Chen Xiao drove away from the county police station.
But before his car left the town, he suddenly received a call.
The call was from Sister Yan.
Chen Xiao had asked her to help inquire about Lu Yuling.
When the call connected, Sister Yan got straight to the point: "Mr. Chen, I found so information about a woman nad Lu Yuling, but I'm not sure if she's the one you're looking for. Plus, there's a lot to her story. Do you have ti to talk in person?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiao turned his car around and picked her up at the door of her massage parlor.
Chen Xiao glanced over and said, "Do you mind taking a trip with ? I need to go back to Wanzhuang!"
"Going to Wande's house, huh? Alright... Luckily, I know the way."
Sister Yan had been to Wande's house before, so Chen Xiao thought it over and let her get in without further ado.
However, once in the car, Sister Yan asked, "Do you have any cash on you?"
Chen Xiao thought she needed money and said, "I have so. How much do you need?"
"It's not for ; it's for the people at Wande's house. Let
tell you, their family is the weirdest I've ever seen. When you ask them questions, they're like they don't have ears, but if you give them a gift or slip a red envelope to the kids, they'll treat you like you're their parents."
Chen Xiao frowned, "Even when asking about their relatives?"
"Yes, don't think I'm exaggerating; you'll see for yourself when we get there. But Mr. Chen, if you're in a hurry, I suggest preparing a few red envelopes. One red envelope with a hundred yuan for the kids will do. A few years ago, when I visited, Wande's parents were living with his older brother, and there should be about three kids at ho now."
"Back then, I wasn't prepared and only had so spare change in my pocket. I gave the kids twenty each, and the two elders showed
a sour face."
Talking about the past, Sister Yan looked helpless, but her eyes flashed with disdain.
If she hadn't experienced it herself, she wouldn't have believed there could be such a family.
Especially since such a family had soone as secure as Wande in her mind.
Chen Xiao couldn't rember if he'd ever been to Wande's house, but he figured he probably hadn't.
After all, in his impression, even Old Chen hadn't been there.
If Wande's parents were normal elders, given Old Chen and Wande's relationship, he would definitely have visited often over the years.
Chen Xiao didn't think much of it, took out a few hundred yuan, and placed it aside.
Sister Yan awkwardly smiled and said, "I didn't expect you'd be going there, so I didn't bring any money."
Chen Xiao shook his head to show it wasn't a problem, and then drove straight to Wanzhuang.
By the ti they reached Wanzhuang, it was already very late.
Chen Xiao had one purpose: to ask if Wande went to Tiger Mountain annually for ancestor worship.
As for other matters, from what Sister Yan had described, he didn't want to get entangled; he planned to leave imdiately after asking.
Quickly guided by Sister Yan, Chen Xiao stopped at a house's entrance.
The lights inside were off, indicating the occupants were asleep.
Sister Yan knocked on the door for a while, and then lights went on upstairs. A woman opened the window, started cursing:
"Are you dying or what? Knocking like a ghost in the middle of the night!"
Chen Xiao's eyes sharpened, looking at Sister Yan, who nodded with a wry smile. He understood why their house was located at the far edge of Wanzhuang's fields.
With such an attitude, who'd want them as neighbors?
"Sister Hong, it's Wen Yan. I'm just passing by and have sothing to ask. Is this a good ti?"
Wen Yan said, raising a carton of milk she bought along with the red envelopes.
The woman upstairs noticed and, softening her tone with a laugh, said, "Oh, it's Yan. You're here to see my grandkids, right? Wait a mont."
Chen Xiao, seeing this, asked, "Isn't she Wande's uncle's brother's wife? Why is she like that too?"
"Birds of a feather flock together. Believe , you'll be shocked when you et her. I've never seen such a bizarre family in my life!"
Once more, Sister Yan warned Chen Xiao, who rely nodded.
Soon enough, the woman from upstairs ca down to open the door, trailing a few kids aged six or seven behind her.
Chen Xiao couldn't hide his displeasure anymore, furrowing his brow.
Now, he believed that Sister Yan had been quite polite earlier.
After all, who brings kids to greet night-ti visitors?
Most notably, the man of the house didn't get up; only kids were called.
Were Wen Yan and the kids close?
Obviously not.
The woman's attitude was clear: hurry up with your business and leave; the kids need their sleep.
Sister Yan knew they couldn't linger, so after distributing red envelopes, she smiled, "Sister Hong, I ca today to ask about sothing: I heard Wande disappeared after Tomb-Sweeping Day. Did he go to pay respects that day?"
With intentions to expedite, Sister Yan went straight to the point.
Wande's brother's wife nodded, prompting Sister Yan to continue, "Would he go to Tiger Mountain for ancestor worship before?"
"Don't know. He handled those matters alone. Anyway, my family doesn't go. Those on the mountain have been dead for who knows how long; who're we putting on a show for?"
Sister Yan was speechless: "Have the elderly folks gone to bed?"
"Those two old geezers are in a nursing ho. They just ate and loafed; my family won't be that fool."
The woman glanced at Chen Xiao as she spoke.
Willing to let his frustration go unanswered, Chen Xiao nodded with courtesy. But unexpectedly, the woman sarcastically quipped:
"Who's this? Doesn't seem polite, not even a simple hello!"
Chen Xiao was dumbfounded; a thought crossed his mind: Am I rude? I nodded at you! Do you seem like soone who wants greetings?
Sister Yan was equally flabbergasted.
Just as she was about to explain, she saw how quickly Chen Xiao reclaid the three red envelopes he had distributed.
Sister Yan was stunned again, while the woman, after a second of shock, scread: "Why are you grabbing money from kids!"
Chen Xiao, expressionless, replied, "Because I'm supposedly rude! Sister Yan, bring the milk; we'll drink it on the way."
"Huh?"
"Huh what? This milk is so good, won't it be pleasant to drink?" Chen Xiao said, picking up the milk, while the woman raged, "You have no manners!"
Chen Xiao chuckled.
Soon, a man quickly descended the stairs.
Upon hearing the money was taken, he raised his fist, ready to fight.
Chen Xiao laughed even more; since Wande's brother ca down, he should know.
He swiftly caught Wande's brother's wrist, pinning him against the wall, and asked, "Just one question: is there any ancestor burial in Tiger Mountain at your place?"
The man continued to curse, but Chen Xiao silenced him with two slaps, demanding, "Is there!"
"Yes, yes, yes! There is in Tiger Mountain!"
Chen Xiao let go, grabbed the milk, and left with Sister Yan.
The woman continued to curse, threatening to report Chen Xiao.
Concerned, Sister Yan asked, "Chen Xiao, they're tough to deal with."
Chen Xiao paused and said, "I'd rather not hit a woman, Sister Yan. But go back and give her a slap. I really can't stand it."
Sister Yan was taken aback, "Will it cause trouble?"
"Don't worry, I'll back you up."
Sister Yan, without hesitation, rolled up her sleeves, went to the woman, and delivered two slaps.
Afterward, Sister Yan returned, breathless but satisfied: "That felt great, really great!"
Chen Xiao laughed. Just as they were about to leave, he got a call from Xiaoji.
"Bro, we arrived in Xiangdu at nine tonight. After getting off, Xiaoji Knife Man and I took a bath and changed clothes. We've found Lu Yuling, and soon, I'll send you so photos!"
Chen Xiao felt a wave of relief upon hearing this.
Xiaoji and Xiaoji Knife Man were indeed efficient!
Reviews
All reviews (0)