My spy diary

Chapter 611 Lu Shu'er (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"Our own people, our own people!" Lu Shu'er said, trembling, as if using the last of her strength.

Beside him, Shibahara Heisaburo lay on his back on the ground, his eyes wide open, with a large patch of bright red blood beneath him, which was particularly conspicuous under the flashlight beam.

The words had barely left his mouth when a slap landed on his face, and a plainclothes officer shouted sternly:
"With your shifty eyes and sneaky look, you call yourself one of us? Why don't you just tell us the truth?"

"Sir, my name is Lu Shuer. I'm one of our own. It was someone from your Military Intelligence Bureau who sent me to keep watch here."

"Our people? What are they called?"

Lu Shu'er was on the verge of tears. He really didn't know the man's name. "I, I..." He was about to describe Zhang Yi's appearance with gestures when the plainclothes officer, impatient, slapped him across the face again.

"You dare to impersonate a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau? You've got some nerve! Cuff him and search him!"

Several plainclothes officers immediately began searching Lu Shu'er's body.

"Captain Liu, we found an ID."

"Lu Shuer, unemployed, lives in Lujia Village, Chengguan Town, Jiangshan County. What the hell? An unemployed vagrant dares to impersonate a Kuomintang informant?"

Captain Liu glanced at the identification a few times, spat it on the ground with disdain, and threw it to one of his subordinates. "Cuff him. Take him back for a thorough interrogation later. He might be in cahoots with those damned Japanese spies."

Several plainclothes officers passed around their identification documents, chuckling to themselves.

"Why not call him Lu the Rat?"

"Hehe, wouldn't it sound better to call him Lu the Mouse?"

"Hey hey hey!"

"I really am a Kuomintang informant! I was the one who knocked that man unconscious just now; he almost killed me!" Lu Shu'er panicked, knowing that if he didn't fight back, he would be taken to the interrogation room and tortured into confessing. His eyes glazed over, and he roared, "I'm not with him! I am!"

Just then, Lieutenant Jia arrived with Inspector Lian and several plainclothes officers. Lu Shu'er didn't recognize any of them, but hearing someone respectfully call out "Lieutenant Jia," she knew this person was in charge. Desperate to grasp at this straw, she quickly shouted:
"I am Lu Shu'er, and I am an informant for the Military Intelligence Bureau."

Inspector Lian frowned and glanced at him: "Who is this guy?"

Captain Liu took the crumpled ID and handed it to Inspector Lian:
"An unemployed vagrant."

Inspector Lian didn't reach out to take it, his brow furrowed, lost in thought. Lu Shu'er lay there as if he were air, his heart sinking to the bottom. He thought he had the wrong person, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

At this moment, Lieutenant Jia took the document, glanced at the name on it, and then sized him up a few times:

"You're Lu Shu'er?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Shu'er felt as if he had been granted a pardon and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, I am Lu Shu'er. It was really your people who sent me here to keep watch." After saying this, he stared intently at Deputy Officer Jia, afraid that he would deny his identity in the next sentence.

Seeing his nervousness, Lieutenant Jia gestured for his men to release him and said with a smile:
"I've heard Director Zhang mention you before. You were the one who stopped the Japanese spy just now?"

Captain Liu, standing nearby, felt a jolt of fear. He thought to himself, "Is this bastard really an informant? And does he even know Director Zhang?"
He quickly smiled apologetically and helped him unlock the handcuffs, saying, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Lu, I didn't know you were one of Director Zhang's men."

Lu Shuer wanted to curse, but didn't dare. He gave a stiff smile, brushed past him, and said to Lieutenant Jia with feigned modesty:

"Yes, that's me. I just waited for the rabbit to run into the tree stump and got lucky."

"Luck is also a kind of strength, huh? Do you know you almost lost your life just now?"

Lu Shu'er understood the hidden meaning in the words. If it weren't for that shot, he probably would have been killed by the Japanese soldiers. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly asked, "Did you save me?"

Lieutenant Jia did not answer the question. He looked directly at Lu Shu'er and waved his hand:
"Alright, although it was just a small favor, it was still a meritorious act. Come with me to see Director Zhang."

A surge of gratitude welled up within him; this was the only kind and approachable person he had met so far today. Lu Shu'er pondered the meaning behind his words, realizing that Director Zhang seemed to hold a high position. While marveling at his good fortune, he earnestly considered how to express his loyalty and, incidentally, inquire about Director Zhang's background. Before he could formulate his thoughts, Inspector Lian, who had been observing coldly from the side, interrupted his thoughts, leaning close to Deputy Officer Jia and saying:

"Director Jia, may I speak to you in private?"

The two men walked aside, and Inspector Lian lowered his voice and said, "Director Jia, are you really going to give the credit to this little punk?"

Lieutenant Jia frowned, looking at him with surprise: "You mean?"

"My meaning can be summed up in one word: kill." Inspector Lian waved his hand, making a "chop" gesture, his face filled with murderous intent.

Inspector Lian was outspoken and didn't mince words. Lieutenant Jia was momentarily speechless, forced a smile, and asked:
Why kill him?

Inspector Lian's tone was heavy: "Although the target was eventually killed, we lost two brothers and two others were seriously wounded." He paused, then said angrily, "Our brothers paid such a heavy price, why should the credit be given to a nobody?"

Lieutenant Jia raised an eyebrow: "Are you blaming me?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Inspector Lian quickly shook his head and explained, "Director Jia, after paying such a high price, we have to give the brothers an explanation, right? Besides, the target is dead, the mission has failed, how can we explain this to Boss Dai? You know that I am now..." Inspector Lian was about to continue speaking when he suddenly noticed that Deputy Jia's face was very long, so he stopped talking and gave a bitter smile.

Lieutenant Jia noticed the obvious bitterness in his expression and knew exactly what he was thinking:

"What, you think this little bit of credit isn't enough?"

Inspector Lian sighed, "Jiangshan County is good, but it can't compare to Shancheng."

"You want to be transferred back to the mountain city?"

"Saying you don't want to is just being polite."

"But he's Director Zhang's informant?"

Inspector Lian didn't take it seriously: "He's just a nobody. He's dead, so what? If you say he's a spy, then he is a spy."

Lieutenant Jia said very seriously, "You're oversimplifying things."

Inspector Lian was unwilling to give up: "Director Zhang is high and mighty, why would he care about such a small matter?"

Deputy Jia gave him a meaningful look, remaining noncommittal. Although he held the position of Director of the Supervision Office, it was merely a nominal one, and he knew nothing about Lian Ying. He had initially sympathized with Lian Ying's various misfortunes in Jiangshan County—his fruitless investigation into the Plum Blossom spy case, his own downfall of Li Yishan, and his subsequent demotion by Boss Dai, all in an attempt to atone for his crimes. He had initially thought Lian Ying was simply incompetent, but now it seemed he was not only incompetent but also morally corrupt, even resorting to the absurd idea of ​​killing innocent people to claim credit—utterly foolish. Who wouldn't want credit? If we're talking about credit, the biggest contributor tonight was undoubtedly Boss Dai, followed by Director Zhang. From investigation to planning and execution, Director Zhang had been involved in everything, even risking being sniped to lure the enemy and buy time for the operation. Now, with Director Zhang's fate uncertain, you've already set your sights on his informant?

Thinking of this, Lieutenant Jia sighed and said earnestly, "Old Lian, I won't say more, but to live in this world, one needs to maintain a clear understanding, not to overestimate oneself, and not to underestimate others."

After saying this, seeing the inspector's puzzled expression, he pointed to his head and reprimanded him in a low voice:

To put it bluntly, it means treating yourself as a human being and not treating others as less than human.

Having said that, he didn't even glance at Inspector Lian, and waved his hand dismissively: "Dismissed!"

Then, pointing at Lu Shu'er, he said, "Follow me."

Lu Shuer grinned foolishly, completely unaware that he had just escaped death, and quickly straightened his back and followed.

On the other side, the instant the gunshot rang out, Zhang Yi rolled to the ground with Shen Ruozhu in his arms. The bullet grazed his arm, and blood instantly seeped out, staining the carpet red.

Zhang Yi took a breath, enduring the pain: "It seems the mission is over."

Just as he was about to get up, Shen Ruozhu grabbed him: "Are you injured? Are you alright?"

Just then, Dai Chunfeng's bodyguard He Qiyi rushed in like the wind. When he saw the two people lying on the ground, tightly embracing each other, he was stunned and quickly shrank back.

"How are you?"

"It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious!" Zhang Yi shook his head, stood up, and pulled Shen Ruozhu up with all his might.

Just as Shen Ruozhu was about to say something, Dai Chunfeng, belt fastened, stormed in angrily: "Who fired the shot?"

Upon seeing Zhang Yi injured, his expression immediately changed, and he asked with concern:

"You are hurt?"

"It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious, Chief. Are you alright?"

"What could possibly happen to me?" Dai Chunfeng smiled smugly, fastened his belt, stretched calmly, and walked over to carefully examine Zhang Yi's wound: "Go to the hospital quickly and get it bandaged."

"I wonder how things are going with Lieutenant Jia?" Zhang Yi shook his head and asked dejectedly, "Where did the gunshots come from downstairs?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than He Qiyi rushed back like the wind: "Mr. Dai, Station Chief Tong has found an assassin downstairs."

Dai Chunfeng looked surprised: "An assassin? Where is he?"

"According to Station Chief Tong, the assassin put up a stubborn resistance and was killed."

When Li Wei's pistol discharged accidentally, the bullet struck the shoulder of one of the plainclothes officers. The officer, momentarily stunned by the surprise attack, regained his senses, and without hesitation, the men pointed their guns at Li Wei. "Bang, bang, bang, bang—"

Li Wei was shot five times, his blood soaking through his sweat-soaked police uniform. He convulsed, his eyes staring blankly towards the stairwell, where, in a daze, Shen Ruozhu's figure appeared, smiling at him.

Do not look down.

Dai Chunfeng, his face dark, snorted and paced back and forth, examining the broken glass and the bullet embedded in the wall. He was still shaken; if it weren't for the gunshot that rang out downstairs and Zhang Yi's timely dodge that caused the first shot to miss, the Japanese spy's shot might have killed Zhang Yi.

If Zhang Yi hadn't encountered that thief tonight, hadn't followed the clues to discover the Japanese spies' whereabouts, and hadn't uncovered their conspiracy, just thinking about it now sends chills down his spine. But it was precisely the sudden gunshot downstairs that disrupted their otherwise orderly plan. Where did the assassin come from? Dai Chunfeng couldn't figure it out.

Where is Station Master Tong?

Speak of the devil, and he appears; Station Chief Tong walked in with a humble expression and bowed respectfully.
"Reporting to the Chief, during my patrol downstairs just now, I spotted someone acting suspiciously."

"You think you've done something right?" Dai Chunfeng sat up straight, his face dark, staring intently into his eyes. "Are you very proud of yourself?"

Station Chief Tong, naturally there to curry favor and seek reward, had already prepared a whole host of impassioned speeches. Interrupted like this, he immediately lost his chance for a long monologue. He paused, wondering to himself how he had once again offended his boss. He opened his mouth, and with difficulty, said:
"Your Excellency misunderstands. It was merely my duty, and I dare not claim credit for it."

"Enough!" Dai Chunfeng was disgusted. He grabbed a teacup and threw it at him. "Calling you a good-for-nothing is an understatement! It's one thing to be blind enough to bring a spy to me, but to make such a fuss over catching an assassin? Do you know that because of your shot, my carefully planned operation was almost ruined? It alerted the Japanese spies and caused Director Zhang to be injured? If the target had escaped because of this, I would have skinned you alive!"

Dai Chunfeng was furious, growing angrier with each word. He walked straight up to Station Chief Tong, his finger nearly poking Tong's eye, spitting as he shouted, "You good-for-nothing! Where's the assassin? You killed him, where are you going to find his accomplices?"

After saying that, he kicked Station Chief Tong in frustration.

What meticulously planned operation? I have no idea! Station Chief Tong was stunned. He dared not resist and was kicked, staggering against the wall before sliding to the ground. He felt his mind was blank—his eyes were glazed over, and his ears were ringing.

"Please calm down, Chief. With such a dense barrage of gunfire, the Japanese spies wouldn't have been able to escape." Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Zhang Yi quickly came out to smooth things over, explaining the cause and effect to Station Chief Tong while comforting Dai Chunfeng, "Station Chief Tong was unaware of the situation beforehand; it was an unintentional mistake, which is understandable!"

Station Chief Tong scrambled to his feet, listening to Zhang Yi's account. His eyes widened in astonishment; he hadn't expected such an operation tonight. He then regretted not participating, having wasted time on a mere policeman, almost causing the plan to fail. He nervously wiped his forehead, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and said:

"I deserve to die."

Dai Chunfeng snorted coldly and interrupted him: "Shut up, we'll deal with you when Deputy Commander Jia and the others get back."

Soon, Deputy Officer Jia and the others returned. Lu Shuer was also led in, looking just like a kitten that had been brought home from the street, bewildered and uneasy.

Dai Chunfeng listened attentively to Jia's detailed report on the arrest. When he heard that the Japanese spy, Shibahara Heisaburo, had been shot dead, his face darkened even more. When he heard that Lu Shu'er had used bricks to stop the Japanese spy, he couldn't help but be surprised and gestured for Lu Shu'er to step forward.
"You're Lu Shu'er?"

Lu Shuer was bruised and swollen, and uneasy. When she heard that this person was Director Dai, she was so nervous that she couldn't speak for a moment.

It wasn't until Lieutenant Jia gave him a subtle push from behind that he realized what was happening and quickly said:

"Yes, I am a villain."

Dai Chunfeng glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and said, "You have the courage to intercept Japanese spies, which shows you have some strength. Have you ever thought about joining the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

Lu Shuer looked up blankly, her face full of disbelief.

(End of this chapter)