The Japanese had captured a communications officer and interrogated him for three days, but couldn’t get a single word out of him.

Gao Xide received orders from above to flay him alive.

Sharp knives had already sliced off several pieces of flesh. Even watching his own bones become exposed before his very eyes, he still hadn’t confessed.

Early in the morning, He Feng went to the torture chamber. Just reaching the doorway, he caught a whiff of the metallic smell of blood.

Those captured by the Japanese faced only two outcomes: death or surrender.

However, anyone who entered this particular room, whether they confessed or not, had absolutely no possibility of walking out upright. They would either be beaten to death alive, or still be tortured to death slowly.

Gao Xide was rolling up his sleeves and peeling peanuts, with a bottle of white liquor beside him, the bottle still stained with blood. He Feng patted him on the shoulder, “You’re quite comfortable here.”

Seeing him arrive, Gao Xide quickly put down the liquor and greeted him with lowered brows and submissive eyes, “Sir.”

“I heard a tough bone came in. I came to see for myself.” The table wasn’t high, and He Feng had long legs, so he leaned against it and sat on the edge, casually picking up a peanut to roll between two fingers, “Did you get anything out of him?”

“Not a single word. We’ve used every torture method.”

He Feng looked at the man’s bloodied thighs, “You’re going to flay him alive?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Let’s see how long he can hold out.”

“You did the flaying?”

“Yes.” Gao Xide was quite proud, “This knife technique was passed down from my ancestors. Each slice is uniform, with consistent thickness.”

“Don’t let him die from blood loss.”

“He won’t. I apply medicine after each cut. The Major just gave orders – give him two more days. If he doesn’t reveal the contact station, we’ll leave nothing but white bones.”

He Feng felt a surge of anger in his chest. Looking at the bloody knife beside the man and the plate of flesh and blood, he wanted to chop up this executioner.

“The next cut will be to slice off his manhood.” Gao Xide bent over with a laugh as he looked at He Feng, “Would you like to see it, Sir?”

He Feng threw away the peanut in his hand without speaking and straightened up to walk over. He saw that all the man’s fingernails had been pulled out, two fingers had been chopped off, even a large piece of his scalp had been shaved away. His left eye was so swollen that even his eyelashes were buried deep in the bloody flesh, and his mouth was stuffed full of cotton, with bits of red cotton fluff showing at the corners of his mouth.

He hung his head, with only a breath of life left in him.

“Wake up.” He Feng patted his face, “Dead?”

He didn’t move at all.

“Sir, don’t waste words on him, it’ll dirty your hands.” Gao Xide casually grabbed a whip and came over, lashing it across his head, “Stop pretending to be dead!”

He Feng kicked Gao Xide over with one foot, “When I’m asking questions, do you need to interrupt?”

Gao Xide crawled up and obediently bowed beside him, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

He Feng lifted the man’s chin and pulled the cotton stuffing from his mouth.

The man spat at him, but lacking strength, the bloody spittle just flowed down from his mouth as soon as it left his lips, hanging from his chin.

He Feng straightened his tattered clothes, covering the bones on his chest, “It’s just a matter of one sentence. Say it, and you’ll eat well and drink well for the rest of your life, with people to serve you. While you still have human form, why do this?”

“Get lost.”

He Feng pulled out a piece of candy from his pocket, slowly unwrapped it, and took out the crystal-clear candy inside, “I heard you’re from Harbin. You should be familiar with this kind of candy.”

The man didn’t even glance at it.

He Feng stuffed the candy into his mouth and pushed it in, “Confess, and you can eat this every day from now on.”

The man’s lips trembled slightly as the sweet taste spread through the bloody flavor. He immediately bit down hard on He Feng’s finger.

Gao Xide was terrified, “Let go!”

He Feng let him bite. Just as Gao Xide was about to come over and pry open his mouth, He Feng beat him to it, using his other hand to grab the man’s neck and twist it forcefully.

He Feng pulled out his finger, covered in blood – both his own and the man’s.

Gao Xide quickly went to check the man’s breathing. He had already stopped breathing, “He’s dead.”

“Sir… this… the Major said two days… I can’t explain this.”

He Feng raised his hand and wiped it on Gao Xide’s shoulder, “Just say I killed him.”

Gao Xide looked at the tooth marks on his finger that kept bleeding, “Are you alright?”

He Feng patted his face, “What do you think?”

Gao Xide didn’t dare speak anymore.

He Feng shook his hand and walked out of the torture chamber. He clenched his teeth tightly and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, wrapping it tightly around his trembling finger.

Gao Xide wiped the blood from his face, frowning as he looked at the dead man on the rack, and let out a long sigh.

He Feng walked straight toward his car but was suddenly called by Sagawa.

He turned around and saw Sagawa standing by the wall, beckoning to him. He walked over and heard Sagawa ask, “What happened to your hand?”

“Got bitten in the torture chamber.” He Feng casually tied a knot, “Minor injury.”

“Look who came to see you.” As soon as he finished speaking, someone popped out from the other side of the wall with a clear voice, “Brother Ryuji.”

It was Fujita Michi.

Seeing He Feng’s hand stained with blood, she said, “How did you get hurt? Does it hurt?”

He Feng let her examine his hand repeatedly, “It’s nothing.”

Sagawa patted He Feng on the shoulder, “Then you take Miss Michi around first. I need to go to the General’s place. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

“Alright.”

After Sagawa left, Fujita Michi carefully blew on his hand, “No, we need to go to the hospital.”

“No need, it’s just a broken skin.”

“We still have to go!”

He Feng couldn’t argue with her and was dragged to the hospital.

Fujita Michi couldn’t stand bloody scenes, so she waited in the corridor.

The nurse cleaned He Feng’s wound and wrapped it with gauze. He Feng kept spacing out, his mind full of those bloody white bones.

It wasn’t until the nurse left and Fujita Michi came back in, “Brother Ryuji?”

“Brother Ryuji!”

He Feng pulled back his hand.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Thinking about where to take you later.”

Fujita Michi happily hugged his arm and pulled him up, “Nowhere else, let’s go to your house.”

“What are we going to do at my house?”

“You’re injured, you need to rest properly.”

…

Xie Chi slept until dark.

It was A’Ru’s footsteps that woke her up, also pulling her out of an unpleasant dream.

Xie Chi rarely dreamed of He Feng – she could count the times on one hand. This was the fourth time in five years.

In the dream, she and He Feng were riding horses on the mountain, chased by Japanese soldiers the whole way. Suddenly He Feng drew his bow and shot at the Japanese behind them, one arrow per person, not missing a single shot.

“You’re awake. I have to go back now. Miss Wang’s qipao is finished, so I’ll deliver it on the way.”

Xie Chi felt dizzy and inexplicably sore all over. She touched her head but wasn’t running a fever.

“Is it raining outside?”

“No.”

“I heard the sound of rain.”

“It’s not rain, it’s leaves. The wind is too strong, blowing the leaves so they sound like rain.” A’Ru closed the window, “Dust was blowing in. I knew you hadn’t closed the window.”

“Mm.”

Seeing her listless state, A’Ru asked, “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Xie Chi put down her hand, “No.”

“But you slept all day.” A’Ru smelled some alcohol, “Why is there an alcohol smell? Are you injured?”

“I bumped my leg, just a small cut, it’s nothing serious.”

“What would you like to eat? I can still make a trip for you before I leave.”

“I’m not hungry, you go back.”

“Alright then, I’m leaving.”

“Mm.”

The empty room was left with only Xie Chi alone.

She lay half-reclined and suddenly felt a bit cold, pulling the blanket up around herself.

The gauze curtains weren’t drawn. She looked at the sky outside the window.

She kept feeling like it was about to rain.

…

Due to Fujita Yasuo’s arrival, most of Changchun’s economic and political figures were present.

The banquet hall was resplendent with gold and jade. After Fujita Yasuo gave a speech, everyone went up to toast him or seek a few words of conversation.

He Feng watched from afar, drinking in silence. Major Aota came over to greet him. The two clinked glasses and chatted briefly.

Suddenly, a round of applause erupted.

He Feng looked toward the front of the stage. It was Fujita Michi, wearing a military uniform that seemed tailor-made for her, fitting perfectly. Most people at the venue recognized her, and even those who hadn’t seen her before had heard her name. Fujita Yasuo stood beside her, introducing her to everyone once again.

Major Aota held his wine glass and sighed, “The last time I saw Miss Michi was two years ago. She seems much more mature now.”

He Feng said nothing.

Fujita Michi smiled at him, and He Feng also curved his lips slightly.

“Koike-kun is truly blessed to have gained Miss Michi’s favor. Your future prospects are surely limitless.”

He Feng glanced at him and took a sip of wine, “You could too.”

“What are you joking about, Koike-kun?”

After Fujita Michi greeted several elders, she came to find He Feng.

Major Aota put down his wine glass, “Miss Michi.”

Fujita Michi nodded to him, “What were you talking about?”

He Feng said lightly, “Praising how beautiful you look.”

Fujita Michi looked down with a smile, then raised her face to look at him with a charming expression, “Really?”

“Really.”

Major Aota laughed and patted He Feng’s shoulder, “You two chat, I’ll go over there.”

“Mm.”

“How do I look in this outfit?”

He Feng looked her up and down, “Not bad.”

“Just not bad?”

“You look better in dresses.”

Fujita Michi was silent for a moment, then pouted, “Then I’ll go change into a dress.” With that, she ran off.

He Feng suppressed his smile. Scanning the surroundings with his peripheral vision, he picked up another glass of wine. Just as he was about to approach Kimura and others who were talking not far away, Fujita Yasuo called him over.

He Feng saluted, “General.”

“Come with me.”

He Feng followed Fujita Yasuo to the balcony. Everyone was tactful enough to stay away when they saw them talking privately.

“Where did Michi run off to?”

“She went to change clothes.”

“I’ve heard some unfavorable rumors about you here.” Fujita Yasuo placed his hand on his shoulder, “As a man, I can understand, but as a father, I absolutely will not allow my daughter to be hurt. Michi likes you very much, I can see that.”

He Feng lowered his head. He wasn’t afraid of this Lieutenant General, but as Koike Ryuji, he should be fearful.

“Michi is still young and naive. She’s always been studying at school and has a simple mind. I hope you won’t disappoint her or hurt the hearts of us elders. I believe your parents wouldn’t want to hear anything bad either. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

“It’s rare that I’m here for a visit. Spend some good time with her recently. This little daughter of mine talks about her Brother Ryuji every day.”

“Yes.”

Fujita Yasuo smiled and patted his shoulder, “Don’t be so formal.”

He Feng deliberately relaxed his shoulders.

“Let’s go, let’s go drink.”

…

Except for sleeping and bathing, Fujita Michi had been practically inseparable from He Feng these past few days.

Before dawn had even broken, she came to He Feng’s residence with handmade pastries. He Feng got dressed and opened the door, barely able to keep his eyes open.

Fujita Michi set down the pastries, “Brother Ryuji, go wash up and have breakfast.”

He Feng rubbed his temples and collapsed back onto the bed. He had gone to see Shen Zhan last night and only returned to sleep at four in the morning, so he really had no energy.

Fujita Michi went to pull his blanket, “Brother Ryuji, get up quickly.”

He Feng buried his face in the pillow, “Let me sleep a bit more.”

Fujita Michi couldn’t pull him up and sighed lightly, “Alright then, I’ll let you sleep for another half hour, only half an hour.”

Fujita Michi woke him up right on time. He Feng was so bothered by her that he couldn’t sleep anymore, so he simply got up and took a cold shower to refresh himself.

He came out rubbing his hair and saw Fujita Michi sitting on his bed, holding a hairpin in her hand. It was Xie Chi’s hairpin, which he had always kept under his pillow.

“Whose is this?” Fujita Michi suddenly seemed like a different person, her eyes wide as she stared at him.

“I bought it on the roadside.” He Feng casually threw the towel over a chair, “Thought it looked nice.”

“You didn’t bring another woman back here, did you?”

“How could that be possible?”

“Brother Ryuji, if you’re lying to me, I’ll be angry.”

“I’m not lying to you.”

“Give it to me.”

“I’ll buy you another one.” He Feng reached out to take it, but Fujita Michi turned away.

“I want this one.” With that, she had already inserted the hairpin into her hair, “Does it look good?”

“It doesn’t look good.”

He Feng pulled the wooden hairpin out and held it in his palm, snapping it in half with one motion, then tossed it into the trash basket, “It doesn’t suit you. This afternoon I’ll take you out shopping and buy you a nice one.”

Since it broke so easily, it probably wasn’t anything important. Fujita Michi didn’t give it another thought.

He Feng picked up the towel again and rubbed his hair, walking toward the dining table, “Let me see what delicious things you brought.”

Fujita Michi smiled and followed, “Lots and lots, you’ll definitely love them.”

…

He Feng took Fujita Michi to buy two jade accessories. When they got tired from walking, they went to a tea house to rest.

Throughout the trip, Fujita Michi kept saying how this and that about China wasn’t good. Even when they got to a Japanese-owned shop, she didn’t forget to complain: “It’s not as good as Tokyo’s,” “When are we going back to Japan?” “I don’t want to stay here anymore,” “Come back with me this time, your mother misses you very much.”

He Feng responded to her casually. In the evening, he accompanied her to watch a movie.

It was a romance film. When the male and female leads kissed, Fujita Michi grabbed his hand.

He Feng didn’t move and smiled at her.

After the movie ended, they had a Japanese meal. He Feng drove her home. After getting out of the car, Fujita Michi suddenly stopped in her tracks.

He Feng turned around, “What’s wrong?”

Fujita Michi stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, but He Feng immediately dodged away.

She froze for a moment, her heels touching the ground, “Brother Ryuji.”

He Feng coughed lightly, pretending to clear his throat, “You’re still young.”

“I’m not young anymore.” Fujita Michi frowned, “I’m already seventeen.”

“You’re still a child in front of me.”

“You always say I’m young, but as I grow up, you’re growing up too. I’ll never catch up to you.”

“Wait two more years, okay?”

Fujita Michi stared into his eyes, “Do you like someone else?”

“No.” He smiled.

“You’d better not.”

He Feng smoothed her hair, “Alright, go on in.”

“Then I’ll come find you tomorrow morning, and you can’t sleep in anymore, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Brother Ryuji, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

He Feng waited until she entered the main gate before getting in his car and speeding all the way home.

He went straight to his bedroom and began rummaging through the trash basket, fishing out the broken wooden hairpin from inside.

He sat exhaustedly on the floor, leaning against the bed, holding one section of the broken hairpin in each hand. The window wasn’t closed, and waves of refreshing wind swept in, but it only made him feel more irritated.

He didn’t know when these days would end.

Just how much longer would he have to endure this.