Anti-Japanese War Espionage: I Have an Omniscient Perspective

Unlike Zhang Xiaolin's hesitation, those merchants and comprador families who had long been opportunistic were eager to side with the Japanese.

The foreign firm owned by Mr. Li was suddenly adorned with the Japanese flag overnight.

With the help of his family's wealth and his obsequiousness to the Japanese, Mr. Li quickly obtained a letter of appointment as the "Cultural Supervisor of the French Concession".

Wearing a Japanese-style uniform he had brought from outside the French Concession, with a cultural supervisor badge pinned to his chest, he and several subordinates spent their days loitering around Rue de la Belle and Rue de la Chapelle, ostensibly to "rectify the cultural market," but in reality to settle personal scores.

His first target was Manli.

"Jin Cheng Theater is suspected of spreading anti-Japanese ideology and has been shut down!"

"The Grand Stage Theater has suspended operations for rectification due to unauthorized performances!"

"Wing Kee Theatre, required to rectify within a specified period!"

In just one day, every theater where Manli had performed or was about to perform was investigated and shut down by Young Master Li on various fabricated charges.

The theater owners complained bitterly, but dared not offend Young Master Li, who held the Japanese's imperial sword. They could only approach Manli and plead with her.

"Miss Manli, please, have mercy!" Mr. Wang, the owner of the Jincheng Theater, his eyes red-rimmed, handed over a stack of Chinese currency. "This is compensation. Please, please don't perform at our theater again. Our small business can't afford to be shut down!"

"Miss Manli, it's not that we don't welcome you, it's just that Mr. Li is too domineering!" The owner of the Grand Stage Theater also pleaded, "Please forgive us, and we can cooperate again in the future if there's an opportunity."

Looking at the stacks of Chinese currency in front of her, and then at the pleading eyes of the shop owners, Manli felt a mix of emotions.

She knew that these bosses were innocent too; Young Master Li was targeting her, and even if she wanted to act, she had no stage left.

She silently put away the compensation money and handed it to the maid beside her, her tone calm but tinged with sadness: "I understand. I will not perform again in the future."

The business owners, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, thanked them repeatedly and hurriedly left.

Watching their retreating figures, Manli leaned against the dressing table and closed her eyes wearily.

Although Wan Heilin is the leader of the Du Clan, the Japanese army is now powerful, so he can only temporarily avoid their sharp edge and dare not easily confront Young Master Li head-on.

Despite her exceptional acting skills, she was denied even the right to perform on stage in this chaotic world.

Feeling frustrated and aggrieved, she thought of Huang Dazhu, who had saved her not long ago.

That honest, straightforward, and chivalrous man.

Perhaps, only in front of such a person could she shed all pretenses and pour out her troubles.

She tidied herself up, changed into some simple clothes, and called out to the door, "Ali, Qiang, come out with me for a bit."

Ali and Qiang were bodyguards assigned to her by Wan Heilin. They were very skilled, and upon hearing this, they immediately responded, "Miss, where are you going?"

"Go to the refugee area near Baylor Street and find Huang Dazhu of the Loyalty Gang," Manli said firmly.

The two exchanged a glance, recognizing that this Loyal and Righteous Gang member had saved Manli. "Yes, Miss."

The three of them, Manli in a rickshaw and two bodyguards following quickly, headed toward Belle Street.

Half an hour later, the rickshaw arrived at a side alley entrance on Belle Street.

Ali stopped the rickshaw and said to Manli inside, "Miss, the Loyalty Gang is inside."

Manli got out of the car and said to Ali and Qiang, "You two wait for me here, I'll go in by myself."

"Miss, this place is a mixed bag and not safe," Ali quickly advised.

"It's alright, Huang Zhuangshi is a chivalrous man, he won't harm me." Manli waved her hand, pushed open the car door, and walked into the depths of the alley.

The Loyalty Gang headquarters, which is that abandoned little warehouse, is located in the alley.

At this moment, Huang Dazhu was leading his brothers in sorting out the coarse grains and traditional Chinese medicine they had just bought.

With the money Manli gave him to save his life, plus the savings of the Loyalty Gang, he prepared another batch of supplies for the refugees.

"Brother, this batch of food is enough to feed the refugees for two days," Zhao Lin said with a smile, wiping his sweat.

Huang Dazhu nodded, a smile spreading across his face: "Okay, we'll deliver it first thing tomorrow morning."

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the warehouse door.

"Who?" Qian Laoliu immediately became alert and gripped the short knife at his waist.

"I am Manli, and I am looking for Huang Dazhu, the strongman Huang."

The name Manli reminded Huang Dazhu of the woman he had seen that night.

That was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

I couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

But Qian Laoliu had already opened the door.

Manli stood at the door, dressed simply, without makeup, but her eyes held a hint of weariness and loneliness, a stark contrast to her radiant stage presence.

"Miss Manli, what brings you here?" Huang Dazhu asked, suppressing his nervousness.

Manli walked into the warehouse, her gaze sweeping over the coarse grains and medicines inside, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Sir Huang, what are you doing here...?"

"Oh, this is food and medicine prepared for the refugees." Huang Dazhu scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "The brothers discussed sending some more things to the refugees."

Looking at his honest smile, Manli felt as if most of her worries had dissipated.

She bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Brave Warrior Huang, I have come today for two reasons. First, to thank you again for saving my life. Second... I am feeling a bit down and would like to talk to someone."

Upon hearing this, Huang Dazhu immediately said, "Miss, you're too kind. It's nothing to mention how kind of you saved my life. If you don't mind, please sit down and rest, and have some hot tea. If you have any worries, just tell us. Although we brothers are rough men, we are willing to listen to you."

Manli smiled and said, "Okay." She charmed the group of soldiers.

Huang Dazhu was the first to react and quickly said, "Prepare a seat for Miss Manli."

Qian Laoliu quickly brought over a stool.

Manli sat down sideways, her posture alluring.

Huang Dazhu quickly asked Zhao Lin to pour a cup of hot tea and handed it to Manli.

Manli took the hot tea without a second thought, and took a sip. The warm tea soothed her tense nerves and finally relaxed.

She looked at Huang Dazhu and slowly began to recount in detail how Young Master Li, relying on the power of the Japanese, had investigated and shut down the theater, forcing her to be unable to perform on stage.

The warehouse was completely silent.

The brothers stopped what they were doing, their eyes filled with anger.

"That young master Li is a complete scoundrel!" Da Niu clenched his fists and roared, "What kind of skill is it to use the Japanese's power to settle personal scores!"

"That's right! Miss, don't worry, if he dares to cause you any more trouble, we brothers will never let him off the hook!" Zhao Lin echoed.

Looking at Manli's forlorn expression, Huang Dazhu felt a surge of protectiveness.

He said in a deep voice, "Miss Manli, rest assured, with our Loyalty Gang here, we will never let Young Master Li bully you so easily!"

Manli chuckled. "That's not what I meant. I just wanted to get these worries off my chest. That young master Li is a favorite of the Japanese now, and I have no intention of going against him."

She stood up and bowed deeply to Huang Dazhu: "Brave warrior Huang, thank you, and thank you all, brothers. I am deeply grateful. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

After saying that, he turned and left.

After she left, her subordinates talked amongst themselves.

"Miss Manli is so beautiful."

"Of course, what woman could be bad if Boss Du took a liking to her?"

"It's a pity she offended the Japanese; now even Boss Wan doesn't dare to offend them."

Huang Dazhu remembered Lin Rui's words, which told him to get in touch with Wan Heilin through Manli.

He really wanted to help Manli, so he left the alley to discuss the matter with Lin Rui.