Chapter 14: The Reason for Promotion

"Zhou Xiaochong!"

"Cui Old Grouch, what's up?" Zhou Sen had just stepped into the Security Division office when an outrageously brash voice called out to him.

"Zhou Sen, do you think just because Mr. Akiyama has taken a liking to you, you can do whatever you please and disregard everyone else?" Cui Miao strode over, his tone brimming with anger.

"Cui Old Grouch, is there some sort of misunderstanding?" Zhou Sen frowned. The stench of alcohol coming off Cui Old Grouch was overwhelming—just how much had he drunk?

Cui Miao belched, slapped the table, and snorted coldly. "Misunderstanding? Let me ask you, did your subordinate Guo Laoliu go to Old Balov’s house yesterday?"

Zhou Sen understood immediately; Cui Miao was targeting him because he had sent Guo Laoliu to Balov’s house, Susanna’s uncle, to gather information.

Susanna had disappeared, and her uncle Balov had reported it. Balov lived in the district under Cui Miao’s patrol, so naturally, the case fell to Cui Miao.

Although few missing persons cases were ever solved, if this one was cracked, it would be a major achievement and a definite boost for promotion.

"Yes, that did happen."

"So you admit it. Zhou Xiaochong, you know the rules of the precinct. You’re not my superior yet, and even if you were, you’d have no right to meddle in my case. Don’t you understand anything about protocol?" Cui Miao rebuked him sternly.

"Cui Miao, what are you doing? Have you drunk too much horse piss or what? Watch your mouth. Zhou Sen, don’t mind him, he’s drunk since early morning..." One of Cui Miao’s usual companions, seeing that he was losing control, rushed over and berated him thoroughly.

Zhou Sen was likely to become the direct superior of all four patrol teams. Offending him now would only make life difficult later.

Especially since Zhou Sen had caught Akiyama’s eye and was personally handling an important "murder" case, one that had even been transferred from the Special Affairs Division of the Police Department.

It was common knowledge in the precinct now: handing the case to Zhou Sen was just a formality, so he could be credited for solving it, paving the way for an unopposed promotion. With the Japanese intent on promoting him, it was no wonder everyone was envious of Zhou Sen’s inexplicable good fortune in winning Akiyama’s favor.

Cui Miao, seeing his own chance at promotion slip away, was just venting his frustration under the influence. When he sobered up, he’d probably regret it.

"Young Master Zhou, Brother Xiaochong, Cui Miao’s just drunk, please don’t take it to heart!" pleaded Fan Jinxi, one of Cui Miao’s men.

"I understand. It’s hard to come by the chance to be promoted to Police Lieutenant, and with only one spot among our four patrol teams, by experience and seniority, it should have gone to Cui Miao. But as you all know, this isn’t up to us. So there’s no need to take it out on me. That’s all I’ll say—think it over yourselves." Zhou Sen knew that if he didn’t clarify things, the matter would only drag on, so he chose to speak plainly.

He wasn’t worried about the Japanese overhearing; they’d probably just fire him and save themselves the trouble.

As soon as Zhou Sen finished speaking, silence fell. Of the four patrol teams, Zhou Sen’s was the weakest.

He’d only become a team leader thanks to his "good father"—after all, Anthony Robbins was a prominent White Russian businessman in Ice City.

So what if he used money to pave the way for his godson?

Zhou Sen had always kept a low profile in the precinct, never vying for anything, but no one dared bully him either. For him to suddenly speak so boldly was a first!

"And another thing—stop calling me Xiaochong. I detest that nickname." With that, Zhou Sen turned on his heel and left the Security Division.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Was this really the same "timid" Zhou Sen they knew?

...

"Zhou Sen, Mr. Akiyama wants to see you."

The last thing Zhou Sen wanted to hear was this, or from this particular person.

"Yes, Secretary Kim, I’ll be right there." Zhou Sen kept his head slightly bowed and walked past Jin So-young without a glance.

Jin So-young let out a soft "huh," turning to watch Zhou Sen as he ascended the stairs. How odd.

Hadn’t he always greeted her with a flattering smile and gone out of his way to please her? How had he suddenly become so cold and distant?

Was he trying to play hard to get? How childish.

Jin So-young’s lips curled with a hint of disdain as she cocked her eyebrow and sashayed away.

Zhou Sen had no interest in what Jin So-young thought of him. He hurried upstairs to the door of Akiyama’s office and knocked.

"Come in!"

A short, warm voice answered from within.

Zhou Sen pushed the door open, walked over with his head slightly lowered, and greeted, "Mr. Akiyama, you wanted to see me?"

"Zhou Sen, how’s the case I assigned you coming along?" Akiyama remained seated, smiling as he asked.

"I was just about to report to you, sir," Zhou Sen replied quickly.

"Oh? Let’s hear it—what have you found?" Akiyama stood up, walked to the tea table, picked up a tin of tea leaves, took a cup, poured some in, and grabbed the hot water flask...

"I took my team for another site inspection and made some discoveries. Aside from our earlier conclusion that the killer entered through the chimney, I found that the perpetrator meticulously removed all traces left at the scene. But what’s strange is that the killer even wiped the fingerprints from the glass that Shelkin had used for drinking at his bedside."

"Oh? Is that so?" Akiyama replaced the flask, stoppered it, and brought the cup over to Zhou Sen, who thanked him and took it.

"From the scene, the killer’s actions had nothing to do with the glass. The culprit seems careful and meticulous—why would he touch the glass? If he hadn’t, there’d be no need to wipe off the fingerprints..." Zhou Sen continued. It sounded like stating the obvious, but you couldn’t say he hadn’t found something.

"Do you think this discovery helps the investigation?" Akiyama mused and asked.

"I’m not sure yet, but if I can determine why the killer wiped the fingerprints from the glass, perhaps I can solve the case."

Zhou Sen stood with head bowed. He couldn’t come to report empty-handed, and the lack of fingerprints on Shelkin’s glass was at least a clue, showing he was diligent in his investigation.

That way, Akiyama couldn’t lash out at him without cause.

As for Susanna’s case, he intended to hold off for now. Without the facts, there was no need to rush a report.

"I heard that before his death, Shelkin met with a woman named Susanna at the Modern Hotel. Did you look into this?" Akiyama asked.

Zhou Sen’s pupils contracted slightly. Akiyama clearly knew more than he did. Why hadn’t he mentioned it earlier and was only now bringing it up? Was this a test or a probe?

Susanna had been missing for a week, while Shelkin had been dead less than three days—what did that imply?

"I truly wasn’t aware of that, sir, but I did find that this Susanna may have been Shelkin’s lover. Her family reported her missing to the precinct before Shelkin was murdered. The case was taken by Captain Cui Miao. I wanted to investigate, but by precinct rules, it’s not proper to interfere in Captain Cui’s case..." Zhou Sen wasn’t about to put himself at a disadvantage. Since everyone assumed he was close to Akiyama, why not use that to his advantage? It might stop Cui Miao from constantly picking on him. Why should he explain himself to Cui Miao? There was no need.

"Cui Miao—he’s investigating Susanna’s disappearance too?"

"Yes. In fact, when I came to the precinct today, he said a few words to me in the office. He’s my senior, so I didn’t say much."

"Alright, I understand. I’ll assign Susanna’s disappearance to you as well. I’ll inform Chief Song of the Security Division," Akiyama nodded.

"Yes, sir. With your support, things will be much easier." Zhou Sen promptly replied.

"Zhou Sen, Susanna’s identity is special. If you find her, arrest her immediately and bring her to the station!" Akiyama suddenly ordered.

"Her identity is special?"

"According to my sources, Susanna is likely an agent sent by the Soviet Far East Intelligence Bureau to Ice City. Her current identity is just a cover—even her romance with Shelkin is a ruse to conceal her true purpose," Akiyama explained. "It’s even possible that Shelkin was turned by her and was working for her."

"That can’t be. If this case involves Soviet spies, shouldn’t it be handled by the Special Affairs Division or the Kempeitai’s Tokkō unit? I’m just a patrol captain in the Security Division—how am I qualified to handle such a big case?" Zhou Sen feigned fright, his face turning pale.

"Zhou Sen, don’t underestimate yourself. You were chosen precisely because you have potential. This is your chance to show your talents," Akiyama said in a kindly, almost paternal tone.

Zhou Sen wanted to say, "Well, thank you so much!"

This kind of "recognition" and "favor" was the last thing he wanted.

"I am unworthy, sir, and not up to the task. I tend to be timid. Anyone who can enter through a chimney to commit murder must be ruthless..." Zhou Sen’s forehead broke out in sweat—he was laying it on thick.

Akiyama’s smile vanished. He’d always looked down on the Chinese, convinced they were ignorant, cowardly, and unworthy of this rich land. He only behaved with such apparent gentleness and humility because Japan needed these people to rule Manchukuo for them.

"Zhou Sen, do you know why you were suddenly promoted to Police Lieutenant?" Akiyama’s eyelids twitched, his tone sharpening.

"I do not, sir."

Zhou Sen really didn’t know. The promotion had come out of nowhere, like a pie falling from the sky.

"It’s because of your godfather, Mr. Anthony Robbins. He is a loyal and reliable friend of our Empire of Japan," Akiyama said.

"My godfather?" Zhou Sen feigned confusion. He’d suspected his promotion wasn’t simple, but hadn’t expected it to be connected to old Anthony.

But it made sense—who else but his godfather could have such influence in his life?

"To tell you the truth, your godfather is a true warrior. He is engaged in a highly secret mission. Once he succeeds, he will be a hero remembered for generations!" Akiyama suddenly became excited. "When the time comes, you too will be the son of a hero, basking in his immortal glory."

Zhou Sen shuddered inwardly. This was exactly what he feared. Working for the Japanese—he’d be lucky not to be nailed to history’s pillar of shame, let alone become immortalized.

What a joke!