War Photographer's Notebook

In the large yard beside Kaban Lake, Wei Ran, who had hung up the video call, picked up the spray gun again and carefully burned the little suckling pig in preparation for the evening dinner.

Directly opposite the lake, in the public parking lot where Lola and her aunt used binoculars to peek at the villa, a van was parked in the parking space closest to the lake and located in the corner of the parking lot.

Inside the van, which was covered with privacy film, there was an astronomical telescope, quietly aimed at the mansion across the lake through the window at the rear of the van.

But it was obvious that the courtyard wall covered with Lingxiao flowers and the fruit trees planted inside the wall almost blocked the telescope's entire view of the courtyard.

But even so, the mirrorless camera fixed on the telescope was still under the control of the blond middle-aged man sitting in the driver's seat, taking a few meaningless photos from time to time.

If you take the driver of this van out of the cab and take off his fisherman hat and mask. Wei Ran might be able to recognize him at a glance. He was the man who eavesdropped on the conversation in the hotel lobby in Kiev.

It's admirable to think about it. Going deep into the heart of Russia alone to monitor a suspected Chinese historian at close range. Even if nothing is discovered in the end, as long as he returns alive, it is already a huge credit.

At least, that's what the American elite who arrived in Kazan just two days ago thought. Even in his boundless imagination, he began to wonder whether he would rewrite his memoirs based on this experience when he became rich in the future.

Of course, even though he came, he really didn't expect to find anything at all. In today's era of rapid technological advancement, monitoring has long been no longer so troublesome.

Not to mention anything else, the idiot partner who was still in Kiev had already hacked into Carlos’ lawyer’s mobile phone and computer before Weiran left Kiev.

Because of this, he also heard and saw clearly the conversation between Wei Ran and Carlos.

And even so, he still took risks here to take these photos that were of no value at all, and even took risks to go to the library to have a cup of coffee.

The reason is just to come to the hinterland of Russia to "build a reputation" and prove that he has "paid, worked hard, and conducted in-depth investigations."

Of course, as a monitored health hazard. In fact, he clearly knew that someone was staring at him across the lake. Speaking of which, this is also thanks to Lola's "invasion" back then.

Since catching this little girl with a bun face who occasionally gets confused, Anfiya has "donated" a high-definition surveillance system to the parking lot across the lake with the help of Ji Ma's gangster friends.

Because of this, Wei Ran has been cooperating with the performance at home for the camera across the lake these days.

As for exchanging this American for "Russian 50", it is really not necessary. Anyway, it looks like there will be no less meat. If he is really caught, it will cause unnecessary trouble and attention.

That evening, when Suisui returned to the yard with her employees after finishing her work, Master Wei, who had been busy all afternoon, had already roasted the suckling pig according to the recipe until it was charred on the outside and tender on the inside.

Not only that, there are also a large pot of braised pork and a large pot of wood-fired rice simmering in several cast-iron stoves nearby.

Naturally, this holiday party will not only have these two dishes and so many people.

Not far away, the Hassa meat dishes cooked by Jima and Maya had just come out of the oven. Jima's parents shoveled the freshly baked bread and various large meat skewers out of the kiln they built with their own hands. .

When Ji Ma took out the birch sap he brought from home from the refrigerator, the library's security chief Greva also rushed over with a dozen boys carrying several boxes of rare tropical fruits.

Nowadays, Greva's tropical fruit business is getting bigger and bigger. They have customers not only in Kazan, but also in Volgograd and Yeburg and even more distant Petersburg and Irkutsk.

When all the fruits were cut by the wizard housekeeper, Mrs. Samantha, and served on the table, another bus drove into the large courtyard of the library.

When the car door opened, teachers Culp and Anna from the Hongqi Forest Farm also got out of the car with the senior students from the studio, bringing gifts and their respective boyfriends to join the lively party where the bonfire had just been lit.

Compared to the bustle on the west bank of Lake Kaban, the parking lot on the east bank of the lake was much deserted. Even the middle-aged blond man who came to gain experience left the parking lot alone after the sun went down and took a taxi to his hotel. Hotel, come back early the next morning and continue pretending.

In the large courtyard that turned into an open-air disco dance floor, Wei Ran also told Suisui to Suisui that he was planning to go to Brighton again on the 4th, and also extended an invitation to Suisui while playing slightly manic music.

"I don't have time"

Holding a braised pig snout in her hand, Suisui responded loudly at the top of her voice, "We won't have time until the 8th!"

"In that case, I'll go by myself!" Wei Ran, holding a pig tail in his hand, said loudly and vaguely while eating.

"Ask Cinda and Marta to go with you!" Suisui said while swiping the sauce on her fingers.

"Why should I take them two with me?" Wei Ran said subconsciously.

"You don't know English, so it's good to have them both as translators!"

Suisui explained loudly and naturally, "And if there is any danger, they can still save you!"

"I"

Before Wei Ran could say anything, Suisui added loudly, "And taking them both will save you the trouble of secretly going to dangerous places!"

"You are not afraid."

"Are you that brave? If Kamei hadn't been busy with something, I would have asked them to follow you."

Suisui was obviously extremely confident that Wei Ran would not engage in any nonsense. Instead, she added jokingly, "And the presence of the two of them is in line with the setting of a scumbag historian like you."

Knowing that this girl was looking for two human-shaped cameras to monitor her, Wei Ran could only nod helplessly in the end, agreeing to the other party's arrangement.

"Victor is really enviable," Jima, who was not far away, said with envy, holding a large glass of birch sap in one hand and a pig's trotter in the other.

"Or may I also arrange two beautiful girls for you?" Maya, who was also holding pig trotters and a drink, asked with a smile.

"Forget it, I'm not a scumbag like Victor."

Ji Matian shamelessly said a lie that even Beria, who was picking up leftovers, didn't believe it, and not surprisingly received a pair of sarcastic big eye rolls from Maya in response.

Time flew by on the 4th, at nine o'clock in the morning, Lu Xinda, who had obtained her driver's license a few months ago, drove Weiran's armored pickup truck, pulled Weiran, accompanying Marta, and the luggage of the three of them to the airport carefully. , preparing to take a flight to the UK.

At the same time, the middle-aged blond man who had been monitoring Weiran for a week across Lake Kaban also threw the telescope he bought into the trash can, drove his car to the airport, and took another flight to France and prepare to transfer there to return to Kiev.

As for Wei Ran, the Chinese scholar who spends his days surrounded by women has no right to continue wasting the precious time of an American elite.

When the flight took off, Wei Ran asked Marta, who was sitting next to him, "Are you still adapting to life during this time?"

"It's very real and very illusory, like a dream."

Marta looked at the tablet in her hand that stored dozens of frontline videos and said, "But just like Aurora promised, I did help my companions on the frontline."

"It's good that I didn't let you down," Wei Ran said as he put on a mask and hat to cover his face.

"What are we going to do with you this time? Or translate?" Marta asked, changing the subject.

"What did she tell you?" Wei Ran asked with interest.

“Report your itinerary at any time”

Marta shrugged and said without reservation, "If you plan to go somewhere dangerous, let her know as soon as possible, and we will also stop you."

"It seems I'm being watched," Wei Ran said jokingly, while secretly wondering if there were any other eyes staring at him on the plane.

Marta smiled but didn't say anything. She just turned to look at Lu Xinda, who was sitting between the two of them, and continued to be busy tutoring her little partner in spoken Russian.

When the three of them arrived in the UK, lawyer Carlos had been waiting at the airport for a long time.

"Didn't Miss Aurora come with you?" Lawyer Carlos asked in German with a smile, "Is this beautiful girl your new female companion?"

"Lawyer Carlos, stop making fun of me."

Wei Ran shook hands with the other party as usual, and then introduced Marta who appeared as an interpreter to the other party.

Following the greetings, Lawyer Carlos left the airport. When they got into a new Land Rover off-road vehicle, Lawyer Carlos, who got into the passenger seat, also introduced the female driver who looked to be in her 30s. Wei Ran.

"This is Alice, Mrs. Kate's daughter and Mr. Henry's adopted daughter." Attorney Carlos waited for Wei Ran to shake hands with the woman and then introduced the three of them to Wei Ran.

"Mr. Victor is indeed as per the rumors on the Internet."

After getting to know each other, Ms. Alice started the car and left the airport while smiling and speaking in English.

"What rumors?" Wei Ran asked after waiting for Lu Xinda to help translate.

"It is rumored that you are very popular with women."

Alice smiled, and after Lu Xinda finished translating, she continued, "I'm glad that I only have a son and no daughter."

“Rumors kill people.”

Wei Ran pretended to be helpless and murmured something in Chinese. The little girl Lu Xinda also translated this sentence into English uprightly, and as expected, she received good-natured laughter.

After narrowing the distance with jokes, Wei Ran asked about Mr. Henry's situation.

"Already buried"

Seeing that Carlos' lawyer was not prepared to help explain, Alice simply continued, "It will be buried on my family's farm. My mother will be buried there in the future."

"I have a very presumptuous question," Wei Ran said after considering it, and Marta also took over Lu Xinda's translation work at the right time.

"Mr. Victor, just ask," Alice responded calmly. "I wonder how many wives Mr. Henry has had."

When this seemingly insignificant question was euphemistically translated by Marta, Alice smiled helplessly, and then said, "My mother is Mr. Henry's second wife."

"Indeed it is"

Lawyer Carlos took over the topic at the right time and said in German that only Wei Ran could understand, "His first wife is an American and his college classmate. They have two sons and three daughters. "

"So his ex-wife."

"died"

Attorney Carlos replied, "His first wife used to work in a law firm in Building [-] of the World Trade Center, and she and I were colleagues and half colleagues."

"911?" Wei Ran immediately guessed the cause of death.

"Yes, 911"

Lawyer Carlos sighed, “Mr. Henry had served in the Middle East battlefield, and he believed that the death of his first wife was punishment for his participation in the war.

After 911/[-], he began to live alone with their children, gradually became more and more obese, and never tried to find another wife.

It was not until he retired and moved to Brighton that Mr. Henry and Ms. Kate secretly married. Of course, I only found out about him and Ms. Kate a few days ago. "

This.
Wei Ran secretly twitched the corner of his mouth, but became more and more curious about Ms. Kate who took away Henry's first kiss.

However, he did not continue this topic. Instead, he talked about Mr. Henry's life experience after he retired and came to Brighton.

It’s just a pity that not only Carlos’s lawyer didn’t know much about this experience, but even Alice who was driving didn’t know much about it. The last time she saw Henry was when she attended the wedding of her mother and Henry—that The only guests at the wedding were her and her underage son.

Also after that wedding, Alice became Henry's legally adopted daughter, but only legally.

In fact, she spends most of her time working and living in London and taking care of her son alone. She only comes to Brighton during some major holidays.

Especially after her mother secretly married Henry, she almost never came back.

As for Mr. Henry's original statement that the farm had been run by Alice, it was naturally false.

So what exactly is true about Mr. Henry’s mouth?

Wei Ran frowned involuntarily.

When the car arrived in Brighton, Alice did not drive to the farm, nor to the villa where Henry entertained him, Suisui and Lu Xinda. Instead, she drove all the way into a house that was both location and area. It can be called the courtyard of a mansion.

"This is where Mr. Henry lives with my mother."

Alice paused, then added as if to clear the air, "This is my third time here."

"Not far from here, the owner of another villa seems to be a Chinese star." Attorney Carlos waited for Marta to finish translating and then added in German.

Before Wei Ran could say anything, the car stopped in front of the Georgian-style villa.

"Two days ago, this mansion and another villa in a less good location, as well as the farm you may have visited, have been assigned to Ms. Kate's name and are her legal inheritance."

Lawyer Carlos opened the door and got out of the car and said in English, "The reason why I rushed from Kiev to Brighton was because of the call Ms. Alice gave me."

“It was my mother who asked me to contact Carlos’ lawyer.”

Alice, who also pushed the door to get out of the car, explained, "My mother said that Mr. Henry once said more than once that lawyer Carlos helped him solve a lot of troubles and that he was a trustworthy lawyer."

That's not what he said at first
Wei Ran muttered to himself, and with the two translators behind him, he followed Alice into the luxurious villa that only had two floors but covered an absurdly large area.

Under the leadership of Alice, they walked through the hall that could be called magnificent. A silver-haired old lady in plain clothes who did not match the mansion also came down from upstairs.

Next to the old lady, there was a fat man who looked to be in his early ten years, wearing traditional Scottish one-legged pants, and who looked very similar to Harry Potter's cousin.

The little fat man even held a piece of chewed and broken cake in his hand.

"Mr. Victor, I want to talk to you alone." The old lady said in French.

"It seems I don't need a translator," Wei Ran said jokingly in French.

"Alice will take care of your translator, please come with me."

After Mrs. Kate finished speaking, she changed to greetings in English. It was not until Alice walked into the living room on the first floor with Marta, Lucinda and lawyer Carlos that she greeted Wei Ran and him upstairs.

Following Mrs. Kate to a study room on the second floor, the little fat man holding a piece of cake from the boss also diligently brought a set of beautiful tea sets and some refreshments on a tray, and then spoke in a very polite and unfamiliar manner. He said goodbye in French and gently closed the door from the outside.

While Mrs. Kate was making tea, Wei Ran was also looking at the furnishings in the study.

There are not many books on those antique bookshelves, but various antique radio equipment are placed next to each other.

On the desk in the room, there was also a Delir silent carbine that Wei Ran had seen before, and the foldable metal pistol that Wei Ran had seen in the compartment of that classic car. photo frame.

In the corner of the yard outside the window, Mr. Henry's antique truck was parked.

"Come and sit"

Mrs. Kate greeted Wei Ran in a gentle voice. After Wei Ran sat down again, she poured him a cup of black tea and pushed the beautiful-looking tea snacks towards Wei Ran.

"Where should we start talking?"

After Mrs. Kate finished speaking, she slowly picked up her tea cup and took a sip.

"I heard from Lawyer Carlos that you are very concerned about the authenticity of that rescue buoy?" Wei Ran asked the most curious question straight away.

"To be precise, what I'm curious about is why that buoy appeared on that farm."

Mrs. Kate sighed, "Young man, what did Henry tell you when he was alive?"

"That was a few months ago."

Wei Ran said briefly, "Mr. Henry said that when he was 12 years old, he moved to Brighton with his parents, met a playmate named Sean, and was invited to Sean's house during the summer vacation. Play on the farm.”

After a pause, Wei Ran continued, "He said he saw the rescue buoy for the first time on Sean's farm and fell in love with Sean's sister, who took his first kiss."

"What else?" Kate shook her head and asked with a smile.

"At the end of the summer vacation, Mr. Henry left the farm with his parents."

Wei Ran said calmly, "When he came back, Sean and his sister had passed away, and only Sean's sister's daughter and her son were left guarding the farm.

That's pretty much it. In addition, he wanted me to investigate the origin and authenticity of the buoy, and why it appeared on the farm. "

Hearing this, Kate shook her head and said full of memories, "Henry has liked lying since he was a child, and he likes to use lies to deceive everyone who doesn't know the truth, and he has always enjoyed it, and he did not change this bad habit until he had an accident. .”

Sighing softly, Mrs. Kate put down the tea cup, "Young man, this is not the real situation."

"Ms. Kate, I have no intention of prying into the secrets Mr. Henry is trying to hide with lies."

Wei Ran picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and then said in a leisurely manner, "You can also tell me directly what things need me to investigate."

Hearing this, Kate hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Just like Henry expected, help me find out why that buoy appeared on that farm and what happened in that buoy."

"And..." Kate hesitated when she said this.

"Mrs. Kate?"

"and also"

Mrs. Kate looked up at Wei Ran and gritted her teeth and said, "I want to know why my DNA is very closely related to the DNA of the finger preserved in the sugar bowl."

"What did you say?" Wei Ran looked at the other party in surprise.

"My grandfather, the original owner of this farm, told me."

Kate said with some confusion, "Before he died, he told me that the owner of that finger was my real grandfather, and he asked me to keep the buoy."

After saying that, Kate sighed, "But that's all, the old man left forever before he could tell more secrets.

Alice is my and Sean's daughter. She is married to a doctor of medicine. With his help, I used the DNA extracted from my father's bones and that finger to conduct a genetic test, and compared it with my own. DNA was used to test kinship. "

After a slightly long silence, Kate finally said, "That finger matched the DNA extracted from my father's bones, and my father's and my DNA also matched. That finger did come from my grandfather, and we are related by blood." 's grandfather."