Trafford's Trading Club

What the prisoners expected most was not the day when the canteen held a feast, or the occasional activities in the prison, nor the day when they were exempted from work.

They looked forward to ”Visiting hours” the most.

The day they could meet their families and friends.

”Cheng Youmin, Li Sicheng, Wang Wei, Zeng Jinfu…”

The prisoners would stand up when the jailer called their names one by one. Some would go into the meeting room with sweet smiles. Some went out of the room in melancholy. And some would sit there waiting in helplessness.

Certainly, there was a man who was never called… as no one came to meet him.

The man was about 60 years old with short straight hair. His hair was half-black and half-white. He might be younger than his real age. After all, the life in jail was not comfortable so he looked old.

But Zhou Xiaokun knew that the old man sitting beside him by the field was 57 years old today... because today was this old manʼs birthday.

”Hey, bro, make a wish. Today is your birthday but there is no cake. This is an egg provided by canteen. Just take it.”

Zhou Xiaokun was sent to the prison for escaping from drunk driving. It was not very long since he came into this jail. However, this old man had already been here since Zhou Xiaokun came.

He was accused of murder.

Zhou Xiaokun didnʼt ask anymore. Everyone had a past. It was impolite to inquire about othersʼ stories. Unless he was willing to tell him.

So Zhou Xiaokun only knew that the old man named Feng Guichun, a northerner. His wife died while giving birth. He had a daughter.

But his daughter never visited him—at least, his daughter hadnʼt come in the past one year.

”Little Zhou.” The old man…Feng Guichun was looking at the red egg in Zhou Xiaokunʼs hands and smiled, ”You are very thoughtful.”

”Not at all. Thank you for your kind help when I came here at the beginning.” Zhou Xiaokun said with a smile.

”I have my reasons, you know.” Feng Guichun sighed and looked at Zhou Xiaokun. ”Have you seen…your brother?”

”Yes, he left just now.” Zhou Xiaokun nodded and sighed, ”Sorry, bro, my brother said he didnʼt find your daughter.”

Feng Guichun shook his head and tapped his thigh. ”Never mind, I expected it. It has been many years. People here came and went. I have resorted to many people… and have gotten used to this situation.”

Seeing the old man getting hopeless, Zhou Xiaokun continued, ”Donʼt worry, my brother said he had gotten some information about your daughter, but he just didnʼt find her.”

”Really?” Feng Guichun got excited. His senile eyes havenʼt been so bright for many years.

Zhou Xiaokun nodded and added, ”Of course, my brother got it accidentally. She was adopted by the orphanage since you were arrested.”

”I know this.” Feng Guichun nodded his head, ”People from that orphanage would always come to see me at the beginning. They told me about her recent life. But later, she was adopted by others… about eight years ago. I heard that they went aboard and then there was no news at all. ”

”It seemed that they had come back.” Zhou Xiaokun clapped his shoulder, ”And furthermore, your daughter is going to be married.”

”Is she?” Feng Guichun held Zhou Xiaokunʼs hands at once, ”Are you kidding me?”

Zhou Xiaokun saw his tearful eyes. He had never seen this old man get so excited.

Nothing could be more exciting than that a father hearing that his daughter was getting married.

”It should be real.” Zhou Xiaokun clapped the old manʼs hands, too. ”Congratulations, bro!”

”Same to you…” But Feng Guichun got upset with lowering his head.

”Bro?” Zhou Xiaokun was confused and asked, ”Arenʼt… you happy?”

”I am happy.” Feng Guichun smiled rigidly. He sighed and touched his leg, ”How could I be unhappy… Thank you so much, Little Zhou. Itʼs windy. I am a little unwell. I will go back now.”

”Hey…” Zhou Xiaokun didnʼt know what to say while watching his back.

Itʼs a big joyous occasion to see daughter getting married. But he… couldnʼt see it.

What could he do even if he knew?

His daughter, however, never thought of seeing him.

The egg was still in Zhou Xiaokunʼs hands. He thought that this gift would only make the old man much sadder.

Zhou Xiaokun sighed. He did not intend to eat the egg. Placing it on the bench, he walked back too.

…

Later, the egg was picked up by someone… the clubʼs owner.

Luo Qiu sat on the bench watching the playground in the rain. Rainwater was flowing slowly on the field.

The scene differed a lot between the prison and outside world.

”Master, whatʼs your opinion?”

Seeing Luo Qiu sitting here without a word, Miss. Maid could keep silent. But Tai Yinzi couldnʼt. So he proceeded to ask just now.

”What do you mean?” Luo Qiu asked Tai Yinzi while watching him.

”I mean…Feng Guichun.” Tai Yinzi answered in a hushed reverent voice, ”You see, he was eager to see his daughter! So I guess he will do everything to achieve that! Especially when he heard what Zhou Xiaokun said just now, he must be more eager.”

Luo Qiu was watching Tai Yinzi with a faint smile on his face. Tai Yinzi added, ”In addition, it is so easy to let his daughter meet him. She can come here by taxi if I possessed her body. Master, the deal is worth it.”

Tai Yinzi got a little anxious seeing no response from Luo Qiu, his eyes twinkled and went on to say, ”Master, you see, Feng Guichun is willing to give everything for a chance to see his daughter. Once he sees her, he should be very touched and will weep. There will be no regrets for him then. So his soul will be of high quality.”

Luo Qiu still said nothing. Tai Yinzi felt a little flurried.

Perhaps he said something wrong? No… according to his observation these days, Master should have some interest in this.

Also, He heard the topic about soul quality through the conversations between Master and Miss. Maid sometimes.

So, what was wrong here?

Luo Qiuʼs silence made him feel worried.

”Master?”

Luo Qiu put the egg back and stood up, ”Tai Yinzi, you finally found a decent customer this time.”

”Thanks to your blessing.”

Luo Qiu smiled lightly and then disappeared in front of Tai Yinzi…

Tai Yinzi was stunned. He looked at Miss. Maid who was going to follow Luo Qiu next. Tai Yinzi asked, ”Miss. You Ye, What… did master mean? It is hard to guess.”

”Donʼt you hear master said the customer was good?” Miss. Maid said in a peaceful voice, ”Can you understand?”

”Oh… I got it!” He shivered, ”Iʼll get to work now, working hard!”

Miss. Maid disappeared in the rain.

…

…

This was a medical institution which cooperated with the police. Criminals and suspects would be sent here for treatment.

The window was furnished with guardrails to prevent criminals escaping.

The young policeman and another policewoman sent Zhao Ru here. Seeing Zhao Ru lying on the bed unconscious. Young police asked the doctor, ”Doctor, how is she?”

”Eh, there are many possible conditions. We will do a blood draw later to see details.” The doctor withdrew the stethoscope and continued to say, ”The girlʼs condition is pretty stable, she will wake up soon later.”

”Thatʼs fine.” The young nodded and told the policewoman, ”I will go through the admission procedure with the doctor. You keep watching out her here.”

Then, he handcuffed Zhao Ruʼs hand to the bedrail and said seriously, ”In case she escapes, be careful.”

”Got it.” The policewoman nodded, ”Lin Feng, leave it to me.”

The young policeman… Lin Feng walked with doctor away.

The policewoman checked all the windows in this ward, as well as the washing room. After that, she locked the door and read the newspaper while sitting down.

But she didnʼt know why she became sleepy and even couldnʼt open her eyes.

She closed her eyes slowly, and then went into sleep with head down.

At the same time, the door was unlocked and opened by someone.

His leather shoes knocked on the floor and made noises. A man came in. He sat beside the bed after pulling a chair with him.

The man took off his glasses and rubbed it with his handkerchief.

After wiping, he wore the glasses again. The man picked up Zhao Ruʼs necklace after watching her for a while.

The crystal of Black Water now flashed in the manʼs hands.

He whispered, ”Itʼs really ugly… but itʼs not enough.”

The man lowered his head to get close to Zhao Ru. He was saying something to her gently.