Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

"The temple was robbed, and the report of the loss has alarmed Consul General Wakasugi. He has ordered us to retrieve the report within half a month." Takagi Yuji looked displeased.

"Those monks at the temple have never received any professional training. I told you long ago that they're more trouble than they're worth, but the higher-ups insisted on doing it their way. Now that something's happened, aren't we the ones left to clean up the mess?" Shimizu Taro said resentfully.

"Didn't they provide a photo of the suspect? Find him!"

"It makes me so angry just thinking about it. If they thought the man's behavior was abnormal, why didn't they catch him in the act? What good is just taking a picture? It's utterly stupid!"

Shimizu Taro clenched his fists. "I even suspect that the suspect's photo they provided is just a cover-up. Even if it isn't, how can you find someone with just a photo?"

"They're monks! If they suddenly arrest someone, what will the other worshippers think? That night, although they didn't see the thief's face, his build was very similar to that of a middle-aged man. I think their suspicions are perfectly reasonable." Takagi Yuji scolded, "I'm not here to listen to your complaints! I don't care what method you use, you must get the report back."

"I will obey your orders," Shimizu Taro replied reluctantly.

"So much time has passed, and the contents of the report haven't been made public. Although we don't know the specific reason, it's a good thing for us. This calm won't last long. You don't have much time left, so you must hurry!" Takagi Yuji analyzed.

"Yes."

After returning to his office, Shimizu Taro stared at the map on the wall, pondering his next move.

In the past few days, he developed dozens of photos of the middle-aged man and distributed them to Japanese communities in Shanghai and his informants, hoping to find the man with their help.

At the same time, he also sent his men out to inquire around Shanghai.

But after a few days, the man seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

Just as he was frowning in distress, the phone suddenly rang.

"explain!"

"Section Chief, the suspect's residence has been discovered in the International Settlement," said Hiroyuki Nishimura, the section chief of the Special Higher Police's China Division.

"What? Are you sure?" Shimizu Taro was overjoyed.

"The landlord has identified the photo; it's him," Hiroyuki Nishimura confirmed.

"Tell me the details." Shimizu Taro breathed a sigh of relief.

"The suspect last returned to his residence two days ago. We searched the house and found his seasonal clothes, as well as his household registration card and valuables in the closet, which indicates that he was only temporarily away. I am certain that he will return."

After hanging up the phone, Shimizu Taro immediately transferred all his men there, setting up an inescapable trap.

As long as the middle-aged man shows his face, he'll have no chance of escaping.

Sirloin Restaurant.

The melodious sound of a piano echoed in the hall.

Wei Renming and Yamagami Ryosuke were enjoying red wine and steak.

"What's Shimizu Taro been up to lately? We haven't seen him all day," Wei Renming muttered, chewing on his rare steak.

"Let's find someone." After seeing the photo, Yamagami Ryosuke mobilized many people to search for him.

"Could it be some rich young master from the Chinese class who got lost in Shanghai?" Wei Renming joked.

"The Chinese have no worries about food or drink, so there's no need for them to come to Shanghai." Yamagami Ryosuke shook his head, took out a photograph, and handed it over, saying, "Take a look for me, do you recognize this person?"

Wei Renming glanced at it and said, "I've seen it before."

"Where?" Yamagami Ryosuke's expression turned serious.

Wei Renming shook his head and chuckled, "Look how nervous you are. A few days ago, Shimizu-san asked me to authenticate this photo."

"Can you stop breathing so heavily when you talk?" Yamagami Ryosuke said irritably.

"What did this person do wrong?" Wei Renming asked.

"I don't know the specifics, but I reckon it's no small matter. Anyway, Shimizu Taro has made quite a fuss; many people are carrying photos and searching everywhere for him," Yamagami Ryosuke said.

Wei Renming's heart skipped a beat.

He had originally thought of a way to remind middle-aged men.

It's just that I have some concerns that prevent me from using it.

Now that Yamagami Ryosuke has told me that many people have received the photos, all my worries have vanished.

"Making such a big fuss, aren't you afraid of alerting the enemy and scaring them away?"

"Perhaps they're just desperate and trying anything," Yamagami Ryosuke speculated.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Wei Renming changed the subject, saying, "It won't be long before we have to go to Manchukuo. Has the list been finalized yet?"

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, a thorough investigation of the background of the photographers applying to go there must be conducted."

If, due to negligence, someone with ulterior motives is invited over, takes photos of things they shouldn't have, and then leaks them, then we'll both be in deep trouble.

"That makes sense. It's always good to be cautious. Just give me the final list two days before departure."

Wei Renming had no intention of lingering. After finishing his business, he headed back home.

Back home, he immediately put on gloves, opened the image library, and imported the photo that Shimizu Taro had shown him onto a blank photo paper.

He prepared eight cards in a row before stopping.

Then, he cut out many words from old newspapers and carefully pieced them together into a neat note: Missing Person Notice, urgent matter at home, please return immediately.

Following this template, he pieced together eight more copies.

Finally, he took the most ordinary envelopes, each containing only a photograph, ten yuan in legal tender, and a piece of paper that had been pieced together.

Only after doing all this did he remove his gloves to make sure he didn't leave fingerprints on the photographic paper and envelopes.

Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder to middle-aged men.

A cold wind howled outside the window, so he drew the curtains and fell fast asleep.

When it got dark, he disguised himself, stuffed all the envelopes into his pocket, and went out.

Under the cover of night, he slipped the envelopes under the doors of various newspaper offices.

The next day, when many newspaper offices opened, most of them immediately discovered the envelopes on the ground.

The editor opened it and looked at it with a puzzled expression:

"Just find someone, why all the notes and money? Why make it so mysterious?"

One astute observer remarked, "It doesn't seem like a search for someone; it's more like a warning."

"Could it be..." the editor's eyes widened, "Should we still publish it or not?"

"Ding! It's only right to do things for money. Who knows, this missing person notice might even save someone's life."

Similar situations have occurred in many newspapers.

Another day passed.

Wei Renming got up early and went out, browsing through newspapers at a small stall for a while.

"You can't look at it if you don't buy it," the newsstand owner said, dissatisfied.

"Give me a copy of the declaration." Wei Renming took out the money, picked up the newspaper, and left.

Six out of eight newspapers published GG's missing person notice, along with his photo.

This means that if a middle-aged man reads the newspaper, there is a very high probability that he will see this missing person notice and will naturally realize that he is being watched.

If a middle-aged man doesn't see the missing person notice, then it's just a matter of timing and fate.

Do your best, listen to destiny.

Wei Renming did everything within his power, and he has a clear conscience; that is enough.