Chapter 126: The Visit
Chapter 126: The Visit
A few days passed, and it was the first rest day after the start of school. Chen Chuan decided to pay a visit to his aunt's house.
Nian Fu Li was at home, sitting in his armchair, listening to the radio, and reading the newspaper with his legs crossed. His two younger cousins were playing happily on the side.
Chen Chuan greeted them and went to get some water for himself.
Nian Fu Li glanced at Chen Chuan and then at Yu Wan. He patted his chest and said, "I'm out of cigarettes. Yu Wan, go buy me a pack, will you?"
Yu Wan looked at him and said, "Look at you, your uncle is now the captain, and he's learned to boss people around."
Nian Fu Li sighed, "It's just a pack of cigarettes. Why make a fuss? Even if I'm the captain, I can only have one pack a day..."
"Alright, Captain Nian. I'll go get it for you."
After Yu Wan left, Nian Fu Li put down the newspaper, shooed his younger cousins into their room to play, and then turned to Chen Chuan, saying, "Little Chuan, I heard that you took down that Makah person? Were you there when the shooting happened?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Yes, Uncle. It was during a school activity. I was there when the shooting occurred. I wonder how Director Liu is doing?"
Nian Fu Li said, "There's no need to worry about them. The officials at the Government Hall only go out wearing protective gear. Liu Zhan was just startled and is fine. It's just that this incident has kept the brothers at the Patrol Bureau busy..."
Chen Chuan learned from Nian Fu Li that there had been more than one attack that day, apparently intended to divert the Patrol Bureau's forces. He asked, "Uncle, what will happen to those Makah students?"
Nian Fu Li replied, "How will they be dealt with? Just follow the standard procedure for fugitive exiles."
"Exile fugitives?" Chen Chuan was surprised. "Aren't they exchange students?"
Nian Fu Li explained, "The authorities have found out that these people are not exchange students but a group of exiled criminals from Makah. The real exchange students claimed that they were attacked by these people upon entering the Great Prosperity Republic and were replaced by them for the exchange activities at Wu Yi Academy."
"Is that so..."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Based on the behavior of Teacher Duoma and the other students, they seemed like genuine students and teachers who had undergone extensive martial arts training, which was why Wu Yi Academy couldn't tell the difference.
He suspected that the Makah people might have intentionally arranged this to avoid blame, maintain good diplomatic relations with the Great Prosperity Republic, and not get dragged down by the resistance organization.
Indeed, on the surface, it seemed like a reasonable explanation, and the Makah exchange group even appeared to be the wronged party since the exiles had already lost their citizenship and were no longer considered Makah citizens.
However, no one was a fool, and it shouldn't be difficult for those above to figure out the truth. If the Makah people had deliberately arranged this, the Great Prosperity Republic and Makah might maintain their public relationship, but privately, things would never be the same again.
Chen Chuan asked, "Uncle, what about the student who fled with the items?"
Nian Fu Li said, "Currently, their whereabouts are unknown. They were likely picked up by someone. This resistance organization has caught the attention of the authorities, possibly because they failed to cause trouble with Fang Dawei's group and are now taking advantage of this opportunity."
As he spoke, he took out half a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a puff. He sighed, "The higher-ups give orders, and the Patrol Bureau brothers have to run around."
Chen Chuan thought to himself, 'Uncle Nian has risen in status, and his mindset has indeed changed.'
After a few puffs, Nian suddenly remembered something. He quickly put out the cigarette, opened the window for ventilation, and turned back to Chen Chuan, saying seriously, "Don't tell your aunt about you being there. It'll only make her worry."
Chen Chuan smiled and assured him, "Don't worry, Uncle. I won't tell her."
After having lunch at home, Chen Chuan planned to visit Cheng Zitong's disciple, a senior sister named He Nan.
Although he had never met this senior sister, he had worked with her disciple, Lin Xiaoti, while assisting Ren Xiaotian on a mission.
Since this wasn't an official mission, he didn't call for a Commission Company car. After making a phone call, he took the tram to the city center and headed towards He Nan's residence in the southern part of the city.
It was a martial arts training hall located on the banks of the White River in the southern part of the city. Along the riverbank stood rows of willow trees, and the willow buds had sprouted, adding a touch of color. As Chen Chuan entered the training hall, a man who looked like a servant came out and respectfully said, "You must be Young Master Chen. The young lady is waiting for you. Please follow me."
Chen Chuan thanked him and followed the servant inside. Although it was a training hall, the path leading to the main hall was paved with polished pebbles, and flower racks lined both sides, creating a hidden green oasis.
Upon reaching the outer hall, Chen Chuan was greeted by a pleasant fragrance that seemed to permeate his very being. Through the carved lattice window, he could see a woman trimming flowers, and a long sword seemed to be within arm's reach.
The servant said something to her, and she put down her work and went to wash her hands in a nearby basin. After drying her hands, she smoothed her hair and emerged from the inner chamber.
Chen Chuan observed her as she walked out. She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties with an oval face, arched eyebrows, and a graceful and elegant demeanor. Her hair was styled in a bun at the back of her head, and she wore a modified waist-cinching white training outfit.
If not for her rhythmic gait and the subtle display of internal force with each step, one might not guess that she was a martial artist.
Chen Chuan bowed respectfully and asked, "Are you Senior Sister He?"
Senior Sister He smiled, "Yes, I am Senior Uncle Cheng's student. Don't be like him, so serious and rigid. I've heard from Little Ti that you're a good-looking guy. Yes, indeed. Come in and have a seat."
She led Chen Chuan inside to the flower-carved window, where they sat on ancient-style rosewood chairs. Someone was summoned to serve them a cup of fragrant tea.
Chen Chuan felt that the interior was exquisitely decorated, with colors and furnishings that created a comfortable atmosphere. Every item was carefully chosen, indicating that Senior Sister He had a refined taste for life.
Master He sat with a dignified posture, her back straight and hands resting on her abdomen. She said, "Before, Master Cheng had already called me. This matter has been troubling Old Director Lei for a long time. But he's the kind of person who doesn't like to owe others favors, and he didn't ask, so I didn't feel right going to Master Cheng. Now that Master Cheng is willing to help, that's truly wonderful. It's as if a weight has been lifted from my mind."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chuan realized that this master may have misunderstood, possibly thinking that Cheng Zitong was willing to help with Director Lei's son's predicament. He, as a student, was merely playing a connecting role.
However, he didn't clarify this. If Cheng Zitong didn't mention it, there must be a reason. Instead, Master He's tone when speaking of Director Lei revealed a sense of familiarity, indicating a very close relationship between the two.
He asked, "Master, when would it be convenient to meet Director Lei?"
Master He replied, "Chen Shidi, I'm not sure when it would be convenient for you to meet Director Lei. But I've already spoken to him, and he's expecting you. You can ride with me."
Chen Chuan thanked her, "Thank you, Master."
Master He smiled, "Chen Shidi, I should be thanking you for helping Director Lei."
After a brief exchange, Chen Chuan left and got into a light blue Yufulan sedan. It was evident that Master He came from a well-off family, living in the southern part of the city with a dedicated car and driver.
As the car headed south, it maintained a steady speed. After about thirty minutes, they reached the outskirts of Quanzhou District, almost at the edge of Yangzhi City. This area could be considered the southwestern corner of the city, with fewer residential buildings, mostly three-story houses, and a sense of seclusion due to the distance between them.
Chen Chuan asked the driver, "Master, does Director Lei live around here?"
The driver explained, "Director Lei doesn't like living in crowded places."
After driving for another five or six minutes, the car turned into a tree-lined avenue and stopped in front of a three-story house surrounded by a flower garden. The driver said, "We're here."
Chen Chuan got out of the car and saw the garden filled with exotic flowers whose names he couldn't recall. They could be rare breeds or specially cultivated, and it was impressive to see such vibrant and eye-catching blooms in February.
As he admired the flowers, an image of Master He flashed in his mind. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a connection between these flowers and her.
After exchanging greetings with the driver, Chen Chuan walked along the clean path to the steps outside the door. He passed under a rain shelter and knocked on the door.
After a while, footsteps approached, and the door opened from the inside. A man, no older than forty, appeared. He wore black-framed glasses and a gray-black coat over a white shirt, with a square jaw and handsome features.
Unsure of his identity, Chen Chuan said, "Hello, is this Director Lei's residence? I'm looking for Director Lei."
The man nodded and said, "Yes, I'm Director Lei. Did she send you?" After Chen Chuan's confirmation, he politely added, "Sorry to trouble you with this visit." He turned and walked inside, saying, "Please come in and have a seat."
Chen Chuan observed him. This Director Lei didn't seem like a government official but rather a teacher. He changed his shoes at the entrance and went inside.
Once inside, Director Lei maintained a polite demeanor even towards a young man like Chen Chuan. He invited him to sit on the sofa and poured him a glass of water, asking, "May I ask your name?"
"Chen Chuan, from Wu Yi Academy," he replied.
Director Lei seemed surprised and gave him a double take. "Oh? Master He mentioned you're Master Cheng's disciple but didn't say you're from Wu Yi Academy."
A disciple and a student were different, but Chen Chuan understood that Master He emphasized his connection with Cheng Zitong. He didn't rush to deny it.
"Chen Chuan," Director Lei pondered the name. "I think I've heard it before. Five days ago, weren't you the one who intercepted and killed the Maka fugitive?" His eyes, behind the glasses, became sharp.
Chen Chuan was surprised he knew about this. "It was me. I didn't expect Director Lei to be aware."
Director Lei looked at him. "As a Wu Yi student, you weren't part of the security detail. Why did you take the initiative?"
"I didn't intend to step up," Chen Chuan explained. "But someone was shooting at innocent civilians. Regardless of my identity, as long as I have the ability, I couldn't just sit and watch."
Director Lei nodded in approval. "You have a strong sense of justice."
Chen Chuan agreed, "Not just that. I'm a native of Yangzhi City, and my friends and family are here. What if they were among those people?"
Director Lei's gaze softened. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "You should go."
Chen Chuan was taken aback. "Director Lei, I came because my teacher trusts my abilities."
Director Lei shook his head. "Regarding my son's matter, I've considered many solutions, whether they can solve the problem or not. But it's easy for others to get involved, and there might be other troubles. You're a good young man with a promising future, and you shouldn't be entangled in this."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment. "Director Lei, my teacher sent me because he trusts my capabilities."
Director Lei was surprised. Chen Chuan emphasized himself, not his teacher. He adjusted his glasses and studied Chen Chuan for a moment. After a while, he nodded and stood up. "Follow me."
Chen Chuan followed him upstairs to the third floor. Director Lei took out a key, opened the door, and spoke softly to a child curled up in the corner, "This is my son. He's afraid of strangers. If you have questions, please be gentle."
Chen Chuan nodded and approached the child. But as he took a step, he paused and turned to Director Lei. "What's wrong? Is something not right?"
"Nothing..." Chen Chuan glanced at the child again, but... it was a puppet.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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