Chapter 668: Openly Repair the Plank Road

Knowing there were listening devices in the house, Cun Xigong started to talk irrelevantly.

"Cun Xigong, this month on the 6th, I want to treat you to a meal." Chen Yongren went straight to the point.

Damn it.

For you all, I've really worried myself sick.

Afterward, you all definitely need to thank me properly.

"A meal?" Cun Xigong exclaimed in surprise: "Chief Director Sir, how did you suddenly think of treating me to a meal?"

"During this time you've taught me a lot about cryptography, so I wanted to treat you to a meal as a token of thanks." Chen Yongren said politely.

Upon hearing this, Cun Xigong originally intended to refuse.

But after a moment's thought, this might be a good opportunity to meet with comrades on the street!

With the Yuan Chief nearby, Gangcun Ningci will surely restrain himself; this hard-won opportunity must be seized.

But at the same time, we must guard against whether Gangcun Ningci will send people to probe under false pretenses.

As for the contact code words for emergencies, as long as we are careful, we don't need to worry about this issue.

"Cun Xigong, any problems?" Chen Yongren asked deliberately, hearing no sound from the receiver.

"No, of course no problem. Chief Director Sir, since you're giving me face, I certainly have to give you face in return; otherwise wouldn't that be too ungrateful?" Cun Xigong said with a smile.

"No, it's me who should thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to accept my invitation!" Chen Yongren added: "This Friday at 8 p. m., Donglai Shun hot pot lamb; Cun Xigong, you must honor the invitation and show up!"

"This Friday, no problem." Cun Xigong replied with a smile: "I've been in Beiping for so long and have never eaten hot pot lamb; since the Chief Director Sir is treating, I won't hold back—just don't blame me for emptying your wallet, okay?"

"No problem, Cun Xigong—you can eat to your heart's content and really enjoy yourself." Chen Yongren laughed.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries for show, then hung up the phone.

Cun Xigong stood by the window, his eyes flickering, praying in his heart and comforting himself.

This is a good opportunity; I hope to find a chance to make contact with our own people.

At the same time the two hung up the phone.

The personnel in charge of monitoring immediately reported this to Songzhi Zhiren.

Songzhi Zhiren did not dare delay, and immediately reported this via internal line to Gangcun Ningci.

After hearing Songzhi Zhiren finish, Gangcun Ningci frowned and said: "What? The Yuan Chief wants to treat Cun Xigong to a meal this Friday?"

"Roger, the monitored content has been recorded; reportedly the Yuan Chief wants to thank Cun Xigong for his recent guidance in codebreaking." Songzhi Zhiren said honestly.

Gangcun Ningci had heard Cun Xigong mention this several times.

Although the two hadn't known each other long, their relationship was quite close; thus it's not strange for the Yuan Chief to want to express gratitude this way.

"Commander Gangcun Ningci, do we still need to send people to tail him?"

Since it involved the Yuan Chief, Songzhi Zhiren didn't dare give orders hastily for a while.

"Continue sending people to tail him; Cun Xigong's identity is still unclear, and maybe the Red Party will also look for an opportunity to contact him." Gangcun Ningci said glumly: "Everything stays the same—we can't let our guard down just because they're our own."

"Roger, I understand."

With Gangcun Ningci's order, Songzhi Zhiren also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Also, don't let the Yuan Chief notice, or else he'll start shooting at you again!" Gangcun Ningci specifically warned.

"Roger!" Songzhi Zhiren said with a noticeably louder voice and solemn expression, then hung up the phone.

The daytime events remained vivid in Songzhi Zhiren's mind.

Because the Yuan Chief didn't know about the exercise, his drawing his gun and killing four elite agents made this old devil feel terrible pain.

Time quickly came to Friday.

These past few days, whether it was Gangcun Ningci, Anda Ershisan, or the Beiping Special Agency, nothing untoward has happened.

Cun Xigong also finally had a rare moment of calm.

Chen Yongren also went to see Songzhi Zhiren several times on the pretext of internal communication, hoping to investigate clues about the infiltrators hidden in the North China Eighth Route Army, but he also failed to uncover any useful information.

Moreover, the frequent opening of Songzhi Zhiren's office door and ringing phone made Chen Yongren reluctant to use mind control, for fear of being forcibly interrupted; thus this matter could only be temporarily shelved.

Before the actual meal.

Chen Yongren didn't hide this either; he directly called Gangcun Ningci to request a day off for himself and Cun Xigong.

Gangcun Ningci pretended not to know about this, agreed to his request, and cautioned him that even on leave he must not drink too much.

Chen Yongren agreed verbally, but in his heart he thought the old devil was just farting; after hanging up, he changed into civilian clothes, took Cun Xigong, and left the military compound, preparing to meet up…

Ptooey.

Getting ready to go to Donglai Shun and feast heartily.

"Chief Director Sir, for this meal I haven't eaten all day—I'm absolutely starving, I could eat a whole sheep!" Cun Xigong said, rubbing his belly.

Chen Yongren laughed: "Good, since you put it that way, how could I be negligent? Rest assured, I've already called the restaurant ahead and asked them to save the most tender cuts!"

Cun Xigong smiled and nodded.

"Besides, there's also top-quality huadiao wine!" Chen Yongren said, putting an arm around Cun Xigong's shoulder mysteriously.

"Lamb paired with huadiao wine is simply a match made in heaven."

"You've been here so long; you should rest and relax for a day."

Upon hearing that, Cun Xigong thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "A true friend is hard to find in life—so today we'll drink until we're drunk and not return until we're drunk!"

The two came to the roadside and hailed two rickshaws.

Sitting in the vehicle, Chen Yongren felt two agents tailing them.

Don't be fooled by Cun Xigong's cheerful appearance; this guy had already sensed it, he was just pretending not to know.

We need to find a chance to get rid of these two pesky bastards.

Chen Yongren also pretended not to care, taking a rickshaw to the entrance of the East Comes Smoothly restaurant.

"Cunxijun, we've arrived." Chen Yong made an inviting gesture, casually glanced around, and those two agents also slyly stopped following, ducking into an alley.

Only people sent by Okamura have come; where did my older brother run off to?

Chen Yongren felt a bit strange.

Cunxigong stood at the entrance, took a strong sniff, and exclaimed, "Just by smelling it, I already want to rush in and have a taste."

It was precisely the busiest time for the restaurant; the main hall was filled with swirling smoke, and even standing at the entrance, one could smell the aroma of mutton.

Scattered diners gathered around the tables, picking up mutton and eating heartily.

"Hey, gentlemen, the place is full now; do you still need to wait a bit?" The waiter walked to the entrance with a troubled expression.

Yuan Chief spoke in Chinese: "I've called ahead; my surname is Yuan."

"Oh, it's Mr. Yuan, please come this way; we've saved a table for you." Knowing the guests were Japanese, the waiter's expression immediately became formal.

Chen Yongren pretended to rummage in his pocket, then suddenly said, "Damn, I forgot to buy cigarettes. Cunxijun, go in and wait for me; I'll be right back."

Although Cunxigong found it strange, he still nodded and, guided by the waiter, went up to the second floor.

Chen Yongren also leisurely strolled toward the mouth of that alley.