Before dinner, Zhou Jiao finished sorting her notes and, carrying Cheng Ruzhu’s letter, went to Professor Wei’s room. She explained everything thoroughly to him and Counselor Wu, leaving a contact number, and finally managed to get some free time.

Of course, for the safety of this student, there were naturally some detailed conditions, and Zhou Jiao had ways to handle them as long as she could leave this place.

So troublesome, ultimately she is a student under the management of professors, and it cannot be questioned. After thanking the teachers, Zhou Jiao, carrying her army bag, had Qiao Na relay a message for her, and stealthily left avoiding Yi Jiefang.

No choice! This guy is one of two people who could guess that Cheng Ruzhu returned to Beijing. If he caught her, he would surely shout loudly, possibly being overheard, and she wouldn’t be able to leave.

Now, well... at most, he would worry and come to the business bureau’s guesthouse to find her. Well, let him come; she didn’t deceive him, she really stayed there overnight, and as for the reasons, some people have too many thoughts, she doesn’t care, she wants peace!

Passing by the post office, Zhou Jiao quickly walked in. By now, her family should have heard about the special agents being shot, it’s better to be honest than risk her dad calling the professor and accidentally revealing something.

As soon as the call connected, Zhou Xiaozheng’s voice came through: "Have you left the area yet?"

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao knew her dad might be waiting for her call: "Dad, how did you know it’s me? I’m fine, very safe. I’m at the post office now, my aunt left something at her guesthouse, I still have to pick it up and will stay there overnight. Here, four people in one room is inconvenient."

"These issues are minor, Dad will call your professors. Can you ensure safety? Before confirming that the other side has no associates watching, I don’t support your staying outside alone."

"Dad, there are several of us, who would specifically watch me, and besides, I’m your daughter, not someone easy to deal with!"

"Indeed you’re impressive! Fighting knife-wielding thugs empty-handed, shooting them yourself. Got cocky now? Zhou Jiao, Dad warns you, your life is more precious than anyone’s! If you get hurt, watch how I deal with you!"

Zhou Jiao stuck out her tongue: "Dad, the rumors are exaggerated. Da Yi was beside me, and there were many classmates at the scene. I cherish my life."

On the other end, Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled lightly: "You little girl... from now on, stay calm in situations, if you notice anything amiss, counter quickly and don’t give the opponent a chance."

"Alright, your daughter is smart."

"Don’t get cocky. If something happens again, there won’t be another chance for you to go out, understand? The things given to you are not just decor, reflect during your free time on where this instance went wrong. Imagine if the opponent moved openly and secretly, was your indecision giving them the advantage?"

Listening to her dad’s advice, Zhou Jiao gazed out blankly. He’s been talking so long, what’s starting again? He won’t be going through menopause, right?

Thinking of this, Zhou Jiao shuddered and shook herself.

"Dad, I’ve already reflected, won’t happen again."

"Hmm, hanging up now. I have to leave work too."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao sighed in relief, touched her forehead for nonexistent cold sweat. This matter has finally passed the first hurdle; had she known the opponent’s identity sooner, there wouldn’t have been a chance for them.

There’s also Xiao Wu, how should she assure him? Forget it, one day at a time. Even if returning to Beijing immediately, the major task must be done first.

At the business bureau guesthouse, Zhou Jiao presented her documents and letter to the receptionist, sure enough, there was a big package. She knew Cheng Ruzhu worried she would starve.

After picking up the items, Zhou Jiao slapped the introduction letter her dad prepared for her on the counter, registering for a single room. This time, she must have a good rest and some peace.

After registering, she followed the receptionist, watched her unlock the door and leave, but Zhou Jiao didn’t bother first checking what Cheng Ruzhu left for her, instead, she carried the kettle to fetch water, planning to take a bath first.

These past days nestled in the wild, her head might already have lice, and her body fleas. Busy day in and day out, now with free time, she’s itching everywhere!

Over at the guesthouse, Yi Jiefang slept in until dark, missing dinner, muddled without noticing much, until the next morning’s breakfast when Qiao Na mentioned Zhou Jiao went to her aunt’s guesthouse last night, he was startled.

Luckily, he wasn’t completely foolish, nonchalant, he slipped to the counselor’s to listen and learned Cheng Ruzhu personally called last night, his confusion eased.

Unaware of all this, Zhou Jiao was curious why Yi Jiefang hadn’t desperately rushed over. She even casually inquired about nearby cinemas from the reception lady.

After a refreshing bath, Zhou Jiao left the guesthouse, seeing it was still early, she took a bus away from the vicinity, chose a large state-run restaurant for a hearty dinner, leisurely carrying a net bag with leftover food in an enamel bowl, swaying towards a nearby cinema, spent a dime for entry.

Black and white images, stuffy air, over half an hour passed, the film plot entered a tense phase. She retreated to the restroom from the back door, inside she changed outfits and afterwards strode out boldly.

Since last time’s incident in Jiang City, Zhou Jiao has repeatedly rehearsed for this operation. Just half an hour in the cinema, she further scrutinized post-event concerns.

After circling around, repeatedly confirming no intentional followers, Zhou Jiao disguised once more as a middle-aged woman heading to the third secret point.

According to Gu Mingzhu’s will, this was a Qing Dynasty-era manor. Whose home it belonged to? Not mentioned, but Zhou Jiao guessed it was the Gu Family estate.

After political changes and wars, this manor long lost its property records, a naturally ownerless house likely occupied. Now she wanted to first explore its depths, considering what action to take next.

After alighting at West Gate, she followed her grandmother Gu Mingzhu’s address to the location. Easy to find, now turned into an institutional office site.

With the local dialect, Zhou Jiao easily communicated with elderly women nearby. Through chatting, she pieced together some inside information.

This courtyard once belonged to a Qing Dynasty merchant, changing hands from officials to warlords, half-destroyed by bombing, then post-liberation became ownerless, and was reclaimed for institutional office use.

This correlated closely with Zhou Jiao’s expectations. After understanding, she searched for the well. Yes, the well. Legend says behind the well stood two adjacent crooked thousand-year-old trees, with the mechanism beneath them.

Typically, this well should be located in the manor’s rear courtyard. Now without courtyard walls, the manor was repeatedly divided into several parts.

Zhou Jiao, after much effort, found the two worn trees capable of narrating history, while the original well seemed filled, instead a public toilet emerged.

Thinking of the secret room beneath the toilet, she felt uneasy. But as her father said, future changes over the years, exposing or never finding it again.

This operation had truly become imperative!