Chapter 026 Confirming Zhao Shiyu's Identity

"Yongsu, you know what you need to do next, don't you? First, confirm Zhao Shiyu's covert identity. If he's one of our organization's people, we'll use him as a pivot to return to the organization. If he's with the Comintern or the Southern JJS, it's not a big deal for now—just observe in secret, don't get involved!"

"But my intuition tells me he's one of us! So, Yongsu, after I make arrangements today, tomorrow we'll go to Fengtian together under the pretext of inspecting the pharmacy's business!"

That evening, Chen Jiehua rearranged the room once more. The smell of medicine in the basement had dissipated, leaving only the faint scent of spilled alcohol, which had already been cleaned up.

Early the next morning, the two reported their whereabouts to the general store manager and then set out for Fengtian by car. (Yes, by car. With Aoki Qiao’s status, not having a car would be incongruous.)

Upon arriving in Fengtian, they went first to the main store to see the "manager" and check the accounts. It happened to be the day the military police came to collect their subsidies, so one by one, they arrived at the store to receive their money. The manager's deputy in charge ticked off each name as they collected the funds.

"Manager, this is Mr. Aoki Qiao, the principal owner of Aoki Pharmacy. Mr. Aoki is here for a routine audit—bring out the account books!"

"The books are in the back. Sir, please follow me. Xiaoyu, watch the shop!"

"Alright!"

Manager Liu Junze led Aoki Qiao and Zhou Yongsu to a secret room in the rear quarters.

"Liu Junze, tonight go and arrange to meet Zhao Shiyu. Bring him to the safe house by the South Gate. Yongsu and I will wait there for you. Just tell him someone wants to see him."

Liu Junze couldn't linger long in the back. After making the arrangements, he returned to the shop front. Chen Jiehua and Zhou Yongsu stayed in the back room for another hour, then drove out toward the North Gate. A few kilometers outside the city, they concealed the car in the undergrowth, then slipped back into Fengtian on foot, making their way quietly to the safe house by the South Gate. After a brief preparation, they waited for Zhao Shiyu to arrive.

About to meet the first organization member since returning to the country, Chen Jiehua could hardly contain his excitement, pacing the room in anticipation.

After thirteen circuits around the room, just as Zhou Yongsu was getting dizzy, the agreed-upon knock sounded at the door—three short, two long! It was Liu Junze!

Zhou Yongsu opened the door. Liu Junze entered first. Zhao Shiyu, seeing Zhou Yongsu—whom he had known back in the Japanese military academy—let down his guard and followed him inside. But the moment he saw Aoki Qingen, his instincts kicked in: he spun on his heel to flee!

Unfortunately, Chen Jiehua was even quicker. He had already anticipated Zhao Shiyu's move. Darting forward, he grabbed Zhao Shiyu, pulling him inside, slammed the door, and pinned down the still-struggling Zhao Shiyu.

"Lao Liu! That’s low! You sold me out!"

Chen Jiehua let out a sinister chuckle, forced Zhao Shiyu into a chair, bound him with rope, and dragged him into the basement, pinning him against the wall.

Liu Junze was completely baffled by Chen Jiehua’s actions—what kind of game was this?

But Zhou Yongsu closed the basement door, leaving Liu Junze upstairs. She instructed him not to interfere no matter what he heard, just to listen. "Trust in Aoki Qingen," she said. Then she stepped outside to keep watch at the mouth of the alley.

Chen Jiehua took a scalpel from the system and waved it a couple of times in front of Zhao Shiyu.

"Zhao Shiyu, now that you've fallen into my hands, if you have any last words, best say them now. If possible, I’ll allow Liu Junze to pass them on for you. Back at graduation, you were the most exuberant of all!" (in Japanese)

"Curse you, Liu Junze! Guess I was blind. Do what you want—kill or torture me, whatever."

With that, Zhao Shiyu turned away, refusing to speak, and closed his eyes, not looking at Aoki Qingen opposite him.

Chen Jiehua, enjoying his little act, continued his performance. "Mr. Zhao, the wise submit to circumstances. We’re all alumni of the academy. Work with me—you’ll eat well, live well, and won't have to suffer any pain!" (in Chinese)

"Bah! Aoki Qingen, you damn Jap! Enough nonsense. Bad luck for me to fall into your hands. Go ahead, do it!"

"Mr. Zhao, according to Liu’s reports, you’re always trying to probe him with talk of nation and revolution?" (in Chinese)

At this, Zhao Shiyu tensed. So this was the problem! Damn, I was careless! Most academy graduates really have been corrupted by Japanese militarist ideology!

"Come, Zhao, tell me honestly: whose side are you on? I might consider giving you a quick death!"

As he spoke, Chen Jiehua gestured with the scalpel.

What kind of weapon is this? I’ve never seen one! Looks vicious enough! Out of luck—dying for the revolution before it succeeds. Looks like I won’t get through this ordeal.

Zhao Shiyu closed his eyes, refusing to look or speak.

"Shall I call Liu Junze in to talk with you? Don’t you often discuss revolution with him? Whose side are you on? Every revolutionary has a position, an organization!"

"Are you with the Southern revolutionaries? The Comintern?"

"Or—are you with the Communist Party?"

As he spoke, Chen Jiehua pulled open the front of Zhao Shiyu’s shirt, emphasizing those last three words. Zhao Shiyu’s heartbeat thudded in time with them.

Thump, thump, thump!

That was the evidence—he was one of them!

"Zhao Shiyu! You can't hide it! When I said ‘Communist Party,’ your heart raced! You’re with the Party, aren’t you?"

"Speak! Are you?" Chen Jiehua shouted. Zhao Shiyu stubbornly refused to answer.

Seeing Zhao’s expression shift, as if he were contemplating heroic self-sacrifice, his eyes darting to the scalpel—probably calculating the distance—Chen Jiehua relented. Enough—he’d tested him long enough. This was a true, steadfast comrade!

Chen Jiehua quickly stowed the scalpel back in the system and called out, "Lao Liu, go fetch Yongsu."

Soon, Zhou Yongsu and Liu Junze secured the outer door, braced it with a table, and carefully entered the basement, shutting the door behind them.

In the short interval, Zhao Shiyu’s mind was spinning with questions. What was going on? Where was that weapon? Something felt off about the atmosphere.

When the two entered and locked the door, Chen Jiehua stepped forward, untied Zhao Shiyu, and took a step back, saluting.

"Comrade Zhao Shiyu! Chen Jiehua, member of the Chinese Communist Party who lost contact with the organization, codename Red Luan, formally requests to rejoin!"

Chen Jiehua held the pose, unmoving. Behind him, Zhou Yongsu was once more moved to tears, while Liu Junze was completely bewildered.

Zhao Shiyu across from them was stunned into stone.

Something was off—was it the scene changing too quickly, or was happiness simply arriving too suddenly?

The tableau held for at least twelve seconds before Zhao Shiyu finally recovered enough to say, "Maybe… could you repeat that one more time?"