No.
Does Sister-in-law Zhang know that Mr. Lin? ...
Lu Xuan's smile stretched from ear to ear; it turned out there were benefits to her brother's business trip.
"When is your brother going on another business trip?" The tone suggested that the older brother couldn't wait to go on a business trip.
Jiang Yufen patted her head: "Sister-in-law is about to give birth, why go on a business trip?"
Lu Xuan lightly slapped her mouth: "I misspoke."
Shen Rong teased her with a stern face, "How's your studying going?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan let out a wail: "Sister-in-law, I'm not going to study anymore, it's so hard!"
I don't understand a lot of it. I wanted to ask Sister Lin, but she's busy preparing for her wedding and doesn't have time, so I have to learn it on my own.
Or… her eyes darted to Shen Rong: “Sister-in-law, why don’t you teach me?”
Shen Rong thought for a moment. After all, she was a college graduate, so teaching her shouldn't be a problem, right? She pretended to be arrogant and said, "Let me see."
Since the New Culture Movement, schools now mostly use vernacular Chinese for teaching, and their textbooks are also compiled in vernacular Chinese, but still use traditional Chinese characters.
Now that Shen Rong can read traditional Chinese characters without any problem, Lu Xuan handed her the book.
Shen Rong looked at it for a while, then calmly put it aside and yawned.
"I'm so sleepy, I'm going to take a nap."
She turned and went upstairs. Lu Xuan was a little dumbfounded. Didn't her sister-in-law say she was going to teach her?
"Sister-in-law, you still haven't told me how to answer this question!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Rong quickened her pace. What a load of nonsense! The questions alone were enough to make her dizzy. This was truly terrifying! Translating classical Chinese into modern Chinese was bad enough, but now they had to translate modern Chinese back into classical Chinese, requiring an entire essay for each sentence.
Let her go, she's still a pregnant woman! Her head is empty, it's not filled with knowledge.
Jiang Yufen's voice came from downstairs: "Let your sister-in-law rest first, and ask her when she wakes up."
Shen Rong decided to sleep until dinner was ready.
In order to reveal her own level of education, Shen Rong took the initiative to suggest that she hire a tutor for Lu Xuan to help her with her studies.
"You guys are too busy, and I'm too exhausted." Shen Rong never forgot to save face.
"It's too difficult for my younger sister to learn on her own, don't you think?"
Lu Xuan nodded, looking at her older brother expectantly.
Lu You also agreed: "That's good too."
"Is it easy to find a teacher like this?" Lu Lin asked.
Shen Rong patted his chest and assured him, "Leave this to me."
She knows the main character, so how could she lack teachers? It just so happens that Lin Wenhui's wedding is coming up in a few days, so she can just ask when she goes to the wedding.
Shen Rong then brought up other matters, mentioning that various parties were inquiring about his and Dou Wenliang's whereabouts, especially the Japanese, who seemed to be very concerned. However, now that they had returned at the same time, it seemed impossible to keep it a secret any longer.
Lu Lin: "It doesn't matter, it couldn't be hidden for long anyway."
"Is the commander-in-chief going to discuss joining forces with everyone?"
Lu Lin was somewhat surprised that she had guessed it.
Shen Rong laughed: "I saw the things you bought, including jade from the Northwest and donkey-hide gelatin and sea cucumber from the East Province. These places are mortal enemies of Commander Dou. You can only talk about cooperation by going to their territory like this."
Lu You and the others then realized that their eldest brother had not actually gone to Pingcheng, and that their sister-in-law had known all along.
Lu Lin smiled and praised her, "Smart."
He was so smug and self-satisfied that he completely forgot what humility was.
Lu You exclaimed in astonishment: "Could it be that the Northern Expedition is real?"
I had heard before that the southern government was organizing an army to launch a northern expedition, but there had been no progress for several months. Moreover, after the death of the president at the beginning of the year, the south was leaderless. I thought it was just empty talk, but seeing how seriously General Dou was prepared, it must be true.
General Dou was already powerful, and now he has allied with warlords from the Northwest, Eastern Province, and Anhui Province. I'm afraid the Northern Expeditionary Army will have to return empty-handed again.
Lu Lin remained silent, his expression unreadable.
"It was a success." Shen Rong's voice was very soft, and only Lu Lin, who was sitting next to her, could hear it.
Lu Lin gave her a deep look, his eyes flickering.
Since Lu Lin and Dou Wenliang returned to Bincheng, the atmosphere in the city has become even more tense, and the number of messengers coming and going from the Marshal's Mansion has increased significantly.
The number of assassination attempts against Commander Dou has become more frequent. Lu Lin is very busy, and Shen Rong has not seen him for three days. When she returns each day, Shen Rong is already asleep, and when she wakes up, he has already left. If it weren't for the traces of someone sleeping next to him, she would have thought he was still on a business trip.
Soon, the wedding day of Lin Wenhui and Dong Rongyi arrived, and Shen Rong went with Jiang Yufen and Lu Xuan.
They had a Western-style wedding, and the banquet was held at the Bailing Hotel.
Shen Rong presented the gift money, and Dong Rongyi greeted her, saying, "Mrs. Lu, you've arrived. I'm so sorry for not being able to entertain you properly."
"Congratulations! May you grow old together in happiness. I'd like to go see the bride."
With a happy smile on her face, Dong Rongyi led them to the back.
"Mrs. Lu, thank you for coming." Dong Rongyi expressed his sincere gratitude. His wife's family didn't have many relatives or friends present, so Mrs. Lu's presence was to support Wen Hui.
"Wenhui and I are good friends, there's no need for formalities."
Before the wedding ceremony began, Lin Wenhui sat nervously in the room. When she heard a knock on the door, she said, "Come in."
"Sister Lin, you look so beautiful today!" Lu Xuan handed over the bouquet of flowers in her hands. "This is my wedding gift to you, Sister Lin, please don't mind it."
This was an idea suggested by her sister-in-law, and Lu Xuan thought it was good too. The flowers were beautiful and fragrant, and Sister Lin would definitely like them.
Lin Wenhui lowered her head to smell it, a touch of emotion on her face: "Thank you!"
The guests who came today were either her and her husband's friends or relatives from the Dong family. Her maternal family only had her third brother. Although she didn't care, the gossip from others still made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Shen Rong also took out a gift box: "I also have a gift for you."
Lin Wenhui declined, saying, "It's too valuable; I can't accept it."
Shen Rong laughed: "You knew it was valuable without even looking at it? Has my reputation for being generous spread?"
Lu Xuan and Jiang Yufen covered their mouths and laughed, deliberately making exaggerated expressions.
"Keep it. It's a wedding gift for you, how can I not accept it?"
Lin Wenhui blushed and whispered, "Thank you."
Jiang Yufen also presented her own gift: "Miss Lin, please rest assured, it's not very expensive, just a token of my appreciation."
Lin Wenhui smiled sheepishly.
After chatting for a while, Shen Rong took the opportunity to mention the matter of hiring a teacher for Lu Xuan and asked if she had any recommendations.
Lin Wenhui smiled and said, "But coincidentally, a few teachers in the Chinese Department wanted to run a class during the holidays to prepare for the entrance exam. Why do you need to hire a private tutor? Just let my little sister study in this class. They have several teachers."
"However, it will cost twenty silver dollars." But she could tell that the Lu family was not short of money.
Sure enough, Shen Rong thought it was a good idea and asked Lu Xuan for her opinion: "You can get to know some classmates in advance. It's better to communicate with them more than to stay at home and study. What do you think?"
Lu Xuan nodded; she would naturally prefer to have company.
The wedding was about to begin, and Dong Rongyi came to invite them to take their seats.
Mr. Dong had a smile on his face, but Mrs. Dong seemed unhappy, her eyes fixed on Kang Wenbai.
Kang Wenbai looked like he'd just lost his mother, drinking at the storefront; it was enough to make anyone want to punch him.
Shen Rong was a little confused as to whether Kang Wenbai was sentimental or heartless. Since he didn't like her and she was getting married anyway, why did he have to act like he was heartbroken? Anyone who didn't know better would think that Lin Wenhui had wronged him.
It's truly an eyesore. Shen Rong rolled her eyes. This Kang Wenbai has a natural talent for causing trouble.
Fortunately, I had already severed ties with him, otherwise I can't even imagine what my situation would be like now.
Kang Wenbai happened to look over and saw Shen Rong's disdainful gaze. Feeling a little guilty, he put down his wine glass and sat up straighter.
The wedding ceremony has been completed, and the newlyweds are serving tea to their elders.
Mr. Dong drank it with a smile, took out a red envelope and put it on the plate, while Mrs. Dong slowly took a sip and glanced at Lin Wenhui.
"Now that you've married into the Dong family, you must abide by the rules and live a law-abiding life. Our family is a family with rules..."
The people around him looked at him strangely, and some whispered among themselves.
This is about setting rules for the new daughter-in-law; it seems the mother-in-law is dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law.
Hearing the buzzing discussion, Dong frowned and coughed lightly to remind her mother, who then reluctantly placed the red envelope on the table.
Lin Wenhui felt a moment of distress, lowered her head to compose herself, and when she looked up again, she had a faint smile on her face.
Jiang Yufen sighed softly upon seeing this.
Shen Rong also sighed, "Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships really exist everywhere!"
Jiang Yufen chuckled.
Lu Xuan: "Why do you say that, sister-in-law? Don't you and Mother have a very good relationship?"
She noticed that even her mother seemed a little afraid of her sister-in-law.
With an enigmatic air, he said, "You don't understand."
No elders from the Lin family attended the wedding; only Lin Wenhui's third brother came.
Lin Wenxuan laughed and explained to everyone, "My uncle is away on business and is very sorry that he cannot attend my sister's wedding. He specifically instructed me to make sure to send his regards."
He pulled out an envelope: "This is the land deed for our family's house. My uncle said he lived a poor life and didn't accumulate any wealth, so this is your dowry."
Lin Wenhui burst into tears: "Dad..."
Lin Wenxuan helped her up and wiped away her tears: "Don't cry, you're the bride today, you can't cry."
He instructed Dong Rongyi, who was standing beside him, "My uncle also said that he only has this one precious daughter, and she must not be mistreated. Rongyi, you must treat my sister well. If you bully her, not only will I not forgive you, but Wenhui has six older brothers."
Lin Wenxuan glanced at Dong's mother, his support for Lin Wenhui evident in his eyes. He had witnessed Dong's mother's actions just now, and this was a reminder to her that the Lin family was not without its members.
Dong Rongyi bowed deeply: "Third Brother, rest assured, I will never let Wenhui down."
Lin Wenxuan patted him on the shoulder: "It's good that you remember. If Wenhui hadn't chosen you, we wouldn't have been so happy about this marriage."
Dong's mother's face turned very ugly.
Jiang Yufen whispered to Shen Rong, "The Lin family really dotes on their daughter."
Lu Xuan noticed that Shen Rong's expression was a little strange and thought she was not feeling well: "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
Shen Rong snapped out of her reverie: "It's nothing, I was just spacing out."
I never expected to run into him here; he turns out to be Lin Wenhui's third brother.
Lin Wenhui brought her third brother to Shen Rong's table: "Third brother, this is my good friend whom I met in Bincheng, Shen Rong, the wife of Director Lu of the Police Department."
Lin Wenxuan's expression changed slightly, and he took the initiative to speak: "Mrs. Lu, it's a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for taking care of my sister!"
Shen Rong smiled and extended her hand: "No need to thank me, Mr. Lin, you've just arrived in Bincheng, haven't you?"
Lin Wenhui: "Yes, my third brother just happened to be doing business here."
Shen Rong nodded: "I hope we'll have the chance to meet again next time."
Lin Wenxuan withdrew his hand and clenched it tightly, then smiled and went with Lin Wenhui and her husband to meet their other friends.
Seeing that Shen Rong was behaving strangely, Lu Xuan asked, "Does Sister-in-law know that Mr. Lin?"
Shen Rong paused for a moment, then shook her head and chuckled, "I don't know you. This is the first time we've met."
When Lin Wenxuan heard her say that, he loosened his grip.
Chapter 85 As long as he isn't caught red-handed, Lu Lin…
Shen Rong thought she would be taken to the interrogation room, but she didn't expect to be taken to the back garden.
Dou Wenliang and Cao Fengyi came over: "Tianming, you're a little late. You'll be punished by having to grill meat for us later."
Cao Fengyi asked Shen Rong with concern, "I heard you went to the hospital yesterday. Was the child feeling unwell? Is he feeling better?"
Here it comes, Shen Rong said, taking out the prepared speech: "He's perfectly fine, just a minor problem. It seems I was too nervous."
She smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
Waiting for the next round of questioning, Dou Wenliang didn't even glance in their direction.
Cao Fengyi comforted her, saying, "All mothers are like this," and then started talking about other things.
That's it? Shen Rong thought she was in for a tough fight. She had prepared all night. Was she not going to ask any more questions?
Just then, more guests arrived, and Dou Wenliang and Cao Fengyi went to exchange pleasantries with them. Shen Rong tugged at Lu Lin's sleeve: "What's going on?"
It's not like I'm letting her use her spoiled princess skills to cause trouble. But this situation doesn't seem right either, since no one's asking.
Lu Lin smiled, pretending not to understand, and leaned close to her ear: "Miss Shen, what are your orders? Are you not satisfied with these? Then I'll grill them for you myself?"
That tone makes you want to punch someone.
Shen Rong glared at him, and Dou Wenliang and his wife appeared again at some point.
Dou Wenliang exclaimed "Oh!" and joked, "Looks like the flowers didn't work. Your sister-in-law is still angry with him."
Shen Rong smiled and put on a gentle and dignified appearance: "No, I'm not angry at all."
Dou Wenliang patted Lu Lin on the shoulder sympathetically: "Come on, I'll take you to meet some people." He looked like he was rescuing Lu Lin from a predicament.
“Tianming, you still have a lot to learn. You can’t just rely on flowers to win people over.” He spoke to Lu Lin with the air of someone who had been through it all.
Cao Fengyi smiled and shook her head: "Don't listen to those men, let's go and be free."
She took Shen Rong out to eat: "I'm not used to drinking these red wines." She asked Shen Rong which one she wanted to drink.
The Marshal's Mansion has a very complete selection of alcoholic beverages, including those that men and women would like.
Shen Rong picked up a glass of champagne: "This will be fine with me."
Cao Fengyi said disdainfully, "What's so good about this? It doesn't taste like alcohol. Drink mine instead." But what she was holding was whiskey.
"I don't have your alcohol tolerance. If you made me drink that, I'd be knocked out in one gulp," Shen Rong shook her head in refusal.
You know Cao Fengyi drinks alcohol like it's water; who would dare drink what she recommends?
Cao Fengyi chuckled. Just then, Han Xiwen arrived with Ma Langhua.
"Cousin-in-law".
With Han Xiwen regaining Dou Wenliang's favor, Ma Langhua started to tremble again. When she saw Shen Rong, she first looked her up and down, assessed her clothes, and felt that they were not as expensive as hers. She then proudly raised her chin.
"Mrs. Lu is here too." It seemed like she was only just noticing Shen Rong, who was already quite grown up.
Cao Fengyi shook her head, thinking, "She really doesn't learn her lesson."
Han Xiwen smiled and nodded to Shen Rong: "I didn't expect Mrs. Lu to come too?"
"What are you saying? Can't she come?" Shen Rong looked completely bewildered.
Han Xiwen: "I heard that Mrs. Lu went to the Army Hospital yesterday. What a coincidence! Not long after you went to the hospital, one of our suspects escaped. Has Mrs. Lu seen him?"
Shen Rong choked for a moment: "I don't quite understand what Commander Han is talking about. Are you saying I let your suspect go? No, Commander Han, who are you trying to arrest!"
Han Xiwen stared at her face. Shen Rong showed no sign of panic after being exposed. Was she too deep-seated or did she really not know?
"You know Wen Zhongda, right? He's a good friend of Commander Lu and has eaten at your house several times."
Shen Rong nodded: "I know him. What happened to him?" With a hint of doubt, "Did he offend Commander Han?"
Han Xiwen smiled and said, "This Dr. Wen is a ***. We were just about to arrest him yesterday when he suddenly disappeared. I heard that Mrs. Lu was also at the hospital at the time."
Shen Rong's face immediately turned panicked, a mixture of anger and fear: "Don't talk nonsense. I didn't see him yesterday. Besides, have you investigated thoroughly? Dr. Wen is a good person. Could you have been framed?"
Cao Fengyi frowned, her tone somewhat stiff: "Xiwen, we don't understand official matters either. Why are you telling us these things? So many people went to the hospital yesterday. Are you going to ask them one by one?"
He treated her like a criminal in this setting, which angered Cao Fengyi. Today was her party, and Shen Rong was her good friend. She was right there with him, and he was showing her no respect at all.
Han Xiwen looked embarrassed: "Madam is right."
"Sister-in-law, why are you always biased towards outsiders?" Ma Langhua said, somewhat indignant that her husband was losing face.
Cao Fengyi couldn't say anything to Han Xiwen, so she could use her as a scapegoat: "There are no outsiders here today, only our own people. This isn't a courtroom, it's my backyard, not a place for you to interrogate people."
Seeing Cao Fengyi's displeasure, Han Xiwen immediately put on a smiling face to smooth things over: "It was my oversight. Seeing Mrs. Lu reminded me of this matter, and I forgot for a moment. I will punish myself with a drink."
He picked up the wine and drank it all in one gulp: "Mrs. Lu, please don't mind. I was just worried that you would be taken advantage of, so I was anxious."
Shen Rong looked behind him, and Han Xiwen's back stiffened.
The next moment, Lu Lin appeared:
"Commander Han, if you want to interrogate someone, you should interrogate me. Why are you bothering my wife? What could a housewife like her know? Wen Zhongda is my friend of many years, and he was invited to Bincheng by me. My wife went to the hospital on my orders to tip off someone. Isn't that what you want to know? I can tell you all of this, but you don't come to ask me. Instead, you turn around and scare my wife. You've really got some nerve."
He stood next to Shen Rong, looking at Han Xiwen with a hint of disdain in his eyes, clearly showing his support for his wife.
Shen Rong was terrified by his words. She grabbed his hand tightly and asked, "Are you sure it's okay?"
Lu Lin glanced at her and asked in a low voice, "Were you frightened?"
What are you trying to scare me for? You're scarier than me. Aren't you afraid people will mistake you for an accomplice?
Han Xiwen's face was grim, and he gripped his wine glass tightly.
Lu Lin gave him a cold laugh: "I can also tell you where he is right now. He's at an American tobacco company. Commander Han can go and arrest him."
Shen Rong was anxious. What was wrong with him? He wouldn't say anything yesterday when she asked, but today he told Han Xiwen. What if he really went to arrest people? She pinched Lu Lin's hand hard.
"What are you talking about now? What's with all this talk about the British and Americans?" Dou Wenliang noticed the awkward atmosphere and sauntered over.
Cao Fengyi whispered a few words in his ear, and Dou Wenliang's smile faded as he glanced at Han Xiwen.
“Xiwen, if someone runs away, they run away. You did your best. I didn’t blame you or deny your contributions. You can’t turn on your own people. I value you and Tianming equally. If you have any grievances, you can tell me.”
This means that Han Xiwen wanted to take the opportunity to suppress Lu Lin, and suddenly it turned into internal strife. Brilliant!
"Young Marshal, that's not what I meant. I also have great respect for Commander Lu. I just want to find out what happened that day." Han Xiwen put on a smiling face.
He was also flexible and apologized to Lu Lin: "Brother Tianming, please forgive me. I was rash."
He then cupped his hands to Shen Rong and said, "I apologize to my sister-in-law. I was not thoughtful enough and was just being paranoid."
Shen Rong glanced at Lu Lin. "That's it?"
Lu Lin squeezed her hand, signaling her to be quiet, and said to Han Xiwen with a forced smile, "I understand, Commander Han is eager to make a name for yourself and let Jincheng see your abilities, but you're being too hasty."
These words were rather malicious. Han Xiwen noticed that Dou Wenliang's expression changed, and his face darkened.
Although Dou Wenliang has submitted to the government, and Bincheng is now nominally government territory, is the Dou family, who have been managing the city for over a decade, really willing to hand it over so easily?
He managed Bincheng like an ironclad fortress, making it difficult for people from Jincheng to get involved. However, if someone from within the city were to actively seek close ties with them, that would be a different story.
Dou Wenliang looked at him with a more probing gaze. He hated traitors the most, so Han Xiwen could only curse inwardly. This Lu Lin was truly insidious.
"Lu Lin, you've gone too far. My father followed the warlord even in the bandit's den. Everything the Han family has is given to us by the warlord's mansion. How dare you talk to me like that? What kind of person do you take me for? If I, Han Xiwen, had such thoughts, I would deserve to die a horrible death!" Han Xiwen seemed to have been humiliated, clenching his fists and his veins bulging.
"What nonsense are you spouting? This is not something you can just talk nonsense about. The more you say, the more outrageous it becomes," Cao Fengyi scolded her, glancing at her husband.
Dou Wenliang's expression softened considerably.
Han Xiwen glared at Lu Lin and sneered, "I also want to test Commander Lu's intentions. You are different from me, you are not from Bincheng, yet you are protecting those traitors so much. Do you have other intentions?"
Shen Rong's heart leaped into her throat. This Han Xiwen was too wicked! She glared at him angrily, her eyes blazing with fury.
Lu Lin seemed not to hear him, and did not refute him. He just glanced at him and smiled contemptuously.
There was a hint of tacit agreement in his tone. Seeing him take out a cigarette and about to bite into it, Shen Rong hurriedly snatched it away and stomped on it, saying, "Why are you smoking at a time like this?"
Her interruption immediately broke the atmosphere.
Dou Wenliang smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Alright, what kind of person do you take me for, a tyrant? Now is the time for us to work together, but our own people are starting to fight."
He turned to Han Xiwen and said, "You can just do your job half-heartedly, there's no benefit in it. The most important thing now is the Japanese. The people of Jincheng are watching from the sidelines. They have a good plan, so don't get caught up in it."
"That Dr. Wen ran away, but honestly, I was the one who invited him here. Does that mean I'm also suspected of colluding with the bandits?"
Han Xiwen had nothing to say: "I'll listen to you."
Seeing that they had started talking about the current situation, Cao Fengyi led her and Ma Langhua to the other side: "Let's go, let them talk about serious matters."
Ma Langhua snorted coldly and said in a strange tone, "Commander Lu really dotes on his wife, but I can't even ask you a few more questions."
What Lu Lin just said was to support Shen Rong, wasn't it?
Shen Rong ate a small snack and replied with a smile, "You're envious, aren't you? You can also get Commander Han to pamper you more!"
Ma Langhua, feeling rebuffed, snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Cao Fengyi shook her head: "Ignore her, she's really brainless, she just can't seem to grow a brain."
"Don't take Han Xiwen's words to heart. He was just sent out by Wenliang, and when he came back, he was eager to get things done. He was too hasty."
She smiled and said, "But your Lu Lin really loves you; he came right away to stand up for you."
Shen Rong couldn't eat anymore. She put down the half-eaten pastry and sighed, "It can't really be said that they're standing up for me. Commander Han was just targeting him after all. I'm just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire."
She glanced around and asked Cao Fengyi in a low voice, "What exactly did Wen Zhongda do wrong? Why are you arresting him?"
He poked at the pastries on his plate with his fork, looking somewhat sullen: "No wonder Lu Lin seemed unhappy yesterday."
Cao Fengyi: "Hey, who can say for sure? It doesn't necessarily mean committing a crime. How can one tolerate someone else snoring beside one's bed? That's the principle."
Just like in Bincheng today, although Dou Wenliang has submitted to the Jincheng government, can the two sides really be on good terms and become one family? The struggle for power and profit is still going on behind the scenes.
No one wants to share power with others. Let the people of Jincheng worry about all that; Dou Wenliang has no interest in it.
Shen Rong looked at the three people not far away and admired Lu Lin's intelligence.
She had just realized that Lu Lin understood Dou Wenliang and knew that he harbored resentment towards Jincheng. At most, he would only give perfunctory orders to them. Therefore, even if Dou Wenliang knew that he was behind it, as long as it wasn't done openly, he wouldn't be held accountable.
He called Shen Rong to go to the hospital. Even if she swaggered away from the hospital with Wen Zhongda, as long as she wasn't caught on the spot, Lu Lin could handle it.
No wonder they said to let her throw a tantrum; it turns out it was to deal with Han Xiwen. Only when she lost her temper could Lu Lin take the opportunity to make trouble.
How wicked! But she likes it!
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