Chapter Ninety-Six: Could It Be That You Like Her?

Chapter Ninety-Six: Could It Be That You Like Him?

When they left the Proud Tower, the three of them were somewhat tipsy. Sun Yanjie and Wu Yangbing both had cars to take them home, but Bai Zeshao came by rickshaw.

Declining the generous offer from Sun Yanjie and the others to drive him, Bai Zeshao watched their cars depart before waving to a nearby rickshaw and climbing aboard.

“Brother, are you alright?” The rickshaw puller was Ah Hai.

“I’m fine,” Bai Zeshao took a deep breath and loosened his collar. Although he had been controlling himself while drinking with Sun Yanjie, he still felt slightly intoxicated.

As a special agent, Bai Zeshao held himself to strict standards. Since joining the intelligence agency, he rarely drank to excess—not just because he had a good tolerance, but also due to his strong self-discipline.

An agent’s mind must always remain clear and alert; intoxication slows reflexes, so Bai Zeshao never allowed himself to get drunk.

“Brother, are you sure you’re okay?” Ah Hai asked with a smile as he pulled the rickshaw.

“Yeah, I just need some fresh air,” Bai Zeshao replied nonchalantly.

Yet, noticing Ah Hai frequently glancing back, hesitant to speak, Bai Zeshao furrowed his brow and smiled, “Ah Hai, is there something on your mind? If so, just say it. What could there be that you can’t tell me?”

“No, nothing,” Ah Hai quickly denied. “Brother, I’m fine.”

Bai Zeshao nodded and said no more. Given their close relationship, if Ah Hai had something important to say, he would tell him. Since Ah Hai chose silence, Bai Zeshao wouldn’t press. When the time came, Ah Hai would speak up.

Most of Bai Zeshao’s attention was now focused on the training base that Wu Yangbing had mentioned earlier. The base was so secretive, surely it had a vital purpose, but Bai Zeshao had no way to find out more.

Sighing, he caught sight of two familiar figures out of the corner of his eye and said to Ah Hai, “Stop for a moment.”

“What is it, Brother?” Ah Hai stopped and asked curiously.

“Nothing,” Bai Zeshao replied casually, his gaze fixed on the two figures not far ahead—Liu Xiaobing and Li Huihui.

The two were laughing and chatting, unaware of Bai Zeshao’s presence. Yet their intimacy made him suspicious. During military training, Liu Xiaobing didn’t even know Li Huihui’s name, but now they seemed so familiar—it was genuinely curious.

Watching them walk away, Bai Zeshao suddenly said to Ah Hai, “See that girl with Liu Xiaobing? If you have time, keep an eye on her. She’s a student at Shanning Girls’ School, named Li Huihui.”

“Brother, I’ll check her out later. It’s just a female student. I’ll make sure to find out everything about her,” Ah Hai said carelessly.

“Ah Hai, don’t be careless. I have a feeling her identity isn’t so simple. You know I recently took a position as an instructor at Shanning Girls’ School, and she’s my student. But she’s got exceptionally strong qualities—not your average girl. Be cautious when you’re watching her,” Bai Zeshao warned, concerned by Ah Hai’s casual attitude.

“Brother, are you making it sound so mysterious?” Ah Hai asked, doubtful.

“Just trust me on this and be careful,” Bai Zeshao said, then climbed back onto the rickshaw. “Let’s go. Take me to the agency.”

“Alright.”

The rickshaw moved slowly down the road. With about five minutes left before reaching the agency, Ah Hai suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Zeshao looked around but saw nothing unusual. He asked curiously.

“Brother, I—I want to…” Ah Hai hesitated, unable to get the words out.

“You always have something you can’t tell me? Come on, spit it out. You look like you’re about to burst,” Bai Zeshao chuckled. He never expected the usually macho Ah Hai to act so shy.

“Brother, I want to borrow some money,” Ah Hai finally said, lowering his voice with embarrassment.

“How much?” Bai Zeshao asked, surprised.

“Twenty silver dollars.”

“Alright, after I finish work this afternoon, come to my place and get it,” Bai Zeshao said slowly, as he currently only had five gold bars given by Wu Yangbing on him, no cash.

“Thanks, Brother,” Ah Hai breathed a sigh of relief, grinning.

“You little rascal, don’t be so polite with me,” Bai Zeshao joked. “Next time you need money, just say so. Don’t beat around the bush. Now, let’s go.”

“Brother, aren’t you going to ask what I need so much money for?”

“Why should I care? Twenty silver dollars is nothing. As long as you’re not spending it on gambling or women, I don’t care. I know your character well enough,” Bai Zeshao shook his head.

Twenty silver dollars was indeed a lot—more than some families might spend in a year—but to him, it was just pocket change.

“Brother, I spotted a dress in a shop on Jingde Street. It costs twenty silver dollars, but it’s really beautiful,” Ah Hai said, glancing at Bai Zeshao.

“Oh? Are you in love?” Bai Zeshao teased.

“No, Brother, it’s not like you think. It’s for Ah Chen. Tomorrow’s his birthday, and I want to give her a dress,” Ah Hai hurried to explain.

At this, Bai Zeshao’s smile faded. He looked seriously at Ah Hai and said, “Ah Hai, since you call me Brother, I’ll say this again: stay away from the Rose Dance Hall, and don’t get involved with that Ah Chen.”

“Brother, you’re mistaken. I just—” Ah Hai looked helpless, trying to explain.

But Bai Zeshao cut him off. “Don’t explain. I know what you want to say. I don’t look down on anyone, nor do I underestimate that Ah Chen. It’s just that her background is beyond our control. Getting involved with her only brings bad luck, and given our special status, if we attract attention, the risk of exposure grows.”

“Brother, I heard people say you’ve stayed overnight in Ah Chen’s room several times. Could it be that you like him, and that’s why you won’t let me get close to Ah Chen?” Ah Hai muttered quietly, giving up on explaining.

“What did you say?” Bai Zeshao nearly choked on his breath. “Where did you hear such gossip?”

“The rickshaw pullers overheard it. They say whenever you go to the Rose Dance Hall, you spend the night in Ah Chen’s room, and that she always pays your bills,” Ah Hai, now that the subject was out, shared everything he knew.

But when he spoke those last words, he cautiously glanced at Bai Zeshao, only to find him glaring fiercely.