My spy diary

Chapter 426 As expected (asking for monthly ticket)

Zhang Yi's back disappeared at the alley entrance. The light in Chen Kaiyan's room upstairs came on. Chen Jie came out from the darkness in the corner and walked home with heavy steps.

Neighbors stood in groups of two or three at the doorsteps of their homes, whispering to each other.

When they saw Chen Jie coming back, some of them avoided him, some sneered, and some shook their heads and sighed.

"Hey, Xiaojie, why are you so impulsive?"

"That's right, why are you showing off? Now you're injured. Is it worth it to stand up for a woman? She doesn't like you."

"If you don't listen to the advice of the elderly, you will suffer the consequences."

"In this day and age, it's better to have less trouble than more. But he insists on interfering in other people's affairs. Who knows, he might get into trouble in the future."

"Do you think he is stupid? The criminal looked like someone who is not easy to deal with. He injured himself for a stranger."

"That's right. Those bad guys hold grudges. What if they take revenge on him in the future? We must not suffer as a result."

From the alley to his home, every step Chen Jie took was extremely difficult. His neighbor's words were like needles piercing his heart. He tightened his collar and quickened his pace.

The door of the house was open. As Chen Jie walked into the corridor, he saw his mother, who was wearing a coarse cotton jacket, hunched over the stove at the door, cooking noodles. He subconsciously took two steps back into the shadows where the light could not reach.

"Xiaojie is back?" the mother shouted happily.

Chen Jie had no choice but to stand up with a forced smile. His mother saw the wound on his face and asked nervously:
"Son, what happened to your face?"

"I just bumped into him accidentally."

"How could this be a collision? Did you have a fight with someone?"

"No." Chen Jie hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the truth. "Just now, a gangster tried to blackmail Miss Chen. I met him and helped her. Later, the police came and fortunately a reporter from Central Daily News helped."

The more Chen's mother listened, the more frightened she became. "Son, the people should not fight against the officials. Why are you so impulsive? If it weren't for reporter Zhang's help today, what would you do if you were arrested?"

"Mom, I'm fine."

"How can you be alright? What if this gangster lives in our area and he takes revenge on you?"

"Don't worry, he's been arrested."

"He will be released after a while. Son, don't be impulsive again. Remember to call the police next time."

The mother looked worried, and as she spoke, she hurried into the house to find some medicine for the wound.

"Those black dogs only know how to bully ordinary people. Can they be trusted?" Chen Jie spat with disdain.

"Don't be impulsive, or else if something happens to you, bah, bah, bah, look at what I'm talking about."

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be more careful next time."

Hearing her son's perfunctory tone, the mother sighed and said earnestly:
"Son, your father is gone, and as a mother, I have no other wishes. I just hope that you will be safe and sound, get married and have children soon, and continue the Chen family line."

At this point, she seemed to remember something: "Son, you just said that you saved Miss Chen?"

"Ah."

"Does she have a mother? Does she know that you like her? Is she interested in you?"

"Mom, what are you talking about? This kind of thing?" Chen Jie looked embarrassed.

"Look at you, you are such a loser, just like your father." Chen's mother scolded, "No wonder, you know nothing about this, you just keep it to yourself.

How about this, I'll ask the matchmaker to ask you what Miss Chen thinks, and if she likes you too, you can settle the matter as soon as possible."

"Mom, there's no rush. I..."

"Why not? I'm old and I'm still waiting to have a grandchild." Mother Chen said firmly, "It's settled. I'll ask Sister Sun to ask you tomorrow."

Chen Jie remained silent, as he was afraid to break the window paper. What if the other party couldn't accept it? Then they would no longer be friends. But he was also a little excited inside. What if Chen Kaiyan agreed?

After finishing the noodles in silence, my mother washed the dishes and the pot, then went back to lie down and rest. The house became quiet again.

Chen Jie lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

On one side was Chen Kaiyan's smiling face. Like, date, linger, and talk about love. These sensitive and ambiguous words irresistibly filled his mind.

On one side, "Black Dog" looked as ferocious as a wolf and a tiger as he handcuffed himself.

Isn't it the duty of the police to uphold justice and protect the people? Why do they have two faces, one arrogant and the other respectful? If no reporter Zhang came forward today, what would have happened to me? Why did it happen like this?

Chen Jie lost all desire to sleep as he was lost in his thoughts. He put on his clothes again, quietly left the house, and arrived downstairs of Chen Kaiyan's house as if by a ghost.

The lights upstairs flickered on and off, and Chen Jie was stunned. Why was Chen Kaiyan still awake so late?

Just as he was stunned, footsteps were heard upstairs and he quickly hid in the darkness.

I saw Chen Kaiyan walking down from upstairs, looking around at the alley for a while, then hurried away with his head down.

What is she going to do so late?
Looking at Chen Kaiyan's back, he was a little confused. He hesitated for a while, then hurriedly followed.

The place Chen Kaiyan was going to was not far, just in the basement of a building a few hundred meters away.

Chen Jie knew this place; it was the mimeograph room of the power plant.

He hid in the corner and peeked, only to see Chen Kaiyan walk to a room and knock on the door. The door opened immediately and she slipped in. A man then cautiously stuck his head out and looked outside for a few times, then closed the door.

What is she doing here in such a mysterious way? Who is that man?

The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, so Chen Jie tiptoed over.

The lights in the basement were dim and the atmosphere was solemn.

The middle-aged man with a square face pointed at Chen Kaiyan and introduced:

"This is Chen Kaiyan, my colleague. Her mother was a member of the Red Party and we are old friends. In 27, she was ordered to infiltrate the Guo Party and later died."

It sounded like the voice of Lao He, the director of the mimeograph room. Chen Jie was stunned when he heard what he said. Red Party?
"Hello."

The conversation continued inside the house, and Lao He's voice sounded again, "Everyone is here, let's start now."

"Comrades, why are prices rising, why are our lives becoming increasingly difficult, what is wrong?

Now let me tell you, Shancheng’s economy is completely out of control. Not just Shancheng, the entire country is in big problems.

Officials of the Kuomintang government claim that they are in the same boat and will overcome difficulties together, but they are secretly engaged in activities to enrich themselves.

So the problem is not with any one person, but with the KMT government. It is because of the KMT that the world is upside down. "

"So we must fight, unite, and fight against all corruption. This may be a fierce and protracted battle. Are you willing to join?"

"I am willing!"

"I do too!"

"I can't wait."

"Okay, now take the oath."

As he spoke, under Lao He's command, a half-worn Red Party flag was hung up.

Against the dim light coming through the crack in the door, Chen Jie saw Lao He bringing a few young men and women to the front of the flag.

Then Lao He's serious voice sounded: "I volunteer to join China xxx, adhere to the party's discipline, not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of sacrifice, and fight to the end for the cause of XXXX."

Person who takes the oath: He Zhonghua. Person who takes the oath: Hu Xiaodao. Person who takes the oath: Chen Kaiyan. Person who takes the oath: XXX.

Several people finished the oath under the leadership of Lao He. When they turned around, Lao He wrote down their names one by one in a booklet.

They looked different in age, gender and occupation, but the only thing they had in common was that they all looked very solemn. The fearless voice in the room, who was ready to risk his life, made Chen Jie a little panicked.

He doesn't like politics. He is just a small figure in broad daylight. He just wants to live a good life with his mother, marry and have children, and live a peaceful life.

But now the person he likes has joined the Red Party, what should he do?
He was in mixed emotions. Listening to the gradually blurred voices of the people behind the thin door, he felt like a stone was pressing on his chest. He stood there in a daze for a moment, then walked away with his head down in uneasiness.

Silent all night.

It was lunch time in the power plant cafeteria, and there was a long line in front of the food window.

Chen Kaiyan walked out of the line carrying a lunch box. As usual, she walked to an empty table in the corner, sat down, and ate quietly and elegantly with her head down.

"Xiao Chen, what delicious food did you catch that you're hiding here to eat by yourself?"

The person who spoke was a plump and fair-looking older sister wearing coarse work clothes.

She has a side job as a matchmaker.

At this moment, she was holding a lunch box full of food with a smile on her face, and sat down next to Chen Kaiyan without waiting for her response.

Chen Kaiyan didn't say anything, but just smiled and pushed her lunch box in front of her elder sister.

"It's Mapo Tofu again." The eldest sister pushed her lunch box over without saying anything. "Here, spicy chicken, try it."

Chen Kaiyan shook his head, took back his lunch box and ate it in small bites:

"I don't like eating dizzy food."

"You can't live without meat and oil." The eldest sister glanced at her and said, "It's not easy for you to live such a hard life alone, right?"

Chen Kaiyan could roughly guess what she was going to talk about next. She showed a hint of embarrassment on her face, but she didn't immediately frown. She just managed a smile:

"It's okay. I'm used to it. It's good to be alone."

The eldest sister stuffed a big mouthful of rice, not noticing the expression on her face, smacking her lips and saying:

"Well, it's good. You're a girl, and you don't have a man to rely on. Your life must be so hard."

This was Chen Kaiyan's superficial identity, so she couldn't find the right words to respond for a moment and could only bury her head in her food in silence.

The elder sister took a big bite of rice with the spicy chicken, looked at her and asked:

"Hey, tell me the truth, do you have a partner?"

"No."

"How about I introduce you to someone? You are not unfamiliar with this person, Chen Jie. He is a simple and kind-hearted young man who has secretly liked you for a long time. He risked his life to save you yesterday. He is a warm-hearted person who knows how to care for others. You will not be disappointed if you marry him."

"Sister," Chen Kaiyan interrupted her softly, "I am very grateful to Chen Jie for helping me yesterday, and I will repay you.

But feelings can’t be forced. Besides, I don’t want to think about it for now.”

"No, you said you are already 21 and you don't even have a partner. I tell you, girls should get married early.

While Xiao Chen's mother is still young, she can help you take care of the children.

I know you have high standards, but as an experienced person, I want to give you a piece of advice. Getting married is different from being in love. It requires a good match between the two families. You and Chen Jie are a perfect match.

Besides, it’s better to marry someone who likes you, not someone you like.”

In Chen Kaiyan's opinion, her elder sister's words were more of a ridicule than an attempt to reconcile. What did it mean to be alone and helpless? What did it mean to be well matched? Did she have to marry Chen Jie, who came from a single-parent family?
Seeing her silence, the elder sister thought she was hesitating and pressed on:
"Xiao Chen, don't be so pretentious. Chen Jie's mother has seen you and is very satisfied with you. When you marry him, you don't have to worry about the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. As long as you nod, I will take care of other things for you and guarantee that you will marry with honor."

Nonsense! Chen Kaiyan sneered in his heart, snorted with disdain, pretended to be angry and intolerable, stood up, said "I'm done, I'm leaving first", and immediately took the lunch box and trotted out of the cafeteria.

After leaving the cafeteria, a figure caught up with her.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw that it was Chen Jie.

Seeing her looking at him, Chen Jie's eyes immediately became warm and he smiled innocently.

"What can I do for you?" Chen Kaiyan asked.

"No." Chen Jie shook his head stupidly.

Seeing him shaking his head, Chen Kaiyan turned and left, and Chen Jie followed closely.

After walking for a distance, Chen Kaiyan suddenly turned around with an impatient look on her face:

"Stop following me."

Seeing that she was angry, Chen Jie looked at her timidly, wanting to say something, but said nothing.

"I'm sorry, you're not the one I like, and we can't be together. Thank you for helping me yesterday, but gratitude is not love. I hope you can meet a better girl."

After saying that, Chen Kaiyan turned around and walked away, leaving Chen Jie standing there in a daze.

He stared at her receding figure in a daze, his eyes full of loneliness.

But he quickly recovered and jogged after Chen Kaiyan to catch up.

Chen Kaiyan had no expression on his face: "Anything else?"

Chen Jie didn't breathe heavily, didn't answer directly, looked around, and didn't look into her eyes until he was sure that there was no one around:

"What did you do last night?"

This time it was Chen Kaiyan's turn to be stunned. She frowned and was silent for a while before asking, "What do you want to say?"

Chen Jie looked at her with a complicated expression, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

"Don't tell me I'm leaving."

"No, I want to ask you why you want to join the Red Party?"

Chen Kaiyan's expression changed drastically: "You followed me?"

"I didn't. I was just worried about you."

"I told you, don't worry about my affairs."

"Kaiyan, I, I just don't want you to go astray. I don't understand politics, but..."

"But what? This is my belief, you don't understand."

Chen Jie was heartbroken: "I don't know what faith is, but I know that if you go against the government, you won't end up well, and you will suffer in the end, right?
What's the point of being so stubborn? Listen, go find Lao He now and tell him you're quitting, okay?"

Chen Kaiyan looked at him like an idiot: "You don't understand, we are not from the same world, don't look for me anymore."

After that, he turned around and left.

Seeing that she was walking towards a dead end with a stubborn look on her face, Chen Jie's eyes gradually dimmed and his body began to tremble slightly.

I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of what would happen to her if she were captured.

He hesitated and struggled, but finally decided to help her.

After all, my mother said that helping others find a light in a dark room or a boat to a desperate place is a favor that will be remembered for a lifetime. I believe Kaiyan will understand and be grateful to me.

Thinking of this, he walked straight to the telephone booth inside the factory.

What he didn't know was that everything he did was seen by Chen Kaiyan. At this moment, she was in contrast to her just resolute attitude towards Chen Jie. Her eyes were calm, as if everything was within her expectations.

She also walked to a telephone booth and made a call:
"Get me Mr. Dai."

……

(End of this chapter)