Chapter 114: Mercenary and Snobbish

There were still quite a few radio stations in Ice City, not only in Chinese but also in Russian and Japanese, with a considerable number of Japanese stations in particular.

Ice City was known as the Eastern Moscow. At its peak, the resident population approached one million; now it was certainly less, but still no fewer than five or six hundred thousand.

Such a city, serving as the political and economic center of the Songjiang basin and a hub for intelligence, naturally hosted operatives from all the major world powers.

Radio stations were indispensable here.

The Japanese interception technology lagged somewhat behind; after all, their scientific advancements were inferior compared to the European powers.

There were underground pirate radio stations in Ice City, but running a broadcasting station required a vast amount of electricity and specialized equipment.

Only the Japanese and the puppet government possessed such capabilities. Securing a commercial radio license was extremely difficult.

Zhou Sen’s current position actually involved managing these operations.

Besides the frivolous music, the news broadcasts were heavily censored by the Japanese. Defeats of the Japanese army were either unreported or downplayed, while minor victories were exaggerated into major triumphs. The truth was kept from the public. Of course, they also aired selections from renowned Peking opera performers and popular songs.

There were also performances of Ping opera and Huangmei opera—some of the few things worth listening to.

In his current state, Zhou Sen couldn’t sit up to read the newspaper; holding it up was uncomfortable and not conducive to his recovery.

So, listening to the radio became his only way to pass the time.

If only there were some comic dialogues...

“Ye San’er, how did you know I was at the Ningxiang Pavilion?” Zhou Sen asked curiously. Apart from Wu En, he hadn’t told anyone about his relationship with Bai Yulan.

“Brother, you really kept it from us hard. If Miss Anna hadn’t told us, we wouldn’t have known you and Boss Bai were involved...” Ye San’er replied.

“Don’t you read newspapers?” Zhou Sen asked, surprised. His relationship with Bai Yulan was practically public by now, just short of an official announcement.

Well, Ye San’er couldn’t read many characters anyway; asking him to read a newspaper was truly a tall order.

“Anything else?” Zhou Sen asked.

“Today, a girl named Jiang Rou came looking for you. Hearing you weren’t around, she left,” Ye San’er said. “Later, Miss Anna said you were at Ningxiang Pavilion, so she sent me to tell you.”

“That’s all?”

“Mm, well, also… this Miss Jiang is quite pretty. Brother, how do you know her?”

Zhou Sen recalled that Ye San’er hadn’t met Jiang Rou and so didn’t know her. Jiang Rou had come to see him briefly that day.

Only Anna and Wu En knew about it.

Anna naturally wouldn’t spread the word, and Wu En was tighter-lipped; as long as Zhou Sen instructed him to keep quiet, he would never tell anyone.

“That’s my sister. If she comes again, just tell her where I am,” Zhou Sen instructed.

“Brother, when did you get a sister? Why didn’t I know?” Ye San’er asked curiously.

“That was before I was adopted by Old Master Anthony. Of course, you wouldn’t know,” Zhou Sen said. “Anything else? If not, don’t disturb my rest.”

“There’s one more thing.”

“Speak.”

“Director Lin from the Police Department called, asking when you’re free. He wants to invite you to dinner.”

“The Police Department—Lin Dakuan?”

“Seems so...” Ye San’er was startled when he received the call. He knew a bit about Zhou Sen’s relationship with Lin Dakuan and hadn’t expected Lin himself to invite Zhou Sen to dinner. That explained why Zhou Sen could ignore rules at the police station and still get promoted—such connections were powerful indeed.

“Was it Lin Dakuan himself or someone under him who called?”

“Seems like Lin himself. I was so nervous I could barely speak and didn’t dare to ask more,” Ye San’er smiled awkwardly.

“Alright, if he calls again, just tell him I’m unwell and resting at home for a few days. When I’m better, I’ll personally visit to apologize,” Zhou Sen said. In his current condition, he couldn’t accept a dinner invitation.

He could only decline politely; if Lin Dakuan knew his situation, he would understand.

“Alright then. Are you okay, Brother Sen?” Ye San’er asked, still concerned though unclear about the situation.

“I’m fine, just a slight cold,” Zhou Sen feigned a cough.

“Got it, Brother,” Ye San’er chuckled, but his smile was sly and lecherous.

Zhou Sen didn’t want to explain further; this guy’s mind was crooked and would likely jump to all sorts of improper conclusions.

“Alright, off you go...” Zhou Sen said.

...

Shortly after Ye San’er left, Wu En led Jin Suying inside. This was Jin Suying’s first time visiting Ningxiang Pavilion.

Naturally, she was very curious and surprised. The Ningxiang Pavilion was not only large but also exquisitely constructed, mostly in traditional Chinese style.

Such a sight was rare in Ice City. No wonder Su Wenqing and Qin Lao Qi both coveted this place. Even she couldn’t help but feel drawn to it.

Zhou Sen had openly taken residence here, which stirred some jealousy in Jin Suying. Why was this man, who had once obeyed her completely, now with another woman? Bai Yulan was just a widow.

What was so special about her?

Since seeing Bai Yulan once at Su Yun’s engagement banquet, Jin Suying’s jealousy had only grown. Bai Yulan was a few years older but surpassed her in figure, temperament, and beauty—a peerless beauty indeed. Yet she was entangled with Zhou Sen.

It felt like a flower planted in manure. In Jin Suying’s eyes, Zhou Sen was only decent-looking in a delicate, effeminate way; otherwise, he was utterly worthless.

She preferred men who were domineering, ambitious, and driven; looks didn’t matter so much.

What could Zhou Sen offer her? Wealth? He had no power; all his wealth was earned for others, at best he just managed it.

Idle, wandering among flowers—no matter how handsome, such a man was useless. That Bai Yulan actually liked him!

It seemed Bai Yulan’s taste in men was as poor as her own. The first man she chose was old and died within a few years of marriage. Now she had picked a pretty boy; who knew when she might return to the starting point...

Such thoughts ran maliciously through Jin Suying’s mind.

“Brother Sen, Assistant Jin is here.”

“Show her in,” Zhou Sen said weakly as he turned off the radio.

Lying down was unbearably uncomfortable. Zhou Sen had asked Wu En to fetch a quilt, folded into a slope with a wooden board inside, allowing him to recline at an angle that kept his spine straight without hindering his rib recovery.

The moment Jin Suying entered, she was hit by a strong herbal scent. Her heart skipped a beat. Could Zhou Sen’s condition be dire? She hadn’t heard anything.

Zhou Sen had only asked Wu En to bring Jin Suying here without mentioning the reason. Seeing Zhou Sen lying in bed, pale as paper, it was natural for Jin Suying to worry.

Could it be that he was truly on his deathbed, summoned to arrange his affairs?

Bai Yulan really was a “jinx” for husbands. The previous one, Lao Ma, had also died suddenly from illness. Was Zhou Sen going to follow the same fate?

Such a pity for his true self.

Zhou Sen didn’t realize that in the three breaths it took Jin Suying to come from the door to his bedside, her mind had already conjured up so many thoughts.

“Wu En, bring a stool for Secretary Jin,” Zhou Sen instructed. “And bring a cup of hot water.”

Wu En promptly complied and brought a stool.

Jin Suying sat down, putting on a concerned expression. “Zhou Sen, how are you? Should I arrange for a skilled doctor to come see you?”

Zhou Sen was slightly taken aback. Had she misunderstood? Well, she probably didn’t know the full story.

Ignorance was excusable; he had no intention of revealing the truth.

“No need. I’m not dying anytime soon,” Zhou Sen replied irritably.

“Really no need?” Jin Suying asked, impressed by the disguise he’d crafted with Anna’s guidance. Ordinary people found it hard to detect.

“I asked Wu En to invite you here because I need you to do something for me.”

“Something? What is it? Tell me first,” Jin Suying folded her arms and inquired.

“Help me seal off Qunfang Tower.”

“What? Seal off Qunfang Tower? Zhou Sen, have you lost your mind? You know whose property that is, don’t you?” Jin Suying was shocked. Had Zhou Sen taken some wrong medicine?

“I’m not mistaken. Seal off Qunfang Tower,” Zhou Sen said firmly.

“Zhou Sen, you must be blinded by lust. Even if I could do it, I wouldn’t follow your reckless orders!” Jin Suying flatly refused.

“Has the killer of Yuan Wenfu been found? And who leaked his whereabouts?” Zhou Sen retorted.

“I thought you weren’t interested in this case? Why the sudden concern?” Jin Suying asked.

“I just remembered I’m also part of the Special High Branch. Yuan Wenfu was my subordinate. With Obata-kun absent, if neither you nor I get involved, how can we find the murderer and avenge him? Give his family some closure,” Zhou Sen explained.

“So you intend to mix official duties with personal revenge?”

“So what? Yuan Wenfu died in Peach Blossom Alley, and it’s connected to Qunfang Tower,” Zhou Sen said methodically.

“I didn’t realize you could be such a despicable person,” Jin Suying accused.

“In our line of work, this is standard procedure,” Zhou Sen said, turning his head toward her. “Power unused goes to waste.”

“What did the Qin family do to offend you that you want to deal with them this way?”

“Ask yourself,” Zhou Sen replied, turning away.

Jin Suying was speechless, then said, “I only wanted to teach you a lesson. Who expected Qin Lao Er to be so ruthless...”

“That’s not right. If you want revenge, it should be against Qin Lao Er. Why target Qunfang Tower?”

“Qin Xiong bribed a traitor inside Ningxiang Pavilion, intending to burn it down and force Bai Yulan to submit. Tell me, shouldn’t I avenge that?” Zhou Sen asked.

“You really do it for her,” Jin Suying clicked her tongue.

“For her? So what? Bai Yulan is my woman now. If not for her, then for whom?” Zhou Sen said.

“This isn’t my decision to make, and the police department’s Special Affairs Section has already taken over the case,” Jin Suying said.

“Our Special High Branch has many secrets. Is it appropriate for the police’s Special Affairs Section to handle the investigation?” Zhou Sen frowned slightly.

“What’s inappropriate about it? The Special Affairs Section is responsible for cases like this,” Jin Suying replied.

“If that’s the case, then there’s no need to ask you. I might as well go straight to Director Lin,” Zhou Sen said. Had he known this, he wouldn’t have asked Wu En to bring Jin Suying over.

Hearing this, Jin Suying’s nose twitched with irritation. This guy only values people when it suits him and is petty and snobbish otherwise.