As dawn broke, the county town returned to calm, but countless undercurrents were surging beneath this tranquility.
"Knock knock knock--knock--knock knock--knock!"
"who?"
"Brother Guo, it's me."
With a soft creak, the door opened a crack, and a head poked out. The person squinted, carefully examining the person standing outside, before grinning, "Brother Wei, it's you."
Han Weiguo, standing outside the door, nodded reservedly. "Brother Guo, let's go inside and talk."
The person inside nodded and opened the door: "Brother Weiguo, come in quickly!"
Han Weiguo stepped inside, closed and locked the door behind him, then walked to the table, poured himself a glass of hot water, and asked, "Brother Guo, how is he?"
The man known as Brother Guo was an honest, middle-aged man, the kind who wouldn't cause a ripple if thrown into a crowd.
Now, a sinister look appeared on the man's honest face: "Don't worry, he's asleep after I gave him the medicine."
Han Weiguo gave a faint "hmm," neither confirming nor denying, "Be careful not to die; this is our lifeline."
Guo Ge grinned with a simple, honest smile: "I'm being careful, nothing will happen."
The rising steam blurred Han Weiguo's features, and the two men sat facing each other in silence.
A moment later, Han Weiguo suddenly asked, "Is the place where the child is hidden safe?"
Guo Ge's brow twitched twice, and he chuckled, "Safe, of course it's safe!"
Looking at Guo Ge's honest face, Han Weiguo lowered his eyelids, concealing the gloom in his eyes, and said, "As long as you're safe."
Guo Ge chuckled twice, then fell silent again, and the room fell silent once more.
The two men sat facing each other in the cramped, dark room, both smiling.
After a while, Guo Ge saw that Han Weiguo had finished his water, stood up, poured him another glass, and then asked, "Brother Weiguo, how is it outside?"
In this regard, Han Weiguo did not hide anything from him: "Things have calmed down for now."
"It's quiet now?" Guo Ge was clearly a little surprised.
Han Weiguo stroked the cup and nodded: "Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get away either."
Guo Ge stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Could it be that our information is wrong? Does the Sang family not value their only child?"
"Impossible!" Han Weiguo interrupted decisively.
Guo Ge snapped out of his daze, glanced at him sideways, and then smiled: "Brother Wei Guo, don't get excited. I didn't mean to say that your information was inaccurate."
Han Weiguo didn't know whether he believed it or not, but he kept a straight face and didn't say another word.
He glanced at Guo Ge meaningfully, picked up his water glass, took a sip, and concealed the contempt in his eyes.
Guo Ge, sitting across the table, was quite dissatisfied with his behavior, but given the current situation, he couldn't afford to offend Han Weiguo, so he could only suffer in silence.
The atmosphere became tense. After a long while, Guo Ge spoke again: "Brother Wei Guo, have you received any further instructions from above?"
Han Weiguo put down his cup, looked up at Guo Ge, and shook his head: "No."
Guo Ge glanced at him and gave a soft "hmm".
The two of them didn't speak, and just sat there quietly.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from afar and stopped outside the door. The two silent men inside simultaneously revealed wary eyes.
They exchanged a glance, and finally, Guo stood up and tiptoed towards the door, his hand on his lower back, a dagger lurking in his belt...
"Knock knock knock--knock knock--knock knock--"
"who?"
"It's me, Ling Wei."
Upon hearing the name Ling Wei, Guo Ge turned around abruptly, his sharp gaze fixed on Han Weiguo.
Han Weiguo remained calm and said to Guo Ge, "My wife, open the door."
After weighing the options, Guo Ge opened the door.
Outside the door, Ling Wei stood quietly with her head down. Hearing the door open, she looked up and asked, "Brother Han?"
Guo Ge flashed his signature憨笑 (simple and honest smile): "It's sister-in-law, what brings you here? Brother Wei Guo is inside, come in quickly."
Ling Wei smiled and greeted him, "Brother Guo."
Then she walked past him and into the house. As soon as she stepped inside, she met Han Weiguo's gaze. Ling Wei's eyes flickered, and she gave a barely perceptible nod before speaking:
"Brother Han, I didn't see you when I got home. I knew you were here. You must have been busy all night. I made dinner. Why don't you come home and have some?" Ling Wei acted like a perfect wife and mother.
Upon hearing this, Guo Ge slapped his thigh in frustration: "Brother Wei Guo hasn't eaten yet? You should have said so earlier, I would have made you something."
Han Weiguo shook his head: "Brother Guo, you're too kind. I can't possibly eat your food. I'll just go home and grab something to eat."
He stood up and walked to Ling Wei's side: "Let's go back and have dinner."
Ling Wei obediently turned around and followed closely behind Han Weiguo.
Guo Ge watched the two figures gradually walk away, and could still hear their conversation.
"Brother Han, you've been working hard all night. After dinner, get a good night's sleep, otherwise your body won't be able to take it."
"I see."
"By the way, Brother Han, have you found the daughter of the Buling family?"
"No."
"Oh, such a small child, it's really worrying!"
As the two walked further away, Guo Ge could no longer hear their voices. He withdrew his gaze, suppressed his smile, and closed the door expressionlessly.
An hour later, Brother Guo, fully armed, came out of the house again, looked around, chose a direction, and slowly walked away.
Meanwhile, Han Weiguo and Ling Wei chatted about everyday things on their way home. When they reached a deserted section of the road, Han Weiguo asked, "Did you deliver the letter?"
Ling Wei quietly moved two steps to the side. "I've delivered it."
"Were you discovered?"
Ling Wei quickly shook her head.
Han Weiguo glanced at her before saying in a condescending tone, "Once this is over, we'll get a divorce."
Ling Wei lowered her head, not daring to look Han Weiguo in the eye, but still stammered, "The photo?"
"I have one more thing to tell you. Once you've finished, I'll give you all the photos," Han Weiguo said coldly.
Ling Wei suddenly looked up: "You...you said that if I delivered the letter, you would give me the photo?"
Han Weiguo remained unmoved. "Weiwei, you know I never do anything that doesn't pay off."
Ling Wei's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, "I...I can't do it well~"
Han Weiguo affectionately put his arm around Ling Wei's shoulder, "How could that be? Weiwei, you're very smart, aren't you?"
Like a devil's whisper, goosebumps rose on Ling Wei's neck. Feeling Han Weiguo's hand on her shoulder, she dared not move and mechanically walked forward.
"Then...what else do you need me to do?"
Upon hearing this, Han Weiguo gave a mocking smile, "It's not time yet. You'll find out when the time comes."
Seeing the person walking towards him, he quickly let go of Ling Wei, and the two walked forward side by side.
To an unsuspecting person, they appear to be a loving young couple.
Returning home without a word, Ling Wei was like a puppet, cooking for Han Weiguo, making the bed, and tidying up the house, not daring to stop for a moment...
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