Chapter 34

34

In all his years, when had Young Master Shen ever done so much hard labor?

Inexperienced as he was, he hadn’t even worn gloves. After moving all those crates, several wooden splinters had embedded themselves in his palms. Some he had pulled out, but others had snapped in half and lodged deep into his flesh. It wasn’t excruciatingly painful, just terribly uncomfortable and irritating. On top of that, blisters had rubbed raw on his fingers and his back felt ready to snap. He looked like a wilted flower, thoroughly drained and without an ounce of energy left.

A little before midnight, Old Du’s truck pulled up at the back door.

Shen Po stepped forward to exchange the secret code.

“Palace Jade Nectar Wine^[1].”

“One hundred and eighty a cup.”

It matched.

Unsurprisingly, this code had also been Wen Yan’s idea.

He had claimed that across all of Shanghai, and indeed this entire era, absolutely no one else would know the response.

Shen Po waved his hand, signaling Old Du’s men to load the crates onto the truck.

The three watched the truck drive away into the distance, each feeling somewhat anxious.

Zheng Sheng couldn’t help saying, “He couldn’t be an imposter, could he? He looks downright sinister.”

Shen Po said, “Didn’t we just check the code?”

Zheng Sheng replied, “It’s still possible the real men were ambushed and killed along the way, and the code was tortured out of them before they died.”

Shen Po said, “…Have you been reading too many novels? Even if one guy could fake it, could all those guys hauling the crates fake it too?”

Zheng Sheng said, “You never know. If they came prepared, they’d definitely be thorough.”

Shen Po said, “Fine, fine, fine, I’m not arguing with you. Keep daydreaming here all you want, but I’m going back. I’m exhausted!”

Seeing how worn out everyone looked, with even Old Chen’s face appearing weathered under the lamp light, Zheng Sheng suggested, “Let me treat you to some wontons. I know a little stall that’s been around for twenty years. The flavor is really authentic.”

Shen Po was just about to say who cared about wontons when he heard Wen Yan speak faintly in his mind: 【I haven’t had wontons in so long, I’ve almost forgotten what they taste like.】

Even if I eat them, you won’t be able to taste them anyway, Shen Po thought. But when the words reached his lips, he changed his tune: “Fine, let’s eat. Just don’t try to fob us off with cheap junk!”

Zheng Sheng knew he had a sharp tongue but a good heart, so he didn’t bother arguing with him.

“No matter how expensive wontons are, they’re still wontons. It’s not like I can stuff dragon meat into them for you.”

Shen Po grinned mischievously. “No need for dragon meat. A bit of abalone and sea cucumber will do.”

The Zheng family was wealthy too. Regardless of how studious Zheng Sheng was, he was still a young master at home, living in no less comfort than Shen Po.

“Fine, fine. Another day I’ll treat you to a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, and you won’t be allowed to leave until you puke!”

While the two bickered back and forth, Old Chen quietly packed his things.

“Uncle Chen, come with us too!”

Old Chen shook his head. “I’m old. I won’t join in on the fun with you young folks. You go ahead.”

He had followed Zhang Yuanji for a long time. Usually a man of few words, his past experiences had left his face looking somewhat aged and fierce. Zheng Sheng usually didn’t dare chat with him much, but Shen Po harbored no such reservations. He simply walked over, grabbed Old Chen by the arm, and pulled him along.

“We’ve been busy all day without any dinner. Even if you don’t eat the wontons, having some hot soup will warm your belly. Don’t be polite with Zheng Sheng; he’s a rich young master. If we don’t fleece the wealthy now, when else will we get the chance?”

Old Chen had apparently not expected Shen Po to be so brash. After a moment’s hesitation, he didn’t pull away. Yielding to the pull, the three walked out through the back door and headed along the roadside toward a nearby wonton stall.

The weather was cold and the New Year was approaching, so there were few customers at the stall, yet it was open as usual. The owner was busy working behind billowing steam, his face obscured by the haze.

“This wonton stall only closes from the first to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. The rest of the year, it’s always here.”

Zheng Sheng explained as he gestured for them to sit down.

The owner looked up, saw who it was, and smiled.

“Young Master Zheng, you’re back again!”

Zheng Sheng said, “Old Yang, three bowls of wontons and three sesame flatbreads!”

“Right away! Just a moment, you three!”

A gust of chilly wind blew over. Shen Po rubbed his hands against the cold and couldn’t help complaining.

“There isn’t even a canopy here. Aren’t we going to freeze to death? Talk about stingy, picking a place like this to treat us to a meal!”

“Don’t look down on this place. It’s only empty because the New Year is around the corner. Usually at this hour, almost every seat is taken. His wontons use authentic ingredients and are affordable, unlike those restaurants where casually ordering a few dishes costs several tens of Yuan.” Zheng Sheng took chopsticks from a bamboo container and handed them out.

Old Chen said nothing, but nodded in agreement with his words.

Shen Po just had to contradict him and bicker, letting out a mocking scoff. “Oh, look at you, Young Master Zheng, so in touch with the common folk!”

Zheng Sheng didn’t take offense: “Old Yang’s ancestors were part of the migration to the Northeast^[2]. Later, after the Northeast fell, Old Yang fled with his whole family. His wife and son died on the journey, leaving him with only his daughter. He never remarried, just stayed here running this wonton stall with her. Last time, I saw his daughter flipping through a copy of 《Three Character Classic》 and asked about it. That was how I learned she wanted to study at a private school, but they had neither the connections nor enough money. So I asked my maternal grandfather to help enroll her in an elementary school.”

Having said this, Zheng Sheng sighed. “I know situations like Old Yang’s daughter are everywhere, and helping one doesn’t mean I can help another. But with the world being what it is, since I was born into better circumstances and have the ability to do a little more, then I should do it. The same goes for moving the books this time. Shen Po, frankly speaking, I really ought to thank you. Without you, even though I knew those books shouldn’t be lent out, I would have hesitated endlessly, scared of wolves in front and tigers behind, making heaps of excuses for myself until nothing got done.”

Wen Yan said to Shen Po: 【Look at this young man. What high awareness! He can even reflect on himself!】

Shen Po refused to concede, so naturally his words were ungracious: “Well, obviously. You’ve been indecisive ever since we were kids. You’d hesitate forever just over whether to have an extra popsicle, let alone something this major.”

Zheng Sheng retorted sharply, “And you didn’t hesitate to eat an extra popsicle, so you got diarrhea that day! Don’t think I don’t remember!”

With his embarrassing childhood incident exposed, Shen Po was momentarily rendered speechless.

Wen Yan mocked: 【That’s what you get for picking on an honest person. Look at it backfiring on you now!】

Old Yang found it amusing as well, but afraid they might start a real fight, he hurried over to smooth things over.

“Young Masters, the wontons are here. Eat up, I’m starving!”

Three steaming bowls of wontons were served.

Zheng Sheng exclaimed, “Why are there so many? Old Yang, did you give us extra?”

Old Yang smiled warmly. “New Year’s is around the corner, so there aren’t many customers. I made too many wontons and wouldn’t be able to sell them anyway. It’s great that you came by. Eat them up so they don’t go to waste. I should be the one thanking you!”

Three freshly baked sesame flatbreads were stacked on a plate, golden and crispy. One bite sent flakes crumbling around the mouth.

Though Shen Po had a sharp tongue, he found himself speechless in the face of Old Yang’s earnestness. He directed most of his bickering toward Zheng Sheng instead.

After the two finished their meal amid playful squabbling, Shen Po slapped some money onto the table.

“No need for you to treat me. I have my own money!”

Wen Yan chimed in at the right moment: 【If you want to help Old Yang, just say so. No need to play the sharp-tongued, soft-hearted act.】

Zheng Sheng glanced at the pile of silver coins, which was clearly far too much. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Shen Po’s expression twist with embarrassment and anger as he barked at them:

“Shut up!”

Zheng Sheng was bewildered.

What had he even said?

Realizing his outburst, Shen Po snorted coldly, snatched up the silver coins, and shoved them into Old Yang’s hands.

Old Yang instinctively tried to push them back. “No, no, no, I can’t take this…”

“It’s for your daughter, not you!” Shen Po cut him off. “This is New Year’s money, and you don’t get to refuse it on her behalf! That’s enough dilly-dallying. Take it and don’t you dare try to give it back. Your hands are all greasy and smelly. Even if you give it back, I won’t want it!”

Zheng Sheng’s mouth twitched. Why couldn’t this guy speak decently even when doing a good deed?

Old Yang’s eyes turned red, and he stammered, unable to find the words.

Shen Po was hardly used to doing good deeds. On the rare occasion that he did one, others felt fine, but he ended up feeling entirely uncomfortable.

Zheng Sheng wanted to laugh, thinking to himself that this kid finally had his day.

A rare urge to tease welled up in him, and he thought about enjoying the spectacle a little longer when, suddenly-

Bang!

The sound was not loud, but in the dead silence of the cold night, it rang out with startling clarity.

It echoed in waves, sending a shiver through their hearts.

A gunshot!

The faces of Shen Po and the other two changed instantly.

Like startled birds at the twang of a bow, they jerked their heads toward the sound, but could only see darkness swallowing the end of the road. Even the shooter seemed hidden in that endless dark, ready to reach out a hand and level the barrel at them at any moment.

Old Chen lowered his voice, trying not to sound too tense so as not to frighten the two sheltered young masters.

“We have to leave.”

In truth, gang shootouts were a common sight in Shanghai.

However, this was within the concession, where few dared to cause trouble. Once a shooting occurred here, it was never a simple matter. It might even force the head of the foreign police to get involved.

Zheng Sheng turned to Old Yang at once. “Why don’t you pack up your stall and go home quickly!”

Old Yang nodded, appearing a bit lost.

Seeing this, Zheng Sheng took the initiative to help him clear the bowls and chopsticks, and Old Chen joined in the hustle. Shen Po was the only one left standing with his arms crossed.

Wen Yan: 【If you want to help, just help. Why be so awkward?】

Shen Po: 【I’ve been exhausted all day. Why should I help a complete stranger?】

Wen Yan: 【If you don’t help them, they’ll pack up even slower, and you’ll just have to stand here waiting anyway. Besides…】

Bang! Bang!

Two more gunshots rang out.

And this time, they were much closer, sounding as though they came from just across the street.

Everyone jumped in fright.

Looking into the darkness ahead, they no longer just saw a road, but an abyss.

An abyss fraught with mortal danger at any second!

“Hurry, pack up and let’s go!” Old Chen urged, his hands moving without pause.

Now Shen Po had to help whether he wanted to or not.

With quick hands and nimble feet, the three of them along with Old Yang quickly hauled the tables and chairs inside, gathered the dishes, and shut the shop door. Fortunately, Old Yang rented a small storefront, using one half for his wonton business and the other as his living quarters.

Hearing the commotion, his seven-or-eight-year-old daughter, who had been doing homework, came out from the back room to greet them.

“Daddy?”

Old Yang made a silencing gesture, and the sensible girl immediately kept quiet.

Pressing against the door, the group could hear nothing except the howling wind outside.

After the three gunshots, silence fell once more.

This place was not far from the library, which left Old Chen feeling uneasy.

“I think I should go back and take a look!”

Zheng Sheng quickly said, “Uncle Chen, I’ll go with you!”

Old Chen shook his head, his expression grave. “You two should just hurry home.”

Shen Po was still a bit oblivious. “Isn’t it just someone shooting a gun? Worst case, I’ll go back and grab mine too.”

Zheng Sheng said, “This is the concession. It’s normally impossible for anyone to be so brazen here. Now with the New Year approaching, if something happens, it’s probably no small matter.”

It might even have something to do with the library.

With Old Yang present, however, he kept that thought to himself.

After waiting for a while without hearing any further commotion outside, they prepared to push open the door and leave.

Caught off guard by a sudden scream echoing from the distance, Old Yang’s hand trembled on the door. The door panel slipped and crashed onto the top of his foot. He let out a pained howl, his face turning instantly pale.

Old Chen rushed forward to support him, but Old Yang could no longer walk.

He struggled to take off his shoe.

Old Chen took a look. “No good, it might have hit the bone. We need to find a doctor!”

Old Yang said, “I’m fine. You all go ahead, don’t worry about me!”

Zheng Sheng said, “That won’t do. If you leave this overnight, you definitely won’t be able to walk tomorrow. You still have a daughter to care for. What if your leg is ruined?”

Old Chen said, “How about this: I’ll take you to see a doctor. I know one who might not be asleep yet. Young Masters, you two head back first.”

Zheng Sheng said, “Uncle Chen, I’ll come with you!”

Old Chen pulled a stern face. “Absolutely not!”

Zheng Sheng said, “I…”

“All right, all right!”

Shen Po began handing out orders, brooking no argument.

“I’ll go call a rickshaw. Uncle Chen, come back to the Shen family home with me, and I’ll summon our family doctor. After he checks on him, you can bring Old Yang back. Zheng Sheng, you stay here and keep the kid company!”

Old Chen opened his mouth, realizing this arrangement was actually the most suitable one.

Without a doubt, this had been Wen Yan’s suggestion, but Shen Po had taken it to heart.

Though he was still stubborn in words, he would at least listen to what Wen Yan had to say.

Zheng Sheng thought for a moment and raised no objection.

“Be careful when you head out, then!”

“We know. We’ll take a different route and circle back!”

Too impatient to listen to Zheng Sheng nag, Shen Po waved a hand, helped Old Yang up, called to Old Chen, and the three of them made their way outside.

The gunfire had stopped, but the night outside had grown even quieter.

Even if anyone had been woken, they likely wouldn’t dare step outside.

Supported by the two men, Old Yang limped along at a sluggish pace.

None of the three spoke, doing their best to avoid making unnecessary noise.

On a night like this, the unknown only bred deeper fear.

No one knew the source of the gunfire, and no one wanted to uncover the truth.

Beneath the heavy silence, it felt as though something far bigger was brewing.

Shen Po was never one to sit quietly. Though he forced himself to hold his tongue, he wouldn’t have known what to talk about with Old Yang and Old Chen anyway; both old men had nerves of steel.

Unable to help himself, he could only chatter to Wen Yan.

【Why are you keeping quiet too? Don’t tell me you got scared out of your wits as well? Anyway, if someone actually shoots me, you won’t feel any pain, so don’t worry. Hey, say something!】

【I think… I suddenly understand something,】 Wen Yan said slowly.

Shen Po was baffled. 【Understand what?】

Wen Yan said, 【Ever since I arrived, I’ve always felt this place was too quiet. That major event might happen by the end of the month, yet everyone seems to be living under the illusion of peace and prosperity. From people of your eldest uncle’s class to folks like Old Yang, none of them seem to sense the slightest shift. It felt so disconnected from the prelude events I read in history books, like two different worlds. But now I think I get it. There were warning signs all along.】

From Asai’s “chance encounter and book borrowing” at the salon, to someone tailing Shen Po, to tonight’s gunfire.

Innumerable scattered signs formed subtle stirrings. Details destined never to be recorded in official histories, yet terrifying upon closer thought.

It was just that these omens were masked beneath the calm. Mere ripples could never draw the attention of people on the shore; only when towering waves crashed down would panic and terror set in.

Realizing this, Wen Yan felt a heavy weight settle over his heart.

He began to wonder whether pulling Shen Po into this had been the right choice, and if it might end up costing Shen Po his life.

【Be careful. There might be more coming.】

Wen Yan warned him solemnly.