Ghost Stocks

Chapter 30

Feng Junzi was indeed thinking about Zhang Wenqing, but Lin Zhenzhen had misunderstood. Feng Junzi was thinking about the back view he and Zhang Wenqing had seen that night—Zhang Ting's back view. This was the only thing he couldn't understand these past few days, and it was very difficult to keep it to himself. Since Lin Zhenzhen asked, he finally couldn't help but tell Lin Zhenzhen the whole story.

After listening, Lin Zhenzhen asked in surprise, "A sixteen-year-old girl, using such sophisticated methods to kill someone? It would be more believable if she just hit someone with a brick. If she did it, then Zhang Wenqing must be an instigator!"

Feng Junzi shook his head and said, "No, it can't be Zhang Wenqing, and it certainly can't be Zhang Ting. Although I don't know them very well, I know Zhang Wenzheng. His sister and daughter shouldn't be that kind of people."

Lin Zhenzhen: "You know Zhang Wenzheng? That's interesting. You don't even know him. He died a year ago."

Feng Junzi: "The world is strange. There are some people you face every day but don't necessarily understand, and there are some people you've never met but can feel in their soul..."

Feng Junzi suddenly stopped speaking. The word "soul" gave him an idea. A flash of inspiration struck him, and all the chaotic clues instantly coalesced into a clear line of thought. He suddenly remembered that Director Chen had told him that more than one person had been watching him and Zhang Wenqing that night, and that he had been seen opening the door. However, despite all these people, no one had seen Zhang Ting—it seemed that only he and Zhang Wenqing had seen Zhang Ting's back. And Zhang Wenqing's expression at the time was very flustered, so Feng Junzi wasn't sure if she had really seen her.

Thinking about this, he realized something: at least that figure was invisible to others. He suddenly recalled his strange experience in the mine: in the darkness, he felt as if he were surrounded by many vengeful spirits, when Zhang Ting suddenly appeared and led him out of the mine. However, the real Zhang Ting remained outside the mine. So who was the Zhang Ting he encountered in the mine? Since Lin Zhenzhen encountered Zhang Wenzheng's ghost in the mine, it was entirely possible that he himself could encounter a ghost there. The other so-called Zhang Ting could very well be just an incarnation of a ghost in the mine.

If that's the case, the figure seen in the hospital, though resembling Zhang Ting, could very well just be another ghost. Only this explanation can clarify why no one else saw it. Liu Wanshan wasn't lying to him; the mine was indeed haunted. Otherwise, why would such a money-printing machine be abandoned?

Feng Junzi understands Zhang Wenzheng, but he's not the only ghostly miner underground; as far as he knows, there are at least thirty-six others. Judging from Lin Zhenzhen's account, she also seemed to have been surrounded by many vengeful spirits underground. Lin Zhenzhen's sudden disappearance and the second collapse of the mine seem inexplicable. It seems Zhang Wenzheng's timely appearance was to protect Lin Zhenzhen. So, was Zhang Wenzheng also staying underground to protect these vengeful spirits, trying to prevent them from harming innocent people?

As the saying goes, "You can see the gods three feet above your head," but right beneath our feet lie many secrets. Since they are secrets, Feng Junzi alone cannot uncover them completely.

...

Two months later, Lin Zhenzhen's report was published. Feng Junzi bought a newspaper and saw only the striking headline—"From the Miner's Last Words, We See the Spirit of the Nation." This news article, through reporting the deeds of an ordinary person, elevated the theme of promoting traditional virtues, closely followed the current mainstream ideology, and also conformed to the learning spirit advocated by the central government at the time. Lin Zhenzhen was indeed very clever; she did not mention the local handling of the mining accident in Qingjiang, but cleverly quoted the contents of Zhang Wenzheng's last words, describing his death in great detail.

In fact, Zhang Wenzheng's deeds don't need much embellishment; just one example is enough to move everyone: When the mining accident occurred, Zhang Wenzheng had every opportunity to escape the danger. The workers at the No. 2 pit were able to evacuate safely thanks to his timely notification. However, Zhang Wenzheng didn't choose to escape himself; instead, he turned and walked towards the deepest part of the mine to notify the workers in the No. 3 pit. When Zhang Wenzheng ran towards the No. 3 pit, he was essentially facing death without hesitation!

For some reason, this report had a significant impact, being reprinted by many other media outlets and websites, attracting countless sighs and comments. Lin Zhenzhen was even praised by the newspaper's leadership. To outsiders, it was one of the more truthful and moving reports among countless mainstream narratives, but to the leaders of Qingjiang Coal Mine and the mining bureau above them, it was undoubtedly a ticking time bomb. Feng Junzi didn't do anything about it, simply sending the mine's communications from a year ago along with this report to the relevant personnel.

Three months later, in a certain week, Qingjiang Shares, which had been steadily rising, suddenly and inexplicably plummeted for two consecutive days, triggering widespread discussion and speculation among various commentators in the stock market. On the third day, Qingjiang Shares suspended trading for an hour, announcing that its chairman, Zhang Zeguang, was under investigation by the disciplinary authorities for economic issues. Only then did the market's questions find an answer. Feng Junzi looked at the red and green charts and once again let out a bitter smile. This was an outcome he had long anticipated. Like the hexagram Wuwang, what he could see was unavoidable.

Just as Feng Junzi was reflecting on this, Lin Zhenzhen pushed open the door and walked in (Lin Zhenzhen had already been transferred from Beijing to work at the Binhai reporter station; for this episode, please refer to the next installment of the "Strange Tales of Stocks" series, "A Pair of Chopsticks"). As soon as she entered, she shouted at Feng Junzi, "Feng Junzi, do you know that Zhang Zeguang is in trouble?"

Feng Junzi: "I already knew. After your report came out, I knew he would end up like this sooner or later."

Lin Zhenzhen: "Isn't it strange? He was clearly guilty of covering up a mining accident, so how did the investigation turn out to be about economic issues?"

Feng Junzi: "The mine disaster is over, and Wang Minggao is dead. What's the point of bringing it up again? How to deal with the mistakes made by Comrade Zhang Zeguang is just a matter of technique. As for economic issues, for some people, it's like water in a sponge. As long as you're willing to squeeze, there will always be some. That's the unspoken rule of officialdom!"

Lin Zhenzhen: "When I first heard the news, I was very happy, but later I felt very depressed. Zhang Zeguang, Wang Minggao, Liu Wanshan and all these people are not good people. I am starting to feel a little disappointed in this world."

Feng Junzi: "Don't be so pessimistic. At least this experience has shown us that there are still true gentlemen like Zhang Wenzheng in the world—the Wenzheng Gong among ordinary people."

(The End of "Ghost Miners")

Epilogue to Part Three: Ghost Miner: Let's Not Talk About Ghosts and Gods

Not long ago, another gas explosion occurred at Qingjiang Coal Mine, but this mining accident did not cause any casualties. Just before the explosion, a gas inspector appeared in various tunnels of the mine almost simultaneously, notifying everyone of the danger and evacuating immediately, thus saving the underground workers from harm.

Later, as the miners calmed down, they recalled the appearance of the gas inspector and surprisingly concluded that it was Zhang Wenzheng, a miner who had died a year earlier. From then on, a legend began to circulate around the Qingjiang Coal Mine: Zhang Wenzheng was virtuous and filial, and after his death, Heaven appointed him as the guardian deity of this land—protecting both the vengeful spirits of the dead from harming innocent people and ensuring the peace and happiness of those living on this land.

The mythical tales spread far and wide, becoming increasingly bizarre. Eventually, many villagers discussed building a shrine to commemorate Zhang Wenzheng, but this was ultimately stopped by the authorities on the grounds of suspected feudal superstition.

Just as I was about to finish this story, Lin Zhenzhen called. She said she had also seen my "Ghost Miner" and quoted ancient sayings such as "Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance" and "The Master did not speak of disorder, force, gods and monsters." Finally, she solemnly told me: "Actually, you don't need to make the story so bizarre. Just look at it simply. I accidentally fell into an abandoned mine and was rescued wearing a hat that concealed a secret."

Spring 2005

Part Four: A Pair of Chopsticks (Introduction)

"Never say women are not heroic, for every night the Longquan sword sings on the wall!" These are lines from a poem by Qiu Jin. What do these two lines mean? They can be interpreted as the spirit and courage of a female hero. But if we interpret the poem merely literally, would the sword hanging on the wall truly sing at night?

Yes, it's true!

When I was very young, my father told me stories from his childhood, and one story in particular remains vivid in my memory. My ancestral home is in a rural area of northern Anhui, where my father grew up. When he was a child, his family still had some weapons passed down from their ancestors, such as knives, spears, and halberds. However, by my father's generation, there were no longer any martial arts practitioners in the village, and these ancient weapons were simply left lying around in places like against the walls.

My father said that on moonlit nights, when the moonlight shone dimly through the window paper into the room, one could hear the weapons making a soft, murmuring sound. This sound was like a soft chant, or perhaps a sob, and it was exceptionally clear in the quiet night. My father heard this sound more than once when he was a child, and no one thought it was strange; it seemed that weapons steeped in human blood should naturally make a whistling sound at night.

Such stories might sound like horror or mystery coming from someone else, but when my father told them, they sounded as calm as still water. I had no doubt about their authenticity because I knew what kind of person my father was. A diligent and ambitious rural boy who entered university in the 1960s and later became a water conservancy engineer and flood control expert. He received a lifetime of education from the Party, and his belief in materialism never wavered. When he recounted these events, it was as calmly as if he were describing a rain shower.

I asked my father about the origin of these weapons, and he said they were left over from the Nian Rebellion at the end of the Qing Dynasty. My hometown was right in the heart of the Nian Rebellion's activities. I was very interested in these things, even thinking they might be valuable antiques, and pressed him to tell me where they were now. My father calmly replied that they were all collected and used for steelmaking during the Great Leap Forward in 1958. Some things about that generation are truly disgusting!

Later, as I grew older, a passage from *Water Margin* stirred up my memories. In Chapter 27, "The Female Demon Sells Human Flesh on Mengzhou Road, Wu Song Meets Zhang Qing at Shizipo," Zhang Qing says to Wu Song: "It's a pity about that monk, a big man seven or eight feet tall, who was also a nuisance. I returned a little late and had already dismembered him. Now all that's left is an iron ruler with a headband, a black robe, and a monk's certificate. The rest is not important, but two things are most precious: one is a rosary made of 108 human skull fragments; the other is two knives forged from snowflake-colored steel. This monk must have killed many people. Even now, those knives still whistle in the middle of the night."

I don't think this is entirely Shi Nai'an's fabrication; there must be corresponding prototypes in real life. Long before Shi Nai'an, the great poet Lu You also left behind the lines, "The national hatred remains unavenged, the brave warrior grows old, the treasured sword in its sheath gleams in the night." Now, a question arises—do you believe in animism? You may believe, you may not, but there's no need to rush to conclusions. Let me tell you a story about a pair of chopsticks…

Part 4: A Pair of Chopsticks Episode 1: Spring Breeze Encounters Fate Several Times

Feng Junzi first saw her on an express train from Shanghai to Binhai. He was sitting by the window of the sleeper car, lost in thought, when his gaze was suddenly drawn to a girl walking towards him. Calling her a girl might not be quite accurate; she exuded a mature aura, yet Feng Junzi found it difficult to guess her age.

The girl was carrying a water cup, returning from the other side of the carriage after getting water, carefully avoiding the arms and legs on either side of the aisle. Feng Junzi estimated her height to be between 1.6 and 1.65 meters, very well-proportioned, giving the impression that every curve of her body was drawn according to mathematical or aesthetic ideals.

The first thing Feng Junzi noticed was her feet; she was wearing a pair of white, thick-soled, mid-calf leather shoes. These shoes had been very fashionable a couple of years ago, but by the spring of 2004, they seemed to have passed their peak. However, Feng Junzi had to admit that the shoes looked really good on this girl.

Feng Junzi's gaze moved upwards to her legs. She wore a light blue, semi-tight-fitting pair of trousers that perfectly accentuated her curves; the straightness of her thighs and the arc of her calves were impeccable. His gaze then slid upwards to her firm, rounded hips, noticing her slender waist swaying gracefully with each step—a subtle convergence between her full, shapely curves. Finally, his gaze lingered briefly on the mound of her chest.

This is probably a habit most men develop when looking at women, and Feng Junzi was no exception. Later, Feng Junzi sometimes called her Peach, perhaps as a metaphor for the shape of her breasts, but sometimes he called her Papaya, perhaps referring to the perceived size of her breasts from a certain angle. However, Feng Junzi couldn't have seen that clearly at the time; she was wearing a pink, tight-fitting long-sleeved shirt, and Feng Junzi only thought that two adorable pigeons were hidden in her bra.

By this time, the girl had approached, and Feng Junzi finally looked up and saw her face clearly. On the streets of Binhai City, Feng Junzi often felt a sense of disappointment while admiring the scenery: many women's figures looked beautiful from behind, but when you rushed forward and turned to see their faces, you felt like God hadn't played a cruel joke on you. Sometimes, if you accidentally overheard them speak, you felt even more disgusted. But this time, Feng Junzi wasn't disappointed. Her features were exquisite, possessing a classic beauty of Eastern women. Feng Junzi immediately thought of a comparison: the faces of the ladies depicted in 17th-century Japanese ukiyo-e prints were based on this very face.

However, what captivated Feng Junzi most about this girl was her skin. Although many fashionable girls nowadays pursue a so-called tanned, healthy beauty influenced by Hollywood, men like Feng Junzi, with their traditional and conservative views, still preferred white skin—the kind of fair, jade-like skin described in classical poetry, skin that seemed to defy frost and snow. Her skin was incredibly delicate; her face, neck, and hands were flawless, and it was a white similar to ivory. This white didn't refer to the yellowed white of old ivory, but rather the tender white of a freshly cut piece of ivory exposed to the air.

Unfortunately, the train corridor was short, and the girl didn't give Feng Junzi much time to observe her. By the time he glanced at her, she had already carefully walked past him, carrying her water cup. A faint, intoxicating fragrance lingered in the air; he couldn't tell if it was her natural scent or just his imagination. Feng Junzi subconsciously turned to look at her retreating figure and noticed that many people in the carriage were also secretly watching her, men and women alike.

The train continued its monotonous whirring, making one drowsy. When it was time for dinner, Feng Junzi decided to go to the dining car for a drink. As he finished eating and returned to his carriage, the train gradually slowed down; it was almost at Shijiazhuang station. He prepared to get off the platform for a cigarette.

The train conductor was already standing in front of the train door, preparing to lock the door between the two carriages. Feng Junzi stood behind the conductor, lit a cigarette, and looked out the window at the scenery when he suddenly heard a knock at the door beside him. He turned around and saw the girl he had seen that afternoon standing on the other side of the door. She seemed to want to come over and gestured for Feng Junzi to open the door.

The train conductor heard the knocking and impatiently shouted, "The train is almost at the station, you can only open the door in a while." Feng Junzi advised the conductor, "Forget it, we haven't arrived at the station yet, just let the girl come over."

The train conductor glanced back and saw the girl. Without saying anything, he inserted the key into the lock and turned it, opening the door—it seems beautiful women always get a little something for them, no matter where they go. Feng Junzi opened the door and let the girl through. The girl politely bowed slightly to Feng Junzi, said "Thank you," and then continued walking.

This "thank you" stunned Feng Junzi. It wasn't because the girl's voice was unpleasant; quite the opposite, while not particularly clear, it was soft and gentle, giving a delicate and sweet impression. What Feng Junzi hadn't expected was her pronunciation—the words "thank you" were short and stiff. Although there are many dialects in China with different pronunciations, this didn't sound like it at all. Speaking Chinese like this could only mean one thing—she wasn't Chinese, or at least her native language wasn't Mandarin. Was she Japanese or Korean?

Her first conversation with Feng Junzi consisted of only one sentence: "Thank you," to which Feng Junzi stood there without replying. During the subsequent train journey, Feng Junzi did not see her again.

Feng Junzi saw her a few days later in front of a shopping mall in Binhai City. It was drizzling that day, and Feng Junzi was about to hail a taxi home when he saw the girl he had met on the train. She was standing in front of a taxi, gesturing and talking to the driver, seemingly in some kind of trouble.

Feng Junzi was surprised and a little delighted to see her again. Seeing that she seemed to be in a little trouble, he naturally went to help. He went up to her and asked what was wrong, only to hear the driver say, "She wants me to take her to Heilongjing, but there's no such place in Binhai."

Black Dragon Well? Feng Junzi had lived in Binhai for over ten years and had never heard of this place. He turned to the girl and asked, "Are you sure the place you're going to is called Black Dragon Well?"

The girl replied in broken Chinese, "That's right, it's called Heilongjing (Black Dragon Well)." She then handed him a slip of paper with three neatly written traditional Chinese characters on it—Heilongjing. Upon seeing the slip of paper, Feng Junzi suddenly remembered something and turned to the driver, saying, "Oh! I know, that's a place name from the 1930s. She's going to Longwangtang (Dragon King Pond)."

The girl bowed politely to Feng Junzi and said, "Thank you." This was the second time Feng Junzi had heard her say thank you. By this time, Feng Junzi had already guessed where the girl was from—she must be Japanese.

Binhai has a long and troubled history. In the early 20th century, it was the site of the Russo-Japanese War, and subsequently became a colony of both Japan and Tsarist Russia. During the Japanese occupation of Northeast China before World War II, it was occupied for a long period. During that time, Longwangtang was called Heilongjing (Black Dragon Well), a name given by the Japanese. If someone came looking for Heilongjing in 2004 with a note, they were definitely Japanese. Feng Junzi felt a strange sense of regret; how could such a beautiful girl be Japanese? Perhaps she was a descendant of the Japanese invaders who occupied Binhai.

Feng Junzi was still sighing when he heard the driver call out to him, "Sir, where are you going? It's hard to get a taxi in the rain. If it's on my way, I can give you a ride!"

Feng Junzi understood. It seemed that the driver wanted to earn money twice. Since Feng Junzi was indeed going the same way, he said to the driver, "I'm going to Baxianling, which is also on my way. Let's go together."

Feng Junzi opened the car door and sat in the back seat. However, the girl didn't sit in the front passenger seat; instead, she also climbed into the back seat and sat next to Feng Junzi. In the humid air, Feng Junzi smelled a very pleasant fragrance, unable to distinguish whether it was perfume or the girl's natural body scent. Just then, he heard the driver say, "Which way do we go?"

Feng Junzi chuckled inwardly. It seemed the driver was unsure about taking a longer route; the road was indeed quite long. So he replied, "Go to Malan Square, cross Hongmiao Road to Pingyou South Road, I'll get off at Baxianling, then you can take her to Longwangtang."

On the way, Feng Junzi didn't say anything, but the girl took the initiative to say to him, "Sir, thank you so much. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know where Black Dragon Well is. I've asked many people."

Feng Junzi: "You're welcome. It's only right that I help an outsider like you. Back then, Heilongjing was just a small fishing village, but now Longwangtang is a big town."

The girl then asked, "Why change the place name? Place names shouldn't be changed arbitrarily; it will cause confusion and make it difficult for people researching history."

Upon hearing this, Feng Junzi felt a surge of anger and coldly replied, "That place has been called Longwangtang since ancient times. It was only after the Japanese almost wiped out all the fishermen in the village that it was renamed Heilongjing (Black Dragon Well). That was a distorted history. Longwangtang is the true historical place name. You'd better study history again before asking this question."

The girl sensed that Feng Junzi wasn't very happy, so she didn't say anything more. When the car arrived at Baxianling, Feng Junzi handed the driver a banknote and said, "I've already paid the fare to Longwangtang. You can just take this lady directly to her destination."

The girl quickly said, "You're too kind. How can you do this? Please take the fare back. I haven't thanked you yet, so how can I let you pay for the fare?"

Feng Junzi said, "Don't be so polite with me. It's only right that I help people to the end." After saying that, he got out of the car and ignored the girl.

When Feng Junzi returned home, he was still thinking about his chance encounter with the girl again. He felt that what he had said earlier might have been a little too much; perhaps she didn't mean anything by it, and he was just being overly sensitive. He even regretted not asking the girl's name and contact information.

If the first encounter was accidental, and the second was coincidental, then the third could only be described as fate. Not long after, Feng Junzi truly did meet that girl again by chance.

Feng Junzi saw her for the third time on a roadside in Binhai City. He was buying a newspaper at a newsstand when he looked up and saw a girl strolling in the distance—her back view was very familiar; it was the Japanese woman he had encountered twice before.

Feng Junzi had to admit that this woman was beautiful in every way – her features, figure, and even her back view. She was a sight to behold on the street, attracting a lot of attention. Thinking this, Feng Junzi looked up to see if other people on the street were also noticing the girl. However, this observation led him to discover something quite unexpected.

There were indeed quite a few men and women around, observing the girl, but a few of them stood out from the others; Feng Junzi noticed at least three. Two of these three walked one after the other on the sidewalk alongside the girl, deliberately maintaining a relatively fixed distance, with one stopping every now and then and the other catching up to take over. On the other side of the road, another person was also strolling slowly alongside the girl at a pace that remained parallel to hers.

Feng Junzi's initial observation was purely accidental, but now he found himself unconsciously following the girl forward. After a while, he became even more convinced that these three people were suspicious. It seemed the girl was being followed, and the person following her was no ordinary individual. This triangular tracking method was clearly the result of organized training and was very professional.

Part 4: A Pair of Chopsticks Episode 2 - A Strange Twist Helps a Beauty

Some people who watch a lot of crime or spy movies might think that tailing someone in a busy city center is a thrilling and easy task. The reality is quite different. It's very difficult to keep an eye on someone for an extended period without revealing your identity, especially if the other person becomes even slightly alert. Furthermore, it's easy to identify and shake off pursuers in cities. Simply intentionally moving to less crowded areas with more intersections can reveal who is repeatedly appearing near you. In addition, the well-developed transportation system and complex architecture of a city provide ideal conditions for escaping pursuers.

Many people, perhaps weary from the monotonous routine of daily life, yearn for a serendipitous encounter. This encounter could be a romantic one, or a thrilling adventure, bringing a fresh perspective to their mundane existence. This explains why many modern people indulge in one-night stands or outdoor adventures; their motivations often stem from this. Feng Junzi, for some unknown reason, felt an impulse to help the girl. For him, it was a novel and exciting experience, and he didn't think much beyond that at the time.

The girl was standing outside a shop window, admiring the merchandise on display. Feng Junzi casually walked over to her, also looking up at the shop window, and said in a low voice, "Miss, don't turn your head. Keep looking at the window. I'm telling you, you're being followed. There's someone in a yellow jacket in front of you, someone behind you with a newspaper, and someone standing next to a phone booth across the street."

The girl looked surprised when she heard Feng Junzi's words, but she held back and didn't turn around, continuing to stare at the shop window without saying a word. The girl's composure surprised Feng Junzi slightly, and he then said in a low voice, "Don't panic. When I get to the intersection ahead, come over and follow me."

The girl stared silently at the shop window without making a sound. No one else could see the slight twitch at the corner of Feng Junzi's mouth; to onlookers, it was just two shoppers casually standing outside the same window. Feng Junzi wasn't sure if the girl understood him; after speaking, he turned and walked forward. He reached a nearby intersection and casually turned right into the bustling pedestrian street. As he walked, he glanced back out of the corner of his eye, and sure enough, the girl turned right at the intersection and followed him.

As the girl turned a corner on the pedestrian street, she found herself between two stalkers on one side of the road. Another stalker, on the other side, saw her suddenly turn and quicken her pace, and the person behind her also noticeably sped up, overtaking her. Two other stalkers also caught up. This temporarily disrupted their previously well-maintained stalking formation. Feng Junzi remained silent, quickly walking to the exit at the other end of the pedestrian street and stopping near the bus stop. At that moment, the girl walked over and stood beside Feng Junzi, while the first stalker stopped nearby.

Just then, a bus stopped at the station. Feng Junzi followed the crowd towards the door, and the girl, seeing this, also prepared to board. Many people were boarding at this stop, and the crowd wasn't very orderly, pushing and shoving towards the door. Taking advantage of the chaos, the person following him squeezed onto the bus first. Suddenly, Feng Junzi turned and walked towards the back of the bus. Seeing him turn, the girl also turned around. Just then, another bus arrived at the station and stopped behind this one. Feng Junzi boarded and immediately walked towards the back. The girl followed him without making a sound.

By this time, both cars had closed their doors and started moving. Feng Junzi saw that the stalker in the first car hadn't had time to get out, and the two people behind hadn't had time to catch up either. He chuckled to himself, "I didn't expect to shake them off so easily. These cowardly characters are trying to stalk beautiful women."

Just then, he saw the girl standing beside him, her hand on the car handle, her eyes looking out the window, like a complete stranger. Now that Feng Junzi no longer needed to worry about being exposed, he took the initiative to greet her: "Hey, hello, we meet again. You don't need to pretend anymore, you've shaken off the people following you."

The girl then turned to him and smiled, replying, "I didn't expect it to be you helping me again, thank you so much." Feng Junzi also smiled and said, "Don't you think we're destined to meet? Can you tell me what happened just now? Who exactly are those three guys?"

The girl replied, "I don't know, I really don't know why they're following me. There aren't just three of them, there are five in total, you see..."

Following the direction the girl was pointing, Feng Junzi saw a motorcycle following the bus. The person in the yellow jacket who had been stalking him was sitting on the back of the motorcycle, and the motorcyclist was clearly another accomplice he hadn't noticed earlier. Feng Junzi quickly went to the other side of the bus and looked back. He saw another motorcycle behind the bus, and another stalker was sitting on the back.

Feng Junzi was taken aback. He had been so focused on observing the crowd that he had forgotten to check the other modes of transportation. In the city, the best mode of transport for tailing someone is a motorcycle—it's agile, convenient, and inconspicuous, making it the perfect cover for foot tracking. Feng Junzi had been inwardly mocking those cowards, but now his laughter had vanished. What he had encountered today was definitely not simple; he realized he might have inadvertently gotten himself into serious trouble.

Thinking this, Feng Junzi felt a pang of regret. He hadn't properly assessed the situation before stepping in to play the hero and save the damsel in distress; it seemed things weren't going to end well. At the same time, he was also puzzled by the girl's behavior. This seemingly delicate young woman was surprisingly calm and observant in this situation—truly remarkable. He turned to look at the girl, who was also looking at him with her dark eyes. Her gaze conveyed a sense of innocence and helplessness, like a bewildered little lamb, seemingly silently asking, "What should I do now?"

Feng Junzi was already feeling a bit regretful, but seeing the girl's pleading eyes, his vain male pride took over again. He whispered, "Don't be afraid, follow me and we can shake them off."

The girl softly said, "Thank you," and didn't say another word. Feng Junzi started racking his brains. Shaking off this group wouldn't be easy. What could he do? As he thought, Feng Junzi suddenly chuckled. The girl, confused by his laughter, couldn't help but ask, "What are you laughing at?"

Feng Junzi: "I'm laughing because someone's going to be in trouble. We'll get off at the next stop."

The next stop on this bus route is Triumph Plaza. Located in front of the Binhai Railway Station, Triumph Plaza is a massive commercial complex combining above-ground and underground structures. Construction took over a decade, with new underground commercial passages still under construction today. The plaza's extensive underground network connects to dozens of above-ground exits, extending as far east as the Binhai commercial pedestrian street, as far west as the electronics city, connecting to the oldest shopping mall in Binhai to the south, and the furthest exit to the north directly connecting to the railway station's exit tunnel.

Triumph Square resembles a densely woven, multi-layered spiderweb within a one-kilometer radius of the heart of the bustling seaside district. Without exception, any visitor who accidentally wanders into it will get lost; perhaps the designers intended this atmosphere of "wandering aimlessly" to create it. In fact, from the early 1990s to 2004, Triumph Square was built without a unified design plan; it seemed to be constructed haphazardly. Those who get lost need not worry; finding the nearest exit and reaching the surface will allow them to see the main street and immediately confirm their location. However, Feng Junzi's intention was precisely to prevent those trying to track him from confirming their location.

After leading the girl out of the car, Feng Junzi found a nearby passage leading to the underground and went inside. As they entered the passage, the girl, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly pointed to a sign above the passage and exclaimed, "The road here is really wide!" Feng Junzi looked up and saw ten large characters on the sign: "Accessible to the other side of the road 24 hours a day."

For the next hour or so, she felt bored and tired. Feng Junzi led the girl aimlessly through the dense network of passageways in Triumph Square, going up and down, left and right. Eventually, the girl became clearly dizzy and instinctively clung tightly to Feng Junzi's arm, afraid she might be shaken off. Looking back, the person who had been following them was nowhere to be seen.

Feng Junzi's legs were starting to ache, and thinking the girl was probably even more tired than he was, he slowed down and took her arm, heading towards a place they had never been before. They navigated winding tunnels and bustling crowds, eventually emerging from the crowded train station square. Without lingering on the ground, Feng Junzi immediately flagged down a taxi and pulled the girl inside.

Once inside the car, Feng Junzi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, he heard the driver in the front seat ask, "Where are you two going?" Only then did Feng Junzi realize that he hadn't decided where to go yet, so he turned around and asked the girl, "Where are you going? I'll take you home."

The girl looked at Feng Junzi with a strange and complicated expression: "Where do you think I should go? Will they keep watching me if I go back?"