It's been over a month since I arrived in Guangbei, and I never expected to stay this long.
Aside from Wu Tingxiu, the person who called me the most was Bai Hanyan. That girl would ask me every day when I was returning to Guangling.
I knew she was probably bored in Guangling again and wanted me to come back and play with her.
Tomorrow is the day of the Guanggu Association's presidential election. Once tomorrow passes, I believe everything should be over.
As for what Liu Zaixi hid and how she planned to deal with the four great families, the results would likely be revealed tomorrow.
I sat on the sofa watching television, while Fatty was beside me, cracking sunflower seeds and holding a book without a cover.
I asked him what book it was, and he replied helplessly, "I don't know what book it is. My master gave it to me and told me to read it more when I have time."
I curiously leaned over and found that it was all about regulating qi and similar things. My interest quickly waned.
"Brother Xiang, when are we going back to Yanjing?" Fatty asked.
"What for?"
Fatty sighed and said, "What else? Of course, to see my master. He told me that if I don't visit him once every two months, he'll expel me from the sect."
Regarding Fatty's cheap master, I felt a headache coming on.
"By the way, what did you learn from Old Man Kong before?" I asked.
Fatty smiled slyly and said, "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed. My master said that our sect's knowledge must not be leaked. If you really want to know, why don't you come with me to Yanjing next time, and let my master have a good chat with you?"
"We'll see," I replied.
Around six in the evening, Song Bing went out to buy food. When he returned, he told me someone was waiting for me downstairs.
I walked to the balcony and looked down. I saw Yan Yuhe standing by a car, wearing a brown trench coat, holding something in her hand.
Seeing this, I quickly went downstairs.
"Brother Xiang," Yan Yuhe greeted me with a smile.
Seeing her expression, I asked, "Judging by your demeanor, you should be out of trouble, right?"
She grinned and nodded, "The votes have already passed the halfway mark. There shouldn't be any more problems during the election tomorrow, only the White Dragon Jade Horse..."
Before she could finish, I said, "I've already made arrangements. I'll have someone deliver the White Dragon Jade Horse to your place later."
"Thank you very much then."
"No need for thanks. Where's what I want?" I asked.
She handed me the file bag she was holding, but as I reached for it, she pulled it back.
I frowned and looked at her. She calmly asked, "Brother Xiang, will we meet again?"
"Why do you suddenly ask that?"
She looked a bit guilty and said, "I know I went too far this time, but I was truly forced. I don't expect you to understand, but I really don't want there to be any misunderstanding between us."
I said, "If that's truly how you feel, you should give me the memoirs quickly."
She smiled and handed me the file again, this time not retracting it. I grabbed it, feeling a sense of relief.
"Are we still friends?" she asked again.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Seeing my nod, she gave a knowing smile. "You still have my phone number, right?"
"Yes."
"Then remember to call me when you have time."
After saying this, Yan Yuhe turned and got into her car.
Watching her leave, I felt an indescribable feeling. Although this woman had gone back on her word, making me lose favor with her, she ultimately fulfilled her promise.
I just don't know if she can still hold on when she realizes that everything she's done is in vain.
Liu Zaixi had planned and schemed for so many years. I believe she must have a high chance of success, otherwise, she wouldn't have revealed herself to me.
Recalling her experiences, and now seeing Yan Yuhe's situation, I can't help but sigh: when will the cycle of revenge ever end?
As an observer, I can feel this way, but as one of the parties involved, I'm not so calm.
Returning upstairs, I locked myself in my room and took out the memoirs from the folder.
These few pages of memoirs were the ones that had been torn out before, and the dates matched.
This memoir was a record of exchanges between Yan Hongguang and someone named "Old Chen."
At first, their communication records were mostly about antique appraisal, with a touch of academic exchange.
As I continued reading, my father's name appeared.
From the memoir, it seemed that "Old Chen" knew my father, and their relationship was not ordinary.
In my memory, I never heard my father mention having any friends.
I continued reading.
"Old Xiang has given up pursuing that matter. He's staying in his hometown and not coming out. I guess he's given up..."
Reading these words recorded by Old Chen, I fell into contemplation.
From the memoir, it could be inferred that Old Chen and Yan Hongguang were close friends who talked about everything.
And Old Chen seemed to be a partner to my father; they appeared to be investigating something.
In the memoir, Yan Hongguang repeatedly advised Old Chen not to continue investigating "that matter" to avoid trouble.
Old Chen also seemed unwilling to continue the investigation, but due to family pressure, he had to force himself to proceed.
"Xiang Tian must be hiding something from me. He must have known something back then, but it looks like he won't tell anyone. I'm not worried about myself now, but I'm afraid those people will go after him..."
This section was Old Chen's account, while Yan Hongguang advised Old Chen not to get involved in the matter.
Just as I was wondering what "that matter" they were referring to, the discussion about my father ended there.
Holding the memoirs in my hand, I took a deep breath.
Who was this "Old Chen"?
What was his relationship with my father?
And what was "that matter"?
Who were the people mentioned in their memoir, and what did they do?
Innumerable questions flooded my mind again, all pointing to one person: "Old Chen"!
It seemed that if I could find him, these questions would be answered.
But now Yan Hongguang was in a coma. How could I find out who this "Old Chen" was?
It seemed I had to go find Yan Yuhe again.
I just didn't know if she knew who this Old Chen was.
Regardless, I finally had a clue now, which was much better than knowing nothing before.
As long as I find this Old Chen, I should be able to clarify what my father did back then.
Thinking this, I took a deep breath, squeezed my nose, feeling a mix of complexity and relief.