Chapter Fifty-Four: Japanese?

Chapter 54: Japanese?

A few female students pushed through the crowd and hurried straight to the girl by the restroom, asking with concern, “Keiko, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” the girl named Keiko replied with a strained smile, then glanced over at Bai Zeshao and the others.

“Alright, move along,” Sun Yanjie waved his hand, and the crowd began to disperse. The nearby police officers soon arrived. Sun Yanjie instructed them to remove the corpse and to take the burly man in black with the injured arm to the station for questioning.

But just as the officers lifted the man, he suddenly wrenched free and charged straight at Bai Zeshao. Fortunately, Sun Yanjie reacted quickly, kicking the man away.

The man, now sprawled on the ground, suddenly looked up at Bai Zeshao and cackled, “Someone will come looking for you.”

“Lunatic, take him away,” Sun Yanjie said furiously.

But then, without warning, the man’s eyes rolled back, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle, and he collapsed. The scene was eerily familiar, and Bai Zeshao, alarmed, ignored his own injuries and checked the man’s pulse, only to discover that he had taken his own life.

“What happened?” Sun Yanjie asked with concern.

“He’s dead,” Bai Zeshao replied, his brow furrowed. He sensed he was getting drawn into something far more complicated than he’d imagined. For this man to kill himself rather than reveal any secrets—such behavior was typical only of death squads or spies.

Death squads seemed unlikely. The only plausible identity was that of a spy. From what Bai Zeshao knew, such extreme measures to safeguard secrets were used either by Japanese agents or by Nationalist secret police.

With this in mind, Bai Zeshao turned to Sun Yanjie. “Brother Sun, have someone remove his shirt.”

“Do it, quick!” Seeing the seriousness in Bai Zeshao’s eyes, Sun Yanjie gave the order without hesitation.

Once the man’s shirt was off, Bai Zeshao found a tattoo on his back—a mark unique to members of the Japanese Black Dragon Society. At last, he was certain.

“He’s Japanese,” Wu Yangbing, standing nearby, said aloud.

“That’s right. Things just got complicated. With Sino-Japanese relations in such a precarious state, to find Japanese agents here... these people clearly aren’t here with good intentions,” Bai Zeshao said gravely, then turned to the man he’d first encountered that night. “Brother Sun, you should look into that man’s identity thoroughly. We might find some clues.”

“I understand. Come on, let’s go back to the private room,” Sun Yanjie said, leaving officers at the scene while he and Wu Yangbing escorted Bai Zeshao back inside.

As soon as they entered, Bai Zeshao’s appearance startled Wu Jian and the women inside. Achen, in particular, jumped up anxiously and rushed to his side, worry etched on her face. “What happened? I heard several gunshots just now!”

“It’s nothing. By the way, I heard from Brother Sun that you won a lot of money tonight,” Bai Zeshao shook his head and changed the subject.

“Is now really the time to talk about money? Hold on, I have a first aid kit in my room. Let me bandage you up first—then you need to see a doctor at the hospital.” Without waiting for a reply, Achen hurried out.

“Tsk tsk, I didn’t know you had it in you,” Sun Yanjie teased, circling Bai Zeshao with a grin. “Top of your class at the military academy, and you’ve got quite the way with women too.”

“Brother Sun, don’t make fun of me. This is only the second time I’ve met Miss Achen—counting tonight. And both times, you weren’t even present,” Bai Zeshao said, rubbing his nose helplessly.

“All the more proof of your charm. Only two meetings, and the famed Miss Achen of Shanning is so concerned for you. If word gets out, who knows how many men will curse your name in envy,” Sun Yanjie laughed, patting Bai Zeshao’s shoulder and giving him a look that said, “Good luck—you’ll need it.”

Just then, Achen returned carrying a large box. She paid no attention to the others, pulled Bai Zeshao to sit on the sofa, and began carefully tending his wounds, her expression earnest and focused.

Watching her up close, Bai Zeshao felt a ripple of emotion. He could sense that Achen treated him differently from other men, but he didn’t understand why. Could it really be because of that brief encounter three years ago? He quickly dismissed the thought; something else must be at play, something he couldn’t yet grasp.

Among those pursuing Achen, there were men more handsome, with higher ranks, greater wealth, or more remarkable talent—if not many, then at least a few. Yet Achen treated all of them with cold indifference. Her aloofness only fueled the desire of those who couldn’t win her over, and her reputation grew ever more dazzling. Many spent fortunes just for a word with her.

Because of this, Bai Zeshao found himself lost in thought as he watched the beautiful woman tending to him.

And it wasn’t just Bai Zeshao who was surprised; even the other three dance girls were taken aback by Achen’s behavior. Outsiders might not know her temperament, but they certainly did. Achen treated every man the same, even Qian Yong, the owner of the Rose Ballroom. Yet the scene before them now forced them to see her in a new light.

“All done. This is the best I can do—you should still get checked at the hospital,” Achen said, packing away the first aid kit with a gentle smile.

In that moment, she once again embodied the goddess-like poise and elegance she was known for, a far cry from her earlier flustered anxiety.

“It’s nothing,” Bai Zeshao said, glancing at his now thoroughly bandaged right hand, then looked to Wu Yangbing and Sun Yanjie. “Shall we continue, gentlemen?”

“Continue? Are you crazy? You’re injured! Besides, it’s late—we should call it a night. Go see a doctor,” Wu Yangbing said, half joking, half scolding.

“Director Wu’s right. Xiao Bai, you really should get to the hospital. And about what that Japanese man said just before he died—I hope you take it seriously. I’m worried they might come after you. Just be careful these next few days,” Sun Yanjie advised sincerely.

“I understand, Brother Sun. But as a soldier—if I can’t fight the Japanese openly on the battlefield, then let me contend with them here, on this battlefield without gunpowder,” Bai Zeshao replied, his eyes resolute.

“Alright, let’s call it a night.”

With that, the group left the Rose Ballroom.