It seems he had heard this voice before.
If he had the chance to meet her again and talk, he would surely recognize her voice.
Once again, Wie Kie-hong's resolve wavered.
Should he really go to San-poa Alley to meet Miss Thiat-yan? He made a decision.
He had no reason to trust someone he didn't know.
Moreover, his father wanted this umbrella.
No matter what, he had to deliver it to Miss Thiat-yan, who was waiting for him.
Upon seeing him carrying the paper box containing the umbrella, she greeted him with joy.
"You found it!" Wie Kie-hong handed the umbrella box to Thiat-yan.
Thiat-yan accepted the paper box and took out the umbrella from within.
Then she opened the umbrella and carefully examined the handle.
It was as if there was a beautiful carving on the umbrella handle. Finally, she began to disassemble the umbrella handle.
In no time, the handle split into two parts.
The handle was made of bamboo.
Inside, it was hollow.
Thiat-yan used her pinky finger to probe inside the hole.
She managed to extract a scroll of paper.
She screamed with joy like a madwoman.
She immediately opened the scroll.
Then she quickly rolled it back up, as if afraid Wie Kie-hong would see the secret written on it.
Wie Kie-hong watched her every move.
He wanted to know what was going on, but he couldn't see the secret written on the scroll that Thiat-yan had read.
"No mistake...
this is indeed the umbrella...
this is indeed the umbrella..." "Miss Tiat! How do you know that this umbrella is the one my father wanted?" "Uncle Wie told me the secret of this umbrella." "But you didn't tell me."
Thiat-yan's eyes, which had been wide open, gradually became gentle.
Her words turned soft as well.
"Wie Kie-hong, you are a young man who greatly values your pride, which is why I didn't tell you everything that Uncle Wie had shared with me.
He was uncertain whether you could sever your ties with Tu Liong.
Therefore, many things couldn't be revealed to you for the time being."
"I will ask you once more.
Did my father truly say all of this to you?"
"Indeed.
I wouldn't lie to you."
"Very well.
As long as my father truly said all of this, I will respect it.
Now I am trying to avoid Tu Liong, but there is one thing I want to make clear.
If someday I find out that you are using my father's name to manipulate me, I won't let you off easily."
"Kie-hong, I don't blame you for saying this.
If the situation were reversed and I experienced it, I would feel the same as you.
Alright.
Now go home and do what you need to do."
"Do what?"
"Announce the sad news."
"Announce the sad news?"
"That's right."
"Is this also my father's order?"
"Indeed."
Wie Kie-hong listened to all these words and followed the instructions.
He immediately returned to Leng Taiya's residence and ordered preparations for a mourning ceremony.
0-0-0
According to rumors, after Tu Liong parted ways with Wie Kie-hong, he felt lost.
He didn't know what to do.
So he went to the Tian Jiao area and stayed at a small inn.
He only managed to rest for a while.
It wasn't long before it was time for dinner.
He then bought food to satisfy his hunger.
After that, he quickly returned to the ten small alleys of the luxurious residential complex where Leng Taiya lived.
He was always worried about Wie Kie-hong's situation.
He kept thinking about how Wie Kie-hong's meeting with Thiat-yan went.
From a distance, he saw a large banner with the words "condolences."
Tu Liong was immediately shocked.
This was beyond his expectations.
Wie Kie-hong had decided not to announce Leng Souw-hiang's death to the public for a while, so why did he suddenly change his mind?
He had to ask him immediately.
Tu Liong quickened his pace.
The people welcoming guests at the door immediately recognized him.
Someone immediately greeted him.
"Tu Siauya."
"Is Wie Siauya at home?"
"He is."
Tu Liong was a frequent visitor, so he automatically walked inside.
However, the servants blocked his way.
"Please stop, Tu Siauya."
"What's the matter?"
"Leng Taiya has passed away.
Wie Siauya is very saddened.
He has instructed us not to receive any guests for the time being."
"Oh... Can I be an exception?"
"Wie Siauya has instructed that he doesn't want to meet anyone."
"How about this.
You go inside and inform him of my arrival.
Let's see what Wie Siauya will say to you."
The person at the door seemed to ponder.
Finally, he sent someone to inform Tu Liong's arrival.
The person quickly left and soon returned.
He politely said, "Apologies, Tu Siauya, Wie Siauya is asleep, and I dare not wake him."
"In that case, let him sleep. I'll be back to see him tomorrow morning."
Tu Liong immediately turned around and walked out of the alley.
His mind began to spin; there must be a reason why Wie Kie-hong didn't want to see him.
After thinking for a long time, Tu Liong found that the issue was getting sharper, the situation more complicated.
The sky was getting darker.
At the mouth of the alley, two or three people were vaguely seen standing casually.
Tu Liong didn't pay much attention to them.
But when Tu Liong passed by them, suddenly these three people blocked his way.
Their faces were only faintly visible.
Tu Liong not only didn't feel worried, but on the contrary, he felt excited.
He had been harboring resentment in his heart for a long time.
This was an opportunity to let it out.
His hands immediately clenched into fists.
He waited for someone to attack him.
"Are you the gentleman with the surname Tu who is always beside Cu Taiya?" One of them greeted him.
"That's right."
"Someone wants to meet you.
Would you please come with us to meet him?" the person spoke politely.
Tu Liong was ready for a fight; in fact, he was hoping for one.
He didn't expect it to turn out like this.
He had to loosen his clenched hands and lazily asked, "Who is it?"
"Mr. Wie."
"Which Mr. Wie?" Tu Liong's hands clenched again.
"Mr. Wie named Wie Ceng, the father of your good friend."
"Where is he?"
"Please come with us, and you will soon find out."
Sending four tall and large men to look for him seemed like a bad sign.
Tu Liong didn't ask any further.
He also didn't want to think too much.
Wie Ceng would show up.
This was very good news that made him happy.
Not far ahead, a carriage was waiting for him.
The five of them entered the carriage.
When getting into the carriage, Tu Liong became wary.
From the positions of everyone, he clearly saw that the four people in front of him intended to prevent him from escaping.
Even though Tu Liong felt this way, he didn't say what he was thinking.
The carriage began to move towards the western city.
Soon, it stopped in front of an alley.
After getting off the carriage, the four large men lined up, two in front, two behind him.
He was escorted into a house consisting of four buildings.
The two guards at the back didn't enter the house.
They waited at the entrance.
The two in front invited him in politely.
Tu Liong sat cross-legged in front of a low table.
The two large guards waited outside the door.
At this time, an old man about fifty years old brought a cup of hot tea.
After pouring the tea nicely, he left again.
He didn't say anything.
He also didn't show any emotion.
Tu Liong waited patiently, and the two guards accompanied him patiently.
Time crawled by very slowly.
Tu Liong changed his sitting position several times due to pins and needles.
He waited until the hot tea poured was cool enough to drink.
Finally, his patience ran out, and he stood up and walked out to ask, "Excuse me, where is Mr. Wie?"
"Coming soon," the guard standing outside replied very briefly.
Tu Liong felt a bit annoyed.
"Coming soon"—what does that mean? Doesn't he live here?"
"Mr. Wie doesn't have a house in Pakhia City."
---
**
Glossary of Terms:**
1. **Wie Kie-hong**: A character in the story, likely the protagonist.
2. **Thiat-yan**: A female character who interacts with Wie Kie-hong.
3. **Tu Liong**: Another character who seems to have a connection with both Wie Kie-hong and Thiat-yan.
4. **Cu Taiya**: A person associated with Tu Liong, possibly a mentor or superior.
5. **Leng Taiya**: A deceased character whose passing is central to the plot.
6. **Wie Ceng**: Introduced as the father of Wie Kie-hong’s good friend, possibly a figure of authority or influence.