From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

I immediately opened the message and started reading it.

"Old Zhou has given us word. He agreed to meet you tomorrow at 3 PM at the teahouse called 'Old Tea House' behind East Street. Don't bring anyone else, just go by yourself. Old Zhou is worried about too many people looking at you."

I stared at the screen twice, then put my phone back in my pocket and walked to the window.

The courtyard was pitch black, except for the warm yellow light in Su Qing's room on the second floor.

A river breeze blew through the courtyard, rustling the leaves of the tree in the corner, whose species I didn't know.

The next day at 2:30 pm, I arrived early at the alley behind East Street.

I lifted the bamboo curtain and went inside. The room was dimly lit, with several old-fashioned square tables scattered around. In one corner, a middle-aged man or two sat drinking tea and looking at their phones.

I sat down by the window and ordered the cheapest green tea.

After waiting for about ten minutes, Lao Zhou came in through the back door.

When he came in, he looked around first. After seeing me, he didn't come over immediately. Instead, he said a few words to the boss at the counter before slowly walking over and sitting down opposite me.

He picked up the teapot in front of me and poured himself a cup, without saying a word.

I didn't say anything, just waited for him to speak.

The silence lasted for about half a minute before he looked up at me, lowered his voice, and asked, "Your friend, is he involved in the underworld?"

"Brother Dao was the one who set me up. Don't worry, he won't tell anyone."

Old Zhou nodded, then remained silent for a few seconds before speaking: "I've seen your bracelet before."

My hand holding the teacup paused for a moment, but I didn't rush and waited for him to continue.

"Someone brought it over to me the night before last and asked if I would accept it."

"What does that person look like?" I immediately asked.

Old Zhou shook his head: "I don't remember very clearly, he was wearing a mask, and he looked like a young man."

A young man like that is most likely not the owner of the mortgage bank.

I heard from Su Qing that the owner of that mortgage bank was almost forty years old.

Could it be Fang Heng?

However, it's also possible that the mortgage brokerage firm hired the person.

After a moment's thought, I asked again, "Did you accept it?"

Old Zhou shook his head: "I didn't take it. That bracelet is obviously an old item, with fine carving. It's not something passed down from an ordinary family. I've been in this business for thirty years. I know what I can and can't touch."

He paused here, took another sip of tea, and continued, "Besides, I don't know the person who picked up the goods, and I don't know who's behind him. This stuff is hot to handle."

Did the person who received the goods say where the bracelets came from?

Old Zhou put down his cup, glanced at me, and chuckled, "Under normal circumstances, why would people say such things?"

He paused for a moment, then added, "But after so many years in business, I know exactly where the goods come from. I suspect that bracelet is related to Old Guo, the antique dealer on the south side of East Street."

"Old Guo?"

"Fatty Guo works on the second floor of the antique market in the south of the city. He specializes in dealing in high-end goods. He's a shady character; he'll take any kind of item. Over the years, he's built connections with quite a few pawnshop owners."

As Old Zhou spoke, he took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and pushed it in front of me.

"This is the address of his shop, but don't mention that I gave it to him."

I took the piece of paper, which had an address and phone number written on it.

"Thanks, Lao Zhou."

Old Zhou waved his hand: "Don't thank me, I'm only saying this out of respect for the old Taoist. Take my advice, once that bracelet is in Fatty Guo's hands, if you want it back, talking won't do you any good, you'll have to prepare money."

"Approximately how much?"

"I don't know, but Fatty Guo is a man who judges people by their appearance. If you're dressed shabbily, he'll dare to charge you three times more. If you're dressed well, he'll think twice about where you came from."

As he spoke, he glanced at me and said, "Judging from your attire, he can tell at a glance that you don't have much of a background."

I nodded and didn't say anything more.

Old Zhou didn't say anything more, stood up and walked towards the back door.

As he was leaving, he glanced back at me and said, "If you really want that bracelet back, you'd better hurry. The kind of guy like Fatty Guo won't keep good things for more than a week."

He lifted the curtain at the back door and disappeared into the alley.

I sat alone in the teahouse for ten minutes until my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts.

It was Su Qing calling. I quickly composed myself and answered the phone.

"Aren't you home?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Where did you go? Did you go looking for clues again?" Her tone was clearly displeased.

I didn't dare tell her the truth, so I said, "No, I'm out looking for work."

"Then why didn't you take me with you?"

I smiled helplessly and said, "Why would I bring you along?"

"Didn't I tell you? I'll do whatever you do."

I was speechless for a moment and said, "Are you kidding me? I can do this, but you might not be able to!"

She said matter-of-factly, "Why can't I do it? Don't underestimate me."

I said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Okay, okay, I'll take you next time."

"So you're saying you didn't find it?"

"Yes, I'll be back soon."

She immediately said, "I want to eat chicken. Can you buy a chicken and cook it?"

I smiled helplessly: "Seriously, you're actually ordering food now?"

"You agreed!"

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

I've really run out of temper with this brat, but since she came into my life, she's definitely added a lot of fun to my dull and boring existence.

After leaving the teahouse, I rode my bike back to the riverside courtyard.

On my way back, I went to the market and bought a chicken, and then I bought some ingredients for making chicken soup.

Back in the courtyard, I got right to work.

Su Qing moved closer to me and watched me intently the whole time.

As I was working, I said to her, "I asked a friend about it, and there might be a clue about your bracelet."

Su Qing was taken aback, then frowned and asked, "Didn't you say you were going to look for a job?"

"Yes, I asked a friend about this yesterday, and they gave me the news today."

"Oh," Su Qing nodded, then asked, "What news is it?"

"It might be in the antique market in the south of the city. There's a shopkeeper there surnamed Guo. I heard it might be in his possession."

Su Qing immediately pressed, "So when do you plan to go see him?"

"Tomorrow morning, just to avoid any unforeseen circumstances."

She immediately said, "Then I'll go with you. If you go alone, he'll definitely treat you like a casual tourist."

Knowing I couldn't refuse her, I nodded: "Okay, then I'll get up early tomorrow."

The Chengnan Antique Market is located south of East Street. The next morning, Su Qing and I took the bus there together.

She wore a light blue short-sleeved shirt today, and her hair was tied in a low ponytail, so she didn't look that conspicuous, but her face couldn't be hidden no matter where she was.

I reminded you, "When we get to the shop, don't say anything, I'll talk."

She pouted and muttered, "I know, I'm not a child anymore."