Chapter 16: A Bystander in the World of Espionage during the Republic of China Era

Jiang Yue paused slightly as she stood up, then looked at the person opposite her with a hint of surprise in her eyes: "I like Li Jun. He went from being a boatman to becoming a king. As someone who does maritime business, I admire him quite a bit. What about you?"

"I prefer Yan Qing because he is not only handsome, but also incredibly loyal."

After exchanging these words, they had exchanged the secret code. They chatted for a few minutes and learned that the man had come to place a large order. Jiang Yue said he was the boss, and Chen Xin laughed heartily: "Then we are quite destined to meet. How about I treat you to a cup of tea, sir?"

Jiang Yue readily agreed, and the two walked away together. Jiang Yue led Chen Xin into the rented hotel, and as soon as she closed the door, she hugged Chen Xin tightly, her voice slightly hoarse: "I thought you were dead."

After saying that, Jiang Yue laughed and told Chen Xin about what had happened in the past few days. Chen Xin also told her about what had happened on her end.

That day, Chen Xin had just finished inspecting the warehouse and returned to his office to start working when he suddenly received a phone call saying, "The coachman has betrayed us, Qiu Chan has been killed, evacuate immediately."

After saying that, she hung up the phone. Although Chen Xin didn't know who had called, she knew that the person with the code name "Autumn Cicada" must be one of her comrades. Without much hesitation, Chen Xin hung up the phone and thought of Jiang Yue in a flash. She knew that if she was exposed, Jiang Yue, as someone close to her, would definitely not be able to escape either. With time pressing, she could only say, "Go quickly," and then she left.

However, the enemy was too cunning. Before Chen Xin could evacuate, the business was already surrounded. Chen Xin took out a pistol from a hidden compartment and chose a less crowded direction to break through. However, she was still shot several times and fainted in the alley shortly after running out.

When Chen Xin woke up again, she was in a hospital room. She thought she had been caught by the people chasing her and was about to run away when someone came into the room. He said he saw her being chased by the Japanese and rescued her. He didn't say who he was, but just told her to stay and not worry.

Chen Xin naturally wouldn't believe the strange person who said such strange things, but she had lost a lot of blood and was weak. In addition, her wound had just been stitched up and she couldn't run very far. There were also people guarding the door. She had no choice but to stay here for the time being and see if there would be a better opportunity.

It just so happens that during the few days Chen Xin was in the ward, it was also the time when Jiang Yue first sent out the message to meet. Chen Xin was in the ward and no one outside gave her the newspaper to read, so Chen Xin did not know about the message, let alone the meeting. After two or three days, when Chen Xin was resting with her eyes closed and thinking about something, the ward door opened and someone came in and started talking about Chen Xin's life.

Chen Xin waited quietly for her to finish speaking. The person opposite her saw Chen Xin's calm demeanor and a hint of admiration flashed in their eyes: "Aren't you afraid? What if I'm Japanese?"

Chen Xin smiled slightly and said, "The Japanese were so kind to save me, not letting me stay in a prison cell but in a hospital ward, and they even brought me food every day. This treatment is too good!"

After Chen Xin finished speaking, the person opposite him laughed: "My name is Shi Feng, the head of the Shanghai station of the Military Intelligence Bureau. My men happened to run into you being chased and rescued you. They have been investigating your life these past few days and discovered that you are a patriotic businessman who has provided supplies and medicine to the National Army on many occasions. They can't bear to see talented people being buried. Why don't you join our Military Intelligence Bureau and fight against the invaders together!"

Chen Xin shook her head and said, "I, Chen Xin, am just a woman and a businesswoman. I cannot accept such praise from Station Chief Shi. As for joining the Military Intelligence Bureau, let's forget about it."

Shi Feng wasn't surprised when Chen Xin refused. After all, he would have thought it was suspicious if she joined right away after being invited for the first time. They then chatted about all sorts of things. When he saw that Chen Xin looked tired, he said goodbye and left. After she left, Chen Xin felt that this was a good opportunity to infiltrate the Military Intelligence Bureau, but she couldn't accept it easily to avoid arousing suspicion.

For the next two days, Shi Feng came over every day to chat with Chen Xin about all sorts of things, subtly instilling in her the greatness of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Chen Xin pretended not to notice and her attitude improved day by day. Shi Feng thought he had done everything perfectly and was just waiting for the right opportunity to invite Chen Xin again, so that she would be in his grasp next time.

On the fifth day after Chen Xin arrived, which was also the day after Jiang Yue sent the message for the second meeting, Shi Feng invited Chen Xin again. This time, Chen Xin hesitated: "Station Chief Shi, you keep inviting me, but I don't know anything about business. What can I do if I join the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"No, no, no, being good at business is also impressive. You have to understand that the Military Intelligence Bureau also needs money. Doesn't it cost money to buy guns and ammunition? It also costs money for the compensation of fallen comrades! There are many places that require money, so don't underestimate yourself!"

"Doesn't this company pay? Besides, my Chen family business is finished now. I don't know when I'll be able to make money again from scratch."

Speaking of this, Shi Feng looked very angry: "The higher-ups give us enough, but there are always some corrupt officials who embezzle it. We're lucky if we can keep half of it."

After hearing what he said, Chen Xin didn't know what to say and remained silent. Shi Feng also felt that he had said too much: "Then do you want to join the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

This time, Chen Xin didn't refuse and nodded. Shi Feng laughed and said, "Welcome to the Military Intelligence Bureau." Chen Xin also said, "I am honored." Before leaving, Shi Feng said again, "Tomorrow someone will handle the formalities for you and ask you some questions. Just answer truthfully."

The next morning, two people came to question her. At first, everything was fine, with just her name, family, and other basic information. But then the other person said, "We in the Japanese puppet regime's intelligence department said you're wanted for being a communist sympathizer. Do you have connections with the Communist Party? Why do they say you're a communist sympathizer?"

Chen Xin looked a little confused and surprised: "I don't know the reason either. I just received a phone call that day saying that the Japanese were coming to arrest me. I don't even know who made the call. I was half-believing and half-doubting, but I still chose to leave first. A wise man doesn't stand under a dangerous wall!"

"Then I was rescued by your people. To be honest, I still don't know why I was arrested. As for the charge of being a communist sympathizer, that's even more ridiculous. I don't even know I was a communist sympathizer, so how did they find out?"

"If you weren't sympathetic to the Communists, why did you run away?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin rolled her eyes and said, "If the Japanese come to arrest you, why don't you run away? What good will happen to a woman like me if I'm arrested? Besides, I didn't even know why I was being arrested when I ran away."

After a moment of silence, one of them said, "The intelligence we received was that the Communists betrayed you. If you have no connection with the Communists, why would they betray you?"