A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

Chen Che remained expressionless, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and, using the teacup as cover, glanced at the three people out of the corner of his eye.

Ambassador Akutagawa was talking quietly with two other people, his gaze occasionally drifting over, but he quickly looked away.

"Let's go." Chen Che put down his teacup, stood up, and naturally extended his hand.

Su Yanqing put her hand on his arm, and the two walked side by side toward the door.

As he passed the table, Ambassador Akutagawa gave him a slight nod.

Chen Che smiled politely and nodded in return.

After exiting the Cathay Pavilion and passing through the hotel lobby, you'll find yourself right on the Bund.

The October river breeze carried a slight chill, causing Su Yanqing's shawl to flutter gently, her hair dancing in the wind like a free spirit.

The two walked slowly along the Bund. Su Yanqing didn't speak, and Chen Che didn't know what to say for a moment.

After walking several dozen meters, Su Yanqing spoke softly: "The two people with Akutagawa are high-ranking military officials who just came from Tokyo. My information is that they have big plans in Shanghai."

"What is it?"

Instead of answering directly, Su Yanqing asked, "What has your father been busy with lately?"

Chen Che was stunned for a moment.

He hasn't contacted Chen Qichuan these past few days, presumably because he's busy with the details of the Li family's power plant settling in Shanghai.

"It's a business matter," Chen Che said carefully.

Su Yanqing stopped and turned around to look at him.

"Ah Che, although we haven't known each other for long, I won't beat around the bush. The Japanese are secretly contacting various forces, wanting to establish a new 'Municipal Maintenance Committee' in Shanghai. They need someone with prestige in Shanghai who can be controlled by them to take charge of the situation."

She said, word by word, "Your father is one of their targets. It's no coincidence that Akutagawa stayed at the Peace Hotel. They wanted to test your family's attitude."

Ten years ago, during the transition between the old and new dynasties, the Japanese brazenly invaded China, burning, killing, and looting. Their atrocities only subsided after the establishment of the Nationalist government—these are memories no one can forget. It is said that Gong Xin's own son died during that time.

"My dad wouldn't do that," Chen Che blurted out.

Su Yanqing looked at him with a complicated expression: "I can guess what you're thinking. But what I want to tell you is that no matter what decision your family makes, you need to see the realities of this world. The Japanese, the previous dynasty, the Nationalist government, the northern warlords... they've all taken notice of you. You wiped out the Green Gang at the dock banquet; whether you admit it or not, you're no longer an unknown nobody."

Chen Che fell silent.

On the river, a cargo ship slowly sailed by, its whistle sounding deep and long.

"Thank you for telling me all this." After a long silence, Chen Che spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "And you? How did you know all this? And who's backing you?"

Su Yanqing smiled and said, "Young Master, as the future head of the Chen family, every step you take is being watched."

She reached out and straightened Chen Che's collar, her movements as natural as an older sister taking care of her younger brother: "Go back now, don't stay out too long. I'll contact you if anything comes up."

Chen Che grasped Su Yanqing's hand, his eyes filled with determination: "Sister Yanqing, how can I believe you if you don't tell me?"

Su Yanqing didn't struggle, and instead pinched his cheek: "You'll find out my identity sooner or later. I believe in you, and you'll make the right choice."

Chen Che rolled his eyes at Su Yanqing: "So Sister Yanqing has her own backing. I thought..."

"What else did you think?" Su Yanqing asked with a smile.

"I thought Sister Yanqing was just lusting after my body," Chen Che said matter-of-factly.

"Hahahahahahahaha..." Su Yanqing laughed so hard she bent over, tears streaming down her face.

"You're just being smug, aren't you?" Su Yanqing straightened up, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her smile undiminished. "Do you take me for a lecherous monster, or a lovesick fool?"

Chen Che raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "That's hard to say. What if Sister Yanqing insists on mutual consent?"

"Stop being so frivolous." Su Yanqing patted his shoulder lightly, composed herself, and looked back at the river. "Let's go back; it's windy at the dock."

Chen Che didn't move.

He followed Su Yanqing's gaze and saw that the cargo ship had already sailed away, leaving only a blurry outline. The sound of the ship's horn had also faded away, and only the soft sound of waves lapping against the riverbank remained in the river breeze.

"Sister Qing," he suddenly spoke, his tone a few degrees heavier than before, "I don't like being used as a pawn."

"I know, believe me, when the time comes, you will make the right choice," Su Yan said again.

After saying that, she gently patted the dust off Chen Che's shoulder and smiled, "Come visit Sister Qing more often."

Then, she turned and walked in another direction. The hem of her moon-white cheongsam bounced noticeably.

Chen Che stood there, watching her figure disappear around the corner, before slowly turning around and walking back.

It was obvious that Su Yanqing's background was shrouded in mystery and was anything but simple. Chen Che desperately wanted to find out, but he knew that if Su Yanqing didn't want to talk about it, he would never get the information out of her.

Back at the entrance of the Peace Hotel, he subconsciously looked up at the window of his room.

The curtains were drawn, obscuring the view inside. One floor below was Ambassador Akutagawa's room.

Pushing open the hotel's revolving door, the old-fashioned grandfather clock in the lobby was striking four o'clock in the afternoon.

Chen Che straightened his suit and walked towards the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened, Ambassador Akutagawa was standing inside, a polite and appropriate smile on his face.

"Mr. Chen, what a coincidence," Akutagawa said in accented Chinese. "Your girlfriend is very beautiful."

Chen Che stepped into the elevator, pressed the floor button, and replied with a smile, "Thank you. She's not my girlfriend; she's an older sister who's a family friend."

"Oh?" Akutagawa narrowed his eyes slightly. "Older sister? A very good relationship. We have this tradition in Japan too, where neighbors take care of each other."

The elevator slowly ascended, and in the cramped space, neither of them spoke.

Upon reaching Akutagawa's floor, he suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Chen, I'd like to invite you to a casual meal sometime when you're free. I've been in Shanghai for so long, yet I haven't been able to give you a proper visit; it's truly impolite of me."

Chen Che turned around and met Akutagawa's unfathomable eyes.

"Okay," he heard his own voice. "I await good news."

The elevator doors slowly closed behind Akutagawa, shutting out his smiling face.

The elevator continued to ascend. Chen Che stared at the floor numbers flashing above his head, his smile gradually fading.

Akutagawa's invitation came so quickly, which was beyond his expectations.

Su Yanqing was right; the Japanese were indeed after the Chen family.

What should I do?

To maximize one's interests through feigned compliance?

The elevator doors opened, and the corridor was empty.

He sighed.

In the already unfathomable murky waters of Shanghai, another big fish has undoubtedly been added.