Chapter 121 is about trust, and also poison.

3 PM.

Medical room.

Wang Xuesen rested by the bedside; the pain in his chest had subsided considerably.

Li Shiqun and Ding Mocun both visited him.

Judging from Lao Li and Ye Jiqing's attitudes, they should have completely passed this hurdle.

I was shot twice, and although it hurt, it was worth it.

Life in No. 76 will be much better from now on.

After lying down for a while, my chest felt less tight.

He got off the bed, slowly walked out of the infirmary, and saw Zhan Shen leaning against the corridor railing smoking as soon as he pushed open the door.

Hearing the noise, Zhan Shen turned around, casually took out a cigarette from his pack, and handed one over: "Why didn't you call me?"

"Don't you trust my marksmanship?"

"If I were here, I could smell their scent as soon as I walked in."

Wang Xuesen took the cigarette and put it in his mouth.

Zhan Shen naturally leaned over and lit it for him.

"You saved Old Chen's life because of Wu Kaixian." Zhan Shen looked at him, his voice turning serious: "What he did was dishonest."

Wang Xuesen took a drag of his cigarette, coughed, and said, "I had Old Chen do it. There was a traitor in the upper echelons of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and this time we've finally uncovered him."

Zhan Shen's expression changed slightly.

Wang Xuesen added, "Besides, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) was present at the time, and bullets don't discriminate. I thought about it and decided not to call you."

That's a very understated statement.

Zhan Shen understood.

We didn't call him, not because we didn't trust his marksmanship, but because we were afraid he would die in the chaos.

Something indescribable surged through his chest, making him feel uneasy.

Zhan Shen, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, turned his head away, looking displeased, and said:

"Why are you being so mushy, like a woman?"

Wang Xuesen kicked him and said irritably, "Can't you speak like a human being?"

"If your father hadn't repeatedly told me before he passed away that you were too reckless and that I should be more careful around you and avoid doing things like murder and arson."

"You think I want to bother with you?"

Zhan Shen felt a warmth in his heart, but he scoffed without hesitation, "Forget it, I'm twenty-seven, you're twenty-two, what business is it of yours?"

He turned around nonchalantly:

"I don't care if you die or not!"

They said it all, but they hesitated and didn't actually take a step.

Wang Xuesen called out, "Hey, have you been looking for White Rose lately?"

Zhan Shen waved his hand dismissively, without turning his head: "Not interested."

Wang Xuesen then asked, "What do you think of my nanny, Xiaomin, the one you met last time?"

Zhan Shen turned around, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and looked at him sideways with an expression as if he were an idiot: "You also work as a matchmaker?"

Wang Xuesen said in a serious tone, "Your dad said he wanted me to find you a wife as soon as possible so that the Yin family could have an heir."

Zhan Shen's face darkened, and he glared at him irritably: "Can we please not mention that traitor?"

He paused, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and dangled it between his fingers:

"I can tell you."

"Your nanny has too small a chest, I'm not interested."

"If you really want to introduce me to women... hehe."

He gestured up and down, "At the very least, it should be the model of Ye Jiqing."

Wang Xuesen almost choked on a mouthful of smoke.

Damn it, everyone knows Ye Jiqing is chubby, and everyone's got a sweet tooth for him, right...? He waved his hand dismissively, "Get lost, get lost, get lost!"

Zhan Shen chuckled, then darted away, disappearing in a few strides down the stairs.

Wang Xuesen leaned against the railing, cursing, "Xiaomin is a virgin, and you're getting a good deal? If you don't want her, fine."

He stubbed out his cigarette and began to ponder.

Xiaomin may not be particularly outstanding in appearance, but she is hardworking, down-to-earth, and clever.

Zhan Shen is indeed a rather unreliable playboy.

It would be good to give it to Ma Gan'er.

He was a bit poor and not exactly handsome, but he was honest, hardworking, and good at making a living.

It could be considered a good match in terms of social standing.

At worst, I can turn back and help him out; getting a section chief position won't be too difficult.

But there's no rush; let's wait until things calm down.

……

5:30 p.m.

Just as Wang Xuesen was about to call Wanjia to pick him up, Li Shiqun's bodyguard came to the door, saying that the director had invited him to his home for dinner.

The staff quarters are not far from the office building; it only takes a few minutes to walk there.

As I pushed open the door, the aroma of food wafted towards me.

Li Shiqun sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, while Ye Jiqing busied himself in the kitchen.

Wang Xuesen couldn't help but sigh, this woman is indeed capable.

She's the leader of the wives' group outside, and she's very adept at social interactions.

Once home, she can put on an apron and start cooking; she's very efficient.

Not only is she rich and good-looking, but she's also truly elegant and capable in the kitchen.

She may not be considered a virtuous wife, but she certainly deserves the title of "kind".

Wang Xuesen said apologetically, "Director, I'm sorry. I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't change my clothes."

Li Shiqun waved his hand casually, "Let's keep it simple from now on, no need for all that stuff."

He put down the newspaper and glanced at Wang Xuesen.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Much better, just a bit of tightness in my chest." Wang Xuesen gently pounded his chest, feigning weakness.

Li Shiqun nodded: "Your sister-in-law made you some crucian carp soup, drink more of it later."

moment.

Ye Jiqing brought out the dishes one by one.

Braised pork belly, steamed mandarin fish, garlic-flavored seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of milky-white crucian carp soup—you can tell from the effort put into these dishes.

She took off her apron and sat down next to Wang Xuesen, revealing a maroon fitted sweater, her hair tucked behind her ears, and a pair of small gold earrings.

"Xuesen, don't be shy, make yourself at home."

Wang Xuesen picked up his chopsticks and said sincerely, "Thank you, sister-in-law, but I won't be polite."

He picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into his mouth:

"To be honest, I only eat with the best appetite and feel most at ease when I'm with my older brother or at home."

Ye Jiqing smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners: "Whenever you're free, come to my house. Call ahead if you want anything cooked; I can cook Sichuan, Shandong, and Shanghainese cuisine."

As she spoke, she used serving chopsticks to put two pieces of mandarin fish into Wang Xuesen's bowl.

"Xuesen, you know the checkpoints are blocked. How's your supply of American goods going?"

Amidst laughter and conversation, she abruptly changed the subject and got to the main point.

"Yesterday I went to the club to play cards, and they all kept urging me to buy perfume and bags, saying that Madame Chiang Kai-shek was wearing new fur coats recently and they all wanted them."

Li Shiqun coughed lightly: "Xuesen is still recovering from his injury, why are you bringing this up?"

Ye Jiqing rolled her eyes at him and said reproachfully, "Say it, Xuesen isn't an outsider."

She put down her chopsticks, her tone tinged with anxiety:

"We can't even pay the employees' wages. Ding Mocun is just throwing caution to the wind. He'll just blame me, the accountant, for the deficit and get rid of it all."

"Shouldn't we come up with a solution ourselves?"

Wang Xuesen nodded: "I asked my friends, and they said they can get some of the goods."

Ye Jiqing's eyes lit up.

"But the price will be higher." He held up one finger. "Also, the quantity will be cut in half."

Ye Jiqing's smile immediately faded, and her delicate brows furrowed: "Why? It's not like we're refusing to give those Americans money."

Wang Xuesen put down his chopsticks, his tone tinged with helplessness: "It has nothing to do with money. The Bai family and Wilson are negotiating a cooperation. The Americans are very optimistic about the Green Gang's connections behind him, and they may reach an exclusive cooperation agreement."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The only way I can get some is through old connections."

Ye Jiqing was so angry her teeth itched: "It's that Bai family again! What exactly are they trying to do?"

She gets furious at the mere mention of Bai Junqi.

Not only have these people ruined the way they used to make money by setting up checkpoints, but now they're even cutting off the supply of American goods.

It's like a persistent ghost.

Li Shiqun put down his chopsticks and raised his chin: "Alright. Use your bowl to serve some food, then go upstairs and take Yunxiang and the others to eat."

Ye Jiqing hadn't finished venting his grievances when Old Li's words shut him up.

She pursed her lips, stood up, smoothed the hem of her shapely skirt, picked up a bowl and chopsticks, picked out a few dishes, and went upstairs with a pout.

Soon, the sound of her scolding the child could be heard.

Why do you hit your child for no reason?

Only two people remained at the dinner table.

Li Shiqun took a sip of soup and said calmly:

"Take your time with the goods, there's no rush."

Wang Xuesen nodded, knowing that the main topic was about to be discussed.

really.

Li Shiqun lowered his voice by half a beat.

"Xuesen, did Director Ding mention Zheng Pingping to you?"

Wang Xuesen shook his head without hesitation: "No. He just told me that Zheng Pingping went home and complained that I had brought in a Kuomintang assassin."

At this point, a hint of indignation appeared on his face:

"If I hadn't risked my life to save him, he might have been shot. Well, now he's blaming me."

Li Shiqun sneered, a chill running through his eyes.

"Old Ding wasn't complaining."

"I think he's just being greedy and using you to cover for Zheng Pingping."

"According to our investigation, Zheng Pingping's family had contact with Ji Yuanpu."

During his relationship with her, Ding Mocun was suspected of being assassinated once.

He held up two fingers.

"Including today, that makes two times."

Wang Xuesen paused slightly with his chopsticks, a perfectly timed look of surprise on his face: "What do you mean, brother?"

"I suspect that Zheng Pingping is a member of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS)."

Li Shiqun stared into his eyes, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

What do you think?

There was a moment of silence at the dinner table.

Wang Xuesen's hand, which was holding a chopstick, was suspended in mid-air. He had only chewed half of the braised pork in his mouth when he suddenly lost his appetite.

What does Lao Li mean by this?

A test?

Or are we really going to take action against Zheng Pingping?

He quickly went through it in his mind.

Ji Yuanpu was a prominent figure in the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) in Shanghai, and Zheng Yue was a veteran member of the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance). With these two relationships connected, it is logically sound for Li Shiqun to suspect that Zheng Pingping was colluding with the CBIS.

The problem is that if Li Shiqun really traces the problem back to Zheng Pingping, then Zheng Pingping will be in trouble.

No one could withstand the methods used in interrogation room number 76.

However, if he were to speak up for Zheng Pingping and try to clear her name now, it would only alert Li Shiqun.

After all, he and Zheng Pingping didn't have that deep a relationship.

On the surface, Zheng Pingping was still looking down on herself, but many people in the leather goods shop heard it.

As for covering for a woman who has nothing to do with him?

It cannot be protected.

At least not openly.

However, we shouldn't kick someone when they're down or make definitive statements.

If it is later discovered that Zheng Pingping did indeed have connections with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS), and I have vehemently denied it today, then I will become an accomplice.

The safest way is to kick the ball back.

"Brother, I think Zheng Pingping has some issues."

"But it doesn't necessarily mean it's from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS); it could also be the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (MMIS)."

Wang Xuesen gave it a brief consideration.

"If I hadn't taken a bullet for Ding Mocun today, Old Ding would be in big trouble right now," he said, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag.

"Compared to the former, I think it's more likely that he's from the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"Everyone knows her father had dealings with Ji Yuanpu. If she were a member of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS), wouldn't that be strange?"

Wang Xuesen continued, "However, we can't make a sweeping judgment based solely on these facts. What if Miss Zheng simply dislikes Director Ding but is too embarrassed to admit it?"

"This kind of thing is all too common in socialite circles."

"But if you let me investigate, I can find out about her from the sidelines."

"After all, I've only met her a few times, so it shouldn't raise any suspicion."

Li Shiqun did not respond immediately, his gaze fixed on Wang Xuesen's face, as if weighing something.

After several seconds, he gave a soft "hmm": "I have had the Fourth Security Bureau closely monitor Zheng Pingping's family. Interestingly, Zheng Pingping doesn't seem to have any intention of escaping."

"Brother, does she know she's being monitored by us? Besides, her parents are here, and she doesn't want to implicate her family?" Wang Xuesen analyzed.

"That's possible."

"Furthermore, I want to set up a trap to lure her into it."

"Based on our surveillance of the telephones in Dingmo Village."

"Zheng Pingping explained and acted coquettishly to Ding Mocun on the phone."

"In other words, she still held onto hope for Ding Mocun, believing that Butcher Ding would continue to tolerate her because of her beauty."

Do you know what this means?

Wang Xuesen astutely followed up, saying, "It means she hasn't given up and is still trying to get close to Ding Mo Village."

"When a person is about to lose hope."

"Survival is often not the most important thing anymore; she will fight like a trapped beast in a final desperate struggle."

"If Zheng Pingping is from Chongqing."

"Having missed the fur shop, she has virtually no chance of assassinating Ding Mocun."

"That's why she acted coquettishly and offered explanations; in essence, she was trying to seize one last glimmer of hope for the assassination."

"And that's the opportunity I wanted to give her."

Li Shiqun smiled shrewdly.

"Brother truly deserves to be called the King of Spies, Xuesen admires him," Wang Xuesen praised.

"I plan to invite her to dance at the Huxi Grand Ballroom on Christmas Eve, in Ding Mocun's name."

"Ding Mocun certainly won't go. He's been covering for Zheng Pingping all this time, and he's worried about the beauty, so he definitely won't cooperate with me."

"But Zheng Pingping trusts you and has always used you as a mouthpiece."

"Therefore, I hope you will personally deliver this message and lead her to the Huxi Ballroom."

"If she really is an assassin, she certainly won't let this last chance slip by."

"As long as we can find something to use against her and arrest her on the spot, Ding Mocun will have no chance of recovery."

Li Shiqun lit a cigarette, took a puff, and let the smoke slowly escape from the corner of his mouth.

Wang Xuesen's hair stood on end.

He still looked at him with admiration and said, "Brother, I can go and pass on the message, but the arrest must be done carefully. Zheng Pingping is not stupid. If she notices something amiss, she might make a scene and alert the police, which would be very troublesome."

Li Shiqun nodded and frowned, saying, "This is indeed a troublesome matter. Si Bao is too conspicuous, and his subordinates are uncouth and not reliable enough in their work."

"Brother, why don't we send Linzhijiang?" Wang Xuesen suggested.

"Lin Zhijiang is Ding Mocun's man. Letting him arrest him would be like 'our own people arresting our own people' for Ding Mocun. This would severely damage Ding Mocun's prestige and self-esteem in No. 76."

"If something goes wrong, it'll be easy to use as a scapegoat."

He blinked, offering a shrewd suggestion.

"Could he inform Dingmo Village?" Li Shiqun asked.

"I'll go talk to him."

"Just say that your elder brother intends to win him over and give him a chance to test him."

"I only told him to go and do his job on Christmas Eve, not to arrest Zheng Pingping. I told him to set up a surveillance operation first, and to inform him when Zheng Pingping arrived."

"He doesn't know the specifics, so telling Ding Mocun wouldn't help."

Wang Xuesen explained.

"Yes, that's fine."

"Xuesen, I'm entrusting this matter entirely to you. Remember, this is a secret known only to heaven, earth, you, and me."

"Whether we can completely drive Dingmo Village out depends on this battle."

Li Shiqun spoke frankly.

He truly trusted Wang Xuesen.

They intended to entrust the great task to this rising star who had just passed the life-or-death test.

"Thank you, brother. I will definitely win over Zheng Pingping and help you sit on the throne." Wang Xuesen stood up and solemnly accepted the order.

"Um."

"You're smart and young. If we join forces, we'll surely achieve great things," Li Shiqun said happily.

After finishing his meal, Wang Xuesen prepared to leave.

Ye Jiqing strode downstairs. "Xuesen, your sister-in-law is seeing you off."

Once outside, she took Wang Xuesen's hand for support, saying as they walked, "Xuesen, I don't understand matters of fighting and killing, but I have something to remind you."

"Your older brother values ​​his career highly."

"But in my opinion, the situation is unstable right now, so you should pay more attention to money."

"If the situation changes someday, we'll have gold and silver in our pockets, so we won't panic."

Wang Xuesen felt the soft warmth of her breasts resting on his arm, but dared not look away: "Don't worry, sister-in-law. To be honest, Mr. Wang's move has completely broken my heart. I have no interest in my political future anymore."

"I just want to work with my older brother to build up the company, make some money, and live a good life with Wanjia."

Ye Jiqing was overjoyed and said in a sweet voice, "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. I'll steam some buns for you tomorrow morning."

Wang Xuesen quickly replied politely, "Sister-in-law, no, that would be too much trouble."

Smelling the faint fragrance of Ye Jiqing's perfume and feeling her soft warmth, Wang Xuesen truly wished this road could last a lifetime.

But soon, Wanjia's beautiful figure appeared.

"Xuesen, sister-in-law." This girl is quite oblivious in this regard and didn't seem to think that Ye Jiqing and Xuesen were getting too close.

Ye Jiqing secretly stepped away, pretending to support her, and said, "Wan'er is here, I'm entrusting her to you now."

"Sister-in-law, you go ahead with your work, thank you," Su Wanjia said with a smile.

"Okay, I'm leaving."

Ye Jiqing shook her handkerchief and went off with a smile, swaying her hips.

"Xuesen, you look terrible. Why are you sweating so much? Should we go to the hospital?" Wanjia panicked.

As soon as Ye Jiqing left, Xue Sen broke out in a cold sweat, his face turning deathly pale.

"fine."

"He was injured by a bullet shock. Let's talk in the car," Wang Xuesen said.

Got in the car.

He sat in the passenger seat, his heart heavy.

Li Shiqun actually told him about the confidential matter of wiretapping Ding Mocun's phone.

They also entrusted such an important operation.

Is this a sign of trust, or another test, a suspicion that he's in cahoots with Zheng Pingping?

The current problem is:

If he tells Zheng Pingping that he's running away, all the trust he's built up over time will be destroyed by Li Shiqun.

As one of only two people in the know, I can't deny it.

Moreover, Wang Xuesen believed that Li Shiqun had already laid a trap, and Zheng Pingping might not be able to escape.

If he didn't tell Zheng Pingping, he would arrest her himself.

There's absolutely nothing to complain about, inside or out.

too difficult!

"Wan'er, when we pass by the pharmacy later, stop the car and go see Lao Du."

"Have him help me make an appointment with District Chief Chen."

"I want to talk to him in person."

Wang Xuesen took a slight breath and looked at Wanjia, who was focused on driving.

……