Hidden Radiance

Cinque de la Cerroir.

The sound of the saxophone echoed in the dim light.

A booth in the corner on the second floor. Lu Minghui leaned back on the sofa, the bandage on his left arm hidden inside his suit jacket. A glass of whiskey sat on the table, the ice half melted.

She Aizhen walked over in high heels, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Her dark red cheongsam hugged her figure, and she held a freshly lit three-pronged cannon in her hand.

Lu Minghui didn't waste any words. He reached into his pocket with his right hand, pulled out the brass key, and pushed it to the center of the table.

The key slid softly across the glass countertop and stopped in front of She Aizhen.

She Aizhen glanced at the keys, then at Lu Minghui. She exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Director Lu, what does this mean?"

"Captain She," Lu Minghui said, picking up his glass and taking a sip, "you're very smart."

She Aizhen's expression changed slightly.

"Wu Sibao led his men to intercept the Japanese gold back then." Lu Minghui put down his wine glass, the glass clinking on the table. "As Wu Sibao's widow, I didn't make things difficult for you; I even recommended you to be the head of the guard brigade. Director Ding wanted to purge No. 76, but he didn't touch you. Is it because you still have your charm?"

She Aizhen paused, her hand holding the cigarette still.

"The Broadway underground bar." Lu Minghui stared at her. "Out of so many people here, you were the first to identify Wang Puchen. That face can't be found in the files of No. 76. Have you seen him before? And—why did you point out his identity?"

She Aizhen froze, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Cigarette ash fell onto the table.

"Director Lu, there were so many people talking that day, who spoke first—"

"She Aizhen," Lu Minghui interrupted her, his tone not rising, "I come from an intelligence background."

She Aizhen closed her mouth. The three-barreled cigarette in her hand was held between her fingers, the ash had grown longer, but she didn't flick it.

"Do you know why I haven't brought these things up before?" Lu Minghui leaned forward and lowered his voice.

She Aizhen did not respond.

"Because you're smart and know the rules." Lu Minghui pointed his index finger at the brass key. "Unfortunately, now—"

He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and turned to leave the booth.

One hour later.

French Concession, safe house.

Gu Yunqiu placed several yellowed account pages and photocopies on the table.

"She Aizhen sent it."

Lu Minghui picked up the ledger and glanced at it.

On the second page, the upper right corner bore the internal stamp of the Mei Agency. His gaze lingered on a name, his thumb rubbing against the bottom of that line of text twice.

Chengda Company.

Sakata.

He turned to the last page, closed the ledger, and folded it into his suit pocket.

"She's quite sensible." Lu Minghui patted the inner pocket, glanced at the photocopy on the table, and said, "I'll let her off this time."

three days later.

Hongkou. Sakura Izakaya.

The tatami room. The charcoal brazier has been replaced with an electric heater.

Matsui sat opposite Lu Minghui.

Over the past three days, he investigated every detail of Lu Minghui's background that he could find: resource allocation, bank statements, interpersonal relationships. Everything was spotless, without any flaws.

"Mr. Minghui." Matsui poured wine for Lu Minghui. "I've considered the business you mentioned last time. You have a good relationship with Lu Xuzhang, why not try to find some connections through him? The pharmaceutical industry is extremely profitable."

Lu Minghui picked up his wine glass and shook his head.

"Most of Lu Xuzhang's medicine comes through legitimate channels. The profits are huge, but too many people are watching," Lu Minghui said, taking a sip. "Besides, this stuff is taboo. What if it's found to have flowed into the Nationalist-controlled areas? How am I supposed to explain that to Section Chief Nakajima?"

Matsui smiled.

"I admire your prudence, Mr. Minghui." Matsui put down the wine jug. "Since medicine isn't working out, I do have a reliable business: the Southeast Trading Company."

Lu Minghui raised his eyelids.

"Our main business is import and export," Matsui explained. "The profits are substantial, and the channels are secure. If Minghui-kun is willing, you can stamp the permits for the goods. We'll split the profits 30/70. You get 30%."

Lu Minghui put down his wine glass. He tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Matsui-kun is straightforward." Lu Minghui nodded. "Since it's a collaboration, we need to send someone; we can't let Matsui-kun worry about everything. My men..."

He paused deliberately, frowning.

"Who does Mr. Minghui want to send?"

"Sun Yaozu, he's been with me for a while now," Lu Minghui sighed. "Although the lad is a bit slow, he's very loyal. Letting him manage the accounts is quite suitable."

Matsui's face darkened.

He had heard of Sun Yaozu's reputation; he was sloppy in his work, but his greed was unparalleled. The Southeast Trading Company was quite involved, and letting such an idiot in, while easy to control, would be of no practical use.

"Mr. Minghui," Matsui waved his hands repeatedly, "Southeast Trading Company's business is very complicated, and Sun Yaozu probably can't handle it. I think Gu Yunqiu by your side is quite good. She's shrewd and capable."

Lu Minghui's expression changed.

"No way." Lu Minghui refused decisively. "Gu Yunqiu's suspicions haven't been cleared yet. Nanzao Yunzi has been keeping an eye on her. It's inappropriate for her to go to your company."

Matsui's smile deepened.

"Mr. Minghui, you are mistaken." Matsui leaned forward. "Precisely because her suspicions are not yet cleared, she is most suitable to be placed here with me. The entire Southeast Trading Company is staffed by my people, and countless eyes are watching her. Even if she has extraordinary abilities, she cannot cause any trouble."

Matsui patted Lu Minghui on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. No matter what she does or doesn't do, you won't be shortchanged by a single penny."

Lu Minghui fell silent.

He frowned, picked up his glass, and took a big gulp. Then he pulled out his old-fashioned liquor, lit it, and took two puffs.

"We only have these two people under us," Lu Minghui said, exhaling smoke, his tone tinged with helplessness. "One isn't bright enough, and the other's identity is questionable. Since Matsui-kun has spoken, let Gu Yunqiu go. But let me make this clear: if she causes trouble, Matsui-kun will handle it himself."

"It's a deal." Matsui raised his glass.

late at night.

A Ford sedan drives on the streets of the French Concession.

Gu Yunqiu gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"You'll report to Southeast Trading Company tomorrow," Lu Minghui said, leaning back in the passenger seat, his voice low.

Gu Yunqiu nodded.

"Matsui asked you to go himself." Lu Minghui turned to look at her. "He thought that keeping you under his nose would both keep me in check and allow him to monitor you. Southeast Trading Company is very likely an outpost of Shanghai Transportation Company."

Gu Yunqiu pressed the clutch and shifted gears.

"I'll check the accounts," Gu Yunqiu said.

"No. You're not investigating anything." Lu Minghui's tone was stern. "There are countless eyes watching you at Southeast Trading Company. You're just a figurehead, checking the official financial statements every day. It's better to do nothing than to make a mistake."

Gu Yunqiu was stunned for a moment.

"How can we find clues about the printing plant if we don't investigate?"

"You need to make them get used to your presence. So used to it that they ignore you." Lu Minghui looked at the rapidly receding shadows of the sycamore trees outside the car window. "As long as you're there, the coming and going of goods, the dispatching of vehicles, will always leave traces. I don't look at the ledgers, I look at the traces."

The car turned the corner.

Lu Minghui closed his eyes. The wound on his left arm throbbed faintly.

"Living is more important than anything else."

Gu Yunqiu gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"clear."

The Ford sedan drove into the dark alley, its taillights going out.

Hongkou. Sakura Izakaya.

Matsui was still sitting in the private room.

The door opened, and a subordinate in black walked in, bowing his head to report.

"Boss, we've checked Gu Yunqiu's background, and there's nothing unusual."

Matsui picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Keep an eye on her." Matsui slammed his glass down on the table. "Every step she takes into the company, even how many times she goes to the restroom, I have to keep a record of it."

"Hi!"

His subordinates withdrew.

Matsui didn't leave immediately. He sat on the tatami mat, holding the rim of the empty sake glass between two fingers, and slowly turned it around.

The more you investigate Lu Minghui, the cleaner he seems, and the cleaner he seems, the more suspicious he appears.

A normally incorruptible section chief suddenly wants to get rich.

A South Manchuria Railway elite wants to get involved in trade?

Matsui put down his wine glass, stood up, and walked to the window.

A shipment is arriving at the port tomorrow. The dock dispatch order says "industrial dyes".

The fingers should be placed heavily on top.