Chapter 75: "Spring Dawn" Photography Studio (Please add to your favorites!)

As expected, there was no escaping it—this was the price one paid for weakness.

Zhou Sen stepped out of Akuyama's office, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow, though most of it was simply from the heat.

In the corridor—

"Zhou Sen."

"Ah, Secretary Jin, there you are." Zhou Sen noticed Jin Suyoung had changed into a deep purple wool coat. Her slender figure, paired with refined makeup, indeed made her a rare beauty.

Set aside her "malicious" heart, this woman was certainly attractive to men—it was no wonder his former self had been enamored with her.

If not for her venomous nature, there was no denying her allure—no surprise his predecessor had fallen for her.

"Come, today I'll take you to our Special Affairs Division's secret base. You're now the chief clerk of the Tokko Section. Besides Obata-kun, your rank is the highest," Jin Suyoung said, her eyes glimmering as she smiled charmingly.

"I'm just holding the post temporarily…" Zhou Sen replied awkwardly. To think this woman was actually flirting with him—what a turn of events.

From Akuyama’s words, Zhou Sen’s real work in the Tokko Section was just to make up the numbers; his true duties lay with the 'Russian Patriotic Alliance.' Now he was being shown the Tokko Section’s secret base? What game was being played here?

"Alright, let's go then."

"We…" Zhou Sen was surprised when Jin Suyoung suddenly offered her arm.

"The assignment at 'Spring Dawn' Photography Studio is to keep watch on the Soviet Consulate across the street. Naturally, we need to disguise our identities when we go over. From now on, we're a couple—this will keep suspicion off us," Jin Suyoung explained.

"Why must we be lovers?" Zhou Sen tried to gently pull his arm away; he truly wished to avoid any physical contact with this woman.

"It's the most suitable and convenient cover for us to go together like this," Jin Suyoung insisted.

"I disagree. Our relationship isn't nearly that close. Let's use something else—why not pretend to be father and daughter? I don't mind taking the short end of the stick," Zhou Sen suggested. "It wouldn't be a stretch—you’re young and pretty enough to pass for fifteen or sixteen."

"Zhou Sen, what are you saying—are you looking down on me? You never treated me like this before," Jin Suyoung snapped, clearly annoyed. This man had changed completely, his words now the polar opposite of what they once were.

"You said it yourself—before. That settles it. With my looks, I can easily be your father, and you, so young and beautiful, could easily pass for a teenager," Zhou Sen replied, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Zhou Sen, go to hell!" Jin Suyoung stormed down the stairs, fuming. She wasn't foolish—Zhou Sen was clearly implying she was childish.

Zhou Sen let out a chuckle. Such petty tricks—did she think she could still stir his heart? Not a chance.

Pretend to be her lover? How nauseating.

Whatever slights his predecessor had suffered at her hands, he would now repay in full. As for the drastic change in his attitude—there was no need to explain. Who hadn't seen love turn to hate before?

He was no longer the man he used to be.

Zhou Sen even went to get his hair styled, making himself appear somewhat older, and added a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

His demeanor changed instantly.

Though the makeup techniques weren’t as miraculous as those of later generations, they were impressive enough. In the mirror, Zhou Sen looked at least a decade older than his real age.

He added a gentleman’s cane—the mark of a man of status in this city.

…

When Zhou Sen emerged from the dressing room, Jin Suyoung was momentarily stunned. The man already had striking features—sharp nose, chiseled jaw. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have strung him along in the first place. And the more mature the man, the more attractive he was to women.

Now Zhou Sen’s aura was entirely different: no trace of youth remained. He exuded maturity and steadiness, especially in his gaze.

He even reminded her, for a fleeting moment, of her own father—stern and unsmiling. Jin Suyoung felt an unexpected jolt, as if struck by lightning.

Damn it, could she really be falling for this man?

"Let's go, my good daughter," Zhou Sen said with a grin, tapping his cane toward the door.

Jin Suyoung felt as if she’d swallowed a fly. Akuyama had instructed her to defer to Zhou Sen’s decisions in all matters.

Whether as lovers or as father and daughter, it was all just a matter of cover—neither was superior.

Zhou Sen was no fool; he understood this. He wasn’t averse to pretending to be a couple, depending on the partner. Besides, he was only here to inspect the 'Spring Dawn' Photography Studio; it wasn’t as if he’d be coming often.

If they posed as lovers, Jin Suyoung would have plenty of excuses to make him accompany her; as father and daughter, there’d be none.

That saved him a great deal of trouble.

"This was the identity I arranged for you, but since you’ve changed our cover, you ought to revise it yourself. I’ll file a new record." In the carriage, Jin Suyoung handed Zhou Sen a sheet of paper—a complete dossier on a person.

"And yours?"

"I’ll be Lin Yizhen, a librarian at the Ice City Medical College," Jin Suyoung explained.

"Then I’ll be Lin Changsheng. The doctor’s identity you arranged for me won’t do—I’ll be a medicinal herb merchant, traveling between Baekje and Manchuria. How’s that?" Zhou Sen tore up the identity Jin Suyoung had prepared for him.

"What are you—" Jin Suyoung tried to stop him, but too late.

"This identity is useless now, why keep it?" Zhou Sen replied innocently.

"You really have no idea what you’re doing. Our opponents aren’t ordinary people. Even if we make up an identity, there has to be a real person behind it, understand?" Jin Suyoung collected the torn paper, folded it, and tucked it into her pocket.

Zhou Sen’s lips tightened slightly; he couldn’t claim photographic memory, but he’d memorized the general details.

If this Dr. Duan Wuming truly existed, he must be a collaborator working for the Japanese.

It wasn’t far from the Nangang Police Station to Dao Yaojin Street—just a ten-minute carriage ride.

They didn’t get out in front of the 'Spring Dawn' Photography Studio but stopped some distance away, strolling over as if idly wandering, before arriving at the studio’s entrance.

"Daughter, it’s been ages since we took a photo together. Why not get one today, for old time’s sake?" Zhou Sen said with a grin.

"Dad, you should have told me earlier—I wasn’t prepared at all…" Jin Suyoung nearly ground her teeth as she spoke.

"What’s to prepare? No time like the present. This studio looks decent—let’s take a look inside." Zhou Sen gestured at the neon sign of the 'Spring Dawn' Photography Studio with his cane, feigning interest.

"Alright, Dad."

Jin Suyoung stepped forward and took Zhou Sen’s arm as they walked toward the studio. Zhou Sen didn’t refuse—after all, it was perfectly natural for a daughter to link arms with her father.

They pushed the door open and went in. The interior was nicely decorated, the walls filled with photo frames, the pictures all of high quality.

Inside, a young man in his twenties, wearing a newsboy cap and overalls, looked up in surprise at Jin Suyoung and Zhou Sen’s entrance.

He certainly recognized Jin Suyoung. While Obata Taro was away, she was in charge of the Tokko Section’s affairs.

But who was the man beside her?

In fact, as soon as she walked in, Jin Suyoung had intended to let go—but for some reason, she didn’t.

"Xiaozhen, I’m your father, not your boyfriend—there’s no need for all this clinging," Zhou Sen said, feigning annoyance as he pulled his arm away.

"So you’re Father Jin…" With no one else present, the clerk took Zhou Sen for Jin Suyoung’s father.

Jin Suyoung’s expression soured at once.

Zhou Sen couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing.

"Laugh, go on, laugh. Zhou Sen, I’m warning you—if you make me come out with you again, I’ll take your surname!" Jin Suyoung snapped, then spun around and scolded the clerk, "Open your eyes! This is Zhou Sen, the newly transferred chief clerk of the Tokko Section—your direct superior. One more mistake, and I’ll reassign you to the punitive squad!"

"Yes, ma’am…" The clerk was terrified. The punitive squad faced the resistance fighters directly—not only was the pay poor and the work harsh, but death could come at any moment.

"Take us to see Yuan Wenfu," Jin Suyoung ordered.

"Chief Yuan isn’t here at the moment," the clerk replied, sweat beading on his brow.

"What do you mean? He’s not at his post—where has he gone?" Jin Suyoung’s temper flared again.

"…"

"He didn’t come back last night, did he?" Jin Suyoung quickly pieced things together.

"No."

"That scoundrel! Abandoning his post like this—isn’t he afraid of Mr. Akuyama’s wrath?" Jin Suyoung fumed.

Zhou Sen understood: the 'Spring Dawn' Photography Studio existed as a secret base to monitor the Soviet consulate across the street.

Yuan Wenfu was the head of the surveillance team, but he had gone AWOL—not only absent from his post, but missing all night.

This was a grave offense—far more than simple dereliction of duty. Where had he gone, whom had he met, what had he done, had he leaked secrets—all this would need to be investigated. Until then, Yuan Wenfu would have to be detained…

Yet Zhou Sen suspected this was a setup. It looked like a surprise inspection by Jin Suyoung, catching someone neglecting their duties.

He didn’t believe Jin Suyoung would show up without warning. If Yuan Wenfu had known she was coming, would he dare stay away all night? He was entrusted with highly sensitive and confidential tasks.

"Zhou Sen, what do you think?"

"I’m only here to familiarize myself with the Tokko Section’s duties and don’t know much about this side of the work. Besides, I’m not responsible for this area. But such dereliction shouldn’t be tolerated—it deserves punishment," Zhou Sen replied, since he’d been asked.

"Then how would you punish him?"

"Wait for his return and find out the reason first. If there was a cause, we shouldn’t execute without teaching," Zhou Sen said—he had no wish to make enemies on his first day.

"Such a diplomat—you manage to please everyone," Jin Suyoung glared at him.

"I’m new here and unfamiliar with everything. Naturally, I dare not speak out of turn," Zhou Sen replied with a smile. "Since he’s not here, we’ll come another time."

"This isn’t just a surveillance team—there’s also an intelligence unit you need to learn about," Jin Suyoung said.

"Intelligence unit? I know nothing about radio communications—asking me would be like playing music to a cow," Zhou Sen answered.

"Didn’t you study wireless telegraphy at the police academy?" Jin Suyoung frowned.

"I did, but I’m hopeless with numbers. I slept through every class. In the end, the instructor only passed me because of my good behavior," Zhou Sen admitted.

No one had ever described bribing an instructor so innocently—Jin Suyoung was left speechless.

Was Mr. Akuyama’s decision to place him in the Tokko Section, with plans to cultivate him, a grave mistake after all?