Chapter 62: Master
The thought of the consequences of tearing off the facade made her break out in a cold sweat uncontrollably.
So close, just so close, and she would have been doomed forever!
“Lu Jie, not yet, but we’ve already tracked his whereabouts. This kid is too familiar with us brothers, slippery as an eel, and way too good at running.”
Han Lu glared coldly at him. “Are you an idiot? Don’t you know to find some fresh faces?!”
“Remember, catch him for me as soon as possible. I want him alive!”
Whether He Lilong was dead or alive didn’t matter to Han Lu. What mattered was whether Cao Weida was dead or alive!
Since she wanted to latch onto the towering tree that was Cao Weida, she couldn’t afford the slightest carelessness!
“Also, keep one upper room on the third floor vacant, and pick two of the best Qing Guan Ren to have ready. I’ll handle the arrangements for this myself. You go prepare a generous gift and send it to the Cao residence now. Be sure to show utmost respect.”
“Pass a message to Master Lian, saying that I think of him day and night, unable to sleep, and ask him to come accompany me for a chat tonight.”
At this time, Cao Weida still didn’t know that the arrival of Ono Shiota and the four little devils had set many forces’ minds spinning and attitudes shifting drastically.
Across from the courtyard.
Xu Jin’ge, after some makeup, had a shoe shining pole around his neck, calling out, while his peripheral vision kept watching the courtyard’s activity from time to time.
Liutiao Hutong was the place they had previously arranged for passing messages, to be used only once and never again.
He had been keeping watch, and upon seeing the marked signal, he hurriedly disguised himself as a shoe shiner and came near the Cao residence, calling out.
Two hemp cloth strips tied on his arm—this was the code phrase.
“Shoe shining~~ Shoe shining~~” He called out loudly, his voice carrying far.
Cao Weida glanced over casually, then turned his gaze back as if nothing happened, chuckling as he welcomed Ono Shiota and the four devils into the courtyard.
There were already quite a few people seated in the courtyard. When they saw the little devils enter, one after another stood up hurriedly, eyes filled with fear, while their gazes toward Cao Weida carried envy.
How was he so lucky to have latched onto Taijun? If it were me, would I be the one marrying a concubine now?
Quite a few people were muttering this in their hearts.
Unfortunately, as he walked to the flower bed that had just been watered, his foot stepped right into it.
Duomen, who was not far away greeting the guests, saw it and hurried over. “Aiyo, Cao’er, how so careless! Look at all that mud on your shoe! How inauspicious!”
“The sedan chair is almost here. Got anything new?”
“No.” Cao Weida spread his hands helplessly. “We just bought this house not long ago and haven’t had time to prepare yet.”
Duomen immediately pushed him outward. “Then what are you standing around for? Hurry up. I hear a shoe shiner calling out outside. Go get fixed up quick!”
Ono Shiota and the others saw it and smiled teasingly. “Cao Sang, we know you’re excited about marrying your concubine soon, but your legs going weak before even entering the bridal chamber won’t do!”
The words immediately sparked laughter throughout the room.
Fujita grinned slyly. “If his legs are already weak now, will he have any strength left after entering the bridal chamber?”
Cao Weida was utterly embarrassed, his ears turning red.
“Sorry, sorry, officers. I’ll go shine my shoes first and come back to keep you company shortly.”
“Little Ear, make sure to arrange the officers well!”
He also said to Xu Hancheng, “Bureau Chief Xu, please keep the officers company for a chat.”
Xu Hancheng was deeply moved. What do you mean trouble? Little brother, you’re creating an opportunity for me!
“Cao’er, you go ahead. I’ll definitely keep the officers well entertained!”
After begging off, Cao Weida picked up his muddy shoe and went out.
“Buddy, shoe shine.”
“Right away, sir, have a seat.”
“Please hurry, I have guests to entertain.”
After sitting down, he glanced around peripherally and said softly, “The person should be hiding in the Flowing Light Hall on the third floor of Xiaguang Garden.”
“Should be? I want definite news!” Xu Jin’ge, in disguise, was clearly dissatisfied with Cao Weida’s answer.
He was dissatisfied, but Cao Weida was even more dissatisfied.
His brows furrowed, his tone carrying displeasure. “There are special agents guarding the door, no one allowed near. He eats, drinks, shits, and sleeps all in the room. How am I supposed to confirm?”
“Also, don’t get it wrong. I’m not one of yours. Don’t talk to me in that tone!”
“Even though I’m a conscientious Chinese person, talking to me in that commanding tone makes me very unhappy!”
Damn it, good thing I didn’t join you lot. Even cooperating with you is like this. If I really joined, it’d be unbearable?
In the TV series, he quite liked Xu Jin’ge—fearless in resisting Japan, risking life and limb, escaping death multiple times.
After the war of resistance victory, he never actively persecuted the underground party. The only one he harmed, Luo Mengyun, had killed herself rather than be captured.
But his words just now made him frown a bit.
The Kuomintang special agents’ style was too strong!
Even Xu Jin’ge, who had a conscience, was like this. Those without one could be imagined.
Xu Jin’ge paused, then resumed shining the shoe skillfully, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
“I’ll send someone to verify.”
“Can’t you just take him out while verifying? With puppet government special agents protecting him, even if it’s not Zhu Tianxi, he’s definitely a traitor. Killing him would be doing the people a service.”
Hearing this, Xu Jin’ge smiled wryly without answering, swiftly polishing the leather shoe.
Beiping’s Military Statistics Bureau intelligence network had suffered severe damage from a traitor’s betrayal, leaving intelligence personnel and traitor-exterminating personnel critically short.
After learning about the damned traitor Zhu Tianxi, the superiors issued a kill order. They had no more manpower for other actions, let alone acting without orders from above.
He couldn’t tell Cao Weida these things and could only respond with silence.
After a moment, he said softly, “Cao Weida, I think you have real talent for this. Finding clues in such a short time—if trained, you’d definitely achieve something.”
“With the little devils’ sun setting in the west, this is the perfect time to make a name for yourself. You could totally join the resist Japan ranks. If you’re willing, I’ll personally recommend you.”
Cao Weida quickly stopped him. “Hold it. I’m a timid guy, afraid of trouble, greedy for life and fearing death. I don’t have that ability. Finding these clues was just luck.”
“Anyway, I’ve given you the news. Whether you act on it is up to you.”
Seeing it was almost done, Cao Weida stood up, pulled out two union bonds, and handed them over. “Not bad shine, nice and clean. Today I’m taking a concubine, the extra is your wedding money!”
No joke, join the Kuomintang now and wait for the reckoning in 1949?
Get real. Follow the Communist Party, and after liberation, live the good life—doesn’t that sound great?
“Thanks for the reward, sir!” Though helpless in his heart, Xu Jin’ge could only pause his recruitment efforts for now.
The little devils naturally couldn’t sit with a bunch of lowly patrolmen and were specially arranged at the innermost spot.
Cao Weida actually felt quite annoyed inside but had to put on a show of ecstatic joy at their arrival. Acting was exhausting.
Soon, a sedan chair was carried to the courtyard gate.
No music, no procession, just Third Sister-in-law alongside—quite a lonely sight.
“Wedding money~~”
Duomen carried a red cloth bag stuffed full of union bonds, called out loudly, grabbed a handful, and tossed it out.
“Grab it!!” Someone in the surrounding crowd shouted, and the scene instantly livened up.
Cao Weida grinned, though his cheeks ached from smiling, he still had to keep up the smile.
“Cao’er, what are you standing there for? Carry the newlyweds!” Third Sister-in-law beckoned. Cao Weida snapped out of it, hurried over, lifted the sedan curtain, and carried Du Shiniang, with her red veil, into the room.
Truth be told, this was only his second time seeing Du Shiniang; the first was a few days ago when delivering the rest of the money.
Concubines didn’t do worship heaven and earth rites. After carrying Du Shiniang into the room and lifting the veil, a stunning face full of collagen was revealed.
“M-Master.” Du Shiniang was clearly shy and uneasy, stealing only a quick glance before hurriedly looking away, her hands nervously twisting the silk handkerchief.
“Master?” Hearing the address, Cao Weida couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. It felt quite novel. “Who told you to call me that?”
“Our class leader taught me.” Du Shiniang grew more nervous, her eyelids fluttering nonstop, unsure if she’d said something wrong, cautiously adding:
“D-Do you not like it?”
“Haha~~ I like it, love it!” Cao Weida laughed heartily. In two lifetimes combined, it was the first time hearing ‘Master’ like this.
Damn this wicked feudal society—why did the address feel so thrilling!
Taking a look at Du Shiniang, he had to admit Third Sister-in-law had a sharp eye.
Du Shiniang now wore a bright red qipao that outlined her graceful figure beautifully.
Those flowing curves made Cao Weida unable to resist looking a couple more times.
Her hair was styled in an exquisite updo adorned with a women’s hairpin, dangling malachite earrings on her ears, and a ring inlaid with changhua stone on her slender, creamy hand.
On her feet were matching bright red small shoes for the qipao, her two little golden lotus feet swaying uncertainly.
Seeing her unease, Cao Weida took her fair little hand. “I’ll have food sent over later. Eat if you’re hungry. This will be your home from now on. I’m your man. We’re family—no need to be so reserved.”
That one word ‘home’ instantly calmed Du Shiniang’s anxious heart, a joyful smile tugging at her lips.
Sold to the opera troupe as a child, she had an unusual obsession and longing for the word ‘home’.
