No. 146

Xie Shiyu pondered, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. His mindset leaned more towards logic and strategic analysis. "There are several possibilities for this matter. First, as they say, it's purely an artistic concern and exploration. Second, the embroidery may involve some... unique historical background or figures. Now that the policy has been relaxed, it needs to be re-evaluated or sought out. Third," he paused, his voice lowering, "it may also be related to some cross-border cultural exchange or a more complex background. Of course, this is just speculation and the possibility is very small."

He looked at his wife: "As for Granny Li, do you think she knows about it?"

Gu Qiuyue shook her head. "I feel like Granny Li is more immersed in the craft itself. She doesn't seem to know much about the origins of the embroidery. She only said that it was given to her by a friend many years ago and that she was impressed by the exquisite craftsmanship. She seems to value the exchange of skills more than anything else."

"Yeah." Xie Shiyu nodded. "Since the Ministry of Culture has come to you, you probably can't completely stay out of this matter, but you also have to be careful about the method and approach."

He thought for a moment and offered a suggestion, "So, next time you go see Granny Li, you can be more natural and ask for advice on the craft. Then, you can learn more about the embroidery and the artist named 'Zhou' and pay attention to Granny Li's reaction. As for the Cultural Affairs Department..."

He pointed at the note. "If they contact you again, respond normally and truthfully report any non-private artistic information you've learned. For everything else, listen more and watch more, and talk less. Especially don't proactively reveal the code or your excessive speculations. If anything seems amiss, tell me at any time."

Her husband's calm analysis and sound advice reassured Gu Qiuyue. She nodded, "I understand. I know what to do."

"Well, it's always right to be cautious, but don't be too nervous. Maybe we're just overthinking it." Xie Shiyu looked at his watch. "I have to go. The meeting is almost over."

He picked up the necessary documents and before leaving, he turned back and reminded her, "Yueyue, remember, you are just a teacher and cultural worker who is passionate about folk art."

After seeing her husband off, Gu Qiuyue reflected on his words and gradually calmed down. Yes, she was first and foremost a teacher, a learner who loved traditional skills. As for the rest, she just had to remain vigilant and go with the flow.

There were no classes in the afternoon, so she finished her housework, sent the children to kindergarten, and started her translation work in the office. However, her efficiency was not very high. The exquisite and misty embroidery appeared in front of her from time to time.

In the evening, while the children were playing in the yard, she finally couldn't help it and took out the letter paper. She decided to write a letter to Mr. Han, the folklorist in the provincial capital whom she contacted through the "Xinfeng" magazine.

Mr. Han was knowledgeable and perhaps had some understanding of this type of embroidery school and famous artists in history. In her letter, she carefully described the composition, colors, and needlework of "Spring in the Garden", especially the amazing skill of double-sided embroidery with different colors. She also tactfully asked if she had heard of an embroidery master with outstanding embroidery skills, whose surname might be "Zhou" (she concealed the specific form of the code and only said that she speculated that the surname might be Zhou). She said that she encountered this difficult problem in her research and study, and could not figure it out. She earnestly asked Mr. Han for guidance.

After dropping the letter into the mailbox, Gu Qiuyue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had accomplished something important. She hoped to gain some clues from an academic perspective.

The next two days were calm.

The Ministry of Culture didn't call again, and Gu Qiuyue went about her business as usual, taking care of the children, doing housework, and pursuing her creative work. She even found time to visit Granny Li's home again, this time more attentively asking her about double-sided embroidery techniques. She also indirectly brought up the painting "Spring in the Garden," praising its artistry and asking for more information about the gift.

Granny Li continued to express her admiration for her friend's superb skills. After that, they lost contact and there was nothing unusual in their words. Gu Qiuyue knew that she was also waiting for a reply from Lin Xiufen.

Gu Qiuyue almost thought that the strange things on the phone that day and her own guesses were just due to overreaction.

However, on Saturday afternoon, as she was about to walk out of the school gate to pick up her child, a middle-aged man wearing a gray Mao suit and glasses, who looked like a cadre, stopped her with a friendly smile on his face: "Excuse me, is this Comrade Gu Qiuyue?"

Gu Qiuyue stopped and looked at the strange man in confusion: "I am, who are you?"

The man pulled a small notebook from his pocket and waved it quickly in front of her, the national emblem on the cover flashing by. His voice remained polite, but with an undeniable tone: "Hello, Comrade Gu. Regarding the matter the Provincial Department of Culture inquired about, we have some information that we need your further assistance in understanding. Could you please come with me and discuss it in detail?"

Gu Qiuyue frowned. The national emblem that flashed before her eyes and the other party's unquestionable tone made her realize in an instant that this was no ordinary "comrade from the Ministry of Culture". Her husband's advice immediately rang in her mind: "Watch more, listen more, and talk less", "Tell me anytime if there is anything wrong".

She quickly calmed herself down, with just the right amount of surprise and a hint of embarrassment on her face: "Hello, comrade, it's my duty to help you understand, but I have to hurry to the kindergarten to pick up the kids. They're almost out of school now. If I don't go, the teachers and kids will be worried. You see..." She was trying to buy some time and initiative, but it was also a test.

The middle-aged man's smile remained unchanged, but his tone remained firm: "Comrade Gu, don't worry about the child. We can send you to pick up the child first, and then invite you to our office for a visit. It won't take too long. Mainly, there are some things I need to know in time."

He turned sideways and gestured to a black car parked not far from the roadside.

The other party's "thoughtful" consideration only made it clear that they were malicious and determined. Gu Qiuyue knew that it was not wise to resist at this moment.

She nodded, trying to sound cooperative: "Well... okay, thank you for your help."

But she was thinking quickly in her mind how to leave a message for her husband or the school without alerting the other party.

She followed the man to the car, then casually turned around and raised her voice to the familiar security guard at the school gate, saying, "Uncle Wang, if you see my husband coming to pick me up, please tell him that I have something to do with colleagues in the province and will be home late!"

She specifically emphasized "comrades in the province" and "my lover", hoping that the guard could understand some of the hidden meaning.