Chapter 24: Spring Breeze Satisfaction House

Chapter 24: Spring Breeze Satisfaction House

Cheng Qianfan stared carefully at the young girl.

The little girl who had once followed behind him playing in the mud and crying as a child, and the graceful young lady standing before him now, were like two photographs taken in different years placed side by side. Slowly, gradually, the memories in his mind performed a miraculous act of chemistry, merging and confirming one another.

A delighted expression appeared in his eyes. Pointing at her, he smiled and said, “You’re Xiaoye, Uncle Fang’s Xiaoye.”

“It’s me, it’s me!” Tang Xiaoye nodded repeatedly with joy.

“We’ve been apart for so many years. That little girl who always cried has grown into such a beautiful young lady.” Cheng Qianfan instinctively reached out to rub her head, then realized she was no longer a child. The hand he had extended turned instead into the motion of taking out a cigarette case.

Tang Xiaoye blushed shyly, her little face turning red.

“Come on, let’s talk while we walk,” Cheng Qianfan said with a smile. He offered his arm, and Tang Xiaoye unconsciously slipped her arm through it.

The two looked at each other and could not help laughing. They rediscovered the familiar feeling from childhood, and the awkwardness of years of separation vanished with almost magical speed.

The appearance of his childhood playmate, Little Sister Xiaoye, filled Cheng Qianfan with delight. His memories crossed the barriers of time, as though he had returned to his carefree childhood.

Tang Xiaoye did not bear the surname Fang. She had taken her mother’s surname, Tang.

The Cheng and Fang families had been neighbors in those days, and the children of both households often played together.

Most importantly, his father Cheng Wenzao and his mother Su Zhifu had not yet been killed. He had both father and mother, and childhood companions. Those were the happiest days of Cheng Qianfan’s life.

Especially now, Tang Xiaoye’s appearance added a trace of softness to the heart of Cheng Qianfan, who felt lonely, mentally exhausted, and increasingly believed that nothing in the world deserved trust.

That softness came from memory.

Tang Xiaoye was also observing Cheng Qianfan. She noticed that his free arm was habitually held slightly akimbo at his waist. A trace of emotion stirred within her heart, along with an inexplicable sadness.

She was five years younger than Cheng Qianfan.

She had an elder sister who was five years older than Cheng Qianfan.

In the scorching summer, the three children, whose ages formed an arithmetic progression, would laugh and dance beneath the shade of trees. The breeze rustled the treetops, and sunlight filtered through the branches, casting mottled patches of light upon them. It was the most beautiful memory of their childhood.

Cheng Qianfan found a café.

“Xiaoye, you’ve been waiting outside all this time?” Cheng Qianfan lit a cigarette and asked casually.

“Yes.” Tang Xiaoye nodded. “I didn’t know how to find Brother Qianfan, and I didn’t dare go in by myself.”

“Next time, if you need something, just tell the guards you’re looking for Officer Cheng Qianfan from the police station. They’ll call me.” Cheng Qianfan said, “Try this cake. By the way, did you come specifically to see me because something happened?”

“Brother Qianfan, my brother was arrested by the police station.” Tang Xiaoye spoke nervously. “Can you help get him released?”

“Brother Muheng?” Cheng Qianfan asked in surprise. “When did he come back to China?”

Fang Muheng was the eldest son of the Fang family. He had been studying overseas for years, and Cheng Qianfan had heard that he intended to settle abroad permanently.

“He came back after the January 28 Incident.” When speaking of Fang Muheng, pride shone in Tang Xiaoye’s eyes. “My brother said that when the country was in chaos, he had no choice but to escape. But now that the nation had been invaded, he had to come back and protect it.”

“What work did he do after returning?” Cheng Qianfan asked calmly.

Seeing no admiration or amazement on Cheng Qianfan’s face, and hearing no words of praise from him, receiving only such a calm question, Tang Xiaoye felt somewhat disappointed and confused.

She had always believed that the brother she was proudest of and the Brother Qianfan she most admired would naturally resonate with each other in spirit and ideals.

Both were good men.

Both were the finest brothers in her eyes.

“My brother works for Shen Bao,” Tang Xiaoye said. “He was arrested by the police station yesterday. They said he’s a Communist.”

“Does Uncle Fang know?”

“Father says he’s done with my brother and refuses to ask anyone for help.” Tang Xiaoye sounded resentful. “Father doesn’t like the things my brother does.”

“Is Brother Muheng a Communist?”

“No, of course not.”

“I understand.” Cheng Qianfan nodded. He took out a banknote and placed it on the table. “I’ll make inquiries. If Brother Muheng truly isn’t a Communist, I’ll help pull some strings. If he really is involved with the Communists, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Having said that, Cheng Qianfan turned and left.

Tang Xiaoye froze for a moment.

“Brother Qianfan.”

Cheng Qianfan stopped and turned back to look at the lovely, beautiful young girl.

The girl’s beautiful eyes gazed steadily at him.

“Brother Qianfan, I feel like I don’t know you anymore.”

“Time can change many things.” Cheng Qianfan blew out a ring of smoke and smiled bitterly. “Xiaoye, regarding Brother Muheng’s matter, I’ll do my best.”

Seeing that the girl was about to speak again, he waved a hand. A waiter brought over an ashtray, and Cheng Qianfan extinguished his cigarette.

“Xiaoye, Brother Qianfan wants to tell you something sincerely. Study hard, live happily. Don’t casually involve yourself in other matters. They’re not things you should be touching.”

“Brother Qianfan, when the nation is ruined and families are destroyed, who can still live peacefully in comfort?”

“Politics isn’t something a young girl should meddle in.” Cheng Qianfan reached out to rub her head, but the angry girl turned away to avoid him.

“I’m leaving.”

Cheng Qianfan turned around and waved a hand. His riding boots clicked against the floor as he pushed open the café door. The sound gradually faded away, and his figure slowly disappeared.

The young girl stood up, bracing both hands against the table.

Watching his figure and hearing his footsteps vanish just like that, tears streamed down her cheeks.

She did not understand.

And she was a little frightened.

In the girl’s memories, the image of Brother Qianfan, bright, warm, cheerful, brave, and righteous, was soaked by tears and became blurred.

“She really does have exactly the same temper she had as a child.” Cheng Qianfan shook his head and smiled.

When the little girl was happy, she would cling affectionately to his side and call him Brother Qianfan.

When he upset her, she would pout, cry by herself, and her form of address would change to Brother Qianfan instead of the more affectionate Brother Qianfan.

Although they had not met for many years, from this brief exchange Cheng Qianfan had reached his conclusion.

The little yellow-haired girl from years ago was doing well now.

She was kind and shy, yet by no means timid.

She loved this country.

She was willing, and perhaps already was, doing something for it.

This made Cheng Qianfan both gratified and worried.

In the end, worry outweighed gratification and happiness.

In his mind, a selfish voice told him that he had to stop the girl’s “reckless adventures.”

He would rather shoulder more work and make greater sacrifices himself, endure more danger himself, in exchange for the girl’s happiness and safety.

Wasn’t that precisely why people like them fought, willing to sacrifice their lives and shed their blood?

So that their compatriots, their friends, and their loved ones could live safely and happily.

Xiaoye was merely one among countless compatriots.

That was perfectly reasonable.

He found himself a justification.

Another reason Cheng Qianfan treated Tang Xiaoye with such apparent coldness was that he knew he himself was a walking disaster, a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

He was willing to perish together with the enemy.

But he did not want his relatives and friends to be implicated and harmed because of him.

Fang Muheng!

Cheng Qianfan’s thoughts began turning rapidly.

He knew that Liang Yuchun’s team had arrested a journalist during yesterday’s operation, but he had never imagined that this Shen Bao journalist suspected of Communist involvement would turn out to be Fang Muheng, the elder brother of Little Sister Xiaoye and Elder Sister Shaoyao.

What exactly was Fang Muheng’s identity?

Was he a comrade?

Had he been exposed?

Or was he merely a friend sympathetic to the revolution?

Or something else entirely?

It seemed necessary to meet this Brother Muheng whom he had never met before.

As it happened, he already had a ready-made reason to do so.

City God Temple.

Spring Breeze Satisfaction House.

Xiu Gongshen had said he wanted to invite Qin Detai out for tea.

And it turned out he genuinely intended to do nothing but drink tea.

Xiu Gongshen, who had returned from studying in France, and Qin Detai discussed the art of tea drinking with remarkable expertise.

Cheng Qianfan attended them from the side, refilling tea and pouring water, yet Xiu Gongshen still criticized him for lacking proper skill.

“Qianfan is young and ignorant,” Cheng Qianfan said respectfully, yet with familiarity in his smile. “That’s exactly why I need more guidance from Teacher and Chief Qin.”

“So now you know you’re young and ignorant?” Xiu Gongshen snorted. “Brainless fool.”

“Oh, Director Xiu.” Qin Detai knew it was his turn to speak. “You should be secretly pleased. I know Little Cheng. He was a top student at the police academy, and after becoming a constable he’s been excellent at his work too.”

“Qianfan is unruly and doesn’t deserve such praise. I’ve caused Chief Qin concern.” Cheng Qianfan hurriedly replied.

“Unruly isn’t quite the word.” Qin Detai glanced at Cheng Qianfan. “Who wasn’t hot-blooded and unable to control their temper when they were young? You’ve got talent, lad. You’re suited to police work. Fix those little flaws of yours, and your future will be limitless.”

“Chief Qin’s teachings will remain engraved in Qianfan’s heart.” Cheng Qianfan stood at attention and saluted.

“Come, come, Brother Qin, try this tea.” Xiu Gongshen beckoned.

“Tea from Brother Xiu must be excellent.” Qin Detai burst into hearty laughter.

Standing nearby, Cheng Qianfan observed and listened, pondering the underlying meanings. He was deeply impressed.

“Why are you still here?” Xiu Gongshen glanced at him and said with disdain, “Let me tell you now, don’t come bothering me today.”

“You, Director Xiu.” Qin Detai laughed and scolded him. “I knew there was no way I was drinking tea you’ve personally brewed for free.”

As he spoke, he looked toward Cheng Qianfan.

“Chief Qin, there really wasn’t anything originally. It’s just that something came up on my way here.” Cheng Qianfan hurriedly reported.

He briefly and succinctly recounted how he had encountered Miss Fang, Tang Xiaoye, outside the police station, and how she had pleaded with him to help rescue Young Master Fang, Fang Muheng.

“That boy from the Fang family.” Qin Detai shook his head. “This old Fang didn’t even say a word about it.”

“According to Tang Xiaoye, Boss Fang is furious and intends to let Fang Muheng cool his head inside for a while,” Cheng Qianfan said.

“What do you intend to do?” Qin Detai pondered for a moment, lightly turning his teacup before asking.

Cheng Qianfan frowned.

“This operation was personally arranged by Mr. Xi Neng and is extremely important. Logically speaking, I should avoid involvement as much as possible. However, the Fang family has deep ties with my family and took great care of me when I was young. Naturally, I cannot simply stand by.”

He paused briefly.

“That said, there isn’t much I can do. The most important question is whether Fang Muheng is actually involved with the Communists.”

Looking at Xiu Gongshen and Qin Detai, he continued:

“I don’t know Fang Muheng personally. To be safe, I intend to meet him first before making any decisions. If he can be saved, I’ll save him. If he can’t be saved, then at the very least I’ll make sure he lives more comfortably while inside.”

“Excellent. Loyal and righteous, yet without abandoning principle.” Qin Detai clapped his hands and smiled. “Brother Xiu, you’ve got yourself a fine student.”

“Brother Qin.” Xiu Gongshen waved a hand and pointed lazily. “Isn’t this brat also your subordinate?”

The two men looked at each other and burst out laughing.