Chapter 35: The Traitor Revealed

After returning to the Jingfu Embroidery Shop, Li Wensheng retreated to the inner hall with his book and tea, paying no mind to the fact that Dai Yunong had already uncovered his identity.

Previously, when he suspected Dai Yunong had found out who he was, Li Wensheng’s first thought had been to flee. Yet on his way back, he realized that Dai Yunong was merely having someone keep an eye on him. This meant Dai Yunong wanted to use him to accomplish some tasks for the military intelligence office. There was no need to rush his escape.

If Dai Yunong’s orders were to harm the Japanese or their collaborators, Li Wensheng would do what he could—he wanted to kill them anyway. If he couldn’t fulfill a task, he’d simply run. If the orders involved assassinating people from Yan Prefecture, he would also vanish—he was alone, after all, and could leave at any time.

The next day, Jingfu Embroidery Shop gained two new employees: one called Bai Yan, and another nicknamed Scholar, whose real name was Miao Xingsong. The other three opened a noodle stall at the intersection across the street, acting as lookouts for Li Wensheng.

Their arrival changed little in Li Wensheng’s routine. He spent his days drinking tea and reading in the shop, and at night, he slept there as well. The only difference was that he no longer had to buy groceries—Bai Yan handled that.

He enjoyed several leisurely days as the weather gradually warmed, and the war on the Xuzhou front erupted.

Just past one in the afternoon, Bai Yan entered the inner hall and spoke to Li Wensheng, who lay reading in a rocking chair, “Boss, just now a servant from Boss Rao came by. Boss Rao has set a table at the Drunken Immortal Duck and invites you to dinner before seven tonight.”

“Alright, I got it—go about your business,” Li Wensheng replied, eyes never leaving his book.

Bai Yan pursed her lips in frustration, cheeks puffed as she muttered, “Boss, I’m off then.”

After Bai Yan left, Li Wensheng lifted his head slightly and sneered, murmuring, “Still trying to play the beauty card? Does she think I’m some naive youth?”

When Bai Yan returned to the front of the shop, there were no customers. Scholar, organizing the shelves nearby, came over and teased softly, “Big beauty Bai, haven’t you had enough cold shoulders yet?”

On their way to Jinling, Shi Xiaozhen had shared her suspicion with them—that Li Wensheng was the one they were looking for, hence why Director Dai assigned them to watch him. Li Wensheng was handsome enough to be considered a dashing young man in the region, and Bai Yan was already enamored with him. Settling into Jingfu Embroidery Shop, she often found excuses to get close to Li Wensheng, fussing over him.

But each time, Li Wensheng responded with indifference, leaving Bai Yan crestfallen.

“That’s my business—what of it?” Bai Yan snapped, turning her head angrily.

Seeing the fire in her eyes, Scholar dared not joke further. If this lady truly lost her temper, she’d scratch him without hesitation.

“Alright, alright—as long as you’re happy,” Scholar said, hastening back to the shelves.

Once Scholar left, Bai Yan grabbed an embroidered handkerchief from the counter and viciously abused it, muttering under her breath, “Bastard! I was born beautiful—countless suitors vie for me! I’ve thrown away my pride for him, and he still treats me like this!”

As evening fell, shortly after six, Li Wensheng stepped out, hailing a rickshaw across the street to the Drunken Duck House.

The signature dish at Drunken Duck House was their drunken duck: tender duck simmered for months in fragrant aged Shaoxing wine, served whole. A single chopstick would separate meat from bone, releasing a rich aroma. Many in Jinling came for this delicacy, including traitors from the East Asia Chamber of Commerce.

Li Wensheng arrived at half past six, when the place was bustling and the staff too busy to greet him. He glanced over the crowded main hall and walked toward the counter to ask about Boss Rao’s private room.

Suddenly, the corner of his eye caught three young men entering. With Drunken Duck House so popular, especially at dinner time, new arrivals were normal. But these three scanned the room as if searching for someone—something was off.

Li Wensheng’s pupils contracted. Then five more young men entered. After quickly surveying the hall, one signaled to the first three before leading four others upstairs.

“There's a traitor,” Li Wensheng thought immediately.

“Manager, are there any seats left?” Li Wensheng turned back, acting like an ordinary customer as he approached the counter.

The manager checked the reservation book and replied, “Sorry, sir, the main hall is full, but we still have two private rooms.”

“Private rooms? Never mind, I just craved your drunken duck. If I take a private room, I’d have to order half a table of dishes—I can’t finish that alone. I’ll come back another day,” Li Wensheng said, feigning disappointment.

While he spoke, one of the three young men drew near the counter.

“My apologies, sir. Next time, I’ll be sure to treat you well,” the manager said, cupping his hands in apology.

“Then, manager, be sure to serve me a little dish on the side when I come!” Li Wensheng added.

Hearing this, the nearby eavesdropper walked away.

“No problem at all,” the manager replied with a smile.

Li Wensheng turned, still looking regretful, and headed outside.

Once outside, he noticed the area was suddenly full of young men watching the Drunken Duck House. Two sedans had stopped at the nearby intersection. Li Wensheng dared not linger; he turned right and walked quickly away.

Once he was far enough, he hopped onto a rickshaw and sped back to Jingfu Embroidery Shop.

“Boss, why are you back so soon?” Bai Yan asked, surprised to see Li Wensheng return in just half an hour.

“There were Japanese agents at Drunken Duck House—pack up everything and the radio, we’re leaving!” Li Wensheng said, hurrying toward his room.

The three immediately paled, dropping their chopsticks and rushing to pack.

In less than a minute, they had gathered their belongings and the radio, slipping out the back door of Jingfu Embroidery Shop.

Soon, they entered a narrow alley. Li Wensheng ordered, “Little Mao, go notify Vice Captain Yu. Scholar, head to the street corner and tell Chief Shi to retreat—rendezvous at the safe house on Baifeng Street.”

Little Mao and Scholar hurried off.

As soon as they left, Li Wensheng heard a joyful voice beside him.

“Captain, you wouldn’t let me go because you’re worried about me, right?”

Li Wensheng frowned, turning to look at Bai Yan, who was visibly excited. “You’re overthinking it. You’re a woman, walking alone at night—I’m worried you’ll run into thugs and waste time.”

Bai Yan froze, pouting in disappointment.

The safe house on Baifeng Street was a two-story standalone building. After entering with Bai Yan, Li Wensheng ordered, “Don’t turn on the lights!”

He hurried upstairs, watching the alley entrance from a window.

Soon, under the moon’s cool glow, he saw Scholar and Shi Xiaozhen arrive at the alley’s mouth.

Once they entered and reached the second floor, Li Wensheng remained at the window.

“Old Ox, help the captain keep watch,” Shi Xiaozhen said quickly.

Old Ox nodded, moving to Li Wensheng’s side. “Captain, I’ll take over.”

Li Wensheng stepped aside and asked Shi Xiaozhen, “Did you notice anything unusual during your retreat?”

“No, when we left, there were no military police or suspicious people on the street.”

Li Wensheng considered this before saying, “We’ll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, take your men to check outside Jingfu Embroidery Shop.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Just as Shi Xiaozhen finished speaking, Old Ox’s booming voice sounded, “Captain, Vice Captain Yu is here!”

Li Wensheng hurried to the window and saw Yu Jiarong and Little Mao at the alley entrance.

“Keep watching,” he said, turning to Shi Xiaozhen and the others. “Tonight you’ll have to work hard—take turns keeping watch at the window.”

“Yes, Captain!” Shi Xiaozhen replied promptly.