Chapter 36: Suicide

First, call home.

Well, the Lou family. Now it's the Zhang family. They've changed the address.

A crow taking over a magpie's nest?

Of course not.

Just taking back what belongs to us Chinese!

'Hello...'

Pei Xue's voice came over the phone.

Her voice was weak. She was obviously still anxious and worried. She didn't know what else might happen.

'Put your sister on the phone.'

'Oh...'

Pei Xue was even more nervous when she heard Zhang Yong's voice. She hurried to find Pei Lan.

Pei Lan was also extremely nervous. Their lives were in the balance. Who knew what else might happen?

"Zhang...'

'I'll go back there later. I'll bring you something.'

'Good, good, good!'

Peilan let out a sigh of relief. Hurriedly, she and Peixue got ready.

Soon afterwards, Zhang Yong returned.

He had driven back alone. The boot of the car was full of various valuables.

It was impossible to keep the US dollars and British pounds. They had all been handed in. He didn't need them for the time being. As compensation, Li Boqi had given him 5,000 silver taels.

Well, if I keep it, that would be illegal.

But if Li Boqi approves of it, then it's fine. Li Boqi will take the blame.

'Didi!'

'Di di!'

The horn honked.

Pei Lan and Pei Xue cautiously came out.

Seeing that it was Zhang Yong, Zhang Yong's face did not look gloomy, and they slowly let their hearts drop.

They helped carry all the goods back.

They closed the door. Pei Lan immediately took the initiative to cling to him, trying to please him.

Zhang Yong knew that she was terrified inside, so he let her hug him to give her a little sense of security. In the end, he could not hold back and made out with her.

Pei Xue hurriedly hid herself away. After the two had finished, she cautiously came back.

'You keep all this money safe.'

'If you need it, you can use it,'

Zhang Yong said casually.

Pei Lan nodded in agreement.

Her heart, which had been hanging high, gradually let go.

Since Zhang Yong was willing to let her handle the money, he would probably not punish her severely. The shadow over her head gradually dissipated.

'By the way, where are you from?'

'Jinling.'

'Who else is in the family?'

'Just the two of us sisters.'

'No one else?'

'They're all dead.'

'Do you know anyone in Ba Shu?'

'There was a colleague from Chengdu. He also worked at Jinling Girls' High School.'

'Good. Try to get in touch with them. Buy some property in Chengdu. You may have to move there in the future.'

'Yes...'

Pei Lan and Pei Xue were both puzzled.

Move to Chengdu? Not in Songhu anymore?

But they didn't dare to ask more.

'There may be fighting here at any time. It's not safe,' Zhang Yong didn't say it too clearly, "You are women, it's safer to move to the rear.'

'Yes," Pei Lan and Pei Xue glanced at each other. They felt that this man didn't seem so cold and ruthless.

At this time, the idea of sending them to the rear was considered compassionate.

Otherwise, once the fighting really started, these young and beautiful women of theirs would probably rather die than live.

'By the way, hire some maids!'

'Make sure they're strong. At least two maids should sleep in the house at night.'

Zhang Yong gave simple instructions.

Then he started to get dressed.

At the same time, he motioned for Pei Xue to come over. She was also his woman.

This was the path he had chosen for himself. There was nothing to talk about.

In these chaotic times, forget about romance. It's not that happy.

The beautiful scholar and the talented beauty only exist in romance novels.

Holding her, he was ready to shower her with affection, when suddenly the phone rang. Pei Lan answered it, 'It's for you.'

Zhang Yong walked over and picked up the receiver, 'This is Zhang Yong...'

'Come back. Lou Qingcheng has committed suicide.'

'Huh?'

Zhang Yong was stunned.

The call was from Li Boqi.

The message was brief. Just a few short words. Then the phone hung up.

Zhang Yong put the receiver down. He saw Pei Lan's face, which was a mixture of horror and worry. So he said, 'Lou Qingcheng has committed suicide. He's dead.'

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Pei Lan: ...

seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

Eventually, she bit her lip again.

'I'm going back!'

'You guys take care of yourselves!'

'Hurry up and hire a maid!'

Zhang Yong said, and quickly went out the door. He drove back.

He soon returned to the office. Cao Mengqi was already waiting at the door. As soon as Zhang Yong got out of the car, he immediately gave a briefing.

'He actually had an embroidery needle hidden on him.'

'It may have been sewn into his clothes before. We didn't find it.'

'He used the embroidery needle to pierce his temple. The needle was just the right length to be fatal. We tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late.'

Cao Mengqi said angrily.

He would not have the slightest sympathy for Lou Qingcheng's suicide.

They were Japanese spies. They were invaders. It would be best if they all died. The trouble is, with Lou Qingcheng dead, many clues may be lost.

'Suicide? Didn't he bite his tongue?'

'In fact, biting one's tongue to death is just talk. As long as the rescue is timely, he won't die.'

'Why did he suddenly commit suicide?'

'Judging from his interrogation, it may have touched on something crucial. Forcing him to commit suicide. So as not to be unable to withstand the torture and then confess.'

'Really? Bring me the transcript.'

'It's in the torture chamber.'

'Hm.'

The two men entered the torture chamber.

Lou Qingcheng had just been transferred here not long ago.

There weren't enough torture instruments. There was a queue.

Zhang Yong had caught so many Japanese spies at once that the torture chamber was overwhelmed.

He saw Lou Qingcheng. He committed suicide while standing.

He was tied to a stake and was about to be tortured. But before the torture could begin, he killed himself.

At that time, the torture equipment had to be replaced, and his hands were just released. Lou Qingcheng seized the opportunity.

I have to say, the ability to commit suicide with an embroidery needle is also a master.

Was he afraid of torture? It is impossible to tell.

Anyway, now the person is dead. All previous clues have been cut off.

'Where is the interrogation record?'

'Here.'

'Thank you!'

Zhang Yong picked up the transcript. He read it carefully.

There was actually nothing substantial in it. Lou Qingcheng had not confessed any valuable clues.

The last paragraph of the interrogation simply mentioned the French Concession.

Was it because of the French Concession?

Zhang Yong could not tell. He was not a master of deduction.

He regretted a little.

Why had he not shot Lou Qingcheng in the shoulder blades with the previous two shots?

If he had broken Lou Qingcheng's arm, he would not have been able to commit suicide. However, if he died, he would die. It was no big deal.

At most, everything will start all over again.

'The team leader is looking for you.'

'I know.'

Zhang Yong turned around and went to Li Boqi's office.

He found him beaming with joy. Lou Qingsheng's death had not affected him at all.

'Team leader.'

'People die. That's a good thing.'

'Good thing?'

'When people die, it makes it easier for us to take over Mingsheng Trading Company!'

'Er...'

'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. We at the Lixing Society will continue to run this company. It generates at least 100,000 taels of silver a year. It's very profitable!'

'Yes.'

'I've already reported your two women to Boss Dai. I've decided to give you a punishment because you're young and have made a mistake. You can keep the two women.'

'Yes. I accept the punishment.'

'Zhang Yong, listen carefully. I have decided to severely discipline you. You are not allowed to go out for three days. All leave is cancelled. You must stay in the office.'

'Huh?'

Zhang Yong: ...

Is this really a punishment?

Okay, I'll accept it gladly. Staying in the office is pretty good.

At least, the food is pretty good.

Suddenly someone rushed over.

'Report!'

'Team leader, Dabao Wan's child has reported new information!'