Chapter 174: Miyazaki-kun

“Reporting to the Group Leader.”

Bai Pang stepped forward and said,

“Fang Muheng did not go alone. A man accompanied him. To our surprise, we discovered that this person was actually Officer Liu Bo of the Central Police Station.”

Wang Kangnian was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

“Liu Bo? Did the two of you see clearly?”

“It was definitely Liu Bo.”

Bai Pang nodded.

“We also overheard a conversation between Liu Bo and Fang Muheng. Based on that conversation, I judge that Liu Bo is indeed a Communist, and very likely an extremely important Communist agent.”

Wang Kangnian was overjoyed.

At the same time, he glanced at Bai Pang and was very satisfied with his performance.

Clear-spoken and methodical.

A talented man.

“What exactly did they say? Tell me in detail.”

Zhou Ru entered the interview room and swept her gaze across it.

In her mind, she rapidly recalled the instructions, reminders, and introductions that Group Leader Cheng Qianfan had given her.

The man seated in the center should be Liu Mingfei, the well-known pro-Japanese writer of Shanghai.

“Liu Mingfei is wholeheartedly devoted to Japan and genuinely wishes to accomplish a great ‘cause’ for the Japanese. This man is extremely afraid of his wife, so your chances of passing the interview are very high.”

The Group Leader’s words echoed in Zhou Ru’s mind.

At the time, she had asked why he believed Liu Mingfei would hire her.

The Group Leader’s answer had been that several charming and beautiful women had previously failed to catch Liu Mingfei’s interest. Considering that the man was famously henpecked, her ordinary appearance was actually an advantage.

Zhou Ru: ...

The man on the left, with a white silk handkerchief in his suit pocket and a refined demeanor, must be the Chen Yun mentioned by the Group Leader.

Chen Yun was a famous lawyer in Shanghai.

His reputation in the city was notoriously bad.

He specialized in defending celebrities and wealthy businessmen, was thoroughly versed in Western law, and excelled at sophistry.

“Chen Yun has always been arrogant. In 1932, he represented the Shanghai businessman Duan Zhichen in an international lawsuit and defeated the Austrian merchant Schubert. That case made him famous, and he has always taken great pride in it.”

The man on the right, whose face constantly wore a smile, should be the well-known Shanghai writer Liu Naiyu.

Liu Naiyu’s original name was Liu Zhibo, with the pen name Ruosheng.

He was a Taiwanese Chinese whose homeland had been occupied by the Japanese. Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule from 1895 to 1945.

He specialized in fiction, graduated from Kokei University in Japan, and later studied in the French-language program at Aurora University in Shanghai.

He had been a classmate of the famous poet Dai Yuxiang.

“Do not show admiration or worship for Dai Yuxiang in front of Liu Naiyu. Although they were classmates, Liu Naiyu has always considered himself more talented than Dai Yuxiang.”

The Group Leader’s special warning before the operation resurfaced in Zhou Ru’s mind.

“Greetings, Mr. Liu, Mr. Chen, and Mr. Liu.”

Zhou Ru bowed politely.

“Please sit.”

Seeing that the woman was plain-looking, both Chen Yun and Liu Naiyu immediately lost interest.

Liu Mingfei, however, had a gleam appear in his eyes.

Although this woman was ordinary in appearance, her short hair and simple clothing gave her a capable and efficient air.

Most importantly, with a female clerk like this, his wife ought to feel reassured.

“Miss, may I ask your name?”

Liu Mingfei asked.

“Zhou Ru. I previously worked for the Hangcheng Daily. I am from Zhenjiang and graduated from the Chinese Literature Department of National Aurora University.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Naiyu glanced at his junior schoolmate.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.”

After a round of questioning, they learned that Zhou Ru had graduated from the Chinese Literature Department of National Aurora University, possessed newspaper experience, had a basic command of Japanese, wrote well, and could drive.

She had even worked temporarily at a law firm in Hangcheng for a period of time.

Her answers were articulate and her thinking was clear.

Not only did Liu Mingfei gain a better impression of her, but Chen Yun and Liu Naiyu also changed their opinions of Zhou Ru considerably.

“Why did you decide to work at a law firm in Hangcheng?”

Chen Yun asked.

“In 1932, while in Shanghai, I heard that Mr. Chen Yun had helped a Chinese businessman win an international lawsuit. I was greatly inspired and became fascinated by the legal profession, so after graduation I worked at a law firm.”

As she spoke, Zhou Ru looked somewhat embarrassed.

“It’s just that my abilities are mediocre, and I discovered that I was hardly suited for such a noble profession.”

“You are a young woman without formal legal training, so naturally it would be quite difficult. Nevertheless, having such aspirations is already commendable.”

Chen Yun nodded slightly and offered encouragement after hearing Zhou Ru mention the achievement of which he was most proud.

“You’ve written fiction?”

Liu Naiyu asked.

“I’ve written a few short newspaper pieces. I wouldn’t dare show off my limited skills before Mr. Liu.”

“Why don’t you write poetry?”

“I usually enjoy reading novels. The more I read them, the more I like them. I feel that within the joys and sorrows of fiction are countless truths.”

Ha ha ha.

Liu Naiyu laughed heartily.

“If you truly aspire to that, I can offer you some guidance.”

“Really?”

Zhou Ru widened her eyes, her voice revealing the surprise and flustered delight of someone receiving favor from an idol.

“Of course.”

Liu Naiyu smiled faintly.

Seeing that both Chen Yun and Liu Naiyu had developed a favorable impression of this ordinary-looking woman, Liu Mingfei was also extremely pleased.

“Miss Zhou, there is one point I must make clear. You will not only serve as a clerk, but also work part-time as a reporter. You should know that reporting is not an easy profession. Especially in wartime, the risks are considerable.”

Zhou Ru thought for a moment.

“Zhou Ru is mentally prepared. Besides, with such distinguished gentlemen, renowned throughout Shanghai, guiding me, I am even less afraid.”

Ha ha ha.

All three men burst into laughter.

They were clearly very satisfied with Zhou Ru’s answer.

During the lunch break, Cheng Qianfan bought a pack of cigarettes from the grocery stall outside the police station.

He saw Pidan hiding beneath a tree and secretly making a hand signal to inform him that Yang Ximei had already been taken away by Fang Muheng.

His heart was immediately put at ease.

Not only that, but when he thought about how Liu Bo would consequently be mistaken for a Communist by the Party Affairs Investigation Department, he felt rather pleased with his own scheme.

After changing into civilian clothes, Cheng Qianfan informed Ma Yishou and left the police station.

He was preparing to visit Doctor Zhao Wenhua at Guangci Hospital.

This greatly pleased Ma Yishou.

Little Cheng still respected him and had not immediately begun issuing orders or seizing authority.

Taking the box of sulfanilamide from Cheng Qianfan, Zhao Wenhua was deeply moved.

The way he looked at Cheng Qianfan also became noticeably friendlier.

Leaving Guangci Hospital, Cheng Qianfan hired a rickshaw and headed straight for Hongkou District.

As the arrival date of Miyazaki Kentaro in Shanghai drew nearer, certain preparations had to be made in advance.

This was a modest detached residence with its own courtyard.

It had previously been Imai Futoshi’s residence during his earlier stay in Shanghai.

Quite a few nearby houses were rented by Japanese residents.

Cheng Qianfan got out at the gate.

He carefully examined the house.

According to his memory, the house had a back door facing the river.

It contained two bedrooms, a main hall, a storage room, and a kitchen.

The courtyard wall was not high.

Standing on tiptoe, one could see inside.

Suddenly, Cheng Qianfan’s expression changed.

The bluestone paving in the courtyard was covered with moss.

At that moment, a trail of footprints could clearly be seen extending across it all the way to the entrance of the main hall.

Someone had moved in?

Just then, the owner of a neighboring house returned home.

Upon seeing Cheng Qianfan, he greeted him warmly.

“Miyazaki-kun, you’re back.”