War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1780: The Visitors and Xia Shushi's Unyielding Determination

In Baiyangdian, in the large courtyard of a certain queen's grandmother's house, a row of lounge chairs were lined up in the wide corridor. Several girls, led by Koko, did not consider themselves outsiders at all. They lay on the lounge chairs one by one, lazily enjoying the bright sunshine outside the window.

There are only a few days left until the Chinese New Year. The greatest pleasure and anticipation for these girls who come here to celebrate the New Year is to go to various towns and even counties to attend the big markets before the New Year, and then buy big bags of food and drinks that they like.

The two teams of Hela girls and Baba Yaga's little sisters had gathered in a city in the south a few days ago and decided not to leave.

Even at the instigation of Sui Sui, the girls of Baba Yaga started a live broadcast, and they happily danced the "Slavic shake" that they learned from somewhere every day.

Although they are a bit unsophisticated, these crazy girls are extremely popular on the Internet because of their good looks and rumors of having affairs with certain prostitutes.

As a result, the nickname that Wei Ran least wanted to see naturally became a related search term like a label.

Of course, Wei Ran was not the only one who felt awkward. In this period of time before the end of the year, his name was mentioned from time to time in several consecutive news reports, or he appeared in one or two shots.

Among them is "Mr. Wei Ran", who was frequently mentioned and thanked by Mr. Downey during interviews when he came to China to donate those photos with Xia Shushi.

There are also Grandpa Yu and Hanika thanking him during the interview, and there are brief shots and even group photos of him and Sui Sui paying homage to Yu Yanlin and others.

With the interweaving of positive news and gossip, Wei Ran, a historian who is famous both outside and within the country, has become increasingly confusing.

Of course, Wei Ran himself had no time to pay attention to all this at this moment. This was the third day since they returned. But in fact, early yesterday morning, he and Sui Sui brought Lu Xinda, who could speak Chinese, and Marta, who was learning Chinese, and hurried to the small Western-style building in Tianjin to entertain the guests who came to visit one after another.

Among these guests who came to visit before the New Year, there was Li Ziqiang, a representative of the younger generation of the Li family who came from Sichuan. Accompanying him was Hu Shangwu, a peer of the Hu family, and the descendants of the Zhao family who came from Ao Island.

In addition to sending Wei Ran special gifts from the three places, they also brought good news. The descendants of the Zhao family had found their aunt in Ulan-Ude according to the address provided by Wei Ran.

As soon as this group left, Jiang Zhuangzhuang and Jiang Maomao who came from Ganzi, as well as Sister Juan and her daughter Li Lingxi also rushed over and presented the gifts they brought.

Perhaps there have been too many topics and news about him recently, and before this group of friends of the same age left, Grandpa Chen Qi and Grandpa Zhao Shengli each asked their grandchildren to come to their homes and deliver heavy gifts.

Not only that, but in the next few days, those who came to visit included Yu Jianxing, the grandson of the Yu family who came from Shencheng, and Clement and Armani, a brother and sister, who followed him around, calling him "brother" left and right.

What Wei Ran did not expect was that along with the brother and sister and Yu Jianxing came the Spanish wrestler Miguel and his brother-in-law Giuliano!

Of course, they didn't bring the beautiful female translator this time.

"Mr. Miguel and Mr. Giuliano are also planning to come to China to celebrate the Spring Festival?"

In the reception room on the second floor of the small western-style building, Wei Ran asked in French with a smile while the Kajianka sisters who came to help were serving coffee and tea to everyone.

"certainly"

After listening to the translation by the young man named Clement, Miguel laughed and said, "We are indeed here to experience the Spring Festival in China, so Mr. Victor, don't be nervous. We are not here to rush you to help us with the investigation."

"Frankly speaking, there's no point in urging him." Wei Ran also waited for the other party to finish helping with the translation before spreading his hands and saying.

After this little joke, Miguel got down to business very straightforwardly. "Mr. Victor, my friend Greva and I, if we are lucky enough to do business with you and Her Majesty the Queen, we will be able to live a better life than now. So this time, Giuliano and I came to visit you with the greatest sincerity."

“Is it the coffee business?”

Sui Sui, who was sitting next to Wei Ran, asked the same question directly after listening to Anfisa's translation.

"Coffee business?" Wei Ran said and looked at Yu Jianxing.

"That's right"

Yu Jianxing nodded and explained succinctly, "Mr. Miguel invested in their coffee shop and plans to open a chain. He will only take 30% of our domestic market, and the rest belongs to him and his sister. He also plans to hire me to manage it."

"Anything else?" Wei Ran asked with interest, not paying attention to Sui Sui who was communicating with Miguel.

"He only wants 30% for Spain, and the rest is theirs," Yu Jianxing said, "but for other countries, he wants 90%."

"A big appetite," Wei Ran said without comment.

“It is very big, but I heard from the brother and sister that their cafe is going to close down.”

Yu Jianxing said, "Moreover, Mr. Miguel had a serious discussion with Grandma Hanika, and he said that he would bring you into the coffee business."

"Did Mrs. Hanika agree?" Wei Ran asked.

"I agreed," Yu Jianxing replied, "I agreed without even thinking about it."

"What do you think?" Wei Ran asked with a smile.

"I just got laid off before the New Year," Yu Jianxing spread his hands, "I have no reason to refuse."

As the two of them talked about this, Wei Ran, who nominally did not understand Spanish, also heard Miguel say, "I want to use the 28-star tricolor flag as a trademark and open some coffee shops in Europe and America. I think this is a good business."

"How did Mr. Miguel think of doing this kind of business?" Sui Sui asked curiously after Anfisa finished translating what Armani translated.

"I like that story and I like to share it, so I hope more friends will know about it."

Miguel said, "And I have many friends who need employment, and I believe Mr. Greva has the same need."

"In that case, let's keep it simple."

Sui Sui already roughly understood what the other party was thinking, "How about we each take 50% of this business?"

"no problem"

Miguel said cheerfully, "Your Majesty the Queen can arrange everything, but I hope to get at least half of the jobs except for the management, and it needs to be profitable."

"no problem"

After listening to the translation, Sui Sui simply agreed and put forward her own request, "I will find someone else to handle this business."

"It doesn't matter," Miguel said nonchalantly, "I will invest in a cafe in Shencheng as soon as possible to show my sincerity."

"You can also open one in Hangzhou. We can even provide enough space as your headquarters in China."

Sui Sui smiled and said, "This is also me expressing my sincerity."

“That’s a happy decision.”

Miguel said this, picking up his cup of coffee and clinking it with Susu's.

After finishing the business, Wei Ran also learned from the casual chat with the other party that Miguel and Giuliano actually came with their families this time, and their main purpose of coming was to find Sui Sui to do business at the suggestion of Greva.

Although there were many unexpected events, after giving a sumptuous dinner to see off Yu Jianxing and others who were planning to take the guests to the capital, Wei Ran still couldn't go back early to celebrate the New Year.

"Who will be the next wave of guests?" Sui Sui asked yawning on the way back to the small western-style building from the high-speed rail station.

"I can entertain the next one myself."

Wei Ran also yawned as he spoke, "It's Xia Shushi, the nuclear friend he recruited, he's going to bring him over to meet me tomorrow."

"At this time?" Sui Sui asked puzzledly, "It's only a few days away from the New Year."

"Something must have gone wrong," Wei Ran guessed, "otherwise we wouldn't be meeting at this time."

"Is there any danger?" asked Sui Sui, who was sitting cross-legged in the passenger seat.

"We are right outside our house. What kind of danger could there be?"

Wei Ran smiled and said, "Don't worry, just take them back to grandma's house tomorrow to prepare for the New Year."

"Too"

Susu heaved a sigh of relief. It was almost the New Year and her man probably wouldn't run around anymore. She finally didn't have to worry about him all the time.

After returning to the small villa while chatting about the coffee business, the two of them completely relaxed after taking a good hot bath.

This year was too busy for both Sui Sui and Wei Ran.

"What are your plans for the future?" Wei Ran slumped on the sofa.

"The film and television company you set up with your scumbag friend is for the future."

Sui Sui sat on Wei Ran's body out of habit, hugged his neck and lay down, closing her eyes and saying, "After the travel business in Russia gradually stabilizes, I will give it all to Greva's people."

"Where is the production studio?" Wei Ran asked while hugging the other person.

“It actually depends on you.”

Sui Sui muttered, "If you have dug up domestic historical stories, you can use domestic film and television companies to film them. If you have dug up foreign stories, you can use Time Film Studio to film them.

If necessary, the two companies can even cooperate. Anyway, I am the factory director and general manager, you are the historical consultant, and the Golden Fleece headed by Koko has investments on both sides."

"What about those other miscellaneous businesses?" Wei Ran asked with a smile.

"I plan to leave the coffee business to Lola and Lucinda."

Sui Sui took the initiative to move forward and continued, "There are so many coffee beans in Papua New Guinea that they are almost free. We also have plenty of coffee beans in China, which will definitely be enough for them.

And you haven't figured it out yet, whether it's Mr. Miguel or Greva, they just want to use the cafes to settle people. I wouldn't be surprised if those cafes become gang bases in the future."

"Then why are you still involved?"

"What the hell does it have to do with me if two gangs like the same coffee?"

Sui Sui continued to close her eyes and nodded, "As long as the barista doesn't shoot with a machine gun, it's a legal business. If it's a legal business, why not do it?"

"That makes sense," Wei Ran nodded. "The castle and ski resort have also started to make a profit, which will be handed over to Golden Fleece in the future. Little rich lady Koko will be happy to work for us."

Before Wei Ran could speak up, Sui Sui asked abruptly but casually, "Isn't that comic book submission idea quite profitable?"

“It’s really profitable”

Wei Ran responded with a clear conscience, but did not ask the other party why he suddenly brought up this topic. He just said half jokingly and half seriously, "Do you want to pay the patent fee?"

"Don't just focus on the devils"

Sui Sui straightened up and kissed Wei Ran on the face, then said nonchalantly, "Since we're starting to make a profit, let's start other copies!"

"What do you mean?" Wei Ran asked curiously.

"How can it be enough to let the devils tell history to the devils?"

Sui Sui said proudly, "We can also let the German devils tell history to the German devils, let the American devils tell history to the American devils, and even let the Russians tell history to the Russians."

At this point, Sui Sui snapped her fingers and said, "As for fighting a war of public opinion, I might be better at it than you."

"Where did you get this from?"

"Your job as deputy head of the CBI family search team is also in my hands."

Sui Sui lay in the other's arms again and said, "I just don't ask. I'm not stupid."

"I"

“Both companies can also make some money from this event.”

At this point, Sui Sui said in a pretentious tone, "Anyway, thank you to the generous and righteous cow urine man."

"Yes, we should thank the cow piss man."

Wei Ran hugged the girl tightly in his arms and said with a smile, "They are very smart."

"Patent Fees"

"Plenty," Wei Ran said, and he picked up the other person and walked into their bedroom.

While the two of them were busy arguing over patent fees, in a hotel room not far away, Xia Shushi and Qin Qi, who had just finished their work, were lying on the bed and chatting about the same topic.

“It’s not a loss.”

Xia Shushi said, "I have known that scumbag for several years. As far as I know, no one who cooperates with the Queen in doing business seems to have lost money."

"Anyway, I'm just working for someone else, so it's fine if Sui Sui can't do without me."

Qin Qi said indifferently, "What happened to the devil you brought back? Did he also have a terminal illness? Why are you so anxious?"

"He doesn't have a terminal illness, but it's almost like one."

Xia Shushi said with a gloating look, "This guy's recent comics have been doing very well, and he's probably going to get a lot of bonuses, but he's jealous, because his shabby apartment was set on fire.

If it weren't for the old guy's quick reaction, not to mention the memoirs and comics manuscripts left to him by his ancestors, he himself would probably have been refined into oil."

"So you came to China for him?" Qin Qi asked.

"Let's go to the hotel first and let him continue with his manuscript."

Xia Shushi said, "Your scumbag brother gave him two girls who were recruited to study here as a reward last night. Now this kid is like chicken blood, and sparks are coming out of the tip of his pen."

"Doesn't my brother have any way to get to the third level?" Qin Qi asked with a helpless smile and special disgust.

"Those little devils are used to producing and selling their own products, otherwise how could they have known me?"

Xia Shushi babbled, "Compared to this, let's let Wei Da scholar take a look at the memoirs and relics that the little devil brought over tomorrow. That's the interesting stuff."

"I'll go tomorrow too," Qin Qi immediately became interested.

"Go earlier," Xia Shushi said, and he turned over and pulled the other person to study World War II together.

As the two historians were busy with their own work, they were naturally sweating profusely and it was very tiring on this night near the end of the year.

The next morning, Xia Shushi rushed to the small western-style building with the friend who was recruiting nuclear weapons. However, Qin Qi, who had originally planned to come with them, broke her promise to Sui Sui who had not yet gotten up.

"Where to talk?"

Xia Shushi yawned and asked Wei Ran who came out empty-handed. He also glanced at Marta who was following behind Wei Ran, "You are so brave. You are not afraid of the queen."

"Go away, let's talk over there, there's a cafe over there."

Wei Ran also yawned as he spoke, and with his hands in his pockets, he took Marta, Xia Shushi, and the Japanese soldier behind Xia Shushi to a coffee shop in a small Western-style building not far away.

"Is it inconvenient in your small building?" Xia Shushi asked casually.

"Toads and Japs are not allowed to enter," Wei Ran, who was walking in front, replied without turning his head.

"How old are you? Why are you still so childish?" Xia Shushi shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"18 is the age of childishness."

Wei Ran said this nonchalantly. He was too lazy to verify whether the devils Xia Shushi brought were counted by head or by size. But he would never allow any devil to step into that small western-style building again.

"That's fine, an eighteen-year-old scholar from Wei University."

Xia Shushi teased with great amusement, "Shall I introduce myself first?"

"Tell me why you came here in such a hurry?" Wei Ran said and yawned again.

"This guy is in trouble"

Xia Shushi simply repeated what he had said to Qin Qi last night, and then added, "Then someone wanted to train him well, and was afraid that he would die, so he simply bought him a plane ticket and let him hide here overnight."

"Why is his painting so good?" Wei Ran became slightly interested.

"After all, I've been drawing pornographic comics for more than ten years, so I have a solid foundation."

Xia Shushi explained with a smile, "This competition has helped him catch the trend."

"Briefly explain the situation"

Wei Ran changed the subject without commenting, and at the same time, he and Marta led the two people behind them into the cafe which had just opened.

While Marta was helping everyone place their orders, Wei Ran finally took a good look at the nuclear recruitment friend sitting opposite him.

The Japanese guy looked to be about 36 or 37 years old, about 1.7 meters tall and slightly fat, with medium-length hair and a pair of high-power glasses. He was wearing a dark blue pullover with Misaka Mikoto printed on it and a pair of sweatpants, and a short down jacket with an unzipper on the outside.

All in all, it is an ordinary and extremely standard image of an old otaku in the second dimension.

However, compared to Wei Ran's calmness, the "cartoonist" who was being scrutinized by him could not help but feel a little uneasy under those eyes that did not contain any hostility but made him feel as if a needle was pointing at his eyes.

"His name is Hirano Haruto. He himself is not important. Let's take a look at what he brought first."

As Xia Shushi was speaking, he had already asked Hirano Haruto to open the backpack he had been carrying, and took out a Japanese military bag from it and placed it on the table.

At the same time, Marta brought coffee to everyone.

This cowhide backpack was preserved in exceptionally good condition. A Japanese identity card was sewn on it, with the name "Hirano Daisho" clearly visible, but the rest of the card had been erased.

As the backpack was opened, several items were taken out.

The first thing this fellow brought was a stack of Japanese manuscripts, which were packed in a hardcover folder.

The second thing was a photo album.

The third thing was very interesting. It was just a Japanese army sword, but this sword had no scabbard or blade. It only had a handle and a blade less than two centimeters long on the other side of the guard.

Looking at the third item, this time it was an ox horn comb inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

"That's all?" Wei Ran asked.

"That's all," Xia Shushi said. "All the clues are here."

"What?"

Wei Ran picked up his coffee and took a sip. "I'm going to investigate this during the Chinese New Year?"

“It’s up to you when you check.”

Xia Shushi said, "I have given up. I really can't find anything. I can't find anything. I'll leave these clues with you."

"No, are you so determined to help him find it?" Wei Ran asked suspiciously.

"I'm just curious whether the man his great-grandfather was looking for was a traitor," Xia Shushi said. "If he was, I would give up, but what if he wasn't?"

Hearing this, Wei Ran was stunned for a moment, then he picked up the coffee cup again and took a sip, "I understand."