A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 1094 Getting to Know Zhu Zhiming

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go back now, Mr. Zhu. If there's nothing else, I have to go now." Zhu Hong said this and turned to leave.

Zhu Zhiming stood there, somewhat disappointed.

Gui'er watched Zhou Hong walk up the steps, then looked around to make sure no one was watching her. She quickly said to Zhu Zhiming, "Old Zhu, sit down and have a cup of coffee."

"This...sigh." Zhu Zhiming sighed helplessly, but still sat down.

Gui'er ordered him another coffee. After the waiter finished serving the coffee and walked away, she asked, "Are you really Brother Chen's uncle?"

“Of course not. I was actually working as an accountant in the small inn where Mr. Chen first came to Hong Kong. He talked to me a lot back then, and I was inspired by him to think that I should do something for my country, so I joined them.”

"All along, I've been working with my comrades on various missions. I felt that after living to this age, I could finally do something for the country. I was even thinking of fighting alongside my comrades to drive out the Japanese invaders and establish a new China. But then Old Chen suddenly passed away, and the comrades all went their separate ways. Although the higher-ups will send someone else, I thought that since I'm a local from Hong Kong, I could try to maintain contact with them before the new comrades arrive. That's why I came to find Miss Zhou..."

"It's alright, Lao Zhu. Zhou Hong probably hasn't been with us for very long, and she's a bit timid. You know me? I haven't participated in any missions before. I just occasionally help out when Brother Chen needs to raise funds."

“Oh, I’ve heard of you. But Old Chen has also raised funds from quite a few wealthy businessmen, and you were just one of them. He also said that it’s not easy for you to be alone in Hong Kong, and if we can handle it ourselves, we’ll try not to bother you. I didn’t expect you to be even more considerate than Miss Zhou,” Zhu Zhiming said with emotion.

"Oh, I see. But now that Brother Chen is gone, if you need to raise funds for our revolutionary cause, or if there's a shortfall, you can tell me. I'm willing to help. Also, given your relationship with Brother Chen...?"

"Of course it's fake. His family isn't here. When he needs to use his family, he has to find someone around my age to pretend to be an elder."

Gui'er suddenly remembered that Wu Mingqiang had said that Chen Zhongyu's uncle had arranged his burial, and quickly asked, "Brother Chen, what were his funeral arrangements...?"

“I did it. The comrades needed to evacuate immediately for safety reasons. I don’t usually go on missions, so I’m not familiar with the area and it’s okay. I buried him. I originally wanted to do a more respectable job, to have some people sing and dance, but the police told me to bury him quickly, otherwise they would come after me if anything happened. Sigh, Old Chen, Old Chen died unjustly.” Zhu Zhiming’s eyes involuntarily reddened as he said this.

"Old Zhu, you've done a good deed. I was just thinking of inquiring whether Brother Chen had been properly settled. If not, I was thinking of paying for his burial. Now you've done this for our comrade. Thank you. I was hoping to attend his funeral, but it seems Brother Chen really sacrificed too much for the revolutionary cause, not even receiving posthumous honors. It's Sunday in a couple of days, and I'd like to go to his grave to pay my respects. Could you please show me the way?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhiming excitedly said, "Great! Of course, that's great. Actually, I also think it's too shabby, but the situation is too dire. We can't afford to take any risks. Oh, by the way, you're... a pawnshop owner."

Gui'er nodded and said, "My family does run a pawn shop, but I think it would be safer for us not to visit each other's homes. How about we agree on a place to meet and leave a secret signal there? Brother Chen taught me that before."

Zhu Zhiming nodded repeatedly in agreement, saying, "Great! I didn't expect Miss Sha to be so familiar with our ways of doing things." He thought for a moment and said, "Well then, I usually work as an accountant at the Dahua Hotel on Guangming Street in Kowloon City, and I also live there. I live alone with only my younger brother. He rents a small shop in a corner of a small arcade next to Xiang Le Ice Room, about two miles from the Dahua Hotel, and runs a newsstand. His whole family lives there. In the past, when I arranged to meet with Old Chen, I would either leave a note at Xiang Le Ice Room or at my brother's newsstand. However, since Miss Sha is a woman, it might not be very convenient."

Gui'er understood that the Kowloon City he mentioned was a chaotic place on Guangming Street, where many opium dens and gambling dens were located. Women tried to avoid that place as much as possible. She thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll have my men contact you and bring you out."

Zhu Zhiming said with a smile, "That's great."

The two agreed on a time to pay their respects to Chen Zhongyu. After chatting for a while, Zhu Zhiming wanted to contact all the comrades who remained in Hong Kong so that if the higher-ups sent people to rebuild the contact points, everyone could immediately get back to work. Gui'er was very happy and responded enthusiastically, saying that if there was anything she needed, she should just ask. After that, the two said goodbye.

Back at the villa, Gui'er told Wu Mingqiang and Acheng what had happened and asked Acheng to pick up Zhu Zhiming later.

Wu Mingqiang frowned and said, "Miss, I know about Guangming Street. That place is a mess. How can a lowly clerk like him lead so many people to do big things? I hope he doesn't mess things up and end up getting himself into trouble, and dragging you down with him."

Gui'er, however, did not think so. She said, "Mr. Zhu is so sincere. Everyone else has retreated, but he still persists in doing it. It is already very commendable. He was the one who buried Brother Chen. I feel ashamed. I have known Brother Chen for so many years, but I can't do anything for him."

Wu Mingqiang knew he couldn't persuade him, so he sighed and said, "Alright then, but if he asks you to do anything, you have to tell me in advance so I can check if it's dangerous."

On Sunday morning, before the mist had completely dissipated, Gui'er asked Acheng to drive her to pick up Zhu Zhiming so they could go together to pay their respects to Chen Zhongyu.

When she arrived at the cemetery, she discovered that she was buried in the same cemetery as Ah Si, even in the same row.

Zhu Zhiming walked ahead, carrying a cloth bag containing incense, candles, and a small bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor). His steps were heavy, crunching on the fallen leaves, a jarring sound in the silent cemetery. "It's just ahead," he said, pointing to a new tombstone not far away, inscribed only with "Tomb of Chen Zhongyu."