Chapter 97: Birthdays and Death Anniversaries

Chapter 97: Birthday and Anniversary

The moment their eyes met, Bai Zeshao quickly looked away. Ah Hai didn’t say another word; he crouched down, pulled up the rickshaw, and hurried toward the Special Affairs Office.

Along the way, Bai Zeshao’s expression was a mix of amusement and disbelief. He glanced at Ah Hai pulling the rickshaw ahead and shook his head. What was going on? All he had done was stay overnight in Achen’s room for two nights.

Moreover, during those two nights, nothing untoward had actually happened—they simply slept. Yes, that was it—each sleeping separately, nothing else at all.

Yet somehow, outside, rumors had twisted the story into something completely different, leaving him speechless.

Ahead.

Ah Hai, still bent over pulling the rickshaw, hadn’t heard Bai Zeshao speak again, but inwardly he felt certain his earlier suspicion was right.

Otherwise, knowing Bai Zeshao as he did, he wouldn’t be so “angry.” But if Bai Zeshao truly was involved with Achen, it wouldn’t be so bad.

After all, Ah Hai’s relationship with Achen was far from simple.

Neither spoke further until they arrived at the Special Affairs Office.

As Bai Zeshao stepped down from the rickshaw, he quietly whispered to Ah Hai while handing over the money, “Be very careful when monitoring Li Huihui.”

“Got it, brother,” Ah Hai replied, then turned and left immediately.

The next morning, bright and early.

Because Ah Hai hadn’t come to his place for the money the previous night, Bai Zeshao went to Ah Hai’s home early in the morning.

Upon entering the room, a strong medicinal smell hit him. Bai Zeshao looked at Ah Hai lying on the bed and asked with concern, “What happened?”

“Brother, you told me to watch and follow that Li Huihui, but before I could start, I ran into an old enemy. We ended up fighting,” Ah Hai said with a bitter smile.

“Alright, take care of your injuries first. Forget about the tracking for now,” Bai Zeshao said, seeing Ah Hai’s discomfort. Then he continued, “Maybe you should go to the hospital.”

“No need, just some minor wounds. I’m used to it. You go about your business,” Ah Hai waved him off.

Bai Zeshao examined Ah Hai’s injuries—they looked severe but were only superficial. He didn’t say more, left a hundred dollars on the table, and departed.

Not long after Bai Zeshao left, Ah Hai took the money to buy a dress for Achen. However, Ah Hai’s battered appearance startled the store employees so much they nearly kicked him out.

Back at the Special Affairs Office, Bai Zeshao was surprised to receive a call from Qian Huiwen, who invited him to lunch.

Though unexpected, Bai Zeshao readily agreed.

Though they hadn’t met, Bai Zeshao sensed from Qian Huiwen’s tone over the phone that she seemed a bit downhearted.

He chuckled softly and shook his head, thinking he was probably imagining things.

After hanging up, Bai Zeshao stood before the Shanning map on the wall, lost in thought. According to Wuyang Bing’s information, the mysterious training base was definitely somewhere in Shanning, but exactly where?

One location after another was ruled out, yet no conclusion emerged. The information he had was simply too scant.

“Team leader, there’s trouble!” Monkey’s voice rang from outside, and soon he dashed into the room.

“What is it?” Bai Zeshao put down his pen and frowned.

“Second Squad’s team leader Gao Debiao is dead.”

Bai Zeshao was shocked, hardly able to believe it. “He was fine—how did this happen?”

“He got drunk last night and was hit by a car,” Monkey said with a light laugh.

“That can’t be true. Gao Debiao was the leader of the Special Affairs Office’s Second Squad. Even drunk, he wouldn’t be taken out by a car accident. There must be something more to this,” Bai Zeshao quickly asked.

“I don’t know the details, but there are rumors outside that Gao Debiao was actually with the Party Affairs Office. Once discovered, Boss Wu set a trap and killed him,” Monkey glanced outside and whispered.

“That’s enough of these rumors—they’re harmful,” Bai Zeshao said, dismissing Monkey.

He then called Sun Yanjie.

“Brother Sun, the Gao Debiao case—your police department is handling it, right? What’s going on?” Bai Zeshao asked with a laugh.

“What else? Just the usual Special Affairs versus Party Affairs conflict. You didn’t know? The one who hit him was Zheng Zhibin from the Party Affairs Office,” Sun Yanjie replied, sounding troubled.

“If Gao Debiao really was with the Party Affairs Office, then Zheng Zhibin is truly trapped—unable to speak out despite his suffering.”

“You think so? Zheng’s expression right now is worse than you can imagine,” Sun Yanjie sighed. “The situation between your two factions is growing more tense.”

“That’s beyond my control. Alright, I won’t disturb you anymore.”

“Okay, talk later.”

After hanging up, Bai Zeshao pondered how to turn Gao Debiao’s death to his advantage. It was obvious the Second Squad would face a period of turmoil.

The choice of their new leader would attract much attention. Ultimately, the outcome would depend on Wu Zhengke’s stance.

In Bai Zeshao’s mind, if he could absorb the Second Squad, his power would rise significantly—though that would be difficult.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was noon. Remembering his lunch appointment with Qian Huiwen, Bai Zeshao rose and headed toward the Communications Division.

“Sis, it’s time. Let’s go,” he said casually as he entered Qian Huiwen’s office with a smile.

“Alright, let’s go,” Qian Huiwen said after tidying up the papers on her desk. Together, they left the Special Affairs Office.

At a Western restaurant in Shanning.

Bai Zeshao and Qian Huiwen sat facing each other. Yet her mood was low, and dressed entirely in black, she gave off a solemn aura.

Shortly after sitting, Qian Huiwen downed two glasses of red wine before Bai Zeshao could stop her.

“Sis, is something on your mind?”

Setting down her glass, Qian Huiwen lifted her eyes and fixed Bai Zeshao with a motionless gaze.

At first, Bai Zeshao felt awkward, but when he met those eyes, he was stunned. They were hollow and filled with sorrow.

Though she looked at him, Bai Zeshao sensed her gaze was elsewhere.

After a long pause, Qian Huiwen withdrew her eyes and softly said, “It’s a pity it’s not him. Xiaobai, come, have a drink with me.”

“Alright,” Bai Zeshao replied readily.

After drinking, Qian Huiwen’s eyes drifted to the window. “Do you know what day it is today?”

“November 28th,” Bai Zeshao answered immediately. It was the fifth day since Mr. Li left Shanning—the fifth day of his solitary struggle.

Unexpectedly, Qian Huiwen shook her head gently at his answer.