Xu Chengyan didn't know that he had successfully attracted the attention of the newspaper editor-in-chief because of his teacher Yoshinoemon.

He went to work at the newspaper office as usual in the afternoon. With the help of Bai Sinan, he became familiar with the work. He quickly figured out the work process and started working.

After work in the evening, he returned to his home, sorted out the press documents he brought back, and wrote the manuscript as required. However, the furnishings in his home were very simple, except for a bed, a square table, and a few chairs.

This old square table is not only low, but also has uneven tops. The chair is tall, but the seat surface is narrow. It's okay to sit on it for a while, but after sitting for a long time, it makes me bend over and have a very uncomfortable posture.

Xu Chengyan didn't write for long before he put down the pen in his hand, looked up at the old light bulb emitting dim light above his head, and couldn't help but shake his head, feeling helpless.

The next day was Sunday. According to the requirements of the newspaper, he did not have to go to work. In addition, the reporter's work had relatively large leeway in terms of time arrangement. In addition to interviewing, it was writing articles. As long as the work was completed and it did not affect publication,

At other times, the newspaper office is not required to be on duty around the clock, and you can make your own arrangements.

So Xu Chengyan did not go to the newspaper office today. After breakfast, he went to a nearby furniture store and took a fancy to a set of desks and chairs, but did not buy them directly. This rental house belongs to the landlord Master Chen. If you want

When replacing furniture, you need to inform the landlord.

He walked all the way to the door of his house, turned around and entered the tailor shop opposite. He opened the curtain and saw Master Chen talking to two customers.

Seeing that it was Xu Chengyan, Master Chen waved his hand as a greeting, turned around and continued to sell to the customers beside him: "Sir, the suits I have here are all carefully sewn, with high-quality materials and new styles. Wear them."

You have dignity wherever you go, it’s only 140 yuan. If you go to the store in the east gate to buy it, it will cost you at least 200 yuan, and the craftsmanship is not as good as mine!”

Xu Chengyan saw that he was trying hard to attract business, so he didn't come forward. He sat down on a chair nearby and waited quietly.

The business of the tailor shop was good today. The two customers were looking left and right, looking very interested, obviously intending to buy. Master Chen was very happy and followed behind him, making introductions and thinking about making this.

door business.

However, after working for a long time, the two customers refused to buy any. They were still picking and choosing among the clothes on display, looking at them very carefully.

Forget it, the one who buys the goods is the one who dislikes the goods! Master Chen was no longer anxious and turned around to greet Xu Chengyan.

"Mr. Xu, I was just looking for you, but you came here first. How about it? It's time to pay the rent in the next two days. Do you still have enough money?"

Master Chen is not as easy to talk to as his wife, and he has to pay every penny for rent. As soon as the day comes, he thinks about collecting rent. However, Mr. Xu has never found a job, and he looks gentle and amiable, so he only waited for two days.

, it just happened to be delivered to my door today, so I asked for rent by the way.

Xu Chengyan took out two banknotes from his pocket and said with a smile: "Thanks to your good advice, Master Chen, I just found a job in the past two days and got an advance on my salary. No, I will send it to you as soon as I get the money."

"

"You have figured it out, let me tell you, the world is big and the most important thing to eat is that you have to make a living first."

Master Chen took the banknote and quickly put it into his pocket. He kept mumbling that he had long suspected that the tenant did not have a stable job and was afraid that he would not be able to pay the rent. At this time, he finally felt relieved and finally remembered

Asked: "Where did you go to get high?"

"I went to a newspaper and asked for a position as a reporter!" Xu Chengyan replied politely, but did not specify which newspaper it was. The reputation of Xinmin Newspaper was so bad that all the Chinese who worked here were called "traitors" behind their backs.

, he was stabbed in the spine when word got out.

"Ouch!" Master Chen's eyes shone, "Journalist has a good job, the salary is high and decent, and he is a scholar after all. In the future, you can also write an article for me to promote this small shop, and I will pay you less for a month.

rent.”

Listening to Master Chen's nonsensical nonsense, Xu Chengyan could only smile awkwardly, but could not refuse directly.

On the other hand, a customer next to him couldn't help but chuckle, pointed at Master Chen, and joked: "It's even advertised in the newspaper. It's just your rent, and it won't be enough even if you charge it several times. Don't make it difficult for your tenants."

Master Chen's face suddenly became a little confused. He didn't know that those who could advertise in newspapers were those big shops and big businesses. He was just trying to take advantage, but was exposed. He was about to refute, but was

Xu Chengyan stopped him and said haha: "There is a chance, there is a chance!"

Another customer also looked over. He had a strong build, a high nose bridge, and narrow eyes, which looked sharp. He looked at Xu Chengyan for a moment, and then glared at his companion. The companion immediately reacted and quickly turned around and walked away.

Talk again.

At this time, Xu Chengyan also saw the two customers clearly, then smiled slightly and said harmoniously: "Master Chen, I just came to discuss with you today. The furniture in my house is too old, especially the tables and chairs.

It’s not convenient for me to write manuscripts every day, so I want to change my style..."

Before he finished speaking, Master Chen waved his hands, shook his head and said, "Mr. Xu, you are being unkind. How much rent did I charge you this month? I thought you were a scholar, so I even reduced it a lot.

Now if I want to replace another set of tables and chairs, how much will it cost me to put them in? This is not okay!"

According to the general rules of renting a house, the landlord must prepare the basic facilities needed for the tenant's life. Beds, tables and chairs are all necessary. If they need to be replaced, the landlord must pay for them. Of course, they are ordinary furniture.

Xu Chengyan quickly explained: "Master Chen, I didn't make it clear. I paid for this set of desks and chairs myself, and I will never let you spend a single copper. If I leave in the future, I will keep this set of desks and chairs for you.

What do you think?"

"Oh, that's it!" Master Chen immediately softened his tone, "Of course it's good. No wonder it's different after reading a book. You're so considerate in your work. Just change it. I'll help you later."

His face became quick and his words became rounder, which made the two customers on the side chuckle. The customer who had been silent no longer hesitated, took out the banknotes from his pocket, and said to Master Chen: "Take the money just now."

Put on this suit you tried on!"

"Okay, okay, please wait a moment!" Master Chen smiled happily when he saw that the customer finally bought the clothes. He hurriedly collected the money, packed the suits neatly, and handed them to the customer.

After sending the two customers out, Master Chen turned back and complained to Xu Chengyan: "These foreigners are really troublesome. It's not too much trouble to try on all the clothes in the shop when buying a suit."

Xu Chengyan also heard clearly that of these two customers, the first one had a Northeastern accent and the other one sounded like a Peking accent. They were both foreigners.

During this period, Shanxi had no war for many years and was developing rapidly. It was the most wealthy province in China. Shanxi people also held a group, so they somewhat looked down on outsiders and had a strong psychological advantage. The same was true for Master Chen, who secretly told Xu Cheng that

I complained, but the money in my hand was tightly clenched.

Xu Chengyan smiled slightly and said, "Foreigners are more troublesome. By the way, Master Chen, how long have these two people been in your shop? Didn't you ask anything else?"

"Something else?" Master Chen was stunned for a moment, then realized what he was saying. He heard from his wife that gangsters from the north of the city were asking about Mr. Xu's affairs two days ago. He must have been frightened by these things.

He just collected Xu Chengyan's rent today and got a set of tables and chairs for nothing. He was naturally interested in Xu Chengyan's matter. He was really afraid of scaring the tenant, so he quickly comforted him: "Don't worry, these two people will look at their clothes when they enter the door.

I didn’t ask anything. It has nothing to do with you. Mr. Xu, just keep it in your heart. If someone really has no eyesight and causes trouble for you, I’ll say hello to my brother and put him in jail for a few days.

, just live in peace and quiet."

Although Master Chen loves money, he is still particular about what he does.

Xu Chengyan saw Master Chen's natural expression and nodded slightly. Ordinary people would show some signs of lying if they wanted to, but he saw nothing from Master Chen's face and knew that he was telling the truth.

So Xu Chengyan didn't say anything more. He bowed his hands to Master Chen, stood up and said goodbye. He left the tailor shop and looked at the direction in which the two customers were leaving, with a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

There is no other reason, because he has already recognized that the leading customer is an important person on the elimination list, Ma Weide, the chief of the investigation section of Taiyuan Xinmin Association.

The New People's Association was a peripheral force specially developed by the Japanese. It had a wide distribution and many members. It cooperated with the Japanese to do all kinds of bad things.

Among them, the Investigation Section caused the most harm. Ma Weide, the chief of the Investigation Section, was a member of the advance team transferred from the Northeast. He was an out-and-out hardcore traitor. He was very trusted by the Japanese. He was also shrewd and cunning as a fox. He once arrested

He had passed many anti-Japanese comrades, and many agents at the Taiyuan Intelligence Station were arrested by him. Therefore, Mavid was also one of the targets that the Taiyuan Station wanted to get rid of after Masao Yoshioka.

Xu Chengyan had seen Mavid's photo in the investigation materials and knew a lot about him. He had also thought about naming this person as his next assassination target, but he had not decided yet. Today he met him at the door of his home.

But why did Mavid appear here? Xu Chengyan was secretly surprised!

Could it be because of him? If so, could it be because of Lu Mingzhi? Could it be that the whole matter has not been dealt with completely? What went wrong? Deng Hui and Yan Gaoyi did not escape,

Or was he arrested? Or is there a recurrence of Liu Houhou's case? It's even possible that Tao Sibao is talking nonsense outside?

Xu Chengyan was thinking quickly, guessing various possibilities, but he couldn't be sure.

Of course, there is another possibility that this encounter is really a coincidence, but this possibility is too small. How can a person like Mavid buy clothes that cost more than 100 yuan? It is only the cost of a meal for him.

, are all more expensive than this dress.
Chapter completed!