Chapter 142 What on Earth Is Your Relationship?

Chapter 142 What Exactly Is Your Relationship?

Investigating that black-market merchant was a breeze for Bai Zeshao, given his identity.

Afterward, Bai Zeshao brought up Tian Yaopeng once again. "Secretary He, although a conflict recently broke out between the Special Service Office and the Kuomintang's Party Affairs Office, Tian Yaopeng, the instigator of this whole incident, is still at large."

"Tian Yaopeng, you mean that undercover agent who infiltrated our ranks under the alias Lu Tiankang?" Secretary He asked.

"That's right, it's him. Right now, he has no way out in Shanning; people from all sides want him dead, and staying in Shanning is a dead end for him. We've launched several manhunts against him, but he has managed to escape every time," Bai Zeshao said with a gloomy expression.

"He is a man we must eliminate, because his existence once nearly caused our organization to be completely wiped out," Secretary He said, his expression equally grim.

"Indeed. The crucial issue now is that we don't know where he is hiding, but he definitely hasn't left Shanning."

"This isn't something we can rush. We'll take it step by step."

"Understood." Bai Zeshao nodded, then turned to Secretary He and asked, "Can the organization help me look into the background and personal history of Qi Zhengyi, the chief steward of the Wen family?"

"What's wrong? Why would you want to investigate Qi Zhengyi? Not only is the Wen family a colossal influence here in Shanning, but they also wield considerable power nationwide, and their attitude toward our Party has been relatively amicable," Secretary He asked with curiosity.

"Putting the Wen family aside for a moment, let's talk about Qi Zhengyi himself. He once sent assassins to try to kill me. Based on my investigation, this man is far from simple, and it's very likely he has colluded with the Japanese," Bai Zeshao shared his suspicions.

"Are you implying that the Wen family has also colluded with the Japanese?" Secretary He's expression instantly turned grave.

The current Sino-Japanese situation had reached an extremely critical juncture. If a family of such immense influence as the Wen family threw in their lot with the Japanese, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"I don't know whether the Wen family has colluded with the Japanese, but Qi Zhengyi is highly suspicious." Bai Zeshao did not widen the scope of his suspicion, keeping the target strictly on Qi Zhengyi.

"I will look into this, but it might take some time." Secretary He nodded and agreed.

"That's fine." Bai Zeshao was in no particular hurry.

After chatting for a bit longer, Bai Zeshao left Secretary He's residence and returned home. Right as he arrived, he ran into Ah Hai, who had just returned from pulling his rickshaw.

"Brother, how did you get hurt? Are you alright? This morning, I heard other rickshaw pullers talking about gunfire in many parts of Shanning. You weren't involved in that, were you?" Ah Hai asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Do you remember that spot near the alley entrance where you found someone watching me? The gunfire today was us dealing with that very matter," Bai Zeshao explained briefly.

"Does that mean you're safe now, Brother?" Ah Hai asked eagerly, recalling Bai Zeshao's warning from the previous night.

"Yeah, pretty much," Bai Zeshao nodded. "However, your training still needs to be stepped up."

"I know, Brother." As soon as he finished speaking, Ah Hai flashed a knowing smile at Bai Zeshao.

"You brat, what's with that look? Spit it out if you have something to say." Bai Zeshao playfully punched Ah Hai's shoulder and scolded him with a laugh.

"Brother, it's been quite a while since you last went to the Rose Cabaret," Ah Hai said meaningfully.

"So what? Why would I go there? I'm not some wealthy tycoon; how could I afford to spend money like that?" Bai Zeshao looked at Ah Hai, bewildered, and replied naturally.

"Oh, come on, Brother, I'll just be blunt. Hasn't it been a long time since you went to see Miss A-Chen?" Ah Hai pointedly brought it up.

"A-Chen and I don't have any kind of relationship, why would I go see her?" Bai Zeshao looked at Ah Hai with a cheerful smile.

"Brother, that's not playing fair. You spent several nights in her boudoir, and now you're saying you have no relationship? That's just hitting and quitting!" Ah Hai said with righteous indignation.

"Get lost! Do you even know how to use words? What do you mean 'hitting and quitting'?" Bai Zeshao kicked out at Ah Hai, but the latter deftly dodged it. "And you've even got the nerve to dodge!"

"That's just because of the great training you gave me, pure reflex!" Ah Hai stuck his tongue out cheekily at Bai Zeshao.

"Alright, jokes aside. Do you really want to know why I haven't gone to see A-Chen?" Bai Zeshao dropped his smile and said to Ah Hai.

"Why?" Ah Hai nodded heavily.

"It's simply because you've taken a liking to the young lady, and as an older brother, how could I possibly compete with you?" Bai Zeshao looked at the deadpan Ah Hai and said with feigned solemnity, though he burst into laughter right after.

Ah Hai, who had been expecting a serious answer, was infuriated by this response. "Brother, you're a jerk, an idiot, a complete fool! I haven't taken a liking to A-Chen at all, and I never would!"

With that, Ah Hai turned around and stomped back into his own room.

Standing in place, Bai Zeshao genuinely did not understand why Ah Hai had suddenly gotten so angry; he had only been making a joke. With a wry smile, Bai Zeshao walked over toward Ah Hai's room.

Upon entering, Ah Hai still wore a furious expression and gave Bai Zeshao the cold shoulder. Bai Zeshao chuckled, "Alright, I was just messing with you earlier. As for why I don't interact with A-Chen, haven't I already told you several times before?"

"What?" Ah Hai asked, turning his head despite still being angry.

"I can't figure out her true identity, and in our line of work, falling in love is a completely unreachable dream. I don't want to lead an innocent girl down this path," Bai Zeshao reiterated.

"But... A-Chen, she... ugh... I... seriously..." Ah Hai stammered for a long time without managing to get his point across.

"What is it you're trying to say, Ah Hai?" Bai Zeshao asked, frowning.

"Nothing."

"No, tell me the truth. What exactly is your relationship with this A-Chen?" Bai Zeshao suddenly stepped right in front of Ah Hai and asked with a stern expression.

"No relationship at all," Ah Hai said, his eyes darting away nervously.

"It looks like you really *do* have a relationship," Bai Zeshao said with absolute certainty, observing Ah Hai's reaction.

"Brother, please don't back me into a corner like this, okay? It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's that someone won't let me," Ah Hai said, looking utterly torn.

"The person you're talking about is A-Chen, right?" Bai Zeshao guessed.

Ah Hai remained silent, effectively confirming it.

"Fine. Since you won't say, I won't force you. But I hope you can remember one thing: you are no longer who you used to be. You are now a Red Party member, and you must always keep your mission in mind," Bai Zeshao said earnestly.

"Brother, I know that," Ah Hai nodded heavily.

"Good. Now, let's talk business. I'm planning to help you find a new place to live," Bai Zeshao said, abruptly changing the subject.