Chapter Seventeen: What a Coincidence

Chapter Seventeen: Such a Coincidence

The most direct and effective way to find the safe house was to keep watch at the entrance of Xinyi Street and carefully observe the residents passing by. However, this method had two drawbacks. On one hand, it required a great deal of time—perhaps, with some luck, the clue would surface quickly, but it was just as likely that even after a week or a fortnight, there would be not so much as a trace. On the other hand, he was now a member of the Secret Service. Should anyone discover his presence on Xinyi Street during this particularly sensitive period—especially if Mr. Li were rescued—attention would inevitably and immediately fall upon him, and he would become the prime suspect.

Bai Zeshao had only joined the Secret Service a few days ago, yet even he could sense the undercurrent of anxiety that pervaded the organization. Vital intelligence seemed always to leak out; whenever the Secret Service planned a major operation, news would inevitably surface on the black market not long after. This infuriated the chief, but despite repeated and thorough investigations both inside and out, not a single clue had been found—it was impossible to unmask the mole.

At such a moment, Bai Zeshao had no intention of entangling himself in that troublesome whirlpool. In fact, he dared not even approach the dead drop on Xinyi Street where he and Mr. Li had communicated, at least not for the foreseeable future, lest some mishap occur.

It was certain that if Bai Zeshao personally kept watch, it would cause trouble. Yet he could find no one else he could trust to take his place. The only one he could rely on, who also would not arouse suspicion, was Ah Hai. But if he involved Ah Hai in this, the boy's life would become unpredictable, perhaps even irrevocably altered.

On this point, Bai Zeshao was not yet mentally prepared. Agitated, he paced back and forth in his room.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked on Bai Zeshao’s door. When he opened it, he saw Ah Hai standing outside. He couldn’t help but ask in puzzlement, “What’s the matter, Ah Hai?”

“Brother, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I just cooked for two,” Ah Hai said with a bright, expectant smile.

“Alright,” Bai Zeshao agreed without hesitation.

After the meal, Bai Zeshao tried to pay Ah Hai for the food, but Ah Hai refused. Bai Zeshao chuckled and said, “What’s this? Is it not enough? Take it. Now that I’m with the Secret Service, my salary is quite high. You, on the other hand, work tough jobs for little pay, and you still go to the Rose Dance Hall so often.”

“Brother, I…” Ah Hai trailed off, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

“Come on now, don’t be shy—just take it.”

“Brother, you really are different from the other agents. Paying for a meal, even—thank you.” Ah Hai clutched the money tightly, and earnestly said, “Brother, if there’s ever anything you need, just say the word. Whatever it is, I’ll do it for you.”

“Ah Hai, as a matter of fact, there is something…” In order to rescue Mr. Li as soon as possible, Bai Zeshao decided to entrust the surveillance to Ah Hai, though in that moment he didn’t know quite how to broach the subject.

“Brother, just tell me what you need.”

Ah Hai was overjoyed to be able to help Bai Zeshao. Over the years, Bai Zeshao had helped him countless times—teaching him to read, to write, to be a decent person, guiding him onto the right path. That word “brother” was spoken from the heart, out of deep respect.

Even though Bai Zeshao had now joined the notorious Secret Service, Ah Hai didn’t care—this person was still the elder brother he revered.

All this time he had never had the chance to repay Bai Zeshao. Now, hearing that there was something he could do, Ah Hai felt nothing but excitement.

Looking at Ah Hai’s youthful face, Bai Zeshao sighed silently, then said, “Remember the man you mentioned before, the one with the mole by his mouth? I want you to keep watch at the entrance of Xinyi Street and see if he appears again. Try to find out exactly which house on Xinyi Street he lives in.”

“That’s all? Don’t worry, brother, leave it to me.”

“Just be careful. If you can’t find him, don’t alert him,” Bai Zeshao reminded him.

“Brother, this isn’t my first day on the streets. I’ll be careful. But are you in a hurry? If you are, I can have some of my boys help out.”

“Can you trust them?” Bai Zeshao frowned, pausing to consider.

“They’re alright,” Ah Hai replied with an awkward laugh. “If you pay them, they’ll put their hearts into it, and no one will notice—they’re always hanging around that area anyway.”

“Alright. Don’t worry about money—just find the man and confirm where he lives, and we’ll work out the rest.” As he spoke, Bai Zeshao pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and handed it to Ah Hai. “Here, but don’t go spending it at the Rose Dance Hall.”

“I won’t, brother. Just wait for my news. I’ll go now,” Ah Hai said, and left at once.

Bai Zeshao didn’t try to keep him any longer. Yet, after this encounter, he realized he needed to find a steady source of income; there would only be more and more expenses in the future.

All the money he’d spent so far came from exchanging that gold bar Sun Yanjie had given him, but that issue couldn’t be solved overnight. Fortunately, now that he was with the Secret Service, there would be no shortage of ways to make money.

…

Past eleven that night.

At the corner of Xinyi Street, Ah Hai, bundled in thick clothing, squatted by the wall, his eyes fixed on the deserted street.

Though the night was chilly and his eyes ached with fatigue, Ah Hai persevered. His patience was rewarded: suddenly, a figure appeared in the empty street, clutching a bottle of wine.

Recognizing the familiar shape, Ah Hai’s heart leapt. He cautiously trailed the man from a distance of about ten meters, following until the man entered one of the houses. Only then did Ah Hai hurry home, unable to contain his excitement.

He didn’t care that it was late and Bai Zeshao was already asleep. He knocked on Bai Zeshao’s door and, unable to hide his excitement, said, “Brother, the man you mentioned showed up—he lives at Number 11 Xinyi Street.”

“What? Ah Hai, you’re sure he went into that house?” Bai Zeshao was startled, surprised.

“Number 11 Xinyi Street.”

“Number 11?” A cold sweat broke out on Bai Zeshao’s forehead, and he felt a secret surge of relief that the Secret Service hadn’t activated this particular safe house earlier. Otherwise, he would have been in grave danger. The coincidence was almost unbelievable, too uncanny to seem real.

Because the dead drop he and Mr. Li used for contact or meetings was set at Number 12 Xinyi Street—right next door to the house where Mr. Li was being held. They were neighbors, so to speak.

Usually, the Secret Service chose its safe houses with great care, considering every detail, including the neighbors and the surrounding environment. Yet the Red Party’s contact point had been established right under the Secret Service’s nose. Bai Zeshao couldn’t help but admire the person who had selected that location.