Chapter Thirty-Eight: So Close, Yet Fortunate

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Is It True?

“Is it really true that not a single person survived? How could an entire division be wiped out so easily? There must have been some who made it out alive, right? After all, we know a bit about the Red Party’s policies—maybe some surrendered?” Bai Zeshou, still unwilling to accept the reality, turned to Li Xutao for answers.

“I don’t know for sure. The report at the time said the whole division was wiped out. But I’d guess that even if there were survivors, they wouldn’t have been many. Otherwise, the authorities wouldn’t have abolished the Thirty-Eighth Division’s designation and structure,” Li Xutao shook his head and sighed.

Bai Zeshou didn’t press further. When the military disbands a unit and its designation, it’s usually for one of two reasons: either the unit has been merged or reorganized, or it has been destroyed, with so few soldiers remaining that the designation can no longer be maintained.

The latter is common in these times of war. Since the authorities had already abandoned the Thirty-Eighth Division’s name, they must have investigated thoroughly—survivors, losses among the officers, and so on.

Yet, even though he accepted this reality in his heart, Bai Zeshou still turned to Li Xutao, saying, “Xutao, if you ever get the chance to access information on this, I hope you can help me look out for my brother. Even if it’s just to know where he was buried.”

Li Xutao nodded, “What’s his name? What was his position? The exact unit—was he in a particular regiment or company within the Thirty-Eighth?”

“He’s Wang Gang, a graduate from the military academy this year, just assigned there. I only know he served in the Thirty-Eighth Division; nothing else,” Bai Zeshou replied helplessly.

“All right, I’ll keep an eye out for you,” Li Xutao agreed.

After Wang Gang’s news, Bai Zeshou and his companions lost their appetite, so they didn’t linger and soon left the Prosperity Pavilion.

Bai Zeshou and Liu Xiaobing, who trailed behind the others, didn’t go home. They walked together, silent on the street, until Liu Xiaobing muttered, “Xiaobai, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Gangzi were still alive? Even if he surrendered to the Red Party, as long as he’s alive, everything would be fine.”

“I’d actually hope he surrendered to the Red Party. But the battlefield changes in an instant, and life is as fragile as ants in the field—one can lose it at any moment,” Bai Zeshou gazed into the pitch-dark sky, tightened his coat, and sighed.

“By the way, Xiaobai, do you have any news of Zhang Wenkai?” Liu Xiaobing suddenly asked.

“I don’t. If Xutao hadn’t mentioned Gangzi tonight, I wouldn’t have known anything. Wenkai was sent to Shanghai, and his movements are even more secretive—fewer people know,” Bai Zeshou replied with a bitter smile.

“That’s true,” Liu Xiaobing drew a cigarette and handed one to Bai Zeshou, then lit his own and smoked quietly. As the cigarette was almost finished, he suddenly murmured, “Xiaobai, I’m starting to regret joining the Special Service Office.”

“Oh? What’s happened? That’s not like you. Where’s your fighting spirit? Did something happen?” Bai Zeshou looked at Liu Xiaobing in surprise and asked.

“A lot. For instance, the case I’m investigating at No. 11, New Street. I’m certain that Mr. Li from the Red Party is somewhere within five hundred meters. If we searched house to house, we’d find him for sure. But my uncle refused, citing that ridiculous bureaucratic mindset as his reason,” Liu Xiaobing said, dejectedly tossing away his cigarette butt.

He didn’t notice that Bai Zeshou shivered at those words, a cold sweat breaking out. Thankfully, Liu Peiru had rejected Liu Xiaobing’s suggestion. If they had gone through with it, Mr. Li really would have been discovered, with nowhere left to hide.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Zeshou checked the time—it was already past ten. He still had to check on Mr. Li, so he said, “Xiaobing, let’s head back. It’s late. Once we find Gangzi’s burial place, we’ll go together to pay our respects if we get the chance.”

Liu Xiaobing nodded.

Just then, a rickshaw passed by. Bai Zeshou watched Liu Xiaobing ride away, waited another ten minutes, checked his surroundings, and then walked, unhurried, toward No. 11, New Street.

He had just entered the secret room when a gun was pressed to his waist, startling him. In the darkness, he whispered, “Mr. Li, it’s me.”

The gun was lowered, and the light switched on.

Bai Zeshou saw Mr. Li sitting in a chair, breathing heavily. Clearly, the movement had taxed him, but though his face was still pale, his spirit was much improved.

“Why are you here at this hour?” Mr. Li asked, once his breathing had steadied.

“I had no time during the day, and worried the enemy might trace my tracks to this place. To avoid unnecessary suspicion, I could only come now,” Bai Zeshou replied with a wry smile.

“That makes sense,” Mr. Li nodded, then asked with interest, “Xiaobai, be honest with me—how did you treat my wounds? It looks very professional, and the results are excellent.”

“Well… I… Oh, Mr. Li, don’t worry about how I did it. The important thing is you’re awake now, isn’t it?” Bai Zeshou knew Mr. Li’s character and would never reveal Shen Guohua’s involvement, so he hemmed and hawed, finally deciding not to explain.

“Tell me—did you employ some special methods?” Mr. Li asked sternly.

“Well…” Faced with Mr. Li’s persistent gaze, Bai Zeshou finally surrendered and confessed about abducting Shen Guohua.

“You really think you’re a special agent, employing such drastic and violent measures? Don’t forget who you are—you must always remember your mission and identity. You are a steadfast member of the Red Party,” Mr. Li sighed, somewhat helplessly.

“Old Li, I was just desperate to save you,” Bai Zeshou muttered.

“All right, I know you were acting out of urgency. I won’t say more this time, but you must always guard your heart. If—I mean if—you encounter similar situations in the future, you can use your own judgment, within the Party’s permitted scope,” Mr. Li said quietly.

As the leader of the Shan Ning underground organization, Mr. Li understood well the hardships and frustrations of covert work. He also knew the difficulties faced by undercover agents like Bai Zeshou, so he did not reproach him harshly.

On the contrary, he was deeply satisfied with this rescue. Bai Zeshou, having joined the Special Service Office for such a short time, was able to bring him out safely. Bai Zeshou’s growth gave him great comfort and pride.