When Wu Hao said "wait," Wu Tingxiu’s expression clearly turned solemn: "Second Uncle, we had an agreement before…"
Wu Hao smiled and said, "Indeed, I promised you that we could share whatever was inside after opening the box… but I never said you could take photos."
With that, he walked to the side, picked up a piece of paper and a pen: "You can draw it, but no photographs."
Wu Tingxiu’s face was as grim as could be, and I felt a pang of displeasure.
"Second Uncle, don't you think doing this…"
Before Wu Tingxiu could finish, Wu Hao said, "This encrypted map is of utmost importance and absolutely cannot be leaked. Once you take a photo, who can guarantee it won't be leaked?"
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at me.
After a moment of stalemate, Wu Tingxiu took a deep breath: "Fine! We'll do as Second Uncle says."
She picked up the paper and pen beside her and began to copy without a word.
She drew meticulously. The moment she started, I knew she had some drawing skill.
Before long, Wu Tingxiu had finished a replica of the encrypted map.
The instant she finished, Wu Hao collected the encrypted map.
After Wu Hao left, Wu Tingxiu’s expression was very grim. It was the first time I had ever seen her like this.
In fact, even if she hadn’t copied the map, I had already remembered most of it.
My father had taught me a special method for remembering things when I was young, a method used for memorizing paintings.
He used to say that for any painting, you must first look at its lines and general pattern, and from the details, try to infer the artist's intent.
Once you understand the artist's intent, your understanding of the painting will naturally be complete.
So, while looking at the map earlier, I had been trying to decipher the artist's intent.
The mapmaker’s intent was clearly to hide the key information of the map, so after remembering the general pattern, my attention was focused on the text.
Wu Tingxiu took a deep breath and put away the copied map: "I'll find someone to make another copy for you later."
"For me?" I asked, a little confused.
She nodded: "You still have to make another trip for me."
"To where?"
"Since this is an encrypted map, we naturally need to find someone to decrypt it."
Hearing this, I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Don't tell me you already have someone suitable in mind?"
Wu Tingxiu shook her head: "I'll have someone find them right away. Once they are found, you’ll have to go there personally."
"Why don't you go?" I asked thoughtfully.
"I have to stay in Guangling for the time being and can't get away," Wu Tingxiu said with some helplessness. "I can only entrust this matter to you."
"You trust me that much?" I asked.
She smiled and nodded: "I've always believed in a saying: 'Don't doubt those you employ, and don't employ those you doubt.' From the day I asked you to help me, I have trusted you completely. You shouldn't have too many worries."
I smiled and said, "Thank you, Ms. Wu, for thinking so highly of me."
"You helped me a great deal by finding Yang Hanxue. Therefore, An Yuangtang will be yours alone from today on. I will withdraw my shares." Wu Tingxiu said.
I feigned surprise and paused: "How can that be…"
"It's all yours to deserve," Wu Tingxiu said with a smile.
Having interacted with Wu Tingxiu for some time, I had a rough idea of her working style.
She was not only good at emotional appeals but also never let her subordinates suffer losses.
This was also why Song Bing was so loyal to her.
If it weren’t for my investigation into my father’s affairs, I probably would have wholeheartedly worked for her now.
It was just that I had other intentions from the start, so no matter how well she treated me, I could only feel grateful at most. As for loyalty…
That would depend on whether my father’s matter had any connection to the Suihou Pearl she was looking for.
As I was pondering, Wu Tingxiu said, "Xiao Fei, I've always considered you a friend. Don't think of it as you helping me…"
She pursed her lips and looked at me sincerely: "I don't know how else to thank you, perhaps money is my only advantage… I hope that besides money, we can become the best of friends or partners."
I smiled and nodded: "Thank you, Ms. Wu, for being willing to befriend me."
"You are very capable. Having you by my side helping me makes me feel very at ease," Wu Tingxiu smiled. "Can you stop calling me Ms. Wu from now on?"
My eyes darted, and I couldn't help but say, "Alright, then I'll call you Xiao Wu."
"As you wish," she said with a bright smile.
…
For several days, I was communicating with the renovation company, and finally, we managed to finalize the renovation plan.
While the house was being renovated, I moved into An Yuangtang.
Yang Hanxue left the day after he finished unlocking the lock.
Before he left, as Wu Tingxiu instructed, I gave him a sum of money, which he accepted without politeness.
I had originally planned to have someone follow him to see what he was up to.
However, I realized that I had Hong Yunpeng by my side, and I wasn't sure if Hong Yunpeng could even keep tabs on Yang Hanxue.
After all, Yang Hanxue was an old hand.
Ultimately, I had to abandon the idea.
Just as I was waiting for news from Wu Tingxiu, an unfamiliar number from Yanjing called me.
When I answered, I was surprised to find that it was Bi Zhengxiang on the other end.
His call caught me off guard.
I had planned to go to Yanjing again once Wu Tingxiu had news, but before I could, he called me first.
After answering, I exchanged pleasantries, but before I could finish, Bi Zhengxiang delivered some bad news.
"Brother Xiang, I think you need to come to Yanjing quickly."
"What's wrong?"
"Your friend is with me, and the situation is not good."
I didn't need to think to know he was talking about Fatty.
After I left Yanjing, I had asked Fatty to keep an eye on him.
Fatty hadn’t called me at all during this time, but now Bi Zhengxiang was calling to say Fatty was with him?
This made me very confused.
"What happened to him?"
Bi Zhengxiang sighed: "I can't say for sure. I think you need to come over quickly."
This left me bewildered. Had the damned Fatty gone and caused trouble at someone else's place?
As I was guessing, Bi Zhengxiang added: "Your friend's situation might be related to Qin Jing…"
Hearing this, I was startled and quickly said, "I'm coming over now!"
Qin Jing?
Fatty?
Connecting them, I immediately thought of Fatty's hand from before.
Could it be that Fatty had some residual effects from that Qin Jing?
The thought of that eerie mirror made me feel uneasy.