Life in siheyuan era

Zhang Limin called and solemnly told Shen Lanbo: "According to the expert group's research, it has been preliminarily determined that this skeleton should be a soldier from the Black Armor Army of the rebel forces at the end of the Ming Dynasty."

"And judging from its armor and weapons, it should be the result of being in an extremely cold place for a long time."

"Here comes a question: Is it the person or the skeleton that stayed in this extremely cold place? How long does it take for a corpse to become a skeleton in an extremely cold place?"

"This issue is an academic question and is irrelevant to this case. The experts went off-topic, so Divine Doctor Xie mentioned the black smoke. When this question was raised, most experts denied it, believing that Zhou Zhiyuan was in a closed passage at the time and in a trance."

"The closed passage was confirmed, but the black smoke was denied by most experts. After the meeting, the chief and I discussed it with Divine Doctor Xie alone. Divine Doctor Xie affirmed it and proposed a hypothesis that the skeleton was likely controlled by some mysterious creature, which is what people call demonic possession."

At this point in Zhang Limin's explanation, Shen Lanbo replied in a deep voice: "This phenomenon is beyond their understanding, so they strongly deny it."

"That's right, the chief also thinks so. Because this matter is too important, the chief decided to report it to ZX truthfully."

Zhang Limin paused slightly before continuing in a deep voice: "The only thing we can do now is find that coordinate."

"Understood," Shen Lanbo replied in a deep voice, and then said: "I also have something to report to you..."

He truthfully recounted what happened at the military hospital and finally said: "Can you ask the chief to slip in a little personal favor when reporting?"

"No," Zhang Limin flatly rejected, but he had another idea, "This matter has become a bit big. Judging from the process of this matter, it's not in line with that person's style."

"We are currently handling this case and need the cooperation of the military. According to the rules, ZX will have the chief report to him. You can gently remind him during the report. After all, it involves the chief's soldiers. It wouldn't be in line with our army's style not to protect our own."

"And he always pays attention to his image. Once reminded, he will stop his wife. This matter should end here."

Zhang Limin expressed his thoughts, and Shen Lanbo breathed a sigh of relief and said briskly: "Don't worry."

"Okay, end the call."

Zhang Limin was very confident in them. After hanging up the phone, he turned to Chief Luo and said: "Thank you for your trouble. Once this matter is resolved, let them focus on their work. With their abilities, they will definitely do it quickly and well."

But Chief Luo frowned and replied: "This is a big trouble."

"This matter is simple," Zhang Limin offered an idea, "Take back their documents, deny that they are your people, and replace them with a few capable individuals."

After offering the idea, he then asked for advice, "Old Chief, there's a question I can't figure out. Why did the black cat and the skeleton target Zhou Zhiyuan?"

A confused expression appeared on Zhang Limin's face, but he received an angry shout from Chief Luo, "Nonsense! Am I such an unrighteous person?"

Hearing this angry shout, Zhang Limin chuckled. Then he heard Chief Luo shout again: "Get out! I need to think carefully."

On that side, Zhang Limin was chased out by Chief Luo; on this side, Shen Lanbo was pondering in silence. Chen Shuying, Fang Nan, and Shen Lanyin were all staring at him.

They didn't know who Shen Lanbo was on the phone with, nor would they ask, but since this matter involved Shen Lanyin, Shen Lanbo needed to explain.

Shen Lanbo was also struggling with this matter. After carefully considering it, he said in a deep voice: "A chief will come forward to remind that big chief, but I don't know what the result will be. We still have to implement the original plan."

Saying this, Shen Lanbo turned to look at Shen Lanyin and slowly said: "Regarding the matter between you and Zhiyuan, I want to make my position clear: I will no longer participate in anything beyond the plan."

"You two are just acting in a play. Zhiyuan understands this, and you also understand this. Just play the part well. When Zhiyuan calls later, I will make this clear, and you two will be relieved."

After saying this, Shen Lanbo turned to Chen Shuying and said: "Mom, I shouldn't have kept it from you, but discipline is discipline. You don't tell your parents or your wife and children. You know the rules."

Seeing Chen Shuying gently nod, Shen Lanbo then said to Fang Nan: "You also know."

Fang Nan also gently nodded.

At this moment, Shen Lanyin spoke up and asked: "Brother, is Zhou Zhiyuan with you?"

Seeing Shen Lanbo gently nod, Shen Lanyin said in a low voice: "I can't ruin your relationship."

At this time, Shen Lanyin felt troubled. She didn't want to break up with Zhou Zhiyuan, at least not yet.

When facing the sudden review by the people from the L Office, she felt a deep sense of loneliness. The past half hour felt like more than half a century. At this moment, Zhou Zhiyuan's shout suddenly came from outside the door, followed by a series of shouts. Hearing his voice, Shen Lanyin suddenly felt no longer alone.

In the next two hours, facing the middle-aged woman's questioning, she was able to maintain a good attitude and answer, constantly thinking, "What would he say?"

She had to try her best to cooperate with Zhou Zhiyuan. Their stories had to be consistent. At this time, she was thinking about the process of their contact, starting from seeing the photo of him and Shen Lanbo a year ago, to their chance encounter in the library, until last night when they watched a movie together. Her answers were almost seamless.

When she heard the middle-aged woman repeat Hao Zhiwen's words, Shen Lanyin suddenly understood why Shen Lanbo didn't trust Hao Zhiwen. At this time, she could frankly say: "I already hinted at him when I said those words. As an unmarried woman, can I say that I like Zhou Zhiyuan?"

Then the middle-aged woman left. At that time, she was extremely worried, wondering what Zhou Zhiyuan's reaction would be when he heard these words?

But this was not the time for her to worry. She tried hard to control her emotions until the person guarding her left and she heard Zhou Zhiyuan's voice coming. Turning her head and seeing that smiling face, she instantly relaxed. Everything was over.

Having gone through this experience, she didn't want to break up with Zhou Zhiyuan. Dating was not the same as marriage. They could date for a while longer.

But she couldn't say these words, but Shen Lanbo, who was responsible for saying these words, didn't say them, so she had to remind him.

At this time, Shen Lanbo reacted, pondered for a while, looked up at her, and then said in a low voice: "You reminded me. Zhiyuan is narrow-minded. If there's a problem between you two, it really could affect the friendship between us."

"So you have to seriously date Zhiyuan, make it clear and get along well. I will make this clear to Zhiyuan."

Shen Lanbo changed his mind, and Shen Lanyin said indifferently: "I'm thinking about your relationship."

Shen Lanbo replied briskly: "Yes, Lanyin is very understanding."

The siblings staged a deception, but the audience was not an outsider. Fang Nan smiled and said: "Dating is not the same as marriage. You can date and see. Whether it's suitable or not can be discussed later."

And Chen Shuying, who had been pondering in silence, finally said: "You two walked hand in hand out of the inpatient building, making it known to everyone. Don't think about anything else now. Your father will also support this idea."

The Shen family's decisions would ultimately be made by Chen Shuying.

At this moment, Zhou Zhiyuan was riding his bicycle through the large and small alleys.

Zhang Limin didn't come back. He muttered a few words into the phone in the guard room, then handed the car keys to the guard for safekeeping, dismounted his bicycle and left.

The two experts who were tracking him were very skilled, but a jeep couldn't turn as easily as a bicycle in the alleys. Zhou Zhiyuan shook them off after riding his bicycle around twice.

Then he sped away from the scene, circled around in these alleys a few more times, and then sped away again. Then he found a pager phone and called Shen Lanbo.

Shen Lanbo was waiting for his call. Hearing the phone ring, he immediately picked up the receiver and heard a lighthearted voice from inside: "Just letting you know, I spent more than an hour shaking off two trackers. What's the situation on your side?"

Shen Lanbo smiled and said: "Good news..."

He couldn't mention the skeleton in front of his family, so he only mentioned the news of Chief Luo coming forward.

Hearing this news, Zhou Zhiyuan was happy and casually said: "Now we can study how to wrap things up. It's the same old way, you make the plan and I execute it."

Hearing him say "wrap things up", Shen Lanbo angrily said: "You held Lanyin's hand and walked from the fifth floor to the first floor, making it known to everyone, and then you say wrap things up?"

Shen Lanbo's attitude surprised Zhou Zhiyuan. After pondering for a moment, he retorted: "Can't a man and a woman hold hands? What's the big deal?"

"A big deal..." Shen Lanbo angrily said: "You must be responsible for Lanyin. Where are you? I'm going to find you and have a good talk."

Shen Lanbo was determined to have a good talk with Zhou Zhiyuan, not only about Shen Lanyin's matter, but also to inform him of Zhang Limin's words in a timely manner.