My spy diary

Chapter 607 Genuine and Fake (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"A big heist?" Lu Shu'er pondered Zhang Yi's words and tentatively asked, "Big brother, are you going to partner with me in business? I'll help you set up the framework?"

Setting up a scaffold refers to obstructing the view of the target or others in order to commit a crime.

"What? Don't want to?"

"I'm willing, but..."

"What?" Zhang Yi had barely uttered the words when he suddenly noticed a figure emerge from the South Gate Inn. Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, Zhang Yi still spotted it. Judging from the figure and gait, it was likely a woman. He immediately pulled Lu Shu'er back a few steps, concealing the two of them in a dark corner.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Do you know what I do?

"police?"

"Military Intelligence Bureau!"

Lu Shuer gasped, his lips trembling slightly. A while ago, their gang's "Old Rong" had inadvertently offended a squad leader in the Military Intelligence Bureau's action team. He was inexplicably arrested and interrogated, subjected to torture including being put on the "tiger bench," "stepped on the bar," and "stir-fried ribs." Not only did he honestly confess to everything he'd done over the years, but he also revealed the three places where he hid his money. He was ultimately stripped of everything before being released.

The thought of it sent chills down Lu Shu'er's spine, made his stomach pound, and he wished he could kneel down on the spot and plead, "Big brother, please spare me! I... I'm a lowly person..."

"Alright, I'm not asking you to charge into battle, what are you so nervous about? You can at least keep watch, right?"

"Stalking?"

"Keep an eye on the inn's every move, especially that fat sheep you mentioned. Remember: don't alert them."

Lu Shuer breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. I promise, I promise to complete the mission." After saying that, he bowed and shrank into the corner.

Zhang Yi glanced at him and hurriedly walked in the direction the dark figure had left.

Not far from the Jiangshan Hotel was a string of brothels and red-light districts. Although they couldn't compare to the brothels along the Qinhuai River, they flourished even more due to the war.

Entering the alley, one after another, the houses were densely packed together, including brothels, academies, and other similar establishments. They were all inhabited by well-known gentlemen, scholars, courtesans, and courtesans. But the most famous among them was none other than Xiao Panfei of Yicui Tower.

"Pan Fei" refers to Pan Su, also known as Pan Baiqin, a famous courtesan from earlier times. She was the top courtesan at Tianxiang Pavilion and a descendant of Pan Shi'en, a Qing Dynasty scholar-official. From the age of 7, she studied music and painting under renowned teachers, and was especially skilled at playing the pipa. When she was 13, her mother died, and she was sold to a brothel by her stepmother.

She rose to fame for her exceptional beauty and talent. In 35, she fell in love at first sight with Zhang Boju, one of the Four Gentlemen of the Republic of China. However, at that time, Pan Su was already engaged to a Kuomintang general surnamed Zang. Upon hearing this, Zang was furious and immediately placed her under house arrest. Zhang Boju bribed the guards to rescue her, and from then on, her fame surpassed that of the past.

The young Pan Fei was named Pan Qiaolan, and she was publicly identified as a distant niece of Pan Su, but whether this was true or not is unknown.

But this woman was equally beautiful and talented, attracting the attention of high-ranking officials, gentry, celebrities, and playboys of Jiangshan County, all eager to win her favor. It's said that appointments with her were booked for over a month in advance. Luckily, Station Chief Tong was resourceful enough to squeeze in at the last minute.

Night had fallen, and bright red lanterns lit up the Yicui Tower.

Station Master Tong and Pan Qiaolan sat in a private room upstairs, chatting idly about everything under the sun.

To avoid attracting attention, Station Chief Tong made no grand entrance, bringing only his driver and secretary, all dressed in civilian clothes. However, from head to toe, every gesture still retained a military bearing. Pan Qiaolan was in her early twenties, with crescent-shaped eyebrows and skin as smooth as jade. She wore a simple floral high-necked cheongsam, exuding a delicate fragrance, her face as tender as tofu. Leaning back with her chin resting on her hand, every smile and frown was captivating.

This was the first time Station Chief Tong and Pan Qiaolan had met. It wasn't that Station Chief Tong wasn't interested in women, but rather that at his age, his mind was no longer on women; he valued power and wealth. Besides, having passed forty, his prostate was acting up from time to time, and he was finding it rather difficult to perform sexually.

Station Master Tong usually deals with rough men, and he was a little reserved when he chatted with a girl who was younger than his son. However, after a cup of fragrant tea, as Pan Qiaolan made some jokes, the two of them started to talk without any restraint.

"Mr. Tong, what was the surname of the high-ranking official from Shancheng again?" Pan Qiaolan asked sweetly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Hey, I just said it, how could you forget again?" Station Chief Tong pretended to be angry. "I'll say it again, listen carefully, his surname is Dai."

"What should I wear?"

"It doesn't matter, you can just call him Mr. Dai."

"Oh, how high-ranking is this Mr. Dai? Is he worth you fawning over like this?"

How did you figure out I was trying to curry favor with him?

"Is that even a question?" Pan Qiaolan glanced at him and chuckled. "The people who come here are all only concerned with their own enjoyment. Unlike you, who sits up straight as soon as you enter and even acts as a go-between for that Mr. Dai from the mountain city."

Pan Qiaolan spoke with sharp teeth and a laugh. Hearing this, Station Chief Tong wasn't embarrassed at all and laughed along.

"Xiao Huan, refill Mr. Tong's tea," Pan Qiaolan called to the maid standing to the side.

Station Master Tong took a sip of tea and said with a forced smile, "Miss Pan, do you think I have no chivalrous heart? You are very wrong. In fact, from the first moment I saw you, I felt a sense of loss."

"Then why did you give it to someone else?"

"They are distinguished guests who have come from afar, so I should at least show them hospitality and act like a gentleman."

"What a fine example of hospitality from a local." Pan Qiaolan savored these words and smiled sarcastically. "With just a glance, you can make the deputy police chief bow and scrape and slink away. You certainly have the air of a landlord, so you must hold a high-ranking position. But I just can't understand why a big shot like you would bother to curry favor with an official from a mountain town?"

"You don't need to beat around the bush and ask what I do. Knowing too much about some things isn't necessarily a good thing." Station Chief Tong snorted and said with a stern face, "Just show me your best skills and entertain my guests well later."

Women in brothels are naturally more mature than ordinary girls and adept at manipulating people's hearts. But in Station Master Tong's view, although Pan Qiaolan in front of him had some knowledge, she was ultimately limited by her age and experience, and her speech was somewhat pretentious. Dealing with this kind of young girl, it would be best to persuade her if possible; if not, he would have to hold a knife to her throat and force her to comply. However, this would inevitably spoil Boss Dai's interest.

"Oh dear, look, Mr. Tong is angry." Pan Qiaolan observed his expression, stood up coquettishly, poked Station Master Tong's chest with her slender finger, and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was just being tactless and offended you, sir. I apologize."

Seeing Pan Qiaolan's shy and coquettish demeanor and her sweet, pleading tone, Station Chief Tong knew she was just acting, but he was still aroused and his heart was racing. He quickly coughed and subtly pushed her away.

"No wonder people call you Little Consort Pan. Your smile and laughter are captivating. Even Liu Xiahui would fall at your feet."

"Mr. Tong, people can't tell whether you're praising me or criticizing me."

“Of course it’s a compliment.” With that, Station Master Tong said to the maid, “Go downstairs and call my secretary up.”

Xiao Huan returned shortly after and brought up a refined-looking young man who was carrying a beautifully packaged gift box.

Station Chief Tong accepted the gift box, dismissed his secretary, placed the gift box in front of Pan Qiaolan, and said with a smile:

"These are a few pieces of jewelry, presented to Miss Pan as a small gift. Please accept them."

Pan Qiaolan took the gift box, opened it, and saw a pair of pearl earrings and a jade bracelet. Holding it up to the light, she admired the shimmering green light emanating from the jade. Even though she was used to such things, she couldn't help but be surprised. Judging from the quality, it was the finest jade. "Mr. Tong, how can I possibly accept such a precious gift?"

"It's just a small gift, nothing special." Station Chief Tong didn't even blink, speaking casually. Anyway, these things were all plundered from Yao Zechong's house, so the money would come from the sheep's back.

Station Master Tong's generosity warmed Pan Qiaolan's heart. She lovingly examined the jade, murmuring, "..."
"Mr. Tong, you have gone to such lengths; how can we possibly repay you?"

Station Master Tong waved for the maid to leave and said in a low voice, "As long as you serve Mr. Dai well tonight and make him satisfied, that will be your way of repaying me."

"Who exactly is this Mr. Dai?" Pan Qiaolan asked, taking the station chief Tong's serious tone to heart.

Station Master Tong glanced at the doorway, hesitated for a moment, and asked:

"Have you heard of the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"A spy? You're making me accompany a top-level spy?" Pan Qiaolan's eyes widened.

The term "spy" was originally neutral, but because espionage work is inherently malicious and involves shady dealings, it has gradually become a derogatory term.

Station Chief Tong nodded: "Mr. Dai is the head of this department."

"The person in charge?" Pan Qiaolan looked at him in confusion. "I've never heard of him before, nor have I seen this name in the newspaper."

Station Chief Tong was a little annoyed, but then she thought, it's normal for a courtesan from a small town not to know the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau. So she patiently explained, "It's not that he's unknown, it's just that his name can't be in the newspapers. He's an unsung hero. You must know who Chiang Kai-shek is, right?"

“This is no problem for her; she knows Chairman Chang’s name.” Pan Qiaolan came to her senses and answered seriously.

"The Mr. Dai I'm talking about is the most capable cadre and a big shot around the Chairman."

"Ah, someone from the Chairman's side." Pan Qiaolan's expression immediately brightened. "Mr. Tong, you mean he's coming tonight?"

"It's not him coming; I'm taking you to him."

"Where?"

"You'll see when we get there." Station Master Tong glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "The car is downstairs, let's go!"

Pan Qiaolan stood up awkwardly, about to speak, when the maid outside suddenly pushed the door open and came in:

"My lady, how about you get dressed up a bit more?"

Station Master Tong was displeased with the maid's abrupt intrusion. He gave her a vicious look and then turned to Pan Qiaolan.

Pan Qiaolan said, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Tong, while I go change my clothes."

"As soon as possible." Station Chief Tong hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

At the corner opposite Yicui Tower, Zhang Yi was hiding. He had been following the mysterious woman here at a leisurely pace, watching her enter Yicui Tower. Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly noticed a car parked on the road not far away. Although it was too dark to see the license plate, the driver's side window was open, and sparks flickered on and off, indicating that someone was inside the car.

Zhang Yi stared at it suspiciously for a few moments, and was just about to approach discreetly when he saw someone walk out of Yicui Tower. He looked around and then walked towards the car.

Although his face was turned to the side, Zhang Yi recognized him at a glance as Station Chief Tong, and was taken aback.

What is he doing here?
Also, what is his relationship with that mysterious woman from earlier?
Inside the Yicui Tower, Pan Qiaolan sat in front of her dressing mirror, applying makeup and powder while asking the maid standing behind her, "Xiao Huan, is the bathwater ready?"

Xiao Huan didn't say anything.

Pan Qiaolan glanced at her through the bronze mirror: "Xiao Huan, I'm talking to you."

"What did you say?" Xiao Huan's voice was icy. She walked over and said with a mocking look, "Don't bother with the makeup, you don't need to go."

"What did you say?" Pan Qiaolan was stunned, looking at her with disbelief.

"I told you you don't need to go." Xiao Huan smiled sinisterly, grabbed her hair, and slapped her neck with a chop.

Pan Qiaolan trembled and swayed precariously. Xiao Huan caught her, carefully placed her on the ground, and then stripped off her clothes.

At this moment, Matsushima Ryoko, who had previously appeared at the hostel under the alias Su Jingyi, had already pushed open the door and entered.

She glanced at Xiao Huan, took Pan Qiaolan's clothes from her, quickly changed, then put on a lady's hat with a netted veil, twirled gracefully, and asked, "How is it?"

Xiao Huan examined it carefully for a few moments: "It's genuine!"

Upon hearing this answer, Ryoko Matsushima smiled with satisfaction.

And so, accompanied by Xiao Huan, Matsushima Ryoko left Yicui Tower.

Zhang Yi stared intently as the woman wearing a hat with a netted veil gracefully crossed the road. The scene of his previous follow flashed through his mind like lightning. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Although he couldn't see what she looked like, her gait was clearly consistent with the mysterious woman he had followed before.

Under his watchful eye, Station Chief Tong's secretary opened the back door for the woman, then sat in the passenger seat himself. The car then started and sped away.

Zhang Yi watched the car drive away until it disappeared from sight, his gaze stern.

Jiangshan Hotel.

Dai Chunfeng took the telegram from the telegraph operator: "After careful investigation, Xie Tou has determined that the Mei Agency destroyed a Red Party stronghold today. Yi Yan." This was Xie Tou's latest report forwarded by Mao Qiwu.

After reviewing the telegram, Dai Chunfeng felt a great sense of relief. He instructed the telegraph operator and translator:

"Alright, I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight. You can all go and rest."

"Yes." The two men saluted and left with the radio.

Dai Chunfeng struck a match, lit the telegram, and looked at Deputy Commander Jia: "Has Station Chief Tong returned?"

"Just downstairs."

"Let her come up."

(End of this chapter)