There were loudspeaker systems mounted on telephone poles in the village. They come to life in the morning and just before sunset, with village announcements, national news and Communist slogans.
At this moment, the chatter in the tea shop was interrupted by a loud burst of static.
"Calling a certain Miss Hui and Mr. Lu, please come over to the community center. Calling a certain Miss Hui and Mr. Lu, please come over to the community center..."
The message repeated over and over again until another burst of static ended the announcement. Hui Yin and Lu Shen exchanged skeptical glances.
The old lady who invited them to the tea shop approached their table.
"See, I told you it wouldn't take half a day for them to settle the matter. Why don't I come with you and guide you there?"
"I'll come with you too!"
"En, I want to come!"
Hui Yin knew where the community center was located, but she was suspicious about the directive. It wouldn't hurt to bring several meat shields. Surely they wouldn't hurt their own people?
Once again, the sturdy butler supported Lu Shen. The latter's face turned dark like burnt wood, tears mentally rolling down his cheeks. Originally it was a beauty carrying him, how did it turn into a muscular brute?
The long procession finally arrived at the community center. Just as their group of old ladies, gossipy mothers, vendors, and actors marched towards the doorway, a guard stopped them.
"Only Miss Hui and Mr. Lu are allowed to come in."
How could Hui Yin accept him taking away her meat shields? She opened her mouth and said disdainly, "Earlier before when we sought help from the police, my companion got shot. If we come inside unaccompanied, will we be coming out with our ashes packed inside cremation urns?"
The guard's expression turned ugly. But Hui Yin wasn't finished yet.
"We don't have anything to hide. Most people already know Lu Shen's identity and that he's temporarily living here. I don't mind if a few people come with us."
A broad hand clapped the guard's shoulder, preventing him from retorting against her words.
"This young lady speaks well."
A man shorter than the guard with a stocky build stepped forward, a smile on his face. He was almost bald, his scalp shining under the sunlight.
"Party Secretary Lee!"
"That's the Party Secretary!"
Some people exclaimed from behind Hui Yin. She scrutinized the short man from head to toe. She was aware that while the village chief seems to be the head honcho, real power lies with the Party Secretary, who is selected every three years during a closed-door session by local Communist Party members.
If the township official gives a speech praising every thing the existing party secretary has done, the local members echo these sentiments in their speeches and the Party Secretary is re-elected. If it turns out that this man was also on the culprit's side, it would make things very difficult for both Hui Yin and Lu Shen.
"Party Secretary, this junior didn't mean to cause offense with her words," Hui Yin said in a neutral tone. "My companion and I just didn't want to suffer any injuries again. He still hasn't been treated in a hospital and he's very weak right now. Please forgive my rudeness. I'm only concerned for his health."
Just to be safe, Hui Yin particularly emphasized how harmless Lu Shen was.
"Miss Hui is too polite." The man gestured with his hand. "Of course all of you can come in. Come, come! We'll be discussing the matter of debt in the utility bills as well."
Most of the villagers following them groaned.
"I shouldn't have come, I still haven't paid the 35 yuan I owe for the electricity..."
"Can we leave? Hehe, this old lady still needs to cook lunch for her family."
"My son working in Chengdu hadn't sent me any money...how am I supposed to pay my utility bill?"
Hui Yin gave the Party Secretary another once-over. How eloquent. On one hand seemingly inviting the villagers inside, on the other driving them away.
She wasn't the only one who noticed this. Lu Shen's eyes had also dimmed. He glanced over at Hui Yin, whose hair had been re-tied into a neat bun. She looked determined and confident.
Hesitatingly, he reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. Afraid that she'll pull away, he immediately retracted his hand.
But Hui Yin merely glanced at him, an inquiry in her gaze. She didn't seem the least bit affected by his touch.
Lu Shen smiled at her to hide his disappointment. Was she not aware of him at all?
"It'll be alright," he reassured her.
"Mmm."
The Party Secretary led them inside the community center. The building was small and shabby, but also clean and organized. There was a door to their left that opened to a small room with a wide rectangular table and wooden chairs.
"I'm afraid we can't all fit in here," Party Secretary Lee told them, regret in his voice. "Some have to wait outside."
Those who were anxious about their utility bills quickly left in a whirlwind of dust, leaving only eight of them inside the small room. There was the butcher, the elder who owned the tea shop, another woman in her forties, and three actresses shooting flirty looks at Lu Shen. The room that had been packed to bursting before became desolately spacious.
Party Secretary Lee chuckled.
"I knew that would get rid of most of them."
He pulled up a chair and sat, motioning for the rest of them to do the same.
Lu Shen sat next to Hui Yin, traces of his trademark frigidity surfacing in the depths of his eyes. Party Secretary Lee seemed to sense his cold stare and the back of his neck prickled.
"No need to be so tense, Mr. Lu. I only wanted to talk to the two of you."