Xikou East Wharf, afternoon.
Fang Shuwen carried Hu Da's blue cloth bundle to find Little Hu.
In front of the Lu Family Shipping Warehouse, he found Hu Desheng.
"Brother Hu, Uncle Hu asked me to bring you something." Fang Shuwen handed him the bundle.
Hu Desheng took it. Inside were a braised pork knuckle and two summer shirts. He grunted,
"Thank him for me."
Then he took out a few silver dollars and asked Fang Shuwen to bring them back.
Fang Shuwen pushed the money back and shook his head.
"Uncle Hu's kindness is something you should thank him for yourself, Brother Hu. I've delivered the things, so you'd better get back to work. I'll be off."
Hu Desheng clutched the few silver dollars, watching Fang Shuwen turn and walk away. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing.
Fang Shuwen left the wharf district and headed west along the road by the river.
He walked at an even pace, thinking over what he had to do next.
The National Martial Arts Hall stood at the end of East Street, about half an hour's walk from the wharf.
His main reason for going out today, besides delivering things for Hu Da, was to buy Ghost Jade.
In his pocket was the money he'd taken from Brother Hu and Lao Liu, along with the fifty silver dollars he'd won from Old Master Zheng earlier. He had more than a hundred and sixty silver dollars in all, plus a few colorful banknotes.
The banknotes were new currency issued by Great Yan Bank, in denominations of ten and five yuan. They could be used in Xikou County Town, but weren't as readily accepted as silver dollars.
Small merchants and peddlers wouldn't take paper money, but the National Martial Arts Hall did.
If I spend it all on Ghost Jade, maybe I can raise Soaring Snake Fist from proficient to mastery.
Fang Shuwen did the math in his head and quickened his pace.
After crossing half the street, he spotted the National Martial Arts Hall's Prok-style building in the distance.
Its arched entrance, carved stone pillars, and domed roof stood out like a sore thumb among the surrounding drab old Chinese houses.
He climbed the steps and pushed open the heavy glass door with its copper frame.
The hall was much quieter than the last time he'd visited.
Only a few people stood in scattered lines at the windows. Two or three were seated on the benches, waiting. Some spoke in low voices, while others leafed through thin booklets.
Fang Shuwen headed straight for the supplies exchange window.
"Sir, I'd like to buy Ghost Jade."
Fang Shuwen tapped the counter.
The old man raised his eyes to glance at him, then lowered them to his book and replied flatly, "We're out."
Fang Shuwen frowned. "Out of what?"
"Ghost Jade."
The old man turned a page, his tone as bland as before.
"Ordinary Ghost Jade, defective Ghost Jade, all out of stock. Come back at the beginning of next month."
Fang Shuwen froze.
The last time he'd come, two rows of defective Ghost Jade had been laid out at the window for him to choose from.
It had only been a few days. How could they be sold out already?
"Sir, how come the Ghost Jade's suddenly gone? Has the National Martial Arts Hall stopped selling it, or..."
"We haven't stopped selling it. We're out of stock."
The old man finally put down his book and took off his reading glasses, wiping the lenses with a cloth. "Orders came down from above. All Ghost Jade is to be supplied to middle schools first. The National Martial Arts Hall's quota will be reduced accordingly."
"If you really want to buy some, leave your name. We'll notify you when it arrives."
Fang Shuwen thought it over, took a brush from the pen holder on the counter, and wrote his name and address in the register the old man handed him.
After setting down the brush, he asked, "Sir, will the Ghost Jade quota stay this tight from now on?"
The old man put his reading glasses back on, picked up his book, and turned to the page he'd been reading.
"Who knows? But I hear they're about to introduce some new policy. I reckon the quota won't be loosened anytime soon."
Fang Shuwen nodded and asked no more. He turned away from the counter.
He crossed the hall and pushed open the door of the National Martial Arts Hall.
Standing on the steps, he squinted against the afternoon sun.
There was no Ghost Jade in stock. He'd have to wait until next month to buy any.
That meant his plan to accumulate skill points would be delayed again.
Maybe he should check out the bookstore, then?
See if they had any similar books?
Fang Shuwen considered it as he walked down the steps and headed back along East Street.
He'd only gone a dozen or so steps when a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Young friend! Wait a moment!"
It was an old voice, yet full of vigor, with a smug edge that made you grit your teeth.
Fang Shuwen stopped and turned around.
The one calling him was Zheng Yuanpei.
Someone else was behind him.
A young woman was looking down at a book, her long black hair hiding most of her face.
She looked a little familiar.
Fang Shuwen paid it no mind and answered,
"Old Master, what brings you..."
"Hahaha, I was having tea across the street and spotted you at once."
Zheng Yuanpei came up to him, planted his cane on the ground, and said with a broad smile,
"I was just about to look for you. I never expected you to come right to me."
"Looking for me? To play chess again?"
"Chess can wait."
Zheng Yuanpei waved a hand and stepped aside, revealing Zheng Shulan behind him. His voice held a hint of pride.
"This is my granddaughter, Zheng Shulan. Shulan, haven't you been wanting to meet the man who beat you at chess and won that piece of Ghost Jade? Here he is!"
Fang Shuwen's gaze fell on Zheng Shulan.
Zheng Shulan was looking at him, too.
The moment their eyes met, both their expressions changed.
Fang Shuwen's brows creased slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
He'd never expected it to be the young woman whose backside he'd pinched—and whom he'd once rescued.
What a coincidence!
Zheng Shulan's almond-shaped eyes widened, her mouth fell open, and her face plainly spelled out four words: "How is it you?"
"You two... know each other?"
Zheng Yuanpei looked from Fang Shuwen to Zheng Shulan. His smile slowly turned to bewilderment.
"We don't!"
They spoke in unison, then turned their heads away at the same time.
Zheng Yuanpei stroked his goatee, his gaze shifting between them twice before his lips curled into a smile.
"You don't know each other? Then why did you both look like you'd seen a ghost?"
Zheng Yuanpei muttered, then grabbed Fang Shuwen.
"Come on, come on, let's get in the car. What are we standing around here for? Come to my place and play chess. Today, I'm going to beat you at least once!"
"Old Master, I'll play chess, but..."
"No buts! If you don't come, you'll be slighting me!"
Fang Shuwen glanced at Zheng Shulan.
Zheng Shulan happened to peek up at him, too. Their eyes met, and she quickly looked away.
"Then... sorry for the trouble." Fang Shuwen didn't refuse again.
The Zheng Family's car was parked across the street, a gleaming black Ford.
The driver was a burly middle-aged man in uniform. When he saw Zheng Yuanpei approach, he hurriedly opened the rear door.
"Get in."
Fang Shuwen hesitated for a moment, then bent down and climbed into the car.
This was the first time he'd ridden in a car since transmigrating.
The car drove through East Street and turned onto a broad road.
The buildings on either side gradually grew sparse, replaced by rows of tall plane trees and neatly trimmed holly bushes.
Fang Shuwen noticed that the road led to Xikou North District.
North District was the wealthy part of Xikou County Town. It was home to the military governor, chamber of commerce president, foreign trading firm compradors, and the prominent old families whose lineages went back to the Great Yin era.
As expected, the Zheng Family's home was in North District.
The car stopped in front of a large brick mansion.
A plaque hung above the gate, bearing the two gilt characters "Zheng Mansion." The brushwork was vigorous, clearly the work of a famous calligrapher.
Zheng Yuanpei and the others didn't enter the main hall. Instead, they led Fang Shuwen through a covered corridor to a side room on the east side.
"Sit."
Zheng Yuanpei sat down at one end of the chess table and leaned his cane against the chair. He gestured for Fang Shuwen to sit across from him.
Fang Shuwen did as he was told.
Zheng Shulan followed them inside and sat in a chair by the window, though her gaze fell on the chessboard.
At the same time, she couldn't help glancing at Fang Shuwen.
At first, she'd thought the young man was just a little hoodlum.
Later, she kept hearing her grandfather talk about encountering a chess master.
Zheng Shulan had even helped her grandfather devise plans several times, but he'd never beaten his opponent.
She'd been curious about who that person was.
More recently, she'd been kidnapped while out.
It was the young man before her who'd come to her rescue.
There was a thick fog of mystery surrounding Fang Shuwen.
Just then, a sudden flurry of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Fang Shuwen's ear twitched slightly, and his hand paused.
Zheng Yuanpei heard them, too. He frowned, set down the chess piece in his hand, and looked toward the door.
"Sorry to trouble you, Lord Zheng. I'm Lin Xiu, and I've come to ask Miss Zheng Shulan a few questions."