Chapter 247: Assassination at the Railway Station

"Oh!" Tian Dan exclaimed softly. It was too late to try and steady He Yuzhu, and he fell heavily onto the train floor.

Watching his disheveled state, Tian Dan hesitated for a moment, but still reached out to help him up, asking softly, "Are you alright?"

He Yuzhu pointed to his thigh and smiled bitterly, "My leg muscles have atrophied; I have no strength in them."

"It's that serious?" Tian Dan said. "Where is your seat? Let me help you over there!"

"I'm returning to Si Jiu Cheng from Tianjin on business, but I couldn't buy a seat ticket. Miss, if you have an empty spot there, I'm willing to pay a high price for it! Standing all the way back like this is truly suffering!"

Tian Dan pondered for a moment and said, "We have space to sit in our sleeper cabin. It isn't far from Tianjin to Beiping; you can come over and rest."

"Many thanks, Miss, I will pay you for it!" He Yuzhu said, moving to take out money.

"No need!" Tian Dan supported his arm and walked slowly toward the sleeper cabin.

He Yuzhu thought to himself, isn't Tian Dan a genius? How is she so easy to trick! It seems she is still too kind-hearted.

"Dad, this gentleman has trouble with his legs and couldn't buy a seat, so I'd like to let him sit on our sleeper," Tian Dan said to the middle-aged man sitting on the lower bunk.

The man was about forty-eight or forty-nine, with a long face and a broad forehead, eyes that were bright and piercing, thin lips, and hair combed into a neat side part. A black Lenin suit made him look exceptionally stern.

He sized up He Yuzhu and nodded; clearly, he was not very pleased with his daughter's meddling.

As soon as He Yuzhu sat down, he pulled two large bars of chocolate from his pocket and handed them to the two of them.

"My surname is He, and I am called He Yuzhu. A small token of my appreciation, please don't be formal."

"My name is Tian Dan, and this is my father," Tian Dan introduced.

Tian Huaizhong took the chocolate, put it in his pocket, examined He Yuzhu's expensive suit, and asked, "Judging by Mr. He's attire, I presume you have returned from studying abroad?"

"I studied in the United Kingdom for three years."

Tian Dan's eyes lit up, "Your English must be quite good, then?"

"So-so. I haven't had much chance to use it since returning to the country, and I've almost forgotten it all," He Yuzhu smiled modestly.

"You said you are from Beiping; which alley do you live in?" Tian Dan asked.

It was clear that Tian Dan was still very vigilant. He Yuzhu knew that Tian Dan had an amazing memory and knew the map of Beiping by heart.

He told the truth, "I live in the Siheyuan at Nanluoguxiang 95."

"That courtyard..." Tian Dan said thoughtfully, "It runs north-to-south, like a fish bone, with a divergent layout and many small alleys. As for number 95... I can't quite recall the specific location at the moment."

He Yuzhu feigned surprise and said ingratiatingly, "Has Dan been to Si Jiu Cheng before?"

Tian Dan shook her head, "I have studied the map of Beiping city; every street and alley is memorized in my mind."

"Dan has a great memory!" He Yuzhu praised.

Tian Huaizhong's gaze fell on He Yuzhu's legs from time to time.

He Yuzhu hurriedly explained, "My leg is like this because I trained it poorly myself. When I was studying in the United Kingdom, I was always being bullied, so I desperately ran and practiced Kung Fu. I was too eager for quick success and had no one to guide me; I likely damaged my meridians. I went to a hospital in the United Kingdom, and the doctor said it was muscle atrophy caused by overexertion. The doctor said that by the time I reach thirty, I'm afraid I won't be able to stand."

Upon hearing this, Tian Huaizhong's expression softened, and he sighed, "Seeing how strong your sinews and bones are, if you hadn't said anything, I never would have guessed you had this illness."

He Yuzhu smiled nonchalantly, "A disabled body doesn't mean a disabled spirit. Even if I really have to use a wheelchair in the future, I can still live a decent life."

Tian Dan was a bit suspicious of He Yuzhu's story, but then she thought, am I being too suspicious? She laughed at herself, revealing two dimples. It must be said that her smile was very healing.

He Yuzhu naturally steered the conversation toward the purpose of their trip: "Is Uncle visiting friends this time in Si Jiu Cheng?"

Tian Huaizhong nodded slightly: "To see an old friend."

"My family has opened restaurants in Qianmen and by Shichahai called He Ji Restaurant. If you two have any spare time, you are welcome to come and taste the food. Mention my name, He Yuzhu, and I will certainly give it to you for free."

"What kind of dishes do you make?" Tian Dan continued to probe.

"We specialize in Sichuan Cuisine and Lu Cuisine." A glow appeared in He Yuzhu's eyes. "I am a chef; I know Tan Family Cuisine, Sichuan Cuisine, and Lu Cuisine... I also created a famous local dish called Boiled Fish—I slice the fresh fish as thin as a cicada's wing, pour boiling chili oil over it, and with a 'hiss,' the aroma fills the air. In Si Jiu Cheng, you can ask around; there's no one who doesn't know this dish!"

Tian Dan smiled upon hearing this: "It sounds like it would be delicious. I will definitely go when the time comes!"

"You are welcome!" He Yuzhu said.

At first, Tian Huaizhong and his daughter were still somewhat wary of this young man they had met by chance, but listening to He Yuzhu's carefree, blabbering manner, their defenses gradually weakened.

During his rambling chatter, Tian Dan also inadvertently revealed her heart, saying that she would soon see her boyfriend from whom she had been separated for four years.

Judging by the longing that could not be hidden between her brows, the relationship was quite deep.

He Yuzhu secretly felt it wasn't worth it for her; that man was a King of Hell who wanted to kill her father.

The idea he originally had to reveal his own identity was also dismissed; he was afraid they would suspect him instead, so it would be better to protect them in secret.

Outside the Beiping Railway Station, Tie Lin, the Group Leader of the Secret Service Bureau's Action Team Group 2, curled up on the seat of a rickshaw, his nose running, rubbing his hands vigorously to keep warm.

A middle-aged man approached the rickshaw and said in a Shanxi accent, "Jianguomen."

"What did you see?" Tie Lin squinted and glared at him.

"Jianguomen!"

"Get lost, what 'what did you see'?" Tie Lin said.

After the man walked away dejectedly, Tie Lin couldn't stand the cold anymore, slipped off the rickshaw, and ducked into a Jeep nearby.

Team Leader Ma, who was sitting in the car, opened his mouth and cursed, "Tie Lin, you bastard, you abandoned your post! Get back there immediately!"

Tie Lin retorted, unconvinced, "I've been freezing outside for an hour; let me warm up for a while. The Action Team only has one car, why is it that only you officials can sit in it?"

"Why! If you have the ability, you become the team leader too," Team Leader Ma cursed.

"Stop putting on airs of authority with me! When I joined the Secret Service Bureau, you hadn't even stepped foot in Beiping yet!" Tie Lin cursed.

Team Leader Ma's face darkened: "Get back to your post immediately! If you mess things up because of this, I'll have you shot!"

"Stinking attitude! You're just a lousy team leader and you don't even know who you are! Let me tell you! The eight team leaders before you all died, damn it!" Tie Lin cursed and slammed the car door as he got out.

The train whistled as it sped across the desolate wilderness of Huabei.

The train attendant's voice rang out: "We will arrive at Beiping Station shortly. Please gather your luggage and prepare to disembark in an orderly fashion..."

The train slowly pulled into Beiping Station.

Tian Dan's eyes were full of curiosity; she leaned against the train window, excitedly looking for the intimate lover who had come to meet her.

The whistle blew long and loud, white smoke billowed, and the train came to a stop with a "clatter."

He Yuzhu quietly activated the Scanning System and discovered that there were actually six secret agents on the platform.

At this moment, Feng Qingbo hurried toward the train window where Tian Dan was, smiling and waving at Tian Dan.

Tian Dan happily waved back at him as well.

Tian Huaizhong wanted to help He Yuzhu get off the train, but he was refused, "Uncle Tian, go attend to your business! I'm a local; I'll leave once the crowd has cleared out."

Only then did Tian Huaizhong follow Tian Dan off the train.

Taking advantage of the crowd rushing to push their way out, He Yuzhu quickly took a dog-fur hat from his space and put it on his head, then took out an old sheepskin coat and put it on.

He rapidly transformed from a fake foreigner into an authentic Old Hunter from the Northeast.

Because everyone was rushing to push their way out, no one noticed He Yuzhu's disguise.

"Dandan!" Feng Qingbo grabbed Tian Dan's hand.

Tian Dan looked at Feng Qingbo with excitement.

The two held hands, looking at each other, their eyes filled with the passion of not having met for a long time.

"Mr. Tian! The cars outside are all called, let's go!" Feng Qingbo said.

"Alright!" Tian Huaizhong said.

Tian Dan looked at Feng Qingbo with fiery enthusiasm, which made him feel a bit uneasy.

Tian Huaizhong tactfully hid to one side, turning his head away so as not to look at the two.

Seeing that her father was not by her side, Tian Dan immediately hugged Feng Qingbo tightly.

"Can we see the Forbidden City from where we're staying?" Tian Dan asked excitedly.

"Can't see it!" Feng Qingbo replied somewhat perfunctorily.

Tian Dan's eyes were not idle; she recognized one of the secret agents at a glance.

"Then can we see the Drum Tower?" Tian Dan continued to ask.

"Also can't see it!"

As soon as Tian Dan turned her head, she saw two more secret agents eyeing her.

Tian Huaizhong coughed, reminding the two that it was time to go.

He Yuzhu kept his head down, hiding in the crowd, and had already memorized the appearances of four secret agents, though it would be very difficult to take these four out in the crowd.

"You're wearing too little, put this inside your coat!" Tian Dan handed the hot water bottle to Feng Qingbo.

Although Tian Dan knew that this time might be ominous, she still remained calm, quickly calculating ways to escape in her mind.

He Yuzhu followed the three of them at a leisurely pace, keeping a close watch on the few secret agents to see what exactly they wanted to do.

He knew that this time Feng Qingbo intended to kill Tian Huaizhong, but would not make a move against Tian Dan.

Seeing the three of them about to walk out of the station, He Yuzhu felt a bit worried; could it be that Feng Qingbo wasn't going to make his move in the restroom this time? With enemies everywhere outside the station, he feared he wouldn't be able to protect the two of them.

Just as the three were about to walk out of the station exit, Tian Huaizhong suddenly stopped and asked, "How far is the place we're staying from here?"

"About two quarters of an hour!" Feng Qingbo said.

"Is there a restroom nearby?" Tian Huaizhong asked.

"There's one inside!" Feng Qingbo said.

"Dandan, wait for me a moment. Getting old is just troublesome!" After saying this, Tian Huaizhong walked toward the restroom.

"Dad, we'll wait for you outside the station!" Tian Dan said.

Watching Tian Huaizhong enter the restroom, He Yuzhu immediately became happy; he knew the script hadn't changed this time.

He Yuzhu walked quickly toward the restroom.

Feng Qingbo took Tian Dan and walked out of the train station together.

A Pangzi ran quickly to Tie Lin's side outside the station and said, "The people are about to come out; there are three of them in total."

"Wasn't it said there were two? Why did someone suddenly get added?" Tie Lin asked.

"One is the person picking them up, and two are the ones coming over!" Pangzi said.