When Xie Yuyao woke up again, it was already past midnight. She raised her hand to block out the light and recalled her drunkenness the night before.
Turning my head, I saw that Yang Shumei and Wu Lihong were still fast asleep, and the others were nowhere to be seen, presumably having gone to work.
Now that she was no longer sleepy, she quietly got up, washed up, poured herself a cup of spiritual spring water, and considered what to do next.
She definitely wouldn't go to work; she had originally planned to go to the county town to inquire about the prices of medicinal herbs, and there was still time to leave now.
Without hesitation, she shouldered an empty basket, walked to town to catch a bus, and ate breakfast on the road when no one was around.
Upon arriving in the county town, she first went to a herbal medicine shop to inquire about the purchase price of ginseng, astragalus, gastrodia, and other medicinal herbs. She found that the prices were very low, with a huge difference from the selling price.
As she left the pharmacy, she thought about asking about prices on the black market when she suddenly heard taunting laughter behind her.
"Little sister, where are you thinking of going?"
Xie Yuyao turned around and saw four shady-looking men walking over. Judging from their demeanor, they were undoubtedly street thugs.
She assumed the other person had mistaken her for someone else and continued walking towards the black market.
"Don't go! We can lead the way for you." The men quickly surrounded her.
Xie Yuyao sneered, "A good dog doesn't block the way."
"What did you say!" The weasel-faced man in front of her was so angry that he grabbed Xie Yuyao's arm.
Xie Yuyao turned around and kicked out, knocking the other person to the ground in shock.
When the others realized that Xie Yuyao was a martial arts expert, their faces hardened, and they raised their fists, ready to fight.
"stop!"
With a loud shout, Zhao Dayong walked over and first scanned Xie Yuyao from head to toe: "Are you injured?"
"fine."
The man with the pointed lip was helped up by his companion. After standing up straight, he forcefully shook off his companion's arm and said angrily, "Zhao Dayong, this is not your territory. Who gave you the guts to interfere in my business?"
"She's my sister. If you dare to harass her again, I won't be polite!" Zhao Dayong stood in front of Xie Yuyao and threatened them.
"Oh! You've got some nerve, huh? How about a fight?"
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Dayong clenched his fists and rushed forward, quickly joining the fight with the group.
Xie Yuyao certainly couldn't just stand by and watch. She unloaded the basket from her back and skillfully moved around the periphery of the chaos, focusing her attacks on key acupoints.
Soon, those people collapsed to the ground, staggered to their feet, and fled in disarray. Before running away, they didn't forget to utter the defeated declaration: "You just wait, I'll be back!"
Zhao Dayong gave the other person the middle finger, then turned to Xie Yuyao and said, "You're too fierce. Where did you learn your kung fu?"
Xie Yuyao smiled and said, "I learned it before." It wasn't exactly a lie.
Seeing that he had been punched in the left cheek, leaving a bruise, I said, "I'll go buy some medicine to wipe it off."
"No need, it's just a minor injury, it'll heal quickly." Zhao Dayong noticed her gaze, raised his hand to rub his left cheek, "Why did you come to the county town alone? It'll be safer if you come with some other educated youths in the future."
"I got some astragalus and wanted to ask about the price."
Zhao Dayong was delighted and said, "You can't get a good price for the herbs at the medicine shop, so sell them to me instead. I guarantee you a good price."
What's the price?
"Well... why don't you come with me and talk to my boss? I haven't accepted any medicinal herbs." Zhao Dayong scratched his head sheepishly.
Thinking of that Qi Sange, Xie Yuyao's eyes flickered, and she agreed.
That person seemed to have some sense of propriety; if he could weather this dark period, he would surely rise to great heights in the future.
Zhao Dayong helped her carry the basket, and they walked further and further into the desert. Seeing that there were hardly any people around, Xie Yuyao stopped. "Where are you taking me?"
"My older brother is in the front yard, he'll be there soon."
Seeing Xie Yuyao's suspicious look, he was both amused and exasperated. "I'm counting on you to provide me with food, how could I possibly harm you?"
Xie Yuyao scrutinized him and, seeing that his expression seemed genuine, took out a headscarf from her pocket (space) and covered her face. "Let's go."
But after taking only two steps, she suddenly turned around and hurriedly retreated, saying, "I have something to do, so I'm leaving first."
Her heart pounded wildly; she couldn't understand it at all: Wasn't he accompanying Secretary Liu to the market? How did he end up here?
Thinking back to what he had told Ren Fei, if she came to the black market...
This is like running right into the line of fire, it's deadly!
But Zhao Dayong was still yelling from behind, "Hey! What's going on?"
A moment later, Zhao Dayong also silently caught up. It turned out that he didn't know what Xie Yuyao had seen. He turned his head and met Zhao Honghui's gaze. His pupils shrank sharply, and he hurriedly turned around and ran after Xie Yuyao.
About fifty meters ahead, at the entrance of a small courtyard, Qi Tai was seeing off two guests, one of whom was Zhao Honghui.
He saw a somewhat familiar figure walk away, and looking at Zhao Dayong, he understood everything.
How did she end up here? Wasn't she resting after a hangover?
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"No problem, leave it to me."
Upon hearing Ye Xingchang say goodbye to Qi Tai, Zhao Honghui calmly left with Ye Xingchang.
After several twists and turns, the two got into a military jeep, and the driver in the front started the engine and drove away slowly.
"Do you know those two who just retreated?" Ye Xingchang also noticed the two who had retreated hastily, but to avoid alerting them, he didn't have anyone intercept them immediately. Instead, he gestured for Hei Zi, who was keeping watch outside, to follow them.
Zhao Honghui frowned in thought, "He's from my hometown."
Ye Xingchang relaxed his guard; wherever he was, it was difficult for spies to hide.
"By the way, I received your telegram and brought the investigation results." Ye Xingchang took out a file folder from his briefcase and handed it to Zhao Honghui.
Zhao Honghui reached out and took the document, pulling out a photo at the top. The girl in the photo was dressed simply, with two small braids hanging down in front of her, revealing a shy smile. It was the original owner's photo.
It turned out that he had investigated Xie Yuyao before and found nothing unusual in the brigade's records. To avoid a case of substitution, he asked his comrade Ye Xingchang in Beijing to investigate secretly.
Some time ago, a group of enemy agents fled to Anhe County. Ye Xingchang was ordered to arrest them and brought the results of his investigation.
“Her experiences from childhood to adulthood are all traceable, and nothing particularly unusual was found.”
Zhao Honghui picked up the photo and examined it carefully. Although Xie Yuyao in real life was more beautiful and radiant than the person in the photo, he was certain that it was the same person.
He carefully reviewed the documents twice more, not missing a single word.
According to the information, she had a peaceful and even timid personality, which is completely different from the Xie Yuyao of today.
Furthermore, her family was of modest means, and she had many sisters who couldn't offer her much support. Yet, she could afford to use a coal stove, didn't care about work points, and even built her own house. Where did all this money come from?
Zhao Honghui's face remained calm and composed, but his heart was in turmoil.
How should he treat her?
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