Chapter 603: Out of the Black Market
Chapter 603: Leaving the Black Market
Yang Huaixi's heartfelt words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in Wang Jianguo's heart.
His thoughts drifted away involuntarily, back to the distant yet unforgettable courtyard in the old city of Beijing.
The floodgates of memory slowly opened, and the once familiar courtyard scene came flooding back like a tide.
The blue-gray brick walls, the staggered layout of the houses, and the old locust tree in the yard always cast a large amount of shade in the summer.
The happy laughter of grandma and my uncle’s family, the hearty laughter of little Dujuan, and the playfulness and frolicking of Yu Li and the others...but happiness is always short-lived.
It was also because of his own arrogance, showing off his talents too much and not willing to hide his weaknesses that he was targeted by people hiding in the dark.
Amid the undercurrent, some inexplicable suspicions and malicious slanders came one after another, putting Wang Jianguo into endless difficulties.
All the people and things he cherished became precarious overnight, and he himself inexplicably suffered a fatal disaster and was saved by He Yushui.
With no other options left, he had to leave his hometown with He Yushui, cut off all ties with the past, and go to this distant and unfamiliar Great Northern Wilderness under an assumed name, just to seek peace and start over.
At this moment, listening to the difficulties mentioned by Yang Huaixi, Wang Jianguo felt the same way.
Yes, everyone in this world is like a lonely boat drifting in the wind and rain, each has his or her own helplessness and necessity.
Didn't I also set foot on this strange land with a heart full of pain and secrets?
Put yourself in his shoes. If you ask him to open his heart to Yang Huaixi, whom he had only met once, without reservation.
He asked himself honestly, he absolutely could not do it to tell about the past events and true feelings that were buried deep in his heart and he dared not touch them even in his dreams.
Thinking of this, the slight grudge in Wang Jianguo's heart was instantly relieved, as if the haze was blown away by the spring breeze, and his mood suddenly became brighter.
He slowly picked up the steaming cup of tea in front of him. The aroma of tea rose in the air, just like the gradually warming friendship between him and Yang Huaixi.
Wang Jianguo stood up, his posture straight, looked at Yang Huaixi sincerely, and said:
"Brother Xizi, I was too reckless outside just now. I'm really sorry. You see, we look about the same age. I estimated that I should be a few years older than you. If you don't mind, I will call myself brother."
As he spoke, he raised the teacup slightly, as if he was holding a glass of mellow wine in his hand.
"Today, I, your brother, will use tea instead of wine to apologize to you. Please don't be offended by my previous offense. Just think of it as my momentary confusion. Please be magnanimous and forgive me this time."
There was sincerity and earnestness in their words, hoping that they could mend the small crack that had just been caused by misunderstanding and allow this friendship that had sprouted with difficulty in the black market to grow firmly.
Seeing this, Yang Huaixi quickly stood up, took the teacup with both hands, his eyes slightly red, and said excitedly:
"Brother Jianguo, what are you talking about? I didn't explain things clearly, so you misunderstood. How can I blame you?"
After saying that, he raised his head and drank the tea in the cup. After putting the cup down, a simple smile appeared on his face.
The two smiled at each other, and the previous estrangement disappeared instantly.
Wang Jianguo stood up, patted Yang Huaixi on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Xizi, I'm really happy to meet you today. It's getting late, and I should go back."
Yang Huaixi also stood up, held Wang Jianguo's hand tightly, and said, "Brother Jianguo, let's keep in touch in the future. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. This pub is where I will live."
The two said goodbye to each other reluctantly at the door. This friendship, which began with misunderstanding, became deeper with understanding and honesty.
Wang Jianguo dragged his legs, which felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and slowly walked out of the black market that was like a mysterious maze.
Inside the black market, the light was as dim as if it was covered tightly by a huge black cloth, with only a few faint rays of light.
As if trying its best to squeeze out from between the fingers of darkness, it struggled to illuminate the narrow and winding passage.
There was a stale, damp, strange smell in the air, the musty odor of old goods.
There was a pungent smell of spices and an unknown fishy smell coming from the darkness, which made people frown.
When he finally stepped out of the black market, although they were in the same world, Wang Jianguo felt that the sky outside was not so dark.
Suddenly, a figure suddenly appeared in his sight like a ghost - outside the black market, a tall and burly man was pacing back and forth with an anxious look on his face.
The man was none other than Zhao Dakuo. He took big strides, and each step seemed to use up all his strength. The dust under his feet was raised by his frequent footsteps, flying wildly in the air, forming small dust vortexes.
His face was full of anxiety, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed extreme impatience. From time to time, he raised his hand to look at his watch, then looked into the black market, and seemed to be muttering something.
Wang Jianguo took a closer look and suddenly realized that he had completely forgotten about Zhao Dakuo. He recalled the promise he made to Zhao Dakuo before he set out.
After the task is accomplished, he will definitely be given a generous reward as a reward for his help in leading the way.
Although Zhao Dakuo didn't say anything at that time, Wang Jianguo still remembers the expectation flashing in his eyes.
Now, seeing Zhao Dakuo looking exhausted from waiting for a long time and turning around in circles, Wang Jianguo suddenly felt a strong sense of guilt.
At the same time, a thought was quietly growing in his mind: Could it be that Zhao Dakuo thought that he didn't want to pay the bribe, so he deliberately delayed until now?
After all, in this world where profit is everything, people’s hearts are filled with malice and it is not uncommon for people to turn against each other for money.
At this moment, Wang Jianguo felt that his mind was like an out-of-control, high-speed engine, spinning wildly.
Zhao Dakuo thought he went to the black market to sell jewelry, but now he has been delayed in the black market for so long, Zhao Dakuo must be suspicious. What should he do?
Wang Jianguo's eyes were fixed on Zhao Dakuo, but his pace slowed down involuntarily, trying to come up with a comprehensive response plan in this short time.
Not only can he skillfully calm Zhao Dakuo's impatience and calm him down, but he can also cover up his lies without making a sound, ensuring that this potential storm can be resolved smoothly and that their relationship does not come to a deadlock.