Chapter Seventy-One: Enshrouded in Mystery

Chapter Seventy-One: Shrouded in Mystery

An Guoming was taken aback by Ye Mao’s words, but quickly grasped the meaning—he himself was the bait. As for which big fish he might hook, that was beyond his knowing. Clearly, Ye Mao had no intention of further explanation. In truth, Ye Mao’s identity was rather complex. On the surface, he was the leader of Team One of the Operations Squad, but covertly, he served as the secret spy for Chief Dai, the head of the Intelligence Bureau.

His task was to keep watch over the Operations Squad and Wu Zhengke, to ensure nothing untoward occurred. Many within the Intelligence Bureau led double lives in secret; no one could be sure if the person beside them was a spy, so everyone acted with utmost caution. Precisely because of this, Chief Dai’s control over the bureau was complete and absolute. No one, save himself, knew just how many eyes he truly had.

“Mr. An, I’m afraid you’ll have to endure staying here for a while,” Ye Mao said with a smile.

“That’s no trouble,” An Guoming replied casually. “But how do you plan to handle my situation?”

“I don’t know either. We’ll have to see what orders come from above.” Ye Mao shook his head with a wry smile.

...

Back at the Intelligence Bureau, Bai Zeshao sat in his office, reflecting on the day’s events and noting several suspicious details. According to custom, once a Red Party member was captured, immediate interrogation would follow, hoping to achieve further breakthroughs. Yet, according to what Monkey had managed to find out, An Guoming had not been questioned at all, but simply placed in solitary confinement.

This was highly uncharacteristic for the bureau; such an anomaly could only mean something was amiss.

Moreover, today’s interception seemed hastily organized. Otherwise, during the earlier arrest, Ye Mao’s lackluster attitude made no sense. And when it came time to transfer the prisoner, there was no need for Wu Zhengke to come down in person. A single phone call from Wu would have sufficed—would Bai Zeshao dare defy an order?

The more he pondered, the more unsettled Bai Zeshao became. Frowning, he rose to his feet, still without a clue. When evening came and the clock passed seven, he left the bureau and headed straight to Mr. Li’s residence.

Upon entering, the unguarded Bai Zeshao was startled. There, on the table before Mr. Li, lay a pistol, its barrel aimed directly at him.

“Mr. Li, what’s happened?” Bai Zeshao asked urgently.

“Xiao Bai, do you realize what consequences your actions today might bring? You arrested someone purely on a hunch, without considering the aftermath. That man is a special commissioner sent by the higher-ups to oversee operations. You’re making a grave mistake,” Mr. Li said gravely.

Without waiting for Bai Zeshao’s response, he continued, “What’s the situation with the special commissioner now?”

“He’s fine,” Bai Zeshao answered quietly.

“Fine?” Mr. Li was momentarily taken aback.

“He’s locked in a single room, treated to plenty of good food and drink, but no one is allowed near him,” Bai Zeshao explained.

“No interrogation?” Mr. Li’s brows furrowed deeply.

“None,” Bai Zeshao nodded. “It’s highly irregular.”

“Indeed. Could it be that the bureau is plotting something?” Mr. Li mused, equally filled with doubt.

“Mr. Li, if you were a bureau man and had caught a suspected Red Party member, what would you do?” Bai Zeshao suddenly asked.

“Of course, I’d start interrogating immediately.”

“But that hasn’t happened. Mr. Li, could it be they want to use the special commissioner as bait to draw you out?” Bai Zeshao speculated.

“It’s possible, though unlikely,” Mr. Li replied, recalling the morning's intelligence from Fox regarding Liu Peiru. He glanced at Bai Zeshao and asked, “Any new information on Liu Peiru?”

“None. No one even knows where he’s been taken,” Bai Zeshao replied, shaking his head.

Watching Mr. Li sink deep into thought, Bai Zeshao began to regret his reckless actions that afternoon. Still, he ventured, “Mr. Li, if the special commissioner really has betrayed the revolution, why would he arrange a meeting with you?”

Mr. Li didn’t answer at once, but stared at Bai Zeshao for a long moment before speaking softly, “Xiao Bai, do you remember the task of your Inspection Team?”

“Our job? Isn’t it to uncover the bureau’s moles?” Bai Zeshao replied offhandedly, but his face changed as he spoke. “Mr. Li, are you suggesting that the bureau is using the special commissioner to flush out their own mole—one of us?”

Mr. Li nodded.

“Then—then today’s action, didn’t I inadvertently help the enemy?” Bai Zeshao asked, his expression grim. He looked anxiously at Mr. Li. “Should we warn our comrades?”

“No need to worry. All our previous assumptions were based on the premise that the special commissioner had betrayed the cause. But we still have no proof, do we?” Mr. Li gently patted Bai Zeshao’s shoulder, seeing how troubled he looked.

“Then what can I do?” Bai Zeshao looked up hopefully at Mr. Li.

“Find out everything you can about the special commissioner, and provide us with the intelligence we need for a rescue operation.”

“What? Rescue the special commissioner?” Bai Zeshao exclaimed in shock.

“You know our Party’s principles. Since there’s no evidence of betrayal, we must do everything we can to rescue him,” Mr. Li said earnestly.

“I understand. I’ll do my best,” Bai Zeshao replied, somewhat reluctantly.

Knock, knock.

Just then, a gentle knocking came at Mr. Li’s door. The two men exchanged glances. Mr. Li called out, “Who is it?”

But no answer came from outside.

In such a strange situation, both Bai Zeshao and Mr. Li instinctively reached for their waists. Bai Zeshao mouthed silently to Mr. Li, “Let me.”

Holding his breath, Bai Zeshao flung open the door—only to find nothing, save a white envelope lying quietly on the threshold.

After picking up the envelope and glancing quickly around outside, he returned and handed the letter to Mr. Li. “Nothing else out there, just this.”