On New Year’s Eve eve, a heavy snow fell in Hangzhou. Even into the daytime, the light, fluffy flakes did not stop.
[West Lake Snow Scenery Beautiful as a Painting!]
[Broken Bridge Residual Snow! Fairyland on Earth!]
[Local Citizens Say Hangzhou Has Not Had Such Heavy Snow in a Long Time]
Thus, what Elizabeth and her two companions saw upon arriving in Hangzhou was this picturesque scene full of Chinese charm and poetic beauty.
Whether they could appreciate it, Lu Zheng did not know. But the tourists around West Lake were nearly moved to tears by the beauty. They never stopped taking photos.
Fortunately, winter was cold, so there were not too many tourists at West Lake. It was truly a rare opportunity not to be missed.
Sure enough, someone got too excited. While taking photos, they accidentally fell into the water.
“Help! Help!”
Before Lu Zheng and Lin Wan could act, several old gentlemen stripped off their clothes and jumped into the lake. They easily rescued the child who had fallen in.
“So impressive!”
“Those grandpas must all be winter swimmers!”
“Terrifyingly skilled!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Several people took off their coats to wrap around the child. Others called 120. Some brought thermos flasks to offer hot water to the child and the grandpas.
The group watched from the periphery. Katherine could not help saying, “Chinese people are so kind!”
George and Elizabeth nodded. Just now, Katherine had wanted to help but could not even squeeze in.
Lin Wan’s expression was gentle. Watching the crowd, her eyes filled with pride. Then she said lightly, “Let us continue. We will go see Leifeng Pagoda next, then have lunch.”
“Leifeng Pagoda, the one from the White Snake and scholar story?”
“Yes, that very Leifeng Pagoda.”
…
Nothing else unexpected happened next. With few tourists, their visit was quite pleasant. At noon, they even ate West Lake vinegar fish.
…
After spending three days in Suzhou and Hangzhou, Lin Wan had to return to work. Lu Zheng also used work as an excuse. So they saw Elizabeth’s group off onto a flight to Beidu.
On the drive home from the airport, Lu Zheng said while driving, “Rare indeed. Your unit did not assign you any missions this holiday.”
Lin Wan took off her shoes and propped her long legs up front, relaxing. “Our main work is intelligence gathering and multi-party liaison. The action team avoids moving unless necessary.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “After all, it easily causes friction with local police.”
Lin Wan shook her head. “No, it easily steals the local police’s spotlight.”
“So arrogant?”
Lin Wan said matter-of-factly, “Of course. Interpol from every country represents their nation’s face. Without real skills, going abroad would just embarrass the country.”
“Makes sense.” Lu Zheng agreed.
“For example, that painter in Beidu last time was a retired Guoan agent. And that backpacker from Lighthouse Country, though his attitude was poor, he cracked several major international cases.”
“Impressive, impressive!” Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly. “And you, the great expert who treats hails of bullets as nothing.”
Lin Wan raised an eyebrow. “Exactly!”
“So when work is not busy, I thought you would take leave to go to Beidu, meet Zhao Xiaodao and Zhang Weili for dinner.”
Zhao Xiaodao, Lu Zheng, plus Zhang Weili, and a small group chat. Zhang Weili often spoke in it. The few chatted from time to time. It was lively.
Lin Wan rolled her eyes. “No. I still have some work to do.”
“What else do you…”
Lu Zheng paused mid-sentence, then recalled. “Right. I remember when we ate jianbing last time, you mentioned working overtime to check something?”
But halfway through asking, Elizabeth called. Lin Wan never mentioned it again after.
Lin Wan smiled mischievously. “Did I not say I would tell you when I found it?”
Lu Zheng turned to glance at her. He felt her expression was sneaky yet filled with eagerness and anticipation.
“Need my help?”
Lin Wan scratched her thigh pitifully. “Would you really let a weak woman face a hail of bullets?”
Lu Zheng grinned. “You are not planning to charge a regular field army, are you?”
Lin Wan rolled her eyes. “How could I? I am not crazy.”
“If truly facing a field army, I would definitely choose mountainous forest terrain. Trade space for time. Not fear heavy weapons. Wear them down bit by bit.” Lin Wan said seriously. “Honestly, I am confident. In mountain forest terrain, I could take out a battalion of Delta Force.”
“Why use Delta as an example?”
“Because I have seen an Interpol from Delta.”
What could Lu Zheng say? He could only give a thumbs up and say “Impressive.”
…
Shaotong Mountain, Baiyun Temple.
Daoist Yuting had left again, but Yuanye remained on the mountain.
Though his injuries were not fully healed, it did not stop him from sparring with Yuanjing when idle.
“Two Senior Brothers!”
Lu Zheng visited again, just in time to see Yuanye and Yuanjing practising Baiyun swordsmanship.
“Looks like Senior Brother Yuanye is recovering well.”
Yuanye sheathed his sword. It was one of the hundreds of cloud-patterned swords Lu Zheng had sent to Baiyun Temple. Hearing this, he smiled at Lu Zheng. “After one small Peiyuan pill, I was already mostly healed.”
“Good to hear.” Lu Zheng nodded. “A merchant caravan from Lingnan Dao passed through the city. I bought some fine southern tea to bring to the temple.”
Yuanning followed from behind and smiled. “Junior Brother, in this freezing weather, you should have brought Wuliangye instead. It would be more popular than southern tea.”
Lu Zheng smiled back. “I feared you could not resist. If incense-offering devotees smelled alcohol all over the Three Pure Ones Hall, it would not be good.”
Yuanning instinctively argued. “Last time it was Master who drank a bit before meeting guests. What does it have to do with us…”
As his words fell, he saw Lu Zheng, Yuanye, and Yuanjing quietly staring at him, silent and expressionless.
Yuanning, “…”
“Even drunk, one must interpret signs. This is something Master does for Baiyun Temple’s incense fire. I feel very guilty for not sharing Master’s burden.” Yuanjing straightened his expression and said sincerely.
The next moment, Daoist Mingzhang passed silently beside him.
“Yuanzheng has already delivered three jin of Winter Green and ten jars of Wuliangye to the rear hall. Go check and distribute to the disciples.”
“Yes!”
Yuanning quickly bowed, then hurried off.
Seeing the three look at him oddly, Daoist Mingzhang grinned. “Mingjun and Yuanjing were both down the mountain then. Other disciples could not hold the scene. What could I do?”
The three laughed upon hearing this. But after only two laughs, Yuanning hurried back.
“Master, villagers from Jinxi Town have come. They say strange creatures are causing trouble. The town is haunted at night.”
