webnovelvip Chapter 152 is truly her blessing!
Chapter 152 is truly her blessing!
In addition to celebrities from all walks of life and military and political dignitaries, representatives from the four major intelligence agencies—Shang Mansion, Special Higher Police, No. 76, and Special Operations Headquarters—were also present at the banquet.
Right under the noses of the four major spies, Liu Ke was assassinated in public!
This is not just a provocation, but a public humiliation.
Zhou Xiao, Wang Manchun, Ming Lou, and the others all had extremely solemn expressions.
Of course, Zhou Xiao's solemnity was all an act.
Veteran actor!
Truly outstanding underground workers are all seasoned masters at manipulating emotions.
Liu Ke, as the head of the Political and Economic Committee of the Wang Jingwei regime, has now died a violent death, and Fujita Yoshimasa is worried about how to explain it to Mr. Wang.
Minglou said sincerely, "Commander Fujita, I have never interfered in matters of intelligence investigation. Right now, the most important thing is to stabilize the overall economic situation in Shanghai."
"The news of Director Liu's murder will surely spread throughout the city tomorrow. I need to rush back to the office to urgently discuss countermeasures. Would that be convenient for you?"
Fujita Yoshimasa nodded slightly: "Alright, Mr. Akira, please go ahead. Thank you for your trouble."
The reason for having Minglou participate in the on-site investigation was twofold: firstly, the deceased was the director of the Political and Economic Committee, and secondly, Minglou had many years of experience in the intelligence system and was well-versed in the subject matter; Fujita wanted to hear his judgment.
Moreover, Minglou is in charge of economic affairs, so it is perfectly reasonable for him to leave the scene to handle practical matters.
"Director Zhou, Director Wang, Section Chief Nantian, I'll leave this matter to you all!"
Zhou Xiao and Wang Manchun nodded in agreement.
Leaving Wang Manchun and Zhou Xiao behind is of no real significance—the assassination took place amidst chaos, and the mastermind must undoubtedly be the anti-Japanese forces; however, whether there was an internal traitor or enemy intelligence personnel behind the scenes remains to be seen.
The real mission of Yoko Minami and her team lies in this: to find the traitor.
That's the key point.
However, the clues have most likely already been completely erased.
More than ten minutes after Fujita Yoshimasa left, Zhou Xiao, Wang Manchun, Nantian Yoko, and others also left one after another.
Liu Ke's death will inevitably cause a huge uproar in Shanghai.
He headed the Political and Economic Committee, wielding power over both politics and the economy, making him crucial to the city's smooth operation. Now, with his sudden death, his position is vacant, and turmoil is inevitable.
But that's a story for another time.
Zhou Xiao and Wang Manchun walked out of the banquet hall side by side.
Wang Manchun turned to the side and asked, "Director Zhou, what's your opinion on this assassination attempt?"
Zhou Xiao said with certainty, "It was clearly premeditated. The person who did it is most likely one of us, and nine times out of ten, it's someone from the Military Intelligence Bureau."
"Only the Military Intelligence Bureau is worthy of having such sophisticated professional equipment."
"The person you recently arrested is probably seen as a trigger by the Military Intelligence Bureau—this assassination attempt is likely their strong response to your 'fishing' operation."
Wang Manchun shook her head: "I didn't arrest people from the Military Intelligence Bureau, I arrested members of the underground Communist Party."
Underground party?
Previously, Wang Manchun carried out a "fishing" plan, and the person who was caught was actually a member of the underground party?
Zhou Xiao's heart stirred slightly, but he calmly accepted another piece of intelligence.
But in any case, the arrested comrade has already sacrificed his life—which is actually the safest outcome.
Otherwise, Li Xiaonan's identity would probably be lost as well.
Zhou Xiao paused slightly, then said, "That's strange. But the anti-Japanese forces in Shanghai have always been swift and decisive, and launching surprise attacks is their style."
As the two walked and talked, Zhou Xiao had just stepped onto the second-floor corridor when he saw that Lan Yanzhi and Wu Tengchunzi and her father were still in the same spot, not yet gone.
Upon seeing Zhou Xiao, Wu Teng Chunzi immediately stepped forward with a gentle smile: "Mr. Zhou, would you do me the honor of having dinner with me? I would like to thank you in person for saving my life."
Wu Tengzhi interrupted with a smile, "Director Zhou, my daughter insisted on waiting here for you to come out, saying she wanted to treat you to a meal to thank you properly."
"Junko is new to Shanghai and it's really her good fortune to have made a friend like you."
Zhou Xiao smiled calmly: "Miss Chunzi is so kind, how could I refuse? Let's arrange a suitable time another day to have a proper chat."
Wu Teng Chunzi's eyes lit up, and she smiled broadly, "That's wonderful, thank you so much, Mr. Zhou!"
Muto Yoshio: "Director Zhou is so young yet holds such an important position, and he is also a friendly person to our empire. It is a great honor to meet you today. You are welcome to come to the consulate for tea and a chat another day when you have some free time."
Zhou Xiao: "I will definitely pay a visit."
To establish a deeper and more secure presence, a network of connections is essential.
Rescuing Wu Teng Chunzi this time is equivalent to opening a vital connection within the consulate and gaining their initial trust and attention—further infiltration will naturally proceed smoothly and achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Lan Yanzhi stood aside, watching Zhou Xiao and Wu Tengchunzi and her father chat and laugh freely. Suddenly, a strange feeling arose in her heart, which she couldn't tell whether it was sourness or awkwardness.
She was taken aback by this emotion.
After all, this is the first time.
After seeing the father and daughter off, Zhou Xiao turned and walked towards her, his tone light and cheerful: "Rouge, why are you still here?"
Lan Yanzhi blurted out, "I'll be waiting for you!"
As soon as they finished speaking, the two walked out of the Shanghai Grand Hotel side by side.
After getting into the car, Zhou Xiao sat in the driver's seat, and Lan Yanzhi sat in the passenger seat.
But as soon as the car started, she kept a straight face and didn't say a word. Her chin was slightly raised, and her gaze was fixed on the passing street scene outside the window. She didn't even glance at him out of the corner of her eye.
This is a woman's most genuine reaction.
Within the Special Operations Headquarters, she always maintained the identity of an "ordinary clerk," and only Zhou Xiao knew her true identity as a Kuomintang agent. In front of outsiders, she had to be careful even with her breathing, never daring to reveal the slightest bit of her true nature.
But at this moment, in front of Zhou Xiao, that tight layer of pretense quietly loosened, leaving only an ordinary girl who could sulk, be stubborn, and be unreasonable.
At first, Zhou Xiao really couldn't figure out what was wrong with her, but after thinking about it for a moment, he immediately understood seven or eight parts of it.
Most likely, they're after Wu Teng Chunzi.
—Could it be that this girl is jealous?
But clearly nothing happened between them...
Seeing that she was still puffing out her cheeks and ignoring him, Zhou Xiao chuckled and teased, "Rouge, your face is full of worries. Who upset you?"
He knew perfectly well what was going on, but he pretended not to.
Lan Yanzhi replied irritably, "It's nothing."
Even the most skilled secret agents are still women at heart; it's perfectly normal for them to have tempers and their own thoughts.
Honestly, the way she pouts and frowns when she's sulking actually gives off a lively and adorable vibe.
Zhou Xiao suppressed a laugh and asked again, "Are you really alright? Your brows are all furrowed up."
Lan Yanzhi rolled her eyes inwardly: Why am I unhappy? Don't you know? He's chatting enthusiastically with the Japanese girl, leaving me hanging like I'm invisible. How could I be happy!
But she still insisted, "I'm really fine."
Only in front of Zhou Xiao did she dare to be so willful and coquettish—that was because she completely regarded him as one of her own.
Zhou Xiao finally revealed the truth: "Is it because of Wu Teng Chunzi?"
Lan Yanzhi immediately retorted, "No way! Why would I argue with her?"
She said that, but her eyes were secretly glancing at him, clearly waiting for an explanation.
When the fire broke out in the banquet hall, Lan Yanzhi was closest to the door and was the first to rush out.
She trusted Zhou Xiao's abilities and wasn't flustered at first.
But after waiting for a long time, he still didn't appear, and her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and she became inexplicably anxious.
Even knowing he was highly skilled, that feeling of concern still welled up inside her.
Unexpectedly, he came out supporting Wu Teng Chunzi, his expression natural and his manner friendly, looking exceptionally familiar with her.
That scene made Lan Yanzhi feel a tightness in her chest; she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she just felt uneasy all over.
Just now—she deliberately stayed where she was waiting for him, but he was chatting and laughing with that father and daughter, completely unaware of her presence.