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

When Zhou Hongyi came out of the director's office again, he had several more expensive American ginseng roots in his hand.

He hummed a little tune as he went up to the special operations team office on the third floor. He saw Ah Gui sitting there wiping his dagger, while Fu Sheng was holding a spray bottle, spraying here and there. He seemed to really like these plants.

When Ah Gui saw Zhou Hongyi, he quickly stood up, put his knife back on his waist, and came closer: "Team leader, I've done everything you asked me to do. The flour, the silver dollars, and some clothes have all been delivered."

Zhou Hongyi knew that A Gui was referring to the survivors of the disaster at Guanyintang. He nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and threw the American ginseng into the drawer.

"We won't be eating at the cafeteria today. Come with me to the Great World. The team leader will take you to eat something good."

Upon hearing about the good food, Fusheng's eyes lit up. He put down the spray bottle, stood smiling beside Zhou Hongyi, and seemed ready to set off for the meal at any moment.

"Hey, Fusheng, ever since Ah Gui came, you haven't buttoned your clothes wrong again."

Zhou Hongyi noticed that Fusheng's uniform buttons were neatly fastened, no longer uneven like before, and his clothes underneath were no longer showing, sometimes even his belly was exposed, making him look quite sloppy. But today he seemed like a completely different person.

Fu Sheng chuckled and said, "Brother Gui tied it for me."

Zhou Hongyi nodded in satisfaction and said, "Yes, that's right. Our group members should help and care for each other. I have no other requirements for you, only one..."

Before Zhou Hongyi could finish speaking, Fusheng hurriedly interjected, "Obedience, hehe, Fusheng is the most obedient."

Zhou Hongyi laughed and lightly punched Fusheng in the chest with his fist.

The three chatted about some news in the newspaper, and soon it was noon. Zhou Hongyi changed into casual clothes and, with his two brothers, went to the Grand World Teahouse to keep his appointment with Boss Gu.

"Sir, is there an appointment?" As soon as Zhou Hongyi walked in, a waiter wearing a short jacket and a small cap came up to him and asked.

"We have an appointment. Tell Boss Gu that Zhou Hongyi has arrived."

Zhou Hongyi knew that the real financial backer of the Grand World Teahouse was Gu Tianbo, and that this place served as a safe haven and contact point for the latter. He would stay here when he had nothing else to do.

Upon hearing that it was Zhou Hongyi, the waiter didn't ask any further questions. His smile widened, and he said repeatedly, "Young Master Zhou, Boss Gu has been waiting for you. Please come with me."

"Oh, how did you know I would be coming at noon today, Mr. Gu? You really have amazing connections."

Zhou Hongyi thought about it for a moment and realized that since Gu Tianbo dared to supply anti-Japanese patriots right under the noses of the Japanese and spies, he must have his informants. And his deliberate probing that night must have made the other party more cautious; there might even be someone in the police station who was his informant.

However, Zhou Hongyi didn't care. After all, Boss Gu wasn't his enemy. As long as they were fighting the Japanese, they were his allies.

Led by the waiter, Zhou Hongyi and his two companions went up to the second floor and arrived at a private room by the window. The name written above the room was "Red Sun".

"Young Master Zhou, please come in." The waiter knocked lightly on the door twice, pushed open the door to the private room, stood outside the door, watched Zhou Hongyi and the other two go in, and then closed the door behind him. He did not leave, but stood guard outside the door.

Gu Tianbo's teahouse is decorated in a purely Chinese style. Especially the private rooms, which are furnished primarily with furniture typical of wealthy households from the Ming and Qing dynasties: four-cornered official's hat chairs, long tables with constricted waists, long side tables, and ink paintings and couplets hanging on the walls. A guqin (a seven-stringed zither) sits on the side table, next to which is a bronze incense burner, from which wisps of smoke rise.

Gu Tianbo sat in the host's seat, a pot of tea already brewed on the table in front of him. To his right sat a stranger.

"Young Master Zhou, I've finally waited for you! Please take a seat. And who are these two brothers?"

Zhou Hongyi gave him a wink, and A Gui pulled Fu Sheng back to the doorway.

“They’re all my brothers, but I know there are some things Mr. Gu doesn’t want to spread. So, who is this gentleman?”

Gu Tianbo chuckled and introduced, "This is also my brother and business partner, Mr. Qiao Si."

Seeing that Gu Tianbo didn't intend for the person to leave, Zhou Hongyi immediately activated his [Eye of Insight]. He didn't want to sit and chat with someone whose background he didn't know.

As soon as the Eye of Insight was activated, Zhou Hongyi's eyes narrowed imperceptibly deep within them. He then used his superb acting skills to cover it up and very naturally clasped his hands in a salute.

"So it's Mr. Qiao. My apologies for not recognizing you. My name is Zhou Hongyi."

The boss, Mr. Qiao, looked to be around forty years old, with a square face and large, round eyes. Upon seeing Zhou Hongyi bow, he stood up from his seat and returned the greeting with clasped hands.

“Mr. Zhou, you’re too kind. Although this is our first meeting, I have long admired you. In particular, I bought the records of the two new songs you wrote for Miss Manyu and listen to them every day.”

"Hehehe, Mr. Qiao is also a music lover. My apologies for not recognizing him."

Gu Tianbo smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, Young Master Zhou, please sit down. I presume you've already thought of your answer before coming to see me today. If I'm not mistaken, Young Master Zhou will definitely participate."

Zhou Hongyi knew he was referring to the beauty pageant judges, and immediately said, "Of course! How could I miss something so fun? Besides, the girl from my shop is also participating, so I can help her out."

When Xiao Bei was mentioned, a lewd glint appeared in Gu Tianbo's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and introduced, "This Mr. Qiao is one of the initiators of this Miss Rose election, and he also contributed a large portion of the prize money."

Zhou Hongyi feigned great surprise: "Oh, Mr. Qiao is so generous! I wonder what kind of business Mr. Qiao is in."

Zhou Hongyi was asking a question he already knew the answer to, because under the gaze of his [Eye of Insight], this person's identity had already been completely exposed.

Qiao Si, also known as Master Si by his gang, is an elder of the Viper Gang, one of the largest gangs in Shanghai. He has business dealings in both the legitimate and criminal worlds. Even though the Japanese have occupied Shanghai, they still find these gang members a major headache.

However, according to Zhou Hongyi, a large portion of these underground gangs in Shanghai still colluded with the Japanese, even becoming their informants and helping them hunt down underground members of the Communist Party and patriotic anti-Japanese figures.

Of course, where there are traitors, there are also patriots. This Qiao Si, and Xiao Dao, whom Zhou Hongyi had previously met, were both true men. Even though they were usually brave and violent, and did nothing drastic, they were absolutely clear on matters of national righteousness. How we fight behind closed doors is one thing, but it is absolutely unacceptable for an outsider to come into our home, take over, kill our relatives, and destroy our homes.

It seems this person is also an ally of Gu Tianbo. Were these two trying to test him today? Or were they trying to use him?