Chapter Fifteen: Life Hangs by a Thread
Cheng Qing grinned maliciously and said, "Since Chen Kan refuses to hand over the list and is currently only looking for death, we might as well grant his wish!"
Ishimura's brows furrowed, and his fingers slammed heavily on the table: "Give him his wish?"
Sato glanced at his adopted daughter and deliberately chimed in, "We've gone to so much trouble, are we just going to let him die so easily?"
Sato chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his lips: "What Cheng-san said is indeed a brilliant idea that kills two birds with one stone."
He glanced at Qiao Yuan, "Qiao Jun, you came up with this idea? It's really good!"
Qiao Yuan felt a chill run down his spine, but he smiled obsequiously and said, "This was all Miss Sato's idea. I dare not take credit for it."
Cheng Qing glanced at him sideways: "Qiao Yuan, bring some men to keep watch later! If Lin Tang comes, don't let her get away."
Qiao Yuan had a sudden inspiration and said, "Yes, my brothers from the Axe Gang and I will serve His Majesty the Emperor faithfully! I will lead my brothers from the Axe Gang to guard him on that day!"
...
Qiao Yuan and Cheng Qing walked out of the room.
Qiao Yuan felt extremely resentful, but he could only say on the surface, "Yes, Sister Qing is absolutely right!"
Cheng Qing let out a strange, cackling laugh.
Qiao Yuan didn't want to talk to this female devil anymore, and he was worried about Chen Kan's life or death. Just as he was about to walk towards the military doctor, Cheng Qing stopped him, "Qiao Yuan, don't you want to ask why I did all this?"
Qiao Yuan stopped walking, but did not turn around.
Qiao Yuan didn't want to say much to her, but he couldn't help turning his head at this moment. "Cheng Qing, look around. How many people are displaced and die young? Kidnappers, brothels, and prostitutes—are they all Lin Tang's fault? Those beasts have harmed so many of my sisters. Don't they suffer as much as you have?"
Cheng Qingjian laughed, "Qiao Yuan, you finally said it! But you and I are both dogs with no way out! If you dare to betray me, I'll kill everyone in the Axe Gang, hang Lin Tang's body on the dock, and make you live with guilt for the rest of your life!"
Qiao Yuan let out a breath and said, "I misspoke. I'll go check on Chen Kan first."
Cheng Qing watched him turn and walk towards the stairs, but then reminded him, her voice carrying an ambiguous undertone: "Qiao Yuan, don't forget, we're the same kind of people, and we can only rely on each other."
Qiao Yuan didn't reply, but just kept walking down the path.
...
In the village late at night, Lin Tang, dressed as a peasant woman, was squatting by the stove cooking porridge.
Remembering what Chen Kan had told her before she left, she immediately turned around and left the train station, quickly setting off along the western route, intending to take a boat to the vicinity of Suzhou and then plan her next route.
However, during these past few days, while the Japanese were guarding and searching Jiangcheng, she and Chen Mo were near Songjiang, planning to leave the city.
Just then, Chen Mo lifted the curtain and rushed in: "Sister Lin, there's news about Chen Kan! The Japanese are going to execute Chen Kan at the dock tomorrow at noon!"
The spoon in Lin Tang's hand clattered into the pot, splashing porridge onto her hands without her noticing: "Execution? He's the Finance Secretary of the government, how dare they?"
"Don't go!" Lin Tang said instinctively.
Chen Mo was taken aback. "You don't want to save Chen Kan anymore?"
Lin Tang was torn between two conflicting emotions. She looked at Chen Mo and said, "Of course I want to save him, but I'm even more afraid that this is a Japanese trap!"
"Sister Lin, look at us, we're trapped here! Rather than stay here, I'd rather go! Even if we can't rescue Chen Kan, we can't let the Japanese get too cocky!"
Lin Tang wiped her eyes, grabbed the pistol on the table, and stuffed it into her clothes: "I'll go with you. Chen Kan was arrested because of me, I can't let him die alone."
Chen Mo shook his head, "Sister Lin, when we make our move, you should try to head west. Your survival is more meaningful than any of ours!"
Lin Tang was on the verge of collapse. "Chen Mo, we are all Chinese! What's the point of saying who survives is more meaningful than who survives? We either live together or we die together!"
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Chen Mo could only say, "Then let's take action tonight!"
...
Qiao Yuan took Wang Yuxian's key and secretly went to the interrogation room.
“Chen Kan.” He reached out and lifted the other’s head.
Chen Kan's eyes were half-open, and when he saw it was him, a slight smile even appeared on his lips. "What do they plan to do to me?"
"They're going to execute you at Wusong Wharf tomorrow. I'll take you!" Qiao Yuan desperately tried to untie the ropes binding him, but Chen Kan grabbed his fingers.
"No..." Chen Kan gasped for breath, his voice muffled, "The people from 76th... are guarding outside... you can't leave..."
"I don't care!" Qiao Yuan's blood boiled. "We'll die together!"
The wind was strong at the dock late at night, making the flags creak and groan.
Qiao Yuan carried Chen Kan out.
Little Bean ran over, beaming with pride: "Brother, wasn't I pretty good at stealing wallets before?"
Qiao Yuan freed one hand, patted his head, and smiled, "Let's go!"
Suddenly, a searchlight blazed on, shattering the darkness of the night.
Qiao Yuan narrowed his eyes, his back to Chen Kan stiffening.
Cheng Qing leaned against a black car, a cigarette between his fingers, the embers flickering in the wind.
Four or five agents in black suits stood beside her, their guns pointed at Qiao Yuan and Xiao Douzi's group.
"Qiao Yuan," Cheng Qing's voice was tinged with laughter, "I knew you'd be a worry, still thinking about saving people, huh?"
Cheng Qing smiled, "Qiao Yuan, otherwise how could we be husband and wife? You really know me! It's a pity you're not going to continue this charade. It would be so boring if I just killed you like this!"
Cheng Qing's smile vanished, and with a wave of his hand, the snipers beside him prepared.
Suddenly, gunshots rang out in the distance.
Chen Mo led twenty underground party members over, guns in hand, firing as they ran.
"Attack!" Cheng Qing shouted, and the guards immediately rushed over and engaged the underground party members in a firefight.
Qiao Yuan immediately led his Axe Gang brothers to rush over.
"careful!"
The bullet pierced through Chen Kan's heart and lungs!
Qiao Yuan was oblivious and continued to carry it on his back.
Cheng Qing grinned maliciously, "Qiao Yuan, Chen Kan, I want Nien to die here!" Her smile suddenly stopped as a pain spread through her back. She looked back in disbelief.
Wang Yuxian was right behind her, his knife plunging straight into her back.
Wang Yuxian covered her mouth, increasing the pressure on her hand, while saying, "Captain Cheng said to stop the fire first! We need to capture her alive!"
Cheng Qing stared wide-eyed in disbelief, "You, you are..."
Wang Yuxian whispered, "I am the true executor of Chen Mo's assassination plan!"
The blade pierced her back, and Cheng Qing could no longer make a sound. Her eyes were wide open, as if she hadn't expected her death to come so quickly.
...
Qiao Yuan only felt that the firepower had paused for a moment, and he didn't know what had happened, but Chen Mo shouted to him, "Come quickly! The boats are on the river!"
With renewed vigor, Qiao Yuan carried Chen Kan on his back, along with Xiao Douzi and a group of Axe Gang members, and headed towards the direction of the ship.
Lin Tang was sitting at the bow of the boat when she saw them arrive. She suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "Quick! Come here quickly!"
Qiao Yuan stepped onto the ship's side and unloaded Chen Kan.
Chen Kan collapsed onto the deck, his chest soaked with blood that stained his light gray shirt like a dark red ink blot.
You've been shot!
Chen Kan opened his eyes with difficulty, blood beads clinging to his eyelashes. The moment he saw the person in front of him, a faint smile actually appeared on his lips.
Lin Tang rushed over and knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she held onto his shoulders, her voice choked with sobs: "Chen Kan! Chen Kan, look at me!"
“Xiao Tang…” His voice was like a damp cotton ball, “I thought… I would never see you again…”
Lin Tang's tears fell onto the back of his hand. She gripped his wrist tightly: "It's okay, we're here. The boat will leave soon, we'll go to the hospital, it'll be alright..."
“No need…” Chen Kan shook his head, his fingers trembling slightly. “I’ve been shot before, I know what it feels like to be close to death…”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
