War Photographer's Notebook

"Don't worry, Tassie, there's no need for me to leave France with this precious pocket watch, because it's not mine at all."

In Taxi's studio, Wei Ran started telling lies, "This is a clue item I received from an investigation commission. I took it out just to see if I could get any key information from you. "

“So that’s how it is”

Tassie breathed a sigh of relief, and then said dissatisfiedly, "Even if it's not yours, Victor, you should at least find a box to put it in. If dust or cloth fibers are allowed to enter the movement, it will seriously affect the movement." "

"I'll pay attention next time," Wei Ran said perfunctorily with a sincere look. Next time? Why don’t you come next time!

Seeing that Taxi wanted to say something else, Weiran took off the Soviet mechanical watch from his wrist and handed it to him, "Taxi, how about you help me take care of this watch by the way?"

Seemingly sensing that Wei Ran didn't want to discuss the pocket watch, Taxi changed the topic after taking the watch that still had Wei Ran's body temperature. She sat on the edge of the workbench again and started working while saying, "You Why do you have so many antiques on you?”

"I am a historian"

Wei Ran responded matter-of-factly, as if it was natural for a historian to have his body covered with various antiques.

Seeing Taxi smile and start working, Wei Ran also walked into the bathroom of the studio, checked it while peeing, then turned on the faucet and washed his hands, took out the food box and threw away the Queen's pocket watch. Go in.

Next, Taxi, who was busy helping Wei Ran maintain his watch, fell into a quiet busyness, but the street outside the window became more and more lively, and finally the entire street was blocked.

Seeing that Taxi was probably too busy for a while, Wei Ran simply sat down again and picked up the sword. Then he found a large magnifying glass from Taxi's workbench and observed it carefully.

From the appearance and shape, the only thing he could see that was wrong was that the materials of the guard, grip, and scabbard did not match the known historical records, and the engravings on the sword had no precedent in previous historical records.

If it weren't for his trust in Matthew's parents and his clear knowledge that the other party had no need to lie to him, he would almost directly classify the sword as a fake.

It was precisely because of his trust in Matthew's parents that he felt more and more awkward.

In short, this sword gave him the feeling of being a rice bowl passed down from his family and used by Lafayette, but the bottom label said "for microwave use only".

Pulling out the slender and beautiful sword blade again, Wei Ran tried to scrape the edge with his fingertips. The thick touch proved that the blade was not sharp.

This makes sense, after all, this thing is not a bayonet for fighting, but a "ceremonial instrument", just a "look" used to symbolize status.

But who would take such a weapon to the Antarctic?

Before considering this issue, it is necessary to first explore the question of whether anyone from Germany visited Antarctica during World War II.

The answer is undoubtedly yes, three times. At least according to the orthodox historical records known to Weiran, in order to obtain whale oil and spermaceti oil, which were extremely important during World War II, Germany sent a third mission as early as 1938 to 39 at the beginning of World War II. The expedition occupied Norway's whaling station and part of its "territory" in Antarctica.

As for what happens after that, it will naturally be settled.

So back to the original question, who would take such a piece of equipment to Antarctica? What's the point of bringing this thing with me? You can't use it to have a fencing duel with a penguin, right?

Wei Ran, who was successfully amused by his absurd idea, re-sheathed the beautiful toothpick in his hand and placed it back in the long wooden box lined with velvet.

After a slightly long wait, Taxi handed the maintained watch to Weiran, "It seems we have to wait. Before the parade outside ends, we have to go through the parade crowd to leave here. Okay, considering you have that pocket watch on you, I think it’s better for us to be more cautious. This is District 10 after all, and security has never been very good."

"It's ok"

Wei Ran had already opened the door as he spoke, "Let's leave quickly. If I remember correctly, Kou Kou is going to take us to your school today?"

Hearing this, Taxi opened her mouth, and finally left the studio. After locking the door, she walked downstairs and replied, "It does happen. If you don't tell me, I will forget it. I also promised her to help." I'm going to be a driver for a day. Victor, when you follow me later, be sure to hold on to your pocket watch at all times."

"Do not worry"

Wei Ran responded nonchalantly. The pocket watch was already lying in the food box. If it could be stolen, he would not have to worry. The metal book with the missing Dade would not allow it to be slapped in the face. .

When the two of them came down from upstairs and left through the side door with a security door, they discovered that the Kung Fu Parade jewelry store had been temporarily closed for a while. , each also set up a table as if they were paying tribute, with several boxes of cheap mineral water and some equally cheap snacks such as biscuits and bread on them.

Under the leadership of Taxi, Wei Ran held the long box with the sword in his arms and passed the men and women holding rainbow flags, and then passed through the Chinese restaurant selling pig's trotter rice on the other side of the road. A small alley, taking a shortcut to another street.

There are still people marching here, and even the theme has changed. But looking at the smiles on the faces of those marching people, you can tell that compared to their demands, at least they are in a pretty good mood at this time.

They continued to follow Taxi's cross-parading crowd and walked another hundred or ten meters along the street. When they were about to cross a small alley less than two meters wide, Wei Ran passed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a restaurant that was still open. , saw a familiar face.

After rummaging through his memory, he finally remembered that the man in a suit sitting at the table slowly enjoying French food was actually Herbert who was sent to prison by Katenka!

It’s a long story. A few years ago, he received a commission from Mr. Charlotte from England to search for treasures in the North African desert, and later even met children Monica and Matthew, as well as Tassie beside him.

Later, he even let Katenka rent Gubijing Pasta Restaurant for a temporary stay. The introduction of all this started when the fraudster named Herbert came to the door with an oil drum. At that time, he was working The room is still in Volgograd.

So this guy is out of jail so soon? How many years was he sentenced at that time? Is he planning to defraud someone again?

Although Wei Ran ran through several questions in his mind, he did not stop and only glanced at the person sitting opposite Herbert.

It's him? How come they get mixed up?

When Wei Ran saw another person sitting at the same table, he immediately covered the side of his face with a tickling motion.

Compared to the insignificant role of Herbert, sitting opposite him was Mr. Edward, who also entrusted him to search for treasures in the desert of North Africa.

Even not long ago, he had seen some photos in the photo album that Brighton bought by accident, which were enough to put Edward in the spotlight and slap him on the concrete floor.

Is the world so small? How could this happen?

"Taxi, please go back first."

Wei Ran waited until he passed through the alley and then suddenly said, "I suddenly want to have something to eat at the Chinese restaurant I just passed by."

"Now?"

Taxi, who was dragged away, glanced at Wei Ran in shock, "Are you crazy?"

"Do not worry!"

Wei Ran smiled and said, "I will protect myself, but you have to be careful, the parade on this street has become gay again."

"Victor, this is too dangerous."

Tassie said worriedly, "I'm not talking about those gay guys who are busy walking. I mean, you are alone at this time."

"Do not worry"

Wei Ran waved his hand before the other party finished speaking, "I just met an old friend, and he also saw me, so I planned to go over and say hello."

"Okay." Taxi finally nodded after hesitating again, then opened his satchel, rummaged through it, took out a anti-wolf spray and handed it to Wei Ran, "At least take this, it might I can help you.”

"What about you?"

Wei Ran asked as he took the anti-wolf spray, he would not laugh at Taxi. This anti-wolf spray is not exclusive to women. At certain times, its power is no worse than that of firearms.

"I carry a stun gun with me."

Tassie patted his satchel and whispered, "Every jeweler should have some self-defense weapons, right?"

“You’re right”

Wei Ran patted the other party's shoulder, "Remember to send me a message when you go back, and tell Aurora that I will go back soon."

"be careful"

Taxi gave the same instructions, and then passed through the rainbow flags crowding the streets and disappeared from Wei Ran's sight.

"It's time to satisfy your curiosity"

Wei Ran murmured to himself, turned around and went back into the alley, and at the same time took out a baseball cap from his pocket and put it on his face.

Wei Ran walked into the restaurant with his face covered as he pretended to be on the phone. He chose a booth not too far away from Herbert and Edward and sat down. He casually ordered some food, then lowered his head and leaned to the side. Listening to the conversation between the two men.

Unfortunately, because of the noisy crowd outside the restaurant, there were not many words that he could hear clearly. Among the few words, there were a few that made him particularly concerned - "catch that child", "Revenge" and "That thing must be in his hands."

Almost subconsciously, he automatically added "little Matthew", "a certain historian who sent Herbert to prison" and the sword in his arms for these keywords.

No, no, no

Wei Ran secretly shook his head. He was sure that Katenka's plan to send Herbert to prison would not be revealed, and Herbert would not know who had tricked him.

Since there is no such prerequisite, it is impossible for him to kidnap Matthew.

As for "revenge", it depends on who made trouble when he was imprisoned.

But the "thing like that" they mentioned at the end made him inevitably think of the sword in his arms again.

It can't really be for this sword.

Wei Ran muttered secretly. Although he knew that it might not be big, he felt that it would be better to make some arrangements in advance, especially Taxi's nonchalant attitude towards the sword before, which inevitably made him doubt whether it was because of this gift. Before it was given to him, someone from the reinforcement company already knew about the existence of this sword.

With this in mind, he took out his mobile phone and used the cover of his shirt to connect it to the authenticator and sent a message and accompanying location to Anfiya. Then he enjoyed the delicious French food on the table with peace of mind.

Not long after, the Hela girl who was lurking in the parade jewelry store and another girl Wei Ran had never seen walked into the restaurant talking and laughing. After making some selections, they sat at a table not far from the store door. , casually ordered a few dishes, and while chatting about the handsome guy they just met at the parade and the evening's arrangements, they took out their small mirrors and were busy touching up their makeup.

Seeing this, Wei Ran also drank the glass of red wine he ordered, put down a few banknotes and stood up quietly without attracting anyone's attention, and left the restaurant with confidence.

As for what happens next, he just needs to wait for the email.

It took more than half an hour to leave the neighborhood where the parade was held, and Wei Ran was already in a taxi when he received a call from Taxi.

At the same time, Edward and Herbert also finished their meal and left the restaurant. However, the two girls sitting not far from the door did not get up. Instead, they called the waiter when they passed by. , and ordered an extra bottle of champagne.

When Wei Ran took a taxi back to the downstairs of Kou Kou's luxury apartment, Kou Kou's housekeeper Tan Tu had been waiting at the elevator entrance for a long time.

"Koko took everyone to her school to play."

Tantu said as he led Wei Ran into the elevator, "Taxi also went with us. He is our driver."

"Tassie told me"

Wei Ran nodded, "I'm going to change clothes, and then we'll go find them. By the way, Tantu, do Monica, Taxi, and Matthew come here often?"

“Tassie doesn’t come here often”

Tantu explained while swiping his card to let the elevator go up, "He is a workaholic. In addition to attending classes, he spends most of his time hiding in the studio lent to him by Kou Kou. He also helps Kou Kou process some things.

Frankly speaking, Kou Kou is very talented in jewelry design, but her hands-on ability and patience are really a headache. Thanks to Taxi's paid help, otherwise Kou Kou might not even be able to complete her homework. "

"Ability is also ability"

Wei Ran muttered something in Chinese that Tantu couldn't understand, and then asked jokingly, "So Taxi is pursuing Kou Kou?"

"What makes you think so?"

Tantu shook his head helplessly, "Don't say that Monica doesn't agree to share Taxi with Koko, I'm afraid Aniya will not tolerate the emergence of Tasi as a competitor, even if Koko treats her and him as nothing more than friends. Extra goodwill."

"Monica and Tassie?"

"Don't you think they are like a family?"

Tan Tu led Wei Ran out of the elevator and said, "When I first saw them, I thought they and Matthew were a family of three."

"You said it does sound like it." Wei Ran smiled, "So Monica comes here often?"

"She is far more popular than Aniya"

Tantu explained with a smile, "Koko likes Monica's cooking skills very much, and Koko's grandfather Mr. Dominic also gets along well with Matthew. So soon after Koko became friends with Monica, Invited her and Matthew to move here.”

"So Matthew always lives here?" Wei Ran finally asked before walking into his and Suisui's bedroom.

"certainly"

Tantu nodded, "Most of the time, Monica will pick up Matthew after school, and then they will rush over together. Occasionally, they will visit Taxi's studio."

"Thank you, I'll change some clothes first, and then we'll set off."

Wei Ran took the initiative to end the topic, walked into the bedroom, closed the door, and threw the sword into his and Suisui's suitcases.

Immediately afterwards, he took out several pistols from the metal book one by one, either depressing the hammer, or loading the bullet and releasing the safety, and was ready to fire at any time - even if it was probably not necessary at all. superior.