Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

"Where are you going?" Su Wanjia asked.

"Go see Li Shiqun and earn some extra money," Wang Xuesen said with a wink and a smile.

"Walk me downstairs, please."

He said with some anticipation.

"I'll see you off from the balcony." Su Wanjia isn't stupid.

Once downstairs, Xiaomin, that scoundrel, would bully me without restraint.

"Damn it, you should just let that vixen possess you already, what a waste of those big breasts."

Wang Xuesen's plan failed, and he went downstairs glaring and cursing.

"You're the one who's possessed by a pervert," Su Wanjia spat lightly, unable to utter the swear word.

……

Number 76, family quarters.

Li Shiqun was smoking a cigarette in the living room.

Ye Jiqing, with her pinky finger delicately raised, ate fruit and said, "Old Li, why is Xiao Wang coming to see us so late?"

"What else can he do but act as a go-between for Tang Huimin? The guards said Zhang Jindi went to see him," Li Shiqun sneered.

"Then why did you let him come?"

"That traitor should be fired as soon as possible," Ye Jiqing cursed.

"They're short of money, so they've resorted to high-interest loans, just trying to make some extra cash."

"We don't need to cut off their source of income."

Li Shiqun seemed to have seen through everything.

"No, you really intend to release Tang Huimin?"

"I haven't gotten my revenge yet."

"To be honest, after I finish this bunch of grapes, I'm going to call the interrogation office. I don't necessarily want to cripple him, but I'm going to chop off his hands at least."

"He dares to slap my face, who does he think he is?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiqing put down the fruit and began to shout and curse.

"Please calm down, Madam."

"I won't say anything yet, let's hear what Wang Xuesen has to say."

"Don't forget, Wang Shizhong was Mr. Sun's moneybag back then, and he traveled around persuading financial magnates to donate money and goods. He was known as 'Little Zhang Yi'. His grandson must have some skill with his mouth."

"Okay, if you're still angry after Wang Xuesen finishes speaking, then we won't let you go."

Li Shiqun comforted him with a look of doting affection.

"OK."

"Let's hear what this little brat has to say," Ye Jiqing said arrogantly, arms crossed.

"director."

"Wang Xuesen has arrived." A guard came in to report shortly after.

"Let him in," Li Shiqun ordered.

A moment later, Wang Xuesen strode in.

When Ye Jiqing saw that he had come with bare hands, his face became even more long. He pretended to be arranging oranges with his head down, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

"Director, sister-in-law," Wang Xuesen greeted with a smile.

"Xue Sen is here."

"Quickly, take a seat. Coffee or tea?" Li Shiqun said gently, playing the good cop.

"Plain water is fine." Wang Xuesen sat down on the sofa, looking a little reserved.

Ye Jiqing poured him a glass of water and said in a detached tone, "Xuesen, is something wrong so late?"

"Sister-in-law, it's getting late, so I'll get straight to the point."

"Zhang Jindi gave me five thousand yuan to act as a mediator, hoping I could persuade the director and his wife to let Tang Huimin off the hook," Wang Xuesen reported innocently, his hands on his knees.

"Ha, acting as a lobbyist?"

"Are you qualified?"

"If I remember correctly, Tang Huimin beat you up. Where do you put your elbow?"

Ye Jiqing sneered coldly.

"Sister-in-law, don't be angry."

"You might think I have any face, but it does." Wang Xuesen took out a check from his pocket and spread it out on the table.

A Citibank check for forty thousand dollars!

"What do you mean?" Ye Jiqing asked, frowning.

"Zhang Jindi intends to redeem him," Wang Xuesen stated directly.

"Do I need her money? Is my and Shiqun's reputation only worth that much?"

"Kid, I think you've lost your mind."

Ye Jiqing cursed in a pretentious manner.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to get angry at me."

"Excuse my bluntness, but I doubt you and the director would dare to kill Tang Huimin. Otherwise, you would have tortured him long ago," Wang Xuesen said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, both Ye Jiqing and Li Shiqun's expressions darkened.

Some things, everyone understands.

But pointing it out would ruin the fun.

"Are you here to provoke me?" Ye Jiqing said angrily.

"Sister-in-law, let me explain the pros and cons of this."

"First of all, Tang and Director Li are the founding members of the organization and disciples of Master Ji. The organization was only established a short time ago, and the fellow disciples were already killing each other."

"Elder Ji is a grandmaster of the Green Gang, and he's always been very concerned about his reputation. You've killed Tang Huimin; what will he think of that?"

"And what do others think of him?"

"Ha, are Ji Yunqing's disciples all ruthless characters who fight amongst themselves?"

"How will you explain this to Elder Ji then?"

Wang Xuesen sneered.

"How dare you!" Ye Jiqing was furious, her face turning pale.

"Hey, Ji Qing, let him speak." Li Shiqun picked up a match, lit another cigarette, and took a light puff.

"Secondly, Zhang Jindi's family is wealthy and powerful in Shanghai."

"She's already trying to get in touch with Zhou Fohai and Mr. Wang."

"Yang Shuhui is notorious for her love of taking money, Mr. Zhou is afraid of his wife, and besides, Tang Huimin is a member of the CC Clique."

"Once the money is in place, won't Zhou Fohai, Chen Bijun, and their ilk go to Lieutenant Colonel Haruki, or even to Kagesa Yoshiaki?"

"Don't forget, Tang Huimin met with the head of the Shadow Agency back then."

"Once they succeed in their lobbying and the Japanese release Tang Huimin, you will end up empty-handed and with nothing."

"That's the second point."

Wang Xuesen's words struck Ye Jiqing's heart like a thunderbolt.

"Ha, so what if we go to Secretary-General Zhou?"

"You don't really think I'm afraid of him, do you?" Ye Jiqing's words remained tough, but the fierce look on his face dimmed slightly.

She knew very well how much power Zhou Fohai wielded; he was the spokesperson for the Japanese.

At least for now, even her husband, Lao Li, can't catch up with her.

If Zhou Fohai really intervenes, even Mr. Wang won't be able to touch Tang Huimin.

"Sister-in-law, I believe that killing Tang Huimin is easier than crushing an ant for you."

"But isn't that a bad deal?"

"I don't know much about politics, but I do know that money is a good thing."

"Zhang Jindi said that in addition to the 40,000 yuan, there would also be the editorial department of Guangming Daily."

"The daily newspaper's sales are pretty good, and it's government-run and mandatory distribution, so it's a sure-fire way to make money."

"Tang Huimin and his wife have shown their sincerity to the fullest extent."

"Besides, my sister-in-law benefits from accepting this money."

Wang Xuesen took a sip of water, his expression as approachable and fitting as the head butler of the Li family.

"What two benefits?" Ye Jiqing rolled his eyes.

"Firstly, this is real gold and silver, a true treasure trove, isn't it?" Wang Xuesen said.

"That's true." Ye Jiqing pursed his lips.

"Secondly, if Director Li releases Tang Huimin unharmed, everyone will praise the director for repaying evil with kindness and for his magnanimity, while Tang Huimin will be the one who is disliked by everyone."

"Let's not even talk about how Ji Lao looks good; the people of No. 76 are truly convinced."

"Even the Japanese, the eldest brother has face."

"Think about it, Chief Yingzuo is counting on 76 to do great things, and he regards Big Brother as a pillar of the country. If, because of a hot-tempered Tang Huimin, the chief gets a reputation for internal strife and infighting."

"The Japanese are very pragmatic; this could very well affect the director's future."

"Who ultimately benefits?"

"Dingmo Village."

Wang Xuesen tapped the table as a reminder.

"Why isn't Ding Mocun helping Tang Huimin? He's probably secretly enjoying himself in bed with Shen Yue right now."

"Use Tang Huimin to replace the eldest brother, and let the Ding family reap the benefits."

"Sister-in-law, are we losing out?"

"You are a top student from Fudan University, you have seen the world. I can see through Ding Mocun's petty tricks. You are not blinded by your own involvement, are you?"

Wang Xuesen clapped his hands, winced in pain, and secretly changed how he addressed her in order to make the distance between them feel closer.

……