26. Investigation at the Ballroom

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Holding a glass of wine, Zhou Hongyi made his way through the dance floor and sat down beside Manyu with a smile. “Isn’t this Mr. Ruoshui? I just heard Miss Manyu mention that name and thought it sounded familiar. I wondered if it might be the Ruoshui I know. Turns out it really is! Long time no see. I’m Zhongliang.”

Bodhi had spotted Zhou Hongyi earlier and found him familiar but wasn’t quite sure. Their previous encounter in Florence had been brief, and Zhou had been in disguise. Now, reunited in the ballroom without beard and glasses, Zhou looked at least ten years younger than he had in the café that day. Bodhi was about to quietly ask Manyu for confirmation.

Yet, to Bodhi’s surprise, he was recognized first. Despite his disguise both in Florence and now with his new identity, this young man—no, this “Four-Faced Buddha” comrade—had immediately spotted him. Impressive eyesight indeed.

Bodhi decided to go along with it, suddenly realizing, “Hey, it really is you, Zhongliang. It’s been a while; you’ve changed quite a bit. I was just asking Miss Manyu about you. Didn’t expect it to be you!”

Manyu glanced between the two and said, “So you two know each other. No wonder you started by asking me.”

Zhou Hongyi chuckled, “Speaking of which, Mr. Ruoshui, you once taught me Chinese literature. You were a great mentor and friend. After that, I went abroad for further study and just recently returned. I’m now the captain of the Special Operations Unit at Jing’an Second Precinct. How about you? Still teaching Chinese to those kids at the church in the concession?”

Bodhi’s new identity was that of a Chinese literature teacher, though he had never told Zhou this outright. Hearing it confirmed so directly shocked him inwardly, but he kept his expression steady and replied along the same lines.

“Yes, I’m still teaching there. But Zhongliang, it’s surprising—you’ve become a captain in just a few years. Congratulations! Your future surely holds great promise.”

“You flatter me, Mr. Ruoshui. You laid the foundation for me earlier. I’ve wanted to find you since I came back. Since fate has brought us together tonight, let your student repay his filial duty and buy a drink for his esteemed teacher!”

Seeing their lively conversation, Manyu thoughtfully stood up. “Since you two haven’t met for years, I won’t disturb you. But Young Master Zhou, don’t forget you promised to write a song for me—I’m holding you to that.”

Zhou Hongyi patted his chest. “A man’s word is his bond. With Mr. Ruoshui as witness today, I promise to compose two new songs for Miss Manyu within two days. I guarantee you’ll dominate the Bund and stand unrivaled!”

“Hehe, I’ll be looking forward to your good news, Master Zhou. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

Zhou Hongyi inwardly hoped she would leave quickly. After seeing Manyu off, he called a waiter over and ordered two more glasses of wine. While exchanging trivial talk, he lowered his voice and swiftly got to the point.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Our underground contact points and safe houses in Modu have all been exposed due to a traitor’s betrayal. You must relocate everyone immediately. Also, the traitor must be dealt with quickly. I’ve identified his codename as ‘Fireworks.’ Do you recognize him?”

Though the ballroom was noisy, Zhou’s low voice was clear and precise. He spoke quickly and decisively, allowing Bodhi to receive the message without confusion.

“What? The traitor is ‘Fireworks’!? He’s hidden well… He reported everything was normal just yesterday. But I suspected something about his movements a week ago. So it was really him…”

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Zhou Hongyi asked urgently, “What exactly is his identity? You must inform the comrades immediately and keep an eye on him. This man has already cooperated with Number 76 and the Special Higher Police, gradually leaking our party’s deployments in Modu to the enemy.”

Upon hearing this, Bodhi unconsciously toyed with his wine glass, his expression turning grave, yet he remained silent.

Zhou Hongyi didn’t press further but smiled and clinked his glass with Bodhi’s.

“Mr. Ruoshui, here’s to you! If you’re busy tonight, let’s meet again at this time tomorrow. But you mustn’t stand me up!”

Looking into Zhou’s eyes, Bodhi exchanged a silent understanding. With this critical information, he had to report to superiors immediately and take corresponding actions. Every second was precious; there was no time to linger here.

He picked up his hat and smiled. “I do have something to attend to today. We shall meet here again tomorrow.”

With so many eyes around, they didn’t converse further. Zhou simply set the time to meet again and planned to introduce his newly acquired safe house contact point then.

After seeing Bodhi off, Zhou sat back in his booth. While the “Insightful Eye” effect was still active, he discreetly observed others’ secrets.

He saw a bank manager meeting his lover in secret, while his wife held all the financial power.

He noticed a gang boss flirting with his own brother’s woman—the brother being the gang’s top enforcer.

He observed a second-generation heir desperately pursuing a dance hall waitress twenty years his senior, treating her almost like a mother.

Then he spotted a man with the tag “Central Bureau Secret Agent” heading toward Manyu, his right hand resting on his lower back.

“Wait a moment—a Central Bureau secret agent?”

Startled, Zhou sprang up and quickly intercepted the man from the side.

“Ziye, what are you doing? She’s a target I’m approaching. You can’t kill her.”

Zhou pretended to accidentally bump into him, bowing his head in apology while swiftly whispering these words.

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“Ziye” was the man’s codename. Zhou saw the mission tag attached to him: “Eliminate Manyu.”

Damn it. Zhou had just begun to get close to this dancer. There were many things he didn’t understand yet and he hadn’t even been to her private dressing room. How could Ziye just kill her now?

The secret agent was momentarily startled, instinctively reaching for his gun, but Zhou’s words left him confused.

Since Zhou knew his codename and mission, he must be one of them. Otherwise, he could have loudly called for security to apprehend him. But who was this man? Zhou had never seen him before and didn’t recognize him.

Suddenly, Zhou threw his arm around the man’s shoulder and loudly said, “Isn’t this Brother Yulin? Didn’t expect to see you here. Come on, let me buy you a drink!”

Though puzzled by this sudden acquaintance, the agent clearly saw Zhou had no intention of exposing him. Could they be from the same department?

Zhou led him to the bar and mimicked Manyu’s earlier gesture, snapping his fingers toward the bartender.

“Peter, two drinks on Miss Manyu’s tab.”

The bartender, Peter, hesitated briefly but then seemed to recognize Zhou, showing a hint of disdain. Still, he poured two drinks.

Zhou’s principle was to be economical and spend money only where necessary. Since someone else was buying today, he graciously accepted the favor.

“Come, Brother Yulin, I know you have many questions, but let’s drink this first!”

Without giving the man a chance to speak, Zhou lifted the glass and forced him to down it in one gulp, while he himself only took a light sip.