Chapter 98: Milk (Symbolizing Nourishment and Sustenance)

Chapter 98: Milk (Symbolizing Nourishment and Sustenance)

Early that morning, everyone in the Hong Kong office of the Nationalist Government was busy but listless.

There were rumors that the office might be demoted, and if that happened, would everyone's compensation be reduced?

It was quite possible.

Everyone had their own plans in mind.

Some wanted to return to mainland China, some wanted to go to the island of Taiwan, and some wanted to stay in Hong Kong to find another opportunity.

But as long as the office remained operational, everyone wanted to hold on tightly to this seemingly decent job.

Wang Liu showed up at work early in the morning. He sat at his desk chatting with his colleagues, his eyes occasionally darting towards the door.

When he saw Director Gao passing by, he hurried over.

After knocking, he entered the director's office, nodded and greeted, "Director!"

Director Gao had just picked up a cup of hot tea from his desk, "What's up?"

Wang Liu closed the door and said in a low voice, "Yesterday evening after work, I saw that janitor, Uncle Tan, slipping into your office..."

Director Gao glanced at him, "The janitor came to clean, is that worth making a big deal out of it?"

"No, no..." Wang Liu said with an awkward smile, "I just wanted to remind you, Director, these janitors might not be trustworthy. I was afraid he might steal something when no one was looking."

Director Gao wasn't interested, "Is that it?"

Wang Liu: "No. I have something important to report to you, Director."

"Speak quickly."

"Last night, guess who came looking for me?"

"Damn it!" Director Gao snapped, "Are you flirting with me? 'Guess what, guess what'! Speak quickly, get to the point!"

Only then did Wang Liu finally reveal, "Deng Kuan!"

Director Gao's expression slightly changed, "Deng Kuan came to you?"

Wang Liu nodded, "He came to me last night."

Director Gao pointed to the chair in front, "Sit down and tell me in detail."

Wang Liu pulled out the chair; he knew the director would be interested upon hearing this news.

"Last night, I didn't go to eat until after eight. I first had a bowl of beef brisket noodles, but it wasn't enough, so I thought about buying a roasted sweet potato."

Director Gao was impatient, "Don't ramble on about unnecessary details, get to the point!"

Wang Liu sped up his speech, "On my way to buy the roasted sweet potato, I saw a familiar figure, chased after it, and sure enough, it was Deng Kuan!"

"And then?"

"He came specifically to find me."

"What did he want from you? Why didn't you take the opportunity to subdue him?"

"He was prepared, but I just stumbled upon him by chance. I wasn’t prepared, so how could I act recklessly?"

Seeing Wang Liu hesitate again, Director Gao grew truly impatient. "Spit it out—what did he want from you?"

Wang Liu: "He wanted to borrow money from me. He said he was broke and asked to borrow 20 bucks."

"Did you lend it to him?"

"I only had about 3 bucks on me, so I gave him everything I had."

Director Gao scolded him again: "You’re such an idiot! You shouldn’t have handed over the cash—you should’ve strung him along! Then figure out a way to nab him."

Wang Liu explained: "I had no choice—given the situation, I had to earn his trust first. If I’d said I was broke, he wouldn’t have bought it."

That made some sense.

Director Gao then continued to ask: "Did you ask him where he’s been hiding out all this time?"

Wang Liu: "I did. He said he’s been laying low around the city."

Director Gao couldn’t understand: "Isn’t he a communist? How could he have no place to crash?"

Wang Liu lowered his voice: "I asked him if he was a communist, but he didn’t answer—he just said he wanted revenge."

Director Gao frowned slightly: "Revenge? For what? That veggie vendor?"

Wang Liu shook his head: "I don’t know—why would he tell me that?"

Director Gao thought for a moment and then made a decision: "Alright, Deng Kuan’s bound to come back to you. Next time he asks for money, play along—say you’ll get the cash, then tip us off right away. Understand?"

Wang Liu nodded: "Got it. That’s what I was thinking too."

Director Gao instructed: "Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone—not even Xiao Zepeng!"

Wang Liu nodded repeatedly: "I know! I haven’t told a soul—only you."

Director Gao was pleased with Wang Liu’s response. "Get out."

After Wang Liu left, Director Gao mulled it over and decided to loop in Eagle first.

He had to wait until 1 PM to reach Eagle.

At 1 PM, Director Gao called Eagle. It rang three times before someone picked up.

Director Gao: "Hey, it’s Gao Dongming."

The other party responded, "Speak."

Director Gao truthfully reported the situation as told by Wang Liu.

"Got it. Wait for instructions."

Eagle’s voice was always low, but it was tricky and full of nuance.

After reporting, Director Gao let out a sigh of relief. With stuff like this, it was better to let Eagle call the shots. If something went wrong, he wouldn’t have to take responsibility.

After work in the evening, Wang Liu came out of the office, and a jeep parked beside him.

*

Wang Liu recognized it as Cui Yuan's car.

Sure enough, the car window rolled down, and Cui Yuan leaned out, calling, "Wang Liu!"

Wang Liu ran over excitedly, "Big bro! What’s got you so free today?"

Cui Yuan: "I was with our boss for negotiations nearby this afternoon. How about it, let's go eat tonight!"

Someone offering to treat him to a meal? Wang Liu was all for it.

He hurriedly opened the passenger door and hopped in.

The two went to a popular Sichuan restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and a bottle of baijiu.

Cui Yuan had been raking it in, and his gold bling was piling up.

Today, the gold ring on his finger was especially flashy.

Wang Liu gushed, "Big bro, you’ve hit the jackpot! That ring of yours is making me drool!"

Cui Yuan chuckled, "You think it’s easy, living on the edge like this?"

Noticing Wang Liu’s envy, he fished out a smaller ring from his pocket, "This one’s smaller—snatched off a dead guy. If you’re cool with that, it’s yours."

A gold ring! So what if it came from a dead man?

Wang Liu was so thrilled he nearly teared up, "Big bro, you’re the best thing in my life."

"You know it, huh?" Cui Yuan asked, munching on some spicy tripe, "Any word on Deng Kuan?"

Remembering Director Gao’s warning to keep quiet, Wang Liu slipped on the ring and lied coolly, "No news. Probably bolted back to the mainland. Man, this ring fits like a glove."

Cui Yuan grabbed for the ring on Wang Liu’s finger, "Holding out on me, huh? All my kindness wasted on you!"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Wang Liu shielded the ring, "How’s that not the truth? Big bro, you’re my number one. But I’ve got to keep my head down in the spy team—rules are rules. From now on, let’s stick to brotherhood. If you’re in a jam, I’ve got your back. Work talk’s a drag. Let’s drink."

With that, Wang Liu topped off Cui Yuan’s glass, and they clinked once more.

In the bustling underground casino, in the backroom, Xiao Zheng squatted by the door, smoking.

*

The room was thick with smoke, Pei Xing and Qin Hai each puffing on a cigarette.

Qin Hai said, "Now that the Brits have recognized the new China, the higher-ups are sweating they’ll establish ties sooner or later. Linghu’s orders are clear: we’ve got two months to move all the warehouse goods to Taiwan."

Pei Xing sighed, "No ships. Only Shipping Magnate Xu Aizhou’s cargo ships are free, but he flat-out refuses Taiwan orders."

Qin Hai suggested, "If not Taiwan, how about shipping to Southeast Asia first, then transferring from there?"

Easier said than done.

Pei Xing: "Even if we go to Southeast Asia, I doubt we’ll find ships to take over."

Qin Hai: "So what’s the plan? Linghu said if this falls through, only the spy team stays in Hong Kong, and we’re out."

Pei Xing had been mulling it over, then said, "Let’s go to Xu Aizhou! I’ll figure something out!"

Qin Hai eyed Pei Xing, "What’s your plan?"

Pei Xing gritted his teeth, his eyes turning fierce: "I'll get someone to snatch his son! Let's see if he caves!"

Hearing this, Qin Hai's eyes lit up, and he offered a bad idea: "Hey, why not kidnap his daughter? She's soft and delicate..."

Pei Xing was quite disdainful: "Why bother with his daughter? There are plenty of girls in the brothels! If we're going to kidnap, it's his son!"

Qin Hai wasn't offended by the retort, "Xing's a real man!"

"I'm with the Confidential Department! I'm no thug!" Pei Xing snorted in response: "I'll keep you posted."

With that, Pei Xing threw away his cigarette butt and walked out the door.

*

Wang Liu had a bit too much to drink last night and barely made it to the Hong Kong office on time today.

As soon as he entered the office, Chai Ronghui gave him trouble: "What's your problem? We were supposed to leave at 8:30. What time do you call this?"

Wang Liu couldn't stand Chai Ronghui.

Both were deputy team leaders, and Chai Ronghui had been under Deng Kuan's thumb before. After Deng Kuan's incident, he sucked up to Xiao Zepeng to get ahead.

The team leader spot in Special Operations Team 1 had been up for grabs since Deng Kuan vanished, and currently, it was mainly a competition between Chai Ronghui and Wang Liu.

With Xiao Zepeng in his corner, Chai Ronghui was always looking to one-up Wang Liu.

Wang Liu shot back, annoyed: "Isn't it 8:30 now? Can't you see?"

"We're supposed to leave at 8:30, and you're not even ready." Since Chai Ronghui was in charge of this mission, he was even more full of himself.

Wang Liu had been laying low lately, but now he was the only one in contact with Deng Kuan, which made him valuable.

So he stood his ground and said firmly: "What? What else do I need to prepare? I have my gun and my brain, isn't that enough? You want me to shine your shoes too?! Wait till you're my boss to start ordering me around!"

"What? Afraid I'll become your boss? If I ever become your boss, the first thing I'll do is boot you out!" Chai Ronghui usually wouldn't dare to be so arrogant, but Wang Liu had publicly humiliated him today, so he spoke without thinking.

After he finished speaking, the office went dead silent.

Looking up, he saw Director Gao standing at the door.

Director Gao brushed Chai Ronghui off, "Wang Liu, come to my office."

"Oh. Coming right away."

Watching Director Gao leave, Wang Liu's confidence rose, "Think you can take me down? Let's see you try!"

Chai Ronghui: "..."

Xiao Wu, worried that Wang Liu and Chai Ronghui might come to blows and drag him into it, quickly pulled Wang Liu: "Liu, don't make Director Gao wait."

Only then did Wang Liu leave for Director Gao's office.

Entering the office, he immediately put on a flattering smile: "Director, you wanted to see me?"

Director Gao told him to close the door, and after he sat down, he said solemnly: "I have an important task for you."

"What important task?"

"If Deng Kuan contacts you again, try to show dissatisfaction with us, show more compassion for the poor and the common people. Give him whatever he wants, and do your best to help him."

"Huh? Wang Liu was totally lost."

"Just follow my instructions."

Wang Liu's eyes shifted nervously, "Director, you're not thinking of having me infiltrate the Communist Party, are you?"

Director Gao smiled, "You catch on quick. If he tries to recruit you, just play along, and then find a way to gather more intel from them."

Wang Liu shook his head, "No, Director, what if I get exposed? They'll kill me. Like Longjing!" [1]

Director Gao's face darkened, "This is a direct order from the top! You can refuse if you want..."

He slammed a gun down on the table, "It's your choice."

Wang Liu forced an awkward smile, "I'm not defying orders, I'm just worried I won't be convincing."

"You won't know unless you try."

Wang Liu nervously scratched his head, he really had no choice.

"If I successfully complete the mission, how do you plan to reward me, Director?"

Director Gao pointed outside, painting a bright future, "The position of team leader is still vacant. As long as you complete the task, the leader's position is yours."

Trample Chai Ronghui under your heel!

Wang Liu got excited, "Alright! I'll do my best!"

Just as he was feeling ambitious, he immediately backed down, "Director, what if I mess up?"

Messing up means certain death.

*

Lin Yufan had been away from the publishing house for nearly three months.

The moment she walked in, everyone rushed to greet her.

Sister Dao complimented with a smile, "Ah, President, congratulations on your new baby! You're glowing!"

A Tang also stood up and smiled, "President, the whole place lit up when you walked in!"

Lin Yufan smiled and said, "You're laying it on thick."

Sister Hong, "Really, your complexion is especially good, not an exaggeration at all. It shows you had a great recovery!"

Hui Yan had already run over upon hearing the commotion, "Oh my, I could hear the sweet talk from a mile away. How could you leave out our editorial department when flattering? Boss, look at your skin, rosy and glowing, radiant, you light up the whole place!"

Can you really use 'illuminating the humble abode' like that?

Lin Yufan was amused, "Ms. Hui Yan, as the editor-in-chief, can you misuse idioms like this?"

Hui Yan, "Who cares if it's correct, as long as the boss is happy. See, I made you laugh."

Everyone chatted and laughed for a while, then started the regular meeting.

Right now, Three Cents Press is unstoppable.

Because paper costs have skyrocketed, the number of printed publications on the market has significantly decreased in the last couple of months.

Other publishers have delayed the printing of related works, so in the market, only the 30cent novel is thriving.

"Fortunately, the President had the foresight to stockpile enough paper supplies. Now those booksellers are thanking us. If it weren't for us keeping things afloat, they'd have no new books to sell!" [1] Note: Longjing likely refers to a specific event or person not explained in the text.

When it comes to Wanxiang Magazine, other magazines are currently raising their prices while seeing a decline in sales.

Only Wanxiang remains steady, with sales increasing and returning to 40,000 copies per issue.

An Tuo whispered, "President, could your pen name, the 'Twin Talents of the North and South,' be exclusively serialized in our Wanxiang Magazine, effectively cutting off Fenghua Magazine?"

Lin Yufan's mindset has changed now. "There's no need to block out Fenghua. We should aim to differentiate ourselves and coexist with Fenghua. The market can accommodate several good magazines simultaneously."

Wang Muxun was puzzled, "Have you turned Buddhist?"

"Of course not. Healthy competition is the best way forward."

Hui Yan, perceptive as ever, said, "The President means we shouldn't just focus on Fenghua but look further ahead."

Everyone laughed, as no one believed that Lin Yufan would continue to write for Fenghua after her current two serialized novels wrapped up.

The morning was spent in the publishing company meeting, and the afternoon was at Square Inch Pictures.

Square Inch Pictures has three movies slated for release, and barring any surprises, all will hit theaters in the first half of the year.

Gu Huiling drafted a detailed plan, aiming to produce 4-5 new movies this year.

After the meeting, Lin Yuwu accompanied Lin Yufan to the 'Delin Commercial Street' construction site.

There were at least a hundred or two hundred people working simultaneously on the site, with five or six buildings rising from the ground, making the site a hive of activity.

The construction progress was moving faster than Lin Yufan had anticipated.

At this pace, the project could be completed as early as 1951.

Lin Yuwu: "You mentioned last time that you wanted to have dinner with Zhang Wei. He said he's available anytime, just name the time."

Lin Yufan thought for a moment: "How about this weekend? Check if Saturday works for him."

"Alright. I'll call him later to ask."

Lin Yufan didn't stay out for long; her breasts were full, and she worried that the little one might be hungry, so she hurried home.

When she got home, little Yuanbao had just had some cow's milk but still whimpered and took a few sips from her breast.

After just a few sips, the little one was full.

After dinner, before bedtime, Yuanbao only drank some breast milk and then fell asleep, worn out.

Lin Yufan, whose breasts were already full, now felt one side become firm and painful.

She used her bath time to go to the bathroom and pump milk into the sink.

As she was pumping milk into the sink, she turned on the faucet to rinse it away, accidentally hitting the faucet handle with the back of her hand.

She let out an "Ow."

Zhao Zhiao, who had just walked in, stood at the bathroom door and asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Did you bump into something?"

"Just a little." Lin Yufan rubbed her hand.

At this moment, the bathroom door opened.

Zhao Zhiao stood at the doorway, watching his wife draped only in a nightgown, completely bare underneath.

From her left breast, white milk trickled down in drops.

Lin Yufan explained, "Yuanbao drank some milk, ate little at night, and I'm full, so I'm expressing some milk."

Zhao Zhiao's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a low voice, "What a waste to throw it away. If he won't drink it, I will."

Lin Yufan: "..."

What happened next was no surprise. How could someone who'd been thirsty for months settle for just milk?

It turned into a vigorous, intense session, lasting nearly two hours, with milky white splashes everywhere, before they were done.