Chapter 610: The Beauty Trap

The Paradise Club was a three-story building near Jing'an Temple in the International Settlement, with a large footprint, featuring a dance floor, banquet hall, and hotel, a legitimate upscale entertainment venue.

Only outside the Paradise Club could one see Shanghai's splendor: neon lights flickered in vibrant colors, cars streamed endlessly down the streets, rows of rickshaw pullers raced toward the club, children with boxes slung around their necks hawked cigarettes everywhere, and homeless beggars huddled in twos and threes, pleading for alms. Alongside them were many women wrapped in fur coats but dressed in qipaos or Western attire, adorned with glittering jewels and lavish makeup.

Where there are beautiful women, there are always men fighting over them. Likewise, where there are clusters of powerful, wealthy men, there are always beautiful women.

As an upscale venue, there was no doubt that most men who came to the Paradise Club were rich. Thus, the women who came to play had far from pure intentions—largely no different from later-era gold-diggers seeking wealthy patrons, hoping to be noticed by some powerful man and become his concubine, no matter how many wives he already had. Of course, there were also many genuine socialites who simply came to pass the time and have fun.

But overall, there were still more women who, though possessing some beauty, had no choice but to sell themselves…

A car pulled up near the Paradise Club. He Shaohong stepped out from the driver's seat and eagerly opened the rear door. Wang Yan, now dressed in a sharp suit, stepped out from the back, followed by Fang Yuantu and Zhang Xian, who also got out and stood behind Wang Yan.

Leading the way, Wang Yan walked toward the Paradise Club. A sharp-eyed beggar boy, about ten years old, dragged along a younger boy, six or seven, and ran up: "Chief Wang, good fortune! Chief Wang, kindness! Chief Wang, may you prosper and live in health! Chief Wang…"

Wang Yan listened with a smile as the boy recited a long string of blessings, then kicked him gently: "From now on, I'm Chief Investigator Wang. Got it?"

"Yes yes yes, Chief Investigator Wang, good fortune! Chief Investigator Wang, kindness!" The beggar hurriedly replied, ready to recite the blessings again. In sub-zero temperatures, the boy wore only two tattered rags, yet sweat beaded on his forehead—clearly, he was utterly serious.

"Enough." Wang Yan waved his hand impatiently, pulled out his wallet, and took out a fifty-dollar bill: "I'm in a good mood today. Take this and treat yourself and your little beggar friends to a meal. If anyone tries to rob you or cheat you, come back to me—I'll make them regret it."

The ten-year-old beggar's eyes widened in shock, unable to react. Only when Wang Yan slipped the fifty-dollar bill into the pocket of the seven-year-old boy, whose nose dripped snot, and turned to leave, did he finally shout out loud thanks to Chief Investigator Wang.

Fifty U. S. dollars was nearly the value of a small gold bar. Such sudden, unexpected fortune left the beggar boy stunned. Seeing Wang Yan had left, he snatched the money from his younger brother's pocket and shoved it into his own, then pulled his brother and ran off.

"Do you think that little beggar will share that money with others?"

Hearing Wang Yan's question, Zhang Xian chuckled: "I saw it clearly—several pairs of eyes were watching him. Boss, you've given them a real dilemma."

Fang Yuantu shrugged: "In today's Shanghai, any street beggar who can roam freely isn't simple. The Chief Investigator gave them too much—they know they can't hold onto it, so they'll definitely run to find their gang. Otherwise, these two brats would be dead in a gutter by tomorrow. But Chief Investigator, you really gave too much."

"What's a little money to Boss Wang? Not even a drop in the ocean. Whether those two beggars live or die? That's up to their fortune. Is there really such a thing as free cake falling from the sky?"

He Shaohong fully supported Wang Yan. Though he had never been promoted in all these years, following Wang Yan meant he never stopped making money. And now that Wang Yan had become Chief Investigator, he naturally became Team Leader—finally fulfilling his long-held wish. Wang Yan truly had a decisive influence on his career.

When Wang Yan first joined the police bureau, He was a squad leader overseeing Wang. When Wang became squad leader, He was promoted to Deputy Team Leader—still overseeing Wang. Then, when the original Team Leader died in the line of duty, Wang instantly became Team Leader—and remained so ever since…

Wang Yan certainly didn't mean to harm those two beggar boys—he recognized them. This beggar gang was powerful, made up of homeless street kids who sold newspapers, cigarettes, begged for money—anything they could do, protected by a group of fearless half-grown boys. And the one who organized this gang? The same child who stole Ai Ge's wife's purse all those years ago.

Wang Yan still held some clout here—he loved women and money, after all, a seasoned veteran of Shanghai's pleasure quarters. He knew every dance hall in Shanghai; the women adored him for being skilled and generous, and his reputation in Shanghai's romantic circles was well-known.

Nodding to people along the way, responding to flirtatious glances from certain seductive women, Wang Yan led the three inside, climbed to the second floor, and sat at a corner table to eat and drink.

This meal was primarily meant to win hearts. Previously, everyone had been equals—like Fang Yuantu, who had been somewhat resentful. But now, he was their superior; even if he resented it, he had to swallow it. Zhang Xian handled this better—he never competed or fought for position. Unlike Fang Yuantu, who was always rushing around, always trying to be first.

But Fang Yuantu's unusual behavior today was understandable—he had always looked down on Wang Yan, and now Wang Yan was his superior. Given his personality, his discomfort was perfectly logical. So although it seemed foolish, no one truly knew what he was thinking. Maybe he was genuinely stupid—or maybe he was pretending.

Also, there was another issue: when the Japanese approached Wang Yan, they said they knew what Chen Jiangliu had said in his office. So who leaked it?

First, was Chen Jiangliu's question about the Japanese intentional or accidental? Reviewing the events of the morning and recalling what happened at lunch, Wang Yan judged it a 30-70 split in favor of accident. He was nearly fifty—he couldn't comfortably keep his position as Chief Investigator and lord over others. Overwhelmed by helplessness and rage, he had asked that question out of emotion, curious about the attitude of these young men.

Also, he had already spoken with Lin Hongyuan yesterday and knew Wang Yan would have lunch with Lin today. So it was highly unlikely he would contact Lin again—waiting instead for the outcome.

Under these circumstances, Fang Yuantu and Zhang Xian were highly suspicious.

Of course, if Chen Jiangliu had truly been that reckless and called Lin Hongyuan to reveal Wang Yan's stance, then things might be different. But again: never be careless. Always assume the worst.

In this era, in this political climate, if you don't have at least two brains, better not speak—you'll end up dead.

As they ate and drank, they settled their future plans for wealth, and all three expressed their determination—perfectly resolving the meal's main purpose. As for the secondary issue? After the four toasted and drank to celebrate, Zhang Xian gave a subtle glance toward a spot behind Wang Yan: "Boss, that girl over there has been staring at you for ages."

"Women staring at me? I've got a reinforced company." Wang Yan laughed, turned around, and saw a woman in a light-patterned qipao, with a curvaceous figure, bright eyes, white teeth, and full lips, gazing at him with soft, inviting eyes.

Wang Yan raised his glass to her, took a sip, set the glass down, and said: "You two have fun. Have someone arrange things for you—do whatever you want. I'm going to meet this girl."

He stood and walked straight over, sitting across from her: "My brother says you've been watching me for ages. Who sent you?"

The woman covered her mouth and giggled: "Chief Wang, aren't you being a bit too self-absorbed? Many people look at you—does that mean they're all spies sent to watch you?"

Wang Yan didn't react, studying her across the table: "You don't seem like a pleasure quarter woman. You still carry a scholarly air—you must come from a distinguished family?"

"Distinguished family? No. Just a modest household with some wealth, barely surviving in the cracks. Nothing compared to Chief Wang's business and connections."

"You're lying!"

Wang Yan spoke with absolute certainty—because he recognized her. She was Wang Wang Manchun, the venomous, ruthless woman from the drama who became head of the 76th Bureau.

At this time, Wang Tianhai had not yet betrayed his country, and the Wang puppet government did not yet exist. As Wang Yan knew, Wang Wang Manchun's family had long been entangled with the Japanese, and during the Battle of Shanghai, they were among the first to publicly cheer for the invaders. But Wang Wang Manchun was not the Wang family's legitimate daughter, so she was not widely known.

In the original drama, Wang Wang Manchun claimed she was dating Ming Lou, but Ming Jing opposed it. After Ming Lou left for abroad, she fell into despair, feeling life had no hope. That's when Nan Tianyangzi found her, trained and promoted her—leading to the Wang Wang Manchun of later events.

According to Wang Yan's prior investigations, Ming Lou had already "gone abroad" for a year, and the Wang family had long since allied with the Japanese. So Wang Wang Manchun must have already joined Nan Tianyangzi, working as a spy.

Thus, Wang Wang Manchun appearing before him was surely Japanese orchestration. After all, he had no children, didn't gamble or smoke opium—his only vices were making money, enjoying life, and women. He had no major weaknesses. To further control him, the Japanese, knowing his tastes, might very well send him a beautiful woman.

Wang Wang Manchun was not unattractive; her figure was excellent. And because of Ming Lou, she had become extreme—a fanatic. Throughout the entire drama, she and Ming Lou were always performing. If she truly loved Ming Lou as much as she claimed—with those big, sparkling eyes overflowing with affection—she wouldn't have begun by investigating and testing him. She always suspected Ming Lou; she simply never managed to expose him.

In the original drama, when Ming Lou returned and met Wang Wang Manchun, he asked if she'd dated anyone since he left. She said yes—and killed them. This showed she was already insane, hopeless about love. More likely, after Ming Lou left, she had been with another man, discovered he only wanted to sleep with her, and when Nan Tianyangzi contacted her, she simply killed him.

Of course, these are all malicious speculations. But regardless, Wang Wang Manchun—a woman trained by Japanese spies to target patriotic figures—certainly wouldn't hesitate to use herself…

Wang Wang Manchun's red lips parted: "No wonder you're the famed Chief Investigator of the French Concession. Chief Wang, your eyes are sharp. But… does it matter?"

"It doesn't matter." Wang Yan stood, walked to her, and extended his hand: "Feel like dancing?"

Wang Wang Manchun graciously placed her hand in his. He led her to the dance floor, where they moved with the music, blending into the hundreds of dancers.

Feeling hands brushing against her back, her hips, her abdomen, Wang Wang Manchun rose on her toes and whispered into Wang Yan's ear, her breath sweet: "Do you always treat women you just met like this?"

"Pretty much. If it's mutual, what's the problem?" Wang Yan wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her slightly away. Wang Wang Manchun, playing along, looped her arms around his neck, blushing faintly, her big eyes blinking with obvious guilt.

Wang Yan shook his head and slapped her ass: "If you don't have the heart, don't imitate those shameless sluts who seduce men. You know the danger of playing with fire."

Damn, this woman wanted to play with his emotions. First she flirted, now she pretended innocence. Wang Yan was certain: no matter where he went in the future, he'd keep running into Wang Wang Manchun—and he'd never sleep with her. She'd slowly deepen their connection, build affection, then extract intelligence from him.

Of course, this was only in this drama, where Wang Wang Manchun happened to be a card. If she weren't here, another beautiful woman would have appeared. The goal was always the same: control him.

Though she wanted to chop Wang Yan into eight pieces, Wang Wang Manchun still endured the tingling sting on her ass, flashing him seductive glances as he walked away. The script wasn't unfolding right. According to her original plan, given Wang Yan's reputation as a lustful lecher, he should have chased her for ages, while she resisted with feigned modesty, finally refusing with great effort. That was the proper development—a memorable meeting. Now, she didn't understand what this level of interaction even meant.

She watched as Wang Yan, after leaving her, danced with another flirtatious woman, then pulled another woman over to drink with him. Later, he wrapped an arm around each woman and, looking triumphant, ascended to the third-floor room. Throughout it all, he never glanced back at her. She even followed him, listening outside the room to the moans inside, before returning to the second floor to keep drinking.

Seeing Wang Yan showed no intention of leaving, she had no choice but to depart the Paradise Club, cursing him bitterly…

"Chief, I feel this Wang Yan isn't as lecherous as rumored."

After hearing Wang Wang Manchun's account, Nan Tianyangzi frowned, thought for a moment, then shook his head: "He's not uninterested in women—he's just not impatient. According to our records, he's never forced a woman into bed. Analysis suggests he enjoys the feeling of attracting women through his own charm. You understand this—no matter what, you must control him."

"Yes, Chief."

"But Wang Yan's case isn't urgent. We've already established cooperation. Still, he's cunning, and we hold no leverage over him—we can't guarantee his sincerity or the accuracy of the intelligence he provides. That's why you're to get close to him, gather intelligence up close. He openly does business with both parties, making it impossible for us to judge his true allegiance."

In the past, we sent people to get close to him, but none succeeded; your chances may not be high either—just do your best. We have other plans already underway. He's simply an irresponsible man; otherwise, how could he be this old and still not marry or have children?

Nan Yang Yangzi shook her head: "Our immediate priority is to capture those enemies of the Empire hiding in the shadows. And Comrade Pei Min Min—he's been a longtime adversary of the Tokkō. Before the war even began, many of the Empire's finest agents died at his hands, causing us great losses. We must find a way to capture him; he must know many secrets. Even if we can't capture him, we must kill him, to prevent him from causing us further trouble."

It's clear Wang Yan really committed many crimes—the ruthless, unscrupulous Japanese spy chief himself couldn't even bear to watch…

Hearing of Comrade Pei Min Min, Wang Wang Manchun wore a solemn expression; she knew well the danger posed by this Red Party assassin. She mused: "Comrade Pei Min Min's movements are elusive. For all these years, we've never caught a trace of him. To capture him is like searching for a needle in a sea."

"Why can't he come to us himself?"

"Chief, are you suggesting…?"