In the dim darkroom, with a soft snap, Wei Ran turned on the scarlet darkroom light.
Wiping the corners of his eyes again, he took a deep breath, took out the film from Yukio Sometani's camera, and then took out the film from his own double-lens reflex camera, and started developing the film meticulously.
After a lot of work, just when he turned on the light and was about to hang the printed photos on the drying line, there was a knock on the door.
"What's wrong?" Wei Ran asked, then took out his handkerchief and blew his nose hard.
Outside the door, Qiushi knocked on the door and asked in a clear voice, "Brother Wei, haven't you found the camera yet? Everyone is waiting for you."
Found the camera? Wait for me?
Wei Ran was stunned for a moment. When he folded the handkerchief and stuffed it back into his pocket, he discovered that the photos he had just worked so hard to develop were missing!
Did you jump again?
Wei Ran immediately realized something was wrong, and while trying to take out the Mauser bayonet that stunned Tao Canhua from the metal book, he responded loudly, "Wait a minute, I am changing the film, I will be out soon."
"Okay." Qiushi outside the door responded, followed by footsteps that were getting further and further away.
"It seems like it really jumped..."
Wei Ran glanced at the bayonet in his hand, and then as quickly as possible, he took out the rest of the things in the metal book and inspected them carefully, and then inspected himself again.
Except for the body stove that he lent to Andy before, everything in the metal book was not missing. Not only that, he also found a small PPK pistol in his waistband on his own waist.
I didn’t dare to waste too much time, and I didn’t even have time to find out where the photos I had just worked so hard to develop and the Leica camera that belonged to Yukio Sometani had gone.
Wei Ran took the Rolleiflex with the film loaded and walked into the darkroom with the door locked. Then he immediately noticed a couplets on the door frame and the remaining paste that had not completely dried.
Is this...the Chinese New Year?
Wei Ran suppressed the doubts in his mind and walked downstairs while observing the changes in the study apartment. Big red window grilles cut into various auspicious patterns, blessing characters and Spring Festival couplets could be seen everywhere.
There is even a Christmas tree beside the burning charcoal fire on the first floor, which is neither earthy nor foreign, and has nothing to do with the Spring Festival, but it is very beautifully decorated.
Walking out of the foyer, he also noticed that a row of benches had been placed in the open space at the entrance of the small building. At this time, members of the Chunhua Opera Troupe wearing new clothes, as well as Mei Xiang and others, were under the command of Tao Canhua
Adjusting their seats.
"You figured it out"
Tao Canhua was the first to notice Wei Ran, and hurriedly called him over, and asked proactively, "Auntie is in the middle, the younger ones are at the front, and the older ones are standing in a row at the back. See what else needs to be adjusted."
?"
After carefully observing Tao Canhua and seeing that his energy and mood were still normal, Wei Ran secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at the positions arranged by Mei Xiang and others, thought for a while and said, "Canhua, you
where?"
"I am here..."
"You go and stand behind Qiushi," Wei Ran said with a smile, and the members of the Chunhua Opera Troupe and even Mei Xiang started to make noises.
"Just go"
Although both Tao Canhua and Qiushi were blushing, the former still shamelessly stood behind Qiushi, while Qiushi also looked back at Tao Canhua with a blushing face.
After arranging the seats and adjusting the angle of the camera, Weiran placed it on the Eight Immortals table prepared in advance and pressed down the selfie pick.
Jogging along, she sat next to Mei Xiang and took a group photo with everyone. Mei Xiang waited until Wei Ran stood up and then stood up and clapped her hands and said loudly, "Listen carefully, Jasmine, today is the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
It's eight years old, let's give out a red envelope in advance, ten yuan per person, and we'll still have the new year's money when we wait until the first day of the new year."
As soon as these words were spoken, the children in the troupe also cheered.
"Okay, okay, be quiet."
Meixiang, who was dressed as a noble lady, pressed her arms and said, "It's a chaotic situation outside, so I won't let you go out for a walk. Whatever you want to buy with the money later, I'll ask you, Sister Qiushi, to register. I'll ask Young Master Ciao later.
I bought it together with Canhua for you."
When the troupe members responded happily again, Mei Xiang continued, "Also, cousin, you and Canhua will go to Sanguang later and buy half a fan of pork and two bags of noodles, and let Yang Ma steam them this afternoon.
Serve two large pots of steamed buns."
"Sure." Wei Ran nodded and agreed.
Meixiang reached out and grabbed a young man who looked the youngest, grabbed his hair and said, "Find a good barber and invite him to come to our house to shave everyone's heads. This hair will look like a little girl."
.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the members of the troupe burst into laughter again.
"I'll see if I can find one and bring one back." Wei Ran responded and asked, "Is there anything else to do?"
“Buy more tobacco, alcohol, tea, sugar and snacks and fruits”
When Jasmine saw Mei Xiang looking over, she immediately said, "Buy some peanuts and melon seeds too. If we don't have enough during the Chinese New Year, people will come to visit us. We have to have something to entertain them."
"You'll have to hire a mule cart to transport it back." Tao Canhua glanced at the car parked in the garage, "It would take eight trips with that car."
"Don't ask me about this kind of thing"
Mei Xiang waved her hand, "Others should wash and brush what they should. Now that we are celebrating the New Year, we should make every place cleaner."
Hearing this, the troupe members who had put on new clothes immediately cheered loudly, worked together to move the square tables and benches, and surrounded Ma Yang and Uncle Meng who were preparing to steam the steamed buns, as well as Jasmine and Qiu who were preparing to give them red envelopes.
They dispersed in a hurry.
When only Tao Canhua and Wei Ran were left around, Meixiang lit a cigarette under Wei Ran's service and lowered her voice and said, "Wei Ran, yesterday the mute uncle sent a message asking you and Canhua to come over.
.”
"I understand," Wei Ran responded, while Tao Canhua nodded.
"besides"
Mei Xiang smiled and said, "Tonight you two will have a drink with the younger brothers and sisters from the troupe so that they can sleep more soundly. At night, we will also take a photo with Andy and the others and help them.
Printing room layout and layout.”
"Okay" Wei Ran and Tao Canhua agreed in unison.
"Okay, leave early and come back early." After saying this, Mei Xiang waved her hand, holding a cigarette between her fingers, and walked towards the foyer.
"You go and warm up the car." Wei Ran shook the camera in his hand, "I'll put the camera back."
"Not urgent"
Tao Canhua also followed him to the room, "Those younger brothers and sisters have taken the money and have to think about what to buy. Let's wait until Qiushi's side has finished counting."
This kid has become more stable...
Wei Ran muttered to himself, but did not refute. He walked into his room on the first floor with his camera.
First, he put the camera back into the metal book, and Wei Ran rummaged through it and found a woolen coat, top hat, gloves and scarf.
When he had put on all these outfits and lit a cigarette, Tao Canhua finally started the car, drove it out of the garage, and drove into the yard.
Glancing at Qiu Shi, who was already sitting in the passenger seat with a notepad in his hand, Wei Ran stood in the foyer and slowly finished smoking the cigarette in his hand before putting on his hat.
He walked slowly over and got into the rear compartment.
Silently looking at the young couple in front of him who were chatting endlessly, Wei Ran could not help but reveal a trace of a smile on his face.
"Brother Wei, what are you laughing at?" Qiushi obviously noticed the expression on Wei Ran's face.
"I'm laughing at you two," Wei Ran responded with a smile.
"Laughing at both of us?" Qiushi didn't react for a moment, and a look of confusion appeared on her pretty face.
"I think you two are a good match. How about I talk to my cousin one day and you two can get married first..."
"Ah! What did you say!" Qiushi blushed immediately, but while blushing, she couldn't help but glance at Tao Canhua secretly.
"I don't have any objection"
Tao Canhua was extremely calm at this time, but soon he added, "But I want to wait a little longer."
Having said this, Tao Canhua looked at Qiushi, whose expression was about to change, and added seriously, "I still have some revenge to take, Qiushi, can you wait until I finish avenging Pike and Keqin?"
"I...I don't know"
After Qiushi finished speaking, she immediately opened the notepad, which was not much bigger than a palm, and covered her face, which was also not too big but was extremely red at the moment.
"Hey, how come you..."
"Silly boy, drive your car carefully." Wei Ran smiled and kicked the back of Tao Canhua's seat to help him stop the stupid things he was about to say.
After chatting all the way to San Guan'er, Tao Canhua parked the car at the entrance of Buzhuang, as he had done every time he came here, and then followed Wei Ran to the sesame cake stall to grab two freshly baked sesame cakes and gnaw them.
"Where should we go first?" Qiushi, wearing a pair of brown knitted gloves, asked while nibbling on the sesame seed cake in her hand.
"Let's go find the hairdresser first," Wei Ran and Tao Canhua made the decision in unison.
"Brother, do you know where there is a hairdresser?" Tao Canhua asked the waiter at the sesame cake stall first.
"That's what you asked for."
The waiter put the white towel in his hand on his shoulder, raised his hand and pointed in one direction and said, "If you walk in that direction, in just one pack of cigarettes, you will definitely see the hairdresser setting up a stall on the roadside.
I just went to shave this afternoon, not to mention how neat it was!"
"Let's go?"
After Wei Ran finished speaking, he lit up a cigarette and was the first to go in the direction pointed by the waiter. Pretending to be casual, he put some distance between himself and Tao Canhua and Qiushi, creating some opportunities for these two young people.
After walking all the way, the three of them didn't take long to see a barber who was setting up a stall in an open space at the entrance of an alley.
With just one glance, no matter Wei Ran, Tao Canhua or Qiushi, they all recognized that the bearded master shaver with a broken felt hat on his head was really Cao Mute!
Next to Cao Dumb, there was a shoe shiner who put his hands in his sleeves. The shoe shiner was wearing a light blue torn scarf and a somewhat bald dog skin hat on his head.
In front of him, there was a wooden box for shoe polishing.
While Wei Ran was subconsciously observing him, the shoe shiner looked at Qiushi with surprise. However, when he saw Qiushi quietly tugging at the pockets of Tao Canhua's woolen coat, his eyes were filled with surprise.
It immediately dimmed and was taken back.
Could it be...
Wei Ran suppressed the doubts in his heart and saw Tao Canhua and Qiushi looking at him, so he smiled and said, "This is it. I'll try this master's skills first. After he finishes cutting for me, if you think it's OK,
Let’s invite him back to shave everyone’s hair.”
“Then give it a try”
Tao Canhua said nonchalantly, "Why don't you cut it first and we go for a walk around?"
"also"
Wei Ran took out his pocket watch and looked at it, then looked at the shaver Cao Yuba who was sitting by the stove warming himself, then looked at the service content written on the cloth sign, pointed at the sign and asked, "Master
, how long does it take to get a short Western-style haircut?”
Hearing this, Cao Mute stretched out his hand and gestured with three fingers.
"He said thirty minutes," the shoe shiner introduced in a hoarse voice, "just cut it here, this old guy is very good at his craftsmanship."
"Then let's have short, Western-style hair,"
While Wei Ran was talking, he had already sat down on the folding stool that Cao Duba had given up, and said to Tao Canhua and Qiushi, "You go shopping first, and we will meet at the entrance of Buzhuang in half an hour. By the way,
Do you want me to give you this guy to hold for self-defense?"
"Need not"
Tao Canhua patted his own waist and said, "I have it here. Don't wait too long."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Don't worry, there is no delay in getting a haircut."
Wei Ran waved his hand, and together with the shoe shiner next to him, he watched Tao Canhua and Qiushi join the crowd holding hands. At the same time, Cao Mute had already put a clean scarf on Wei Ran, and then took it
I took out a hand clipper and a comb and started working.
"Sir, would you like to have your shoes shined by the way?" the shoe shiner said, already dragging his shoe shine box over.
"Wipe it." Wei Ran looked around, and then asked in a low voice, uncertainly, "Xiaoguan?"
"it's me"
The shoe shiner responded in a low voice, and at the same time, he quickly placed the shoe shine box directly in front of Wei Ran. After he straddled it and sat down, he signaled Wei Ran to put one foot on the shoe shine box and extend it.
on the T-shaped handle.
"When did you come back?" Wei Ran asked in a low voice.
"It's been more than half a month," Guan Bingwen responded in a low voice while using a brush to clean Weiran's shoes.
"Where's your sister? How is she?"
"She's fine"
Guan Bingwen looked around and continued to whisper, "I gave birth to a girl last month. My sister named her Tongqiu, Tang Tongqiu."
"Do you share the same hatred with me? It's a good name."
Wei Ran muttered for a while and then sighed, looked around and asked in a low voice, "She's back too?"
"She'll be back soon," Guan Bingwen replied in a low voice, "but I don't dare to let her go home now."
"What's going on?" Wei Ran asked, and then he thought of the answer.
"My father was ignored"
Guan Bingwen said in a low voice, "My father has a confidant named Hu Dacai. Before the Japanese occupation of the British Concession, Hu Dacai suddenly turned against me. Not only did he alienate my father, but he also wanted to replace my father and cooperate with the Japanese."
After a short pause, Guan Bingwen signaled Wei Ran to switch to one foot, and continued to clean the dust carefully with a brush while saying, "In addition, when Dogfish and Keqin were killed before, including my sister and I who were targeted by the Japanese, we all got away with this Hu Dacai.
It doesn’t matter.”
"He was also responsible for Gu Yu and Ke Qin's death?" Wei Ran immediately frowned.
"My father secretly sent me the message. At that time, Hu Dacai went behind his back and secretly led people to arrest several students' federation members who secretly posted big-character posters in the Japanese Concession at night, and deliberately let a few of them escape."
Guan Bingwen gritted his teeth and continued to explain in a low voice, "After Pike and Keqin killed Walker, they originally planned to drive his car that night and go with a few others to rescue the captured students.
As a result, they were all ambushed by Hu Dacai and a wave of Japanese immigrants. Xiuyu and Keqin took the initiative to stay behind and let the others drive away with the wounded and rescued people.
And my sister, the reason why she was exposed along with Brother Tang was because Hu Dacai sent people to follow her and found out the clues. This matter was said by Hu Dacai himself when he showed off my father in person after he had blackmailed me. "
"So that's it..."
Wei Ran murmured in a low voice, and then fell into silence at the same time as Guan Bingwen because of several pedestrians walking from a distance.
After a few pedestrians carrying baskets passed by them and walked away, Guan Bingwen continued, "Unlike my father who didn't want to offend anyone, this Hu Dacai really wanted to flatter the Japanese. And we suspect that
, Hu Dacai wanted to replace my father, most likely with the support of the Japanese."
"Ueda?" Wei Ran subconsciously revealed the suspect.
"I guess so"
Guan Bingwen said in a low voice, "Since the Japanese took over the British Concession, Mr. Ueda has been nowhere to be found. Not only him, but his daughter Yumei has also disappeared since she left your place."
"So the problem still lies with Hu Dacai." Wei Ran asked in a low voice, "Shovel him?"
"Um"
Guan Bingwen said in a low voice, "Hu Dacai must be eradicated. He is helping the Japanese find our radio station, and he has recruited many subordinates who are familiar with the terrain. He is a great threat to us."
Hearing this, Wei Ran's heart sank, "Where does he live?"
“I just live there with no care”
Guan Bingwen replied in a low voice, "Half a month ago, Hu Dacai bought the teahouse diagonally opposite Taihua Building.
Recently, whenever we start shooting newspapers, someone will rush out of the teahouse looking for the radio station. They were watching too closely a few days ago, and we couldn't do anything about it, so we asked your backup radio station to be turned on once, and the result was that that day
At night they headed towards the British Concession."
"What are you going to do?" Wei Ran asked in a low voice.
"Let's start tomorrow night, New Year's Eve"
As Guan Bingwen spoke, he stuffed a piece of paper into Wei Ran's shoe with the action of shining shoes, "The plans are all here."
"Okay" Wei Ran responded.
"Qiushi...is she with Canhua?" Guan Bingwen asked, changing the topic to a more personal topic.
"Hmm...probably..."
Wei Ran responded vaguely, and when Guan Bingwen stopped talking, he looked at Cao Muba, "Master's skills are very good. Please finish cutting for me later and follow me back. I have many younger brothers and sisters at home. Let's go."
Let’s give them a haircut, the price is negotiable.”
Hearing this, Cao Mute was stunned for a moment, then nodded, but Wei Ran could feel that his body was trembling slightly with excitement.
