"Mm," Zhang Liunian responded with a low hum, not saying much, his mind already calculating his first steps upon arriving in the provincial capital.
First, he needed to find Zhu Lao San's people. His associates were likely either at the factory or at home, though other locations were possible, these two were the most probable.
However, he knew no one in the provincial capital. Where would he even start to inquire about Zhu Lao San's factory and residence?
He wondered if the provincial capital had a tea house that offered information. In his past life, he had few opportunities in the capital and hadn't paid much attention to such things.
Everything would have to be found through his own efforts. Fortunately, Zhu Lao San probably didn't expect him to arrive so soon in the provincial capital, which would save them some trouble.
Still, he had to be careful. Until he found Qing Qing, it was best if Zhu Lao San didn't know they were here.
The journey was uneventful. It wasn't until noon that they reached the provincial capital. Buying food by the roadside, Zhang Qian asked,
"Brother Liunian, where should we go now?" Zhang Qian parked the car by the roadside in the provincial capital, asking as they ate.
"Wait a moment, I'll go ask." Zhang Liunian took a couple of quick bites and took his food box to inquire.
However, after asking along the way, few people knew of a food factory owned by someone named Zhu.
Zhang Liunian felt this was a waste of time, so he decided to ask nearby businesses where the Industry and Commerce Bureau was located.
Upon arriving at the bureau, he first used the matter of transferring the department store ownership to try and curry favor. Then, under the guise of cooperation, he inquired about all the food factories in the provincial capital, successfully locating Zhu Lao San's factory.
"This food factory is one of the top factories here. It has twenty thousand employees. Oh, and about eighty percent of their goods are sold to your department store."
The clerk's words stunned Zhang Liunian. The Tang family and the Zhu family were already collaborating, and to such a deep extent?
"When did they start cooperating?"
"It's been several years now. We don't know the exact duration. You can ask Zhu Lao San yourself."
"Thank you."
Having obtained the information he needed, Zhang Liunian returned to the car and immediately headed towards Zhu Lao San's factory. On the way, he instructed Zhang Qian to smear some dirt on his face and inquire if Zhu Lao San was at the factory.
"Our factory director isn't here. You should leave!" Zhang Qian said, his face blackened and his expression disheartened.
"Brother, can you tell me where your Director Zhu lives? We're in a bit of a hurry, and perhaps we could discuss it at his home." Zhang Qian took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered it to the factory supervisor.
The supervisor was reluctant to accept, but Zhang Qian insisted on giving it to him. Finally, he divulged the address.
With the address in hand, Zhang Qian left excitedly. He didn't hear the supervisor murmur as he left, "Zhu Lao San has quite a few homes. He might not be at that particular one right now."
Zhang Qian was unaware of this. When he returned to the car, he saw Zhang Liunian looking at something. Following his gaze, he saw what appeared to be the backs of several men.
"Liunian, I've found out Zhu Lao San's address. Let's head there now."
Zhang Liunian came back to himself. "Let's go." He thought he had just seen Mr. Xue, but it was too far to be sure.
During their drive, the car also passed the front of the department store. Both of them glanced at it. They had to admit, the provincial capital was different from Nancheng. The crowd was much larger. At a single glance, people were constantly coming and going to shop.
They arrived at the Zhu family's gate, but after calling out for a long time, no one answered.
"You wait by the side, I'll climb over the wall and take a look," Zhang Liunian said to Zhang Qian when he saw there seemed to be no one inside. He took a running leap and instantly cleared the 1.8-meter high wall.
Zhang Qian obeyed, moving to a corner and pretending to smoke, ready to keep watch.
Inside, Zhang Liunian flipped over the wall into the Zhu residence. He searched the entire house but found no one. He reached out and wiped some dust from a table, realizing that Zhu Lao San definitely hadn't been there recently.
Zhang Liunian was slightly disappointed. Just as he was about to leave, his arm accidentally brushed against a potted plant by the door, causing it to tip over and hit the wall, revealing a hidden compartment.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian's interest was piqued. He reached in and took out a box, unexpectedly finding an unmarked bankbook. The account holder was located in Hong Kong, and the balance was in the tens of millions, with a password.
Zhang Liunian was delighted. If he took this bankbook to Hong Kong, wouldn't he get tens of millions for free in an instant?
This item might be useful later. He took it.
With the bankbook in hand, Zhang Liunian promptly restored the place to its original condition and then left.
Meanwhile, Wu Gudi, who had just escaped, was also wandering around the provincial capital.
She had no intention of leaving. Instead, she wanted to find Zhu Lao San, rekindle their relationship, and continue living a good life by his side.
Fortunately, when she arrived in the provincial capital, she had heard that Zhu Lao San lived in the suburbs. Following the directions she received, she finally found the Zhu family's main gate.
Before she could rejoice, a minivan drove up nearby. Wu Gudi thought for a moment and chose to hide behind the bushes to see who was coming.
The minivan quickly stopped in front of Wu Gudi. Then, they carried aćçĄ woman out of the car.
Perhaps they were careless, or perhaps they didn't close the main gate properly.
This gave Wu Gudi, who was determined to find Zhu Lao San, an opportunity. She followed them inside.
"Master Zhu, the person is here. She was restless during the journey, so we knocked her out," Wu Gudi said as she arrived by a window outside the house, hearing someone inside report.
The next moment, Zhu Lao San's voice echoed from inside, "As long as her face isn't injured, that's fine. I'm quite fond of that face."
"My brother knows his limits and wouldn't spoil Master Zhu's pleasure. We'll be going down now." The leader finished speaking, and with his brothers, they departed.
Fearing she might be seen, Wu Gudi quickly turned and hid behind a tree in front of them. After everyone had left, she returned to the window and peered inside.
What she saw shocked her. The woman lying on the floor was none other than Jiang Qing Qing.
Why was she here?
Wu Gudi was puzzled. But she couldn't dwell on it, as Zhu Lao San was now carrying Jiang Qing Qing to the large bed nearby, looking at her face with desire.
"Any woman I, Zhu Lao San, want, I get. When you wake up, you will be my woman. As for Zhang Liunian, you will never see each other again." Zhu Lao San looked at the still beautiful Jiang Qing Qing with her eyes closed, feeling a surge of passion.
He never denied himself such pleasures. If he wanted to sleep with someone, he would do so, and if he desired a woman, he would obtain her by any means necessary.
Hearing from outside the window that Zhu Lao San was planning to take Jiang Qing Qing, Wu Gudi's heart immediately felt resentment. Zhu Lao San was her man, why should Jiang Qing Qing compete with her for him?
She would absolutely not allow Jiang Qing Qing to become Zhu Lao San's woman, nor would she let her have an easy time.
But what could she do now to stop Zhu Lao San?
Wu Gudi was extremely anxious.