War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1825 A Life-Saving Excuse
"I I don't know"

In the backstage compartment of Lihua Opera Club, Hirano Aoi muttered in confusion, "Where to go?" She really didn't know where to go.

Should I go back to Osaka? If I go back, how can I explain to Yoshiko? But if I don’t go back to Osaka, where can I go?

Even if she just wanted to leave Shencheng, she didn't know where she could go.

But if you don't leave
No, I must leave!

Hirano Aoi clenched her teeth, but still couldn't hold back the tears. She didn't want to marry Aoi, who was almost twice her age - especially because he also had a family and children!

But where to go?
When the problem that was bothering Hirano Aoi came full circle and returned to the starting point, Lin Qiaoan spoke again.

"Ms. Hirano"

Lin Qiaoan waited for the other party to look at him with tears in his eyes, then continued with a smile, "If everything that happened today makes you too sad, why not go and relax before making an impulsive decision."

"Relax? Relax?" Hirano Aoi looked at Lin Qiaoan blankly.

"Tomorrow morning, the firewood collection team under Mr. Hirano's command will go out of the city to collect firewood."

Lin Qiaoan said, "It just so happens that my troupe is also going to go out of town to perform for Mr. Ji tomorrow.

If Ms. Hirano is willing to join us for some fun, maybe she'll feel better."

"Soup ash? What is it?"

Hirano Aoi asked blankly, but soon she guessed something and subconsciously lowered her voice and asked, "Is it to send him away?"

Lin Qiaoan smiled and nodded, "A Tanghui is... a drama troupe going to the audience's home to perform a special show."

"I do!" Hirano Aoi made the decision almost subconsciously, "I'm willing to go with you!"

"Ms. Hirano"

Wei Ran spoke at this time, and his overly calm and sober tone made Hirano Aoi shiver subconsciously.

She was not afraid of Wei Ran, but she was inexplicably afraid of some things that he inadvertently revealed. She didn't even know what she was afraid of, but she felt powerless as if she had accidentally walked into a tiger cage.

"I have a question I want to ask clearly." Wei Ran ignored Lin Qiaoan's eye hint.

"What's the problem?" Hirano Aoi asked cautiously.

"I would like to know."

Wei Ran took a deep breath, and tried to make his expression and tone gentle enough, "I want to know what made you make this decision. Love? Impulse? Or something else."

"Love? At least it's not love"

Hirano Aoi calmed down after hearing this question. "I have mustered up the courage and put aside my sense of shame more than once to express my affection to Mr. Qi, but he rejected me again and again without a second thought.

Especially since I found out not long ago
After knowing the truth, I don't think there is any possibility of love or friendship between him and me."

After taking several deep breaths, Hirano Aoi hurriedly wiped away the tears that were flowing out of her control again, "I-I don't know why, I just wanted to do something, I just... I... I feel guilty, I..."

“Time will give everyone the answer”

Lin Qiaoan patted Wei Ran on the shoulder and said, "Wei Ran, go change your clothes. I'll set up a new table and we can have a drink together then."

"it is good"

Wei Ran nodded, stood up and left the cubicle, then saw Zhao Jingrong waiting at a table not far away with a cigarette between his fingers.

After waving to Wei Ran, Zhao Jingrong turned around and took him into a warehouse-like room next to the backstage. A black Mao suit had been placed in the room in advance. In addition, there was also a washbasin rack. The water in the copper basin was warm.

"Tell me what happened?" Zhao Jingrong asked in a low voice while sitting on a bench.

"accident"

Wei Ran sighed, took off his wet clothes, wiped the rain off his body with a wet hot towel and explained in a low voice.

"Wei Ran, don't be impulsive."

Zhao Jingrong stared at the half-burned cigarette on his fingertips and muttered, "No matter how wronged you feel, don't be impulsive and don't do anything to them. The situation is too difficult right now. We can save a lot of people along this line."

"I I know"

Wei Ran answered while putting on the clothes that had been prepared for him in advance. He didn't even dare to look into Zhao Jingrong's eyes. He didn't know whether the other party was persuading him or himself.

after all
Zhao Jingrong is the one who truly bears the huge burden of revenge for the 32 members of the Zhao family.

He was in the same pain as Zhang Taichuan and Zhang Zhengqi. But he had to comfort and enlighten Wei Ran while suppressing his pain.

"Do not worry"

Thinking of this, Wei Ran said seriously, "I will stay calm."

"I'll toast to Mr. Hirano later." Zhao Jingrong raised his voice slightly. "Mr. Musashi is gone. From now on, we will all rely on Mr. Hirano's care."

"I will have a few more drinks with Mr. Hirano."

Wei Ran rubbed his face hard, trying to put a smile on it, and then followed Zhao Jingrong out of the warehouse that stored all the pain, hatred and murderous intent.

As the two of them walked upstairs, Captain Yan, who had already hidden in his mistress's bed before the rain started, also heard a knock on the door.

"Who the hell is it?" Captain Yan, who was working hard, asked unhappily.

"Old friend," said the person outside the door.

"Wait a minute! I'll be out right away!"

Captain Yan shuddered involuntarily, quickly drew his sword, put on his clothes in a panic, and walked out in his slippers.

Since the last incident, he and this old friend have cooperated many times. Thanks to the other party's help, he not only plugged the hole and kept the job of deputy captain, but also because of his relationship with his "friend on the road", the firewood collection team can now be said to have "smooth sailing".

It was for this reason that Captain Jin turned a blind eye and let him go. Of course, the price was not just that. He owed a lot of debts. This allowed Captain Jin to help plug the gaps between Taijun's fingers and appease those vulgar gentry.

However, in general, Captain Yan is full of expectations for the future. According to his estimation, in another half a year, he will be able to fill all the holes he owes. After that, all the profits will be his!

Then we can buy a big foreign horse to ride for fun! Captain Yan thought happily.

While daydreaming, the two of them came one after the other to the first floor of this Shikumen building where countless tenants lived, and left through the back door, eventually entering an alley with few people and few doors.

"Is there any chance to go out of town recently?" The man walking in front of him asked in a low voice with his back to him, holding an oil-paper umbrella.

"Yes, let's go out and collect firewood early tomorrow morning." Captain Yan said quickly.

“Bring a friend out”

The man in front said as he threw a small purse at his feet. "Tomorrow morning, someone will be waiting at the door of the coffin shop. If you take them out, there will be so many left when you come back."

After saying that, the man walked away holding the oil-paper umbrella. Captain Yan also hurried over, bent down, picked up the small purse made of coarse cloth, opened it, and poured out two small yellow croakers from it.

“We are all friends”

Captain Yan said enthusiastically to the figure that was about to disappear around the corner, "Come early tomorrow and have breakfast together before leaving."

After saying that, Captain Yan brought the two small gold bars to his mouth and bit them, and the expression on his face became more and more satisfied.

As for whether the other party looked down on him by throwing such a precious thing at his feet, and whether it was impolite that he didn't even wave at him in response, Captain Yan didn't care about those empty rules.

For fear that the two small gold bars would be lost, Captain Yan quickly hid them in his shoes and turned around and walked towards the house rented by his mistress.

While he was sheathing his sword, Wei Ran, Zhang Taichuan, Zhao Jingrong and Lin Qiaoan also sat around the table in the same box with the Hirano siblings.

"Mr. Hirano, I wonder if you have time tomorrow." Zhao Jingrong asked as he raised his glass and clinked it with Hirano Daisho.

"tomorrow?"

Because his sister had a stern face, Hirano Daisho, who was a little absent-minded, took a moment to react and answered, "Nothing, what's wrong?"

Zhao Jingrong smiled and refilled the other person's glass before explaining, "My master is accepting an apprentice tomorrow, and I'd like to invite you to come over as a witness and have a drink."

"Mr. Ji is accepting a disciple? Tomorrow?" Hirano Daisho asked in confusion, "Why so sudden?"

"What you said, isn't this just to give you a surprise?"

Zhao Jingrong patiently and even winked at him, suggesting, "Mr. Hirano, guess why it's tomorrow and not today or yesterday?"

"Oh?"

Hirano Daito finally became interested and subconsciously glanced at Zhang Taichuan beside him.

"Mr. Musashi, I mean, Mr. Musashi just left Shencheng today."

Zhang Taichuan said it more bluntly, "Yesterday. Wasn't Mr. Musashi still here yesterday?"

"Oh? Oh!" Hirano Daisho finally understood the hints from these two people.

"My teacher has a lot of things that he wants to turn into real money or something equivalent to real money." Zhao Jingrong touched Hirano Daxiang again, "Mr. Hirano, why don't we make some more direct transactions while Mr. Musashi is away?"

"no problem"

Hirano Daxiang drank the wine in his glass and said in a very positive manner, "I will prepare some decent gifts tomorrow."

"My teacher will also prepare some decent return gifts tomorrow."

Zhao Jingrong changed the subject immediately after saying this, "For tomorrow's apprentice banquet, my master has also invited a troupe from the theater to perform in the hall."

“It is true”

Lin Qiaoan, who came over to accompany them, said with a glass of wine in hand, "The rain hasn't stopped in the afternoon, so I asked Manager Qi to go over and make arrangements in advance. We have to have a good time tomorrow."

“I want to go tomorrow too.”

Hirano Aoi, who had been silent just now, said, "If possible, I would like to stay outside the city for a while."

“This is not okay”

Hirano Daisho shook his head. He knew that his sister was trying to avoid Mr. Aoi, but the conditions offered by Mr. Aoi were tempting enough. Moreover, he was really worried about his sister being alone outside the city.

"Miss Hirano, it would be nice if you could go along and see what's going on," Lin Qiaoan said, "but I'm afraid you can't stay outside the city for a while."

"Why?" asked Hirano Aoi.

"There may be some valuable antiques that need to be kept in your clinic for Mr. Hirano."

Zhao Jingrong said, "Those things are too precious. If we keep them in our homes or in this theater, they might be taken away by someone at any time. It is safest to keep them in your clinic."

Seeing her brother looking at her, Hirano Aoi hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, but I don't want to see Mr. Aoi again. If he appears near my clinic again, I will...I will destroy the things you left here with me."

"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say." Hirano Daisho responded with a little helplessness.

"Mr. Hirano"

Lin Qiaoan said at the right time, "We have been friends for a long time. I have something to say but I don't know if I should say it."

"Mr. Mu, just say it directly," said Hirano Daisho, and clinked his cup with Lin Qiaoan.

“I have a sister too.”

Lin Qiaoan drank the wine in the glass and then showed the bottom of the glass. Then he continued, "I saw Mr. Aoi trying to force his way into the clinic just now. Mr. Hirano, if Mr. Aoi really loves your sister, he would definitely not do such a rude thing."

"You're right!"

Hirano Aoi said angrily, "Not only did he want to possess me, but after he broke in, his eyes were fixed on the antiques in the room that belonged to you."

"Are you serious?" Hirano Daisho asked with a gloomy face.

"Mr. Hirano"

While Zhang Taichuan was pouring wine for them, Lin Qiaoan easily added a stab, "If it were me, I would not allow someone to covet my collection and greedily try to snatch my sister away as a threat."

"If Mr. Aoi was even ten years younger and had half the might and dominance of Mr. Hirano, he might be worthy of Ms. Hirano."

Wei Ran clinked his cup with the other party's, "Mr. Hirano, it may be very rude to say this, but Mr. Aoi does not seem to be irreplaceable in any aspect.

Frankly speaking, he doesn't have any bargaining chips to offer to do business with you, and Musashi-sensei is only away temporarily, he will come back eventually, so instead of causing conflicts and making it impossible for everyone to make money, it would be more cost-effective to conduct a few transactions while he is away."

"Ryunosuke-kun, I thought you were a very loyal person." Hirano Daisho said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Mr. Hirano is joking."

Wei Ran drank the wine in the glass and said, "I am indeed a very loyal person, so I am willing to stand on the side of my teacher, Mr. Musashi, and try to stop you from trading with Mr. Aoi, and..."

"And what?" Hirano Daito asked with interest.

"And Captain Jin has promised me that if I am willing to keep it secret, I will receive a hush money for each transaction."

Wei Ran deliberately revealed a trace of greed and said, "Of course, if you need me to help you with something in the future, I would be very willing to do it, if you are willing to treat me as a friend."

"We are already friends, Ryunosuke-kun, cheers."

As Hirano Daisho spoke, he picked up the wine glass that Zhang Taichuan had just filled and clinked it with Wei Ran again.

After the two of them finished their drinks, Hirano Aoi asked, "So you won't sell me to that old man Aoi?"

"Of course not, what are you talking about?"

"I heard everything you and Aoi said in the other box!"

Hirano Aoi said dissatisfiedly. She was Hirano Daisho's sister, and she knew better than anyone else present how to make her brother focus all his attention on her.

But she was not doing this simply to help the other people in the box. For this young and kind Osaka girl, this was also a transaction.

She helped cover up and rescued "Manager Qi" whom she had a crush on, and she didn't even mind keeping the secret for these people. Lin Qiaoan and others helped her kick Mr. Aoi out of the trading table.

"That's just"

"So will you take me with you tomorrow?" Hirano Aoi asked with increasing dissatisfaction, but did not give Hirano Daisho a chance to explain.

"In that case, I'll take you tomorrow."

"Mr. Hirano"

Zhang Taichuan, who had been busy pouring wine and had not spoken a word, spoke up, "Would you like to hear my opinion?"

"Your opinion?"

Hirano Daxiang thought Zhang Taichuan was trying to change the subject, so he said cheerfully, "Tell me, what do you think?"

“I think you don’t have to go tomorrow.”

Zhang Taichuan said, "This is actually something that Captain Jin and I have never reached a consensus on."

"Why don't I go tomorrow?" asked Daito Hirano.

"Mr. Ji accepts you as his disciple to show his closeness to you."

Zhang Taichuan refilled the other person's glass. "But I think that if you go, when Mr. Musashi comes back, he will inevitably know. Even if we keep it all secret, won't Mr. Aoi know? Won't he tell Mr. Musashi?"

Zhang Taichuan waited for Hirano Daisho to nod, then glanced at Hirano Aoi and said with a smile, "I think you might as well send Miss Hirano as your messenger. That way, even if Mr. Musashi finds out, you can use the excuse that Mr. Aoi harassed Miss Hirano, so you let her go out of town to relax. As for the actual situation, everyone just needs to know it."

"Mr. Musashi also wrote me a very rude letter."

Hirano Aoi said irritably, "I think this is a good idea. When the older man comes back and finds out about this, he will definitely be dissatisfied with Aoi."

"We Chinese have an old saying"

Lin Qiaoan said, "While the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits. Mr. Hirano, if Mr. Musashi and Mr. Aoi have a conflict because of Miss Hirano, you may get an unexpected surprise."

After drinking cup after cup of sake, Hirano Daxiang, who had been drinking hallucinogens, hesitated for a while and said worriedly, "It seems that it would be better for me not to go, but who can guarantee Xiaokui's safety?"

"Mr. Hirano, if you are worried about Miss Hirano's safety, why don't you let me accompany you tomorrow?" Zhang Taichuan took the initiative to say.

“I can accompany you tomorrow.”

Wei Ran smiled and said, "If I am here tomorrow as a representative of Mr. Musashi, I believe he won't be able to find any problems even if he comes back."

“I will definitely go back tomorrow.”

Zhao Jingrong said with a smile, "Mr. Hirano, please rest assured, we will ensure Miss Hirano's safety."

"In that case, Xiaokui's safety is in your hands." Hirano Daisho picked up his cup and clinked it with everyone else's.

After drinking the whole glass of wine, Lin Qiaoan took the initiative to suggest, "Mr. Hirano, after sending Miss Hirano out of town tomorrow, if you have time, why don't you come to the theater and sit down. This way, you can take care of the treasures in the clinic, and you can also see Miss Hirano as soon as she comes back."

"I'll come and visit you tomorrow," Hirano Daisho agreed, but he didn't notice the panic in Hirano Aoi's eyes.

She was indeed very panicked at this time. She didn't know whether what she was doing was right or wrong, just like she couldn't tell whether her brother's behavior of reselling those supplies was right or wrong.

But she knew that even if she put aside everything that had happened before, if she didn't cooperate now, perhaps tonight, she and her brother Hirano Daisho would become corpses.

But such worries became a life-saving excuse for her at this moment.

For Wei Ran, Zhang Taichuan, Zhao Jingrong and Lin Qiaoan at this time, Hirano Aoi's cooperation based on the above concerns has become an excuse that is like a life-saving straw in their hearts.

Fuck him
As Wei Ran raised his glass once again, he cursed in his heart. Only then did he truly realize how torturous and painful such a choice was.

Only then did he realize how much courage and how strong a heart it took to make friends with one's enemies and to accept their help and kindness.

It was inevitable that he couldn't help but think of familiar faces one after another.

sorry.
Wei Ran picked up the refilled glass of wine, but pretended to accidentally pour it on the floor.