CHAPTER 834: CHAPTER 831: COMING AND GOING

"Mr. Shen, welcome to our humble bureau. I am Wu Xing from the Special Affairs Bureau, you can call me Wu Lao San..."

Wu Xing approached with a cheerful smile, skipping a step to shake Shen Siyuan’s hand firmly.

Shen Siyuan shook it lightly, curiously looking at the building behind him.

The building seemed aged, still in that old Soviet red-brick style, shaded by rippling tree shadows, its walls mottled, exuding a nostalgic charm.

"Do you operate out of here?" Shen Siyuan asked curiously.

"Yes, we’ve been based here since the Special Affairs Bureau was established." Wu Xing quickly introduced.

While introducing, he studied Shen Siyuan with curiosity.

Earlier on the road, other staff from the Special Affairs Bureau had already briefed Wu Xing on the situation on site.

This gave Wu Xing a clearer understanding of Shen Siyuan’s capabilities.

"Isn’t this your headquarters? Why call it the Beijing office?" Shen Siyuan’s question interrupted Wu Xing’s thoughts.

"Mostly to keep it informal and divert suspicions." Wu Xing replied with a grin.

"I thought so too."

The Special Affairs Bureau is a very unique department, directed by only one leader at the top, so it’s impossible not to have the headquarters in Xiajing.

The Special Affairs Bureau is neither large nor small, with fewer than 100 direct employees. However, they hold special status, able to mobilize resources from all law enforcement departments nationwide, and even call upon the military.

As such, they usually do not identify as members of the Special Affairs Bureau, but rather as personnel from the National Security Bureau, Tax Office, Public Security Bureau, or even the Health Department when out in public.

Just then, Gao Yongdao roused Zhong Xiaonan, who groggily got out of the car.

Seeing Wu Xing, she immediately stood upright and greeted him as director, then displayed a dazed smile, looking rather blank and silly.

"What’s wrong with her?" Wu Xing asked hastily.

The on-site staff conducting the clean-up had no idea what had happened inside, or that Zhong Xiaonan had swallowed the Blood Coagulation Pearl.

"It’s alright, Mr. Shen said she’s doing fine now." Gao Yongdao explained.

Wu Xing got the gist and didn’t probe further, instead inviting Shen Siyuan, "Mr. Shen, please come inside and take a seat."

Shen Siyuan obliged, striding inside, and encountered Song Meixian in the corridor along with Wan Xinghui, whom he had met once before.

"Mr. Shen," both greeted Shen Siyuan with smiles.

Shen Siyuan paused, contemplating briefly before telling Song Meixian, "Let Zhong Xiaonan rest well for a couple of days, her condition might persist for a while."

Song Meixian’s gaze then fell upon Zhong Xiaonan, who was staggering in, with Gao Yongdao trying to support her.

"What’s wrong with her?" Song Meixian asked.

"You can ask your group leader Gao." Shen Siyuan replied.

Then he turned to Wu Xing, "Let’s talk inside."

He was eager to learn about the Special Affairs Bureau’s concrete implementation plan regarding the charity foundation, as Merit was his foundation, not to be taken lightly.

"Of course, right this way." Wu Xing led the way.

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"Where’s Si Yuan? Why didn’t he come back with you guys?"

Seeing only Ruan Hongzhuang and Taozi return, Shen Jianjun was quite surprised.

"Yeah, and..."

Huang Huijuan glanced toward the car as if about to say something but was interrupted by Shen Jianjun’s cough.

Taozi didn’t notice, but Ruan Hongzhuang, sharp as always, grew curious about what Huang Huijuan wanted to say, yet now wasn’t a good time to ask.

"He has something to take care of, but he should be back soon." Ruan Hongzhuang said.

"It’s the New Year, and there’s still work?" Huang Huijuan murmured.

Shen Jianjun had already invited the two inside to sit.

"We brought some gifts, I’ll take them down." Taozi quickly offered.

The gifts were prepared by both Taozi’s and Ruan Hongzhuang’s parents, not like the previous gold, silver, and jewels, but more everyday items like nutritional supplements and cosmetics.

"We’re just happy to have you visit, there’s no need for gifts." Shen Jianjun said politely.

"It’s the New Year; we couldn’t come empty-handed, right? I wasn’t sure what to bring, these were prepared by my parents. They asked me to wish you a Happy New Year on their behalf..."

While speaking, Taozi began gathering bags from the car.

"So much..."

Seeing the piles of items, Shen Jianjun was taken aback.

"Not all from me, these are from Ruan Ruan. They seem to be prepared by Uncle Ruan and Aunt Jiang for you." Taozi explained.

"That’s very kind of them. Later, give me your parents’ number so I can thank them personally." Shen Jianjun said.

"Sure." Taozi replied happily.

Unlike Ruan Hongzhuang, her parents hadn’t met yet, and now with Shen Jianjun contacting her parents, discussions between both families should go smoothly.

Meanwhile, Ruan Hongzhuang was chatting with Huang Huijuan.

She didn’t try to probe into what Huang Huijuan wanted to say earlier. With Huang Huijuan’s straightforward nature, she’d never keep it a secret. She was asking about Grandma.

"She went home, said there’s no one to feed the chickens, but she’ll be back by noon." Huang Huijuan said.

In any case, it’s not far, just a short walk away.

"Oh, last time we took lots of pictures, right? I had them printed and wanted to show her." Ruan Hongzhuang said.

"You did? Let me see them."

Huang Huijuan was thrilled.

Both Grandma and Huang Huijuan are rather traditional. For them, taking photos is a joyous and rare occasion.

They aren’t used to viewing pictures on phones, preferring to print them, tuck them in albums to flip through leisurely, or place them in frames for wall display, cherishing past memories.

As they chatted in front of their home, a young guy approached from the road.

Upon seeing two stunningly beautiful women he didn’t recognize, he hesitated momentarily but came over.

"Is Si Yuan home?" he asked.

"Oh, it’s Zhang Haibo! When did you get back?"

Recognizing him, Shen Jianjun greeted him warmly.

Zhang Haibo was related to Aunt Qi’s matchmaking introduction, Zhang Shengnan’s brother, and a childhood friend of Shen Siyuan.

"I returned yesterday. I ran into Grandma this morning, and she mentioned Si Yuan would be back today, so I came to see." Zhang Haibo explained.

While talking, his eyes frequently darted to the two women.

"He has some things to do and will return later. When he comes back, I’ll ask him to contact you; he should have your info, right?" Huang Huijuan said, stepping forward.

"I haven’t used my old contact for ages, but he has my sister’s contact." Zhang Haibo admitted awkwardly.

Although they were childhood friends, they ended up without even a contact method.

Really, it’s not surprising. After entering college, their contact dwindled, sparingly meeting up during New Year’s at first.

Yet since Zhang Haibo settled in Coconut City, he seldom returned for the holidays, so their connection naturally faded.

"I’ll let him know when he gets back." Shen Jianjun said.

"Thanks, Uncle. I won’t bother you all then." Zhang Haibo said.

He gave the two women another glance before turning away.

Logically, introductions to the women should follow, but he hesitated briefly – how to explain that both were Shen Siyuan’s girlfriends? Fiancées?