Chapter 16 Key Figures
Returning to the familiar provincial capital, time seemed to have paused. Everything remained as I remembered it, as if I were quietly waiting to reunite with old friends. Tall plane trees lined the streets, their shadows swaying gently in the breeze, shielding pedestrians from the scorching sun. In the Quanshui Teahouse, several elderly people sat around a table, sipping tea and chatting in a leisurely and tranquil atmosphere.
Ji Feng followed the address he had obtained earlier and arrived downstairs in the residential complex where Zhou Wenlan lived. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number. As the receiver beeped, he planned to go home to visit his parents if he had enough time. If he still had time, he would...
"Hello, who is this?" Zhou Wenlan's old voice came through the microphone, interrupting Jifeng's thoughts.
"Hello, is this Mr. Zhou?"
"I'm Zhou Wenlan, who are you?"
"I'm Ji Feng from the Lan Valley Criminal Investigation Detachment. I contacted you before and came to visit you today." Ji Feng tried to make his voice sound more sincere.
"Oh, Captain Ji. You're welcome. Just tell me if you have anything to say." Zhou Wenlan's voice sounded weak as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.
"Mr. Zhou, I'm already downstairs and want to visit you at your house."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the phone before someone said, "It's not convenient at home, so let's go to the Yaqi Teahouse across the street from the community."
"Okay, I'll go reserve a table first. You can go downstairs slowly. Don't be in a hurry."
A winding blue brick path leads to an elegant room with a half-drawn beaded curtain. A copper bell hangs from the eaves, its clear tinkling echoing in the breeze. A thin wisp of agarwood smoke emanates from a white porcelain incense burner on the table, mingling with the light and dust that filters through the bamboo leaves outside the window. Each private room is named after a Han, Tang, Song, Ming, or Qing dynasty, and the tea tables and chairs within reflect the style of that dynasty. In a corner of the teahouse, a water feature shrouds a rockery, shrouded in mist and the sound of gurgling water. From somewhere, the mesmerizing sound of a flute drifts gently, blending with the shadows of bamboo outside the window and the wisps of smoke from the incense burner, creating a tranquil atmosphere in the room, a lingering echo.
Ji Feng walked into the teahouse and carefully selected a set of exquisite azure Ru kiln tea sets for Zhou Wenlan from the teaware section. He then chose a private room with a view of the entrance, had the tea artist brew a pot of premium Longjing tea, and waited for Zhou Wenlan.
Not long after, an elderly couple came hobbling over with their beads untied. They must be Zhou Wenlan and his wife. Ji Feng hurried forward to greet them.
"Is it Mr. Zhou?"
"I'm Zhou Wenlan, you're Captain Ji, right?" Zhou Wenlan nodded slightly, a weak smile on his face.
"I'm Jifeng. Hello, Mr. Zhou, Auntie, please sit down." Jifeng carefully pulled out chairs for them and helped them sit down. The tea artist gently brought the teacups, and the aroma of steaming Longjing tea filled the air.
"Captain Ji, don't bother me. I can't sit still for too long. If you have something to say, just tell me directly."
Sitting down across from Zhou Wenlan, Ji Feng carefully examined him. Though the old man looked old and frail, he still exuded a scholarly air. His silver hair was meticulously combed, and behind his glasses, his gaze was gentle and calm. The wrinkles on his forehead seemed to bear the marks of age, yet his entire person exuded a refined and elegant aura.
"I came to visit you today specially. Because I was busy with work before, we only communicated on the phone." As he said, Ji Feng took out the tea set he had prepared as a gift.
Zhou Wenlan was slightly surprised. He picked up the tea set and looked at it. "You are so kind. This is too valuable. I appreciate the kindness, but I will let go of the gift."
"Mr. Zhou, please don't misunderstand. This is a small token of my appreciation to your elders as a junior. I have no other intentions. I hope you like it." Ji Feng said earnestly.
Ji Feng's sincerity seemed to touch Zhou Wenlan. A hint of warmth flashed in his eyes and he nodded slowly.
Zhou Wenlan's wife said beside him, "Captain Ji, we've spoken on the phone several times and are considered acquaintances. If you have anything to say, just tell me. Old Zhou just got out of the hospital and is still recovering. He won't be able to sit for too long."
"Okay, then I'll be frank. Did you know that the three members of the Lan family went abroad together some time ago and took away many antiques?"
"Oh?" Zhou Wenlan was slightly surprised. "I don't know."
"Do you know much about the Lan family?"
"To be honest, if you mean people, I don't know much about them. I'm only familiar with the Lan family's son-in-law, Shen Zhaoran. However, if you mean antiques in his family, I do know a little about them, because Shen Zhaoran often brings real objects to consult me."
"You know that the investigation into Shen Zhaoran's case has been reopened. I'd like to hear your opinion on this matter."
"Death is the greatest thing. Regarding Shen Zhaoran, I'll stop here. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand." Ji Feng could certainly understand the deeper meaning of this sentence.
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with that. Business is business, and it's normal for businessmen to pursue maximum profits," Zhou Wenlan continued.
"I agree. However, in today's fiercely competitive market, it's easy to trigger a struggle for interests..."
"You misunderstood me." Zhou Wenlan waved his hand, silencing Ji Feng's speculation. "Although Chen Zhaoran is calculating and prioritizes money, his business with the Lan family is exclusive, a one-on-one relationship. He faces no competitive pressure, and the conflict of interests you just mentioned doesn't exist. Therefore, I believe his case has nothing to do with business."
"Then according to your inference, what is his case most likely related to?"
"Chen Zhaoran and I have known each other for many years and we are considered friends. If he encounters an accident, I would feel a little guilty if I don't do something for him." Zhou Wenlan said in a deep voice.
"Yes, I understand your feelings very well."
"Captain Ji, I know that cooperating with the public security authorities in their investigation is every citizen's duty. As a cultural relic expert trained by the state for many years, I have an unshirkable responsibility."
Ji Feng was about to show his respect when Zhou Wenlan stopped him with a slight gesture. He then changed the subject and continued, "But, as you just said, this is just speculation, based solely on personal judgment. I don't bear any legal consequences. Please keep it confidential."
"No problem, don't worry." Ji Feng said firmly, although he knew Zhou Wenlan might not believe it.
"Chen Zhaoran is a smart man, or rather, extremely shrewd. He might make mistakes, but he would never do anything foolish." Zhou Wenlan took a sip of tea and continued, "For example, even if there aren't any actual competitors, if a conflict of interest arises with a peer, he will generally take the initiative to give in. Harmony brings wealth is his creed."
Jifeng listened attentively, looking as if he was listening attentively.
“At the same time, through the information that Shen Zhaoran accidentally revealed several times, I feel that the outside world may have some misunderstandings about the Lan family.”
"Misunderstanding?" Ji Feng asked in confusion.
"Lan Xiting is a leading figure in the collecting and antiques world, and a philanthropist who has donated repatriated cultural relics. The support shown to the Lan family by city leaders has led to a negative impression of them as wealthy and powerful. However, I understand that some of the Lan family's so-called high-profile behavior is forced upon them. In reality, the Lan family is extremely low-key, especially Lan Xiting, who dislikes publicity."
"Old Zhou, please try to keep your words short," Zhou Wenlan's wife reminded him.
"Lan Ruojin can be considered as a daughter who inherited her father's business. Although she runs a teahouse on the surface, she has actually never relaxed her participation in the family business." Zhou Wenlan ignored the boss's reminder and continued to speak to himself.
"Is running a teahouse just a cover?"
"You could say that. From what I know, her teahouse doesn't rely on outside customers for profit. She certainly doesn't need the money for the tea. Her teahouse is more like her own teahouse. Most of the guests she entertains are her business partners, and they all talk about her antique business."
"Oh, so that's how it is. People who don't know the truth can't see it at all." Ji Feng was a little surprised.
"To outsiders, it looks like a mediocre teahouse, but little do they know it holds a hidden gem."
"Oh my god..." Ji Feng sighed inwardly.
"That's about all I know. It's time for me to go back. Thank you for your gift." Zhou Wenlan said as he got up and was about to leave.
"Mr. Zhou, do you know much about Lan Renxuan?"
"I haven't had much contact with Lan Renxuan, so I don't have much to say."
"Can you tell me about him?"
"Let's put it this way. Lan Xiting is a man of traditional values, but why doesn't he let his son inherit his business, but instead plans to let his daughter take over?"
"His son has no interest in the family business?"
"Captain Ji, let me say one last thing. From what I know, Lan Xiting is very disappointed with his son and has even threatened to sever their paternal relationship several times."
Ji Feng's mind immediately flashed with the image of the gangster he met at the airport. He had dyed yellow hair, multiple piercings on his body with silver rings hanging from the holes, and multiple dragon and tiger tattoos on his body.
"His son..." Ji Feng was about to ask, but Zhou Wenlan's wife hurriedly said, "Captain Ji, Old Zhou has been sitting for a long time and needs to go back as soon as possible. He is still recovering. Please understand."
"Okay then." Ji Feng couldn't refuse Mrs. Zhou's request and could only answer awkwardly.
"Captain Ji, this is all I know. If you ask me more, I won't know."
"Oh, I see. Thank you, Mr. Zhou. I'll come see you another day."
"Captain Ji, goodbye." Zhou Wenlan, supported by his wife, walked out of the teahouse with a unsteady gait.
Looking at Zhou Wenlan's back, Ji Feng felt a little unsatisfied. He checked the time and realized that if he went home for lunch and then returned, he would miss the afternoon meeting. So he gave up the idea of going home and started his pink "Kazilan Big Eyes" while dialing home.
A familiar, kind voice came from the other end of the phone. His parents were both pleasantly surprised and surprised that he'd returned to the provincial capital. They were also a little disappointed that he didn't have time to come home. But they were very understanding and, after urging him to be safe on the road, hung up.
As he sped along, clutching the steering wheel, he recalled and pieced together the scene of his recent meeting with Zhou Wenlan. "Zhou Wenlan's descriptions seemed disjointed, as if he had said everything, yet also as if he had said nothing. It was as if he was hinting at something. His hurried departure at the end made the meeting seem a little anticlimactic. Was it really because he had been sitting for so long that his body couldn't handle it?"
After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't figure it out. "Let me think about it carefully when I get back." He stepped lightly, and the strong push on his back was accompanied by a surging roar. The car shot out like an arrow. Under the scorching sun, it gradually shrank into a tiny red dot in the distance, and finally disappeared in the rolling heat wave.
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