Mr. Shen stared at the vehicle for a good while, his brow slowly knitting together.
"Has the car been in an accident? Any signs of dents or scratches?"
The soldier shook his head. "On the surface, we haven’t found any problems. We made a point of circling around to check the sides and the rear. The body is intact and the tire wear is normal. It doesn’t look like it’s been in a serious accident."
The corner of Mr. Shen’s mouth twisted into a cold smile.
"They’re pretty good at hiding things."
The fact that there was nothing wrong with the car was, in itself, the problem.
If it were a routine transfer, there would have been no need to go to such lengths to bring someone here.
Yet it was the last transport vehicle, and the timing was just too perfect.
But then, he frowned again.
’If this is really a trap, how could the other party dare to leave such an obvious clue?’
He didn’t like this feeling of contradiction.
A path that’s too smooth often hides a pit, but a deliberately exposed flaw feels like another kind of trap.
He stared at the photo for five seconds, then placed it facedown on the desk.
"Is there anything else you need us to do?"
Mr. Shen put the photo away, his tone calm.
"Go and bring me the person who was watching Song Yao today."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier saluted again, then turned and strode away.
Once the door closed, the room fell silent again.
Mr. Shen pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, wrote a few words, and then crossed them out.
He looked up at the map on the wall, his gaze settling on the railway line that ran southwest.
Song Yao had never hidden her name.
She had been nothing but direct with Mr. Shen.
The surname Song belonged to one of the key figures he had tried to unearth back in the day.
However, since the enemy knew he was digging up the past...
...it wasn’t surprising that they could follow the clues to figure this much out.
Before long, the man arrived.
An announcement was made as the door opened, and a soldier on duty snapped to attention to give his report.
"Where has Song Yao been all day? What’s she been up to?"
Mr. Shen asked the question without looking up.
The soldier stood ramrod straight, his voice resonant.
"Reporting to the Leader! Today, she went to the mess hall first, then wandered toward the training grounds. She also got close to the perimeter wall, but we stopped her each time."
Mr. Shen was silent for two seconds.
The room was quiet enough to hear the tick-tock of the wall clock.
’So eager to make her presence known?’
By all logic, a person with an unknown identity should do their best to keep a low profile.
Yet she was doing the opposite, moving about everywhere as if she deliberately wanted to be seen every step of the way.
His heart skipped a beat.
’This spy is far too careless! She’s leaving a trail of clues everywhere!’
"It seems a troublesome young woman has arrived this time..."
he murmured to himself, putting down the documents in his hand.
With his temperament, he couldn’t stand people who were so brazen and attention-seeking.
But for that very reason, he was more likely to fall into a trap.
And Song Yao knew full well that these actions would only make Mr. Shen more guarded against her.
That night, Song Yao lay on her bunk, silently counting the days.
The room was unlit, with only moonlight seeping through a crack in the window.
Her eyes were open, staring at the bottom of the bunk above her as she plotted her next steps.
’Three days left...’
There wasn’t much time, but she still had a chance to make her act more convincing.
’In these next three days, I have to make my father’s suspicion of me reach its absolute peak!’
This was the most crucial part.
As long as he was convinced she was sent by the enemy, he would never suspect that she was actually here to save him.
「The next day.」
At the crack of dawn, she was already standing at the kitchen entrance.
The morning breeze blew with a cool touch across the courtyard; smoke had not yet begun to rise from the chimneys.
"Oh? Song Yao? What are you doing here at this hour? We haven’t even started making breakfast yet!"
Aunt Zhang was a veteran’s wife.
She had only chatted with her for a bit last night, and her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing her now.
She walked over, tying on her apron.
Song Yao kept her head down, fiddling with the hem of her clothing, her shoulders hunched in the same timid posture as the day before.
"Aunt... Aunt Zhang, I’d like to lend a hand..."
"Lend a hand?"
Aunt Zhang was taken aback.
It was extremely rare for anyone to volunteer.
Especially a newcomer with an unknown background.
Song Yao nodded quickly.
"Yes! I can work! At home, I always washed vegetables and cooked. Stir-frying a couple of simple dishes is no problem for me!"
"Oh, I couldn’t let you! You’re a guest of the leader. We wouldn’t dare put you to work."
Aunt Zhang waved her hand in refusal, her tone still laced with apprehension.
Song Yao’s face fell at once.
"Actually... I don’t know the leader at all. I don’t understand why he brought me along, either."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter, the last word trembling slightly.
"Huh?"
"That’s right, Xiao Song. We’re scared too. If you’re labeled a suspicious person, it’s not just you who’ll be out of luck—we’re the ones working with you every day, and we’ll be implicated. Once you get tangled up in something like this, it’s impossible to clear your name. When the higher-ups investigate, they’ll inevitably question everyone. Not only will it disrupt our work, but we could even get it put on our permanent records."
Song Yao grew anxious when she heard this.
"That can’t happen! I can’t let you get in trouble because of me! I’m an outsider, so I can take the heat alone. But you all have families to support. If you were dragged into this, how would you go on? I won’t let that happen!"
She gritted her teeth and finally told them the whole story.
After she finished, everyone exchanged stunned glances.
"You’re saying the two people who tried to hurt you were wearing military uniforms? And driving a military vehicle?"
Song Yao nodded.
"That’s right. Their clothes had insignia, and the vehicle had military license plates. I’m not mistaken."
Aunt Zhang frowned.
"If they’re really from the military, it shouldn’t be hard to investigate. The armed forces are under strict management now; every vehicle and piece of equipment is registered. Don’t be afraid, Xiao Song. We’ll keep an eye out for you on this. If anyone dares to act recklessly, we won’t just stand by and watch."
Song Yao felt a sting in her nose. "Thank you, everyone... Really!"
"Hah, it’s nothing! We all eat from the same pot here. How could we watch you shoulder this all by yourself? You just stay put and keep your head down. Don’t go out casually, and be especially careful at night."
Aunt Zhang glanced up at the clock on the wall.
「Meanwhile, at the Shen Family residence in Beijing.」
Ji Xianbei stood outside the iron gates, his face a mask of anxiety.
The wind messed up his hair, but he paid it no mind, looking up at the building again and again.
"Aunt Zhang, please, do me this kindness. Let me see Shuangshuang, it’s really urgent!"
The one blocking his way was the Shen Family’s housekeeper, Aunt Zhang, who looked deeply troubled.
She was usually a kind woman.
But right now, her expression was stern, and her feet were planted firmly on the ground.
"Xiao Ji, the Young Miss said not to let anyone in. There’s nothing I can do."
The rule had been set by the Young Miss herself; she couldn’t make an exception.
Not even for the man who had once been the most highly regarded future son-in-law.
Ji Xianbei’s fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles audibly cracked, and his lips were pale.
"She’s angry... It’s all my fault. I didn’t keep my promise to her..."
He lowered his head, his bangs hiding his eyes.
Aunt Zhang lowered her voice. "What on earth did you do? In all my years, I’ve never seen the Young Miss this furious."
Ji Xianbei didn’t answer.
’How could he discuss such matters with an outsider?’
He knew Aunt Zhang was loyal and wouldn’t spread rumors.
But this matter was too far-reaching, involving too many secrets that couldn’t be told.
If he were to speak, he could trigger an even greater tempest.
He took a deep breath and looked up at the tightly shut window on the second floor.
"Shuangshuang, wait for me. I’ll make this right with my own two hands."