Life in siheyuan era

"It is hereby requested that Comrade Zhou Zhiyuan, an administrative staff member from the Urban Management Department of your esteemed unit, be temporarily transferred to provide care for Comrade Shen Lanbo, a recipient of First-Class Military Merit on the battlefield, who has been re-hospitalized due to a recurrence of his injuries, as per his personal request..."

The District Armed Forces Department sent a "transfer request" at noon. Qiu Jianye approved it without a second thought, summoned Han Xue and Zhou Zhiyuan, and informed them in person: "Zhou Zhiyuan, go to the hospital immediately to care for Comrade Shen Lanbo."

Upon hearing this news, Zhou Zhiyuan rushed off in a fluster. His expression of concern for his comrade's injuries was admirable, but Qiu Jianye 'tsk'ed,' while Han Xue pondered something: "How did he find out about this thorny matter?"

Han Xue absolutely believed that he had gone to deal with a thorny issue; his comrade's illness was just an excuse.

Zheng Chunfang, however, complained: "Zhiyuan is gone too. How are the two of us supposed to get the work done?"

Han Xue comforted her: "The director said he'll borrow two people from the real estate and sanitation departments."

"It wouldn't be Hu Biao, would it? Is he coming to work?" Zheng Chunfang worried.

Han Xue told her: "I just heard the director say that Hu Biao has been transferred back to the sanitation department's motorcade as deputy captain."

This news was told to Zhou Zhiyuan by Qiu Jianye, and Zhou Zhiyuan had to consider a question: "Why did Hu Biao go to the motorcade?"

He was quite sensitive to Hu Biao's movements. He pondered this all the way out of the alley, and then saw a young military man signal to him.

So he followed the soldier into the alley and saw a jeep. He took the car key from the young soldier and heard him say in a low voice: "The gas tank is full. If you need more, find Director Zhang."

After saying this, the young soldier immediately walked away, his words and actions crisp and decisive, without any hesitation.

Zhou Zhiyuan got into the car and drove straight to the Steel Rolling Mill. After chatting with Old Hua Tou for a while, he drove to Yong'an Street, parked the jeep, walked into the alley, came to the small courtyard, and met Mo Youji. He took a bowl from his satchel and handed it over, poured himself a cup of tea, and sat to the side to drink.

Mo Youji carefully examined the bowl, noting its gray-black color inside and out, and then looked at the bottom of the bowl. He looked up and asked, "How did you get this?"

"Old Hua Tou bought it for ten yuan. I gave him a hundred yuan to buy it. If it can be restored, I'll make a big profit. If not, I'll lose money."

"That's true..." Mo Youji praised: "Using my money to practice, I won't feel bad even if you lose it."

"It's because of your good teaching. I'm confident that even if I can't restore it, I can still sell it for a hundred yuan. I won't lose money."

"Are you planning to sell it to Lou Xiaoning or Bai Wenming?"

"If it's not restored well, I'll sell it to Lou Xiaoning. If it's restored well, I'll sell it to Lou Cheng. I won't do business with Bai Wenming."

"Even if he asks you to appraise antiques, you won't go?"

"Of course I'll go, and I'll charge an appraisal fee. All of that money will be used as activity funds for the investigation team."

Hearing his answer, Mo Youji smiled with satisfaction and then asked, "What does Old Hua Tou mean?"

"He feels the same way you do about finding the organization, but he's not sure he can beat Hu Dapeng. Besides, he said that Hu Dapeng wouldn't ask him to join, they're not the same kind of people."

"Old Hua Tou said that Hu Dapeng is more than ten years younger than him and practices a subtle kind of kung fu. They fought twice before and ended in a draw, but now it's hard to say."

Zhou Zhiyuan thought of a way to make Old Hua Tou an undercover agent, but Old Hua Tou made it clear that Hu Dapeng knew what kind of person he was and wouldn't look for him.

Since this path wouldn't work, Zhou Zhiyuan had to think of another way.

Mo Youji said in a low voice: "There are several possibilities for Hu Dapeng entering the Anxin Hotel. One is that he discovered someone was monitoring the Hu Feng and Hu Biao brothers; the second is that they're about to make a move and Bai Wenming hired him as a bodyguard. There's also a possibility that their target is Fangshan?"

Mo Youji's analysis was reasonable. Zhou Zhiyuan replied softly: "Lanbo and I have researched this. Hu Dapeng should have sneaked into Beijing last September, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten that copper ball. His goal should be that treasure."

"Antique smuggling should be his main source of income. Joining forces with Bai Wenming may be influenced by Bai Wenming's culture. Bai Wenming uses him as his bodyguard, and at a critical moment, he'll protect him from escaping Beijing. The bait is those antiques."

"The reason for making this analysis is that I beat up Hu Feng and Hu Biao, but Hu Dapeng actually endured it. He probably didn't want to lose big over small things."

Hearing his analysis, Mo Youji nodded lightly, and then said in a low voice: "You have to be careful. Hu Dapeng knows you and may prepare hidden weapons to deal with you."

Zhou Zhiyuan had also thought about this question and asked in a low voice: "Do you mean that the poisoned needle that night was fired by Hu Dapeng?"

Mo Youji shook his head and replied softly: "It shouldn't be him. The act of firing a poisoned needle at you that night was very strange. It seemed like he wanted to remind you of something?"

"But the needle was aimed at your temple, which makes me feel that the other party's attitude was to kill you if they could, and if they couldn't, they would use the poisoned needle to warn you. Has the poison on the needle been tested?"

"Not yet," Zhou Zhiyuan replied. "I have the same feeling, so it's quite strange, but now is not the time to consider this matter."

"Yes, there are urgent matters and less urgent matters. Let's deal with the urgent matters first. Don't hide anything from me. I'm old and not good at fighting, but I can offer advice."

Mo Youji's attitude was positive, and Zhou Zhiyuan certainly gave him the opportunity. "I won't hide anything from you, but you can't tire yourself out. Health is the top priority. Restoring this bowl will definitely be extremely helpful to your health."

These words were divided into two parts. The first part showed filial piety, while the second part was full of utilitarianism. Mo Youji scolded with a smile: "Get out of here."

So Zhou Zhiyuan left and went to the library to seek credit from Lou Xiao'e. "Sister Xiao'e, your matter has been taken care of."

Lou Xiao'e replied with a huff: "Should I thank you?"

"No need," Zhou Zhiyuan replied.

Then he lowered his voice and said: "Sister Xiao'e, wandering the streets these days has made me discover an opportunity. This is a good opportunity to collect antiques."

Hearing this, Lou Xiao'e immediately glanced left and right, then turned her head and asked in a low voice: "You want me to wander the streets with you?"

"No, I'm responsible for collecting them, and then selling them to you to earn a little difference."

"You want to earn my money?"

"I don't want to earn your money, I just want to earn your father's money. If you don't do it, I'll cooperate with your brother."

Zhou Zhiyuan's frankness made Lou Xiao'e stunned, and then she said angrily: "Are you obsessed with money?"

Zhou Zhiyuan didn't take the bait and said in a low voice: "Discuss it with your father and brother. I'll come to the library in the next two days to hear from you. Pay attention, Zhao Yongmei is here, change the topic. Sister Xiao'e, do you know how difficult this matter is?"

"Didn't you take care of it? Are you here to ask for credit?"

"Xiao'e, Zhou Zhiyuan, what are you two whispering about?" Zhao Yongmei walked over as the voice came.

Zhou Zhiyuan immediately said: "Isn't it just that sanitation matter? I..."

"Don't say it," Lou Xiao'e immediately called out.

Zhao Yongmei smiled: "I know. Zhou Zhiyuan, let me tell you something."

Zhao Yongmei took his arm and walked to the side, saying in a low voice: "Old Liu told me that Curator Shi wants to invite you to the museum to help them appraise some cultural relics."

"But Curator Shi didn't mention an appraisal fee. Old Liu was embarrassed to ask you, so he told me last night. He originally wanted Xiao'e to tell you, but since I saw you, I'll just tell you directly."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhiyuan had to look troubled and replied in a low voice: "I should help for your sake, but I'm afraid it will break the rules if I don't charge an appraisal fee. How about this? I won't charge an appraisal fee, but we'll say that I charged one, and give a high price?"

Zhou Zhiyuan's attitude made Zhao Yongmei reply cheerfully: "I'll go back and tell Old Liu tonight. If he can't do this, I won't let him appraise them."

Zhou Zhiyuan's request was reasonable. Zhao Yongmei believed that the museum would definitely accept it. This was a win-win situation. The museum determined the value of the cultural relics, and Zhou Zhiyuan gained fame.

That's what Zhao Yongmei thought, but Zhou Zhiyuan had his own ideas. The museum inviting him to do appraisals would greatly increase his reputation and might lure Bai Wenming out. Bai Wenming wouldn't bring a large amount of RMB when he fled, so choosing priceless antiques was the only option, which meant he would need an appraiser.

This was Zhou Zhiyuan's plan, but Shen Lanbo wasn't sure and asked in a low voice: "Your identity is suspicious. Will he look for you?"

Shen Lanbo spoke with a suppressed voice. This matter was very secret. Even though the hospital bed next to them wasn't yet occupied, they couldn't speak at a normal volume.

Zhou Zhiyuan also replied in a low voice: "If we hadn't discovered Hu Dapeng, and discovered that the layout of the Anxin Hotel was very suspicious, would we suspect Bai Wenming?"

"And my going to Lou Xiao'e to discuss the matter of trading antiques is to make Bai Wenming think that I'm very greedy. As a greedy person, no matter how suspicious his identity is, he can be used, as long as you give him money."

Hearing his analysis, Shen Lanbo nodded lightly. This possibility did exist. If Bai Wenming was eager to escape, he should try it.

But he considered the problem more comprehensively. After thinking carefully, he said in a low voice: "This matter should be handled this way..."

As the two of them were discussing strategies in a low voice, the door of the ward was gently pushed open, and Shen Lanyin walked in cheerfully, then asked in a low voice: "What are you two plotting again?"

To her, she could tell from their expressions that they were planning a conspiracy.