Jiang Qiao and the others didn't have a peaceful meal, because someone had already come looking for Song Shutian.

"Alright, you guys eat first, I have something to do, we'll talk later—"

Song Shutian, carrying his lunchbox, took the person who came and got another meal. The two of them went out to eat.

Hou Diankui sighed, "This child can't even eat properly. Chunming, you should eat quickly too. In a little while, come inside with your master to practice your skills. By the way, I'll teach you how to draw talismans."

Chunming nodded. "Master, please eat slowly. I eat quickly. I'll go back first. Qiao'er, you stay with my master."

Chunming is a good boy. When Hou Diankui gave the order, he ate quickly because he was afraid that eating too fast would affect the old man's stomach.

Jiang Qiao had finished eating, but she still had some soup left. She slowly drank the cabbage soup with Hou Diankui.

"Master Hou, why do you think that person came?"

The old man glanced at Jiang Qiao and asked, "What do you think?"

Jiang Qiao hesitated for a moment, "I can't say for sure. They don't seem like investigators, but rather like people making contact with the other party. They don't seem to be in a hurry either. I even suspect that those people are conducting experiments here?"

Hou Diankui wasn't entirely confident about this matter either; there were many intricacies involved, and he couldn't explain them all to Jiang Qiao.

"Let's investigate slowly, there will be results eventually. They've come all this way, they must have some information."

When Jiang Qiao and the others returned to their room, Song Shutian also came back. Jiang Qiao didn't even have to ask; he just told them directly.

"Jiang Qiao, the seller has made another demand, specifically asking for the medical book you have."

Jiang Qiao wasn't surprised at all by the other party's request to bring out a photo of the jade pendant. It was actually just to lure out the holder of the jade pendant and the medical books left by their ancestors.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Song Shutian sat down in front of Jiang Qiao. "Jiang Qiao, what do you think is the most appropriate thing to do?"

Jiang Qiao snorted twice. "So you're eyeing my medical book? But I have conditions."

Tell them that we want the money, and we also want to exchange it for the jade pendant and medical book they have. See if they agree. If they don't, the deal is off.

If the other party agrees, I want to meet with them in person and have the middleman tell the buyer that we will not discuss this with the middleman, but with the buyer.

Also, tell them that we have all the medical books they need here, and see if that moves them.

Song Shutian hesitated for a moment, "I understand the exchange, but we don't need the money, right?"

Jiang Qiao rolled her eyes at him. "If we don't take the money, do you think they won't be suspicious? We not only want the money, but also the gold bars. Let them think about it."

If I don't pressure them, these people behind the scenes won't come out. I also need to tempt them. With such a big cake in front of them, I don't believe they won't take the bait.

To put it bluntly, their experiments must have encountered difficulties and could no longer be carried out; otherwise, the jade tablet incident wouldn't have come up at this critical juncture.

They understand the principle of creating unnecessary complications better than we do, so why do they still do it?

Because they're anxious, even more anxious than we are. Don't forget, there are still some old Japanese devils waiting for them inside.

I just don't understand, how can this old Japanese devil stay in prison so peacefully? Isn't he afraid that his men will rebel and stop working for him?

Song Shutian couldn't say for sure. "Perhaps the old devil has something on them, something that's leverage over these people, or even their lifeline?"

Of course, the old devil's daughter is still out there; she can't just stand by and watch her father get into trouble, she'll definitely try to find a way to save him.

Neither Jiang Qiao nor Song Shutian had a definite answer as to what trump card Sato Shinichi held that would allow him to stay inside with peace of mind. For now, they could only take it one step at a time.

"How did your people contact the other party? What was the identity of that middleman?"

Thinking too much is pointless; it's better to deal with what's in front of you.

"The middleman used to be involved with the Green Gang. He works a regular job and sells secondhand goods on his days off. Any ideas?"

Jiang Qiao nodded thoughtfully. "Send someone to me. I need to make contact with the other party. It's not that I don't trust your people, but I feel that continuing like this is not in our best interest."

"You know, dealing with them for so long and still not knowing who the real boss is is infuriating. This time, I'll meet them personally. Don't worry, I'll disguise myself. Meanwhile, you guys step up your investigation."

Song Shutian hesitated for a moment, "How about I transfer Ning Hao over? The two of you can work together better. My men haven't worked with you before. I'm afraid that if one of you makes a mistake, it won't just affect the case, it could endanger lives."

Jiang Qiao lowered her head, pondering whether the decision to bring Ning Hao back at this time was the right one.

In terms of adaptability, Ning Hao is undoubtedly the best candidate. However, she is worried about the impact if he is recalled at this time. After all, leaving at the last minute, even if he has other tasks, is no different from desertion in the eyes of some people.

Song Shutian didn't understand what Jiang Qiao meant at first. Did he not want to cooperate with Ning Hao or something?

But then he realized what Jiang Qiao was thinking, though he couldn't make the decision for her.

After thinking it through, Jiang Qiao looked up at Song Shutian and said, "Let's not. He has his own mission and responsibilities. If he is to be transferred to your department in the future, then this opportunity is a good chance for him."

However, Ning Hao clearly had no such intention, so I won't make that decision for him and let him do what he wants.

"Do you have any suitable candidates you can recommend? If it weren't for Master Hou and Chunming being unable to leave, Master Hou and I would work together quite well."

Song Shutian actually had a suitable candidate in mind. He grinned at Jiang Qiao and said, "Your old acquaintance is here. Old Liu, do you remember him? Your high school teacher?"

Jiang Qiao cried out in a trembling voice, "Liu Zhanyu, Teacher Liu, is he here?"

Song Shutian smiled and nodded, "How about it? Don't you two work together more smoothly now?"

Jiang Qiao couldn't help but laugh. "Old Liu, I miss him a bit. He promised to leave me an address, but he disappeared without a trace. Turns out he's come here?"

"It would be perfect if he were here. Let's quickly notify him to come over, or I'll go find him; we need to rehearse our lines—"

After discussing it, the two decided that Jiang Qiao would disguise herself and go to see Lao Liu. Jiang Qiao would come to see her father as Liu Zhanyu's daughter.

Following the address provided by Song Shutian, Jiang Qiao finally found where Lao Liu was living. Seeing the low-ceilinged house, Jiang Qiao felt a little sorry for Lao Liu. He had thought that this guy could reunite with his wife and children after going back, but unexpectedly, he was out on a mission again.

Fortunately, the house was detached and had its own yard. When the neighbors who came out to cool off saw Jiang Qiao, they quickly called out to Liu Zhanyu, who was busy cooking in the yard.

"Old Liu, look who's here. A girl, is she your daughter?"