A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Soon, Wu Mingqiang reported back that Ru Meng had struck up a conversation with Ouyang Bao, and the lecherous man responded enthusiastically, quickly saying he could arrange to sell the cotton cloth and cotton, and they even set a time. He said the merchant Ru Meng had introduced would accompany them to the teahouse to discuss the matter.

Gui'er was overjoyed and immediately told Lin Peishan and Chen Zhongyu the news.

Chen Zhongyu was very pleased to hear this. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Okay, I will arrange for someone to impersonate a wealthy businessman and negotiate with that detective."

Gui'er quickly reminded him, "Brother Chen, who are you planning to find? I think there's something we need to be careful about. This Ouyang Bao is no ordinary person. Although he is greedy and lecherous, he has been a detective for many years and has certain investigative abilities. We should send someone whose identity can withstand his investigation."

Chen Zhongyu nodded and said, "Don't worry, we have people in this area. It's just that you'd better not show your face when it comes to how to bring people over."

Gui'er thought he made sense, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "That's simple. You tell the imposter to go to Juzhen Pawnshop, and I'll have Wu Mingqiang tell Rumeng to go there to pick him up."

Chen Zhongyu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, when the time comes, I'll have that person take a copy of the Guangming Daily to Juzhen to find Miss Rumeng. You just need to notify someone to meet them there in advance."

Gui'er nodded and went back to relay the message to Wu Mingqiang, instructing him: "Ouyang Bao is cunning and treacherous, and Hong Kong is a mixed bag. We don't know which side he's on. So it's best if we don't show our faces. Just tell Miss Rumeng that we're helping this customer find a supplier. We'll also give Miss Rumeng some tea money as a thank you. Just make sure Ouyang Bao doesn't find out about this and that we're not involved."

Wu Mingqiang readily replied, "Don't worry, Miss, I'll take care of it."

However, Gui'er was still worried, so she took half a day off on the day they agreed and went to the pawnshop early. She also asked Acheng to park the car far away so that no one would notice her. Then she hid by herself at the corner of the stairs on the second floor and secretly looked down.

Chen De asked curiously, "Miss, don't you have school today? What brings you here?"

Gui'er made up an excuse and said with a smile, "I was in school today, but I suddenly felt a little dizzy, so I thought I would ask for half a day off to rest. As soon as I left the school gate, I felt much better. I was bored at home, so I came to our shop to sit for a while and watch the fun. It's a way to relieve my boredom."

Chen De smiled and said, "I see. Then let them make a pot of tea for the young lady to soothe her throat."

Gui'er quickly said, "Chen Chaofeng, don't worry about me. Go and do your work. Don't delay your business. I'll leave after a while."

Just then, a guest came in. Chen De nodded and quickly went downstairs.

A moment later, Ru Meng arrived, still dressed seductively in a cheongsam with a slit almost reaching her thighs, walking in with an air of flirtatiousness. Upon seeing Wu Mingqiang, she completely disregarded the others present, swaying as she walked towards him, saying, "Brother Qiang, I'm here." As she spoke, she reached out and hooked her arm around Wu Mingqiang's.

Wu Mingqiang deftly pushed her hand away, glanced at the door, and seeing that the person he was waiting for hadn't arrived yet, poured her a cup of jasmine tea and said, "Have some tea."

Ru Meng accepted the tea with a flattered expression, held it to her nose as if it were a big deal, smelled it, took a sip, and said in a sweet voice, "This tea is really fragrant, thank you, Brother Qiang."

Just then, a man in his forties walked in from outside. He was wearing a silk gown, round-framed glasses, and holding the Guangming Daily. Gui'er's heart jumped into her throat.

"Hello, is Miss Rumeng here?"

Wu Mingqiang turned to look at the man, who perfectly matched Gui'er's description of a man posing as a businessman, and quickly nudged Rumeng.

Ru Meng reluctantly turned around and stood up, smiling as she said, "This humble woman is indeed you. May I ask who you are...?"

Just as the man was about to speak, Ouyang Bao swaggered in through the door and shouted in a loud voice, "Ru Meng. Ru Meng!"

Gui'er and everyone present were startled. Ru Meng hurriedly went up to him with a smile and said, "Detective Ouyang, what brings you here? Didn't I tell you to wait for us at Lu Yu Tea House?"

Ouyang Bao strode in with an air of superiority, glanced at everyone present, then walked over to Ru Meng and slapped her on the buttocks, saying, "I'd also like to meet this brother soon. He's incredibly resourceful, knowing exactly what's in my warehouse. By the way, who is he?"

Ru Meng paused for a moment. She hadn't spoken to the man yet. Although she knew it might be him, she wasn't sure.

At this moment, the man stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I have long admired Detective Ouyang. My name is Xu Jing. My elder brother runs a foreign firm, and I occasionally lend him a hand."

Gui'er gasped upon hearing this. She quickly peered over and finally recognized the man. It was Xu Jing, a progressive professor at their school. She had no idea that Xu Jing came from a merchant family. He was usually very refined and dressed in a worn-out long gown or a wrinkled suit. He spent all his time discussing how to save the country and actively participated in progressive activities such as protests and demonstrations with Meng Haoliang. You couldn't tell he was from a wealthy family at all.

Ouyang Bao arrogantly glanced at Xu Jing and said with a smile, "Mr. Xu, I've heard so much about you. It's strange, though. Why did you choose to meet here in this pawnshop instead of in Shitang or a teahouse? Do you intend to discuss things here first before talking business with me?"

"Look at what you're saying, Inspector Ouyang. Boss Xu and I are old acquaintances. I originally wanted to catch up, but his family is very strict, so how could I dare to go to Shitang? He knows that I like to come here to sit and relax, so he said we should chat for a bit before we talk business with you," Ru Meng said sweetly.

"So that's how it is. You little vixen are really seductive. Have you two finished catching up?" Ouyang Bao looked at Xu Jing and Ru Meng with a mocking gaze, treating them as just a client and prostitute who had a brief fling in the past.

"Oh, Detective, aren't they just about to leave? Let's go." Ru Meng skillfully took Ouyang Bao's hand and walked towards the gate.

Xu Jing adjusted his glasses somewhat awkwardly and followed them out.

After the two of them left, Chen De came out from behind the counter and said incredulously, "What's going on? How did this Miss Ru Meng end up doing business with Detective Ouyang?"

"Why do you care so much about him? It's none of our business. Hurry up and greet the guests," Wu Mingqiang said irritably.

Chen De had no choice but to sheepishly retreat back to the counter.