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

It wasn't until Qingxia heard Fusheng and Agui's voices that she finally felt completely at ease.

But when she thought of her child, she looked down and realized that she had been covering her daughter's mouth the whole way.

"My little girl, my sweetheart!"

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck Qingxia's head. She seemed to realize something: had she smothered her own child to death?

Just as she took a deep breath, about to burst into tears, the child let out a soft moan, smacked his lips, and yawned.

"Oh my little darling, is it time to sleep? You're so carefree! Oh, I was so scared! Yes, I only covered your little mouth, but you can still breathe through your little nose! I was so scared, so scared!"

Fusheng and Agui, having received Zhou Hongyi's orders in advance, waited outside the police station. Upon seeing the donkey cart and the people alighting from it, they hurried over. They covered Wang the expert's head with a black cloth bag they had prepared beforehand, escorted him into the police station like a prisoner, and dragged him into the dungeon.

Qingxia knew her mission was finally complete. She thanked Huanhuan for driving the carriage and then asked her to take her back to the antique shop.

Meanwhile, inside the Jing'an Second Precinct, Wang Zhaohui changed into a police uniform in the dungeon, lowered his hat brim, and reappeared before everyone, transforming into the archives administrator of the Second Precinct.

"Professor Wang Zhaohui, my name is Zhou Hongyi. From now on, I will be responsible for your food, clothing, lodging, and safety, and I will find an opportunity to send you out of Shanghai. However, due to the recent tight security, the agents of No. 76 and the Japanese have strengthened their checks on all major transportation routes, and are openly and secretly searching for anti-Japanese individuals. Of course, you are also one of their important targets, so I will have to trouble you to stay with me for the time being."

Zhou Hongyi and Wang Zhaohui sat in the archives room, while Agui and Fusheng stood guard outside. It couldn't be safer for them to talk here.

"You are Zhou Hongyi? As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. I did not expect you to have already become the police chief at such a young age. I am very grateful for your arrangements this time. Ms. Qingxia saved my life. We parted in a hurry just now, so please convey my gratitude to her."

Zhou Hongyi adjusted his hat brim and returned the greeting: "Professor Wang, I greatly admire your choice. I believe Sister Qingxia shares the same thought as me. You are the truly patriotic person. Rest assured, I will not let the comrades who sacrificed their lives go to waste. I will definitely send you safely to the rear. But please follow my arrangements completely during this period. Stay here. As long as nothing unexpected happens, we will find a way to leave once the situation calms down."

As Zhou Hongyi spoke, he pointed to the cabinet in the archives room, "Inside the cabinet are a change of clothes and the necessary medicines prepared in advance for you. There is also a cot against the wall. You will have to sleep here for the time being."

Wang Zhaohui nodded gratefully and said, "It's already quite good to be able to sleep here. Comrade, you are behind enemy lines, so you must protect your safety. Even the police chief is not entirely without suspicion from those Japanese devils."

"I understand, Professor Wang. Please rest first. I will tell those kids not to bother you unless necessary."

Zhou Hongyi lifted his hat brim again, turned around and walked out of the archives, closing the door behind him.

He walked into the hall, clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, and then shouted, "Brothers, perk up! We just got a call from above saying they've discovered a weapons expert who smuggled himself back from North America by ship. Number 76 just sent over a sketch. Take the sketch and go to those alleyways to do some searching, especially places with attics and storage rooms for rent. Check their identities carefully. Get moving! Once we're done, I'll treat you all to a good meal at the Huizhong Hotel!"

"Yes, Director!"

Under Zhou Hongyi's encouragement, the police officers of the Second Precinct were all eager to get started. With the new director's patronage, their lives became increasingly comfortable. They even had to walk with their chests out and heads held high. When they met their colleagues from other precincts, they even looked down on them, disdaining the cigarettes the other officers smoked, the tea they drank, and the fact that the other officers' bonuses were only a fraction of theirs. This behavior caused another problem: police officers from other precincts were pulling strings, seeking connections, and giving gifts, all hoping to be transferred to the Jing'an Second Precinct.

Although these people outwardly looked down on the nouveau riche-like Second Branch, they were actually quite envious. After all, who wouldn't want to smoke Sanpaotai cigarettes, drink pre-Qingming tea, and receive big red envelopes during holidays? There was only one possibility for those who said they didn't want to: it was because they couldn't get them.

Zhou Hongyi sent all these lads away for safety reasons. He also knew these rascals well; very few of them were actually looking for wanted criminals. They were just using the excuse to fish in troubled waters, steal things, and do petty theft.

However, just as Zhou Hongyi was about to return to his new office to have a cup of tea and read the newspaper, the notification sound that hadn't been ringing in his head for days finally went off again.

[Ding~ Check-in point updated: Special Higher Police Armory.]

When Zhou Hongyi heard the new check-in location issued by the system, he almost bit his tongue.

Dude, are you serious? The check-in point is the Special Higher Police's armory? Even I would never go near a place like that; getting close means certain death! The Special Higher Police is currently controlled by Kondo, and Colonel Shimazu hasn't been seen for days. Could it be... that I'm supposed to be a thief, sneaking in under the cover of darkness?

Zhou Hongyi immediately felt a toothache. This time, the difficulty of the check-in task had increased dramatically. Checking in at the women's changing room and boudoir was just shameful, but checking in at the Special Higher Police Armory was suicidal.

"There must be a way. Don't worry, we'll definitely find an opportunity."

Zhou Hongyi comforted himself before returning to his office. He brewed a cup of good tea he had gotten from the businessman, sat down, put his feet up on the desk, and decided to give up until he could think of a way to clock in.

After lying around for an unknown amount of time, Zhou Hongyi fell into a deep sleep and was awakened by a knock on the door.

He moved his slightly numb legs off the table, grinned, and said, "Come in."

The door was turned open, and Chen Gong, with a large beard, entered.

He had just returned from a patrol with several brothers and found only Ah Gui and Fu Sheng left in the hall. He was quite puzzled and decided to ask them a question.

This time, however, he lowered his voice, approached Zhou Hongyi who was rubbing his legs, and whispered, "Brother, we have orders from above. They've ordered our special operations team to teach those Japanese Special Higher Police and that new guy, Ryunosuke Kondo, a lesson."

"Hmm? The Military Intelligence Bureau has also issued new orders?"