Espionage: You're tasked with spying, but you'll blow up the Special Higher Police?

Zhou Hongyi tossed the house key to Chenggong and said, "Brother Chen, it's settled then. This safe house is between you and me. In any situation, if we can avoid meeting in person, it's safer to meet here."

Chen Fenglie looked around the safe house, touching everything. He then walked to the wall covered with a wooden fence, knocked on it, and said somewhat warily, "Won't the neighbors hear us talking here?"

Zhou Hongyi said with a smile, "The soundproofing here is quite good. And I've already checked who lives next door, there are no problems, so you can rest assured about that."

Chen Gong nodded and gave Zhou Hongyi a thumbs-up. The latter just smiled and didn't tell the whole truth. He had also bought the room next door, but he hadn't told the bearded man. He planned to leave the safe house next door for Bodhi.

The two chatted for a while longer before Chen Gong left first, while Zhou Hongyi spent the night in his newly purchased apartment. He didn't get dressed until the morning, but instead of going directly to the police station, he took a detour to his antique shop, "Onepiece."

Ah Gui was silently cleaning inside, carefully wiping the carved and wrinkled Western ornaments clean with a cotton cloth until they were spotless.

Upon seeing Zhou Hongyi arrive early in the morning, he hurriedly stopped what he was doing and went to greet him, saying, "Boss."

Zhou Hongyi nodded, tossed over the fried dough sticks he had just bought on the roadside, and said, "Agui, haven't had breakfast yet? Fill your stomach first, I have something to tell you."

Ah Gui didn't stand on ceremony. He finished a fried dough stick in a few bites, wiped his hands and mouth with a rag, and stood very properly in front of Zhou Hongyi.

"Brother, don't be shy, tell me about the store's business these past few days."

When Zhou Hongyi asked this question, A Gui was at a loss for words. He looked away and stammered, "Boss, I haven't sold a single thing these past few days. A few rich ladies and foreigners have come in, but I... I'm too tongue-tied and I don't recognize these things."

Zhou Hongyi smiled and told him not to continue, then thought for a moment and said, "Agui, it was my oversight before. This kind of antique shop is indeed not suitable for you. Here's what we'll do: close the door later and come with me to the police station to report for duty. From now on, you'll stay by my side and become a member of the Second Precinct's Special Operations Team."

"Huh? Boss, you want me to be a policeman, but I..."

Ah Gui wanted to say that his enemy was in the police station, but Zhou Hongyi raised his hand to signal him not to rush, and said in a deep voice, "I understand that you hate this profession, but you need to know that the profession itself is not wrong. It's like a knife; in the hands of a chef, it's for cooking, but in the hands of a gangster, it's for fighting. It's the same with the police. With that uniform and that identity, you can help more people in the same situation as you. Of course, most importantly, you can get close to your enemy and avenge your family with your own hands."

Ah Gui trembled upon hearing the last sentence, and his stubborn eyes quickly filled with tears. However, he forced the tears back and nodded through gritted teeth, saying, "Yes, boss, I'll do whatever you say."

"Alright, Ah Gui, don't call me boss anymore, just call me Big Brother. I've already inquired about your enemy. He'll be going out on official business soon to assist the military police in a manhunt. I've decided we'll use this opportunity to send him to meet his maker."

Ah Gui's eyes were red, and he clenched his back teeth so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Zhou Hongyi walked up to him, patted him heavily on the shoulder, and said, "Close the door now and come with me to the church."

Not knowing why they had to go to church, Ah Gui seemed a little dazed, but he didn't ask, because he knew that Zhou Hongyi must have his reasons for doing things, and he just needed to follow his instructions.

Zhou Hongyi, along with Ah Gui, closed the shop and headed straight for the church where Xiao Bei was.

Bathed in warm morning light, the church was filled with Beckham, dressed in a nun's habit, her head wrapped in a headscarf, and her face mostly obscured, as she was giving dry bread to the beggars lining up at the entrance.

This is their daily routine. Although the bread is hard, dry, and not tasty, it is enough for those who are in distress and homeless to fill their stomachs.

Zhou Hongyi gestured to Xiao Bei from a distance, and the latter understood and returned to the church to pack his things.

Zhou Hongyi then approached the nun, tapped his chest four times, and said, "Sister, thank you for your help these past few days. I've found a job for my sister, and I'll be picking her up today. This is a small token of my appreciation."

As Zhou Hongyi spoke, he stuffed a neatly stacked string of Yuan Shikai silver dollars into the donation box next to him, making a pleasant clinking sound.

The nun bowed and said very devoutly, "Mr. Zhou, may God bless you. You are a truly generous and kind man."

"I must thank the nun, so I'll take my leave now."

Zhou Hongyi saw Xiao Bei, now dressed in casual clothes and carrying a large suitcase, bid farewell to the nun again. Xiao Bei bowed to the nun in gratitude before following Zhou Hongyi out of the church.

Zhou Hongyi was already planning the Miss Rose pageant that the two had mentioned last time. Now, he first transferred Ah Gui to the police station to become one of his team members, and then had Xiao Bei, who could speak English, help him run the shop. He also gave her a new identity—a female student who dropped out of school, whose parents were overseas, and who was working hard alone in Shanghai. She could speak English, sing and dance, and her biggest dream was to become a star.

“Xiao Bei, starting today, this shop will be in your hands. Also, last night I took some time to make a learning plan for you, which includes language, music, etiquette, and some details of interpersonal communication.”

Zhou Hongyi took out a notebook and explained each item to Xiao Bei.

Xiao Bei carefully wrote down everything, occasionally raising his own questions, which were mostly on key points, making Zhou Hongyi very satisfied.

“Xiao Bei, since you’re going to participate in the Miss Rose pageant, then we’re definitely aiming for the championship. To be honest, with your age and experience, you can’t compare to those women who frequent brothels all day. So, we need to do something different. We won’t compete with them in terms of charm; we’ll compete in terms of temperament.”

Zhou Hongyi smiled and held up one finger, while Xiao Bei looked puzzled.

"The new image I've created for you is that of an ice queen. Remember one word—cold. When others speak to you, don't look them in the eye. Don't accept any invitations from anyone. Don't even glance at any gifts offered to you. Always walk with your head held high and never smile."

This is the new persona Zhou Hongyi created for Beckham – an icy, aloof beauty.

Beckham is undoubtedly beautiful with striking features. But as he just said, she would have no advantage if she dressed up as a prostitute to please men, and she is not suited for a sexy image.

Furthermore, in today's bustling metropolis of Shanghai, almost everyone follows a sexy and alluring route. Even if she were alluring, it would be difficult for her to stand out. It would be better to go against the grain and focus on a "cool" image.

You see, deep down, all men have a bit of a "cheap" side. The more you ignore him and the colder you are, the more itchy he'll feel inside, and the more he'll think you're special.

After Zhou Hongyi finished speaking, he took a mask from his antique shop and handed it to Xiao Bei.

"You'll need to wear this mask throughout the entire beauty pageant, until you reach the finals. It's a gimmick to make a lasting impression and pique people's curiosity. If you combine it with an icy demeanor and a song I've tailored just for you, I guarantee you'll stand out in this pageant and easily catch the eye of Shanghai's elite. Of course, all of this isn't just for fun; we have a common goal... that traitorous collaborator!"