Chapter 39: Reporting Loss
Chapter 39: Reporting Loss
With the bodyguards in place, the next step was to withdraw the money. Lu Jiaxin took her household registration book and passbook to the bank, claiming that she had lost her stamp and needed to get a new one made.
The counter staff verified that the name and household registration matched, and processed the request immediately. She withdrew all the money at once and, fearing that the bank staff might question her, decided to withdraw the money from several different locations.
While withdrawing the money, Lu Jiaxin noticed that the balance on the passbook was 9,900 yuan, 500 yuan more than she had expected. She guessed that Lu Hongjun must have deposited another 500 yuan in the past few days.
At that time, it was not possible to withdraw money from a different city, so she had to carry the cash with her. Including the money from pawning the jade jewelry and what she already had, she now had a total of 17,400 yuan. At that time, 100-yuan bills were not yet in circulation, so she had stacks of smaller bills piled high on the table.
Lu Jiaxin had handled millions of yuan before, so she did not feel that this amount was a lot. However, it was a different story for Xue Mao, who had never seen so much money in his life. He couldn't even blink, afraid that the money might disappear if he looked away.
There was no way her canvas bag could hold such a large sum of money. Lu Jiaxin knew that transportation was inconvenient during this era, but she had not anticipated that withdrawing money would be so troublesome as well. No wonder people said that traveling during this time was risky—carrying such a large sum of money was definitely dangerous.
She had no other choice but to divide the money into 17 portions and secure each stack with a rubber band.
Zhao Dajun and Gu Wenfeng were in the courtyard, and Zhao frowned as he asked, "Brother Feng, why do you think she's withdrawing the money in separate transactions? Should we report this?"
Gu Wenfeng glanced at him and said, "The money is from a legitimate source since it's in the bank. We don't need to make a fuss about it. Dajun, our job is just to protect her. Once we return from the ancient capital, our task will be complete."
Since the money came from a legitimate source, there was no issue with withdrawing it in multiple transactions. However, as the day went on, Gu Wenfeng realized that Lu Jiaxin was the decision-maker, both inside and outside the home. Reflecting on the information he had heard, he felt that there must be some misunderstanding.
As night fell, Xue Mao placed the last dish on the table and looked outside, "Sister, why isn't Fifth Brother here yet? The food is getting cold."
Lu Jiaxin sat down and picked up her chopsticks, taking a bite of the lion's head meat. She found it a bit bland and said, "Add more salt next time, it's too bland."
Xue Mao acknowledged and took a bowl to set aside a portion of the food.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "No need to keep food for Fifth Brother. He's on the night shift tonight and won't be coming over."
Xue Mao felt it was very unfortunate.
Just then, Gu Wenfeng returned as they were eating. He and Lu Jiaxin had just gone to buy train tickets as she would be leaving for Hong Kong the next day.
Lu Jiaxin took the tickets and examined them, asking, "Why are there only two sleeper tickets? I thought I asked for four."
Gu Wenfeng explained, "Sleeper tickets are hard to come by. These two were already bought at a higher price. Miss Lu, you and Xue Xiao take the sleeper berths, while I'll sit in the hard seat with Dajun."
The carriages were mixed with all sorts of people and could be unsafe, while the sleeper berths were much quieter.
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "That won't do. I'm carrying very valuable items. I won't feel safe unless you're by my side. How about you come with me to the sleeper berth, and Xue Mao can go with Zhao Dajun to the hard seats?"
Zhao Dajun was tall and burly, and his presence could be intimidating. However, Lu Jiaxin didn't need him for a fight; she needed someone to protect her luggage, and the calm and steady Gu Wenfeng was a better fit for that task.
"Okay."
After seeing the tickets, Xue Mao had been feeling anxious. He pulled Gu Wenfeng aside, away from Zhao Dajun, and asked, "Sister, are we not going to tell Big Brother and Fifth Brother that we're going to the ancient capital? Won't they worry if we suddenly disappear?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "If I tell them, they definitely won't let me go. Don't worry, I'll leave a note for Fifth Brother."
Xue Mao frowned but remained silent.
After a moment's thought, Lu Jiaxin lowered her voice and said, "One of the reasons I'm going to the ancient capital is to catch the human trafficker, but I also have another purpose—to search for treasure."
She planned to split their team into two. She would take someone back to Feng County to investigate the human trafficker, while Xue Mao would stay in the ancient capital to purchase Sun Xun's house.
Xue Mao had no fixed address, and with the money he received for saving someone, he wanted to buy a house. This reason was sufficient and wouldn't arouse any suspicion. As long as they didn't leave any traces, Sun Xun would definitely sell the house. After all, in her previous life, he had also discovered the secret passage by accident.
Xue Mao's eyes widened in surprise, "Treasure? What kind of treasure?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't elaborate, mainly because she couldn't come up with a good reason on the spot. And one lie would require countless more to cover it up, which she didn't want to bother with, "Why are you asking so many questions? Once we get to the ancient capital, just do as I say."
Xue Mao understood, "So, you pawned off Brother Su's jewelry and withdrew all the money from the bank because you want to go to the ancient capital to search for treasure?"
"Sister, those so-called treasure maps from folklore are all fake. They don't really exist. Why would you believe in them?" Xue Mao was almost pounding his chest in frustration.
Lu Jiaxin didn't explain further, knowing that saying more would only make him more anxious, "Go to sleep now. We have an early train to catch tomorrow. Once we get to the ancient capital, just follow my instructions."
Xue Mao went to bed with a heavy heart.
The next day, Xue Mao woke up at 4:30 in the morning and put all the eggs in the pot to boil. He then started to make pancakes. Just as he was busy, there was a knock on the door. It was Zhao Dajun. Perfect timing, as they needed someone to tend the fire.
Lu Jiaxin woke up to find breakfast already prepared. After washing up, she sat down to eat. For this trip, she packed not only extra clothes and shoes but also 20 packets of Chinese medicine. She had asked He Dafu for the medicine the previous afternoon and initially wanted a two-month supply, but he had refused.
Gu Wenfeng caught a whiff of the medicinal scent and looked at Lu Jiaxin thoughtfully. He felt that there must be more to her trip than just searching for the human trafficker. However, he didn't ask any questions, as long as it wasn't illegal, he wouldn't interfere.
After eating their fill, they headed to the train station.
Working the night shift was the most exhausting. Lu Jiajie got off work at 8 am and went to the cafeteria for breakfast before returning home. When he reached Ma's house, he went straight to bed to catch up on sleep. However, the crying of the children outside soon woke him up. He checked the time and saw that it was already 2 pm.
At this hour, Lu Jiajie was also feeling hungry. Out of habit, he went to the kitchen, but there was nothing on the dining table, and the pot was empty as well.
Before Ma's sister had suggested adopting his younger son, Ma's parents had treated him like their own son. When he fought with Ma Lili, they would side with him and scold Ma Lili. They would even leave him food when he worked the night shift. But now, not only did they complain about the small amount of living expenses he provided, but they also kept picking on him. Fortunately, his wife had agreed to buy a house and move out, so he just had to endure for a little while longer.
With these thoughts, his mood instantly brightened. He washed his face and went out. He first went to a small restaurant outside to eat a bowl of noodles, and then asked his friends if they knew of any houses for sale.
After an afternoon of fruitless searching, he happened to be near Guangming Road. Lu Jiajie had a key, given to him by Lu Jiaxin, in case she came over and he and Xue Mao were not at home.
(End of Chapter
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