Upon returning to Guangling from my hometown, it was the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, with New Year's Eve just around the corner. I asked Hong Yunpeng to arrange the closure of Anyuantang for the holidays.
Fatty, on the other hand, went back to Yanjing to visit his master, saying he would return after the new year.
I didn't have any particular feelings about the New Year. When my father was still alive, our family's Lunar New Year's Eve was no different from any other day. Besides tidying up the house and offering incense to our ancestors, there weren't any other rituals.
On New Year's Eve, I went to Hong Yunpeng's house. In the morning, I helped Uncle Hong with the grocery shopping. After lunch, Hong Yunpeng and I went out to buy Spring Festival couplets and other items.
As New Year's Eve approached, a sense of loneliness inexplicably arose within me.
Just before dinner, I received a call from an unknown number.
At first, I thought someone was calling to wish me a Happy New Year. To my surprise, it was Wang Yang.
This guy hadn't contacted me since he disappeared last time. Why would he call me today?
He asked if I was in Guangling. I replied, "Where else would I be if not in Guangling?"
He said, "Xiao Fei, today is New Year's Eve..."
"I know, just say what you want to say," I replied.
To be honest, I was still a bit angry about how he had left without a word last time.
"I'm also in Guangling," Wang Yang said.
"Oh? What are you doing in Guangling?" I asked.
Wang Yang's tone sounded somewhat dejected. "I have nowhere to go..."
"You thought of me because you have nowhere to go?" I asked him with annoyance. "Where are you now?"
"The train station."
"Did you just arrive in Guangling?"
"I've been living here."
"Alright, I'll come and find you now. We can talk when we meet."
After hanging up, I took a taxi to the train station by myself.
When I saw Wang Yang again, he hadn't changed at all, still looking casual and nonchalant, wearing sunglasses and leaning against a wall, smoking.
"How long have you been in Guangling?"
We sat down on a stone bench, and I asked.
"For a while."
"What are you doing in Guangling? Looking for An Ying?" I asked.
He gave a wry smile and didn't answer my question.
Regarding An Ying, I now knew everything clearly. Because I knew everything, I also understood that many of the things Wang Yang had told me before were lies.
For instance, his background and his purpose in finding An Ying (Zheng Shuxuan).
"Can you tell me the truth?" I asked, feeling somewhat displeased. "What exactly are you looking for An Ying for?"
Wang Yang sighed. "Xiao Fei, there are some things I can't tell you yet. But believe me, I would never harm you."
"Of course, I know you wouldn't harm me. It's as if I would harm you," I said.
He handed me a cigarette and lit one for himself, taking a slow puff. "I want to take a break... I didn't know where to go, so I came to Guangling."
"Why didn't you contact me directly when you came to Guangling?" I asked.
"I hadn't figured things out then..."
"So, have you figured them out now?" I looked at him. "Do you even consider me a friend?"
"I do consider you a friend, which is why I didn't want to involve you in some matters."
"For example, are you working for some mysterious organization?"
He froze for a moment, staring at me. "You know everything?"
"Not much," I said, looking at him. "Last time in Bianhai, you leaked An Ying's whereabouts, didn't you? Are you in league with the people targeting An Ying?"
Ever since I learned more about An Ying, I felt increasingly that something was amiss with Wang Yang.
The tattoos on him were fake, and his background was also fake. His purpose in finding An Ying was real.
Last time in Bianhai, I felt something was off, but I didn't think too much about it.
Thinking back now, Wang Yang and I splitting up clearly meant he had other motives.
"Actually..." Wang Yang took a deep breath. "I'm sort of with them, but not really."
This answer confused me. He continued, "There are some things I still can't tell you..."
"So, have you found An Ying yet?" I asked.
He nodded. "She goes by Zheng Shuxuan now, and she's in Qinnan."
"Then you..."
"The organization has reached some kind of agreement with her now, so..."
"So you're done with your work? And you came to Guangling?" I asked.
Wang Yang nodded.
"What does your organization do?" I asked.
"No comment," Wang Yang replied.
I waved my hand. "Fine, if you don't want to say."
Knowing that Zheng Shuxuan was no longer in danger, I felt a sense of relief.
"Xiao Fei, this matter is far more complicated than you think. I hope that no matter what happens in the future, you will try not to get too involved with that woman," Wang Yang said.
"Then why did you tell me so much about her back then?" I looked at Wang Yang thoughtfully.
He gave a wry smile. "What I told you about her back then was my own idea."
"Then why did you tell me so much?"
"Because I felt that the more you knew, the more it would benefit my search for that woman... My assumption was later confirmed," Wang Yang said.
"Did you know that I met her in Guangbei?" I asked.
Wang Yang was startled. "You met?"
I nodded. "And she even asked me for help..."
I briefly explained the matter of Shuiyue Guanyin to him. After listening, Wang Yang pondered for a moment. "You cannot have any more contact with her..."
"Why?"
"You have no idea how dangerous she is!"
"Dangerous?" I smiled. "Compared to her, I find you more dangerous. At least she told me about her affairs, while you... I still know nothing about you."
Wang Yang took a deep breath. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but this matter is not as simple as you think. Do you really think I'm just a member of some mysterious organization? It's not as simple as you imagine..."
As he spoke, he looked up at the darkening sky. "This world is not as simple as you think..."
He patted my shoulder. "Xiao Fei, let's not discuss this matter anymore. If you consider me a friend, then I hope you'll take my advice and try not to get involved in that woman's affairs anymore."
Seeing his earnest plea, I sighed. "We'll see..."
I glanced at my watch. "It's almost time for dinner. Let's go, let's have New Year's Eve dinner together."
Wang Yang hesitated. I impatiently pulled him up. "Stop dawdling."
When I brought Wang Yang to Hong Yunpeng's house, Hong Yunpeng was a bit surprised and asked why Wang Yang had come to Guangling.
I made up an excuse, saying I had invited him.
During the New Year's Eve dinner, Hong Yunpeng was in high spirits. He drank glass after glass, and eventually, he got drunk and kept thanking me.
As the clock struck midnight, I knew a new year had begun...