Chapter 29: Joining the Special Service Office
Chapter 29: Joining the Special Service Office
On the way there, Cheng Qianfan had been thinking about what kind of emotions he should display when the other side finally revealed their identities.
Forget his identity as a Communist.
At this moment, he was merely an ordinary constable of the police station.
Upon hearing it suddenly, what emotion should he have?
Shock!
Besides that, there should also be a trace of anger.
A little anger, not hatred.
The reason for the anger was the feeling of having been deceived by a friend.
Song Fuguo had been observing Cheng Qianfan all along.
Seeing his mixture of shock and anger, which largely matched the scenario he had anticipated, the suspicions in his heart faded a little more.
Boss Tao glanced at Song Fuguo.
Song Fuguo gave a slight nod.
Boss Tao stood up, clasped his hands, and put on a guilty expression.
“Brother Cheng, it was not that Tao intentionally concealed it from you. This matter was of great importance. I hope Brother Cheng can forgive me.”
“Boss Tao, you’ve kept me in the dark for a long time.”
Cheng Qianfan stared at Boss Tao, shook his head, sighed, and sat down heavily.
“Brother Cheng, allow me to formally introduce myself.”
Boss Tao clasped his hands.
“Tao Weiran, member of the French Concession Intelligence Group, Shanghai District, Second Department, Bureau of Investigation and Statistics of the Military Affairs Commission of the National Government.”
Cheng Qianfan shook his head and smiled bitterly.
“I never imagined Brother Tao was actually a man from the Lixingshe Special Service Office.”
His gaze shifted to Song Fuguo beside him.
“If my guess is correct, then Mr. Song is not really Brother Tao’s uncle either. He must also be from the Special Service Office.”
Song Fuguo did not stand.
With a faint smile, he clasped his hands and said,
“Song Fuguo, leader of the French Concession Intelligence Group, Shanghai District, Special Service Office.”
Upon learning Song Fuguo’s identity, Cheng Qianfan was visibly startled.
He no longer dared remain seated and hurriedly stood to return the greeting.
“So Team Leader Song has personally come. What virtue or ability does Qianfan possess to deserve the presence of two pillars of the nation?”
“Brother Cheng, we have already been completely honest with you. I hope Brother Cheng will no longer take offense.”
Boss Tao smiled.
“How could I not mind?”
Cheng Qianfan let out a cold laugh.
“I thought Brother Tao and I were kindred spirits. I thought I had gained a close friend. Who would have imagined...”
“Brother Cheng is mistaken.”
Boss Tao poured Cheng Qianfan a cup of wine and picked up his own cup.
“My identity does not hinder the friendship between us brothers. Tao apologizes once again.”
Watching Boss Tao drain the cup in one gulp, Cheng Qianfan snorted.
In the end, however, he still picked up his own cup, took a drink, and set it down heavily on the table.
“Hahaha.”
Song Fuguo laughed and applauded.
“Good. We are all men of temperament. Officer Cheng, Song also offers you a toast.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Cheng Qianfan’s attitude toward Song Fuguo was noticeably more courteous.
He filled his own cup and drained it in one gulp.
“Excellent!”
Boss Tao shouted in approval.
After being glared at by Cheng Qianfan, he remained unoffended and merely chuckled.
“Aren’t you two afraid that I’ll report your identities?” Cheng Qianfan asked while picking up a piece of food.
“We’re not.”
Song Fuguo shook his head.
“Our identities are secret. Since we’ve revealed them to you openly, we are eighty percent certain that Officer Cheng is not the sort of person who would betray his nation.”
“And the remaining twenty percent?”
“Song believes that a descendant of Mr. Wenzao would never be the sort to forget his roots.”
Song Fuguo’s expression was solemn.
“You investigated me?”
Cheng Qianfan frowned, then gave a bitter smile.
“Of course. I imagine Mr. Song has already investigated my background thoroughly.”
“With wolves all around and danger lurking everywhere, Officer Cheng should not blame us.”
Song Fuguo nodded.
“When I learned that Officer Cheng was the orphan of martyrs, I was deeply gratified. I had also heard of the deeds of your father and mother and admired them from the bottom of my heart.”
As he spoke, Song Fuguo stood and raised his cup.
“This cup is dedicated to Mr. Cheng Wenzao and Madam Su Zhifu, who gave their lives for the nation.”
Cheng Qianfan rose to his feet, holding his cup with both hands.
His eyes glistened with tears.
“Qianfan thanks you both on behalf of my father and mother. I never imagined there were still people who remembered them.”
“We never dare forget martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the nation.”
“Officer Cheng.”
Song Fuguo spoke.
“Mr. Song, there’s no need to be so formal. You are my elder. You may simply call me Little Cheng.”
“Very well.”
Song Fuguo nodded.
“Qianfan, your father and mother gave their lives for the country and earned everlasting loyalty and honor. Now that the nation faces peril, have you considered inheriting their legacy and serving the country yourself?”
“Mr. Song means to recruit me?” Cheng Qianfan looked up and asked.
“Exactly.”
Song Fuguo nodded slightly.
“I assume Qianfan has already guessed the purpose of today’s invitation. We are here to invite you.”
“If this had been two years ago, I would have refused.”
Cheng Qianfan stood and looked out at the scenery below.
Boss Tao was about to persuade him, but Song Fuguo subtly shook his head.
“Now, I choose to accept.”
Cheng Qianfan looked at Song Fuguo with utmost seriousness.
“Excellent.”
Song Fuguo was overjoyed.
Then he asked curiously,
“Why do you say you would have refused two years ago?”
“Mr. Song should already know the situation of the Cheng family.”
Cheng Qianfan replied.
“For three generations, the Cheng family has had only one male heir. Grandfather never permitted me to engage in dangerous work. Whatever Grandfather said, Qianfan dared not disobey. Nor did I dare make the old man worry day and night.”
“Your grandfather?”
“Grandfather has already passed away.”
A look of sorrow appeared on Cheng Qianfan’s face.
“I’m afraid Qianfan is about to become an unfilial grandson.”
“Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have rarely been perfectly reconciled.”
Song Fuguo patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.
“Indeed, loyalty and filial piety cannot both be fulfilled.”
Cheng Qianfan’s eyes reddened slightly.
“Now that the nation is in peril, how can Qianfan continue hiding in a humble dwelling and struggle merely to survive?”
A passionate light shone in his eyes.
“I can only dedicate this body to the nation. Only then will I not betray my parents’ earnest teachings or fail my country.”
“Excellent!”
Song Fuguo applauded in admiration.
“Well said. With loyal and righteous young men like Qianfan, why should we fear failing to destroy the Japanese invaders? Why should we fear the nation failing to prosper? A blessing for the Party-State, a blessing for the nation!”
Meanwhile, Boss Tao picked up two wine cups filled to the brim and handed them to the two men.
Song Fuguo raised his cup.
“Comrade Cheng Qianfan, on behalf of the Organization, I welcome you into our ranks.”
“I will brave boiling water and raging fire without hesitation.”
Cheng Qianfan’s expression was serious and solemn.
The three men clinked cups and drained them in one gulp.
“Qianfan.”
Song Fuguo took a sip of wine and spoke softly.
“Ordinarily, having only just joined the Organization, you should not be assigned a task so hastily.”
“Team Leader.”
Cheng Qianfan spoke seriously.
“Qianfan has wasted years of his life. I wish I could begin working immediately. Now that my aspirations are clear, I dare not slack off for even a moment.”
“Very good.”
Song Fuguo looked gratified.
He was now extremely satisfied with Cheng Qianfan.
The son of martyrs, full of passion.
Moreover, from what he had learned, this young man had been an outstanding student in the supplementary class of the French Concession Police Sergeant Academy.
He was a rare talent.
All of these factors made Song Fuguo even more hopeful for Cheng Qianfan’s future.
“Since that’s the case, I won’t waste words.”
Song Fuguo lowered his voice.
“The day before yesterday, the Central Police Station arrested a Communist at the Shuanglong Lane Residence. Is that correct?”
“That is indeed the case. Qianfan personally participated in the arrest.”
A thought stirred in Cheng Qianfan’s mind, but he revealed nothing as he nodded.
“Could it be that this Communist has an extraordinary background?”
“Let’s set the Communist matter aside for now.”
Song Fuguo shook his head.
“The Special Service Office’s current priority is the Japanese. Of course, regarding the Reds, we must remain vigilant at all times and never lower our guard.”
“Qianfan understands.”
“When arresting that Communist, did Qianfan notice anything unusual?”
Song Fuguo said.
“To be frank, the intelligence group was tracking a suspected Japanese spy. This man and his accomplice were at the Shuanglong Lane Residence at the time and were among the onlookers.”
“Among the onlookers...”
Cheng Qianfan pondered deeply.
He rose from his seat and began pacing slowly.
Suddenly, his brows relaxed.
A thought flashed through his mind.