During their discussion, Shao Jian asked Chen Sheng a question.

"Director Chen, do you think the members of this undercover team might have lost contact with the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics? Just like Liu Han said, they might all be like kites with broken strings, living their own lives like Qiu Jingwen. Could they have already forgotten their identities as spies?"

Chen Sheng pondered for a moment, patted Shao Jian on the shoulder, but his face was serious: "Old buddy, although it's possible, we still need to be more vigilant. The enemy's desire to destroy us has never died. Although the Chiang Kai-shek regime is gone, they still dream of restoration in Taiwan, backed by the US. They will send enemy agents to infiltrate our cadres and employees. If they send people over to make contact with these infiltrators and cause some sabotage or other small actions, it's not impossible. Whether the theft of intelligence and the loss of weapons at the two military factories are related to this group is unknown. Therefore, we must be prepared for all possibilities."

Shao Jian listened and nodded from time to time. He admitted that Chen Sheng's analysis made sense. Although it was a time of peace, some enemy agents were still causing trouble in different cities, which could be seen on the radio and in newspapers.

The next morning, Chen Sheng sent someone to the provincial capital with Liu Han's letter and delivered it to Luo Weihong, a commissioner of the provincial department. After reading the letter, Luo Weihong immediately sent it by telegram to the underground workers in Beijing who were in charge of investigating the pre-liberation underground activities. While the telegram was being sent to Beijing, Qiu Jingwen was summoned to Zhou Huaihai's office.

Zhou Huaihai still didn't understand Shao Jian's handling of Qiu Jingwen's case, or rather, he couldn't see through it. Shao Jian had clearly captured Qiu Jingwen and brought him to the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Moreover, Qiu Jingwen had surrendered and confessed to killing the barber. Why did he release this enemy agent and murderer without making a sound?

Moreover, prior to this, they staged a play together to have the factory's public address system correct the rumors, clearly to help Qiu Jingwen clear his name.

For Zhou Huaihai, Qiu Jingwen's identity seemed to have become even more complicated.

"Boss, you wanted to see me?"

After Qiu Jingwen sat down, he looked at Zhou Huaihai and smiled.

Zhou Huaihai smiled at Qiu Jingwen as well, then offered him a cigarette. Qiu Jingwen took the cigarette, said thank you, and picked up a box of matches from Zhou Huaihai's table. He lit one match, lit it for Zhou Huaihai first, and then lit it for himself. He knew that the secretary must have something to ask him.

Zhou Huaihai first asked about the workshop's upcoming overhaul arrangements and plans. Qiu Jingwen gave a smooth report. The annual overhaul is usually scheduled until the end of August each year, depending on the production and operation situation. Sometimes the overhaul lasts for a month or two, and sometimes forty-odd days. Qiu Jingwen has been the workshop director for many years, and the overhaul work is basically the same every year, with no major changes in the plan.

After the work was finished, Zhou Huaihai looked at Qiu Jingwen and said, "I only found out about the attack you were attacked after you returned to work at the factory. It was Liang Damin who told me. I criticized him severely, but he told me that Shao Jian asked him to keep it a secret. I called you over to ask if your injuries are alright."

Qiu Jingwen quickly explained, "Thank you for your concern, leader. It's nothing serious, just a slight concussion. However, I don't feel much of a problem myself. My wife, Jiang Yuping, is a doctor, and she said it's nothing serious."

"It's good that you're alright. Do you know who attacked you and why?"

Qiu Jingwen shook his head and said, "Leader, this may remain a mystery forever. I only remember being hit on the back of the head and then losing consciousness. I really didn't see who attacked me."

"Weren't you taken to the police station by Shao Jian?"

"Yes, I should be being held in a detention center."

"Then why did Shao Jian suddenly release you?"

"They must have their reasons. You can ask Shao Jian about this."

Qiu Jingwen could only answer in this way, even passing the buck to Zhou Huaihai. Shao Jian and Chen Sheng had repeatedly emphasized that his being turned was top secret and concerned his life. He could not mention it to anyone at the Red Flag Factory, not even his wife, Liang Damin, or Zhou Huaihai. After all, the covert team had not yet been cracked. Even if Liang Damin and Zhou Huaihai had no connection or suspicion with enemy agents, if everyone knew that Qiu Jingwen was a double agent who had been turned, it would be detrimental to the investigation and solving of the case.

As someone who had received training, Qiu Jingwen naturally understood the implications. He also understood that most members of the Secret Service's covert team likely shared the same fate as himself—like kites with broken strings, long since becoming ordinary people, living ordinary lives. However, he did not rule out the possibility that there were still those who were wholeheartedly devoted to serving the Secret Service.

If Liu Jinghan hadn't been hospitalized due to illness and needed surgery and treatment, he probably wouldn't have taken the risk of extorting three thousand yuan from Qiu Jingwen, and the subsequent murder wouldn't have happened. Of course, according to Liu Jinghan's letter, he did it intentionally; he had cancer and only had a few days to live, and he wanted to be killed by Qiu Jingwen or Jiang Yuping to atone for his sins.

Seeing that he hadn't gotten any substantial information, Zhou Huaihai asked again, "Qiu Jingwen, do you know your parents' identities?"

This surprised Qiu Jingwen. He didn't understand why Zhou Huaihai was so concerned about his parents' situation. Liu Huaihan had clearly stated in the letter he left him that his parents were underground workers before liberation and were even in charge of the Jianghuai region. However, Qiu Jingwen felt that this information couldn't be shared with others yet. After all, it was the content of Liu Huaihan's letter, and only higher-level organizations could investigate and confirm his parents' true identities.

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