Chapter 128: Strike First to Gain the Advantage

"Mr. Front, if it cannot be found in the house, then it must be outside. Given the size of such a small key, the lock shouldn't be very large either; I imagine it belongs to a small box or chest of some kind..."

"Waseem, think carefully again."

"Have you visited the banks that my foster father, Old Anthony, collaborated with? Banks have safety deposit boxes for customers to store valuables, and they generally don't ask what the items are," Zhou Sen said. "Do you think this small box might be stored in one of those?"

"I hadn't thought of that. But to open a safety deposit box, one needs credentials and the box number. Without proof or records, the bank wouldn't let me open it," Front replied.

"What if the Police Department intervenes?"

"It's not that they couldn't, but if a bank allows its customers' stored items to be opened at will, its reputation would be completely ruined. Who would store their valuables in a bank after that?" Front continued. "Once that precedent is set, the bank wouldn't be far from bankruptcy."

Zhou Sen sneered inwardly. As if the Japanese cared about such things! They were accustomed to plundering and seizing property; rules and bottom lines were meant to be broken and crossed.

Why pretend?

If it were truly confirmed that the item was in a bank's safety deposit box, the Japanese would absolutely force the bank to open it. Unless that bank didn't want to survive in Ice City anymore.

"This key has no markings. If there were a number, we could identify it. If it’s a private underground money shop, then we have a problem..." Zhou Sen calmly introduced another possibility.

Front was stunned upon hearing this.

"Brother Waseem, this matter is of great importance, and we don't have much time. If the people on the roster aren't contacted for a long time, it will cause problems," Front said. "Furthermore, it's almost time to pay their operational funds. If these people sense something is wrong, it will be difficult to rebuild those connections."

Zhou Sen rolled his eyes. What does that have to do with me?

"Mr. Front, you should get going. It's getting late, so I won't keep you. Hurry back," Zhou Sen said, dismissing him.

"Oh, right. Waseem, you must keep thinking. If you remember anything, let me know immediately."

"Understood, don't worry."

***

Wenchang Bridge, Su Residence.

"Master, Old Four is back." Su Xing walked quickly upstairs, pushed open the study door, and reported to Su Wenqing.

"Where is he?"

"I didn't dare bring him to the house; I was afraid it would be too conspicuous," Su Xing explained. "If you wish to see him, I can arrange for him to go to the old family estate."

"Hmm, arrange it. Go now. There are many things I need to clarify with him," Su Wenqing said impatiently.

"Very well, I'll ready the car!"

The Su family's old estate was in Tianjia Shaoguo, located in Majiagou. By car, it took about half an hour.

Before Su Wenqing rose to power, he lived there. Later, he founded the Wenqing Chamber of Commerce and established the Seven Stars Hall. Only then did he move from Majiagou to the bustling city center of Nangang.

The old estate remained, kept by caretakers. Every summer, he would go there to stay for a while; it was cool and a good place to escape the heat.

"Chairman!" Old Four Guo knelt before Su Wenqing, overcome with shame.

"What exactly happened? Get up first and explain it clearly to me," Su Wenqing demanded, his face grim.

"Chairman, it happened like this: I wrote a letter to Zhou Sen in the young miss's name, arranging to meet at Xiao Nan Garden. Early the next morning, I led men to lie in ambush in the garden. I even had Xiao Yuan wear the young miss's clothes, disguising her as the miss to wait for him..." Old Four Guo recounted. In truth, he had already confessed once before, though not to Su Wenqing.

"So, you're saying Zhou Sen knew it was a trap all along, conspired with Qin Lang, the second son of the Qin family, and even set his own ambush in Xiao Nan Garden before you arrived?" Su Wenqing asked, frowning after hearing the account.

"Yes. This Zhou Sen is a ruthless man. Even knowing it was a trap, he dared to risk coming, feigning ignorance. He even scuffled with Xiao Yuan to lure me into revealing myself. Only then did Qin Lang lead his men to surround us."

"So Zhou Sen's injury was fake?"

"No, Zhou Sen was indeed injured, but it had nothing to do with us. Someone else was lying in ambush nearby and fired a shot. To this day, I don't know who that person was. After the shot rang out, they retreated quickly. I was taken away by Qin Lang’s men via the river, while Qin Lang and Zhou Sen left separately."

"No wonder the Police Department’s Lin Dakuan took over the case as soon as the Gendarmerie arrived," Su Wenqing muttered to himself.

"Chairman, I failed the mission. Please punish me," Old Four Guo knelt down again.

Su Wenqing glanced at him and sighed: "Get up. No one could have foreseen this, and I cannot blame it all on you. I underestimated that kid. In terms of judging character, Bai Yulan is indeed above me."

"Old Four, get up. The master isn't blaming you," Su Xing said, walking over to pull Old Four Guo up.

"This person who sniped at Zhou Sen clearly doesn't belong to our side. Who could it be, and how did they know Zhou Sen would appear at Xiao Nan Garden at that moment?"

"Chairman, I suspect this gunman is likely one of Zhou Sen's enemies."

"An enemy is certain. If there were no grudge, why would they want him dead?" Su Wenqing nodded.

"Master, shall we investigate?"

"Investigate, of course we must. This person nearly got me killed; how could I let them off?" Su Wenqing said. If Zhou Sen had actually died, Shibuya Saburo would definitely have concluded that he was behind it, and he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Songhua River.

"Chairman, please let me investigate. Consider it a chance for me to redeem myself," Old Four Guo pleaded, cupping his hands.

"You? This is not a simple matter; the opponent is extraordinary. Do you have the confidence?" Su Wenqing expressed doubt.

"Chairman, I am the one involved and the person most familiar with the situation. The fewer people who know about this, the better. If you don't entrust it to me, who else would you give it to?"

These words struck a chord with Su Wenqing.

"Very well, I will leave it to you. But you must be careful. Report anything you find immediately. Do not act on your own. Do you understand?"

"Understood! I will drag this guy out for you!" Old Four Guo said with resentment.

"Also, investigate the relationship between Qin Lang and Zhou Sen. How did these two get mixed up? Could it be that Bai Yulan and Old Seven Qin have reached some agreement?"

"Yes." Old Four Guo agreed and retreated.

"Ah Xing, how is your contact with the Wen family? Have they agreed to sell their shares in the New Stage Theater to me?"

"The Wen family says they can sell, but there is a condition," Su Xing said.

"What condition?"

"They want their family to be included in our gravel business," Su Xing replied.

"That gravel business makes millions in profit every year. Do they really think I, Su Wenqing, am the only one who can handle it? The Wen family is quite bold with their demands. My Su family’s business is profitable not because the gravel is cheap, but because in Ice City, I am the only one who can run this trade. Why should they get a piece of the pie?" Su Wenqing raged.

"Blind with greed, I suppose."

"Go tell the Wen family: if they don't sell, fine. But don't blame me when they find they can't sell it to anyone else later!"

"The Wen family has connections in the government; I'm afraid they won't listen to us," Su Xing said, lowering his head.

"Ah Xing, do you think that if Zhou Sen or Bai Yulan truly wanted to buy the New Stage, they would put all their chips on me, Su Wenqing?" Su Wenqing asked rhetorically.

"Based on my understanding of Boss Bai, she is an expert at balancing interests and playing both sides. She would never do that."

"Then that's settled. Let's wait and see. This matter cannot be rushed."

"Yes."

***

Zhou Sen hadn't expected Front to find the copper key hidden in the attic beam's secret compartment so quickly. He had truly underestimated this defecting former "Cheka" agent.

The guy actually had some real skills.

He was arranged by Shibuya Saburo to teach Zhou Sen espionage skills. Putting aside their respective loyalties, learning a thing or two from him wasn't bad.

At the very least, these were things he desperately needed right now. Everything in his own mind was based on pure imagination or learned from literature and films; compared to genuine espionage skills, that was all child's play.

Although he had now given Front a false lead, he didn't know how many days he could delay him. If he were to go to the Majiagou Racecourse Club now, the Japanese would certainly be suspicious.

He wondered what Old Anthony had left for him. As long as it wasn't a codebook, it would be fine. He would first master the technique of developing photos, especially the developing of microfilm—that should be an essential skill for any agent.

"Brother Sen, dinner is ready!"

"Coming, coming..." Zhou Sen answered, throwing on his coat and walking out of the room.

In the dining room, Zhou Sen saw a large bowl of millet and cornmeal porridge, and his appetite was instantly halved. "It's so late and so cold; I'll be hungry again quickly if I drink porridge."

"Isn't there steamed cornbread? Eating lightly at night is good for your health," Bai Yulan said, serving him a bowl of porridge.

"Fine, light it is." Zhou Sen shook his head and sighed softly.

"Don't think I don't know that you, Ah Xiang, and Wuen went out for barbecue today at noon. You only brought me back a few pieces of pastry, hmph!" Bai Yulan sat down and whispered.

"Who said that? Why can't that guy Wuen keep his mouth shut..."

"Do you think I couldn't smell the barbecue on you when you came home?" Bai Yulan said. "And you conspired to lie to me, saying you only ate a bowl of plain noodles. That girl Ah Xiang didn't even eat her favorite mung bean cake this afternoon."

"It's just that barbecue is best eaten fresh. By the time I brought it home to you, it would have been cold, and reheating it wouldn't taste the same, so that's why I didn't bring any!" Zhou Sen explained hurriedly.

"Do you think I'm the type to crave barbecue?" Bai Yulan rolled her eyes at him.

"No, you just crave barbecue!"

"Looking for a beating, are you? From today on, you'll eat cornmeal porridge and steamed buns at night," Bai Yulan glared and declared.

"Wouldn't that make people lose weight? If I wake up the next morning, where will I find the strength to work?" Zhou Sen argued.

"You lie around all day, what work do you do?"

"My injury is healing fast, I need to eat something nutritious. Otherwise, if a patient eats nothing but thin gruel, how can they recover?"

"Tomorrow, I'm going to the New Stage to find Sister Xiaorou and finalize the moving arrangements," Bai Yulan said. "Do you want to come with me?"

"I won't go. But for now, don't let Sun Qingkui know about my relationship with Xiaorou," Zhou Sen said.

"Understood." Bai Yulan knew what he was thinking. If Sun Qingkui knew, he might prevent Jiang Rou from moving to the Ningxiang Pavilion, which would cause unnecessary complications. It was better to make it a done deal first.