A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er left the room as calmly as possible, walked downstairs, nodded and smiled at the housekeeper, then walked out of the Tian Mansion's gate.

She walked a few steps forward and hailed a rickshaw. She looked around cautiously and got into the car after making sure no one was following her. However, she still didn't dare to tell the driver her destination directly, so she told the driver the address of another store on the street where Xu's Bookstore was located.

The rickshaw driver took Gui'er to the street. Gui'er got off the rickshaw, paid the fare, and even walked into the store. She looked around to make sure no one was following her before slowly walking towards Xu's Bookstore. Along the way, she was also paying attention to whether anyone was following her in front of Xu's Bookstore.

Only after confirming that it was safe did I walk into the bookstore with peace of mind.

Gui'er walked into the bookstore. Xu Wenjie saw her approaching, and a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. Gui'er didn't speak immediately, but scanned the store cautiously. After confirming that there were no suspicious customers, he quickly stepped forward and said to Xu Wenjie in a low voice, "Boss Xu, something's wrong."

Xu Wenjie's expression instantly became alert upon hearing this. He quickly looked around, then winked at Gui'er and took her to the bookstore warehouse. As they walked, he said, "Miss, the book you're looking for is in the warehouse. I'll help you find it."

As soon as she entered the warehouse, Gui'er couldn't wait to tell Xu Wenjie everything she had heard in Director Tian's study. "I was at the Tian residence today and heard several people in Mao suits looking for Director Tian. They said Chen Manli had contacted Liu Mingliang and wanted to carry out the plan. Director Tian asked what the success rate was, and they said Chen Manli was quite confident because Liu Mingliang had been pursuing her for a long time. Director Tian also said that this would allow them to make significant progress in their work in Shanghai, and that the action in Shanghai had already begun. Director Tian asked his men to go back to the institute to notify them of a meeting in the evening. After the meeting, they would leave. No one was allowed to go home and had to leave directly from the institute. I think they are very likely targeting our comrades in Shanghai."

After hearing this, Xu Wenjie frowned and said solemnly, "This situation is indeed very important. However, I don't know the specific situation of the comrades in Shanghai, so I can only report it up the chain of command as quickly as possible. Gui'er, you should return quickly and don't stay here for too long, so as not to arouse suspicion."

Gui'er quickly said, "I used the excuse of going to a classmate's house to come out."

Xu Wenjie nodded and instructed, "Then you must go to your classmate's house and not reveal any flaws."

Guier followed her instructions, picked up a random novel, and left the bookstore as if nothing had happened. She then went to Zhou Huifang's house. Seeing her sudden visit, Zhou Huifang was surprised, but also delighted. She quickly welcomed Guier into the house and said, "Guier, why did you come so suddenly without telling me in advance?"

Guier smiled and said, "I just happened to be free, so I wanted to come and play with you."

Zhou Huifang happily took Guier's hand and said, "It just so happens that today is Sunday and there is a new movie showing at the cinema. Let's go and see it."

The two of them arrived at the cinema, a bustling place on Sundays. People were bustling in and out, and a long line formed in front of the ticket window, their faces filled with anticipation. Inside, lights flickered, and snack vendors weaved through the crowd, hawking sunflower seeds, soda, and other snacks. Gui'er and Zhou Huifang finally managed to buy tickets and entered the screening room. Several people were already seated, chatting excitedly and anticipating the film's release.

After watching the movie, the two walked out of the cinema and enthusiastically discussed the plot of the movie.

Zhou Huifang said excitedly: "Gui'er, look at the male protagonist. He is desperate for his ideal. It is so touching."

Guier nodded in agreement. "Yes, and the heroine is also very brave. She helped the hero a lot at the critical moment. This movie is really meaningful and made me think a lot."

The two chatted as they walked, and strolled around the street for a while. When they felt it was about time, they went home.

After returning home, Gui'er felt relieved. When it was time to eat, she didn't see Sha Yanyao. She asked curiously, "Brother, aren't you going to eat?"

The wife said angrily, "Today when we were at the Tian residence, didn't we see Director Tian saying he was going on a business trip? I didn't expect that even your eldest brother would be going. His child is only a month old and he's letting him go so far away. Director Tian is really a bad person."

Gui'er suddenly realized that the situation might be very serious. Even Sha Yanyao had been sent out. She hurriedly asked, "Is that so? Then where is Big Brother going? How long will he be gone?" Fearing to arouse suspicion, she quickly added, "I'm afraid Jinbao will start to overthink it again."

The lady tutted her lips and said, "That's just the way she is. After giving birth, there are even more problems. I hope your sister-in-law gives birth to a boy this time. Otherwise, there might be more trouble."

Gui'er didn't know why Miss Tian was so eager to stir up trouble just because she couldn't give birth to a boy, but she wasn't in the mood to bother. She was interested in Sha Yanyao's whereabouts, so she quickly said, "I told Jinbao I'm going to visit her tomorrow. If she asks me where Big Brother went, what should I tell her?"

The lady frowned and said, "Don't worry about her. You know the nature of Yan Yao's work. Just say he's out on business."

Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of him, Gui'er smiled and said, "Okay."

The next day, upon arriving at school, Gui'er found Miss Shen. Miss Shen cautiously led her outside the teacher's office. She glanced around to a deserted corner and saw no one was paying attention before saying, "Wenjie, we reported this matter last night, and they're still investigating. Is there any new information?"

Gui'er sighed and said, "Sha Yanyao also went to participate in the mission. He left yesterday afternoon. It seems that this matter is very serious."

Miss Shen was stunned for a moment and said, "Sha Yanyao went there too? It seems the situation is very serious."

Gui'er suddenly remembered that Xu Wenjie was also a member of the Revolutionary Committee and asked quickly, "By the way, what about Boss Xu? Didn't he receive any notice to attend the meeting and participate in the mission?"

Miss Shen smiled bitterly and shook her head. "Ever since Director Zhou died, he's been completely marginalized. Now he's just a mere clerk, and the information he's exposed to is always lagging behind."

Gui'er thought for a moment and said, "That's good. This way he can stay and pass on the message."

There was no news after that. Gui'er knew that even if there was news, he might not tell her. After all, she was just a child and could not help with many things.

Jin Bao learned that Sha Yanyao was away on a long trip, and he was indeed very resentful. He held the child in his arms, wiping away tears, and said pitifully to Gui'er, "Guier, tell me honestly, is it because the eldest young lady didn't allow your eldest brother to come to see me?"

Gui Er smiled bitterly and said, "What are you thinking? How is this possible? We don't even know the details of his business trip yet. After all, he works for the country, and there are some things that the country must keep secret."