Chapter 91: The Ultimate Jealousy King – Upgraded Edition

Chapter 91: The Ultimate Jealousy King - Upgraded Edition

The moon outside the window slowly climbed to the top of the mountain.

Director Gao got home, hurriedly splashed some water on his face, and sat quietly by the telephone on the second floor, waiting.

At exactly nine o'clock, the phone rang on time.

Director Gao picked up the phone and answered respectfully with a "Hello?"

A familiar voice came from the other end, "Gao Dongming, it's been a long time since I called you."

Director Gao smiled, "Yes, Director. It's been a long time since I received your call."

The Eagle's voice was low and gravelly, as if specially processed, and he said, "I know you suffered in Nanjing..."

Recalling the suffering in Nanjing, Director Gao, who thought he would die, covered his reddened eyes as if reborn: "That was inhuman suffering. Thank you, Director, for saving me. I, Gao Dongming, will devote my life to serving you, Director."

The Eagle: "You must resent me for not saving you in time. At that time, I was also in a bind and couldn't save you."

Director Gao took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I understand. I know the Director also had difficulties, and you did your best."

The Eagle: "You've seen the current situation. The south has already lost most of its ground, and the Nationalist Government's retreat to Taiwan is inevitable. Our goal at the Secret Service Bureau is not to go to Taiwan but to stay in Hong Kong and continue to hold on."

Director Gao seemed not to understand: "Director, please clarify."

The Eagle: "In the future, the supplies and budget we get from above will keep shrinking. In Hong Kong, the Military Statistics Bureau's Confidentiality Department and our Secret Service Bureau can only have one remain."

Director Gao: "As far as I know, the Military Statistics Bureau's Confidentiality Department in Hong Kong has three groups, while our Secret Service Bureau in Hong Kong only has two teams. They outnumber us; they've always operated in the shadows, while we're out in the open; even if it's to save the budget, we should be the ones to stay."

The Eagle: "The number of people is not the most important; the key is to achieve results and make fewer mistakes."

Director Gao: "The last mission we cooperated with the Confidentiality Department failed, and the Confidentiality Department was clearly more responsible. The encirclement of the Communists was unsuccessful, and such important supplies were lost in their hands."

The Eagle: "The deputy director of the Confidentiality Department, Linghu, has connections above. That's one thing. Also, we also bear a lot of responsibility for the failure of the last mission. Deng Kuan, who was in our hands, suddenly disappeared. We must have made some mistake and leaked the news. Now the Confidentiality Department is using this to blame us."

Director Gao explained: "We later held a meeting to analyze in detail. At the train station, before Deng Kuan disappeared, he had asked Wang Liu, 'How many cargo trucks are there at the train station?' Although Wang Liu only knew there were more than ten, Deng Kuan must have noticed something, so he escaped in time. As for the important supplies being hijacked, that must be the responsibility of the Confidentiality Department. The airport was under their watch, so the responsibility can't fall on us."

The Eagle: "So, Deng Kuan's escape is our biggest mistake..."

Director Gao sighed: "It's unrealistic to try to catch Deng Kuan now. He's almost certainly left Hong Kong and fled to the liberated areas."

The Eagle didn't dwell on this issue and said, "Next, we need to find a way to make up for this mistake, then stay under the radar, avoid mistakes, and protect our territory in Hong Kong."

Stay under the radar, avoid mistakes...

Director Gao really didn't want to go to Taiwan. With his position, going to Taiwan would mean too many monks and too little porridge. Where would he have room to perform? "I will do my best to avoid mistakes! If anyone has to leave, it should be the Confidentiality Department. They should be the ones to go!"

The two talked a bit more about work arrangements. The next focus would be to lay low, avoid taking the initiative, and shake off the Confidentiality Department.

*

In the evening, when Zhao Zhiao got back, he first went to the small villa.

When he returned to the bedroom, Lin Yufan and Gui Xiang were huddled together, looking at something.

Zhao Zhiao asked, "What are you two looking at?"

Lin Yufan smiled: "Mom and Auntie each knitted a pair of tiny wool socks for the baby. Take a look, aren't they adorable?"

Zhao Zhiao glanced at the thick socks and complained: "What do we need those for in Hong Kong? It hardly ever snows here."

Lin Yufan: "The winters here are damp and cold too, so they'll definitely be useful. Plus, it's a thoughtful gesture from the elders."

Gui Xiang took the small socks and put them away.

After Zhao Zhiao got out of the shower, Lin Yufan was at her desk sorting through the drafts she'd written over the past few days.

He asked, "Why didn't you talk to me before deciding to ask Geng Dongping and Chen Dandan to stay?"

Lin Yufan hadn't expected him to object. "Isn't it their choice whether to stay or go? What's the harm in me suggesting they stay?"

Zhao Zhiao: "Why should they stay here? Did you get too attached to them from playing mahjong?"

This comment upset Lin Yufan. "I didn't ask them to stay at Zhao's Garden just to play mahjong with me. I could tell they were unsure, so I suggested they take their time deciding. And even if they stay and want to play mahjong with me later, that's not your concern!"

Zhao Zhiao softened his tone. "Why are they unsure? The liberated areas promote gender equality, which is better for women."

Lin Yufan put the manuscripts into the drawer: "Just promoting gender equality isn't enough. If they go back to the liberated areas, they won't be able to curl their hair or wear pretty clothes. Plus, they're not party members and don't share those high ideals. If they can be independent here, support themselves, eat what they like, dress how they want, and live freely, what's so bad about that?"

Zhao Zhiao shook his head slightly: "If they go back to the liberated areas, they can get proper training, and the organization can find them jobs. Here, they haven't made a single cent on their own. How can they be independent?"

Lin Yufan retorted: "You look down on women deep down. Plenty of women at our publishing house support themselves and their families."

Zhao Zhiao didn't look down on women; he was just being realistic.

"I don't look down on women. I'm just being practical. They've gotten used to an easy life here, which is nothing like your female colleagues."

Lin Yufan glared at him: "Are you afraid they'll be a burden on you?"

"Sure, I have money, and I could easily support them for life. But..." Zhao Zhiao was annoyed by these complicated relationships, especially with Chen Dandan. He was worried she might still have feelings for him if she stayed.

"Don't worry, if they choose to stay, they'll leave Zhao's Garden. We can help them find work if we can, and if not, giving them some help isn't a problem. Besides, they're literate and educated. They can learn typing at our publishing house and get paid." Lin Yufan walked towards the bed as she spoke, "I can take care of them; I don't need your help!"

Zhao Zhiao didn't understand why they were so afraid of returning to the liberated areas.

He didn't want to upset his wife, so he sighed, "You've gotten too close to your mahjong buddies."

"Not as cold-hearted as you."

"Is going back to the liberated areas being cold-hearted? Your ideological awareness is quite problematic."

Lin Yufan was truly angry now. "Didn't I just explain the reasons? I wasted my breath talking to you."

Seeing his wife angry, Zhao Zhiao quickly apologized: "Alright, alright, if you want them to stay, then let them stay. After all, you have the final say in household matters. If they can't find work after moving out, I'll donate to the foundation to get them an easy job."

As he spoke, he gently massaged her shoulders.

Working at the foundation wouldn't be a bad idea.

Lin Yufan didn't argue with him anymore. She lifted the thin blanket covering her legs, "Massage my legs for me."

He massaged her legs.

Her interest in that aspect had waned recently, so he was unusually well-behaved, only massaging her legs and not doing anything else.

A few days later, Geng Dongping and Chen Dandan finally decided to stay in Hong Kong.

Next, they would find excuses to leave Zhao's Garden, look for new jobs, and live independently.

*

As Fan Yi's serialized novel *The Peacock Flies Southeast* gained more and more fame, it attracted a large number of new readers to *Splendor*.

At the same time, Gu Pingan's "Beiping Story" attracted a lot of readers who had just fled from the mainland.

For a time, "Fenghua Magazine" was the talk of the town.

Fan Yi and Gu Pingan were even dubbed the Twin Stars of the North and South.

Lin Yufan got up early in the morning, listening to the radio while eating bird's nest soup with milk in the sitting room.

On the radio, two or three scholars were enthusiastically discussing the works of the Twin Stars of the North and South from "Fenghua Magazine."

These intellectuals, perhaps paid by "Fenghua," raved about Fan Yi and Gu Pingan.

Zhao Zhiao, sitting nearby eating wontons, remarked, "These people have quite good taste."

Lin Yufan smirked, "It's all thanks to my good writing."

"Why did you... pick a pen name like Gu Pingan?"

He had read all the articles she wrote under that pen name in "Fenghua."

He had long wanted to ask why she chose the pen name "Gu Pingan."

Lin Yufan arched an eyebrow and grinned, "Because I love Gu Pingan."

That's so direct?

Zhao Zhiao's face immediately fell.

Before he could ask who Gu Pingan was, Lin Yufan had already finished her bird's nest and walked out.

He could only guess that Gu Pingan was a classmate she liked during her school days.

Immediately, he didn't feel like eating breakfast.

All day, Zhao Zhiao was in a bad mood, giving everyone the cold shoulder.

Shen Te kept quiet.

By evening, Zhao Zhiao was half-lying on the bed, flipping through "Fenghua Magazine," casually asking her beside him, "Is Gu Pingan still in Haicheng?"

Lin Yufan was flipping through an old photo album, paused, and sighed, "You might say so."

"What do you mean 'you might say so'? You don't know?"

"In the cemetery in Haicheng, you might say he's in Haicheng, or you might say he's in heaven."

He's gone?

Still remembered in her heart after death, how deeply must he have touched her?

He continued flipping through the magazine, trying to stay calm, "How did he die?"

"He was sick."

"How long ago?"

"A few years back."

"Do you still think about him?"

"Yes, I often think of her, and sometimes I even dream about her."

Zhao Zhiao tried hard to suppress his frustration. "You're really devoted."

Lin Yufan: "Of course. I guess on the day I die, there will be only one thought in my mind: I can finally go to see him."

Zhao Zhiao's face dropped, and he couldn't help but mock, "With such long-term devotion, you should have remained unmarried for him!"

Lin Yufan glared at him: "Are you nuts? That's ridiculous!"

Zhao Zhiao closed the magazine: "Since you and Gu Ping'an are so deeply connected, why did you marry me?"

Lin Yufan's initial shock quickly turned into laughter.

Zhao Zhiao sensed something was wrong. "What are you laughing at?"

Lin Yufan lay on the quilt, laughing so hard she couldn't get up.

Zhao Zhiao called out to her: "Hey!"

Lin Yufan, clutching her stomach and stifling her laughter, placed the photo album in front of him: "This is Gu Ping'an!"

Zhao Zhiao looked and saw the album stopped at a photo of Lin Yufan's mother.

Gu Ping'an was Lin Yufan's mother, his mother-in-law?

"No, isn't your mother's name different?"

He remembered that his mother-in-law's surname was Gu, but not Gu Ping'an.

Lin Yufan, exhausted from laughing, explained: "Ping'an is my mother's literary name. She is from old Beiping, and many of the stories in my 'Beiping Story' come from tales she told me when I was a child."

Being jealous of his mother-in-law, Zhao Zhiao felt embarrassed.

Lin Yufan, still laughing, teased him on purpose: "Last time I said I wanted to write a book called 'The King of Jealousy.' When I have some free time, I can really put it on the agenda."

His jealousy was all for naught.

Embarrassed but happy, Zhao Zhiao kissed her directly, not letting her speak.

*

That day, Lin Yufan went to the publishing house for a regular meeting.

30-cent novels have been surging ahead recently, not only squeezing out other 40-cent and 50-cent novels but also making inroads into the traditional book market.

Thanks to improved quality and greater diversity in works, coupled with the affordability of 30-cent novels, not only did the common people enjoy them, but more and more intellectuals also started to like them.

Lin Yufan worried that this would heavily impact traditional books, which was not a good thing for the entire publishing market.

She said: "In the future, 30-cent novels should be stratified. Selling everything for 30 cents would disrupt the existing book market. We should pick works with greater artistic value and raise their prices to over 50 cents."

She had already discussed this with Hui Yan, and Hui Yan agreed.

Hui Yan nodded: "We'll draft a plan as soon as we can. We need clear criteria for pricing works at 30 cents, 40 cents, 50 cents, or even 60 cents..."

Lin Yufan: "Present the plan at the next meeting."

"Okay."

Next, Wang Muxun updated us on the recent intense rivalry between 'Panorama' and 'Splendor'.

Wang Muxun: "Last month, our sales were already close to those of 'Splendor,' but this month they have pulled ahead by 3,000 issues. The main reason is the new writers they introduced, the so-called 'Southern and Northern Prodigies,' whose momentum is very strong, attracting a large number of new readers to buy their magazine."

A Jin: "President, I don't know if you've noticed recently, but our president's readers and the readers of the Southern and Northern Prodigies have been arguing on the radio and in other newspapers and magazines."

Hui Yan, who has been too busy to notice, asked curiously: "Why?"

A Jin explained: "Because some of the vocabulary and phrases were originally created by our president in 'The Gold Heist' and 'Sorceress Legend.' The Southern and Northern Prodigies have used these words in several places, and our president's readers believe they are deliberately copying, like parrots mimicking words."

An Tuo: "I've studied the works of the Southern and Northern Prodigies. They are well-written, but some of their word usage habits do seem like they are intentionally imitating the president."

Lin Yufan, of course, knew about this. Zhang Wei had reminded her that Gu Pingan's use of one or two words was very similar to hers.

She took advantage of the situation, intentionally creating more similarities to use later.

Lin Yufan: "They aren't plagiarizing, so we will not get involved in this matter."

Hui Yan also said: "If they aren't plagiarizing, there's really no way to address this so-called copying."

An Tuo and others had different opinions, but since the president said not to pursue it, they couldn't say much more.

After the meeting, Lin Yufan handed Wang Muxun the latest manuscript from Mi Xian.

The founding ceremony was approaching, and the People's Liberation Army had reached the border of Guangdong Province, while the British government was heavily reinforcing troops in Hong Kong.

The public grew increasingly worried about whether Hong Kong would go to war.

Many readers called the magazine, wanting to ask Mi Xian whether Hong Kong would be engulfed in war.

In this issue's 'Ask Mi' column, Mi Xian answered this question.

"Ask Mi: Will Hong Kong be engulfed in war?"

"Mi Xian: No, please live peacefully."

The latest issue of 'Panorama' sold out instantly.

The printing house rushed to reprint, and the sales of 'Panorama' broke the sales record held by 'Splendor,' reaching 50,000 copies!

A few days later, Beiping was renamed to Beijing.

On October 1st, Beijing held the founding ceremony, and the People's Republic of China was established.

On October 2nd, the People's Liberation Army marched into Guangdong Province.

The people of Hong Kong waited anxiously, full of anticipation.

Some wanted to return to the motherland, some were worried about communism, and more were simply afraid of war itself.

The tide of history rolled forward.