Seeing him, Tu Liong immediately said, "I knew you would come. There's something I want to show you." It turned out to be a yellow suitcase. The suitcase was already open. Inside, it was empty.
"This...?" Wie Kie-hong did not expect to see the item here.
"This is the suitcase that Bu Tiat-cui was supposed to give you earlier." "Really?" "Why would I lie to you? The person who snatched the suitcase and left immediately, and the person who mistook you for someone else, both of them were people I instructed to do so." "The item inside the suitcase?" "The suitcase was empty from the beginning," Tu Liong said coldly.
Wie Kie-hong had no reason not to trust his Tu Toako, whom he had admired all this time. However, he also had no reason not to trust his adoptive father, Leng Souw-hiang....
Seeing his suspicion, Tu Liong said, "In the hearts of the older generation, there must be a secret that cannot be told to others. Take Cu Taiya, for example, he is a master whom I greatly admire. But from the beginning, he has made it clear, if I enjoy playing guessing games and solving mysteries, I may continue to play, but I must not ask him anything.... Kie-hong, that's why I told you earlier that the order from Leng Taiya Souw-hiang to take the suitcase might also be a trap." Wie Kie-hong only shook his head. He was truly confused.
"If I hadn't snatched this suitcase into my hands, what would you have done? You would have taken the train to the north of Tai-ouw and followed your adoptive father's orders to throw this suitcase into the sea. By doing so, the puzzle of this suitcase would be lost forever."
"Tu Toako, but earlier you forbade me to go to the train station...." "The goal wasn't much different. I intended to take this suitcase into my hands. You wouldn't break your promise to your adoptive father. I don't doubt this at all...." "No, Tu Toako, this isn't the right thing to do...." "Kie-hong... you are truly a real man. As a real man, don't you want to know the truth of the matter?" "But...." "Now let's look at it from another perspective. If, for instance, Bu Tiat-cui had already swapped this suitcase with another, and then you just threw it into the sea and felt that you had completed the task, Leng Taiya would also think that you had completed the task and would live peacefully for the rest of his life. But what is the real story?"
Tu Liong's explanation sounded very firm, yet very reasonable. Wie Kie-hong was lost for words. In his heart, he continued to admire Tu Liong's ability to draw conclusions. However, no matter what, he felt worried inside.
"I've made an appointment with Master Tan. Later, we'll both go visit him. Even though his ears have been cut off by Thiat-yan, that won't stop him from talking." "Are you referring to Master Tan as Tan Po-hai?" "Yes." "What does Tu Toako want to ask him?" "Regarding the incident when five elders intervened and injured Tiat Liong-san. For this one thing, Cu Taiya has admitted it to me himself. But I still feel that this matter is not as simple as I imagined. If it were simple, where is the thrill in solving a mystery?" "If you're only thinking about having fun solving a mystery, I won't entertain you any longer." "Eh?" Tu Liong was very surprised to hear these words. He looked at Wie Kie-hong. In his mind, he thought, until now, Wie Kie-hong had been very obedient.
"Tu Toako, this isn't a game. This is a matter of life and death. Now the matter is right in front of us. Two people have died, and three have been injured. According to Cu Taiya, he hasn't been killed because Thiat-yan is looking for something. If so, eventually, someone will surely die or be injured again. Tu Toako, the responsibility we carry is very great." "Kie-hong...." Tu Liong patted Wie Kie-hong's shoulder and said, "I really didn't expect you to speak so seriously.... rest assured, I'm not playing a game. At least I also have a responsibility to protect Cu Taiya from being injured. Don't forget we're both hunting. What we're hunting isn't Thiat-yan or any person, but we're hunting for the real event. Among those five people, only one truly knows what happened."
0-0-0
Kasih Sayang Thiat-yan sat with her face resting on her hand. It was clear she was troubled by a problem. A middle-aged coachman, neatly dressed, who had driven her to the Leng family's residence, stood in front of her. His face also looked unpleasant, but the difference was that he appeared a bit worried. Both of them were silent for a long time. The situation felt very awkward.
"Miss?" finally, the middle-aged man began to speak, "are you angry with me? Are you blaming me for speaking wrongly earlier?" "Uncle Boh..." Thiat-yan continued to rest her face on her hand, but her voice sounded gentle, "you're older than me, how could I dare to be angry at you? I just feel that you don't understand my heart."
"Miss, ever since your father passed away, you've always called me uncle. Of course, I must do everything I can to protect you from any danger. When you're careless, I will also immediately respond and alert you. Now you're troubled, I must say something. You let Wie Kie-hong go earlier, that was a reckless action. Truly unreasonable." "Didn't I already tell you? Uncle Boh doesn't understand my heart." "Miss, we are currently near the capital, just like being inside a tiger's den. We must not act recklessly." "Then you've misunderstood even more. Do you think I have special feelings for Wie Kie-hong? Impossible... absolutely impossible. My heart has long been cold... based on my nature, I wouldn't fall in love with a man at first sight."
"Then I don't know what else is troubling you like this." "Regarding Wie Kie-hong's biological father named Wie Ceng, you know his condition very well. When his father was still alive, you also called him a tough man." "That's right. Wie Ceng can be called a tough man. But he isn't good enough to be a real man. Miss, he is a tough but careless man, or a tough but foolish man." "Uncle Boh saying this, do you think it's fair to him?" "Miss, I, Boh Tan-ping, have never had dealings or enmity with Wie Ceng. Why would I speak ill of him? Someone like that is foolish enough to become Leng Souw-hiang's errand boy. If not a tough but careless man or a tough but foolish man, what title would be more appropriate for him?" "I must refute your last statement. Wie Ceng came from a family of robbers. He left a life of robbery and murder. He fled to Leng Taiya's place and became a bodyguard. Becoming a trusted bodyguard is a very difficult achievement. What could he do? Leng Souw-hiang is a trusted person of the Su-cen king. Moreover, the word 'Criminal' isn't engraved on his forehead. It feels right to serve him." "Ah, Miss, I can no longer advise you." "We're not debating, but trying to clarify this matter until it's clear. If you speak like that, I don't dare to continue." "Alright!" Boh Tan-ping again tried to compromise with Thiat-yan. He clearly showed much affection for her.
"I'm listening." "According to the news, I heard that Leng Souw-hiang has tried several times to find a match for Wie Kie-hong to marry. But he always rejected it. The reason is... before knowing the cause of his father's death, he will never marry and have a family. From there, it can be seen he is a child who knows gratitude." "Mmmm, on this one, I agree with Miss's opinion." "At the same time, it can also be seen that in Wie Kie-hong's heart, he values his biological father who gave birth to him more than the adoptive father who raised and educated him until now." Boh Tan-ping said nothing. It seemed he doubted his own words.
"Uncle Boh, from here we can conclude, Wie Kie-hong should comply with his adoptive father's wishes and get married soon. But he rejected Leng Souw-hiang's request, and because of his rejection, it must have made Leng Souw-hiang somewhat unhappy. Wie Kie-hong is smart; did he not think this far? It seems impossible." "Mmmm..." Boh Tan-ping only nodded his head.
**
Glossary of Terms:**
- **Tu Toako**: An elder or senior person, often a term of respect for someone who is older or more experienced.
- **Leng Souw-hiang**: Likely a character's name, possibly a senior or master figure in the story.
- **Cu Taiya**: Likely a character's name in the story.
- **Bu Tiat-cui**: Likely a character's name in the story.
- **Tai-ouw**: A place or region in the story.
- **Kasih Sayang Thiat-yan**: Likely a character's name, "Kasih Sayang" means "affection" in Indonesian, suggesting the character may have a caring nature.
- **Thiat-yan**: Likely a character's name, possibly a martial arts expert given the context.
- **Boh Tan-ping**: Likely a character's name in the story.
- **Wie Ceng**: Likely a character's name, possibly related to Wie Kie-hong.
- **Su-cen**: Likely a title or name related to royalty or a ruling class in the story.