Chapter 270

Xiao Long jumped up excitedly as soon as he heard it,

"Really, my dad is being held in Lao Cheng Qu."

I said, "It should be true. Quick, let's go find Shangguan Zhuren to discuss how to rescue your dad."

After I finished speaking, I got up from the bed,

Xiao Long and I hurried to Shangguan Zhuren's room to discuss.

Xiao Long knocked open the door,

As soon as I entered the room, I heard Shi Yong's snoring,

"Shangguan Zhuren, you and Xiao Long should share a room later; you can't stand Shi Yong's snoring."

Shangguan Zhuren shook his head helplessly,

"Ah, I never expected Shi Yong's snoring to be this loud, and he falls asleep so fast; I was just talking to him when his snoring started."

"Shi Yong just falls asleep quickly; nothing else matters."

Shangguan Zhuren laughed,

"Staying up this late, Jianqiang seems to have something important."

I said, "I've found where Li Ming is being held."

"Really? Where did you hear that?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

I took out a cigarette,

"Xiao Long, go outside and get us some water. I'm thirsty."

Xiao Long went outside to get me tea,

I whispered to Shangguan Zhuren, "It's Li Ming's secretary from Kong Shi's side. I have a very close private relationship with him."

Upon hearing that, Shangguan Zhuren became energized,

"I didn't expect you still had a trick up your sleeve. Quick, tell me where they're holding Li Ming."

"He's being held in Zaocheng's Lao Cheng Qu."

"Lao Cheng Qu is big; exactly where?"

"The secretary doesn't know either; he only told me it's in Lao Cheng Qu, but didn't give the exact location—maybe he's deliberately withholding it."

I took out a cigarette and handed it to Shangguan Zhuren.

Shangguan Zhuren took it,

held it to his nose and sniffed,

"Impossible; if the secretary could tell you it's in Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu, he'd surely give the exact details too—he wouldn't just say half and keep half."

"That would be pointless for him."

I took out a lighter and lit it for Shangguan Zhuren,

"I think the same, but Lao Cheng Qu is huge—how are we supposed to find him?"

Shangguan Zhuren took two puffs, said nothing; just then Xiao Long pushed the door open and came in, pouring us two cups of water.

I took it and drank slowly.

After a moment, Shangguan Zhuren said, "As long as we know the general area, that's enough; we'll have to inquire slowly in Lao Cheng Qu."

"If worse comes to worst, tomorrow I'll bring my grandfather and we'll go back to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu together," Xiao Long said.

"Right, we'll go first thing tomorrow morning, while they still haven't fully grasped our situation," I said.

"Xiao Long can't go, because he's already exposed. If he shows up, they'll find him," Shangguan Zhuren said.

"What should we do then? Shi Yong and I will go," I said.

I had just finished speaking when Shi Yong suddenly sat up on the bed,

"Where are we going, brother? Are we heading back to Xin Cheng?"

"How did this Shi Yong wake up,"

I said to Shi Yong, "It's none of your business; go back to sleep."

Shi Yong said, "I'm not sleeping; your talking is disturbing my sleep, and you're smoking—I can't sleep when I smell smoke."

"Alright, don't sleep—get up. We're discussing how to rescue your brother Li Ming."

"My brother Li Ming—where is he hidden? Have you found out?" Shi Yong asked urgently.

"My dad is hidden in Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu," Xiao Long continued.

"Lao Cheng Qu is big—where exactly?" Shi Yong asked again.

"We don't know; we're trying to figure it out," I said.

"Then it's useless; just knowing he's in Zaocheng isn't enough—we need the exact spot. Forget it, you keep discussing; I'm going back to sleep." Shi Yong said, then flopped back onto the bed.

I paid no more attention to Shi Yong.

Shangguan Zhuren said, "Shi Yong also can't go—he's exposed too. Believe me, if he shows his face, they'll catch you as well."

"What should we do?" I grew anxious, pacing the small room; after turning around twice, I suddenly thought of someone,

Ding Li—he doesn't live in Lao Cheng Qu, does he? And Lao Wai. 'Tomato Great Listen' adaptation of 'Inheritance Two', it's the unnamed teacher host from the original 'Inheritance One', a real person narrating, very good to listen to; I hope everyone supports it, thanks for your support and affection, today we add an extra chapter.

I said to Shangguan Zhuren, "Shangguan Zhuren, I want to make a trip to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu. I'll ask Ding Li for help. Have him figure out if he can find Li Ming's exact location."

"Finding Ding Li means the guy who does clothing wholesale, right?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

I nodded,

"I feel that person is capable and still usable; I must return to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu."

Xiao Long said, "Grandfather, isn't it too dangerous for you to go?"

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get its cub? We have to take a risk. We've been backed into a corner," I said.

Shangguan Zhuren took a puff of cigarette,

He thought for a moment,

Then he said: "Jianqiang is right, we have to take a risk. Your father is in their hands; the longer it goes, the worse it is for us."

We must rescue your father.

Ding Li, that person can cooperate.

As long as we let him know too much of the inside details, that'll do.

Jianqiang, don't go back to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu alone.

I'll go back too; for now I'm still not exposed.

That's what I think; I and Xiao Fang will accompany you back, to the place we used to live.

Then we'll act.

I said: "Shangguan Zhuren, if Xiao Fang leaves,"

Then what about Shen Honghong? She definitely won't stay here.

"If really necessary, let Shen Honghong go back with us." Shangguan Zhuren said.

"I'll go back too; everyone go back." Shi Yong said from the bed.

"Shen Honghong and Xiao Fang living here is too unsafe; we're too close to that group of Northeastern people; although they temporarily won't have any ideas, over time."

I think letting Xiao Fang and Shen Honghong return to Lao Cheng Qu is a good choice. Shi Yong, you and Xiao Long stay on the boat for now; when we're safe there, you can come over.

Shi Yong shouted: "What's the point of letting us go over if you're safe? Anyway I must go."

Shangguan Zhuren said: "Shi Yong, you're already exposed; if you go forward, we won't only be unable to find Li Ming's exact location, but we'll also let them find us."

"That's even less safe."

I said to Shi Yong: "Shi Yong, you're not a kid, use your brain. We'll first go check the situation. When appropriate, you and Xiao Long go there then. At that time, we can just stay in touch by phone."

Shi Yong, hearing my criticism, immediately said nothing and lay down to sleep again.

"Alright, let's do that. Tonight, let the boat captain take us to Linqiao Harbor, and under the cover of night we'll return to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu." Shangguan Zhuren arranged.

"That's settled. Tomorrow we'll take a small path under the cover of night back to Zaocheng Lao Cheng Qu." I said.

Shi Yong then pretended to snore, feigning sleep.

Xiao Long also didn't speak; it seemed he didn't want to stay on the boat either.

I looked at Shangguan Zhuren,

then said: "If really necessary, let them all go. Whether it's the four of us going or them all going together, it's risky."

Hearing me say that, Shi Yong got up from the bed again, saying: "My brother's right—we should live and die together. Anyway we're already like this; what's there to be afraid of? If we need to take a risk, we take it; maybe we'll turn defeat into victory. With me, Shi Yong, protecting you, everything we do will succeed."

As my brother said, it's right; we have to die together; anyway, everyone is already like this; afraid? What can we do? If we should take risks, then take risks; who knows, we might turn defeat into victory; with me, Shi Yong, protecting you, whatever we do will succeed.