Chapter Twenty-Six: Verification

(Thanks to Scholar, Book Fan Ajiu, and others for their recommendation votes.)

Delightful Pavilion.

This was one of the most renowned restaurants in Shanning. Only people of wealth and status could afford to come here. If the Rose Cabaret was the gathering place for Shanning’s high society at night, then the Delightful Pavilion was where everyone came to while away their days.

Bai Zeshao and his companions arrived at the base of the Delightful Pavilion. He looked up at the intersection before him where three roads met. To the left, the way led to Xinyi Street; the other two stretched elsewhere. Bai Zeshao had already been planning to inspect the condition of the Special Service’s safehouse in person.

He hadn’t expected the opportunity to present itself so easily. The higher-ups had ordered him to search Xinyi Street, which meant he could now enter the area openly and without suspicion.

“Brother, what are you standing there for? Come up and have a drink!” As Bai Zeshao gazed absently at the crossroads, a voice suddenly called out from a window on the second floor of the Delightful Pavilion.

“Brother Sun, what brings you here?” Bai Zeshao looked up at Sun Yanjie at the window, curiosity in his voice.

“It’s the higher-ups’ orders, of course. We’ve been told to seal off these intersections. But since all the big shots live on Xinyi Street, you never know which important figure you might bump into. If we offend the wrong person, things could get ugly fast, so I had to come in person,” Sun Yanjie replied, swirling his wine glass. “All right, enough talk—come on up. I’ve just ordered food; let’s eat together.”

“Very well,” Bai Zeshao nodded, instructing Monkey and the others behind him to proceed on their own while he ascended the stairs to the Delightful Pavilion.

Inside the private dining room.

Bai Zeshao eyed the steaming breakfast spread across the table with a note of envy. “Brother Sun, you certainly know how to enjoy life,” he said.

Sun Yanjie laughed. “No matter what, you can’t let yourself go hungry. Otherwise, what are we risking our necks for? Listen to your brother: in these times, always put yourself first, then the public.”

Bai Zeshao smiled faintly and said nothing more.

“By the way, I haven’t congratulated you yet on your promotion to Action Squad Leader. Here’s what—we’ll celebrate tonight at the Rose Cabaret, my treat. Remember what I mentioned the other day? Tonight, Miss Achen, the cabaret’s star performer, will be appearing. Who knows, she might just take a liking to you,” Sun Yanjie teased with a grin.

“Achen?” Bai Zeshao murmured, recalling how Ahai had often frequented the cabaret for this very woman.

“Looks like you’re a man of taste as well, my friend.”

Catching Sun Yanjie’s knowing look, Bai Zeshao shook his head. “Brother Sun, as I said before, if I make it to the top, the celebration will be on me. Let’s agree to meet at the Rose Cabaret tonight—don’t be late.”

“All right, I’ll take you up on that,” Sun Yanjie replied, scooping up a spoonful of porridge. “But I do admire your courage, risking your life to save Captain Wu.”

“I’m someone with neither connections nor money. If I want to move up, what choice do I have but to gamble with my life? At least for now, there is no other way, is there?” Bai Zeshao said with self-mockery.

“That’s true,” Sun Yanjie agreed, nodding with heartfelt understanding.

After they’d eaten and drunk their fill, Bai Zeshao said to Sun Yanjie, “Brother Sun, that’s enough for me. I need to get down there and join the search. Can’t afford to slack on my first day as squad leader.”

“No problem. I’ve nothing else to do—I’ll come along with you,” Sun Yanjie replied, setting down his chopsticks.

On Xinyi Street.

“Brother, let me tell you, the only people who live on Xinyi Street are either rich or powerful. Our Chief of Police, the heads of all the departments in your Special Service—everyone owns a house here. Not that most of them actually live in them,” Sun Yanjie explained as they walked.

“You seem quite familiar with the area,” said Bai Zeshao, his gaze moving down the rows of house numbers until it finally settled on the plaque for Number 11 Xinyi Street—the Special Service safehouse where Mr. Li was currently being held.

It was broad daylight, but the curtains at Number 11 remained drawn, making it impossible to see inside. Bai Zeshao noticed that the police assigned to search the area didn’t bother knocking on these doors; they simply patrolled the street.

“I wasn’t always so familiar—didn’t have any business here before. But lately, I come by every few days to play cards with friends,” Sun Yanjie said casually. Then, noticing Bai Zeshao’s attention fixed on the houses, he asked, “What’s up? Thinking of buying a place here?”

“I wish I could, but I don’t have the money,” Bai Zeshao replied, withdrawing his gaze with a smile.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Buying a house here isn’t just about money. Some people, even without a penny, can still live on this street,” Sun Yanjie said, his tone suggestive.

Just as Bai Zeshao was about to respond, the door of Number 11 suddenly opened. A man emerged, carrying a bag of household garbage. He shot a wary glance at Bai Zeshao and Sun Yanjie, then quickly bought three packs of cigarettes from a roadside vendor before hurrying back inside.

Bai Zeshao made a mental note of the quantity of cigarettes, then carried on walking with Sun Yanjie as if nothing had happened, going through the motions of searching the area. By noon, orders came down to wrap things up. Both Sun Yanjie and Bai Zeshao breathed a sigh of relief and led their teams away.

Nightfall.

Rose Cabaret.

Tonight, the Rose Cabaret was more crowded than ever. All because the star performer, Miss Achen, was set to return to the stage. She had been absent for some time due to illness, and this was her first performance since her recovery. The crowd was there to show their support.

“Brother Sun, this Miss Achen must be truly enchanting. I’m genuinely curious to see what she looks like,” Bai Zeshao remarked at the wine table, swirling his glass and watching the surging tide of people.

Sun Yanjie laughed. “Just wait till you see her. I guarantee you’ll never forget her face.”

Before Miss Achen appeared, the cabaret’s owner, Qian Yong, took to the stage and surveyed the room. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. As this is Miss Achen’s first performance after her return, we’ve prepared a special surprise for everyone. Please welcome Miss Achen to the stage.”

Under the expectant eyes of the crowd, a graceful woman emerged from backstage. Bathed in the spotlight, her features gleamed like jade, radiant as the stars and moon, her figure elegant and alluring, her manner tender and charming—beauty beyond compare.

At the moment she appeared, the previously noisy hall fell instantly silent. Bai Zeshao could even faintly hear the sound of men swallowing hard.

“Well? Not bad, right, brother?” Sun Yanjie’s voice sounded in Bai Zeshao’s ear.

“She’s truly a peerless beauty,” Bai Zeshao admitted.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming,” Miss Achen began, her gaze sweeping the hall. “In a moment, I’ll be tossing a bouquet. Whoever catches it will have the honor of dancing with me. And if we hit it off, there’s an extra surprise in store.”

Cheers and whistles erupted from the crowd below.