Chapter 108: Introducing You To A New Friend
Secretary Pan frowned and said, “Five thousand silver dollars, so how much are they still short now?”
Zhong Yuan smiled wryly and said, “They’re short a lot, at least still more than half. Qing Hu wants to ask if the organization has any method to solve the funds problem.”
Secretary Pan hesitated for a moment, then seemed to have made some kind of decision.
“I’ll handle the funds matter. Tomorrow before noon, I’ll have someone deposit the gold bars into the safe deposit box at HSBC Bank.”
“At one in the afternoon, go to locker 103 at Yong’an Department Store to get the safe deposit box key and seal.”
“The safe deposit box password is still the one we set before.”
Zhong Yuan nodded, stood up and said, “I’ll do as you say. I’ll head back first.”
Secretary Pan stood up and said, “Be careful on the way.”
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department Third Section Chief’s office.
For Chen Yang, the work after transferring to Third Section was even more leisurely than his previous job at Economic Department.
Because at Economic Department, the work involved not only transportation but also coordinating materials matters.
Especially since Nanjing Restoration Government had just been established not long ago, many tasks had not yet been fully integrated.
Plus, that certain Mr. Liang’s prestige was truly insufficient, so many times people wouldn’t give him face.
In this situation, collecting materials required others to coordinate.
But going straight into other people’s pockets to fish for money wasn’t that easy.
Although it wasn’t like slapping a hot face against a cold butt, Chen Yang had endured plenty of their nagging.
Working here was much more comfortable: materials inbound, arrange dispatch, simple and pure work.
After handing the drafted train dispatch schedule to Li Ningyu, just as Chen Yang was about to rest for a bit, the telephone on the table rang.
Chen Yang picked up the phone, and a familiar voice came from the other end, “Mr. Chen. Come to the new Japanese cuisine restaurant in HK district for dinner tonight.”
“I hear the shop ordered a bluefin tuna from Japan. This is the top grade among sea fish, absolutely not to be missed.”
Chen Yang smiled and teased, “Ino-kun, I rarely see you going to Japanese cuisine lately. What’s this, has the boss lady fallen out of favor?”
Ino Yusuke didn’t answer directly, just laughed awkwardly and said, “Mr. Chen, don’t forget, seven o’clock tonight.”
At night, in Hongkou Japanese residential area, the paper lanterns at the Japanese cuisine restaurant lit up one after another, a soft halo tinting the ink characters “Komatsutei” on the eaves.
Chen Yang glanced at the ink characters on the eaves, confirmed the location was correct, and pushed open the cypress wood door.
Instantly, a warm air wrapped in faint sake fragrance, the slight fishiness of sashimi and the charred aroma of grilled items hit him in the face.
The shop hall was filled with shadowy figures, low and lingering voices floating in the air.
Chen Yang looked around, and within his gaze, several low square tables were scattered on the tatami, with men and women sitting around them.
The most eye-catching was the table by the window, where several gentlemen and ladies sat together, dressed smartly, their manners exuding a modern flair.
A man in a well-tailored suit was clumsily handling slender black lacquer chopsticks, trying to pick up a plump piece of sushi.
Seeing this, the qipao woman at the neighboring table smiled faintly, gracefully extending her slender hand to demonstrate. The bright red nail polish on her fingertips flashed dimly under the light, like a rose quietly blooming in the dark night.
“Sir, may I ask if you need any assistance?” A female waiter in the shop saw Chen Yang’s smart attire and immediately came forward to greet him.
This Japanese restaurant was at least three times larger than the Japanese cuisine place, with the female servers wearing elegant blue-based white floral kimonos and white cloth socks on their feet. The various etiquettes and services were also much more professional than at the Japanese cuisine place.
“Hello, I’m looking for someone.” Chen Yang smiled and gave Ino Yusuke’s name.
The female waiter clearly knew who Chen Yang meant, and immediately led the way ahead, taking him to a private room on the second floor.
“Mr. Chen, you’re right on time.” As the door opened, Ino Yusuke’s enthusiastic voice came from inside the private room.
However, there was not just Ino Yusuke in the private room at this time; there were two companions as well.
The one further inside had a slightly plump build, wearing a dark blue western-style clothing of decent material but with edges slightly worn.
This man’s face was round, his cheeks flushed with a healthy red glow from the wine and warmth, like a ripe persimmon.
His chin had two obvious layers of soft flesh, his neck almost merging into a plump line with his cheeks. His sparse hair was neatly combed back, glossy and slick against his scalp, revealing a broad full forehead.
His palms had short thick joints, nails trimmed very clean, with a soft pampered feel.
At this moment, he was comfortably half-reclining against the cushion behind him, his belly slightly protruding, eyeing Chen Yang with great interest.
Sitting across from him was a lean middle-aged man.
This man wore a gray uniform like a Zhongshan suit. Chen Yang wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but he felt the clothes seemed a size too small, giving a tight feeling that made his frame look even thinner like bamboo.
This man’s face was long and thin, cheekbones slightly high, making his eye sockets appear somewhat sunken, with a lingering fatigue and caution in his eyes.
His skin was pale from lack of sunlight year-round, thin lips habitually pursed, with two clear nasolabial folds extending to his chin, exuding a stubborn air.
His hair was also combed meticulously, but the color was dry, with frost at the temples.
His hands had prominent knuckles, veins slightly raised, thick calluses at the tiger’s mouth, thumb, and index finger, clearly traces from long-term use of firearms.
Ino Yusuke stepped forward, pulled Chen Yang and said, “Mr. Chen, these two guests came especially for you.”
Saying this, Ino Yusuke pointed to the lean middle-aged man and said, “Let me introduce: this is Colonel Nohara Takeo from Hangcheng Garrison Command.”
“This is Colonel Matsui Isao from Nanjing.”
“Matsui-kun, Nohara-kun, this is Southern Transportation Department Third Section Chief Chen Yang, Mr. Chen.”
After they exchanged greetings, they each took seats at Ino Yusuke’s invitation.
“You two, feel free to mention anything directly to Mr. Chen. I’ll go urge the dishes prepared for us.”
Ino Yusuke clearly had good judgment and knew the purpose of Matsui Isao and Nohara Takeo’s sneaky trip to Shanghai.
So, he tactfully stepped away from the conversation among them to avoid making them wary.
After all, everyone was doing head-risking business; one more person knowing meant one more risk of exposure.
“Mr. Chen, actually, Minister Suzuhara meant for us to come to Shanghai.”
Matsui Isao took a sip of tea and said, “I’m not one for beating around the bush, so I’ll get straight to it.”
“Wildara-kun and I have a batch of materials, non-commercial supplies. The Inspection Department has been checking strictly lately, and it’s not safe to hold onto them.”
“Minister Suzuhara said you can quickly dispose of these things cleanly.”
“If that’s the case, I think we can cooperate.”
Chen Yang smiled and said, “I wonder how Colonel Matsui wants to cooperate?”
