mijobooks Chapter 25, the investigation, is already quite extensive.
Chapter 25, the investigation, is already quite extensive.
"Please enjoy your three-ingredient wontons."
The stall owner brought over a bowl of steaming hot wontons and placed it on the table, then immediately went to wipe another table.
The man in the top hat picked up a spoon and gently stirred the contents of the bowl.
I scooped up a large wonton, blew on it, and then put it in my mouth to chew slowly.
They ate their wontons quietly and gently.
Lin Wan ate her wontons, but kept an eye on the person sitting opposite her out of the corner of her eye.
Although the person sitting opposite did not seem to be behaving unusually, appearing to be just an ordinary diner.
However, due to her profession, she habitually pays attention to people wearing hats.
Especially when the brim of the hat is pulled low, people who can't see the face will be more vigilant and pay attention.
He gently put down the spoon, placed the two silver coins on the table, and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, the person sitting opposite spoke up.
"Comrade Qingzhu, why haven't you contacted the organization for three days?"
The decision to buy medicine on the black market three days ago was approved by the organization.
Therefore, the organization paid special attention to her movements.
As agreed, regardless of whether they managed to buy the medicine or not, they would find a public phone booth that evening to let the other person know they were safe.
But she didn't call to let us know she was safe, so something might have happened to her.
So they secretly went to the apartment to investigate, but unfortunately found nothing.
But regardless of whether Qingzhu was arrested or not, the superiors should find out the specific details.
Since we can't find any information about Comrade Qingzhu, we'll stay near the transportation station.
If the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics or the Bureau of Party Affairs come to search, it means that Qingzhu has been arrested and has already betrayed the Party.
However, after observing the area for three days, no one broke into the department store to search it.
There were no suspicious people loitering nearby.
They were all experts in espionage; with careful observation, they could immediately tell if any suspicious persons were nearby.
It wasn't until Qingzhu suddenly appeared tonight that she immediately caught my attention.
He only showed up after confirming that he had not been exposed at the transportation station and that no one was following him nearby.
When Lin Wan heard someone call out her code name, a look of surprise appeared on her pretty face.
Although half of the person's face was still covered by a top hat and they had a beard, even familiar people would find it difficult to recognize them without staring at them.
But when the familiar voice came through, he immediately knew who the other person was.
"Old Zhang!"
The department store owner was also her superior.
The person in charge of the transportation station is Lao Zhang!
Those two small yellow croakers used to buy medicine were the ones he embezzled from rent and purchase funds.
As a result, they couldn't buy the medicine, and the person disappeared as well.
He hid in the shadows to observe, hoping to find clues about Qingzhu.
Fortunately, his perseverance paid off, and he finally got what he was waiting for.
The fact that the transportation station was not exposed and there were no spies nearby suggests that Qingzhu may not have betrayed them.
What we need to do now is to find out exactly where she went during those three days!
For a soldier on the covert front, suddenly losing contact is a major event.
The situation must be explained to the organization, and in serious cases, isolation and investigation will be required.
Only after confirming there has been no defection will they be accepted back.
"Come with me." Old Zhang made a shushing gesture, stood up, and handed the money to the wonton stall owner.
Then he turned and went into the alley next door.
Lin Wan did not follow immediately, but paused for half a minute before slowly getting up and following.
His eyes were alert, wary of whether someone was following him.
The two walked one after the other through two alleyways and entered an old wooden house.
Old Zhang carefully observed the outside and only gently closed the door after confirming that he was not being followed.
He walked to the table, gestured for her to sit down, and asked, "Comrade Qingzhu, where have you been these past three days?"
This is the most crucial issue, and it must be given a reasonable explanation.
This was also to prevent anyone from being arrested and defecting, and then infiltrating their own ranks to gather information.
Old Zhang has worked in intelligence for over a decade and has seen far too many situations.
Therefore, caution is his first rule in his work.
Lin Wan sat on the stool, her eyes fixed on the burning oil lamp on the table.
Thinking back to last night in 2025, seeing the brightly lit Shanghai night view, I couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Old Zhang, my experience over the past three days has been quite fantastical. If I hadn't experienced it myself, I wouldn't believe it myself, and I don't know how to describe it in a way that would make people believe it."
Old Zhang is experienced and patient, and he didn't rush me.
Just observe quietly, taking in every change in expression.
"It's okay, take your time, let's start from the night three days ago."
His voice was calm, with a hint of encouragement, giving people a sense of trust and reliance.
"Hmm." Lin Wan nodded, organizing her thoughts.
Three days ago, I was tasked by the organization to buy penicillin at night.
I disguised myself in my apartment and opened the door at eight o'clock, ready to head to the black market.
The moment I opened the door, I stepped into a universe filled with stars.
When I opened my eyes, I was already in an unfamiliar environment…
Starting three days ago, Lin Wan recounted her personal experiences in detail.
When talking about a future world of peace, prosperity, and national strength, a look of joy appeared in his eyes.
Especially when talking about going to a huge shopping mall for an all-you-can-eat barbecue, with all kinds of fruits and meats to eat as you please, she subconsciously licked her red lips, clearly craving meat again.
She couldn't help but chuckle as she recalled the first time she went into a shopping mall restroom and couldn't find the faucet switch while washing her hands.
However, she was clever; seeing that there were many people using the restroom, she stood aside and observed.
When I saw someone put their hand under a red dot on the faucet, I copied them and put my hand there too.
Then the tap water started flowing out.
And when you move your hand away, the faucet automatically turns off—it's amazing!
"After the three-day cooldown period, I traveled back to 38."
Lin Wan spoke in a low voice, recounting her experiences over the past three days in detail.
This experience was bizarre and wonderful, like listening to a storybook.
Gurgle~.
The candlelight flickered in the room, and only the sound of Old Zhang swallowing hard could be heard.
Even with his experience, he found the story utterly absurd.
Old Zhang had considered many hypotheses beforehand, including the possibility that Qingzhu would betray the organization after being arrested and would fabricate various plausible stories to deal with the investigation into her disappearance.
But to his utter surprise, he was listening to a science fiction story that fantasized about the future!
The streets are full of private cars, and there are supercomputers the size of books, as well as Dongfeng missiles capable of covering the entire globe and striking the continental United States.
Even science fiction wouldn't dare to write something like this!
"Cough cough~!"
Old Zhang coughed, suppressing the absurdity in his heart.
His priority now is to gather information; only by constantly asking questions can he determine whether someone is lying.
He began by asking, "Do you have any evidence?"
"have!"
Lin Wan nodded excitedly, like a chick pecking at rice: "I bought penicillin in the future... that is, penicillin!"
Old Zhang raised an eyebrow, a look of delight spreading across his face: "How many did you buy? One? Two?"
Lin Wan smiled and extended her index and middle fingers.
Old Zhang nodded and smiled with satisfaction, "Two small yellow croakers can buy two vials of penicillin, that's a lot!"