BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 179 Following the Trail

“Sit down. Now you are Mr. Jiao,” the old man said with a faint smile. At this moment, the foolish, dementia-like expression from earlier had completely disappeared.

Seated in the main chair, he continued:

“How did it go? Sun Desheng and Huang Ran didn’t suspect you, did they?”

“Jiao Dalang” replied:

“Sun Desheng stayed in that room and had no intention of dealing with me. Huang Ran also didn’t see any flaws. During the meal, he kept probing about that matter, but I deflected everything using your instruction—‘he must remember it himself; it cannot come from my mouth.’”

“Very good. You did well,” the old man said with a light chuckle.

“Then for the next few days, you’ll continue to act as Jiao Dalang in my place. Be careful—both Sun Desheng and Huang Ran are extremely sharp. One mistake and you’ll expose yourself. Fortunately, I was cautious. You’ve been managing that silk company as Jiao Dalang for years now; they shouldn’t be able to trace anything.”

“Jiao Dalang” smiled respectfully:

“It’s all thanks to your planning. From what I heard in Huang Ran’s tone, he and Sun Desheng won’t stay in Hangzhou for long. Once they leave, they’ll no longer be a threat to you.”

“They are both busy people. They won’t stay long,” the old man said, leaning back in his chair.

Then he added:

“Don’t linger here either. Go back and keep an eye on Sun Desheng. If he’s been staying in that room, it means he’s already noticed something. Be careful he doesn’t follow the trail back to you.”

“I’ve thought about that,” “Jiao Dalang” said quickly. “How about this—I find a way to force him out. Start a fire and drive him out…”

“Shut up!”

Before he could finish, the old man cut him off coldly. His demeanor changed instantly, turning icy.

“I told you—you must protect that room with your life. Keep it intact. No outsiders allowed. And what now? Sun Desheng already staying there, I haven’t even blamed you for that—but you still want to start a fire? I don’t care if it’s real or fake. If that room is burned down, how will I ever face that person again? Do you even deserve to sit there?”

“Jiao Dalang” immediately stood up in panic, like a child who had done something wrong, not knowing what to do.

After calming down, the old man waved his hand dismissively:

“Forget Sun Desheng. Go back and be Jiao Dalang. After a few days, once they leave Hangzhou, come back and accept your punishment. Go.”

“Jiao Dalang” didn’t dare meet his eyes. He bowed and left in disgrace.

Watching his retreating figure, the old man sighed softly:

“It’s not easy to find a reliable helper these days…”

Then he said:

“Old Da, go to the bedroom and watch over Car Xianzi. He drank too much; he’ll wake up thirsty at night. Take good care of him.”

After sending his “eldest son” away, the old man stretched lazily, preparing to rest—when suddenly the gatekeeper rushed in anxiously.

The old man knew something had happened at the entrance. Frowning, he waited until the guard came close and said:

“Master… there’s a fat man outside. He says his brother Car Xianzi is here in our home. He’s come to take him back.”

“A fat man…”

The old man paused.

After a moment of hesitation, he said:

“Invite Mr. Sun in. Bring him here. Tell the kitchen to prepare a few refined dishes and warm a pot of aged wine. I will host him myself.”

The guard hurried off.

Not long after, he returned with a man in his thirties or forties.

Before the old man could speak politely, the fat man smiled and said:

“Sir, is my brother Car Xianzi here? We brothers are connected by heart—I’ve been looking for him all afternoon, searched all over Hangzhou. But when I passed by your house, I suddenly felt something. My brother is definitely here. Please call him out and tell him his elder brother, Sun Desheng, has arrived.”

The visitor was none other than Sun Desheng, who should have still been in that room.

He had tampered with Car Xianzi’s bank card, allowing him to track his exact location. As soon as Car Xianzi left, Sun Desheng slipped out through the window, “borrowed” a car, and followed the signal all the way here.

“That young man is your brother? He is truly a good person…” the old man suddenly returned to his earlier foolish, confused demeanor.

He grabbed Sun Desheng’s hand and continued:

“Today I was confused and mistook him for my uncle from when I was young. He was kind-hearted and even personally brought me back. He drank with me for a bit, but couldn’t hold his liquor and fell asleep in my house. Tomorrow morning when he wakes up, I’ll let him leave with you.”

“I see, my brother is indeed a good person. But I’m not bad either,” Sun Desheng chuckled.

“Let me introduce myself—I am Sun Desheng. I have a wife and a child. My wife’s family name is Shao. Her elder relative is Wu Rendi. Many years ago, he was also called Wu Rendi…”

Hearing this, the old man looked confused and muttered a few polite words, then yawned.

“Since you’re here, Mr. Sun, don’t leave. Stay the night. My house may be old, but there are plenty of rooms. Stay here tonight, have breakfast tomorrow, then leave.”

Turning to his second son, he added:

“Arrange a guest room. Let Mr. Sun stay for the night. I’m old—I’ll go rest now.”

As he turned to leave, Sun Desheng smiled and said:

“Mr. Jiao Dalang, my father-in-law Wu Rendi asked me to pass you a question.”

“Can you still find that person?”

The old man’s body trembled.

He turned back in shock:

“Wu—he remembered? After all these years… he finally remembered… I kept that secret for nineteen years…”

Then he suddenly stopped.

His eyes narrowed:

“What else did he tell you?”

Just as he was about to be tricked into revealing more, Sun Desheng grinned:

“He told me to come find you. He said once you open your mouth, I’ll understand everything.”

The old man slowly shook his head:

“You almost tricked me. You don’t know anything. Wu Rendi still hasn’t remembered.”

Then he added:

“The words Jiao Dalang spoke were already my limit. It can only be remembered by him—not spoken by me. I apologize.”

Unexpectedly, Sun Desheng’s smile grew even wider.

“If you can’t say it, then forget it. It’s not like only you know that matter.”

He placed the black jade button on the table.

“Then I’ll go ask the owner of this button instead. That person should be surnamed Kong, right? Kong Dalong’s Kong…”

Hearing this name, the old man’s expression changed drastically.

“How do you know that? How much do you know? Who told you? Was it Kong Dalong… no, it can’t be Kong Dalong…”

Seeing the old man’s panic, Sun Desheng smiled again:

“Why did you bring my brother here? Just for a meal? Or is there something else going on?”