Chapter Thirty-Four: Like Jade

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Song Yingge left with a complex mix of emotions.

Once, the word "martyr" had seemed distant and unattainable to him.

Now, having the honor to fight side by side with these martyrs—perhaps this was the ultimate romance a man could pursue.

Returning to Caodu Alley, Song Yingge found Wei Si and handed over a roll of film.

“Chief, Chen Xunlei has drowned. Here is the film.”

Wei Si casually offered a few words of praise. Seeing that he was busy, Song Yingge courteously took his leave.

The matter of Chen Xunlei was resolved. Although the outcome was not perfect, it was acceptable.

Next up was Caimao Rickshaw Company.

Song Yingge summoned the members of the Intelligence Group Four back to the secret service office, preparing to focus on dealing with Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng had lived too long; it was time for him to meet his end.

“Team leader, we tailed Gouya all day and found he visited a house near the docks. Inside, we discovered Jiang Shuning and her daughter,” Zhang Ke brought good news.

“Are the mother and daughter under control?” Song Yingge asked.

“Not really. There’s no guard, and they can move about freely,” Zhang Ke replied.

This suggested that Nine Fingers’ moving Jiang Shuning and her daughter was likely for their protection.

“Any sign from Wang Sheng’s side?” Song Yingge inquired.

“He hasn’t met with any special contacts in the past two days,” Sun Xi responded.

Hearing this, Song Yingge fell into thought.

If Wang Sheng was not a Japanese spy, then how to explain his disappearance for over a decade?

After much deliberation, Song Yingge decided to personally keep watch.

Sun Xi was responsible but lacked capability.

His investigation results were only for reference, not to be fully trusted.

That evening, Song Yingge arrived early at the Xunle Dance Hall.

Wang Sheng frequented this establishment.

After finding a seat, Song Yingge asked a waiter, “Is Ruyu here?”

According to Sun Xi, Wang Sheng always ordered Ruyu when he came.

“Sir, please wait a moment. I’ll call her for you.”

The waiter soon brought over a woman with heavy makeup.

Ruyu was in her twenties, with a voluptuous figure, somewhat attractive features, and a pair of seductive fox-like eyes.

“Sit here,” Song Yingge patted the seat beside him.

Ruyu naturally settled close, pouring wine as she spoke, “Is this your first time here, sir?”

“Why? Can’t I order you if it’s my first time?” Song Yingge replied.

“Of course not. I’m just curious how you know about me,” Ruyu teased, snuggling against him coquettishly.

“A friend recommended you, said you’re good at your job. Just curious what your work involves,” Song Yingge joked.

“Sir, you’re so naughty,” Ruyu rubbed against his arm.

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Song Yingge was undaunted. “There are worse things you could try. Want to?”

“Here?” Ruyu widened her eyes as if shocked.

No wonder Wang Sheng always ordered her at the dance hall. She was quite skilled, indeed.

Later, Song Yingge asked about her family background.

The answers were the usual—father gambled, mother ill, younger brother in school.

Checking the time, it was nearly nine o’clock—the usual hour Wang Sheng came to unwind.

Sure enough, not long after, Wang Sheng appeared. Song Yingge spotted him out of the corner of his eye immediately.

Seeing Wang Sheng, Song Yingge’s gestures became more assertive, eliciting soft gasps from Ruyu.

There was a strange feeling of being directly confronted.

Wang Sheng quickly sought out Ruyu and walked over.

“Brother Sheng, you’re here?” Ruyu stood to greet him.

Wang Sheng nodded in acknowledgment, then looked at Song Yingge and said, “Brother, could you do me a favor? I always order her when I come.”

Song Yingge said nothing, leaning back on the sofa and sipping his wine.

“Brother, tonight’s on me. Could you help out?” Wang Sheng asked.

Song Yingge nodded in agreement.

Watching Ruyu follow Wang Sheng obediently, Song Yingge felt their relationship was far from simple.

Previously, Sun Xi had investigated Ruyu and found no suspicious links.

Men always crave novelty.

Wang Sheng was no romantic; otherwise, he would have married Ruyu long ago.

So why did he always order her at the dance hall?

Was it simply because he liked her?

Song Yingge did not believe it.

He switched to another dancer and continued drinking.

At midnight, Song Yingge left early and hid outside the dance hall to wait patiently.

Soon, a drunken Wang Sheng staggered out and took a rickshaw away.

Over ten minutes later, Ruyu appeared.

Song Yingge followed silently.

Ruyu lived in Tianfei Alley, quite far from the dance hall. The rickshaw ride took over thirty minutes.

Once home, Ruyu did not leave all night.

Song Yingge’s stakeout outside was arduous.

During the day, except for meals, Ruyu stayed home and avoided contact with others.

“Could I have misjudged?” Song Yingge wondered.

That evening, Song Yingge had Zhang Ke go to the dance hall and order Ruyu to serve drinks.

The lighting in the hall was already dim; Song Yingge sat in a corner, observing discreetly.

Before Wang Sheng arrived, Ruyu had contact with eight people in total.

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Besides the waiter, there were three other customers.

But all their conversations were normal.

During this time, a small gesture from Ruyu caught Song Yingge’s attention.

In just over an hour, Ruyu glanced at her watch eight times.

Clearly, she was waiting for someone—most likely Wang Sheng.

Just after nine, Wang Sheng arrived punctually, his eyes scanning the dance hall until he locked on Ruyu.

The same scene as before played out.

Ruyu linked arms with Wang Sheng, preparing to leave.

Suddenly, Song Yingge noticed that Wang Sheng’s body stiffened unnaturally the instant their limbs touched.

Though fleeting, Song Yingge was certain he hadn’t imagined it.

If it had been Sun Xi, he wouldn’t have noticed this detail at all.

Even Song Yingge himself had missed it yesterday at such close range.

This was intriguing.

Wang Sheng’s body language told Song Yingge he was somewhat afraid of Ruyu.

“Got you,” Song Yingge said.

Yet a new question surfaced.

If both were Japanese spies, why meet so frequently?

If one were exposed, the other would surely be highly suspicious.

It made no sense.

Unless some matter required their frequent communication.

“Caimao Rickshaw Company!” a flash of insight struck Song Yingge.

Caimao had over six hundred rickshaws.

If the Japanese wanted to infiltrate a large number of agents into Jinling City, disguising them as rickshaw drivers was ideal.

Rickshaw driving was inherently a labor-intensive trade.

Hiding dozens of Japanese soldiers this way would not arouse the secret service’s suspicion.

Moreover, drivers traveled through every street and alley.

When the city fell and street battles erupted, these drivers would serve as living maps.

Song Yingge also recalled the Japanese bombing of Jinling months later.

Historically, the government had ordered a citywide blackout, strictly forbidding lights at night.

If these spies then used torches or flashlights to guide Japanese planes, the consequences would be disastrous.

Beyond that, during the war, these men could incite chaos and fear through arson or poisoning.

These Japanese agents could not be allowed to remain—they must all be captured!