Chapter 338 Undercurrents in Beijing
The day after Lu Jingyan left, Su Wantang resumed her usual routine.
She sat in the private room of Tangdixuan, with a pot of tea in front of her. Amidst the swirling tea steam, Yiyue and Qin Zheng sat on either side of her.
"Young Miss, this is the recent safety report for various industries in Beijing." January handed over a document with a brisk pace.
Su Wantang took it, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.
“Recently, several customers at Derentang have been asking very detailed questions.”
Qin Zheng nodded. "I noticed that too. When those people bought the medicine, they specifically asked about the formula and production process."
"Keep a close eye on them." Su Wantang put down the documents.
"Also, we need to increase patrols at Tangdixuan and Haitang Technology to prevent anyone from taking advantage of loopholes."
January responded, "Understood."
Su Wantang picked up her teacup, took a sip, and felt a chill in her heart as the warm tea slid down her throat.
With Lu Jingyan away, she has to shoulder everything herself.
"By the way, any news from Joanna?"
Qin Zheng's eyes darkened. "Yes, she's been very active lately, attending art exhibitions and charity events everywhere, making a point of infiltrating those ladies' circles."
Su Wantang sneered. "She's trying to find out about me indirectly."
"It should be," Qin Zheng said. "But those ladies aren't stupid. No matter how cleverly she asked, no one would reveal it."
“Keep an eye on her.” Su Wantang put down her teacup. “The more anxious she is, the more likely she is to slip up.”
January hesitated for a moment. "Young Miss, should we take the initiative?"
"No rush." Su Wantang shook her head. "Taking action now will only alert her. Let's wait for her to come out on her own."
Qin Zheng clenched his fists, veins bulging. "Young Miss, I really want to kill her right now."
Su Wantang looked at him, her voice calm. "I know you hate her, but now is not the time. Once we wipe out everyone in Eagle's Nest, she won't be able to escape."
Qin Zheng took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. "I'll listen to you."
Su Wantang stood up. "Alright, you can go ahead and get busy. Report back anytime if anything happens."
...
Meanwhile, Joanna was standing in an art studio on the outskirts of Beijing.
The studio was large, with various paintings hanging on the walls, but in the corner there were some things that didn't belong in the studio—a radio, a codebook, and a few guns.
A man was sitting in a chair, cleaning his gun.
"So, what did you find out?"
Joanna took off her coat and sat down at the table. "Those ladies are very tight-lipped; they won't say a word."
The man looked up at her. "So what do you plan to do?"
“I’ll figure something out,” Joanna said. “Bai Shu must have a weakness, and I have to find it.”
The man sneered. "You'd better hurry, the higher-ups are pressuring you."
Joanna frowned. "I know, but these things can't be rushed. If we're exposed, we're all doomed."
The man stopped talking and continued cleaning his gun.
Joanna stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside.
She had to find a way to get close to Bai Zhu as soon as possible.
...
The next day, Su Wantang went to Derentang.
She was wearing a cheongsam, and her belly was already showing. As she walked, Wang Ma followed closely behind her.
"Young Miss, please take your time."
Su Wantang waved her hand. "I'm fine."
She walked into Derentang, where people were coming and going, and business was booming.
Behind the counter, Master He was taking someone's pulse. When he saw Su Wantang come in, he immediately stood up.
"Mr. Bai, you've arrived."
Su Wantang nodded. "How's business lately?"
"Very good, thanks to your prescription," Master He said with a smile.
Su Wantang walked to the counter, picked up a bottle of health pills, opened it, and smelled it.
"The quality of this batch of medicinal herbs is acceptable."
Master He breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."
Su Wantang put down the medicine bottle and suddenly asked, "Have there been any strange customers lately?"
Master He was taken aback. "A strange customer."
“They ask very detailed questions,” Su Wantang said. “For example, they ask about the formula and the production process.”
Master He thought for a moment. “There are actually a few. A middle-aged man came in the other day and asked a lot of questions when he bought health pills.”
What does he look like?
"He is not tall, has a mole on his face, and speaks with a Hong Kong accent."
Su Wantang's eyes turned cold. "Hong Kong accent"
"Yes, I thought it was strange at the time, but he bought the medicine and left, so I didn't think much of it."
Su Wantang nodded. "If you encounter someone like that again, remember to let me know."
"OK."
Su Wantang left Derentang and got into the car.
Wang Ma sat down next to her and asked in a low voice, "Miss, has something happened?"
"Not yet," Su Wantang said, "but soon."
She took out paper and pen, wrote a letter, and handed it to Wang Ma. "Have someone send it to Shanghai and give it to Du Kangnian."
Wang Ma took the letter. "I'll take care of it right away."
...
Mr. Chen was taking a walk in a park in Beijing.
He was wearing a long robe, carrying a birdcage, and walking very slowly.
Suddenly, a woman walked over from the side.
"Mr. Chen, what a coincidence!"
Old Chen looked up, saw Joanna, and smiled. "It's you, Joanna."
Joanna walked up to him. "Mr. Chen, are you walking your bird?"
“Yes, it’s an old habit,” Old Chen said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to sketch,” Joanna said, holding up her easel. “The scenery in this park is quite nice.”
Old Chen nodded. "Then take your time drawing, I won't bother you any longer."
“No, Mr. Chen,” Joanna stopped him. “I have some questions I’d like to ask you.”
Old Chen stopped in his tracks. "What's the problem?"
“It’s about art,” Joanna said. “You’re very knowledgeable, so you can definitely give me some pointers.”
Old Chen smiled. "You little rascal, you have such a sweet tongue."
The two sat down on a bench, and Joanna began to talk to Mr. Chen about art.
As they chatted, she suddenly changed the subject. "Mr. Chen, I've heard you have a very good relationship with the Lu family."
Old Chen didn't even lift his eyelids. "Not bad."
"Do you know Atractylodes macrocephala?"
Old Chen looked up at her. "Why are you suddenly asking about her?"
“I’m just curious,” Joanna said with a smile. “I’ve heard she’s very capable, and I’d like to meet her.”
Old Chen put down the birdcage. "Xiao Qiao, you asked the wrong question."
Joanna paused, taken aback. "Something's not right."
“If you want to get to know her, you should go directly to her, not come to me,” Old Chen said. “I’m an old man, I can’t help you.”
Joanna's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Old Chen is right, I was presumptuous."
Old Chen stood up. "Alright, I should go back now. You can continue drawing."
He picked up the birdcage, turned around, and left.
Joanna sat on the bench, her face grim.
This old man was more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.
...
Inside the Haitang Technology factory, Su Wantang was discussing the project's progress with Zhou Jimin.
“Mr. Bai, the Dawn Project is progressing smoothly,” Zhou Jimin said. “The small-scale experiments in the Northwest have also been successful.”
Su Wantang nodded. "Very good, but security needs to be strengthened further."
Are you worried that someone might cause sabotage?
“Yes,” Su Wantang said. “The situation in Beijing has been rather unsettled lately, so we need to be careful.”
Zhou Jimin nodded solemnly. "I understand, I will arrange for more patrols."
Su Wantang stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the factory buildings outside.
"Engineer Zhou, this project is very important to the country, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."
"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on it."
Su Wantang turned around. "Also, the people in the factory need to be carefully vetted. Don't let anyone who shouldn't be here sneak in."
"OK."
...
That evening, Su Wantang received a secret report from Qin Zheng.
She sat in her study, opened the envelope, and found a photograph and a report inside.
In the photo, Joanna is standing at the entrance of her art studio on the outskirts of Beijing, with several unfamiliar men beside her.
The report stated that these people all spoke with a Hong Kong accent and were acting suspiciously.
After reading it, Su Wantang put the photos and report away.
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside.
The people at Eagle's Nest have already begun their operation.
Then she should prepare to fight back.
She turned back to her desk, picked up her pen, and began to write a letter.
After finishing the letter, she called Wang Ma over.
"Have Qin Zheng come to see me tomorrow."
"Yes, Miss."
After Wang Ma left, Su Wantang sat in a chair and gently placed her hand on her stomach.
"Baby, it might be a little dangerous next, but Mommy will protect you."
The baby in her belly kicked her again.
Su Wantang smiled. "You also think Mom can do it, right?"
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