Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

After the messy footsteps and the shopkeeper's smiling voice gradually faded away, Shen Jingyuan reached out to close the door and bolted it carefully.

"Has our information leaked?" Lin Xi's voice sounded in the darkness, with a hint of fear.

Because of her status as Commander Lin's daughter, in Shanghai, any military officer or policeman who appeared in front of her would bow and nod with respect.

It was the first time for her to have such an experience as to be rudely knocked on the door and questioned harshly in the middle of the night. Therefore, although those people had left, she still felt a little frightened and her tone unconsciously tightened.

"It shouldn't be." Hearing the worry and fear in Lin Xi's tone, Shen Jingyuan turned around and held her hand. Without turning on the light, he took her hand and slowly walked back to the inner room in the faint light coming in from the window.

His palm was warm and dry, and his fingertips were slightly rough with thin calluses, but it seemed like the most solid support she could grasp in this unknown darkness. Lin Xi's originally chaotic mood calmed down a little, and she couldn't help but quietly hold his palm back, as if to draw more strength from it.

The two sat down at the table. Shen Jingyuan then took out a match and lit the kerosene lamp on the table. "If they were really coming for us, it wouldn't have ended so easily."

As he spoke, he looked at Lin Xi's pale face under the dim light, pursed his lips, and reached out to pour her a glass of water, "Don't be afraid."

The feeling of cold water sliding down her throat finally dispelled the remaining fear in Lin Xi's heart, and her confused thoughts began to gradually return to normal.

She gently placed the cup on the table, raised her eyes to look at Shen Jingyuan who was sitting opposite her, frowned slightly, and asked, "What happened just now? In the middle of the night... why mobilize so many troops?"

"Looking at their posture, it seems like they are just doing a routine job, or... they are searching for someone else. It must be just a coincidence." Shen Jingyuan lowered his eyes, tapped his knuckles on the table unconsciously twice, and analyzed calmly.

"That's good..." Lin Xi felt relieved after hearing this and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as they are not targeting them, it would be fine. Otherwise, in the darkness, they would have nowhere to escape.

"However..." Seeing Lin Xi's expression relax, Shen Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief and added, "Although they are not coming for us, the situation in Tianjin is complicated and there are many spies on all sides. We still have to be careful."

"Okay, I understand." Lin Xi's expression became more serious when she heard that, and she nodded seriously. After what happened just now, she didn't dare to take it lightly again.

Under the flickering light of the dim oil lamp on the table, the two of them carefully reviewed their subsequent itinerary until sleepiness came over them. Lin Xi couldn't help but yawned slightly, and the conversation finally ended.

"It's getting late, go to bed." Shen Jingyuan said softly as he saw the tears oozing from the corners of Lin Xi's eyes.

"it is good."

The room was swallowed up by darkness again, and only the faint light from outside the window could barely outline the contours of the furniture. Lin Xi curled up on the bed, staring at the ceiling with her eyes open, until dawn, then she forced herself to close her eyes and doze off for a while.

The next morning, when the two went downstairs for breakfast, they clearly felt that the atmosphere in the hotel was a little strange.

The few scattered guests in the lobby did not chat, but mostly ate silently with their heads down, occasionally exchanging glances and then quickly looking away.

The waiter no longer had the lively demeanor he had when welcoming guests last night. He walked hurriedly with the tray in his hand, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Lin Xi and Shen Jingyuan chose a seat in the corner and ordered some simple porridge and side dishes.

The porridge had not been served yet, but a guest at the next table, who was wearing a long gown and looked like a businessman, suddenly stopped the waiter who was serving him the food and asked him in a low voice.

"Hey, man, what happened last night? It was so noisy. I heard the patrol checked the store all night."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi and the other person exchanged glances and pricked up their ears silently.

The waiter was pulled by him and looked nervously at the shopkeeper behind the counter. He saw that the shopkeeper was counting the bill with his head down and didn't pay attention to the movement here. Then he bent down and lowered his voice to the customer, speaking mysteriously.

"Sir, you don't know yet? Something terrible has happened! I heard that the night before last, some Communists broke into the Japanese concession and assassinated a Japanese officer there."

"The Communists?" The businessman frowned upon hearing this. "Aren't they causing trouble in the south? Why are they in Tianjin?"

"That's right. A few days ago, those people from the police department posted notices at the city gate, saying they were going to arrest Communists. Not only did they not catch anyone, but they also killed a Japanese officer right under their noses."

The waiter said this, quickly glancing in the direction of the counter before continuing, "The Japanese are furious, and the police are helpless. Look, they're searching the entire city. Last night, several inns in our area were turned upside down!"

"Wow!" The guest couldn't help but sigh when he heard this, and then asked, "Did they catch that guy?"

"If they had been caught, there wouldn't be such a commotion." The waiter curled his lips, his expression indescribable. "I heard that those Communists are elusive and can change their faces in the blink of an eye. He disappeared into the crowd like a drop of water in the sea. Where can we find him?"

A slightly overweight customer at the next table, drawn in by their conversation, leaned over to overhear this. He curled his lips in disdain and retorted, "How could it be as outrageous as you say? Didn't Caishikou execute a few revolutionary Communists last month?"

"It's truly a sin. In this day and age, what crime can't be solved with a bullet? They had to chop off people's heads in public. I heard they were young men. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, the blood was all over the ground. It was terrifying to look at."

"That's their fault. They're living in peace and have to cause trouble." The previous guest retorted with disapproval.

"How can we call this a peaceful world?" The slightly overweight guest rolled his eyes upon hearing this. "Not only do those foreign devils bully us in our territory, but even the tiny Japanese can bully us. Our authorities don't even bother trying to drive the foreigners out, but they're obsessed with infighting among their own people. They only know how to bully their own people."

"If you ask me, the Communists did a good job this time. I've been displeased with the Japanese for a long time. It would be great if they could kill a few more of them."

The guest shot him a look of disdain. "You're such a reckless man! If everyone thinks like you, and they kill a few more Japanese officers and cause a big uproar in the city, we ordinary people won't be able to do business anymore, and we won't be able to live either."

"It's okay, it's okay. Whoever loves the life of a spineless pug can live his life." The slightly fat customer also responded bluntly.

"Who are you calling a lapdog?!"

"Whoever yells will be scolded."

"you!"

Seeing that the tension between the two was growing and they were about to quarrel, the waiter suddenly panicked and started to try to stop the fight. The shopkeeper behind the counter also noticed the commotion here, and hurried over and yelled at the waiter.

"Xiao Liuzi, what are you doing slacking off for, you bastard?!"

The waiter was so scared that he shrank his neck and quickly ran away.

The shopkeeper came over and persuaded the two guests who were about to fight with a smile, then he bowed and spoke loudly to everyone in the hall.

"My apologies, gentlemen. We are just a small business, and it is our duty to provide you with good food and shelter. With all the ups and downs out there... Hehe, please don't talk about state affairs! Let's have our meal, everyone."

The lobby fell into a depressing silence again, with only the slight clinking of dishes and chopsticks as the only sound.

Lin Xi subconsciously looked at Shen Jingyuan opposite her. There was no expression on his face, as if what he had just heard was just some insignificant gossip.

After meeting Lin Xi's gaze, he just shook his head slightly, then slowly pushed the bowl of porridge in front of her and said calmly, "Let's talk after dinner."