Yang Yi nodded firmly, saying, "Yes, I must become a spy, and you are the only spy I know, even after entering this prison. So I want to ask you, will you help me?"
"Why do you want to become a spy? Why were you imprisoned? Is it for me or is there another reason?"
"I have my reasons for wanting to become a spy, but I don’t want to tell you now. I went to prison because I could find the best teacher there. This person isn’t you. I’ve already learned from him what I wanted to learn. Knowing about you was by chance, but I think you can help me, because I haven’t yet learned the specialized skills of a spy."
Brian said with interest, "What do you think a spy is like?"
Yang Yi contemplated for a moment before finally shaking his head, saying, "I don’t know, I don’t know what a spy is supposed to master."
Brian smiled and replied, "Being a spy is a profession, an identity, but it’s not about necessarily having certain skills to be a spy. Many ordinary people have obtained crucial intelligence—that makes them successful spies. So, your idea is wrong."
Yang Yi said softly, "But those spies who have been specifically trained must possess some essential skills, right? Whatever you can teach me, I’m willing to learn anything."
Brian smiled and said, "Yes, I am a spy, but not a common kind of spy. I am from the CIA’s Special Activities Division, an operative. I’m not the type of spy who hides their identity to gather intelligence. I am responsible for killing, for combat, for rooting out the enemy’s hidden spies. Simply put, I was a CIA Middle East station chief, but not the head of the intelligence division."
Yang Yi became excited. Brian was indeed a big fish, indeed!
"What’s the difference?"
"Of course, the intelligence division is in charge of gathering information; the operations division is responsible for actions. Do you think all spies are like 007? No, that’s just movies. It’s us in the operations division who handle the dirty work. As spies, we embody the force. When gathering information, we support the intelligence division, but when it comes to counter-espionage, we are the main force."
Brian was the person Yang Yi was looking for, a spy specializing in counter-espionage!
Yang Yi was stunned for a moment, because Brian’s reply was too straightforward.
"You said what? Did you just agree?"
Brian nodded seriously, then he said softly, "Do you believe in God?"
Yang Yi was taken aback, then he shook his head and replied, "To be honest, I don’t."
"I used to believe in God. My parents were devout believers, and so was I when I was young, but after I joined the CIA, I stopped believing. Our biggest enemy was the KGB. To defeat the enemy, you have to study them, so I studied the Soviet Union, the KGB, the Soviets, and then I began to think the Soviets made sense. Although I didn’t agree with their ideology, I stopped believing in God."
Brian was still very serious, then he continued, "I fell in love with a swallow. She was KGB. Later, when I found out she was KGB, I still loved her. I betrayed my own country for her. I know I am a sinner, and my sins are unforgivable."
Yang Yi kept listening, and Brian bit his lip and said softly, "I betrayed information to the KGB, and I was betrayed by the KGB. I was imprisoned, and this is the punishment I deserve. But I still want to find her. I want to get out."
Brian looked somber. He said quietly, "I’ve been in CIA’s black site for ten years. Nobody could leave there, and I was no exception. I spent ten years making them believe I had accepted my fate. Then, to make space, they transferred me here.
Here, I still have to carry heavy chains, eat under the watchful eyes of the guards, have my chains checked every day, and have my cell thoroughly searched once a week. So, I had no chance to escape, no chance..."
After sighing deeply, Brian looked up at the sky again, and then he said in a low voice, "I started to believe in God again. I prayed for His help, prayed for God to carry me away from here. Apart from God, no one could help me."
After watching the sky for a while, Brian turned his gaze back to Yang Yi and said in a low voice, "I swear, as long as I can leave this place, as long as someone can take me away from here, I am willing to pay any price. I’ve pleaded with God so many times to help me. Until today, when you arrived, seeing the look in your eyes, I knew you came to help me. I realized, finally, after more than twenty years, God sent His messenger. You finally appeared!"
Yang Yi nodded and said softly, "I haven’t figured out how to get you out yet, but I will help you, and you will teach me everything you know. Of course, if you’re willing to help me further, that would be great."
Without hesitation, Brian said, "Get me out. Let me find Kate, even if it’s just to see her one last time, please help me. As long as you’re willing to help me, I’m ready to lay down my life for you!"