Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

Chapter 30: A Bet

"Are you hungry? Have some breakfast first." Liu Zhi placed soy milk and fried dough sticks on the table.

"Thank you, Brother Liu." Wei Renming was already starving.

"How did it go last night?" Liu Zhi asked, yawning.

Wei Renming picked up a fried dough stick, took a bite, and said, "Around 3 a.m., he went to a Japanese-style pub on Tongzhou Road in Hongkou District. I was afraid of being exposed, so I didn't follow him in. I didn't see the person who met him. Whether this pub is his contact's hideout remains to be verified."

"Most likely," Liu Zhi explained with a smile. "The tavern is in Japanese-controlled territory, so the Japanese have no reason to hide. Besides, Wang Guangyi's actions were clearly unauthorized; he couldn't have made prior arrangements with his superiors."

"That's possible."

"Haha, you really are a lucky charm. You've only been watching for one night and you've already made such a significant discovery." Liu Zhi excitedly patted Wei Renming on the shoulder.

Since its establishment four years ago, the Special Service has cracked down on and arrested many traitors and lackeys who worked for the Japanese.

However, only about ten cases of Japanese spies were arrested, including the case of Zhang Mozhihe.

Moreover, only Dai Li knew how much exaggeration was involved.

Once you understand this, you'll understand why Liu Zhi was so agitated.

"It was a lucky break." Wei Renming didn't mention the photos, not because he wanted to claim all the credit, but because the time wasn't right. "So, what's next in our investigation?"

"Things have come to this point, we have to report it. Even if the two of us can find out the truth, it will take a long time," Liu Zhi said.

"Okay, let's go find the team leader."

"Let's finish breakfast first, there's no rush."

"Okay."

More than an hour later.

The two returned to the Sanrenxing Bookstore and reported the situation to Chen Zhiqiang.

"Well done!" Chen Zhiqiang was very excited. "The Japanese spies are hiding in Hongkou, so it's not easy for us to catch them. But as long as we collect enough evidence and lure them to the Chinese-controlled area, we can make the arrests. At that time, no one can find fault with us."

"This is a major achievement, and a chance for our Nanshi Group to turn things around. Group leader, we need to hurry and make sure this opportunity doesn't slip away," Liu Zhi said.

"You're right, there's no time to lose, we need to act immediately." Chen Zhiqiang said solemnly, and then assigned the tasks.

Wei Renming and Liu Zhi were responsible for monitoring the small tavern and verifying Wang Guangyi's online identity.

Hu Pangzi and Liu Jie were tasked with keeping an eye on Wang Guangyi.

Chen Zhiqiang then led Zhao Meng to investigate Wang Guangyi's situation.

Eight o'clock in the morning.

Wei Renming and his companion arrived near the tavern.

Liu Zhidao:

"There are many Japanese residents in Hongkou, and there might be Japanese spies stationed at the entrance of the tavern. We'd better stay out of the way and find a hotel where we can see the tavern's entrance."

Wei Renming was startled. "Was I discovered by the sentries last night?"

Liu Zhi laughed and said, "The fact that you're safe and sound means you weren't discovered."

Wei Renming felt a wave of fear wash over him.

Afterward, the two found a hotel and began the tedious task of surveillance.

"Are we just going to wait it out like this? Is there any other way?" Wei Renming asked.

"The people coming in and out of the tavern are all Japanese. Neither of us speaks Japanese, otherwise we could have gone in and investigated."

"The work of a spy is not what I imagined."

"It's just an ordinary job, what's so special about it? It's tedious, exhausting, and dangerous. If it weren't for the pressure of making a living, who would want to do this?"

Have you considered changing careers?

"How could I not have thought of that? But what else can I do? My whole family depends on me for a living. Although being a spy is tough and tiring, the salary is real, and I can occasionally earn some extra money, enough for the whole family to eat and drink. But you, why did you give up being a photographer to do this?"

Wei Renming gave a bitter laugh. "It's all about timing and fate."

As the two talked, night fell.

"Brother Liu, you should go home and rest. I slept all afternoon and can't sleep tonight, so I'll take the night shift."

"The child had a fever yesterday, and I was worried about him, so I went back. I'll sleep at the hotel tonight. You're on the first half of the night shift, and I'll be on the second half. I can't let you stay up all night alone," Liu Zhi said.

"Alright."

It was past 11 p.m.

Liu Zhi was fast asleep.

Wei Renming stared at the entrance of the tavern, his thoughts racing.

Lost in thought, a figure walked out of the tavern.

His gaze sharpened, and he immediately recognized the man.

"Lin Yi! Is she Wang Guangyi back online?"

The next instant, fear surged into my heart.

"If Lin Yi is arrested and then implicates me..."

Wei Renming's eyes flickered as he quickly considered countermeasures.

"This might be an opportunity to get rid of Lin Yi; it all depends on how we execute it."

A rough outline of a plan slowly emerged in his mind.

"Rather than being controlled by others, let's take a gamble!"

Wei Renming glanced at Liu Zhi, who was fast asleep, and tiptoed out of the room before chasing after Lin Yi in the direction she had gone.

Lin Yi walked very fast, and in the blink of an eye, she turned into an alley.

Wei Renming touched the photo in his arms and strode after him.

From the moment he joined the secret service, he carried a blank photograph with him. He had a premonition that one day, this photograph would come in handy.

He had just stepped into the alley when a gun was pressed against his forehead.

"It's you!" Lin Yi exclaimed in surprise.

"Miss Lin, we meet again." Wei Renming was no longer as panicked as last time.

"You're looking for me?" Lin Yi's eyes flashed with undisguised murderous intent. "What? You want to kill me and take back the film roll?"

"You're overthinking it," Wei Renming retorted without flinching. "I joined the Special Service Department's South City Group, and I'm an intelligence agent now."

"Hmm?" A glint flashed in Lin Yi's eyes. "Interesting. You mean the Secret Service has discovered me?"

"good."

"How did they find out?"

"Wang Guangyi".

"He's being watched by you?"

"Yes. He went to buy intelligence last night and came to the tavern to find you last night."

"He's been arrested?"

"That's right."

"I don't believe it. That's not like your secret service."

"Absolutely true."

When was he arrested?

"This morning, on his way to the newspaper office."

Zhang Molin pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed:

"You're like a completely different person. Aren't you afraid of me anymore?"

"Why should I be afraid of you? We're in this together, if one of us is harmed, we are harmed together." Wei Renming said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Then tell me, what information did he give me last night?"

"I don't know, I wasn't involved in the interrogation."

"Are you the only one responsible for keeping an eye on me?"

"No, there was another colleague. I was on the first night shift, and he was sleeping when I came out."

"Did you come here to tip me off?"

"That's right. I'm afraid that if you're arrested, you'll implicate me."

"This isn't Chinese territory; your secret service wouldn't dare touch me."

"I know. That's why Chen Zhiqiang plans to use Wang Guangyi to lure you to the Chinese territory."

"What does he plan to do?"

"I don't know. But it's nothing more than lying about having false information or an emergency."

"Did you come here specifically to remind me?"

"right."