The weather in Guangbei began to turn colder day by day. As a coastal city, the cold here was damp and chilling, the wind on one's face feeling wet.
I sat alone at a roadside seafood stall. The boss served me some oysters, but after two, I lost my appetite.
Glancing at my watch, it had been half an hour since Yang Hanxue called me.
He still hadn't arrived. Had something delayed him?
Just then, a taxi pulled over. Yang Hanxue got out, carrying a travel bag.
When he saw me, he smiled faintly, his full beard thicker than the last time we met.
"Xiao Fei," he greeted me and walked over, sitting opposite me.
I poured him a glass of beer and asked, "Brother Yang, didn't she come?"
Yang Hanxue replied, "Her train is at eleven. I've come to give you the things, and then we have to leave."
"So soon?"
He nodded. "The Zheng family needs the young lady to return and handle some matters..."
He stopped there.
I nodded, understanding. "Then... Miss Zheng..."
I had wanted to ask if Zheng Shuxuan had any message for me, but before I could finish, he pulled out an envelope and handed it over. "The young lady asked me to give this to you."
Looking at the envelope, my heart leaped with joy.
"Xiao Fei, the young lady asked me to tell you to try to stay out of the affairs of Guangbei's four major families. The matters within are not simple," Yang Hanxue said.
I gave a wry smile. I was already deeply involved and couldn't extricate myself.
Not getting involved wasn't an option anymore. It was a pity I couldn't tell him more about it.
After a brief chat, Yang Hanxue handed me the travel bag. "It's getting late, I have to go. If you need anything, call this number."
He gave me a phone number, a landline at that.
I carefully pocketed the slip of paper with the number and asked, "Brother Yang, did she recall anything?"
He chuckled and pointed to the envelope in my hand. "Instead of asking me, you'd be better off reading this letter later."
With that, he waved goodbye. "I'm off."
Watching Yang Hanxue's retreating back, I hesitated. With a mix of apprehension, I opened the envelope.
"It's like seeing you face to face, Xiao Fei. May I call you that?"
Reading the first line, I smiled and thought to myself, Of course.
"I had planned to meet you, but some things are inconvenient right now, so I can only write to you. I'll be leaving Guangbei soon, and there are matters I need to attend to. I believe we will meet again..."
"Thank you for helping me retrieve the Water Moon Guanyin. I've recovered some memories from it. But unfortunately, none of those memories are about you... I'm genuinely curious about how we spent our time together in Guangling. Honestly, from the first moment I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity and peace..."
"Xiao Fei, I know what happened to me is incredible, but don't worry, I will never forget you again... Likewise, I hope you will remember me. Don't worry about me, Zheng Shuxuan."
After reading the letter, my feelings were a mix of complex emotions and happiness. Sister Ying was gone from this world, replaced by a brand new Zheng Shuxuan.
I hoped that the next time we met, she would still be Zheng Shuxuan, and not someone else entirely.
Taking a deep breath, I put the letter away and, carrying the travel bag, was about to head back to my lodging when a Crown sedan stopped in front of me.
I recognized the car; it was the one Jiang Xue'er used to drive. However, the driver this time was Liu Zaixi.
"Where are you going? I'll give you a ride," she said with a smile.
I opened the door and got in, looking at her. "Were you following me?"
She chuckled. "If I said I was just passing by, I doubt you'd believe me, would you?"
"Why were you following me?" I asked.
She glanced at the travel bag in my hand. "You found the Water Moon Guanyin?"
I admitted frankly, "That's right. I'm going to find Yan Yuhe with the Water Moon Guanyin shortly."
She smiled. "Since we had an agreement, I won't go back on my word."
I smiled back. "That's good to hear."
"Can I take a look?" Liu Zaixi asked.
I frowned, finding it difficult to refuse her request.
I reasoned that she only wanted to look, and with me present, she couldn't do anything. So, I opened the travel bag and handed her the Water Moon Guanyin.
Liu Zaixi took the Water Moon Guanyin, holding it in her hands. "No wonder Yan Hongguang had to go abroad himself back then."
"Are you done looking?" I asked.
She smiled. "You're going to the Yan family with the Water Moon Guanyin later?"
I nodded.
"So, when you give the Water Moon Guanyin to the Yan family, what about my side?" Liu Zaixi asked with a smile.
This was a question I hadn't even thought about myself.
When I'd told her I would give her the Water Moon Guanyin after I was done with it, it had just been a tactic to get out of a bind.
Now that she asked, I found myself at a loss for words.
Was I supposed to tell her that I'd figure out a way to steal it back for her later?
Even I didn't believe that.
"What exactly do you want the Water Moon Guanyin for? You know it's a cultural relic," I said.
She smiled. "I was just joking. Don't take it so seriously. Actually, when you first told me you'd give the Water Moon Guanyin to me, I knew you were just trying to trick me..."
Exposed by her words, I felt a bit awkward. "Besides the Water Moon Guanyin, you can name another condition."
She flipped her hair. "No need."
Saying that, she asked me to give her the travel bag.
"You..."
"What? Are you afraid I'll run off with the Guanyin statue?" she asked impatiently.
I gave a wry smile and handed her the travel bag.
She casually put the Water Moon Guanyin inside, then handed the bag back to me. "You're going to the Yan family now, right?"
I nodded.
"Alright, I'll give you a ride."
Before I could react, Liu Zaixi started the car.
Sitting in the car, I looked at Liu Zaixi driving. Her profile was sharply defined. Today, without makeup, she looked very fresh, somewhat like a model in a magazine.
I hadn't realized she was so beautiful without makeup. Every time I'd seen her before, she wore makeup, which paradoxically diminished her attractiveness.
"What are you looking at?" Liu Zaixi suddenly asked.
I quickly averted my gaze. "Nothing... What exactly are you planning to do to the four major families?"
She smiled. "You'll know when the time comes."
The car quickly arrived at the entrance of the Yan family villa. Looking from the car, the villa was brightly lit.
"Get out," Liu Zaixi said.
I nodded, opened the door, and got out of the car, carrying the travel bag.