Chapter 29: The Target of Many Arrows

Seeing Chen Yongren walk out of the telephone booth, Zhang Haifeng immediately went over.

"A Ren, what did headquarters say?"

"The section chief has already promised to send reinforcements."

"What about us?"

"First find a place to hide."

"Where to hide?"

Chen Yongren turned his head to scan the surroundings, took out a cigarette, handed one to Zhang Haifeng, then slipped one into his own mouth, lighting it as he said, "Just wait here; someone will come pick us up shortly."

"'Here? Is there any danger?' Zhang Haifeng held a cigarette in one hand and furtively touched the pistol hidden in his chest with the other, looking around nervously."

Chen Yongren took a puff: "Don't worry too much; this is the Chinese Sector, not the Japanese Concession. After those Japanese spies got what they wanted, they surely withdrew already, so we're probably safe."

"Yeah, that's right; with such a big commotion, they naturally couldn't linger in Zhabei."

Zhang Haifeng nodded, then, filled with righteous indignation, gritted his teeth and said, "Hateful, today we fell into the Japanese's trap, sacrificing so many comrades."

Saying that, he turned to Chen Yongren: "A Ren, when can we avenge this?"

Chen Yongren looked at the flustered Zhang Haifeng: "Don't worry, it won't be too late."

For others, revenge might not be too late even after ten years, but for Chen Yongren, that does not exist.

He has always believed that grudges must be repaid immediately.

Just now, he had already planned to take revenge as soon as he found a foothold.

It's not for anything else; for the many fallen comrades of the Military Statistics Bureau, we must also deal with this pack of Japanese beasts.

Regardless of political views, any martyr who sacrificed for the anti-Japanese cause is worth him doing this.

……

About half an hour later.

A black Ford sedan drove up, its door opening; Liu Shuyun in a black cheongsam waved to Chen Yongren and Zhang Haifeng waiting by the roadside: "Get in quickly."

Zhang Haifeng was somewhat surprised, but Chen Yongren had already gotten in first, taking the rear seat.

He too had no choice but to quickly go to the passenger side, open the door, and get in.

The sedan carried the three of them away.

Zhang Haifeng finally relaxed, unable to help but turn to look at Liu Shuyun and Chen Yongren: "Miss Liu, I really didn't expect that A Ren said someone would come pick us up, and it turned out to be you."

"'Isn't that surprising?' Liu Shuyun retorted, then turned her gaze to Chen Yongren."

These past two days, she had been wondering how to get close to Chen Yongren again.

She hadn't expected that Chen Yongren would suddenly call her, saying he wanted to go to her place to lay low.

Without wasting time on questions, she had people drive over to look for them.

Seeing Chen Yongren again, noticing his stern, handsome profile looking somewhat grave, Liu Shuyun instinctively asked, "What's wrong? Ran into trouble?"

Chen Yongren turned his head to look at her, but did not answer.

Their eyes met, facing Chen Yongren's sharp, deep gaze.

Liu Shuyun's mind involuntarily recalled the flirtatious scene from that day on the train; her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and, sensing the mood, she shut her mouth without asking further.

Zhang Haifeng, who had still wanted to say "yeah, really surprising," seeing the two suddenly lock eyes and the atmosphere turn somewhat ambiguous,

He somewhat embarrassedly put away his smile, grudgingly turned his head, and sat back in the passenger seat.

Half an hour later.

The car arrived at Liu Shuyun's residence in the International Settlement Central District, a stand-alone two-story Western-style villa with a courtyard.

After getting out, Liu Shuyun pointed to the compound and introduced it to Chen Yongren: "This is my aunt's home; it's very safe, you can stay here with peace of mind."

Chen Yongren said, "Isn't this a bit troublesome? Won't we be bothering your aunt's family?"

Chen Yongren said, then used Insight on Liu Shuyun again.

"'How would we be bothering? My aunt would love for you to voluntarily move in so she can investigate you.'"

"'Of course, you moving in would also make it convenient for us two to renew our affinity.'"

"'You are the best, most enduring man I have ever met.'"

"'No, my aunt lives alone; besides a driver and a maid, there's no one else.' Liu Shuyun said warmly."

"'Oh?' Chen Yongren feigned surprise; from the thoughts he gleaned via Scrutiny, it seemed Liu Shuyun's aunt was also a member of the Central Bureau."

However, although the Central Bureau is hateful to the Military Statistics Bureau, right now it poses no threat to me; staying with them would actually be safer.

Liu Shuyun explained while guiding Chen Yongren and the three inside: "My uncle does business in Hong Kong and rarely returns, so it's just my aunt living here."

"'My aunt is also terribly lonely, which is why I came to Shanghai to keep her company.'"

Chen Yongren sincerely praised, "What a perfect lie, partner—truly a master of acting."

However, Chen Yongren also acted flawlessly, nodding repeatedly: "Oh oh, no wonder, Miss Liu, you're truly wonderful—looks aside, your heart is so kind, and you're so filial to your elders."

Anyone who could marry you would certainly have blessings earned over eight lifetimes.

With the passive skill "Ultimate Acting Pro" boosting him, Chen Yongren's heartfelt words made Liu Shuyun bloom with a smiling face like flowers.

At that moment, the courtyard gate was opened from inside.

A middle-aged woman in a gray high-slit cheongsam appeared before the three, sizing them up.

Chen Yongren was also assessing her; the woman looked about thirty-four or thirty-five, with a figure even more alluring than Liu Shuyun's.

Needless to say, she was front‑proud and rear‑curved.

What surprised Chen Yongren most was that her visage bore some resemblance to Liu Shuyun's.

Seeing Chen Yongren staring straight at her aunt, Liu Shuyun, without betraying a trace, forced a smile and introduced them: "Aunt, these two are the friends I told you about; they've run into some trouble in Shanghai and have nowhere to stay."

"'I invited them to stay at my place for a few days; what do you think?'"

"'You little brat, since they're your friends, what's not allowed? Hurry and come inside.'"

Liu Ying hurriedly opened the gate wide, smiling as she invited the two inside.

Liu Shuyun said to Chen Yongren and the other, "This is my aunt, Liu Ying."

Chen Yongren, while using his perception on Liu Ying, smiled and said, "I didn't expect Miss Liu's aunt to be so young and beautiful; if I didn't know you, I'd think you were sisters."

"No wonder that dead girl Shuyun keeps telling me how handsome this guy is; he really has a great physique."

"I was just about to investigate you, but you came to me yourself—very good, very good."

"You flatter me," Liu Ying said with a smile, then deliberately asked Liu Shuyun, "Shuyun, how should I address these two gentlemen?"

Chen Yongren hurried to introduce himself, saying, "My surname is Chen, his is Zhang."

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Zhang, please go inside to rest."

Liu Ying nodded with a smile, then told the servant in the courtyard, "A Cai, prepare some tea."

"Understood, madam," the female agent named A Cai replied immediately.

After Chen Yongren and Zhang Haifeng were led to the drawing room, Liu Ying told the two, "Please wait here, gentlemen; I'll be right back."

Having said that, she deliberately gave Liu Shuyun a look: "Shuyun, come help me a bit."

"All right, aunt," Liu Shuyun said, smiling at Chen Yongren and Zhang Haifeng, "Excuse me for a moment."

She swayed her hips and left the drawing room ahead of Liu Ying.

Upon arriving at a side room, Liu Ying immediately wiped the smile from her face, her expression grave as she whispered, "I just received news that the Military Statistics Bureau's Shanghai station was outmaneuvered by the Japanese, and almost the entire force was wiped out."

"Ah?" Liu Shuyun exclaimed in shock, "When did this happen?"

"Just shortly before you went to pick up Chen Yongren and the others, and the incident also occurred in Zhabei," Liu Ying said.

"So they're the lucky ones who managed to slip through the net?" Liu Shuyun analyzed.

"Quite possible," Liu Ying said. "However, the elite of the Military Statistics Bureau's Shanghai station have all been wiped out, yet these two are unharmed—really suspicious. Young Master Zhao has instructed us to immediately strengthen surveillance and investigation of the two."

"If we find any treasonous conduct, we may act first and report later."

Liu Shuyun gasped at the words; originally they had only suspected Chen Yongren of being a member of the Red Party.

But now that they've just arrived in Shanghai, the Shanghai Military Statistics Bureau station has almost been annihilated, forcing us to doubt their true identities.

Seeing Liu Shuyun not responding right away, Liu Ying snapped at her: "Shuyun, don't be lovesick; if this person is problematic, whether he's a Red Party member or a turncoat traitor, he must be dealt with—no mercy."

Only then did Liu Shuyun snap out of it: "Mm, I know."