Chapter 31: Concealing One’s Abilities
Chapter 31: Concealing One’s Abilities
“Qianfan, what do you think about this matter?” Song Fuguo asked.
“Team Leader already has a plan in mind. This is a test for Qianfan.”
Cheng Qianfan said with a smile.
“I’ll make a fool of myself and share my thoughts.”
Cheng Qianfan pondered for a moment and said, “The first issue we need to consider is Yingzuo Eiichi’s purpose in coming here.”
“Two years ago, internal strife broke out within the East Asia Common Culture Academy, and Yingzuo Eiichi left the school.”
“Wait.”
Song Fuguo interrupted Cheng Qianfan.
“Internal strife?”
“Yes.”
Cheng Qianfan chuckled.
“It’s actually quite interesting. The East Asia Common Culture Academy promoted Sino-Japanese friendship and deceived quite a few Chinese students. However, what the school authorities never expected was that some Japanese students actually came to believe it as well.”
“After the January 28 Incident, the school also descended into chaos. Right-wing Japanese students supported the expansion of military operations by the Japanese army, while some left-wing Japanese students strongly opposed it, believing Japan should not continue invading China. Some Japanese students even went to the Nanshi Stadium to mourn the anti-Japanese soldiers who had died in battle.”
“Something like that actually happened?”
“It absolutely did.”
Cheng Qianfan nodded.
“The incident triggered internal conflict within the school. The two factions went their separate ways, and the rift gradually widened afterward.”
“What happened later?”
Song Fuguo was quite interested.
He realized that the Special Service Office had begun paying attention to the East Asia Common Culture Academy too late, and only at a superficial level.
“Some of the left-wing Japanese students returned to Japan. The right-wing students represented by Yingzuo Eiichi also left the school in large numbers two years ago. I left the East Asia Common Culture Academy at that time as well.”
Cheng Qianfan said seriously.
“Team Leader, these Japanese students speak fluent Chinese, sometimes even seeming more Chinese than Chinese people themselves. They are masters of disguise and extremely dangerous individuals.”
“Based on your understanding of Yingzuo Eiichi, where did he go during these two years? What was he doing?”
Song Fuguo nodded and asked.
“Hard to say.”
Cheng Qianfan shook his head.
“The most likely possibility is that he was assigned by the Japanese side to carry out some secret operation. Now that Yingzuo Eiichi has returned to Shanghai after two years, there is a ninety percent chance that he has come back with a specific mission.”
Song Fuguo nodded.
“Indeed. The Japanese did not use their local agents in Shanghai. Instead, they transferred back Yingzuo Eiichi, a ‘new face’ familiar with Shanghai. That alone demonstrates how cautious they are about this operation.”
The Special Service Office had only begun paying attention to the East Asia Common Culture Academy within the past year, so Yingzuo Eiichi was a complete stranger to them.
Had Cheng Qianfan not known him, the Special Service Office would likely have found it difficult to uncover his true identity in the short term.
“Qianfan, describe Yingzuo Eiichi’s features.”
Song Fuguo said.
“Team Leader.”
Cheng Qianfan glanced around.
“Should we move somewhere else? I’m good at sketching and can provide a portrait.”
“Oh?”
Song Fuguo was surprised once again.
“I never expected you to possess such a skill.”
“When I was young, one of our neighbors was an old-school Shanghai gentleman who excelled at Western painting. I was curious and always watched him. Having nothing better to do, he accepted me as half a disciple.”
Cheng Qianfan said with a smile.
“Xiao Tao, prepare paper and pen.”
Song Fuguo instructed.
Seeing the puzzled look in Cheng Qianfan’s eyes, he explained, “This restaurant is operated by the Special Service Office. Security is not a concern.”
Watching Cheng Qianfan skillfully and effortlessly sketch on a blank sheet of paper, Song Fuguo was overjoyed.
Before long, the face of a young man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old appeared vividly on the page.
The more he looked at Cheng Qianfan, the more satisfied he became.
In his eyes, this young man was a treasure trove, constantly bringing him surprises.
“Amazing. This portrait is practically as good as a photograph.”
Boss Tao clicked his tongue in admiration.
“Team Leader.”
Hearing this, Cheng Qianfan suddenly had an idea.
“It would be best to photograph the sketch. This drawing should also be destroyed as soon as possible.”
“Yingzuo Eiichi knows you’re skilled at sketching?”
Song Fuguo immediately understood.
“Probably not. I rarely display it in front of others.”
Cheng Qianfan shook his head.
“But it’s better to be cautious. I’ve had quite a lot of contact with this man. Yingzuo Eiichi is extremely careful and meticulous. He’s a very dangerous person.”
“Yes, we must be careful.”
Song Fuguo nodded with emotion.
The Special Service Office had been fighting Japanese spies for years. They understood the Japanese agents’ cunning and ruthlessness better than most.
Those lessons had been paid for in blood.
He picked up the sketch and examined it carefully.
If one did not know he was Japanese, one would genuinely mistake him for an ordinary Chinese man.
His appearance was plain, with a smiling expression. The only somewhat Japanese feature was his relatively small eyes.
“Excellent.”
Song Fuguo patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.
“Qianfan, whether we capture this man or not, I will request a commendation for you.”
For the Special Service Office, obtaining the appearance of an important Japanese spy was itself a significant achievement.
“All of this is thanks to Team Leader’s guidance and the assistance of my colleagues. Qianfan dares not claim the credit.”
Cheng Qianfan smiled modestly.
“If everyone had not already done the preliminary work, I would never have connected the matter to this man.”
“Furthermore, since this man has returned to Shanghai to engage in espionage activities, he will naturally have altered or disguised his appearance to some degree.”
Cheng Qianfan reminded him.
Song Fuguo became even more satisfied.
Thoughtful, proficient in multiple languages, possessing special skills, free from the arrogance common among young people, and skilled in dealing with others.
Such talent serving under him filled him with pride.
“Qianfan, do you have anything else to add?”
Song Fuguo asked.
“No.”
After thinking for a moment, Cheng Qianfan shook his head.
“Qianfan is slow-witted. This is all I can think of.”
“This is already very good.”
Song Fuguo said with a smile.
After pausing briefly, he suddenly asked, “Who was the constable who interrupted you?”
“Liu Bo. He’s a constable on good terms with me and is considered fairly upright among the police.”
Cheng Qianfan replied.
Then he looked at Song Fuguo with some confusion.
“Team Leader suspects him?”
“Yes.”
Song Fuguo nodded.
“The fact that he suddenly interrupted you raises the possibility that he was covering for the Japanese spy.”
“Impossible.”
Cheng Qianfan blurted out.
He glanced at Song Fuguo and hurriedly explained, “Please forgive me, Team Leader. It’s not that I question your judgment. It’s just... it’s just difficult to accept immediately. I’ve never even considered such a possibility...”
Seeing that the nearly flawless Cheng Qianfan had finally revealed a weakness, Song Fuguo felt no annoyance.
Instead, he was secretly pleased.
Now this was more like it.
If the boy knew everything and could do everything, how would that reflect the authority of the team leader?
“Qianfan, until now you were only a constable. Although you do possess talent, your way of thinking remains that of an ordinary person.”
Song Fuguo patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.
“Remember this. From now on, you are a member of the Special Service Office. Our way of thinking is to suspect everything. Regarding any person or any matter, you must boldly entertain suspicion and not be misled by your habitual impressions of people and events.”
Cheng Qianfan remained silent for quite a while before showing a look of shame.
“Qianfan understands. I will always remember Team Leader’s earnest teachings.”
“It’s nothing.”
Concerned that the young man might feel discouraged, Song Fuguo continued, “I’ve already said that you’ve done very well. You are extremely talented, and I have great confidence in your future.”
“Qianfan will always remember these teachings and learn from all the seniors and colleagues.”
Cheng Qianfan declared earnestly.
“Very good.”
Song Fuguo nodded happily.