Chapter 123 Greed and lust are true villains

noon.

The bulletproof car came to a steady stop at the entrance of the yard.

Zhan Shen pressed the brake pedal, placed his hands on the steering wheel, and showed no intention of getting out of the car.

Wang Xuesen opened the car door and turned to look at him: "Wanjia has prepared lunch, let's go in and have some together."

Zhan Shen waved his hands repeatedly, his face full of resistance: "Forget it, as soon as I go to your house, you'll try to set me up with Xiao Min."

"I don't like that girl, so I shouldn't let her misunderstand."

"I'll drive back first. Call me when you're back at work."

He rented a house not far from Wang Xuesen's home, mainly to protect the Wang family.

In case of any unforeseen circumstances, they can arrive immediately.

Furthermore, he could also act as Wang Xuesen's personal bodyguard during his commute.

Wang Xuesen knew he was embarrassed, so he didn't press him.

"Okay, stay home and don't wander around. I'll call you if anything happens."

"Syphilis is rampant lately, so avoid going to shady places unless absolutely necessary."

After saying that, he stepped out of the car.

Zhan Shen curled his lip in annoyance: "I know, why are you so long-winded, just like my traitorous father?"

Just then, Xiaomin untied her apron and jogged out to greet Wang Xuesen, saying, "Big Brother."

She looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed, at Zhan Shen in the driver's seat.

Her eyes revealed an undisguised shyness and anticipation.

"Mr. Zhan."

Zhan Shen felt a chill run down his spine, forcing out a smile that looked worse than a grimace:

"Hello, Ms. Liu."

Xiaomin clutched the hem of her apron with both hands, her voice full of anticipation as she said, "Lunch is ready, you, you..."

She was, after all, just a servant, and could only cast glances at Wang Xuesen.

"Xiaomin wants you to stay for dinner, let's go in together," Wang Xuesen said with a smile.

Zhan Shen scratched the back of his head, his gaze darting away, not daring to look Xiao Min in the eye at all:

"Well, I have to go back to the office to take care of some things, let's do it another day."

He abruptly shifted into gear.

"Director, I'll be going now."

Looking at the loading truck, Wang Xuesen snapped, "Get lost."

Goodbye, Miss Liu!

Zhan Shen pretended not to see the disappointment in Xiao Min's eyes, quickly rolled up the car window, stepped on the gas and sped away as if his life depended on it.

Xiaomin stood there, stunned, her hands hanging limply at her sides.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in them, threatening to spill over.

"elder brother……"

"Mr. Zhan, does he...do he really dislike me?"

Wang Xuesen helplessly touched his forehead: "Xiaomin, there are some things you don't need to ask now, and some people you never need to wait for."

"Zhan Shen, he, he is not good enough for you."

Xiaomin pursed her lips, but tears finally streamed down her face.

"I see."

"What are my conditions, and what are their conditions?"

"I was overthinking it, I'm sorry."

"Thank you for your guidance, brother."

She hastily wiped away her tears, turned around, and quickly ran back to the hall.

Wang Xuesen stood there, sighing softly.

Zhan Shen is a master at both murder and investigation.

But when it comes to women, he's incredibly naive.

He is not a womanizer.

However, he has an extremely discerning eye when it comes to choosing women, and he is very particular about the size of certain body parts.

Moreover, it is extremely sensitive.

Once you feel it's right, you'll be devoted to it.

When White Rose betrayed him and he was severely beaten in the interrogation room, he only felt regret for the broken trust.

If it were anyone else, having been betrayed by a woman and nearly killed, they would have already gone and wiped out the whole family.

This guy acted as if nothing had happened, showing no resentment towards White Rose whatsoever.

Wang Xuesen genuinely felt that a man like Zhan Shen, who wasn't a womanizer, was suited to find a stable and virtuous woman to settle down with.

Xiaomin is actually quite suitable.

Zhan Shen doesn't seem to care about Xiao Min's appearance.

A son of a high-ranking local official like him doesn't really care about money or the status of women.

The key issue is that Xiaomin's physical attributes didn't meet his standards.

Her chest area is really not impressive.

If there's no electricity, there's nothing we can do.

This guy, if he doesn't like someone, even if the King of Heaven himself held a knife to his throat, he wouldn't give Xiaomin a second glance.

This is difficult.

Wang Xuesen shook his head and stepped into the living room.

As soon as I entered, a delicate and fragrant perfume scent wafted towards me.

On the living room sofa, Su Wanjia, Li Lu, and Zheng Pingping were sitting together, chatting enthusiastically.

Each of the three women has her own unique charm.

Wanjia was dressed in a Western-style dress and shawl, looking youthful and charming.

Li Lu, dressed in a simple cheongsam, looked gentle and charming.

Zheng Pingping wore a fitted trench coat, exuding an air of intellectual elegance and socialite sophistication.

Upon seeing him, Su Wanjia, like a joyful bird, immediately came to greet him:

"Xuesen, you're back."

"Sister Lu and Ms. Zheng are here. We were just talking about Ms. Mao's charity performance."

Wang Xuesen frowned, his face instantly darkening: "Ms. Mao is back again?"

Su Wanjia shook her head.

"No, it's about the charity performance before."

"After Ms. Mao's incident, the concession cancelled the charity performance, which was a real shame."

Wang Xuesen deliberately pulled a long face, slammed his briefcase heavily on the coffee table, and swept his sharp gaze across the three women's faces:

"Why don't we talk about cosmetics and bags?"

"Or we could talk about things in bed."

"Why do we have to talk about charity performances?"

"Are you all out of your minds?"

He raised his voice, his tone stern, with a hint of arrogance:

"Watch out, or I'll drag you all into an interrogation room, strip you naked, hang you up, and beat you!"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the living room froze.

Li Lu's pretty face immediately turned red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Zheng Pingping held her teacup, remaining silent, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

Su Wanjia's cheeks flushed, and she reached out and pinched his waist hard: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Sister Lu and Pingping are guests, could you please watch your words to avoid making a scene?"

Wang Xuesen rubbed his lower back and retorted with a pout.

"What's there to worry about?"

"From now on, you better behave yourselves. Anyone who dares to talk about red tickets or politics will get a spanking."

He coughed twice and turned his gaze to Li Lu.

"Ahem, Madam Mao, I wasn't talking about you."

I'm talking about the two of them.

Although he usually spanked Li Lu the most, he still had to pretend in front of Wan Jia.

Pingping is the younger sister in name only.

Wanjia was his wife, so naturally he could scold her at will.

We should at least show Li Lu some respect on the surface.

Otherwise, Wan'er would have noticed that something was wrong.

Li Lu blushed and nodded gently.

"Mr. Wang's lesson is correct; we really shouldn't have talked about these things."

Wang Xuesen, seeing that he had the upper hand, rolled up his sleeves and said, "Let's eat, let's eat, I'm starving."

I washed my hands and went to the dining table.

Wang Xuesen specially opened a bottle of fine red wine and personally poured it for the three women.

He picked up his wine glass and swirled the scarlet liquid.

"The three of you sitting together are simply the most beautiful sight in Shanghai."

"If those rich young men outside saw this, they'd be half-dead."

Wanjia rolled her eyes at him: "You're so sweet-talking. Eat more and talk less."

Wang Xuesen picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.

"I'm serious, women are like this red wine."

"You have to savor it slowly to appreciate its flavor."

His gaze swept over the three women.

"However, drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health, and looking at too many women is bad for your eyes."

"So now I only look at my Wan'er, so I don't get too distracted."

He was naturally witty, humorous, and knowledgeable.

The meal was filled with all sorts of jokes, both risqué and lighthearted, which made the three women laugh uproariously in just a few words.

The tense atmosphere from just now vanished instantly.

The meal was quite enjoyable.

After finishing the meal.

Under the pretext of looking at her newly bought earrings, Su Wanjia pulled Li Lu upstairs.

Xiaomin, being quite sensible, took a broom and went to sweep the courtyard.

In the large living room, only Zheng Pingping and Wang Xuesen remained.

Wang Xuesen picked up the teapot and slowly poured her a cup of jasmine tea.

He raised his eyelids, his gaze sharply fixed on the woman opposite him:

"I didn't realize you had such a strong mentality."

"He can still drink tea and eat."

Zheng Pingping picked up the teacup, her fingers tightening slightly:

Actually, I want to cry.

"Our only and best chance has slipped up."

Wang Xuesen leaned back on the sofa, scrutinizing her mercilessly, and let out a sneer:

"So, you still won't give up."

"Was he still explaining to Ding Mocun over the phone, trying to salvage the situation?"

He leaned forward, exuding a powerful sense of pressure.

"You don't actually think he's stupid enough to believe your nonsense, do you?"

"Ding Mocun is not a fool."

"Your honey trap is fun once, but twice is suicide."

Zheng Pingping met his gaze, her eyes filled with a terrifying determination.

"Like a moth drawn to a flame."

"You'll never know if it's light or death until you try."

"As long as there's even the slightest hope, we should always give it a try."

She put down her teacup and looked directly into Wang Xuesen's eyes.

"Are you the persuader sent by Ding Mo Village?"

"You're trying to persuade me to leave Shanghai, aren't you?"

Wang Xuesen picked up his teacup, blew on the floating tea leaves, and did not answer immediately.

"Ding!"

He took out a lighter, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke: "Why would you think that?"

Zheng Pingping asked in return with a cold face.

"If I don't leave, it will become a handle for Li Shiqun to use against him, won't it?"

Wang Xuesen nodded, pointing at her with the finger holding his cigarette: "Girl, you're very smart."

"But you're wrong."

"I am here on behalf of Li Shih-Chun."

These words were spoken.

Zheng Pingping trembled all over.

She suddenly raised her head and stared intently at the man in front of her.

She realized that her mission, and even her life, was on a countdown.

Wang Xuesen took two more puffs of his cigarette, flicked the ash into the glass ashtray, and casually changed the subject: "According to the information we have, you have a fiancé who was once the captain of the Shanghai Air Combat Squadron, named Wang Hanxun."

"In 1937, he retreated to the mountain city, and you parted ways thereafter."

"And your eldest brother, Zheng Haideng, also joined him after graduating from Nagoya Flight Academy."

At this point, Wang Xuesen paused, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at her.

"Are you two close?"

Zheng Pingping's eyes instantly reddened, and she clenched her teeth.

She nodded.

"Hanxun and I have known each other since we were young, we were childhood sweethearts."

"We originally planned to get married in Hong Kong."

"It's a pity that those damned Japanese devils came, which is why Hanxun is now thousands of miles away from me."

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the longing in her eyes:

"But so what?"

"Only with a country can there be a home; when the country is about to perish, personal feelings between children are secondary."

"I only regret that I couldn't kill Ding the traitor."

"But I have tarnished myself and am ashamed before Hanxun."

"Whenever I think of this, my heart breaks and I can't sleep all night."

Wang Xuesen's expression was calm, and his tone was indifferent:

Have you written to him recently?

Zheng Pingping shook her head, her eyes dimming: "I haven't written to Ding Mocun since I got together with him."

"Every time I pick up a pen, I feel like my heart is being torn apart and I am filled with shame."

"Are you here to arrest me?"

Wang Xuesen shook his head: "I don't want to judge what you've done."

"My suggestion is, you can tell me what you want to say."

"If you die, I can pass on this message to him if there's a chance in the future."

Zheng Pingping took a slight breath: "You, you told him to forget about me and focus on killing the enemy."

Wang Xuesen looked at her: "Just this one sentence?"

Zheng Pingping hummed in agreement.

Wang Xuesen stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and returned to the main topic:

"Li Shiqun asked me to set a trap to lure you."

"I'm meeting you tonight at the Huxi Grand Ballroom, in the name of Ding Mocun."

Zheng Pingping looked at him in surprise, her face full of disbelief.

"You, you shouldn't be telling me these things."

Wang Xuesen curled his lip: "I don't want to say it either, I'll just trick you into going there to be slaughtered."

"But considering you still have some conscience, as a Siberian fur shop owner, I've decided to give you a hand."

Zheng Pingping was full of gratitude, but still shook her head: "No need to trouble you, brother."

"The Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics has already prepared a backup plan for me."

Wang Xuesen immediately laughed and said sarcastically:

"Li Shiqun has his eyes on you; even a god couldn't save you."

"As for the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS), they are even less trustworthy."

He shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. Crossing your legs.

"Let's make a bet."

"After you leave here, go see the people from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS)."

Do you think they'll arrange for you to leave?

"Xu Enzeng would definitely be happy for you to go to the mountain city."

"After all, like Dai Li, he was known for his fondness for beautiful women."

"But Xu Zhaolin will definitely not agree."

"Because you are his lifeline."

"Regarding his future and interests, he will definitely try every means to persuade you to stay and then assassinate Ding Mocun."

"After all, who knows what you'll say when you get back to the mountain town?"

Zheng Pingping remained silent for a moment.

She knew how severe the infighting was within the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics: "Even if they don't save me, I don't want to implicate you."

"I've been exposed."

"Saving me is too risky."

Wang Xuesen nodded in agreement: "That's natural."

"But you don't need to be too grateful to me."

"I want to pull you along, but not entirely for your sake; you are equally valuable to me."

Zheng Pingping looked up at him, her eyes becoming wary: "Since you know about my relationship with Hanxun, and we address each other as brother and sister..."

"I hope you won't make that kind of request."

"I'd rather be dead."

"Dingmo Village, I came here to rid the village of thieves."

"I have no reason to be with you."

Wang Xuesen rolled his eyes, his face full of disgust: "I knew you were a liar."

"What do you mean, 'can sleep with me'? Damn it."

Zheng Pingping showed a hint of guilt.

Wang Xuesen snorted and continued, "Don't worry, I won't sleep with you."

"I just don't want to lose my position as head of the interrogation room."

"I need to borrow your figurine for something."

As he spoke, he leaned forward, his gaze exuding an undeniable air of authority:

"Now I will dictate a list, and you must write it down one by one."

Not a single word can be wrong.

Zheng Pingping's expression hardened, and she sat up straight.

"Zhang Pingshun, head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Dispatch Section, address: No. 27, Lane 3, Garden Lane, Bixun Road..."

Wang Xuesen lowered his voice.

He clearly recounted the personnel information that Chen Gongshu had revealed over the phone in the middle of the night three times.

Zheng Pingping closed her eyes, her lips moved slightly, and she quickly memorized it.

Wang Xuesen said solemnly.

"Repeat it."

Zheng Pingping opened her eyes and repeated herself in a steady voice.

Word for word.

This girl has a really good memory.

She looked at Wang Xuesen with a puzzled expression: "What are these lists for?"

Wang Xuesen's tone was cold and hard.

"These are all scum from the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

"I'm sure you're familiar with some of these names."

He pointed to the street outside.

"You can't leave now."

"If they try to leave by force, Li Shiqun will arrest them directly."

"In other words, there's no way you can escape this hurdle."

He stared into Zheng Pingping's eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Go to the Huxi Dance Hall this afternoon."

"Then, at night, you carry a folding knife in your bag."

"The blade must be coated with poison."

"Also, sew a few bullets into the lining of the coat."

"Go to the Huxi Dance Hall at night, pretending to be going to assassinate Ding Mocun."

Zheng Pingping listened attentively, memorizing every detail.

"There was a gun sealed in a bag in the toilet tank."

"Then agents from the 76th Division will search you."

"When your belongings are taken from you, you must pretend to be panicked."

"Then go to the toilet tank, take the gun out, and throw it out the window."

"This is to create the impression that your assassination attempt was discovered and that you destroyed the evidence."

Wang Xuesen leaned back on the sofa, his tone turning extremely cold:

"I will arrest you myself when the time comes."

"You're going to the torture chamber."

Zheng Pingping instinctively swallowed, her fingers trembling slightly.

The torture chamber at No. 76 was a living hell.

Wang Xuesen continued:

"After going inside."

"Ding Mocun's wife, Zhao Huimin, will definitely torture you."

"You absolutely have to get past this hurdle."

"Only what is vomited after being subjected to torture has credibility."

Zheng Pingping took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "I understand."

Wang Xuesen leaned back on the sofa, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

His gaze fell on Zheng Pingping's pale yet stubborn face: "After you get through Zhao Huimin, I will have Ye Jiqing step in."

"The rivalry between Ye Jiqing and Zhao Huimin has been going on for quite some time."

"Out of her aversion to Zhao Huimin, she will come down to interrogate you and try to bail you out. At that time, you can go with the flow and reveal the list you just wrote down."

"Once you've vomited all this out, as long as we catch the person, your life will be saved."

"I'll save your life first. Your whole family will be under soft detention. I'll arrange for you to work as a translator at the Japanese embassy."

Zheng Pingping suddenly looked up, quite surprised: "Going to the Japanese embassy to work as a translator?"

Her breathing became rapid.

"Wouldn't that make me a complete traitor? I'd rather die than work for the Japanese!"

Wang Xuesen looked at her coldly: "You're already dead, what do you care about your reputation?"

"You may be condemned, but at least your whole family's lives will be saved."

"When the time is right and the conditions are suitable, your family will move away."

"This is the true meaning of 'as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.'"

"You may not be afraid of death, but there's no need to take your father and mother with you."

Zheng Pingping's chest heaved violently.

Wang Xuesen knew she was struggling, so he continued to offer reassurance.

"In the future, even if Xu Zhaolin wants to kill you to silence you, smear you, or discredit you..."

"I will be there, along with some other people, to testify for you."

Wang Xuesen looked directly into her eyes, his tone resolute:

"Please believe me, if this day is truly needed after the restoration, my words will definitely have more credibility than that good-for-nothing Xu Zhaolin."

Zheng Pingping looked at him, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise.

She had long felt that Wang Xuesen was unusual.

The fact that a director of the interrogation room of the 76th Division could obtain so many top-secret lists from both the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is far more complex than it appears on the surface.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions: "Who exactly are you?"

Why are you helping me?

Wang Xuesen chuckled and lit another cigarette: "Who I am is unimportant. I've already said, this is for my own benefit."

"I'm using you as a pretext to solidify my position as the head of the interrogation room."

"Of course, you can go to Li Shiqun and sell me out."

As he spoke, his tone shifted abruptly, and his eyes instantly turned icy cold:

"But don't forget, if you try to use me as a scapegoat, it's very likely you'll be framed."

"Moreover, the interrogation room is full of my people."

He held up one finger and pointed at Zheng Pingping:

"The moment you open your mouth and utter the first word, they will cut out your tongue."

"So that you won't even have a chance to cry foul."

Zheng Pingping met his terrifying gaze without flinching.

She straightened her back, her eyes filled with gratitude:

"I'm not even afraid of that bandit leader Ding Mocun or death, why would I sell you out?"

"I've always known that you've been good to me and genuinely treated me like a younger sister."

Wang Xuesen rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively, "Don't give me that."

"Am I crazy to put so much effort into being a sucker for others?"

The problem is, I want to sleep with you, but you won't agree.

Zheng Pingping's cheeks flushed bright red instantly: "You!"

"Aren't Wanjia and Li Lu pretty enough?"

"Aren't their figures better than mine? Why are you trying to hit on me!"

Wang Xuesen smacked his lips, revealing an expression of utter self-righteousness.

"no the same."

"Ding Mocun always brags to me, saying you're good in bed and very juicy."

He raised an eyebrow, his tone flippant.

"It would be a lie to say I don't want to try."

"Men are all a bit curious."

Zheng Pingping glared at him and stood up.

She grabbed her bag from the sofa: "I have to go."

"I'll go see Xu Zhaolin first and see what his attitude is."

She walked to the door, stopped, and turned to look at Wang Xuesen.

"If he can move me and my family, then you won't need to bother."

"If not, I will cooperate with you."

"Thank you...brother!"

Wang Xuesen then stood up and walked behind her.

Just as Zheng Pingping was about to open the door, he suddenly reached out his large hand.

He gave her a hard squeeze on her shapely buttocks.

Zheng Pingping exclaimed in surprise and whirled around: "You!"

Wang Xuesen looked at his palm and commented with a pursed lip:

"The feel is just so-so."

He was secretly comparing them in his mind.

Actually, it's not as flexible as Wanjia.

After all, Wanjia had practiced before, and she was a year older than Zheng Pingping, and she had trained with him a lot.

She can't compare to Li Lu at all.

Old Ding has never really experienced anything substantial, which is why he's bragging so much, just trying to impress himself.

Zheng Pingping stomped her feet in anger: "You're absolutely disgusting! Can't you leave me with a good impression?"

Wang Xuesen shrugged, looking like a scoundrel.

"Sorry, impressions are worthless to me."

"My principle in doing business is to make a profit at least a little bit."

"Consider this a little interest."

"Otherwise, I'd feel terrible about losing money, and I probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight."

"Furthermore, I know your family is wealthy. If you don't make it out of the interrogation room this time, your fiancé will pass on a message: if you live, you'll receive one hundred taels of gold, not a penny less."

"Your family's money probably won't last long in this world. Rather than having it confiscated sooner or later, you might as well give me some."

"Greedy and lustful! Fine, if you can protect my parents, I'll give you two hundred taels of gold." Zheng Pingping was angry, but she was actually very grateful.

The burning pain in my buttocks was really infuriating.

She walked quickly out of the yard in her high heels, the sound of them clicking on the floor.

Wang Xuesen stood at the door, watching her figure disappear around the corner, his nonchalant expression instantly vanishing.

The real test for Zheng Pingping is yet to come.

The interrogation room is a life-or-death situation.

That vicious woman Zhao Huimin, she'd probably have to be skinned alive.

However, necessary torture is also required.

How can we fool that suspicious fox Li Shiqun without suffering a bit?

Hey!

Wang Xuesen sighed inwardly.

These days, it's easy to be a martyr and sacrifice yourself.

To survive and continue fighting, one must endure what ordinary people cannot; that is truly difficult.

However, Zheng Pingping had just heard about the torture chamber.

He did not seem to show much fear.

All I can say is that this woman was probably prepared to die.

He's a ruthless person, isn't he?

……