"That’s no trouble at all, Tongtong is my friend too."
In Shen Yutong’s stunned gaze, Zhou Wang first said this, then shrugged and laughed,
"It’s just that my driver is a bit of a recluse, having someone to chat with me is quite nice..."
Su Yajing and Shen Yutong couldn’t help but laugh, while Miao Ying lowered her head shyly.
Zhou Wang didn’t have much luggage, and Miao Ying only had a single shoulder bag from beginning to end. Zhou Wang had no interest in buying souvenirs; with the internet so advanced, there was nothing you couldn’t buy, carrying stuff around was just troublesome...
Accompanied by Su Man and Su Yajing, the group went outside, where Wu Lei was already waiting with a sightseeing car.
"Old Wu, I told you there’s no need to see me off, you’re too much..."
Seeing Wu Lei, Zhou Wang couldn’t help feeling a bit helpless.
Although Wu Lei knew that he was leaving today, he certainly didn’t know the exact time. Without a word, he was just like Lawyer Huang, likely waiting here for who knows how long, without letting them notice...
"Mr. Zhou, since you consider me a friend, and I, Old Wu, have nothing better to do, if I didn’t show up knowing you were leaving, what kind of person would I be?"
Wu Lei said with a laugh, then explained on behalf of Ruan Jingwei, "President Ruan asked me to tell you that a nursing group came to Qing Province, and he had to personally attend to them, so he couldn’t leave..."
"He mentioned it on WeChat, man, it’s all pointless courtesy, really unnecessary!"
Zhou Wang waved it off, speaking nonchalantly.
Interestingly enough, after spending just a day together, Zhou Wang had become more familiar with Wu Lei, while Wu Lei had become increasingly polite in return...
They got on the sightseeing car and first stopped at the Moon Viewing Inn to fetch Shen Yutong’s luggage, during which Zhou Wang also handed the inn’s property deed to her.
Dismissed Su Yajing and Su Man’s proposal to see them off at the ancient city gate, and after a scandalously passionate kiss with Su Yajing on the street, the sightseeing car carrying Zhou Wang and the others drove off.
Even until they reached the street corner, they could still see Su Yajing and Su Man standing there, in the slightly heated breeze, seeming to carry whispers of longing, weaving through the ancient city that had witnessed countless partings, only to fade away silently in a blink...
...
"Mr. Zhou, please, you must accept this. I, Old Wu, am a rough person; I really didn’t know what suitable gift to give you, but after thinking long and hard, this might be somewhat interesting. Please, Mr. Zhou, don’t dislike it..."
On the sightseeing car, Wu Lei spoke as he pulled a long box from under his feet, holding it with both hands as he offered it to Zhou Wang.
"This is..."
Zhou Wang took the wooden long box, feeling its considerable weight, and opened it, "A sword?"
"Yes, to be exact, a bronze sword. Our Naxi people have a long history of crafting bronze artifacts. I happen to know an elder, a master in this field. This is a bronze sword I commissioned him to replicate one-to-one from King Goujian’s Sword of the Yue Kingdom at the Hubei Museum, which took the master over three months to forge."
Wu Lei explained with a smile, "Though similar collectibles can be bought online now, most are mass-produced, and neither the material nor the texture can compare to this purely handcrafted piece..."
Listening to Wu Lei’s explanation, Zhou Wang tried to feel the chill of the short sword, finding himself a bit enamored with it.
Though he was past that age, boys were really hard to say no to gifts like this...
(Essential reference image)
Even if there was no practical use for it in modern society, and it could only be kept at home as a collector’s item, and this sword wasn’t sharpened, but placed appropriately, it looked way cooler than those regular ornaments...
From a value perspective, this bronze sword wasn’t extremely expensive; even with the craftsmanship consideration, it would probably sell for tens of thousands at most.
It was certainly pricier compared to the mass-produced versions that cost a few hundred bucks, but in the collection world, it might not even reach a beginner’s level.
Zhou Wang accepted the gift gladly, then expressed his thanks, "Old Wu, very thoughtful of you."
"As long as you’re satisfied, Mr. Zhou, the bottom line is, whatever you need in the future, just give me a shout." Wu Lei said with a smile.
"By the way, last night Brother Wei mentioned, that you’ve not only worked as a mercenary abroad but also fought in boxing matches?"
Zhou Wang recalled something, asking with keen interest.
"It’s not as exaggerated as President Ruan makes it sound."
Wu Lei quickly waved it off, "When I was younger, I got tricked into Southeast Asia. At that time there was no other way, so I had to fight for a living..."
"Then, with your experience, Old Wu, do those ’City Soldier King’ characters from novels actually exist in real life?"
Zhou Wang asked, stroking his chin, "Like those guys who can take down dozens by themselves?"
"Uh, Mr. Zhou, if you’re talking about barehanded situations, I’d say such people probably don’t exist, at least I’ve never seen them... Human endurance has limits. I’ve seen excellent special forces soldiers, taking on three or five without a problem, but even they can’t ensure they don’t get hurt, and any more, and their stamina would run out."
Wu Lei thought for a moment, then added, "Of course, it’s possible that my experience is limited. The world is so vast, there could be exceptions."
"I see..."
Zhou Wang felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this.
"Mr. Zhou, are you looking for a bodyguard?"
Wu Lei picked up on something and asked.
"I’m considering it."
Zhou Wang didn’t deny it.
The third action phase required Zhou Wang to recruit at least five qualified talents.