Chen Zikun and Lin Wenjing were talking in the house, while Xing'er was eavesdropping outside with a water jug. When she heard that Lin Wenjing's father had passed away and her stepmother wouldn't let her continue studying, tears quietly flowed down her face as she thought to herself: "This girl is even more pitiful than me."

  Xing Er is a gentle yet resolute girl with a straightforward personality. She lifted the door curtain and came in, pouring water for Lin Wenjing to make tea while saying: "Lin, why don't you just stay? As long as we have food on our table, there's some for you too. If tuition fees are not enough, everyone will chip in, right, Da Ke?"

  Chen Zikun naturally knew about Xing'er's feelings towards him, and upon hearing her say this, he was somewhat taken aback, hastily nodding his head in agreement: "Right, right."

  Lin Wenjing pursed her lips and said with tears in her eyes: "Thank you."

  "Don't be polite, have some tea." Xing Er warmly invited.

  "No, I have to hurry back home, the door isn't even locked." Lin Wenjing stood up to bid farewell, Chen Zikun also got up: "I'll send you back."

  "Wait a minute." Xing'er turned around and went out, soon came back with a flashlight, saying: "When sending someone away, send them to their doorstep, remember?"

  "Got it." Chen Zikun took the flashlight and accompanied Lin Wenjing, while Xing'er saw them off to the gate. Looking at their silhouettes disappearing into the night, she leaned against the door frame and sighed: "These two are quite a match."

  Xue turned around and asked: "Xing'er, why are you crying?"

  "Uncle Xue, you're talking nonsense! I wasn't crying, just got sand in my eyes."

  ……

  Chen Zikun accompanied Lin Wenjing all the way back on foot. In the quiet Beijing hutongs at night, the distant call of tofu vendors and a refreshing fragrance wafted over, which was apricot blossoms.

  I don't know whose courtyard's apricot tree has branches stretching out of the yard, snow-white apricot blossoms fell all over the ground, like snowflakes, moonlight sprinkled, evening breeze stroked face, this feeling and scene, makes people drunk.

  Lin Wenjing stood still and muttered: "We've arrived, don't see me off."

  "Oh." Chen Zikong hastily stood still, wanting to say something but having no way to start, the two just standing there, neither willing to leave first.

  "I... " Chen Zikun stuttered, scratching his ears and cheeks, wanting to say something but feeling too embarrassed to speak.

  Lin Wenjing lowered her head and drew on the ground with her feet.

  Suddenly, voices came from the courtyard, seemingly a conversation between two men.

  "...only by mobilizing the peasants and workers can we fundamentally solve the problems existing in China today."

  "Shou Chang, you and I share the same view, only a revolution of the common people can save today's China..."

  Chen Zikun suddenly remembered that this was Mr. Li Dazhao's residence, and the other person seemed to be Chen Duxiu. Their loud discussion broke the ambiguous atmosphere. Lin Wenjing said: "I should go home now, see you in two days." Then she ran away, running to her own door, pushing it open and closing it behind her, but then she stuck her head out of the gap between the doors, her heart pounding rapidly.

  Chen Zikun seemed to see himself, rushed over and waved his hand, turned around and disappeared into the night, Lin Wenjing finally closed the door, just turned around, saw Mi Ayi and Lin Ma standing in front of her, with a face full of frost.

  "Ah, Father just left and you've become so bold! You didn't even say goodbye before running out, what if something happens to you? And the door isn't even locked, what if a thief gets in!" Aunt Mei scolded Lin Wenjing with a barrage of criticism, but she didn't ask where Lin Wenjing was going, seemingly not caring about that.

  ……

  Chang'an Street, Zhao Family Alley, Yao Gongguan. A shiny black sedan was parked at the entrance, and a servant came forward to open the door. Yao Cilong got out of the car with a tired look on his face. As soon as he entered the house, he sniffed and asked: "What's that smell?"

  The housekeeper sniffed and replied: "It seems to be coming from outside."

  Yao Cizhang's anger flared up, and he ordered: "Go take a look."

  The main building of the Yao Gong Guan is a European-style structure, with several bungalows outside for servants to live in. The butler led two male servants to one of the rooms and knocked twice before entering. Inside, they saw the guard from the mansion half-reclining on the kang, smoking opium. The small flame on the oil lamp was as big as a soybean, and Wu Shi was savoring it with relish, his expression as if he were floating on clouds.

  The housekeeper glanced coldly and left, directly reporting to Yao Zicong that the guard was secretly smoking opium. Yao Zicong, a new-style person who had studied abroad, knew the harm of opium to the Chinese people. Although he couldn't stop the spread of opium, his own mansion could still be controlled. He immediately ordered: "Give him a month's salary and drive him away, now!"

  The housekeeper arrived, bringing people to rush to the small Pingfang. The martial artist had not yet realized it and was still lying on the kang, inhaling and exhaling clouds of smoke. Seeing the housekeeper come in, he smiled and asked: "Want a puff?"

  "Get out! The old master said so, roll up your bedding and leave!" The housekeeper said with a cold gaze.

  The martial artist panicked, being a guard at Yao's house was a good job with not much work and plenty of money, plus it gave him face. If he lost this rice bowl, it would be hard to find another good one. He hastily dropped his cigarette holder and begged for mercy: "I won't dare next time, I really won't dare."

  The butler sneered, "I haven't even said why I'm driving you away, and you're already saying you don't dare, isn't this deliberately offending? Everything else is easy to talk about, but when it comes to smoking, the master can't tolerate any nonsense. Are you leaving on your own or do we need to help you?"

  The martial artist, despite his impressive skills, found himself in a situation where he couldn't use them at the Yao residence. He knew that if he dared to cause trouble, he would immediately be taken away by the police, so he asked: "Where can I go at this late hour? Can't I leave tomorrow instead?"

  Housekeeper: "I'm in charge of where you go, Master said so, right away!"

  "About this month's wages, shouldn't they be paid by now?"

  "The housekeeper shouted: 'No more nonsense, I'll call the police to drive you away.'"

  "Let's go! The mountains won't move but the waters will, we'll meet again someday!" The martial artist, in a fit of anger, packed up his smoking paraphernalia and bedding, and left that very night.

  Looking back at the small black lacquered mansion, Wu Shi stamped his foot and slung his luggage over his shoulder, heading straight to Yan Zhiyong's house nearby.

  Yan Zhiyong saw his old friend carrying a quilt to his door, and he quickly arranged for him to stay, then got a pot of Erguotou and a plate of peanuts to drink with him.

  "Zhi Yong, help me find a job, brother, you know my skills, ordinary men can't get close to me, seven or eight people can't match me." said Wu Shi.

  Yan Zhiyong bitterly smiled and said: "Big brother, I naturally know your skills, but now my younger brother can't even afford to eat, how can he have the ability to help you find work?"

  The martial artist's eyes dimmed, he picked up his wine cup and drained it, then lowered his head and sighed.

  Yan Zhiyong said: "How about this, you stay at my place for a night first, and tomorrow I'll accompany you to find Old Master Ma, see if we can find something for you to do."

  "Alright, it can't be helped."

  The next morning, Yan Zhiyong brought Wu Shi to the outer city's Ma family mansion and paid respects to Ma Shihai and Old Lady Ma.

  They came at the worst possible time, the Ma family was busy and in a mess. Xiao Liu said it right, people who are fasting can't eat anything. Unfortunately, Er Ye misheard what the Western doctor said and ate so much food, resulting in his wound becoming infected with stool and urine, developing a high fever, and losing consciousness. Several Chinese doctors came to see him and all shook their heads, saying that the toxins had invaded his body and there was no hope for recovery. Ma family's Xiaoliu, who is a university student, suggested inviting a Western doctor to administer an anti-inflammatory injection. Coincidentally, there have been rumors circulating recently about a Ministry of Education official being poisoned to death by medicine prescribed by a Western doctor, which made everyone in the household distrust Western doctors.

  Eyes fixed on the second master who is about to pass away, the third master is still stuck in the detention center. After Old Man Ma made some arrangements, he finally got confirmation that this case was handed over by Wu Bingxiang for severe punishment, and no one dared to slack off. It's likely that the third master's prison disaster cannot be avoided. Spending a few thousand yuan might reduce the sentence by two years, making life inside more comfortable.

  The only consolation is that the matter of Lao Wu being removed from office has a glimmer of hope, with thousands of dollars spent, Li Dingbang promised to reinstate him within three months.

  This mouth, Yan Zhiyong brought people to join in the fun, how could he get a good face, not even entering the gate was blocked by the butler, and the two were about to leave when they happened to meet Lao Wu returning from outside.

  "This isn't Master Yan, is it? Oh, Old Smoke has also arrived. This is a rare guest! Aren't you serving as the guardian at Young Master Yao's residence? How did you end up here?" Lao Wu, being a patrol officer, naturally knew people from all walks of life, and Old Smoke was indeed the nickname for this martial artist. It was because he had a habit of smoking opium back in the day that he got this name.

  Yan Zhiyong hastily smiled: "Old Fifth, it's like this..." After explaining the whole story, Ma Lao Wu said: "So that's how it is. Let's go, I'll treat Old Yan to a drink to calm his nerves."

  Three people found a wine house, ordered six dishes and two jars of wine. As they clinked their cups together, there was only one topic to talk about: scolding Yao Cizhang for being unkind.

  Accompanying him in scolding, seeing Lao Yanjiu was drunk, Ma Lao Wu took the opportunity to say: "Lao Yan, I heard that you have a brother named Heifeng who is doing big business."

  Although Lao Yan had drunk a lot, his mind was still clear. The Black Wind that Ma Lao Wu mentioned was indeed his sworn brother, with whom he had practiced martial arts in their early years. Later, it was said that he had joined the green forest as a bandit, specializing in murder and robbery. The police department's wanted posters for him were not few.

  He suddenly came to himself and hastily shook his head: "I haven't seen Black Wind for a long time."

  Old Ma smiled slyly: "Brother, don't be afraid, I'm not on duty now, so I don't care about those things. Actually, Hei Feng is a pretty righteous guy, robbing the rich and helping the poor, upholding justice, he's a real man. I heard he's been active in the Beijing area recently."

  The old smoker didn't dare to take another puff, but his heart was already racing with excitement. He had been fired by Yao Zilong and the news of his opium addiction would surely spread, no one would hire him as a bodyguard again. What could he do with his martial arts skills? Should he go sell his labor just to make ends meet? Having reached the end of his rope, why not take a risk and follow Hei Feng's example, living a life of thrilling revenge and savoring the taste of blood on his blade?

  After drinking, Ma Lao Wu settled the bill and gave Old Smoke ten big dollars. He made a fist and left. Yan Zhiyong asked Old Smoke: "Brother, what's your plan?"

  "Go back home and take a look." Lao Yan said with feigned indifference.

  "All right, I'll see you off." Yan Zhiyong escorted Lao Yan out of the Yongding Gate, and they parted tearfully.

  ……

  Ziguangche Factory, Chen Zikong was busy tidying up the room, sweeping and cleaning. Wang Dama and Xing'er helped him to put things in order, and they cleaned up the west wing of the house. The desk, washbasin stand, mirror, and a brand new quilt were neatly arranged on the bed.

  A few branches of white apricot flowers were placed in a white porcelain vase and put on the windowsill, Chen Zikong took a deep breath, feeling carefree and relaxed.

  Suddenly, Xue Ping's voice rang out: "Da Kunzi, phone call, looking for you."