Chapter 10: You're not going to avoid me, are you?

Shen Mingchen, this old hand in officialdom, is far less easy to fool than Lin Dayou.

When Shen Mingchen heard Lin Dayou say that he, while on a truck, had been reminded by an offhand remark from Chen Yongren, only then did he discover something wrong with the Japanese spies' photos, and he felt something was off.

If it were just this one thing, it could be chalked up to him being a blind cat that stumbled upon a dead rat.

When capturing Watanabe Shun, Chen Yongren took the lead and subdued him immediately, preventing him from committing suicide.

Also, when capturing Xu Chen, Chen Yongren had detected the danger in time and promptly saved Lin Dayou's life.

How chaotic was the situation at that time?

The entire Action Team 1 was stunned by that sudden grenade, their heads spinning.

But Chen Yongren could quickly recover, decisively open fire, and subdue him without harming Xu Chen's life, preventing his escape.

These are enough to show that Chen Yongren's abilities are outstanding.

How could there be so many coincidences in the world?

What offhand reminder?

It must be Chen Yongren who noticed something wrong with the photos left by the Japanese spies, but couldn't say it too plainly, so he merely guided Lin Dayou to think it over.

Shen Mingchen took a keen interest in Chen Yongren.

How to put it in these times?

It's too hard to find someone with a clean background and ability.

In the Party Affairs Office there's a Young Master Zhao; although Shen Mingchen looks down on this guy who relies on his foster father, he can't deny his ability.

Assisting a section chief, he had caught many pests and straightened out military discipline.

The Intelligence Bureau had finally encountered a Chen Yongren, and Shen Mingchen naturally didn't want to let go.

Setting aside his distracting thoughts, Shen Mingchen picked up the file bag and pulled out the documents inside.

All information concerning Shen Mingchen is inside, from birth to personal appearance, everything included.

Name: Chen Yongren.

Age: 20.

Relatives: elder brother: Chen Yongyi (deceased).

Native place: Fenghua Xikou Town.

Upon seeing Chen Yongren's native place, Shen Mingchen raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression showing a hint of amusement.

"This place is kind of interesting."

Shen Mingchen stroked his chin, then casually took out a cigarette and lit it.

It can be foreseen.

If it could be proven that Chen Yongren's record is clean and he has no ties to the Red Party, and he goes on to achieve several more great deeds, his future will be bright.

Who in the Intelligence Bureau doesn't know that the old chief loves talent, is especially close to his fellow townspeople, and even gives them extra preferential treatment?

Everyone says the Whampoa faction is the old chief's direct lineage, but he is actually closer to the Fenghua faction, and besides, Chen Yongren is from Xikou Town.

It's practically kin upon kin.

If the old chief knew that a capable young person had emerged from his hometown, he would certainly try every means to nurture them.

Unfortunately.

If he were to go to the Yellow Bank Military Academy for another two years of training, his record would look even better.

Shen Mingchen saw that the column for Chen Yongren's graduation from a military academy was blank, felt a pang of regret, continued reading the résumé, and couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth twice.

"This guy!"

Chen Yongren did indeed get into Yellow Bank.

But on the very first day of enrollment, he got into a conflict with a fellow cadet and even goaded others into a mass brawl.

Had it not been for the instructor's appearance, a melee would surely have broken out.

Because the nature of the incident was too bad, Chen Yongren withdrew from school that same day.

Later he enlisted again, served as a soldier in the Central Army, and before long was transferred to work in the Intelligence Bureau.

Thanks to his outstanding ability, and with teammates all coming from military units, Chen Yongren's interpersonal relations are not bad either.

Aside from the fact that he fought at Yellow Bank, his file shows virtually no other blemishes, and there's no sign of any link to the Red Party.

Nonsense.

If there really were such a thing, Chen Yongren wouldn't cause trouble, and the Red Party wouldn't stand by while he was expelled.

From Chen Yongren's daring to cause trouble at Yellow Bank, being able to instigate other cadets into a mass brawl on the first day of enrollment, one can see that his execution and mobilization skills are both strong.

He is a talent who can continue to develop, and also the kind of talent the Intelligence Bureau most needs.

Shen Mingchen repacked Chen Yongren's file into a bag.

He had already made up his mind.

Over these three days he will continue to observe Chen Yongren, to see how his personal performance is.

Shen Mingchen was about to rest when the phone on his desk rang again.

"Damn, the timing of this call is really something." Shen Mingchen cursed, but still answered the phone.

"Old Shen, it's me. Damn, useless. I came as you said, and those five guys' statements are eerily consistent." The voice of Wang Jinhu, annoyed, came from the other end.

"They're insisting on their own guilt just to get at Mayor Ma; there's no way to get anything else out of them, and I think this isn't fake."

"Did you make a mistake somewhere?"

Shen Mingchen fell silent.

"Speak, Old Shen!" Wang Jinhu urged: "Are we still going to beat them?"

"You've all worked hard today; let the brothers go rest." Shen Mingchen said in a muffled voice: "Remember, be sure to tie them up tight, don't slack off, and stuff something in their mouths!"

"This bunch of Japanese spies, when they go crazy, will really bite off their own tongues—especially the squad leader; first lock them up, then we'll continue interrogating them tomorrow!"

After saying that, Shen Mingchen hung up the phone.

Just as he lifted his buttocks to go home and rest, a knocking sounded outside the door.

"Who the hell is it again?" Shen Mingchen cursed.

"It's me."

Hearing the voice outside, Shen Mingchen was somewhat surprised.

"The Intelligence Bureau's section chief, Cui Jiangnan?"

"Old Cui, why are you here so late?" Shen Mingchen got up to open the door.

Cui Jiangnan said with a grave expression: "Naturally, I'm here about something important— the Japanese spy radio we've been tracking has shown activity again!"

"We've tracked so many Japanese spy radios— which one are you talking about?" Shen Mingchen frowned and asked.

"Red Butterfly!" Cui Jiangnan said in a low voice.

………

Madam Hu lay limp on the bed.

Looking at Chen Yongren with an indescribably seductive gaze, she said: "Yongren, I can extend your rent for another month."

"Thank you, Madam." Chen Yongren, feeling pleased, was a bit surprised.

It was always about casting a long line to catch a big fish— first find out who that mole is, then net all spies linked to the Red Butterfly.

If we could also ferret out other traitors hiding inside, it would be even more worthwhile.

I didn't expect there to be this effect as well.

"A Ren, are you still going to work tomorrow?" Madam Hu asked while busy.

"I have to go out in the morning tomorrow and won't be back until the afternoon…" Chen Yongren said absentmindedly.

"Where are you going?" Madam Hu said, her mouth pursed, on the verge of tears: "You're not trying to avoid me, are you?"