Uncle Hong was astonished to hear that I had become a shareholder of Anyuantang.
He even said he never expected to work for Anyuantang again in his lifetime.
It seemed he truly had feelings for Anyuantang.
Hong Yunpeng asked me what I would do next. I said, "Brother Hong, don't forget that we still have a shop in Hongyuan."
He pouted, "How can that small shop compare to Anyuantang?"
I leaned into his ear and said, "Why can't it? You'll be in charge of the Hongyuan shop from now on. If you receive any good items, you can have Anyuantang send people to appraise them, and you can even have Anyuantang sell them. As for the price, it's all up to you."
After I said that, he glanced at Uncle Hong, who was organizing things not far away, then winked at me conspiratorially. He was overjoyed.
I patted his shoulder, "Brother Hong, don't worry about the Hongyuan shop. We'll split it the same way we always have."
"Xiao Fei, you're still so smart!" Hong Yunpeng praised.
I was unsure whether to laugh or cry. If you went to Anyuantang, you'd have to work under your own father, wouldn't you be completely controlled?
No matter how small the Hongyuan shop was, you were the one in charge. How much money you made would depend on your say, and you'd still be free and unrestrained.
It was just a pity that such a simple logic needed me to explain it for him to understand.
"How long will you be gone this time?" Hong Yunpeng asked.
"I'm not sure. Finding someone, who knows how long that will take? If we're lucky, we'll meet them as soon as we get there. If we're unlucky, it might take several months."
"How about I go with you?"
I said, "That's not necessary. It's not a big deal, and I'll need you to do something for me while you're in Guangling."
"Whatever it is, just say the word."
"Brother Hong, the house we lived in, doesn't it have a safe inside?" I asked.
Hong Yunpeng nodded.
"You have to help me keep an eye on that safe."
"What's inside?"
I said, "Something very valuable."
Upon hearing that, he immediately nodded, "Don't worry, as long as I'm alive, that safe won't be lost!"
I laughed, "It's not that dramatic. As long as you're living there, it should be fine. Also, go buy a mobile phone so we can contact each other."
"I've already bought one, it hasn't arrived yet," Hong Yunpeng said with a smile. "It's the newly released Siemens 6688. They say it can even play music. How about I order one for you too?"
I forced a smile, "No need. This one I'm using is quite handy. When the phone arrives, remember to call me."
"Alright!"
After packing my things, when I arrived at the train station in the evening, Song Bing was already waiting for me.
His luggage was as simple as mine, just a backpack.
We ate something at the train station and then boarded the train.
Song Bing didn't talk much, but he would answer if asked anything.
"Brother Song, I see you have quite good martial arts. Where did you learn them?"
"My father sent me to the Shaolin Temple when I was a child. I stayed there for many years."
I was a little surprised, "So, does that mean your skills are all Shaolin martial arts?"
He smiled, "You could say that. Later, while working for President Wu, I also learned a lot of Taekwondo and Muay Thai. I learned quite a variety."
"How many people can you fight alone?" I asked curiously.
He thought for a moment, "If they were ordinary people, I should be able to handle seven or eight, depending on the situation, of course."
Good heavens, he could fight seven or eight people?
Instantly, I felt much more at ease. It seemed Wu Tingxiu made a wise choice sending Song Bing with me.
While we were chatting, a voice sounded, "Beer, drinks, mineral water, peanuts, melon seeds, mixed grains porridge... Come, please tuck in your legs..."
This was a common shout from the attendants selling things on the train. It wasn't strange in itself, but the voice was too familiar.
Almost the moment I heard the voice, I thought of someone.
Just as I turned my head, a guy in a tracksuit and a baseball cap leaned in front of me, winking at me, as if to say: It's me, didn't expect it, did you?
I really didn't expect it!
Bai Hanyan plopped down next to me, and even Song Bing was momentarily stunned.
"How did you get here?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Why can't I be here?" Bai Hanyan replied.
"But..." I didn't know what to say for a moment.
Bai Hanyan unceremoniously picked up a bag of peanuts from the table, peeled one, and popped it into her mouth, "When I went to find you this afternoon, I saw you carrying a bag and I thought you might be going out, so I followed Hong Yunpeng's car all the way to the train station..."
"And then you bought a ticket and got on the train?" I asked.
She nodded, "Mmm. I just didn't expect you to go to Yanjing without telling me."
"Did you tell your dad?"
"Why would I tell him about going to Yanjing?" Bai Hanyan said dismissively. "I go to Yanjing often. I know that place better than you do."
As she spoke, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "What are you going to Yanjing for?"
"Of course, we have business."
"What business?"
"Looking for someone."
"Looking for someone in Yanjing and you're not taking me? Xiang Fei, Xiang Fei, you're really something."
"Why would I take you to look for someone?" I was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Bai Hanyan said, "My mother is from Yanjing. Ever since she separated from my dad, she's been living in Yanjing. I grew up in Yanjing, you could say."
I blinked. I didn't expect this girl to be from Yanjing.
Then I thought, with her as a guide, things would be much easier. Besides, this time we're just looking for someone, not tomb raiding, so there's no risk.
Thinking this, I smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you this time?"
She nudged me with her shoulder, "What's between us?"
This girl didn't have any feminine charm about her at all. It didn't matter, anyway, I wasn't going to get involved with her.
With Bai Hanyan, the journey on the train was certainly less boring.
Upon arriving in Yanjing, under Bai Hanyan's guidance, we went to a hotel. I thought she would go back to her place, but she insisted on staying with us, saying she didn't want her mother to know she was in Yanjing.
It wasn't my money, so I didn't feel bad. Thus, I got her a room.
I hadn't checked how much money Wu Tingxiu had put in my card yet, but I estimated it wouldn't be a small amount. After all, she was so wealthy, she wouldn't be stingy when sending me out on business.
That night, we rested well. The next day, I suggested we first visit some of the places Yang Hanxue had lived in, to try our luck.
Bai Hanyan led the way the entire time. I have to say, she was truly an "Yanjing expert." However, her mouth never stopped moving along the way. She would introduce this road, then talk about that alley, being more dedicated than a tour guide...