Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

After hanging up the phone, Wang Xuesen leaned against the glass of the phone booth and smiled.

Ye Jiqing is indeed a woman with a refined and graceful demeanor.

In her early thirties, she maintained an excellent figure, and her voice had a gentle, magnetic quality. Calling her "Xuesen" repeatedly made people feel weak in the knees.

Anyone else would probably have been distracted long ago.

But Wang Xuesen never had the slightest thought of stealing Mengde.

His opponent was Li Shiqun.

A butcher whose mind is unfathomable.

A devil who smiles and drinks with you, but can turn around and dump you into the Huangpu River.

The reason why Li Shiqun and his wife are now close to him boils down to two points.

It's all about making money.

Furthermore, Li Shiqun noticed that Xue Sen always wore revealing clothes when he visited Ye Jiqing, and showed no physical reaction when he was intimate with her.

Knowing that Wang Xuesen's feelings for his sister were nothing more than trying to please her, he was just being affectionate and playful with her, but he had no romantic feelings for her.

In short, you have to know how to handle things when dealing with Ye Jiqing.

Since you're close, treat her like one of your own.

But you can't get too close, lest you arouse Old Li's jealousy.

Who is Lao Li? A fiercely protective husband.

Wu Sibao once revealed that there was a staff member in the No. 76 family compound who, because of his carelessness, picked up a pair of Ye Jiqing's underwear that had been blown off by the wind outside the compound and treasured it at home.

He once revealed it while drunk, and it was dug up by Li Shiqun's men.

Not long after, that guy disappeared from number 76.

They were nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead.

Wang Xuesen wasn't foolish enough to ruin the honeymoon period of trust he had painstakingly built up for the sake of his lustful impulses.

After hanging up the phone, Wang Xuesen drove home.

They entered the bedroom.

Wanjia leaned against the headboard and had already fallen asleep.

Wang Xuesen quietly took a shower and came out. As soon as he got into bed, Wanjia woke up and breathed a sigh of relief: "You're back."

"Why are you sleeping like this?" Wang Xuesen asked, putting his arm around her.

Wanjia closed the book and placed it on the bedside table, then turned and snuggled into his arms.

"I'm waiting for you. I can't sleep soundly if you don't come back."

"Is everything going smoothly?"

"smoothly."

Wang Xuesen smelled the fragrance of her hair and spoke in a lazy voice.

"If things go smoothly, we can take down the Bai family after New Year's Day. Then we can use Li Shiqun's Yongxinglong Company to obtain the distribution rights for American goods from Wilson."

He held up two fingers and made a scissor shape.

"They sell big, we sell small. He eats the meat, I drink the soup, and we all have a good life."

Wanjia kissed him tenderly on the cheek: "Xuesen, you've worked so hard."

Wang Xuesen chuckled twice, about to say something glib, when Wanjia suddenly sat up straight, her expression turning serious:

"Can I talk to you about something?"

Wang Xuesen reached out and pinched her cheek: "Whenever you talk to me like this, you've definitely gotten into trouble again."

Su Wanjia pouted and slapped his hand away.

"I'm not a troublemaker, where would I go to cause you any trouble?"

"I wanted to..."

She paused, lowered her head, twisted her fingers around the belt of her nightgown, and her voice suddenly became softer.

I want to have a child with you.

Wang Xuesen thought he had misheard: "What did you say?"

Su Wanjia raised her head, her eyes bright, and looked straight at him.

"I want to have your child."

Wang Xuesen sat up abruptly, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets: "No way."

"Absolutely not."

"Given our current situation, we might not even have a tomorrow."

"Who knows, we might wake up one day to find ourselves on the guillotine. Wouldn't the children suffer if they stayed with us?"

Su Wanjia grabbed his hand, stopping him from continuing.

"Listen to me."

Her tone was calm but firm, and her eyes held an unusual stubbornness.

"It is precisely because our situation is changing rapidly that I want to help your Li family continue its lineage."

Wang Xuesen opened his mouth, stunned by her words.

Old Li's family.

Li Yaowa.

Oh, I almost forgot, the original owner's family only consisted of her elderly mother and younger sister.

Wanjia continued, "If something really happens to us, as long as either of us is alive, there's hope for the future, as long as we have the child."

She gripped his hand tightly; her palm was slightly warm.

"To put it bluntly..."

"If you really are gone... I'll have something to live for, something to carry on your life."

Wang Xuesen didn't speak, but his Adam's apple bobbed.

Seeing that he remained silent, Wanjia added another sentence.

"Besides, doesn't Boss Dai have children too?"

"People are always the most important thing."

"The War of Resistance Against Japan is certainly risky, but we can't abandon the cause of resistance just because of the risks. If we do that, then the entire cause of resistance will be in real danger."

After she finished speaking, she looked up at him, her eyes slightly red, but she didn't cry.

Very stubborn.

Wang Xuesen breathed a sigh of relief, pulled Wanjia into his arms, and nuzzled his chin against the top of her head: "Thank you, Wan'er."

Why did you suddenly have this idea?

Wanjia buried her face in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "I just think you're great. You're smart, capable, and I like you."

"I would feel guilty if I didn't pass on your excellent foundation."

She paused, then looked up.

"Besides, you are Li Yaowa, the only son in the family, and I have to carry on the family line for you."

Wang Xuesen felt a lump in his throat and a stinging sensation in his nose from her words.

But he still shook his head.

"Your parents and boss won't agree. Now is the worst time."

Wanjia pouted: "My parents didn't object."

"The boss's attitude is even less important. Once we give birth, can he really put the baby back in?"

Wang Xuesen laughed at her words: "That's true."

Wanjia punched him in the chest: "Don't laugh, I'm serious."

Wang Xuesen stopped laughing, straightened his expression, and looked at her seriously.

"Then let me speak as well."

He reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and said slowly:

"Once I've established connections in the US, I might consider it."

Wanjia tilted her head, puzzled.

"What does our having a child have to do with America?"

"The U.S. mainland is relatively safe."

"Once you've built up the money and connections at the top, you and the children can go there without having to endure the war. I'll set up a guard unit for you to accompany you, so your life will be stable."

He actually wanted to wait a few years to go to Hong Kong.

If you have enough manpower and money, dealing with the British and local gangs is relatively easy.

But now is not the time to talk about these things.

Safety is always the top priority.

He wouldn't risk his wife and children's lives until he had established a sufficiently strong safety net.

Wanjia wanted to have a child, and she naturally had her reasons.

He has his concerns.

Right now, he's still like fish on a chopping board.

Putting aside everything else, either Dai Li or Li Shiqun could easily crush him with a single hand.

Having a baby is harming the baby.

Wanjia lowered her head, thought for a moment, and then sighed.

"Okay. I'll listen to you for now, and we'll do it again when it's more appropriate."

Just as Wang Xuesen was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she suddenly looked up, her eyes changing:

"But let's make this clear first."

"Don't make me feel disgusted again."

Wang Xuesen immediately understood what she meant and quickly took off his pants.

He did make a mistake last time, which made Wanjia vomit for a long time and she didn't talk to him for several days.

During those days, his status at home was almost like that of a dog.

He quickly leaned closer, chuckling as he put his arm around her shoulder.

"Don't worry, it was a mistake last time, a complete accident. It definitely won't happen again."

He knew that Wanjia had a difficult time.

When his period came, he still had to wear high heels during the day to accompany Mrs. Okamura shopping, playing cards, playing tennis, and dancing.

It looks like they're having fun, but they're actually quite tired, with a sore back and legs.

And they also have to be available whenever needed.

After all, there are plenty of wives who want to curry favor with Mrs. Okamura, and if she were to be absent casually, someone else could easily fill her vacancy.

Once others got closer, she lost her priority and voice with Mrs. Okamura.

To put it bluntly, it's no different from being a maid.

This was a torment for Wanjia, a young lady who had grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth, both physically and mentally.

But no way.

To secure this powerful backer, she had no other choice.

It can be said that Wan Jia has made a great contribution to Wang Xuesen's current situation, enabling him to establish a firm foothold in No. 76 and even the entire Shanghai.

This is also one of the reasons why Wang Xuesen genuinely liked and admired her.

It has a grand vision.

Although she can be a little willful and temperamental at times, she is generally a rare and virtuous wife.

Putting everything else aside, even when she's exhausted and weak from her period, she's still willing to play a tune for her when she gets home.

This wife was definitely worth marrying.

He secretly thought to himself that he should care for her more in the future, serve her more diligently, and give more of the energy he spent on Li Lu back to Wanjia.

Otherwise, I'd feel guilty.

Wanjia had no idea about the complicated thoughts running through his mind, and gave him a charmingly disdainful look:

"That's more like it. If you dare bully me again, I'll bite you."

After saying that, she tossed her hair aside and gently leaned down.

Wang Xuesen leaned against the headboard, closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief; all the fatigue of the day had vanished.

Twenty minutes later.

Wanjia got up and went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth again.

Yes, Wang Xuesen took note this time.

Don't make things difficult for people.

Wanjia no longer needs to have a late-night snack or wash her hair.

……

The next morning.

Wang Xuesen woke up before dawn.

He turned his head to look at Wanjia beside him. She was fast asleep, breathing evenly, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and a hint of the smile from the previous night still lingering on her lips.

Wang Xuesen quietly got out of bed, washed up, changed into casual clothes, and went downstairs.

Xiaomin was already busy in the kitchen.

"Good morning, brother."

"I fried some youtiao (Chinese fried dough sticks)." Xiaomin came out carrying a bowl of porridge, her apron covered in flour.

"No need, the company will provide extra food later, some porridge will be fine."

Wang Xuesen sat down at the dining table and slowly drank his millet porridge.

The goods arrived last night, and Ye Jiqing will most likely treat him to steamed buns today. He needs to save room for his boss.

Halfway through my porridge, I heard footsteps on the stairs.

Wanjia came downstairs carrying a dark gray wool coat, her hair casually tied back, her face still showing the languid look of someone who had just woken up.

"It's getting cold lately, so I'm wearing this."

She walked behind Wang Xuesen, draped her coat over the back of the chair, and casually kissed her.

"Having a wife is great."

Wang Xuesen became poor.

After breakfast, Wanjia escorted her to the door.

Wang Xuesen turned around, held onto the door frame with one hand, bent down and kissed her forehead.

"Hu Junhe has been actively shipping goods these past two days, and the Special Higher Police may seize them at any time."

He lowered his voice.

"When you see Mrs. Okamura today, remember to ask her to remind Captain Okamura to keep an eye on this matter."

"This batch of goods is worth tens of thousands of dollars."

Wanjia nodded slightly: "I understand."

Wang Xuesen took her hand and squeezed it: "Take care of yourself too. Try to take Mrs. Okamura to play mahjong as much as possible, at least you can sit for a while. When you find mahjong partners, choose non-smokers, otherwise it's too bad for your health."

Wanjia felt a warmth in her heart, and she reached out to hug his waist again, saying coquettishly, "You're even more considerate and attentive to me than my dad is."

"I am your father."

"I haven't called you for days, and you've forgotten again?" Wang Xuesen flicked her nose.

"You're so annoying." Wanjia blushed.

"Alright, alright," Wang Xuesen chuckled, patting her back. "Stop being so clingy, I'm going to be late today because I have a ton of things to do."

The armored car started its engine and slowly drove out of the yard.

Wanjia stood at the door for a while, and only after the car turned out of the alley and disappeared did she turn around and go back into the house.

Xiaomin was clearing the table when she looked up and saw Wanjia smiling. She couldn't help but say, "Madam, you and your husband are so loving. You're just like the perfect couple the teahouse owner described."

Wanjia sat down on the sofa and smoothed her long hair. "No, it's all been through a lot. Your older brother is meticulous, but he can be quite fierce when he gets angry."

She glanced at Xiaomin, her smile carrying a deeper meaning.

"Don't worry, Xuesen is already making arrangements for you."

Xiaomin was stunned for a moment, and almost dropped the rag in her hand.

"I...I'm not in a hurry to look."

Wanjia chuckled at her attempt to cover up the truth.

"This is your older brother's idea. He's already found someone for you. When the time is right, he'll bring him home for you to see."

Xiaomin's face flushed red instantly, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz:

"Thank you, brother and wife."

Li Shiqun hasn't spoken to her for two months.

The last message was simply that she should reduce the level of surveillance and not do anything too deliberate; she just needed to stay at Wang Xuesen's house.

Xiaomin doesn't have as much mental stress now.

Over time, they had become like family with Wang Xuesen and his wife.

At this age, who wouldn't want to find a good man to marry and live a stable life?

Besides, hearing Su Wanjia moan so happily every night through a wall inevitably makes one's heart itch.

My older brother has always treated me very well, so the person he finds for me is naturally not bad.

Xiaomin was still quite hopeful as long as the other party didn't mind that her family was poor.

"You still call her 'Madam'?" Su Wanjia reached out and tapped her forehead. "Call her 'Sister-in-law'."

Xiaomin nodded repeatedly and obediently changed her address to "sister-in-law".

Su Wanjia nodded in satisfaction, then remembered something else.

"Your older brother's workplace recently gave out some rice and noodles. We don't need any, and the three of us can't finish them all. Take some home when you have time, so they don't go bad."

"Yes, sister-in-law." Xiaomin nodded, her nose a little sore, and she didn't dare to look up.

I have no right to have met my elder brother and Miss Su.

……

When Wang Xuesen arrived at No. 76, he didn't rush to his office.

He first went to the side building in the backyard.

The room that Liu Zhongwen arranged privately was at the far end of the second floor, in a secluded location where few people usually passed by.

There was no electricity in the house, but there were windows on the north side sealed with iron bars, so the light was still fairly bright.

Wang Xuesen pushed open the door and went in.

Zhan Shen, his body wrapped in bandages, lay half-reclined on the bed like an old man. He held a cigarette in his left hand and a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in his right, engrossed in reading it.

He didn't even look up when he heard the movement.

"Old Wang, how's White Rose?"

Wang Xuesen closed the door behind him and pulled up a stool to sit down.

"Anyway, I'm doing better than you."

"I had another appointment with a military attaché from the French embassy last night, he's probably too tired to get out of bed yet."

Zhan Shen puffed out a cigarette, his expression indifferent.

"It's good that she's alright."

Wang Xuesen pinched his eyelids shut and smiled disdainfully: "You like her that much?"

Zhan Shen pressed the book to his chest, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, a warm, wistful look on his face.

"Every time I lean against her, I feel so soft and warm, and the whole world becomes quiet."

He turned his head and glanced at Wang Xuesen.

You wouldn't understand that feeling.

Wang Xuesen scoffed dismissively: "What don't I know?"

"I've seen your information. Your mother died early, you were raised by your stepmother, and your biological father became a traitor. A typical tragic childhood."

He pointed to Zhan Shen.

"That's called a mother fixation, you're looking for emotional support."

Zhan Shen almost choked on the smoke in his mouth:

"Holy crap, now that you mention it...it actually makes a bit of a difference."

Wang Xuesen asked, "Do you still miss her?"

Zhan Shen remained silent for a few seconds.

The white rose betrayed him; that's a fact.

Do I hate him? Not really.

He takes life and death lightly, and if someone disagrees with him, he'll fight them. He's more insightful than anyone else when it comes to things.

But that sense of security was truly shattered.

Thinking back on it now, all that's left is the word "utterly tasteless".

"I don't really want to anymore," he answered truthfully.

Wang Xuesen nodded.

"That's good. Your father is already on his way to Shanghai. He and the boss will each cover part of the expenses for your rescue."

He paused, his tone tinged with bitterness.

"You're quite the guy to make the boss bleed money."

Zhan Shen curled his lip, his tone disdainful: "Can't you ask for less? Don't you want the money of a traitor?"

Wang Xuesen was immediately enraged.

"You wish! I've been living in constant fear, almost digging up all my secrets for you. Don't I need some compensation to calm my nerves?"

Zhan Shen tilted his head, showing no hesitation.

"Alright, I'll tell the old man to ask you for more."

"That makes more sense."

Wang Xuesen stood up cursing, dusted off his pants, opened the door, and went out.

Zhan Shen rolled his eyes at his retreating figure and picked up Romance of the Three Kingdoms again.

Who is this person? Why are they so greedy for money?

Perfect timing, let that traitorous old rich man in the family bleed him dry.

……

I hadn't been sitting in my office long when the phone on my desk rang.

Wang Xuesen hung up the phone, grabbed his coat, and went outside.

The door to Li Shiqun's office was half-open.

Wang Xuesen knocked twice, went inside, and closed the door behind him.

Ye Jiqing was bending over, arranging plates on the coffee table.

Several steaming hot buns, three small dishes of pickled vegetables, and a dish of smoked meat were neatly arranged, filling the room with the aroma of noodles and meat.

"Xuesen is here, come on, take a seat." Ye Jiqing straightened up to greet him.

Today she wore a black, tight-fitting turtleneck sweater, her hair neatly styled, her waist slender, and her chest particularly full.