War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1831 Sister Control Deserves to Die
At 26: in the evening, Zhang Taichuan drove his car and stopped in front of Hirano Aoi's clinic.

As the car door opened, Aoi Hirano, who had been poisoned by the second-hand smoke, covered her mouth and hurried out of the car, and began to retch before the door was closed.

"Mr. Hirano hasn't arrived yet."

Zhang Taichuan just glanced across and said as he pushed open the car door, "I'll help Miss Hirano in, you park the car opposite the theater."

"it is good"

When the other party got out of the car, Wei Ran had already grabbed the steering wheel and used the force to move to the driving seat, then kicked the car door and closed it.

While he was maneuvering the car to turn around on the not-so-wide street, Zhang Taichuan took the key, unlocked the door of the clinic, and helped Hirano Aoi, who seemed to be suffering from severe motion sickness, in.

When Wei Ran turned the car around, parked it and opened the door again, the lights on the second floor of Hirano Aoi's clinic came on.

However, at the same time Zhang Taichuan walked out of the clinic, Hirano Daxiang and Zhao Jingrong also came over in a rickshaw one after another.

"Kawaguchi, how did you get out of the clinic?" Hirano Daisho asked with extra caution before the rickshaw stopped, "Where's Xiaokui?"

"I'm upstairs."

As Hirano Aoi said this, she had already opened the window on the second floor and waved enthusiastically to Hirano Daisho who was downstairs. "Brother, I'll be downstairs in a minute! I'll ask Mr. Kawaguchi to help me take down the film I just shot today to Mr. Musashi, and bring up new film at the same time."

“So that’s how it is”

Hirano Daito secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He would not allow his translator to hit on his sister.

"I didn't expect you to come so soon."

Hirano Aoi said loudly from the second-floor window, "You guys go up first. Please ask Mr. Kawaguchi to help me guard the gate. I will go over after I change my clothes."

"In that case, let's go in first."

Zhao Jingrong said this, and at the same time, Lin Qiaoan also walked out of the door quickly and enthusiastically invited Hirano Daxiang.

After taking another look at Zhang Taichuan and Wei Ran, who took out a camera from the trunk of the car and greeted him enthusiastically, Hirano Daxiang walked into the theater where there were no other diners and a large table had been set up on the first floor.

After a while, Zhao Jingrong came out, came to Wei Ran's side and whispered, "Did he get saved?"

"We've saved him. We'll send him out tomorrow morning. We won't know whether he's dead or alive until tomorrow."

At this point, Wei Ran used the motion of smoking a cigarette to move his sleeve in front of Zhao Jingrong, "Smell it. Do you smell the smell of blood and disinfectant?"

"It all smells like smoke," Zhao Jingrong replied in a low voice.

"That's good." Wei Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr. Aoi will be here soon."

Zhao Jingrong reminded in a low voice, "Also, Hirano Daisho will also leave tomorrow night. We need to take this opportunity to eliminate a traitor. He has hooked up with Captain Yan and is planning to set a trap for our people outside the city. He is also related to that old guy Aoi."

"Where is Hirano Daisho going?" Wei Ran asked puzzledly.

"It seems that he followed his superior to attend a meeting with the 15th Division stationed in Hangzhou."

Zhao Jingrong whispered, "This is what he told me just before he left, and he also asked me to secretly keep an eye on you and Taichuan."

"Why are you staring at us?" Wei Ran asked curiously.

"His sister goes to the photo agency three times a day under the pretext of wanting to learn photography, and she always asks Taichuan to take her around Shencheng for field trips. It would be strange if he wasn't worried." Zhao Jingrong explained with a smile.

“He didn’t send any.”

"Don't worry, no." Zhao Jingrong replied.

"That's good." Wei Ran breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What excuse did Boss Mu use this time?"

"Going Home to Get Married"

Zhao Jingrong whispered, "The departure of this Sixth Master of the Patrol is also a test for Hirano Aoi. After he leaves, if Hirano Aoi does not take any action, the second line can be activated. From now on, our line will just focus on business."

"Where is Zhengqi?" Wei Ran couldn't help but ask after all.

"He left with them openly, but from now on all the dirty work will be his."

Zhao Jingrong paused and said, "If necessary, he will take action against Hirano Daxiang."

"This is."

“He asked for it.”

Zhao Jingrong sighed, "That stubborn ass, I wish I could kill that beast tomorrow night."

“We can’t do anything to him now, right?” Wei Ran also sighed.

"cannot"

Zhao Jingrong saw Hirano Aoi, who had changed into a western-style long skirt, walking out of the clinic gate, and he quickened his speech and said, "This route is too important now. There are more and more bamboo fences outside the city, and even the road to Ji's house is divided by bamboo fences. There are also many more interrogation offices along the way.

I estimate that the struggle situation after the New Year will be even more severe, and the situation faced by the guerrillas outside the city will become increasingly difficult.

So no matter what, we have to take advantage of this short period of time to transport as many weapons and ammunition as possible."

At this point, Zhao Jingrong changed the subject, a friendly smile on his face, and said in a neither loud nor soft voice, "You know what, Miss Hirano looks much better dressed like this than in that outfit with a pillow and quilt cover."

"Can't"

Wei Ran smiled and responded with a warm greeting in Japanese.

At the same time, they also saw Mr. Aoi arriving in a rickshaw. What they didn't expect was that Captain Yan also came here with Mr. Aoi.

"Why is he here?"

Hirano Aoi frowned and muttered with disgust, but then she walked into the theater without even saying hello.

"Why is he here too?" Zhang Taichuan also asked the question, but Wei Ran and Zhao Jingrong both knew that this time he was referring to Captain Yan.

"This old guy hooked up with a traitor"

Zhao Jingrong explained in a low voice as if he had expected it, "That traitor promised his niece to Aoi as a concubine. They got drunk on the same thing and planned to take over the business while Boss Mu was gone."

"What did Sixth Master say?" Zhang Taichuan asked as he lit a cigarette.

"Eliminate that traitor tomorrow night"

Zhao Jingrong took advantage of the last moment to whisper, "Captain Yan, do you think it's better to wipe him or Aoi?"

"Aoi Bar"

Zhang Taichuan said, "This old guy has been eyeing Hirano Aoi for a long time. This time he just wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife."

"Where's Old Yan?" Zhao Jingrong asked with a smile as he looked at the two rickshaws getting closer and closer. "This is a good dog."

"When beating a dog, look at its owner. It's up to you to decide."

After Zhang Taichuan finished speaking, he switched to Japanese and shouted from a distance, "Mr. Aoi, long time no see!"
Wei Ran and Zhao Jingrong naturally couldn't pretend not to see it, and they also greeted Mr. Aoi enthusiastically.

“It’s been a long time since we last met.”

Mr. Aoi patted the three people on the shoulders in a rather spirited manner, and then said inexplicably, "But we will meet often in the future."

“It’s our pleasure.”

Zhang Taichuan finished speaking and switched to his native language and asked with a smile, "Why is Captain Yan here today?"

"Translator Qin, Captain Jin."

Captain Yan clasped his fists and bowed, then took out four small yellow croakers from his pocket and stuffed two into each of them. He said in the same high-spirited manner, "I'm here to pay my debt. This is the final payment I owe you two. Let Mr. Aoi be a witness, and from now on we're even."

"That's right. From now on, the debt between Mr. Yan and you will be terminated." Mr. Aoi said in straw Chinese with a colonel accent.

"Captain Yan is really generous. He even gave me half an extra stick."

Zhang Taichuan weighed the small yellow croaker in his hand and said, "Alright, then we are even from now on. I wish Captain Yan a bright future."

"Lend your auspicious words!"

Captain Yan clasped his fists again, then looked at Zhao Jingrong and asked in an especially friendly but inevitably complacent tone, "What did Captain Jin say?"

"Two clears"

Zhao Jingrong stuffed two gold bars into his pocket. "That's fine. I'm not interested in managing the firewood collection team anyway. I'll just talk to Mr. Hirano about it later. Old Yan, you can be the captain of the firewood collection team from now on. What do you think?"

"Oh! That's all thanks to Captain Jin for his kindness!"

Captain Yan became more and more proud, and his polite words became more and more thoughtful, "Captain Jin, don't worry, this firewood collection team will still be yours in the future, and your words will still count."

"Just hearing what you said, Old Yan, is enough. I know I didn't make a mistake." Zhao Jingrong raised his hand to invite them to the theater and said, "Captain Yan, you have to take good care of my master's house in the future to prevent those guerrillas from..."

"You can rest assured about this!"

Captain Yan became more and more proud. He patted his chest and made a promise without even waiting for Zhao Jingrong to finish speaking, "Brothers will definitely take good care of your master's house in the future."

After saying this, everyone had already walked into the door of the theater. Captain Yan, who had just held his head high and chest out, immediately hunched his back and showed a particularly fawning look.

As everyone sat down, Lin Qiaoan explained the reasons why he had to leave Shencheng - to go home and get married, and maybe stay in Guangzhou in the future.

“But we still have business to do.”

Lin Qiaoan picked up the wine glass and said, "Wait until I open up sales over there, the good things here can also be sold at a high price there. Mr. Hirano, Mr. Aoi, I will have to ask you to take care of me in the future."

"It should, it should."

Aoi held Lin Qiaoan's glass together, drank it all, and then asked, "Mr. Lin, I don't know what I mentioned last time, that I wanted to buy your theater?"

"Thanks to Mr. Aoi for his kindness"

While Captain Yan was pouring wine for them, Lin Qiaoan said, "Let's trade at your price, but I have to leave with my guys early tomorrow morning, so..."

"No problem, I've brought them all."

Aoi said quickly, "Besides, I only need this building. I don't plan to continue operating the theater, so..."

"Then let's wait until the dinner is over," Lin Qiaoan raised his glass with a smile.

After everyone drank it all again and sent their congratulations, Aoi's target was set on Hirano Aoi, who was several seats away from him.

Unfortunately, Hirano Aoi didn't give him any face at all. She was even extremely rude and put down her chopsticks and stood up to leave.

Fortunately, Hirano Daito was quite fond of his sister and did not scold her. Instead, he comforted her and asked her to sit down. Then he warned Aoi directly that even if he bought this place, he had to stay away from his sister.

After a brief moment of embarrassment, the banquet continued. Generally speaking, except for Captain Yan who was busier than the waiters in pouring wine, and Hirano Aoi who never drank, and Wei Ran who had to drive, everyone else drank quite a bit.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Wei Ran, with the help of Zhang Taichuan and Captain Yan, helped Hirano Daxiang and Mr. Aoi into the car.

"Mr. Yan"

The drunk Aoi leaned almost half of his body out of the car window, grabbed Captain Yan's clothes and said, "Help me with that matter, understand?"

"I understand! I understand! Don't worry!" Captain Yan patted his chest and made a promise.

"Let's drive," Hirano Daisho said, "Take Mr. Aoi first, and then take me back."

"Please sit tight, everyone."

As Wei Ran spoke, he looked at Zhang Taichuan who was sitting in the passenger seat, then gently stepped on the accelerator.

"Kawaguchi, after Boss Mu left, Aoi took his place and was responsible for selling fuel to overseas Chinese. What do you think about this?" Hirano Daisho asked halfway through the journey.

"Mr. Hirano, I'm not good at business."

Zhang Taichuan said, "But business has to be done by someone. We can't just stop doing business because Boss Mu left Shencheng. So I think it's the best choice to let Mr. Aoi take over this part."

"Mr. Musashi hasn't replied yet?" asked Hirano Daisho.

"Ryunosuke and I write him a letter every week."

Zhang Taichuan said, "But since I left in August, I haven't received a reply from him. I'm worried that he might..."

"That's such a pity," said Hirano Daito, but there was no trace of regret in his tone.

"Hirano, why don't I go back to Osaka soon?"

Mr. Aoi said, "I can take some antiques back to exchange for some funds, so that we can expand our business. If you are worried, you can let Miss Xiaokui accompany you."

"Let me think about it."

Hirano Daito said something perfunctorily without commenting, then closed his eyes and began to snore soon after.

Apparently, Hirano Daito was not stupid. Or rather, the drunk Aoi spoke too bluntly, so that everyone could hear his little calculation.

After first sending Aoi, who he wasn't sure if she was really drunk, back to the izakaya, Wei Ran drove to Zhang Taichuan's house, which was only separated from Hirano Daisho's foreign horse stable by a house. He knew that Hirano Daisho would definitely go there as well.

"That bastard Aoi is still planning on Xiaokui," Hirano Daito snorted after the car started moving.

"Do you need us to do anything?" Zhang Taichuan asked, turning his upper body.

"no need"

Hirano Daisho waved his hand, "Did Xiaokui go take photos again today?"

“I went to the county town to take pictures.”

Zhang Taichuan said quickly, "She took a lot of photos, and she has disguised herself in men's clothes, so no one will recognize her."

"What did you shoot?" asked Hirano Daito.

“I took a lot of photos.”

Zhang Taichuan replied, "She particularly liked a monkey show stall and took a lot of photos of it."

"Oh?"

Hirano Daisho seemed to be in high spirits, and said nonchalantly, "When you develop the photos, remember to print an extra copy for me."

"Mr. Hirano, do you have time now?"

Wei Ran slowed down the car and said, "The photo studio is in front. The photos taken before should have dried by now. You can sit in the studio. We can develop the negatives of the photos taken by Ms. Hirano and show them to you."

"In that case, let's go and take a look." Hirano Daito seemed to agree without much thought.

Seeing this, Wei Ran stepped on the accelerator again and drove the car to the entrance of the photo studio which was not far away.

Before he could stop the car, Zhang Taichuan had already opened the door and ran down, opened the door of the photo studio first, and turned on the lights inside.

"Do you want me to make you some tea?"

Wei Ran asked with a smile as he helped Hirano Daisho open the car door.

“Tea is not needed”

Hirano Daisho said as he walked into the photo studio, "Please bring those photos here."

Hearing this, the two of them helped him sit on the sofa. Wei Ran left and went into the darkroom, took down all the dried photos and placed them on Hirano Daxiang's desk.

"How beautiful she is!"

Hirano Daxiang looked at the big foreign horse in the photo and said obsessively, "She will definitely give birth to a healthy boy for me."

"I wonder when Mrs. Hirano's due date is?" Wei Ran said, "We can help you with something in advance."

"Probably"

"About a week later," Zhang Taichuan answered helpfully, "Mr. Hirano, I'll keep it in mind for you."

"Yes, in a week!"

Hirano Daisho made an excuse for himself, "I must have drunk too much today."

"Mr. Hirano's huge amount"

Wei Ran gave a sincere compliment and then said, "Mr. Hirano, shall I go and develop the film that Miss Xiaokui shot today?"

"I can't trust you more than you do"

Hirano Daisho waved his hand and said, "Kawaguchi, you, you are the person I trust the most, you go."

"Thank you for your trust. I'll go right away." Before Zhang Taichuan finished speaking, he stood up and walked towards the darkroom, and closed the door of the darkroom shortly afterwards.

"Take this"

Almost at the same time, Hirano Daxiang stuffed a small yellow croaker into Wei Ran's hand and said in a low voice, "Help me keep an eye on Kawaguchi. If he tries to do anything to Xiaokui, remember to tell me, and then I will give you a bigger gold bar."

"Please rest assured, I will keep a close eye on him for you!" Wei Ran clenched the gold bar tightly and made the promise with extreme greed.

“It’s not that I don’t trust Kawaguchi”

Hirano Daxiang gently patted Wei Ran's shoulder and made excuses for himself, "Hirano Aoi is my only sister, I must take good care of her."

"Ms. Hirano must be very happy to have a brother like you."

Wei Ran said this sincerely, but at the same time he thought to himself “damn those with sister control”.