Chapter 42: Dr. Liu

Liu Xi is not a robber.

This is certain. Because robbers are not Japanese.

If a Japanese person had been nearby, Zhang Yong would definitely have been on his guard. But there was no Japanese person nearby.

So he is now in a bit of a dilemma.

If a Japanese person were to try to ambush him, it would be almost impossible. But if the person is not Japanese, then it is very possible.

Because his attention is focused on the Japanese. He will passively ignore the others.

'Captain Zhu.'

'Dr. Liu.'

'The two gentlemen don't mind if a lady joins them, do they?'

'Of course not.'

Zhu Yuan said with a smile. Attentively, he stood up and prepared a napkin for Liu Xi.

Zhang Yong also stood up to welcome him. Time to practice being polite (telling lies with your eyes wide open). It seems that he has not yet mastered this skill.

'This is...'

'Hello. My name is Zhang Yong. I'm with the Secret Service Bureau.'

'Oh? Captain Zhang doesn't come to the concession very often, does he?'

'Today is the first time.'

'Then come more often. There are lots of new and interesting things in the public concession, and Captain Zhang can come more often to broaden his horizons.'

'I'd like to. Unfortunately, I'm busy with official business, catching Japanese spies all day long, so I can't get away.'

'Japanese spies? Are they Japanese spies?'

'Yes.'

'So Captain Zhang's job is to catch Japanese spies!'

'Yes.'

'So Captain Zhang must have caught a lot of Japanese spies?'

'Not really. A few, I guess.'

'Captain Zhang, what do you do with the Japanese spies after you catch them?'

'Nothing much. It's the same old routine. Just torture them. As long as they don't die, that is.'

'Oh...'

Liu Xi's face flushed slightly.

Zhu Yuan widened his eyes and looked at Zhang Yong curiously.

Zhang Yong: ...

lowered his head.

This time he really let something slip.

Zhu Yuan crept closer to Zhang Yong, 'You can do that?'

'As long as the woman agrees,' Zhang Yong responded.

What's there not to do? There are even bigger things to do than that.

That's strange. This is Shanghai. It's all about drinking and partying, and you're pretending to be innocent with me, saying you've never played this game?

Who would believe that...

'Two gentlemen shouldn't be talking about such things in front of a lady.'

'Sorry. I was correcting him.'

'You...'

Zhang Yong kicked Zhu Yuan away.

This bastard. He has an even thicker skin than I do.

Looks like I still have a lot to learn. I'll try to be a little thicker-skinned than the corner of the wall.

'Does Dr Liu have a boyfriend?'

'Not at the moment.'

'That's a pity.'

'Why?'

'I can teach your boyfriend a lot of tricks.'

'It seems that Captain Zhang has a lot of experience. But no one would dare play with me like that.'

'Why?'

'Because I hold a scalpel! I know where it hurts the most, where it's softest, and where it's most fatal. With just one touch, he'll be putty in my hands. He won't be able to think about those messy things anymore. If I get angry and accidentally cut something, he'll be a eunuch for the rest of his life. It won't matter how pretty a woman is. Captain Zhang, do you want to try?'

'Haha. No need. I'm not your boyfriend,'

Zhang Yong laughed.

The food was served.

They ate.

No more mention was made of the colour.

When they had almost finished eating, Zhang Yong casually asked, 'Dr Liu, are you Japanese?'

'No!' Liu Xi shook his head, 'why do you say that?'

'Because I have a friend who looks a lot like you. She is Japanese. So I just asked.'

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'No. You must think I am Japanese.'

'Dr Liu is sensitive.'

'You're from the Li Xing Society's secret service, so there's no such thing as just asking a question. Strange, why do you think I'm Japanese?'

'I really was just asking casually.'

'It seems that I've been suspected by Captain Zhang. Why don't you take me back, Captain Zhang?'

'I want to take you back to my home. Interrogate you alone.'

'If you have a knife at home, I advise you not to do this.'

'Just joking. Really.'

'I don't think this is a joke. You are suspecting me.'

'I really don't.'

Zhang Yong shook his head. What a load of rubbish.

I do suspect you. But I have no evidence. So you don't need to be so nervous. And you don't need to be so aggressive.

Liu Xi was about to pursue the matter when Zhu Yuan cut him off.

'Of course Dr Liu is not Japanese. She was born in Songhu. She was sent to the US to study when she was young. How could she be Japanese?'

'I really was just asking casually.'

'Apologise.'

'I'm sorry. I was being paranoid. I'll punish myself by drinking three glasses of white wine.'

'That's a sincere apology!'

Zhu Yuan immediately called for a bottle of brandy.

Zhang Yong poured three full glasses. He gulped them down in one go. Only then did Liu Xi let him off the hook.

Soon after, Liu Xi got up to say goodbye.

'Thank you, gentlemen, for your hospitality. Next time, I'll treat.'

'You're too kind. It's an honour to have Dr. Liu here with us.'

'In that case, you're both risking your lives. If you get hurt in the future, come to Guangci Hospital to see me.'

'That would be great.'

'Thank you.'

'Goodbye!'

'Goodbye!'

The two men see Liu off.

Then they look at each other thoughtfully.

'Is she Japanese?'

'I didn't say that.'

'I really didn't expect that.'

'You don't have to doubt it.'

'Buddy, our professions are not that different. So let's not talk like laymen. Since you judged that she was Japanese, why hide it?'

'I just don't want any unnecessary complications!'

'That's fine. We can just keep it between us. I was just thinking that she might have robbed your safe!'

'It wasn't her. The robber wasn't Japanese.'

'That's the most troublesome thing. There is a name called Mengdehui. Have you heard of it?'

'I've heard of Cao Mengde. I've also heard of the Wind of Mengde.'

'The Wind of Mengde, you've hit the nail on the head. In the concession, there is a group of women who disguise themselves as young and beautiful young wives and specialise in preying on men. Because they have a unique advantage. Beauty is their most powerful weapon. So, when men face them, they have little resistance. You, my friend...still have some training to do.'

'I...'

Zhang Yong was speechless.

Zhu Yuan actually thought that he was being seduced.

This kind of snatching often succeeds when the target is not paying attention. And beauty is the most commonly used tactic.

In Zhu Yuan's opinion, Zhang Yong must have seen the other person's graceful and charming appearance, and then let his guard down. As a result, he was successful. Otherwise, you are at least an agent of the Lixing Club, how could you be easily robbed? After the event, he was embarrassed and would never admit it. In that case, there is nothing you can do. He is also unable to help.

'By the way, what happened to the foreign soil?' Zhang Yong changed the subject.

Since Zhu Yuan felt that the chances of recovering the safe were slim, it suited his own wishes. The longer the time it took, the better.

It would be best if it could never be recovered. Let the other party take the blame.

'Sanhe Trading Company.'

'What?'

'All the goods are at Sanhe Trading Company. There are not many people there during the day.'

'Oh?'

Zhang Yong's eyes flashed.

This guy Zhu Yuan is obviously encouraging me to take action!

Okay. Let's go take a look.