Chapter 152 Out of Cigarettes

No one expected that the usually kind-hearted Bai Zeshao could be so ruthless for the sake of a mission.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Bai Zeshao asked calmly, as if oblivious to the astonishment in everyone's eyes.
"Xiaobai, even if you manage to complete the mission this way, you'll end up making a lot of enemies. Besides, are you really that certain the Japanese stronghold is on Yihe Middle Road?" Liu Xiaobai asked after a moment of contemplation.
"I'm not entirely certain, maybe sixty percent sure, but it's worth a gamble. As for making enemies, the line of work we're in is all about making enemies. If we fail to complete the mission, we probably won't even have the chance to make enemies in the future," Bai Zeshao said with an air of nonchalance.
Bai Zeshao's words left everyone silent.
Because what Bai Zeshao said was the truth. Between two evils, one must choose the lesser. Since they had chosen this profession, they could not expect to accomplish tasks without offending anyone.
"Let's do it."
None of them were indecisive people. They quickly made up their minds and spoke in unison.
"Alright, then let's disperse. Go back early and get some sleep," Bai Zeshao waved his hand and said with a smile.
Soon, everyone scattered.
However, upon returning home, Bai Zeshao did not go to sleep. Instead, relying on the memory in his mind, he accurately reconstructed the map of Yihe Road.
This map was extremely detailed, even marking the names of every single shop.
Looking at the map before him, Bai Zeshao began to deduce the possible locations of the Japanese, including their potential escape routes.
For almost the entire night, Bai Zeshao tried his utmost to forecast every single possibility he could think of.
Although earlier when talking to Liu Xiaobai and the others, Bai Zeshao had projected an attitude of daring to risk everything to achieve the goal, he alone knew that once this mission failed, whatever the consequences for others might be, his own end would certainly not be pretty.
Because he had no background whatsoever. As for Wu Zhengke, Bai Zeshao had never thought of relying on him; he would be deeply grateful if Wu Zhengke didn't kick him while he was down.
Soon, the night passed.
Early the next morning, Bai Zeshao, Liu Xiaobai, and the others led a large contingent of men and marched aggressively toward Yihe Road.
As soon as they arrived, without a word, they ordered the road to be cordoned off, allowing entry but no exit. The sudden blockade caused a great deal of anger among many people.
Some even tried to force their way through relying on their status, but they were destined to be disappointed.
At this moment, Bai Zeshao was resolute and decisive, ready to ruthlessly clear away any obstacles standing in his way of capturing the Japanese.
So much so that after detaining several batches of people who tried to break through, Qian Yihai's phone call came through.
To this, Bai Zeshao did not choose to compromise. He simply told Qian Yihai one thing: he would definitely dig the Japanese out today.
If he failed to dig them out, he was willing to commit suicide to atone for his crime before the Special Service Office.
Since Bai Zeshao had put it that way, Qian Yihai no longer pursued the matter of him turning Yihe Road upside down.
He simply said coolly, "As long as Bai Zeshao can capture the Japanese, I, Qian Yihai, will take the blame for everything."
With that, Qian Yihai hung up the phone directly.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Seeing Bai Zeshao finish the call and remain silent, Liu Xiaobai asked with concern.
"Nothing. Prepare for action. Tell the brothers to arrest any suspicious characters on sight, and execute anyone who resists on the spot," Bai Zeshao said with a stern expression.
As for the content of the telephone conversation, Bai Zeshao did not mention it.
"But if we really act according to your plan, our manpower is simply not enough," Liu Xiaobai said with a frown.
However, he did not raise any objections to Bai Zeshao's cautious approach.
"I've already thought of this problem. Before setting out this morning, I communicated with the police station, and they will send men over," Bai Zeshao explained.
Then, seeing a car driving from afar, he said, "They're here."
To Bai Zeshao's surprise, Sun Yanjiu led the team in person.
"Brother Sun, I'm sorry to trouble you," Bai Zeshao said gratefully.
"Don't be polite. Brother, what you're doing benefits the country and the people, so of course I have to support it. Well, I'm not late, am I?" Sun Yanjiu said with a smile.
"Just in time. I'll have to trouble the brothers from the police station with the road blockade," Bai Zeshao said with a smile.
"No problem, this is our specialty," Sun Yanjiu said as he directly instructed the police officers to move quickly.
Then, Bai Zeshao led the men from the Special Service Office straight across the blockade line: "Brothers, search house by house for me!"
"Yes!"
Soon, the men from the Special Service Office rushed like wolves and tigers toward the shops and residences along the street.
Bai Zeshao and the others did not directly participate in the search; instead, they strolled casually down the street while keeping a close eye on the surrounding movements.
Sunshine Sundry Store.
As the search party from the Special Service Office drew closer and closer, the clerk inside looked anxiously toward Gao Fei.
"Manager, could we have been exposed? Otherwise, why would the Special Service Office be conducting such a massive search?"
"What are you panicking about? As long as they don't find what they're looking for, these people will naturally leave. Tell Tian Yaopeng to hide properly in the secret room," Gao Fei said with absolute composure.
"Yes," the clerk acknowledged, then tentatively asked, "Manager, should we make a call to Qi Zhengyi, just in case?"
Gao Fei pondered for a moment, looked at the aggressive Special Service men on the street, and nodded: "Make it. But if it's not necessary, there's no need to bring up Qi Zhengyi."
"Understood."
After that, only Gao Fei remained inside the sundry store, standing behind the counter and pretending nothing was amiss while clicking away on the abacus.
Unexpectedly, before the searching Special Service men arrived, Bai Zeshao and his group arrived first.
Upon seeing Bai Zeshao, Gao Fei was momentarily startled, then stepped out from behind the counter with a flattering smile and said, "Hard work to you leaders, welcome to my humble shop. If you need anything, just say the word."
Bai Zeshao, Liu Xiaobai, Qin Shuai, and Ren Qiang glanced at the layout of the sundry store and then said, "Boss, do you have any cigarettes?"
As it turned out, Bai Zeshao and the others were inspecting the situation on the street when they ran out of cigarettes. Happening to see the Sunshine Sundry Store right in front of them, they walked in.
"Leaders, wait a moment, I'll get them for you right away," Gao Fei said, briskly walking behind the counter.
Soon, he came out carrying a large stack of various cigarettes and placed them before Bai Zeshao and the others: "Leaders, see if there are any you like, pick whatever you want. Consider it my treat for your hard work."
"Can't tell, you kid know how to play the game," Qin Shuai didn't pick; he grabbed all the cigarettes at once and patted Gao Fei on the shoulder with a smile.
"As long as the leaders like them, as long as you like them," Gao Fei slightly bowed and said with a smile.
However, Bai Zeshao and the others failed to notice the murderous intent flashing through Gao Fei's eyes just as Qin Shuai patted his shoulder.