Fujita Kiyono sent people to deliver the recording to Koike Taichi and Luo Lingshu. He had made a mistake and indirectly caused Xie Jiaxing’s death. He didn’t want Xie Chi to hate him even more, so he could only use Koike Taichi’s hands to eliminate He Feng.

As expected, Koike Taichi flew into a rage. He had always respected Luo Lingshu like his own mother, and this was the first time in all these years he had lost his temper with her so severely, pounding the table uncontrollably as spittle flew: “Were you deceived by him or were you helping him hide it all along?”

Luo Lingshu sat with her eyes closed, looking lost and dejected, “I don’t know.”

“He’s been infiltrating the Empire for so many years. I dare not imagine how many of our soldiers died because of his intelligence! How much materiel flowed to their army!” Koike Taichi stood with hands on his hips, face turned upward, controlling his rage, “Does Father know about these things you’ve done in China?”

“He doesn’t know.” Luo Lingshu said urgently, “You can’t tell him. Your father’s health is poor—he won’t be able to bear it.”

“You still know his health is poor!” Koike Taichi grabbed a cup and hurled it away, “Our family isn’t so corrupt! That wasn’t your fault. Even if you confessed, no one would blame you, but deception cannot be forgiven. Now your son has done such damage to the Great Japanese Empire—killing him ten times wouldn’t offset his sins!”

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing her bow her head and silently weep, Koike Taichi felt an indescribable ache in his heart. In his memory, Luo Lingshu was intelligent and generous, elegant and confident, always able to handle any thorny problem calmly. When Father fell ill, she resolutely gave up her career to return to family life, treating him like her own son. During his years commanding troops abroad, she handled all household matters large and small. Though they shared no blood relation, he had long regarded her as a mother, “I’ve called you Mother for seventeen years. For your sake, I’ll leave him with an intact corpse.”

…

That very night Koike Taichi went to the prison cell, bringing neither adjutants nor anyone else, only two Japanese soldiers as escort.

To be played by a Chinese person for a full nine years—if this matter got out, it would be utter humiliation. Koike Taichi destroyed the only recording Fujita Kiyono had sent, then would secretly execute He Feng to completely resolve the matter.

He Feng sat in the cell, head leaning against the wall behind him. Seeing Koike Taichi enter aggressively, he asked calmly, “Just you alone?”

Koike Taichi looked at him darkly, “He Feng.”

He Feng curved his lips, “It sounds a bit strange hearing those two words from your mouth.”

Koike Taichi stepped forward, violently grabbing his collar, “You can still smile.”

“Should I cry instead?” He Feng knocked away his hand, “If you’re going to kill me, kill me. Why waste words?”

Koike Taichi rotated his wrist and calmed his breathing, “I always thought you were a good-for-nothing waste. You disguised yourself so well, even fooling your mother.”

He Feng snorted softly and said nothing.

“Seeing you like this now actually makes me respect you somewhat.”

“Cut the useless chatter.” He Feng looked up to meet his gaze, “What about Luo Lingshu?”

“What do you think?”

“I resemble my older brother, and hadn’t seen Luo Lingshu for seven or eight years. It’s normal she couldn’t tell us apart.”

“You can barely protect yourself—don’t bother making excuses for her.” Koike Taichi placed a small brown bottle on his bedside, “Since she married into the Koike family, she shares our honor and disgrace. Even if she made mistakes, she’s still Father’s wife, my mother.”

He Feng glanced at the brown medicine bottle, “A single bullet would do it. Why trouble yourself to find poison to feed me?”

Koike Taichi saw his wounds and felt both hatred and pain, “You called me older brother for nine years, Ryuji. I truly treated you as a younger brother and never doubted you for a moment.”

He Feng removed the bottle cap and looked at him with a light smile, “Now you probably want to flay me alive.”

“Though we weren’t together most of the time over these years, but…” Koike Taichi frowned tightly, swallowing those sentimental words, “Do you have anything else to say?”

“Leave the battlefield.” He Feng calmly drank the medicine, “Plunder and slaughter won’t lead to good ends.” He threw away the bottle and looked at him solemnly, “You will definitely lose.”

…

Only after being placed under house arrest did Xie Chi learn that Fujita Kiyono drank Chinese medicine every day.

The thick bitter smell wafted up from the first floor again. Xie Chi didn’t know what was wrong with him and had never inquired.

All sharp objects in the room had been removed, and the windows were sealed. Since Xie Jiaxing’s death, she couldn’t even leave this room.

Fujita Kiyono had just finished drinking his medicine when he received a phone call. After listening, he sat outside Xie Chi’s door for a very long time, only entering when dawn broke.

At that time, Xie Chi was sitting on the small sofa in a daze. She had known Fujita Kiyono was sitting outside and had barely slept all night.

Fujita Kiyono closed the door and stood there for a long while before slowly walking to her.

Xie Chi looked up at him, “You finally dare to see me.”

Fujita Kiyono crouched down, looking up at her, “Ryuji… I should call him He Feng.” Her cold gaze chilled his heart, “He’s been executed.”

Xie Chi’s expression remained blank.

“It was Koike Taichi who went at night with his men.” Fujita Kiyono slightly curled his hand, “I heard he was fed poison, then dragged to the outskirts and buried.”

Xie Chi listened silently without making a sound.

“About your father, I’m truly very sorry. That subordinate—I’ve already had him executed.” He grasped her hand and placed it on his chest, his eyes reddening, “I love you. I just wanted to make you a little happier.”

“This is how you make me happy.”

“That was an accident. I’m sorry.” His eyes grew red, “I’ll compensate you. About the engagement, Father and Mother both know now and will both come. I heard you’re pregnant—they’re very happy.”

Xie Chi laughed coldly, “Not another trap you’ve dug for me, is it?”

“No, they’re already on their way! I truly want to be with you. Last time I didn’t want to hurt you either—I just wanted to root out Ryuji… He Feng.”

“When did you start suspecting me?”

“When Takahashi Tomishi was assassinated.”

“That early.” Xie Chi continued asking, “Then what?”

“I had people follow you and discovered you were pregnant, and about your relationship with him. Later when your people went to steal the meeting agenda, one of the captured Communists couldn’t withstand severe torture and mentioned the codename Tiandong. Based on timing and various signs, I guessed you were Tiandong, and that He Feng must have some connection with the Communists.” Fujita Kiyono lowered his eyes, confessing one by one, “Later I frantically investigated him, only learning all about you both last night.”

“He’s dead, so now you’re satisfied.”

“Do you think Koike Taichi would really take action? Would Luo Lingshu let him kill her own son?”

Xie Chi didn’t answer.

“I can go dig up the grave and see if it’s really him.” Fujita Kiyono moved closer, pressing against her knees, “But for you, I can spare him and let this matter pass.”

“Are you threatening me or performing deep affection?”

“You can think whatever you want.”

“If I marry you, you won’t pursue He Feng’s matter anymore?”

“Fine, I can forget about it. We can be like before.”

“You know what I do. If you keep me by your side, I’ll still continue serving my country.”

“I said before, I can give you whatever you want. In a few days there will be a batch of strategic supplies transferring at Wusongkou dock. I can give them to you, as long as you’re a little happier.”

“The child takes my surname.”

Fujita Kiyono immediately brightened with joy, “Alright.”

“I want to see A’Ru. I miss her. Is she still in Shanghai?”

“Yes, I’ll have someone fetch her immediately.”

…

With Xie Chi under house arrest, A’Ru had been unable to eat or sleep. As soon as she saw Xie Chi, she burst into tears.

Xie Chi said to Fujita Kiyono, “I’m hungry.”

“What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone make it immediately.”

“Something light.”

“Right away.”

After Fujita Kiyono left, Xie Chi closed the door, took A’Ru to the bathroom, and turned on the faucet. She cut straight to the point, “Have you seen that sister who was imprisoned with you recently?”

A’Ru shook her head, “After getting out of prison she was sent to the hospital. Later I visited her once, but the nurse said someone had taken her away.”

“A’Ru, please help me with something.”

“What?”

“In the qipao shop’s second drawer on the east side, there’s a set of keys. One key has two scratches—one long, one short. After you find it, go to Room 1203 at 31 Yuyuan Road, look under the bed for a yellow small box, open it, carefully take out a hand grenade, then go to the wardrobe and get a black long coat, a red scarf, black pants, and short boots. Put the grenade in the coat pocket and bring them to me.”

“Sister.” A’Ru was stunned, “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t ask, just bring them to me.”

“You’re not planning to die together with the devils, are you?”

“Shh—”

“No!” A’Ru’s mouth trembled and tears streamed down, “No.”

Xie Chi wiped away her tears, but as soon as they were dried, more flowed down her face, “Be good, help me get them. If they want to inspect the box downstairs, let them check. They won’t examine each item—they’ll just glance and let you pass. If they find it, just shout for me.”

A’Ru kept shaking her head, “No.”

“Help me.”

“No.”

“Please.” Xie Chi grasped her sleeve, “Do you want me to kneel to you?”

Before she could kneel, A’Ru knelt first, “Sister, you can’t die. You’re pregnant—that’s two lives.”

Xie Chi knelt down too, “My child, even in death, must die on our own soil.”

A’Ru sobbed, “There must be other ways. We can find a chance to escape. Let me switch places with you! I’ll leave tonight. We’ll exchange clothes, and you can put on a scarf and keep your head down when you leave—maybe no one will notice.”

“Do you think the Japanese are fools?”

“But I don’t want you to die—”

Xie Chi embraced her, “A’Ru, when I was young I was terrified of death, thinking nothing was a big deal except dying. But gradually I realized that death is the least frightening, simplest thing in this world. In Nanjing, I could bow my head to the Japanese for our sake, but this time is different. Fujita Kiyono will take me to Japan. My father just died here the day before yesterday, your brother-in-law’s life or death is unknown—do you want me to live worse than death? To share a bed with my enemy night after night, to let my child call a thief father?”

A’Ru wept uncontrollably, “Sister.”

“Do you remember clearly where everything is?”

“I… I forgot.”

“Second drawer of the qipao shop, key with one long and one short scratch, 31 Yuyuan Road Room 1203, yellow small box under the bed, one grenade, put it in the black coat pocket. Do you remember?”

“I remember.”

…

He Feng woke up.

Luo Lingshu sat by his side without leaving for a moment, “You’re awake.”

He Feng’s eyes were unfocused, his whole body weak, “Am I dead or are you dead too?”

“You’re still alive.”

He Feng looked around—it was an old house.

Luo Lingshu poured tea and brought it over, “Have some water.”

He Feng half-raised himself and took the teacup.

“Little Feng.”

He looked up at her.

“Did you really think I was so stupid I couldn’t tell which son was which?”

He Feng chuckled softly and put down the cup, “So you knew from the beginning?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you expose me?”

“You are my son.”

“When you abandoned my older brother and me, you didn’t seem to consider us your sons.”

Luo Lingshu smiled bitterly, “I don’t regret escaping that mountain, leaving He Zhanghui, but not a day has passed that I haven’t thought of you both.”

Ten hours earlier.

Luo Lingshu grabbed Koike Taichi’s clothes and knelt before him.

Koike Taichi tried to help her up, but Luo Lingshu remained kneeling, “For the sake of all the years I’ve accompanied your father, spare his life. I’ll send him far away—he’ll never return.”

…

Fujita Michi and her mother came from Tokyo, arriving directly at Fujita Kiyono’s residence. Xie Chi was unprepared—when they arrived she was still sleeping. Hearing the commotion, she was about to get up when Madam Fujita happily hurried to the bedside, “Don’t get up. Pregnant women need more rest.”

Xie Chi nodded in greeting, “Forgive my rudeness.”

From downstairs came Fujita Michi’s clamoring voice, constantly demanding to see Brother Ryuji. Not wanting that matter to spoil the mood, Fujita Kiyono simply lied that Ryuji had gone to Nanjing.

Fujita Michi threw another tantrum, “Call him back quickly, or I’ll go to Nanjing to find him.”

Madam Fujita looked happily at Xie Chi’s belly, “The pregnancy is still early. After the engagement, come to Tokyo with us—it’ll be more convenient for us to take care of you.”

“Alright.”

Madam Fujita took out a box from her small bag, “I was going to give this to you tonight when Kiyono’s father arrives, but let’s put it on now.” She carefully opened it, showing the bracelet inside to Xie Chi, “This was bestowed by Empress Dowager Shoken, given to me by Kiyono’s grandmother. Now I’m passing it to you.”

Xie Chi maintained false courtesy, “It’s too precious—I can’t accept it.”

Madam Fujita directly took the bracelet and carefully put it on her hand, “You are the only future daughter-in-law of our Fujita family—you must accept this. Even when Michi wanted it, she didn’t have this opportunity.”

“I don’t want it anyway.” Fujita Michi entered sullenly and flopped onto the foot of the bed, “Brother Ryuji will give me one.”

Xie Chi smiled at her slightly.

“Now I can call you sister-in-law.” Fujita Michi crawled over, reaching into the bedding toward her belly, “Let me feel it.”

Madam Fujita pulled out her hand, “Your hands are so cold—don’t move around.”

Fujita Michi pouted and knelt on the bed, pressing her head against the covers, “After you two finish marrying, it should be my turn with Brother Ryuji.”

Madam Fujita chided gently, “Don’t lie like that—mind your posture.”

Fujita Michi stuck her rear up even higher and sighed deeply, “I don’t want to—”

“I’m sorry you have to see this. Michi has just been spoiled.” She patted Fujita Michi’s head, “You can’t act like this outside.”

“Ah, I know.”

…

According to the promise, Luo Lingshu was to send He Feng away from China, but in just the time it took to use the restroom, he slipped away.

Due to He Feng’s arrest, all underground contact points had been changed, and Old Ji was nowhere to be found. He came near Fujita Kiyono’s residence and saw several Japanese soldiers and ronin densely positioned around, still heavily guarded.

Suddenly, he saw A’Ru emerge from the main gate.

He followed her, waiting until they reached an empty area before pressing up behind her, “A’Ru.”

He Feng wore a scarf covering half his face. Though A’Ru hadn’t seen his full face last time, she was very familiar with his voice and immediately recognized him, “Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, you’re not dead!”

He Feng had no time for pleasantries, “Can you move freely in and out?”

A’Ru didn’t answer his question either, “Brother-in-law, sister asked me to bring a grenade. She said tonight Fujita Kiyono’s father will appear, and she wants to die together with the devils. You must stop her!”

“Coming to the house?”

“I don’t know.”

He Feng released her, “Take that child and leave today.”

“What about you? Are you going to save sister?”

“Mind your own business.”

…

Xie Chi was stuffed into another heavy kimono. The advantage was that layer upon layer, with the grenade tied at her waist, nothing showed at all.

Fujita Yao was very low-key, his covert work done well. Even Xie Chi didn’t know where they would be dining tonight or who would be there.

The restaurant wasn’t large, in a secluded small building in the French Concession. Though not obviously surrounded by Japanese soldiers, the area was secretly filled with countless plainclothes troops.

In fact, Fujita Yao wasn’t satisfied with this daughter-in-law. He had always looked down on Chinese people, but his son insisted on marrying her and had gotten her pregnant. For the sake of his descendants, he reluctantly accepted. Though supposedly here for the engagement banquet, he had been locked in a private room with several Japanese military officers for two hours of meetings.

Fujita Michi really couldn’t sit still anymore. Afraid of her father’s authority, she dared not rush him, only complaining quietly to her mother, “How long do we have to wait? I’m starving to death.”

Xie Chi said, “Should I order something for you first?”

“Father will scold me if he sees.” Suddenly the cry of a street vendor came from outside. Fujita Michi immediately perked up, “I’ll go out for some air. If Father comes out and asks about me, just say I have a stomach ache and I’m in the bathroom.”

Madam Fujita said, “Don’t wander off.”

“I know.”

He Feng hid behind a wall. On the other side was the vendor selling five-spice dried tofu—he had specifically found him to lure Fujita Michi out. Among Chinese foods she liked, this was her absolute favorite.

Fujita Michi happily ran toward the smell, two bodyguards following behind.

She still couldn’t speak Chinese well, gesturing with her hands.

The vendor asked, “How much do you want?”

Fujita Michi couldn’t understand and smiled while pointing randomly.

“Give her more.” He Feng emerged from beside the wall. Fujita Michi was even happier to see him than the dried tofu, directly pouncing to hug him, “Brother Ryuji, they said you went to Nanjing!”

“I came back early to surprise you.”

The surrounding guards were brought by Fujita Yao and didn’t know about recent events. Seeing the young lady so excited and affectionate, and hearing this person speak Japanese, they thought nothing of it.

Fujita Michi hugged him tightly, “I missed you so much! I was thinking if you couldn’t come back soon, I’d go to Nanjing to find you.” She frowned, touching the wound by his mouth, “How did you get hurt? And your brow bone—were you stabbed?”

“No, I’ve been practicing some swordsmanship lately for self-defense.”

“You could just use wooden swords. Look, you’ve left scars.”

“A few scars on a man don’t matter.” He pinched Fujita Michi’s face, “Your dried tofu is ready.”

Fujita Michi happily received it, “This isn’t also a surprise, is it?”

“You like it, so I learned to make it. When we return to Tokyo, I’ll make it for you every day.”

Fujita Michi grabbed his hand and shook it, “Why are you being so nice to me this time?”

“Was I mean before?”

“Not mean, but not gentle either.” Fujita Michi hugged his arm, “Brother is getting engaged today. You came back at just the right time—Father and Mother are both here, so we can all eat together.”

“You have your family reunion—I won’t intrude.”

Fujita Michi pouted and wouldn’t let him leave, “We’re going to be family too.” She dragged He Feng toward the restaurant, “Come on.”

Fujita Yao, Fujita Kiyono, and two other officers emerged from the private room. Xie Chi stood to welcome them. To be absolutely certain, she needed to get close to them.

She had already taken the grenade from her waist and hidden it in her sleeve, just waiting to get close and pull the pin.

Fujita Yao patted Fujita Kiyono’s shoulder and said something that made father and son both laugh.

Almost there.

Ten meters, five meters, three meters…

They stopped. Xie Chi actively walked toward them, her left hand reaching into her right sleeve.

Suddenly there was commotion downstairs.

Just as Xie Chi’s fingers touched the pin, an urgent call came from behind, “A’Zhi—”

Her expression froze as she immediately turned around.

She saw He Feng holding Fujita Michi hostage, gun pressed to her head.

As soon as Fujita Kiyono saw him, he immediately pulled Xie Chi behind him, “You really aren’t dead! Let go of Michi! Otherwise I’ll make you die without an intact corpse!”

Fujita Yao was protected by plainclothes soldiers to the rear, completely confused. First, he didn’t understand why He Feng was acting this way; second, he didn’t understand what Kiyono meant by his words, “Ryuji? You’ve rebelled! Put down that gun!”

Fujita Michi began crying pitifully, the five-spice dried tofu in her hands scattered on the floor, “Brother Ryuji, why are you pointing a gun at me? Stop joking—let me go.” Just as she tried to struggle, she was held even tighter, the thick, powerful arm around her neck making it almost impossible to breathe.

He Feng pressed forward with her as countless guns pointed at him, “A’Zhi, come here.”

Fujita Kiyono angrily drew his gun, “Let go of my sister!”

Madam Fujita clutched her chest and began crying anxiously, “Ryuji, what is this about? Why are you grabbing Michi?” Protected by Japanese soldiers as they retreated elsewhere, “Ryuji, don’t do anything rash! Ryuji!”

“A’Zhi! Come with me.”

Xie Chi walked toward He Feng but was grabbed by the collar and pulled back by Fujita Kiyono, “Don’t go!”

Fujita Yao finally understood. He pushed aside Fujita Kiyono and dragged Xie Chi forward by her hair. Xie Chi twisted his wrist forcefully, chopped at his neck with one palm, and kicked him in the abdomen. Completely unprepared, Fujita Yao was sent tumbling backward.

All guns immediately pointed at her. Fujita Kiyono quickly embraced Xie Chi, shielding her with his body, “Don’t shoot!”

Unable to break free, Xie Chi pulled out the grenade from her sleeve, “Let me go.”

Someone shouted, “Watch out!”

Instantly, everyone retreated and crouched.

Xie Chi hadn’t pulled the pin. She drove her elbow hard into Fujita Kiyono’s abdomen. He let Xie Chi punch and kick him but refused to let go, “I won’t release you! Don’t think about running!”

Michi suddenly cried out, “Brother! Brother!”

Fujita Kiyono looked at his captive sister, his heart filled with anguish. Xie Chi seized the opportunity while he was distracted, spun around, raised her knee, and drove it straight into his groin.

Fujita Kiyono’s face flushed red with pain. He watched in agony as she snatched his gun and ran to He Feng’s side.

Fujita Yao clutched his neck and stood up, furious beyond measure, roaring, “Fujita Kiyono! This is the good woman you found!”

They took Fujita Michi hostage and left the restaurant.

Xie Chi got in the driver’s seat while He Feng held Fujita Michi in the passenger seat. With her as a hostage, the Japanese soldiers didn’t dare act rashly. Fujita Kiyono’s eyes turned red with rage as he snatched a gun from someone nearby and followed, “He Feng!”

Worried about his only son, Fujita Yao followed as well.

Fujita Michi grabbed He Feng’s arm, “Why are you doing this?”

Xie Chi started the car, “Let’s go.”

She pulled the grenade pin and threw it toward the group at the entrance. With a bang, everyone ducked for cover. The car lurched forward. He Feng pointed his gun at Fujita Kiyono and fired without hesitation.

Seeing the gun aimed at his son, Fujita Yao instinctively shielded him. They were similar in height—a bullet went straight through his head.

“Father! Father!”

The car sped away.

Seeing her father fall, Fujita Michi frantically pummeled He Feng’s arm, “What have you done! Ryuji! You killed my father! Ahh—” She clawed and hit him. He Feng let her bite him, “I’ll kill you! I hate you!”

Cars quickly gave chase.

Fujita Michi kept shrieking, then went to grab at Xie Chi who was driving, “What’s your relationship! Why did he come to take you away? What have you two been doing behind my back and Brother Kiyono’s back?”

He Feng really wanted to throw her out.

Fujita Kiyono notified all checkpoints to intercept. Xie Chi drove wildly, making Fujita Michi dizzy and unable to curse properly.

Enemies were everywhere—escape was impossible.

They were blocked on three sides, with the Huangpu River ahead.

“No way out.”

He Feng glanced back, “Slow down.”

Knowing what he intended, Xie Chi asked nothing and reduced speed. He Feng threw Fujita Michi out and took control of the steering wheel, “I’ll drive.”

Xie Chi climbed over him, “You shouldn’t have come.”

“Should I have let you die with the devils instead?”

“At least you would still be alive.”

He Feng pressed her shoulder to steady her, yanking the wheel hard to avoid pedestrians, “If I can’t protect my wife and child, how can I speak of defending home and country?”

“We can’t escape.”

“I know.”

Two cars blocked the path ahead. He Feng was forced to stop.

His ammunition was spent. He took Xie Chi’s gun and shot at the approaching Japanese soldiers.

Whether it was Shen Zhan or Old Ji, they had repeatedly told him to save the last bullet for himself, but he always forgot.

More Japanese soldiers approached.

Xie Chi tore off the kimono, yanked out the pink flowers from her hair, undid the Japanese-style updo, and smiled at He Feng, “I don’t want to be captured again. Take us away.”

He Feng understood her meaning. He gripped her hand, picked up the handcuffs in the car, and locked himself to her. He caressed her palm, finally interlacing their fingers, “Alright.”

He Feng looked back toward the front, floored the accelerator, and drove through the gap between the two cars ahead. The front of the car was smashed to pieces. He Feng steadied the steering wheel with one hand and drove straight toward the riverbank.

In the car behind, Fujita Kiyono screamed hysterically, “No—no—stop them—stop them for me!”

He Feng released the steering wheel and leaned over to embrace her, “Next life, I’ll come find you.”

Xie Chi wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling, “I don’t believe in reincarnation.”

The damaged car shook violently and plunged into the river.

He Feng held Xie Chi tightly, “I’ll come find you.”

The icy river water enveloped their bodies. In the last moment before submersion, his hand gently covered her belly and kissed her upturned lips.

That night, before leaving, Fujita Kiyono had asked him one final question: “I really want to know—for you, which is more important: country or Wanzhi?”

He answered:

“Country is more important.”

“But without her, nothing matters.”

…