After telling Hong Yunpeng about accompanying Wu Tingxiu, he kept asking where I was going, as if afraid that Wu Tingxiu would abduct me.
"Brother Hong, don't worry, I'm all grown up. Where can she take me?" I forced a smile. "Besides, why would she want me to go with her? It's nothing more than wanting me to help her appraise treasures. What trouble could appraising treasures cause?"
Hong Yunpeng thought for a moment. "That's true... But what about the shop when you're gone?"
I chuckled. "Aren't you here? We just acquired a celadon-glazed porcelain cup. You can find someone to sell it later. The money from that should be enough for us to get by for a while."
"Alas, but with you gone, I feel a bit uneasy. You know I don't know anything about appraising treasures. If any good items come our way, what should I do?" Hong Yunpeng said.
"It's fine, you can ask Uncle Hong to come and help check things out. If worst comes to worst, you can call me," I said.
"Alright, I know what to do," Hong Yunpeng said, then thought of something. "How long will you be gone?"
"I can't say for sure yet, but it looks like I won't be back anytime soon," I replied.
Hong Yunpeng nodded, looking reluctant.
At this moment, Wang Yang, who had been silent, suddenly said, "I'll go with you."
When I heard this, I was stunned. "You're going with me?"
He nodded. "Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble. We can just look out for each other."
"It's just that I don't know if Wu Tingxiu will agree to it," I said.
"What's there to disagree about? She needs your help now, not the other way around," Wang Yang said. "Just tell her that if I don't go, you won't go either."
I looked at Wang Yang, unsure of what to do.
Compared to Wu Tingxiu, I naturally trusted Wang Yang more. Although we hadn't known each other for long, we had basically been together during this period, and we had gone through so many things together. I knew Wang Yang was quite trustworthy.
If he went with me, I would naturally feel more at ease. However, I was determined to find Suihou Zhu this time. What if Wu Tingxiu didn't agree?
As I hesitated, Wang Yang took out his phone and called someone.
"Hello, Ms. Wu... This is Wang Yang... Xiang Fei mentioned you're asking him to accompany you out of town for some business?... Yes, I mean I'll accompany him... Okay... Alright..."
I was a little dazed. Seeing him hang up the phone, he grinned at me and said, "Done. Wu Tingxiu didn't say anything."
"She agreed?"
Wang Yang nodded.
This guy was truly impatient, but it was good this way. At least this time I wasn't going alone.
The next day, Wu Tingxiu informed me to get ready to depart the day after tomorrow.
Before leaving, I went to that old house on the outskirts.
When I arrived at this place again, I didn't climb over the wall. Instead, I used the tools I brought to pry open the lock of the large iron gate.
This place was very likely bought by Sister Ying, otherwise, she wouldn't have left such a large box of money here.
When I left that day, I was careful. I placed a branch on the glass door inside the house. That branch was still there, indicating that no one had been here during this period.
Looking at the yard covered in dead leaves, I thought that since the place was empty anyway, it might as well be tidied up and moved into. Although it was a bit far, the space was larger, and I could also guard the safe.
Speaking of that safe, it gave me a headache.
With so much money, I didn't even dare to touch it. The main reason was that I didn't know where this money came from. I was afraid that if I used it, I would get into trouble, which would outweigh the benefits.
Now I wasn't short of money, and I didn't need to touch the money in the box at all.
In the afternoon, I found a locksmith to replace the lock on the large iron gate and then called Wang Yang and Hong Yunpeng to come over.
"Xiao Fei, where did you get this house?" Hong Yunpeng asked as soon as he entered.
"I rented it," I said.
"You rented it?"
I nodded. "The houses in the community are too small. This house is bigger, and it will be convenient for the three of us to live here in the future, so we don't have to squeeze together."
"How much is this house per month?"
"Um... not expensive, it's quite cheap anyway."
"It doesn't look like an expensive house..." Hong Yunpeng looked around. "How long has this house been abandoned? Is it still habitable?"
"I've seen it. Although it's a bit old, it's fine to live in. Once it's cleaned up and some furniture is brought in, it will be basically habitable."
Hong Yunpeng nodded. "Then why did you call us here?"
"Of course, to help with the cleaning," I said.
Both of them showed reluctant expressions upon hearing this.
I couldn't be bothered with them. Without a word, I handed them the brooms and buckets I had prepared. We worked from past two in the afternoon until eight in the evening before the house was cleaned.
During this time, both of them discovered the safe in the storage room. I simply told them directly that I had bought the safe to store some antiques.
I had specifically gone to a place that sold safes to check. It was the latest model.
Hong Yunpeng didn't say anything, only thinking that I was thoughtful. Wang Yang, however, looked at the safe with a rather meaningful expression.
The next day, we went to the furniture market and bought some furniture. Soon, the old house was renovated and looked brand new.
I handed the key to Hong Yunpeng and told him to move in directly. He was quite happy and insisted on moving that day.
I knew he felt uncomfortable living with Uncle Hong. After all, as young people, it was inevitable to find elders nagging and talking too much when living with them.
And so, three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning that day, Wang Yang and I went to the train station with our backpacks. Wu Tingxiu and Bai Hanyan were already there when we arrived.
There were a total of six people in our group. Besides the four of us, Wu Tingxiu had brought two burly men.
Those two men looked rough and were clearly not to be trifled with. One was bald, and the other had a crew cut.
I didn't know what these two had done before, but their hands were calloused. Moreover, I noticed that their arms and calves had many scars.
After getting on the train, I learned that we were going to Yuncheng.
From Guangling to Yuncheng was not a short distance. The train journey would take three days and two nights.
Fortunately, Wu Tingxiu had bought sleeper berths, so apart from being a bit boring, the journey wasn't too arduous.
When we had nothing to do, Wang Yang and I would chat at the junction of the carriages.
However, every time we got into a lively conversation, Bai Hanyan would always come over and say some irrelevant things, which really annoyed me.