After reporting the progress of his mission, Zheng Yao Xian began to apologize: “I’m sorry, Director, I failed to live up to your trust and couldn’t find the list that Zeng Mo Yi stole.”
Dai Li didn’t say anything, his face still grim. Chen Han Wen, who was standing beside him, snorted coldly and deliberately picked a fight, saying: “If it were Xu Bai Chuan or Zhao Jian Zhi, I’d believe they couldn’t find the list that Zeng Mo Yi stole. You, the Devil Six, couldn’t find it?”
“I…”
Zheng Yao Xian was speechless, his heart growing more panicked.
He never thought that what he considered a flawless explanation would be seen through by Chen Han Wen.
After Chen Han Wen’s words, Dai Li’s heart skipped a beat. The eyes he turned towards Zheng Yao Xian were filled with suspicion.
Instead of explaining to Chen Han Wen, Zheng Yao Xian directly cried out to Dai Li: “Director, I’m innocent! I received the order to arrest Zeng Mo Yi immediately. Besides, she left in the morning and I only caught her at noon. In such a long time, could she have already sent out the information? My brothers and I searched Zeng Mo Yi’s room, we even dug it up, but couldn’t find any information that she hid.”
Before Dai Li could speak, Chen Han Wen continued: “If Zeng Mo Yi sent out the information, why bother going back home to be caught by you? I think there’s someone in our bureau who is an accomplice of Zeng Mo Yi. Otherwise, how could she, a small telecommunications officer, know such a confidential matter as the list of undercover agents?”
Upon hearing Chen Han Wen’s words, Zheng Yao Xian immediately realized his mistake, a big one.
He shouldn’t have placed his hopes of saving Zeng Mo Yi on Chen Han Wen. Listening to his words, where was there any sign of wanting to save her?
He was clearly distancing himself, throwing Zeng Mo Yi out to protect himself.
At that moment, Zheng Yao Xian felt like killing Chen Han Wen.
Didn’t you, Chen Han Wen, pride yourself on being a lover of beautiful women?
Why were you unwilling to even save the woman you had pursued for so many years?
Hearing Chen Han Wen say this, Dai Li actually felt relieved. His suspicion of Zheng Yao Xian lessened a little.
Because Dai Li knew that in the entire bureau, besides him, no one else knew the names of the 73 undercover agents in Northern Shaanxi. Even his secretary and lover, Chen Hua, only knew that he kept secrets in his office, but not where those secrets were hidden.
The reason Chen Han Wen spoke like this was to slander Zheng Yao Xian and dig a pit for him to fall into.
Although Dai Li was temporarily less suspicious of Zheng Yao Xian, Chen Han Wen’s words had planted seeds of doubt in his heart. It was just a matter of when they would sprout.
Now, his mission was to join hands with Chen Han Wen to trap Zheng Yao Xian.
Looking at Zheng Yao Xian, who was anxiously trying to prove his innocence yet was helpless, Dai Li coughed and said with an attitude: “Lao Liu, Ming Cheng’s suspicion is not unreasonable. You can even analyze the information about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. How could Zeng Mo Yi’s little trick escape your eyes?”
“Director, I…”
Zheng Yao Xian, who was being bombarded by Chen Han Wen and Dai Li, was also angry: “If you suspect me, Director, you can have the Investigation Department investigate me. I’m ready to be investigated anytime.”
He looked like he was confident in his image, and not afraid of any investigation.
Chen Han Wen just chuckled and didn’t say anything. It made Zheng Yao Xian’s anger boil over. Chen Han Wen was actually adding insult to injury. How had he not noticed that he was such a despicable and shameless villain before?
Dai Li then said: “Lao Liu, the interrogation of Zeng Mo Yi is entrusted to you. But there’s one thing, don’t torture her… If she still refuses to speak, then send her on her way!”
Zheng Yao Xian’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly accepted the order: “Yes, Director!”
Unexpectedly, the worst-case scenario he had imagined before had now come to pass. Chen Han Wen didn’t save Zeng Mo Yi. Or rather… he wanted to save her, but couldn’t persuade Dai Li. After all, the KMT and the CCP were opposed to each other, and Dai Li, as a staunch KMT member, how could he agree to Chen Han Wen’s request?
What made Zheng Yao Xian feel even worse was that Dai Li and Chen Han Wen had jointly assigned him the tasks of interrogating and executing Zeng Mo Yi. Logically, Zheng Yao Xian’s loyalty to the Nationalist government didn’t need to be proven by executing a member of the CCP. However, Chen Han Wen’s words forced him back into the position of executioner.
Zheng Yao Xian felt that something was wrong. It was as if every step he took was calculated by someone.
He felt terrible!
At this moment, Chen Han Wen suddenly spoke: “Lao Dai, Zeng Mo Yi is my woman, is there no room for discussion at all?”
“No!”
Dai Li’s answer was decisive and concise. He answered with a righteous and dignified tone: “The interests of the nation come first, there are no exceptions for anyone!”
“My woman, Chen Han Wen’s woman, I’ll see who dares to touch her!”
After being rejected by Dai Li, Chen Han Wen suddenly became angry and stood up, looking at Zheng Yao Xian: “Do you dare kill her?”
Zheng Yao Xian saw a glimmer of madness in Chen Han Wen’s eyes.
It seemed that if he dared to touch Zeng Mo Yi, he would dare to attack and kill him.
Chen Han Wen’s terrifying methods had even made the Japanese tremble in fear. Although Zheng Yao Xian was known as the Devil Six, he was a colleague of Chen Han Wen on the same front line. This was the first time he was threatened by Chen Han Wen. It genuinely made Zheng Yao Xian feel flustered. He unconsciously said: “This subordinate…”
“Don’t say it’s your woman, even if it were my woman, as long as she stands against the nation, she’s my enemy!”
Dai Li suddenly spoke, pulling Zheng Yao Xian out of the coercion by Chen Han Wen. Then he continued: “Zeng Mo Yi stole the top secret of our Military Commission’s National Security Agency. If she doesn’t face justice, how can we convince the public?”
“Humph!”
Chen Han Wen snorted coldly, not bothering to argue with Dai Li. He stood up and left. Seeing Chen Han Wen being defeated, Dai Li, who was in the office, was secretly delighted.
Even if they were acting, so what?
After all, this time he, Dai Li, had won the battle of words. That was enough.
With a triumphant spirit, Dai Li looked at the timid and fearful Zheng Yao Xian and said to him: “Lao Liu, don’t be afraid of him. Go do what you’re supposed to do. If he dares to trouble you, come to me. I’ll back you up!”
He sounded very tough, perhaps the effect of the acting was too realistic. It made Dai Li have the illusion that “the advantage is in my hands.”
Zheng Yao Xian straightened his body and replied loudly:
“Thank you for your concern, Director. This subordinate will definitely do his best to repay your kindness.”
After Zheng Yao Xian left Dai Li’s office, his figure immediately became sluggish. He walked very slowly, even wishing that time would stop at this moment.
Another comrade had died at his hands. Zheng Yao Xian’s heart was heavy. He was already on the assassination list of the CCP’s Chongqing guerilla team. Now he had to kill Zeng Mo Yi. He didn’t know how many more comrades he would be hated by.
But… what could he do?
This was their fate!