Chapter 141 Tonight's the Catch

In the office, Li Shiqun was talking to Liu Zhongwen.

Wu Sibao pushed open the door and came in, his hat still on, his voice booming first:

"Brother, Jiang Jun stopped a guy named Xiong Fei at the gate duty room. He said he was released by Lao Hu's side and should be allowed to pass."

Li Shiqun put down his pen, his brow furrowing: "What did they say in the interrogation room?"

"It probably didn't even pass through the interrogation room." Wu Sibao curled his lip.

"When Lao Hu arrests someone, he usually puts them in the detention room and interrogates them by himself first. Only after that is he handed them over to the interrogation room."

"This person was arrested last night and released in less than 24 hours."

"Either Lao Hu abused his power for personal gain, or there's something fishy going on here."

"He treats the building's rules and regulations like a joke."

Li Shiqun remained silent, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed:

"Xuesen, it's me."

"Has Xiong Fei, a guy on Lao Hu's side, been interrogated yet?"

"Okay, I understand."

Li Shiqun hung up the phone and turned to Wu Sibao: "Let him go."

Wu Sibao stiffened his neck:

"Brother, as far as I know, this Xiong Fei is a black market dealer. He was arrested and released without any interrogation. There must be something going on here."

"I know," Li Shiqun said calmly.

"This man works for the Lihe Trading Company and has close ties with the Germans. Old Hu didn't find any evidence, so it's normal to release him after routine questioning. Let's just do it this way."

Wu Sibao was unwilling to give up and took half a step forward: "Brother, let me interrogate him. If I beat that kid up, I guarantee he'll spill some stuff."

"Besides, the Germans aren't Japanese, why should we be afraid of them?"

Li Shiqun looked up at him, his gaze darkening.

"Four Guarantees".

"There are some things I don't say, out of brotherhood."

"Old Hu is one of our own, after all, he's the head of the intelligence department. One of you is my eyes, and the other is my hands."

"I approve of internal oversight, but you have to prioritize and use appropriate methods."

He tapped his fingers twice on the table, his tone turning colder: "This kind of blatant attempt to undermine unity is foolish."

"I advise you not to do it, and I won't agree to you doing it."

"Even if you want to climb the ladder, you have to compete based on your own abilities, do you understand what I mean?"

Wu Sibao's lips moved, as if he wanted to speak but then swallowed his words back.

He's not stupid. He's been targeting Hu Junhe lately, and his older brother is annoyed with him.

"Alright, I'll go release them now." He said somewhat unhappily, then turned and left.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Li Shiqun leaned back in his chair and turned to look at Liu Zhongwen: "What do you think?"

"This is a good thing," Liu Zhongwen said with a faint smile, pushing up his glasses.

"At least Sibao is now alert and will no longer let Director Hu lead him by the nose and use him as a tool."

He paused, then changed the subject: "But Director, you've crossed a line. Arresting and interrogating people are necessary procedures."

"Director Hu bypassed the interrogation room; this is an abuse of public resources for private gain."

Li Shiqun smiled and shook his head: "Let's not do it again."

"There's nothing we can do. Si Bao and his gang went too far. They even deliberately made things difficult for the intelligence department when it came to distributing a few bags of flour."

"Yongxinglong Company didn't let Lao Hu participate, and now Iwai Mansion has sent Yang Siyuan to monitor him."

He sighed, "He's not having an easy time either, so I understand his resentment. I can accept him taking a small cut from someone now."

"The director didn't investigate the Liujiagang incident last time, and now he's even given him a share of the profits. The director really has a deep affection for Lao Hu." Liu Zhongwen nodded.

He paused for a moment, his tone becoming serious:

"However, Lao Hu is a senior figure, has private dealings with the Japanese, and is on friendly terms with Wang Xuesen, so the director should still be wary of him."

Li Shiqun paced back and forth a couple of times, a shrewd and calculating composure appearing on his face:

"certainly."

"That's why I leaked the information about becoming the deputy director."

"With this carrot hanging over us, Wu Sibao and Yang Jie will fight Hu Junhe to the death, and I can just watch the show from the sidelines."

Liu Zhongwen hesitated for a moment: "It seems the director didn't consider Wang Xuesen?"

Li Shiqun turned his head away.

Liu Zhongwen met his gaze and said calmly:

"This guy is no ordinary person. He has connections with Captain Okamura and Section Chief Fujita. If he were to suddenly reveal his fangs, he might be even more terrifying than Hu Junhe."

"Look, you're here again."

Li Shiqun glanced at him, his tone tinged with disdain:

"Wang Xuesen's qualifications aren't enough to compete for the deputy director position, are they?"

"The personnel of No. 76 still had to go through the hands of Wang Jingwei and Zhou Fohai. With Chen Bijun as the hurdle, Wang Xuesen could forget about having any hope in this lifetime."

"Besides, he doesn't seem interested at all; all he cares about is money."

He raised his hand and held up one finger: "He's just a little clever, but he lacks the courage to do big things."

"Furthermore, if he were truly on good terms with Captain Okamura, would he need to pursue Fujita Hajime's daughter to deal with Bai Junqi?"

"Why all this roundabout stuff?"

Liu Zhongwen pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"That's true. As long as Wang Xuesen's position remains unchanged, no matter how much power he has, it will be difficult for him to cause any trouble."

He verbally agreed.

But he never let his guard down.

If this person isn't kept a close watch, one day he'll bare his fangs and start eating people.

He didn't say anything more; some things are best left unsaid.

The director listened and naturally took note.

If they won't listen, no amount of talking will help.

Li Shiqun walked back to his desk and sat down again.

"Alright, you can go ahead and get busy."

"Yes."

Liu Zhongwen turned and went out the door.

……

The night is getting darker.

The second floor of Fujita Mansion in the HK district.

Miyako sat in front of the dressing table, carefully drawing her eyebrows and applying makeup in front of the mirror.

I'll be able to meet my "ideal person" tonight.

It is also a gift to oneself.

She wanted to keep her promise and give him the most beautiful version of herself.

Open the drawer.

She started flipping through the letters.

I've read each one countless times; I can even recite some sentences from memory.

But every time I reread it, my heart skips a beat.

Turn to the last letter:

"Miss Miyako, I will be going to the Astor House Hotel tonight, and I have a special surprise for you there."

"Please believe me, you won't be disappointed after we meet."

She pressed the letter to her chest, squinted her eyes, and smiled happily.

What will he be like?

He can compose music, has beautiful handwriting, and is at least a cultured person.

Clerk, or college student, or artist.

Well, in any case, it wouldn't be someone like Wang Xuesen, would it?

They are dog spies who shoot in the streets every day, shut down progressive newspapers and societies, and boast about their military might.

She shook her head, trying to banish that disgusting name from her mind.

Is he young, or is he the same age as his father?

do not care.

Anyway, I've already given him my heart.

Even though she was sixty years old, she was willing to give him her most precious possession, thus fulfilling their destiny.

In this way, even if she does marry Bai Junqi in the future, at least she won't have any regrets.

"Miss, it's time to go to the hotel." A maid's respectful voice came from outside the door.

"OK."

Miyako locked the letter again, lifted the hem of her kimono, and stepped out of the room.

……

Astor House Hotel, Banquet Hall No. 2 on the third floor.

Bai Junqi was dressed in a snow-white suit, his slicked-back hair shiny and glossy.

He would occasionally raise his glass, smiling and greeting passing guests with a smug arrogance on his face.

Wang Xuesen, meanwhile, was quietly drinking in a corner.

Like a hunter, they wait quietly for their prey to appear.

A sudden commotion broke out at the entrance.

Lady Huixiang walked in, wearing a cherry blossom patterned kimono, her hair piled high, and her lips bright red.

Tsk tsk, the neckline is a bit low tonight.

It's so flamboyant it's off the charts.

Damn, isn't she a lonely widow? She's just teasing everyone.

"lady."

Wang Xuesen, holding his cup, walked over with a gentle, welcoming air.

As soon as Madam Huixiang entered the room, she noticed Wang Xuesen. She greeted Fujita and the others on the surface, but her eyes never left him.

"Director Wang." She smiled coolly, her beautiful eyes instinctively shifting downwards, glancing at Wang Xuesen's crotch.

His trousers were impeccably tailored, and you couldn't tell anything was wrong with them.

Wang Xuesen's trousers and even his underwear were custom-made by Wanjia, covering him completely.

I'm afraid he'll act recklessly and improperly outside, making himself a laughingstock or attracting unwanted attention.

"Madam, did you like the gift I gave you last time?" Wang Xuesen asked with a smile.

Madam Huixiang blushed slightly, as this reminded her of something.

"What gift?"

"I don't know what Director Wang is talking about."

Seeing that someone was watching, she turned away coolly.

However, this made Madam Huixiang have some doubts.

Was Wang Xuesen really given such an exaggerated "gift" as it implied?

Is that just bragging?

It doesn't look like it at all, it doesn't seem like it.

When her late husband was pursuing her, he also boasted about how amazing he was.

She only found out after they got married that he was only good at that, he could finish in a few strokes and leave her staring blankly at the ceiling.

Men are all concerned about their image; their verbal skills are always better than their sexual prowess.

As for the rumors about the white rose, they are probably fake news bought with money.

Madam Huixiang has been in this circle for so long, she knows it inside and out.

In particular, several military officers and wealthy merchants' concubines were fond of sexual relations and preferred to sleep with younger men.

If Wang Xuesen truly possessed the abilities that Bai Meigui boasted about, he would have been thoroughly "eaten up" by those women long ago.

Aside from the rumors about the white rose, she had never heard of Wang Xuesen having any romantic relationships with any other woman.

There were rumors that Su Wanjia almost kicked this guy out of the house because he frequently visited pharmacy shops.

fake.

Everything is fake.

This guy is no different from any other man; he's just a liar.

Upon thinking of this, Madam Huixiang's secret expectations immediately cooled down considerably.

Disappointed, she looked away and turned to walk away.

"Damn, what's with that look?" Wang Xuesen thought to himself, feeling a sense of unease, as if he were being looked down upon.

Have you already found a suitable bed partner?

No.

Wang Xuesen looked down and immediately understood.

Ah!

Is this a sign that they're starting to doubt their own capabilities?

Damn it, I almost got delayed by these damn trousers.

He quickened his pace, lowering his voice, "Madam, may I have a word with you in private?"

"Feel sorry."

Madam Huixiang, holding her wine glass, said in an extremely distant tone, "I need to go meet some friends first."

Just as Wang Xuesen was about to speak, Bai Junqi cut in from the side, blocking his chest with one hand:

"Can't you tell? Madam Huixiang isn't interested in you."

He tilted his head, his eyes full of gloating provocation: "I advise you not to be shameless. I'm in charge here tonight. Don't cause trouble in my territory."

Wang Xuesen looked at him with a smile:

"Tell me, isn't Lady Huixiang's bottom round and shapely?"

"Round, absolutely beautiful." Bai Junqi glanced at Madam Huixiang's hips and swallowed hard.

Wang Xuesen withdrew his gaze and sneered, "Brother, you can only dream about it. You're a completely rotten three-second quick man."

Bai Junqi's face flushed instantly, but he remained defiant: "Watch your mouth, who's rotten? Who only has... three seconds?"

"Alright, stop pretending."

"The rumors about those women at the dance hall have already spread."

It's not that I look down on you.

Even if Lady Huixiang were lying right in front of you, you would probably only be able to sigh longingly at her.

Wang Xuesen relentlessly attacked him.

Bai Junqi glared at him fiercely: "You talk as if you can get your hands on Lady Huixiang."

"Useless trash."

"All you have left is your stubbornness," Wang Xuesen said, not annoyed, but even smiling.

Bai Junqi adjusted the gold buttons on his cuffs and drawled:

"I'm being stubborn? At least tonight, Miyako is mine."

"I know you're not giving up, but Miss Miyako seems to really dislike you."

He lowered his voice and said, "I want you to see me propose to her later."

"Don't worry, you'll receive the photos I fabricated of her tomorrow."

"I guarantee you'll be very excited when you see it."

"Fine, whatever makes you happy." Wang Xuesen shrugged, too lazy to pay him any more attention.

As they were talking, Miyako entered, accompanied by her maid.

She wore a light pink kimono, simple and elegant.

She wore no heavy makeup, just a light dusting of blush.

Wang Xuesen sighed inwardly.

Luckily, I intervened. It would have been such a waste if it had fallen into the hands of a scumbag like Bai Junqi.

Fujita stepped forward, and the father and daughter exchanged a few words.

Fujita then stepped to the front of the stage, raised his glass, and said a few words of congratulations.

The guests raised their glasses.

The geisha began her performance.

Miyako sat beside her father, her hands neatly folded on her knees.

Her gaze, however, was not on the stage.

Search within the crowd.

One face after another flashed by, those faces of people clinking glasses and exchanging toasts... none of them were it.

The person I'm looking for still hasn't appeared.

Miyako felt a little flustered.

He said he would come.

Where is she?

Every time a new guest entered the hall, she would cast an expectant glance at them, only to be met with disappointment each time.

Will he stand me up?

Or perhaps: he never intended to come at all.

It's self-deception.

The moment this thought crossed Miyako's mind, a deep sense of despair welled up inside her.

The hall was full of guests, all scheming and despicable.

What does it have to do with her?

All I wanted was to spend the night with him, and to give my most precious things to the person I truly loved.

Why won't you even give yourself this small chance?

She lowered her head, blinking rapidly to force back the tears welling up in her eyes.

Out of the corner of my eye, Bai Junqi was clinking glasses with Fujita Hajime with a grin, looking determined to win.

She was also holding an exquisite gift box in her hands.

She knew what he was going to do.

That disgusting guy.

"Miss Miyako, you look beautiful tonight."

Wang Xuesen, holding a wine glass, walked over and asked with a smile, "May I have this dance?"

Miyako looked up and glanced at him.

She didn't want to talk to this person, so she forced a polite smile and said, "No, thank you."

She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the swirling skirts on the dance floor:

"Women, money, power, everything you want is on this dance floor."

"You should go dance with them."

Wang Xuesen swirled his wine glass, then didn't press the matter further: "Alright, if you need a dance partner, just call me anytime."

Miyako had absolutely no interest in him and lowered her head, remaining silent.

Wang Xuesen felt a slight joy in his heart.

Damn it, I look so handsome tonight, and they won't even give me a second glance.

This girl is truly devoted to her "ideal man".

He smiled, said nothing more, and turned to walk aside.

Miyako turned her gaze back to the entrance of the hall.

empty.

No one came in.

Sigh, tonight is destined to be a disappointment.

……

Wang Xuesen did not pay much attention to Miyako.

For him, apart from Wanjia, all other women were just "partners".

There are plenty of beautiful and hot women in Shanghai, he doesn't have that much interest in hunting for women.

If it weren't for Madam Huixiang's resources, and Miyako's ability to become a pawn in winning over the Special Higher Police, he might not have cared much for them.

After all, a person's energy is limited.

He had already experienced this firsthand with Wanjia and Li Lu.

But the situation has changed now.

Fujita Hajime has already chosen sides, and the defeat of the Bai family is basically a foregone conclusion.

It would be a waste of time to get involved with these two women.

Let's do it tonight, all in one go.

First, grab the big ones.

Wang Xuesen's gaze fell on Madam Huixiang.

Lady Huixiang was also looking at him.

The difference is that her gaze is still fixed only on her lower body.

Like a purchasing agent inspecting goods, he wanted to measure everything clearly with a ruler.

However, each time she was spied on, she became more disappointed.

She slightly pursed her lips, and the interest in her eyes faded even more.

"This is so damn realistic..." Wang Xuesen cursed inwardly.

Can't you look at their face, their demeanor, or something else?

They have to keep an eye on that spot.

Not only did they stare at me, but they also looked disgusted.

I have to show her the truth today.

Thinking of this, he winked at Qingfu, who was engrossed in eating snacks in the corner.

Qingfu wiped his mouth, picked up a glass of orange juice, and, with his protruding belly, sidled over to Madam Huixiang.

Mrs. Huixiang was chatting and laughing with two wives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

"Ouch!"

Qingfu stumbled, spilling orange juice from his hand. Unfortunately, it landed right on Madam Huixiang's chest.

"what!"

Lady Huixiang cried out in surprise and looked down to find her expensive kimono smeared with orange juice all over her chest, making her look extremely disheveled.

Qingfu was so frightened that he bowed deeply, his voice trembling, "I'm sorry, Madam, I... I didn't mean to, I slipped, I'm so sorry..."

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Madam Huixiang took the silk handkerchief handed to her by someone nearby and began to wipe herself, half-covering her body.

"Snapped!"

Bai Junqi rushed over and slapped Qingfu hard across the face.

"Are you blind?!" Bai Junqi pointed at Qingfu's nose, his voice stern. "What are you doing wandering around here? Do you know what kind of place this is? Get out of here right now!"

"Yes, yes..."

Qingfu covered his face, glanced pitifully at Wang Xuesen, and slunk away towards the door.

"Madam, I'm so sorry." Bai Junqi turned around and put on a fawning smile.

He beckoned to the waitress beside him: "Xiao Zhu, take Madam to the VIP room to handle this."

"Thanks."

Madam Huixiang clutched her chest and quickly followed the waitress toward the VIP room in the side hall.

Bai Junqi stared at her plump, round buttocks and couldn't help but swallow a few times.

My poor little fat brother... Wang Xuesen put down his wine glass and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, quietly went around to the other side of the corridor.

The VIP room is at the far end of the side hall, with a carved wooden door half-closed.

The same waitress was standing at the door, about to go in and bring in a hot towel.

Wang Xuesen quietly walked over, handed over two hundred US dollars, and at the same time raised his index finger to make a "shh" gesture.

Two hundred US dollars.

That's enough for this girl's salary for a year.

The waitress glanced down at the money in her hand, opened her mouth, then obediently shut it.

She handed the hot towel to Wang Xuesen and left silently.

Wang Xuesen turned the doorknob and quietly went inside.

The VIP room was small, with a thick plush carpet. Mrs. Huixiang had already taken off her outer kimono and draped it over the back of the chair.

She was bending over, wringing out a towel to wipe the juice stains off her collarbone and chest.

Footsteps sounded.

She suddenly straightened up and turned her head sharply.

Upon seeing that the person was Wang Xuesen, she panicked and crossed her arms to cover her chest: "Mr. Wang, what do you want? Get out!"

She took a deep breath, her eyes flashing with anger and vigilance: "Otherwise, if I just shout, given the power and rage of the upper echelons of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, I guarantee even Li Shiqun won't be able to protect you."

Wang Xuesen neither stopped nor rushed.

He closed the door, bolted it, and smiled.

"What do you think I want to do? I just want to make you happy."

"Madam doesn't seem to be in a good mood tonight."

Click!

After saying that, he forcefully unbuckled his belt.

"you……"

Madam Huixiang's almond-shaped eyes widened, and the scream that was about to come out of her throat was abruptly cut off.

OMG!

The rumors about the white roses turned out to be true.

No.

It's even more excessive than rumors and gifts.

Her lips trembled slightly: "You...you get out."

"Or I could just shout it out."

Wang Xuesen stepped forward, winking with a mischievous grin:

"Whatever you want."

"Madam, you like me, don't you?"

"You're talking nonsense! Why would I like you?" Madam Huixiang protested in a trembling voice.

"You have a crush on me, and you think about me every night."

"No, don't talk nonsense."

Madam Huixiang's back was pressed against the wall, leaving her with no way to retreat.

She turned her face away, not daring to look at him, her heart racing, her face already flushed.

"Stay away from me... or I'll really yell."

"nonsense?"

Wang Xuesen stopped in front of her.

He lowered his head and stared into her evasive eyes.

"If not, why do you always avoid me?"

You're hiding something.

Madam Huixiang lowered her head even further and remained silent.

"You used the gift I gave you."

"Every night they think of me, miss me, and call my name."

"You've been looking forward to this moment every single moment."

"Don't you want us to be together, to drain each other dry?"

"I already know all your secrets."

Wang Xuesen whispered in her ear.

Madam Huixiang's body was trembling.

It's not fear.

It is shyness, panic, resentment, and anticipation.

When her deceased husband was alive, those absurd nights that ended in just a few seconds made her think that all men in the world were the same.

They can talk a good game, but once the lights are off, their true colors are revealed.

But the person in front of me.

She just saw it with her own eyes.

The white rose didn't lie.

This guy... isn't a scammer.

He might actually be able to "save" himself.

"That's not how it is, that's not..." Madam Huixiang continued to argue.

"lady."

"Let me remind you, our time is running out."

"Madam, what are you waiting for?"

Wang Xuesen laughed jokingly.

Madam Huixiang was stunned.

She looked up and met his domineering, displeased eyes, and a long-lost feeling instantly rushed to her head.

She had waited too long.

The man she calls out to every night in the bathtub and in bed is right in front of her.

Seriously, we can't wait any longer.

She didn't want to wait or pretend anymore.

Madam Huixiang slowly raised her head, her knees buckled, and she collapsed against the wall.

That reluctant yet shy look on the face of a man in his thirties was quite a sight.

She closed her eyes and slowly leaned closer.

"Wait, lift your leg, let me check if you have syphilis first."

"You wicked man! I have always remained chaste, and you are humiliating me."

"Damn it, who knows if you're faking it. Just like every time you see me, you act all high and mighty, but you're really a 'fake'."

"You damn bastard!"

……

Inside the lobby.

Bai Junqi is reading the manuscript aloud.

Tonight, he wasn't just making a declaration of love; he was also expressing gratitude to some high-ranking officials and dignitaries present, and campaigning for votes for the establishment of his new intelligence agency.

Hehe, I'm going to win over Miyako tonight.

The thought that the pure and charming Miyako was about to be poisoned by him made him feel terrible.

He would be overjoyed if he could literally drive Wang Xuesen to his death.

Huh?

What about Wang Xuesen?

This guy seems to have been gone for a while.

I'm about to confess my feelings, what's the point if he's not there?

Bai Junqi's eyes searched through the crowd.

He casually asked a nearby waiter, "Have you seen Wang Xuesen, number 76?"

The man nodded: "It seems they went out from that side."

"You went out? When did you go out?" Bai Junqi asked.

"It seems to be around the time of Madam Huixiang," the waiter said.

Lady Huixiang?

Bai Junqi glanced at his watch. He had been changing clothes for almost twenty minutes. Even if he was about to leave, he should have passed through the main hall and said goodbye to Fujita.

Wang Xuesen has also disappeared.

Not good!

Bai Junqi, without even reading his manuscript, called out to Liu Fabao, "Old Liu, come on, let's go to the VIP room right now."

……