Chapter Sixteen: Liu Yuezheng

In 1940, Dai Li issued an order forbidding all members of the Military Intelligence Bureau, regardless of gender, from marrying during the war of resistance.

At this time, it was still 1936, and dating and marriage were commonplace within the intelligence agency.

Song Yingge was, of course, well aware of Chen Meili’s feelings.

But before victory in the war, he did not consider personal matters.

The only reason he agreed to go on a date with Chen Meili was because she was the deputy leader of the second section of the Communications Division.

Near the end of the workday, using the opportunity to find Chen Meili, Song Yingge entered the Communications Division office.

The division had only two offices.

The department head, Chen Daming, occupied one alone.

The remaining office was cramped with about twenty people from both sections of the Communications Division.

This was not due to a lack of space in Cao Du Lane but was a matter of secrecy.

The Communications Division was responsible for maintaining connections between the intelligence headquarters and stations nationwide, as well as monitoring and decoding enemy radio transmissions—tasks of utmost importance.

To maintain secrecy, the division had a strict rule: no one was ever allowed to be alone in the office at any time.

Additionally, there were two large doors to the office, with keys held separately by the heads of the two sections, and the locks were changed periodically.

As soon as Song Yingge entered, all eyes turned to him collectively.

There was no helping it; Song Yingge was a rising star within the intelligence bureau.

“Meili, is it almost time to leave?” Song Yingge asked, ignoring the stares from everyone.

At his words, all attention shifted to Chen Meili.

Chen Meili was not shy. “Five more minutes. Why don’t you wait for me outside?”

Song Yingge readily agreed.

With just one glance, he memorized the layout of the Communications Division office.

As Song Yingge left, the others swarmed around Chen Meili, bombarding her with questions.

Most of the Communications Division staff were women, and naturally, women loved gossip; how could they resist such juicy news?

Before long, Chen Meili finished work.

Song Yingge drove, with Chen Meili sitting in the passenger seat.

“Is working in the Communications Division tiring?” Song Yingge asked.

“Not tiring, just quite dull. Wearing headphones, staring at machines, sitting all day—it makes my head buzz by the time I leave. I envy you in the Intelligence Division; you get to be out and about every day,” Chen Meili said cheerfully and talkatively.

Along the way, Chen Meili did most of the talking, with Song Yingge occasionally guiding the conversation.

By the time they arrived at the cinema, Song Yingge had learned most of the intricate details inside the Communications Division, a fruitful gain indeed.

After parking, Song Yingge bought two movie tickets for one yuan, which was fairly expensive.

They watched "Carnival Night." During the film, Song Yingge felt drowsy, while Chen Meili watched eagerly.

After the show, Chen Meili excitedly discussed the plot with Song Yingge, which was somewhat troublesome for him.

Later, they went to the Fuchang Hotel for Western cuisine.

During the meal, Song Yingge noticed Chen Meili’s adept use of knife and fork and flawless dining etiquette, silently guessing she came from a well-off family.

His guess turned out correct.

Chen Meili lived in the villa district on Yihe Road—a neighborhood of mansions, home only to the wealthy or noble.

Song Yingge drove while Chen Meili gave directions, and soon they arrived outside a villa.

Chen Meili didn’t get out of the car but said, “This is my first date.”

Song Yingge was momentarily stunned. “If you say that, then it’s my first too. How do you feel?”

“Very happy, looking forward to the next time.” Chen Meili’s eyes glistened as she looked intently at Song Yingge.

“Next time for sure,” Song Yingge replied.

Chen Meili, not understanding the innuendo, took his words at face value. “It’s a promise.”

She blinked. “Want me to tell you a secret? Want to hear it?”

“What secret?” Song Yingge perked up.

“Lately, Wang Zhen has been in frequent contact with the Shanghai station. I remember the head of the Shanghai Intelligence Division was killed not long ago,” Chen Meili whispered.

Wang Zhen was vying for the position of head of the Shanghai Intelligence Division, and Song Yingge quickly assessed the situation.

This was good news for him.

Wang Zhen didn’t want to be a mere figurehead and was using his connections to seek a transfer.

If he failed, things would remain as they were.

If successful, Song Yingge could legitimately take the role of team leader.

“That’s good news. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime,” Song Yingge said.

“Don’t stand me up again,” Chen Meili warned.

Song Yingge said nothing but got out of the car and retrieved a gift box from the trunk. “To make up for breaking my promise last time, I bought this especially for you.”

“Wow, what is it?” Chen Meili’s face lit up with surprise.

“Want to guess? If you get it right, I’ll bring you another gift on the next date,” Song Yingge teased.

Chen Meili was completely captivated. “A watch?”

“Close enough, you win.” Song Yingge handed her the gift. “Open it. I hope you like it.”

Chen Meili opened the box and exclaimed in surprise, “It’s a necklace.”

Beautiful strands of smooth, delicate jade beads gleamed lushly green.

“Do you know why I chose a necklace?” Song Yingge asked.

“Why?” Chen Meili replied.

“Among all jewelry, the necklace is the one closest to your heart,” Song Yingge said.

If spoken in a later era, this would surely conjure all sorts of innuendo.

But in this time, its impact was profound.

Chen Meili was instantly enchanted.

Leaning toward Song Yingge, her eyes closed, her trembling eyelashes betraying her inner turmoil.

Song Yingge was stunned.

I just teased a little, why did she go all in?

Just as he was at a loss, an unexpected honking outside saved him.

Chen Meili came to her senses, her face flushed scarlet.

“Xiao Li? What are you doing in the car?” a surprised voice called from outside.

“Ah? Dad, you’re back already?” Chen Meili hurriedly got out.

Song Yingge sighed inwardly—what was supposed to be a nice date had suddenly turned into meeting the parents.

“Uncle, hello. I am Chen Meili’s colleague, responsible for seeing her home,” Song Yingge said as he also stepped out.

Chen Yuzhou was in his fifties, wore glasses, was of average build, dressed in a long robe, and appeared refined and gentle.

Seeing Chen Meili’s flushed face, he cast a suspicious look between the two.

“Thank you for the trouble. Come in and have some tea to rest your feet,” Chen Yuzhou invited.

“It’s late, so I won’t disturb you,” Song Yingge declined politely.

“Dad, you go home first. I’ll just say a few words to him, then we’ll come in,” Chen Meili whispered beside her father.

Chen Yuzhou sighed, knowing that daughters seldom stayed with their parents forever, and left in a hurry.

“This is bad. Dad will definitely misunderstand,” Chen Meili said.

“If your dad had come home a bit later, it wouldn’t be a misunderstanding,” Song Yingge thought.

“It’s fine. You should explain things properly to Uncle when you get home,” Song Yingge advised.

Chen Meili rolled her eyes at him. “You gave me a gift, so I’m giving you one too.”

Song Yingge looked puzzled as Chen Meili handed him a slip of paper from her pocket.

“Yingchun Tower, Liu Yue Zhen.”

At first, Song Yingge didn’t understand, but then a line of words appeared in his mind:

“Intelligence value: Gold. Of considerable value.”