Koike Yoshisato was asleep. Just as He Feng and Fujita Michi were about to reach the door, Luo Lingshu came out, signaling them not to make any noise. She closed the door and led them back downstairs.

Luo Lingshu wore a light blue-green dress. She didn’t much like wearing kimono, except on special holidays when she would accommodate Koike Yoshisato by wrapping herself in layer after layer.

She wore no makeup, her lips a pale color, her hair casually pinned up with even a strand falling loose on her shoulder. She looked disheveled yet possessed a kind of decadent elegance.

Only when they reached downstairs did Luo Lingshu speak, asking He Feng, “Have you finished reading all those documents I asked you to look at?”

“No.”

“You need to get up early tomorrow morning to go out with me.” Luo Lingshu slowly lifted her eyelids and looked at him with a light gaze. Those narrow willow-leaf eyes had their own charm whether raised, lowered, or level. “It’s getting late, go read them. I need to say a few words to Michi.”

“Alright.”

He Feng went to the study.

Luo Lingshu took Fujita Michi to sit on the sofa, “You’ve worked hard these past few days.”

Fujita Michi sat properly. She naturally regarded the woman before her as her future mother-in-law. Perhaps because she always kept a cold face and rarely smiled, she gave off an impression of being difficult to get along with. Add to that the fact that she was Chinese, and there always seemed to be a thick barrier between them that prevented any intimacy.

Fujita Michi replied respectfully, “This is what I should be doing.”

Luo Lingshu leaned against the cushion with an expressionless face, her hand supporting her forehead as she rubbed her temples.

“Would you like me to massage it for you?”

Luo Lingshu didn’t answer but asked instead, “How have your studies been lately?”

Fujita Michi immediately became even more deflated. She hated studying, but this future mother-in-law was formerly a university professor, and reportedly a particularly strict one! “I’m still working hard.”

Luo Lingshu looked at her, “You must focus on your studies and not slack off.”

Fujita Michi nodded obediently, “I will.”

“Ryuji also has his own business to attend to and can’t always accompany you. Even when you’re not together, you both must work hard together.”

“Yes.”

Luo Lingshu picked up the newspaper beside her, “Don’t come every day from now on. Your elder brother is an outstanding soldier of the Empire, your second brother is also a very talented dramatist. You must keep up too. What major are you preparing to study?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Luo Lingshu focused on reading the newspaper and ignored her.

Fujita Michi felt she had said the wrong thing. She shouldn’t have said she hadn’t decided – even making something up would have been better than this answer. Luo Lingshu’s silence made her even more panicked, and sitting there became unbearably torturous.

After working up courage for a long time, she finally spoke, “Then I’ll head back first and won’t disturb you anymore.”

“Mm.”

Fujita Michi stood up and respectfully gave a light bow, “Please rest early. Goodbye.”

“Go ahead.”

Fujita Michi quickly walked out. Only when she left the courtyard did she stop and take a deep breath, looking back once.

That woman… was too frightening!

If she married Brother Ryuji in the future, they would definitely have to move out!

…

He Feng followed Luo Lingshu to five important meetings, three of which discussed China’s economic problems and Japan’s future control strategies, mentioning many famous Chinese factories and companies.

Previously, these meetings were all organized by Koike Yoshisato, but since his serious illness, everything had been handed over to Luo Lingshu. He Feng wasn’t very interested in this. Unlike before, when he would scheme with his brothers to mine and make money, ever since the Japanese destroyed his family and ruined his business, his heart only contained blood, knives, and guns. Although he knew economic warfare during wartime was crucial, involving supply lines and long-term combat capabilities, what he cared more about was the current domestic war situation.

Moreover, Qing Yangzi was still with the 29th Army.

…

After Fujita Michi received that verbal bombardment from Luo Lingshu, she never came again. It takes a woman to deal with a woman.

At night, after Luo Lingshu finished reviewing documents, she called for a servant to cut some fruit for her.

After calling three times, the servant seemed to be fast asleep.

He Feng came out of his room, “I’ll go.”

Luo Lingshu never touched menial work and had never even touched a knife. She sat in the living room waiting for a while, then went to the kitchen to check on He Feng.

“Ryuji.”

He Feng suddenly had an accident and cut his hand, blood flowing non-stop.

“Be careful.” Luo Lingshu frowned slightly.

“Let me get a new one.” He Feng threw away the bloody apple and found a cloth to wipe carelessly.

“Don’t wipe randomly. Disinfect it and bandage it properly.”

“It’s a minor injury, nothing serious.”

Luo Lingshu pulled him out, found the medicine box, and simply treated it for him, “You’ve been absent-minded lately.”

“Maybe I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Because of the war.”

He Feng glanced at her, knowing he couldn’t hide it, and softly said “mm.”

“What do you think?”

He Feng withdrew his hand, “We’re both Chinese, let’s stop speaking Japanese.”

Luo Lingshu smiled slightly and sat properly, “Who do you think will win?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then who do you hope will win?”

He Feng met her gaze, “What about you? Who do you hope wins?”

Luo Lingshu was silent for a moment, “Japan, of course.”

He Feng looked away. He wasn’t disappointed. He understood this woman very well – no, not his mother. His mother had died sixteen years ago when she abandoned him and fled alone.

The person before him was just a Japanese woman.

“This is our home now.” Luo Lingshu held his hand and pulled down his rolled-up sleeve, “Your position is firm, isn’t it?”

He Feng curved his lips slightly, “Of course.”

Luo Lingshu released him and stood up, “I won’t eat anymore. I should sleep now. You should sleep early too.”

He Feng grabbed the corner of her clothing.

Luo Lingshu stopped, “What’s wrong?”

He Feng looked up at her, “China is at war now. Aren’t you worried about Uncle?”

“Everyone has their fate. I asked him to come over years ago but he wouldn’t agree.”

“Why don’t I go bring them over? Even if they don’t come to Japan, I could take them somewhere safe.”

Luo Lingshu was speechless.

“No matter what, he’s the last person there with blood ties to you, and there’s a child too. Bombs have no eyes.”

Luo Lingshu stroked his hair and smiled gently, “If you want to go, then go.”

“What about those two at the door?”

“I’ll talk to them.”

“Thank you.”

Luo Lingshu placed her hand on his shoulder, “You must be careful.”

He Feng nodded, “I will.”

He Feng couldn’t wait even a day and took the earliest ship back to his homeland.

The journey took several days. Just as he arrived in Xinjing, he was greeted with terrible news.

Beiping and Tianjin had fallen.

Shen Zhan had died for his country.

…

Nanjing had been somewhat chaotic lately, with demonstrations and speeches everywhere, anti-Japanese sentiment running high.

A crowd gathered in front of a building, pointing and talking. Xie Chi went to look and saw it was a doctor from this clinic, a Japanese man in his sixties who usually appeared kind and benevolent, but his death was rather horrific to behold.

Xie Chi walked out of the crowd toward the qipao shop. Business had been poor lately, many people were starting to leave, and A’Ru had also returned to her hometown in Jiangyin.

Xiao Wangyun followed the Beiping Art Academy’s southern migration and found time to visit Nanjing to see Xie Chi and other comrades.

The basement’s electrical system was broken. Xie Chi had been too lazy to fix it, so she held a candlestick to lead them down and poured two cups of clear tea.

“Wanzhi, come south with me.”

Xie Chi said nothing and lit another candle.

“Everyone’s starting to flee south now. Nanjing won’t be safe in the future – who knows when they’ll attack here.”

Old Zhou said, “I think Old Xiao is right. You’re a woman alone – going with him would give you someone to look after you.”

Xie Chi sat across from them, “Alright.”

Xiao Wangyun’s face was clouded with worry, “The current situation isn’t optimistic. The Japanese firepower is too fierce – Ping-Jin couldn’t hold for even a month.” He sighed, “By the way, I heard as soon as I arrived in Nanjing that two Japanese diplomats died? Were they assassinated? Was it our people?”

Old Zhou said, “No. Not just two – there was also a secretary from the Executive Yuan, a railway ministry employee, and just now outside a Japanese doctor died. A chopstick thrust straight through the throat. From the technique, it should be the same person – five dead in three days. This person is no simple matter.”

Xie Chi stared silently at the candlelight on the table.

The conversation between Xiao Wangyun and Old Zhou didn’t reach her ears. Xiao Wangyun pushed her wrist, “Wanzhi.”

Xie Chi snapped back, “What?”

“It’s about time, I should go.”

Xie Chi stood up, “Alright.”

“Go back and pack your things. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll wait a few days before leaving. You go ahead first.”

Xiao Wangyun was puzzled, “Why?”

“I have some things to wrap up. It’s fine, I can manage on my own.”

“Then be careful.”

“Mm.”

…

After several days without opening the windows, the shop smelled rather unpleasant. Xie Chi opened all the windows to air it out. There was still half a bottle of wine left in the cabinet. She filled her glass and stood on the balcony in the wind.

Many people had already started leaving Nanjing, and the streets were quite chaotic.

She leaned against the railing, her head poking out a bit, the wind blowing her hair into disarray.

Suddenly, her peripheral vision caught a black shadow darting past.

Xie Chi shook her head, thinking she had drunk too much.

She didn’t return home that night. After tidying up the shop, she rested on the small bed in the small room on the second floor during the latter half of the night.

The next day she slept until almost noon. When she woke up feeling hungry, she went downstairs to buy some pastries.

Just as she was about to close the door, a customer arrived.

It was a regular customer who used to order qipaos here frequently. She said she was leaving Nanjing to go abroad for a while and wanted to make three new qipaos to take with her.

Xie Chi agreed.

With A’Ru gone, all the work fell on her shoulders. She worked until late into the night again.

The door downstairs was broken open. Xie Chi immediately stood up, grabbed a pair of scissors, and quietly went downstairs.

The lights weren’t on below, only the black silhouettes of qipaos hanging there.

She smelled a trace of blood. Just as she turned around, an ice-cold hand gripped her wrist.

“A’Zhi.”

Xie Chi was stunned for a long time.

He Feng sat between two mannequins and used the force of pulling her to stand up, “Help me out.”

He Feng was injured – a knife wound. It wasn’t particularly deep but was rather long.

Xie Chi locked the door and took him upstairs.

Half of He Feng’s body was covered in blood. He didn’t dare sit down for fear of dirtying her place. His forehead was covered with sweat and his face was deathly pale, but he still pretended nothing was wrong, “Get some alcohol.”

Xie Chi said, “There isn’t any, I drank it all.”

He Feng looked around and picked up one of her sewing needles, “Light a candle.” He looked up at her and smiled, “You should have candles, right?”

“You’re planning to use this?”

“Having this is already good enough.”

Xie Chi turned and went behind the counter, bringing out a medicine box, “There’s no anesthetic, you’ll have to bear it.”

He Feng casually grabbed a piece of cloth and stuffed it in his mouth.

Xie Chi looked at his heroic expression as if facing death, “Are you sure?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

She hooked a chair over with her foot, “Sit down.”

He Feng removed the cushion and sat down. Xie Chi roughly tore open his shirt, looked at the horrifying wound, and wiped it several times with alcohol-soaked cotton. He Feng bit down hard on the cloth, veins bulging on his neck, but didn’t even furrow his brow once.

Xie Chi looked down at his features, her heart clenching with his pain, “I’m going to stitch now.”

“Mm.”

The thread passing through flesh made an indescribable sound.

He Feng’s jaw was tense, as if he was about to grind his teeth to powder.

Xie Chi had never stitched flesh before, but her needlework was quite good. However, being used to making clothes, what could have been solved with five or six stitches became ten careful, dense stitches.

He Feng gripped the chair edge tightly, looking at her small face so close before him. It was still the same as before – delicate skin, white as an egg. Looking at her, he forgot the pain, spat out the cloth from his mouth, and fiercely kissed her cheek.

“What did you put on? It smells so good.”

Xie Chi showed no reaction. Her hands were very steady without the slightest tremor. Her voice remained indifferent, sounding overly calm, “If you move around again, I’ll stitch your mouth shut too.”

He Feng licked his lips and looked down at his wound, “Worthy of a tailor, good craftsmanship.”

Speaking so clearly, it seems it still wasn’t painful enough.

Xie Chi took the gauze and pressed down hard on him. He Feng frowned and smiled at her again, “You’re abusing the wounded. It hurts.”

“So you do know it hurts.”

Before the gauze was properly wrapped, there was suddenly knocking from downstairs, followed by several men’s rough shouting, “Open the door, open the door—”

Xie Chi clearly felt He Feng’s body tense. She quickly finished bandaging him, tidied up the medicine box, and turned on the radio.

He Feng was about to jump out the window but was held back by Xie Chi. He let her pull him downstairs to the corner fitting room, where he saw her move aside a stool and lift up a wooden board from the floor.

Seeing him not moving, Xie Chi kicked his calf, “Get down there.” As soon as she finished speaking, she walked toward the door.

Just as she opened it, several men in Western suits burst in.

A short man shouted, “Why so slow! What were you dawdling about!”

“Stop shouting!” The leader turned back to scold him, then smiled and asked Xie Chi, “Miss, sorry to disturb you. We’re on official business. Have you seen an injured man wearing a white shirt, about this tall?”

Xie Chi looked at his raised hand gesturing the height and shook her head.

“Have you heard any sounds around here?”

“I wasn’t paying attention. I was listening to the radio – even if there were sounds, I wouldn’t have heard them.”

The leader shined his flashlight inside for a couple of glances and called to those behind him, “Let’s go.”

The flashlight beam swept across Xie Chi’s face. Just as he was about to turn away, his peripheral vision caught a trace of red on her cheek. The leader immediately raised the flashlight to shine on her face, “What’s that on your face?”

Xie Chi reacted extremely quickly, raising her hand to swiftly wipe the spot where He Feng had just stolen a kiss with her middle finger, then smoothly slid it to her mouth and licked it off, “I just ate bread with some jam and got it on my face.”

The leader naturally didn’t believe her and signaled with his eyes for his men to go in and search. Xie Chi didn’t stop them. Soon, the person who went upstairs came down and shook his head at the leader.

The leader smiled, “It’s not very peaceful lately. Miss, be careful being alone and go home early.”

“Did something happen?”

Seeing she was pretty, the leader wanted to chat more, “A government official died tonight. You probably heard about it – several people have been assassinated recently. The whole city is under martial law.”

“How frightening. I’d trouble you gentlemen to search thoroughly – if there really are thieves or assassins around, I wouldn’t feel safe either.”

The leader smiled and nodded, “Miss, stay safe.”

“Yes.”

The leader led his men to continue searching elsewhere.

Xie Chi locked the door and went to the basement, only to see the medicine box on the table but He Feng was gone. She went to the second floor to look around, then checked out the back window – no one there.

He was quite nimble indeed.