The few strangers who had momentarily appeared in the lively streets swiftly blended into the bustling crowd and disappeared. Despite their presence, it seemed that only Qiao Wen noticed their fleeting existence, while the rest of the oblivious neighborhood remained wholly consumed by the festive spirit enveloping the air.

Following the resounding conclusion of the gongs and drums, Chen Jianan, took off his lion head, sweat glistening on his forehead as he briskly tossed the lion prop and a stack of red packets to Haozi. Before eagerly making his way through the lively crowd, he soon reached Qiao Wen’s side with a grin. He proudly displayed the stack of remaining red packets he had collected. “Quite the fruitful collection, right?” he inquired with a hint of playful pride. 

Clad in his yellow lion dance attire, with a cozy cardigan draped over his shoulders and the fluffy bloomers completing his ensemble, he looked like a whimsical figure who had magically transitioned from a spirited lion into a cheerful human.

Qiao Wen raised his thumb: “Impressive.”

In fact, their tradition of seeking red envelopes was only for good luck. Although the red packets contained only small denominations like fifty cents or a yuan, the act of receiving them symbolized a gesture of goodwill and fortune, far surpassing the material value. Even as the total amount in the stack added up to only a modest sum, the collective joy and auspiciousness it signified were immeasurable. 

In the past, Chen Jianan would take the red envelopes back home and pool them together to buy delicious food, but now with his financial source, he no longer needed to buckle and search like before. After exhibiting his colorful prizes to Qiao Wen, he beckoned to the children who were playing with firecrackers on the street and sent the envelope all out to them.

Qiao Wen, noticing the sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead, “It’s best to head upstairs to freshen up and dry off to prevent catching a cold.” 

Chen Jianan said nonchalantly: “How can I catch a cold that easily.” Despite his words, he acquiesced and followed Qiao Wen upstairs.

Once inside Qiao Wen’s home, Chen Jianan used cold water to wipe away the sweat on his face, took off his furry pants, leaving only his underpants, and reclined on the sofa with his legs comfortably splayed out, with a contented sigh.

Having participated in the morning lion dance, the physical exertion left Chen Jianan feeling utterly drained, to the extent that even his resilient body seemed unwilling to budge.

Seeing Chen Jianan’s lackadaisical posture, Qiao Wen fetched a glass of water and placed it within his reach on the coffee table, before settling beside him, he inquired casually “Brother Nan, have you heard anyone planning to visit the Walled City recently” 

Chen Jianan, leaning forward and taking a long swig of water, pondered for a moment before sniffing uncertainly, “Who?”

Qiao Wen said: “Is there anyone with a special identity coming to the city, such as gangsters, or illegal immigrants?”

“I haven’t heard of any such arrivals.” Chen Jianan shook his head, “After all, why would anyone leave their home to visit the Walled City during Chinese New Year? Why are you asking this?” 

Recalling the unfamiliar faces he had spotted during the lion dance, Qiao Wen elaborated. “During the lion dance earlier, I noticed a few unfamiliar faces who looks like gangster on the street.”

Dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand, Chen Jianan reassured, “They are likely just here to visit family and friends. The Walled City has all kinds of people, especially the East District, where the Chaoshan and Fuqing residents dominate. The Hexing Society can’t control them.”

Taking heed of his words, Qiao Wen nodded, “Regardless, it’s best to remain vigilant and avoid entangling yourself with strangers whose intentions may be unclear.”

Chen Jianan: “I understand.”

Thinking of the land purchase, Qiao Wen continued: “By the way, I came across a piece of land in the newspaper. If you have some free time over the next few days, accompany me to check it out?”

Upon hearing Qiao Wen’s proposition, Chen Jianan couldn’t contain his surprise and exclaimed: “Are you thinking of purchasing land?”

Qiao Wen elaborated on his rationale: “Given the rapid pace at which Hong Kong City is growing and the continual surge in new construction projects, it occurs to me that land and property values are destined to soar when the stock market flourishes. So, with our current financial state, it might be a wise move for us to secure a few acres of land, even if it is in a remote place.” 

Chen Jianan just waved his hand, saying: “You can do whatever you want. Just ask me if you need me to do anything. I’ll listen to you.”

Qiao Wen laughed: “Brother Nan, I think you should be more careful. Don’t help others count money when you are sold out.”

Chen Jianan snorted: “Well, that would require someone brave enough to buy me in the first place.”

To this, Qiao Wen added humorously, “You make a valid point; bringing you back might just cause more chaos than calm.”

Chen Jianan reacted quickly this time; he sat up and squeezed his face: “Xiao Qiao, you have really learned bad things. You have even learned to curse people in a roundabout way.”

The two of them laughed and played around again. 

As a matter of fact, it was truly serendipitous that Qiao Wen had come across the land advertisement nestled within the pages of the newspaper, which was quite sparse in details, merely providing a vague location and a contact number for inquiries. Following a brief phone conversation with the contact person, they decided upon a meeting point close to the Qingshui Bay station.

Upon arriving at the meeting point, Qiao Wen was greeted by a man in his fifties waiting beside an old Ford. Though the car seemed old, a family, who had a car during those times must be either rich or noble.

After some initial pleasantries, Qiao Wen learned that the man’s name was Wang, serving as the butler for his affluent young master who was the landowner. Wang held full authority to negotiate and finalize transactions relating to the land sale. 

Guided by Uncle Wang, Qiao Wen rode on the back of Chen Jianan’s motorcycle, trailing behind Uncle Wang’s car as they ventured towards a modest hill overlooking the picturesque Qingshui Bay.

As they arrived at the designated location, the car came to a halt at the unassuming roadside. “Here we are!” Uncle Wang stepped out of the vehicle and led Qiao Wen and Chen Jianan towards the barren piece of land facing the sea. “This sprawling 20-acre plot is entirely owned by my young master.”

To solidify his claim, Uncle Wang retrieved the title deed from his pocket, presenting it to Qiao Wen and Chen Jianan, allowing them a glimpse of the official documentation validating the ownership of the property. 

Qiao Wen took a moment to absorb the surroundings, “It’s much more remote than I expected.” When it came to the game of negotiation, lowering the goods value was the first step to bargaining.

Uncle Wang, unfazed by the comment, responded with a placid smile, his face reflecting a mix of pride and nostalgia as he revealed, “To be honest, my young master’s family boasts a prosperous history. The decision to part ways with this land was a reluctant one borne out of the recent downturn in the family’s fortunes.”

“Despite its outward isolation, this land holds a special charm; a mere 20-minute drive connects it to the affluent Qingshui Bay, encompassed by the calming sea in the front and the mountains and lush forests at its rear. The wise words of the Geomancer has deemed this site as a place of auspicious Feng Shui, further adding to its allure.” 

“Within days of advertising in the newspaper, numerous potential buyers have expressed their interest in this captivating piece of land.” 

As Qiao Wen listened attentively, he noted his skill at raising prices seemingly he was a quite experienced hand.

Meanwhile, Chen Jianan’s impatience began to surface, his tolerance for prolonged verbose waned as he grew restless and abruptly interjected, “Just state the price directly,” his straightforward demeanor cutting through the layers of storytelling and bringing the conversation back to the core of their purpose.