Chapter 128: The Pursuit

Chapter 128: Being Followed

The next day.

At noon, Deyi Tower.

Bai Zeshao arrived at Deyi Tower as promised. When the waiter at the entrance saw him, he hurried over.

“Group Leader Bai, the usual?”

“No need. I’m not sitting in a private room today. It’s just me.” As he spoke, Bai Zeshao swept his eyes across the dining hall.

He soon fixed his gaze on Secretary He, then said to the waiter beside him, “I’ll sit over there. Bring me two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a bowl of noodles when you’re done.”

“And liquor?”

“No liquor. I still have to work this afternoon. Hurry with the food I ordered.”

After saying that, Bai Zeshao tossed the waiter a tip and walked toward Secretary He’s table.

He soon took a seat by the window, though he did not sit opposite Secretary He. Instead, he chose the table beside hers. The two chairs were close enough to touch.

At that moment, Bai Zeshao and Secretary He sat back to back. While sipping his tea, Bai Zeshao said casually, pretending not to mean anything by it, “The weather’s rather nice today.”

“Yes, though it seems a little overcast to the south.”

“The clouds are only temporary. A strong wind will scatter them.”

“That’s true. Unfortunately, it will take time.”

“It won’t take long.”

Their code and method of contact matched. Secretary He then said, “You must be River-Crossing Pawn. I’ve just arrived in Shanning to take charge of underground operations. You can call me Big Sister He.”

“Yes. The organization has finally contacted me.” Bai Zeshao’s voice was filled with emotion.

“I never expected you to be so young. Even more surprising is that your cover identity is group leader of an action unit. No wonder Mr. Li spoke so highly of you.” Secretary He sounded somewhat astonished.

“How is Mr. Li now?” Bai Zeshao asked with concern.

“Very well.” Secretary He answered briefly.

“Little Bai, there’s something I need to verify with you.” Secretary He took a bite of food as she spoke.

Bai Zeshao was just about to ask what it was when the waiter brought over their dishes, forcing him to stop.

Only after the waiter had left did Bai Zeshao ask, “What is it?”

“Did you pass intelligence to the Shanning underground organization twice?” Secretary He asked directly.

“Yes, I did. Once during the student movement some time ago, and once recently, regarding the supplies incident.” Bai Zeshao admitted it.

“So it really was you.” Secretary He wore a look of sudden understanding.

Then she asked, “According to organizational discipline, you and the Shanning underground organization belong to two separate lines. There should be no lateral contact between you. How did you learn Auntie Wang’s identity?”

Bai Zeshao could hear the severity in Secretary He’s tone. After all, contacting a comrade on another line without authorization violated discipline and was detrimental to the security of his own cover.

“It happened during a mission. I was providing cover from a distance and happened to discover them. At first, I didn’t know where Auntie Wang was hiding. It was only at the beginning of the year, when I went to Qian Yihai’s home, that I happened to run into her.”

Bai Zeshao explained the entire matter.

“I see.” Secretary He nodded, then solemnly ordered, “Don’t have any more dealings with the Shanning underground organization. From now on, I’ll be your new superior.”

“I understand,” Bai Zeshao replied.

“The method of contact will remain the same, but we’ll change the timing. We’ll meet once a week. If anything unusual happens, you can come directly to my residence. I’m currently living at Number Twelve, Southwest Road.”

“Southwest Road is crowded and full of prying eyes. It’s also where all sorts of people in Shanning gather. Won’t that be inconvenient? How about I arrange a safe house for you?” Bai Zeshao suggested after hearing her address.

“If you can, that would naturally be best. You know how badly the underground organization has been damaged by the enemy. Although it hasn’t been completely paralyzed, our losses have been considerable. We’ve only just managed to establish a complete communications network again.”

Secretary He had not expected Bai Zeshao to say this. But considering his current cover identity, she did not stand on ceremony and spoke frankly.

“Hmm. It may be difficult to find a suitable place immediately. Why don’t you move into Number One Chunhe Road, where Mr. Li used to live? The surroundings are quite good, and the location is excellent. Most importantly, transportation is convenient. If trouble arises, it’ll be easy to escape.”

“That will do. I’ll move there as soon as possible. If you need to find me in the future, go there directly.” Big Sister He had already studied a map of Shanning and knew that Number One Chunhe Road was indeed an excellent choice.

For the rest of their time together, the two did not speak much. They simply ate the food before them. Deyi Tower was crowded and full of watchful eyes; it was hardly a place for discussing serious matters.

After finishing his meal, Bai Zeshao left first. Before departing, he muttered to Secretary He, “Big Sister He, I’ll be going now. I have to get to work at the Special Affairs Office.”

Secretary He gave an almost imperceptible nod and remained where she was, watching Bai Zeshao leave through the window.

After leaving Deyi Tower, Bai Zeshao happily took a rickshaw toward the Special Affairs Office. Partway there, however, the rickshaw puller accidentally stumbled. The vehicle flipped over, but Bai Zeshao reacted quickly and jumped clear.

That leap allowed him to notice something.

At some point, an unwanted tail had begun following him.

His heart tightened, but Bai Zeshao pretended nothing had happened and climbed back into the rickshaw. To confirm whether someone really was following him, he deliberately had the puller take several unnecessary turns. At last, he was certain that the person behind him was indeed in pursuit.

He did not know when the surveillance had begun, but he had to identify the follower and determine whether the man had discovered his meeting with Big Sister He.

Unfortunately, his pursuer was extremely crafty. Just as Bai Zeshao was preparing to make a move, the man vanished.

Bai Zeshao was forced to heighten his vigilance. Whoever it was had managed to follow him continuously without making a sound or leaving a trace, clearly indicating that he was an experienced hand. But who had sent him?

Could it have been someone dispatched by Qi Zhengyi, the Wen family’s chief steward?

Still puzzled, Bai Zeshao entered the Special Affairs Office. The moment he stepped inside, he heard Monkey and the others discussing some sort of training. Unable to stop himself, he asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing, Group Leader. Monkey was saying that our Special Affairs Office is going to organize some kind of training course. Apparently, the higher-ups are already considering candidates.” Tiger grinned.

“A training course? That has nothing to do with us, does it?” Bai Zeshao asked, startled.

“In the past, such courses selected outstanding young people from military academies, the armed forces, or among students, then trained and educated them. After graduation, they were assigned to the various branches of the Special Affairs Office. But this training course is different,” Monkey said, taking over the conversation.

“How is it different?”

“This time, the candidates will be selected from within our own Special Affairs Office and then trained. Supposedly, the course is being organized to prepare for the coming war between China and Japan.”