Chapter 049: Discovering the Beauty’s True Name

"Mr. Aoki, lying here like this isn't much of a solution. Why don't you help me get dressed first?"
Chen Jiehua was stunned by her words! She was asking him to help her dress? This was the Republic era, not modern times! Was she trying to seduce him?
But thinking about it, it made sense. During the surgery, everything that should and shouldn't be seen had already been exposed; rounding up, he could certainly help her get dressed.
Chen Jiehua didn't fuss. He stepped forward, lifted the shirt draped over Lin Meixu, and used a scalpel to cut off the strips of cloth still clinging to her body, tossing them aside.
As Chen Jiehua worked, Lin Meixu kept her eyes on Aoki Jo in front of her. Watching his focused expression, he truly was a bit charming!
Once the cloth strips were removed, Chen Jiehua gently helped Lin Meixu sit up. Seeing that the only European-style brassiere protecting her modesty was stained with blood, now dried and darkened, his hand hesitated in mid-air, eyes fixed on the beautiful Lin Meixu.
"Help me take it off, please." Lin Meixu understood Aoki Jo's gaze. After a moment's thought, though her cheeks flushed a little, she gritted her teeth and spoke.
Chen Jiehua helped her unfasten the brassiere from the front; the rabbits bounced twice—well, he had to accidentally catch a glimpse! No, he hadn't seen anything!
He picked up the shirt, and Lin Meixu struggled to raise her left arm. After threading both sleeves, Chen Jiehua carefully buttoned them one by one.
He helped Lin Meixu lie down again, then cleaned the bandages from her legs, inspecting the wounds—there was little bleeding. He pulled her trousers on, fastened them, and finished the task.
Chen Jiehua thought to himself: this Lin Meixu was generous, carefree, well-mannered, not bound by the feudal constraints typical of Republic-era women, and seemingly unopposed to Japanese people. Yet, she was a killer—a true paradox.
Chen Jiehua observed the windows on the second and third floors, as well as the rooftop, several times, ensuring there were no police lurking outside. If ordinary police managed to evade his vigilant eyes and intuition as a seasoned agent, he would have to admit defeat.
So, Chen Jiehua took a pistol from his space, handed it to Lin Meixu. "Do you know how to use it?" "Yes."
"I'm going out to find some food. I have my own key. Ignore anyone who knocks; if anyone forces their way in, shoot."
Lin Meixu nodded.
At the door, Chen Jiehua paused, then returned to leave her a surgical blade.
Jisfeil Road was a district of luxurious mansions. At night, it was deserted, with few shops open. Relying on memories from his earlier ride in the rickshaw, Chen Jiehua found a bustling street, bought some braised dishes, buns, and steamed bread, then located a department store for some daily necessities and two lunch boxes. He stopped at a small eatery for two bowls of millet porridge.

As for women's clothing, he decided against it. In the grand city of Shanghai, a handsome man buying women's clothes late at night would raise too many questions.
He returned home after nine o'clock, quietly opening and closing the door, then went upstairs. The beautiful Lin Meixu lay on the bed, gun in hand. Seeing him enter, she relaxed and set the gun aside.
"Come, have something to eat." Chen Jiehua helped her sit up, propping her against the headboard with a pillow behind her back. He felt her forehead—no fever. Good, in this era, penicillin was truly a miracle drug, its antibacterial effects remarkable.
He ladled out the millet porridge, washed the spoon, and fed Lin Meixu. Meanwhile, he ate steamed bread with braised dishes.
"Mr. Aoki, your eating and feeding habits don't quite seem Japanese."
Ah, he'd let his guard down in front of a beauty, forgotten to maintain his disguise!
"After graduating from the Army Academy, in the second year of Showa—your Republic's sixteenth year—I went to the northeast and lived there for over a year." Habits aren't formed overnight; though this explanation was a bit flimsy, it could pass.
Lin Meixu's observation was a timely reminder for Chen Jiehua to pay more attention to his habits in the future.
"You have quite the keen eye! Where did you learn to be so sharp?" Chen Jiehua countered.
"I attended the Jinling Girls' School. This time, I'm in Shanghai to take revenge on an enemy." Lin Meixu had prepared her story, though her answer was somewhat evasive.
"So that's your story—well, I'll believe you for now. You're still weak; eat a little porridge and rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
Chen Jiehua went downstairs, carried his suitcase up, and put on his military uniform. The night was chilly, and he gave Lin Meixu the only bed with covers, keeping himself warm with clothing.
"I didn't expect you to be a lieutenant colonel at such a young age! Graduates from the Army Academy are commissioned as lieutenants, the top graduates as captains. You only graduated a year ago, yet you're already a lieutenant colonel? If that's not fake, then your backing must be formidable!"
"Aoki... let me think. Aoki... Are you from the Aoki Nobumasa family?"
"Even if you are from the Aoki general's family, that background shouldn't be enough for you to start as a lieutenant colonel!"
"You really do know a lot!"
In fact, from Lin Meixu's words, Chen Jiehua realized a secret: Lin Meixu was unmistakably Japanese!

Just as he had exposed himself through his habits, Lin Meixu had revealed herself through her language.
Only a Japanese would refer to "the Aoki general's family" in such a way. A Chinese person would find it odd and unnatural. But Lin Meixu spoke it effortlessly!
Heh, the tables were turned—first round, a draw!
"So, what is your relationship with General Aoki?" Lin Meixu was still caught up in her excitement, completely unaware she'd exposed herself. Could it be a side effect of the penicillin?
Chen Jiehua leisurely regarded the beauty before him. The dim lights of old Shanghai cast a gentle shadow, but Lin Meixu, unadorned with makeup, was truly stunning. For someone from the modern era, Chen Jiehua had never seen such natural beauty!
Even the little beauty Seiko from the Kwantung Army headquarters paled in comparison. He truly didn't want to expose her.
Lin Meixu felt a bit embarrassed under Chen Jiehua's gaze, lowering her head shyly, then suddenly sensed something off in his eyes! He wasn't lustful—if he were, his gaze during the change of clothes wouldn't have been so clear!
Lin Meixu looked up at Chen Jiehua again, still that annoying look in his eyes!
Had he discovered something? "Ah!" Fujiwara Meixu suddenly realized and instinctively covered her mouth!
"Beauty, it's too late to cover your mouth now!"
She felt for the gun and knife at her side; he hadn't moved. It meant he had no intention of harming her, nor was he preparing to defend himself!
"Beauty, I saved your life, helped you change, and saw everything there was to see. We're friends now, but I still don't know your real name—your true name. What do you say?"
"My name is Fujiwara Meixu. Aoki-kun, pleased to meet you."