Chapter 118 (1/2)
Wife's Scissorhands
One day later - Western Germany’s industrial area, Essen City, in a rented flat.
A view of the bustling streets of Essen could be seen from the window. Tall buildings, endless streams of traffic and pedestrians, typical of cities and nothing new. The difference was that everything here was was well organised and that the people were mostly tall and strict Germanic people.
“Like this place?” Long Bing’s voice came from behind.
Xia Lei looked back at her and smiled, “Can’t say how much I like it. It’s very clean and very orderly but lacks the human touch we have. I’m Chinese, so to me, the place that suits me most is our own place.”
No matter how great Germany was, it was the Germans’ Germany, not a Germany for the Chinese. No matter how big the world was, the most comfortable place would be one’s home. This feeling was shared by everyone, even by those who left their hometowns.
“I’m the same,” Long Bing gave a faint smile, “Let’s get down to business. Have you memorised the information I gave you? Recite it to me.”
Xia Lei did not even have to think. “My name is Liang Hu, born 3rd December, 1991. My home address is Sichuan City, Jin-Niu district, a distinguished neighbourhood in Building 51, First floor, Unit 1. My German name is Lukas. I came to Germany to work and earn more money to change my lifestyle. My residence permit number is 05792787 and my permit is valid for three years. My work permit number is 811568798. I can work in Germany and my work permit is also valid for three years. The company I’m going to join is Krupp Mak Maschinenbau. This company is one of two manufacturers of the Leopard 2 tank. My job position is a normal mechanic a.s.sistant.”
An ‘a.s.sistant’ was a polite way to say that he was an errand boy for the mechanics.
Long Bing nodded. “Mm, you’ve remembered well. I have to remind you too that you are fluent in German, which is good, but it can be dangerous. You will attract the attention of others if you’re too good. It’ll be best to speak less when you interact with others and not draw any attention to yourself.”
“Okay. I can speak more slowly, like I’m trying to recall words.”
“That’s good. You’ll be reporting for work tomorrow at the manufacturing plant of Krupp MaK Maschinenbau. Look for a man named ‘Krew’ and he will arrange work for you to do. I’ll give you his information and a video about Krupp MaK Maschinenbau. Destroy them after you’ve read them. I’m going to contact our people while you read through the information.” Long Bing gave Xia Lei an information packet and a mobile phone-only flash drive.
Xia Lei nodded and looked at the information in the packet after Long Bing left.
The packet contained Krew’s picture. He was middle-aged, plump, blonde hair balding at the top and his eyes were miserable. Xia Lei looked at his information next. It was quite detailed and had Krew’s birth date, blood type, height, weight and so on, as well as work habits and descriptions of hobbies and leisure activities. He liked to bet on horses and football and had gambling debts.
Xia Lei was not surprised by this in the least. This was the sort of person who could be bribed easily after all, and arrange for him to enter the manufacturing plant to work.
After he read through Krew’s information, Xia Lei inserted the mobile phone flash drive into the phone Long Bing had prepared for him and watched the video on Krupp MaK Maschinenbau.
The company was one of the few big and important machine manufacturers in Germany. The company was also part of the Krupp* family conglomerate. The prominent Krupp family once made artillery during the Great Qing dynasty and these were used in the country’s defence. Though the family had withdrawn from the spotlight of history, the video still described them in detail. There was also a video of the manufacturing plant of Krupp MaK Maschinenbau.
The company owned several manufacturing plants and the one Xia Lei was going to was a branch in Essen. The video also covered the situation in this plant. Xia Lei memorised all of it.
After he was done watching the video, Xia Lei had nothing else to do and the image of that man who resembled his father, Xia Chang-He, appeared in his head again. ‘Should I tell her about that man?’ Xia Lei was still undecided.
He would have already told Long Bing if that man had not resembled his father so strongly. He had his worries about this matter because it was very odd from beginning to end and letting her intercede would be bad if that man really was his missing father.
Long Bing returned to the room to find Xia Lei staring into s.p.a.ce by the window. “Have you looked at the information I gave you?”
Xia Lei snapped back to reality, “Yep, I’ve taken a look… I’ll take the time to memorise the information at night.”
“You’d better not make any mistakes. This is very important. Germany is not as dangerous as America but the EU has similar views on several fronts, like the technological blockade they have put up against China. Most importantly, the EU and America share information. Germany has military bases in America as well as intelligence networks in all areas. We will be in danger if we’re discovered,” said Long Bing.
Xia Lei smiled wryly, “The way you speak makes it sound like we are spies. Are we engaged in espionage?”
“Nothing wrong if you think of it like that. Anyway, just be very careful and exercise caution. Remember that.”
Xia Lei nodded.
“Let’s go. We’ll go for a walk, then buy some daily necessities. We can also familiarise ourselves with the environment,” said Long Bing.
Xia Lei suddenly remembered something, “Oh, right. You haven’t mentioned what relations.h.i.+p we have. What do I say if someone asks me?”
Long Bing looked at Xia Lei a little strangely and spoke after a bit of silence, “The higher-ups have decided that I’m your wife.”
“Huh?” Xia Lei was taken aback, “Why didn’t you tell me such a thing earlier? Th-the higher-ups are slow to inform me, huh. I’m not ready.”
“What do you need to be ready for? It’s not real.” Long Bing rolled her eyes at Xia Lei, “The plan was for me to pretend to be your girlfriend or fiancée but it wasn’t a very good choice for my cover so they had another meeting and decided that I should pretend to be your wife. We’ve been married for half a year and I’m here in Germany with you to look for opportunities. I don’t have to work; you’re supporting me.”
Xia Lei was speechless.
“Doing this is also helps prevent a sudden investigation by the German Immigration or the Labour Authority. We have to pay more attention to some details to better protect our ident.i.ties,” said Long Bing.
“Okay, Laura,” said Xia Lei.
‘Laura’ was Long Bing’s German name, and her made-up Chinese name was ‘Chen Li’.
Long Bing reached out to hold Xia Lei’s hand and said intimately, “Let’s go, Lukas.”