Tiannan College - Kapitel 17
“Consul, please wait. I have something to say.” Jian Rou suddenly spoke in Japanese, surprising everyone present.
The consul hesitated for a moment, then realized he couldn't just leave.
“From the time I can remember, I have been studying. What I have to do is to do everything I can for the benefit of the country. I had no childhood; I was born an adult.” Jian Rou began to speak, not looking at anyone, as if she were talking to herself.
"Later, I came to China. Strangely enough, I actually really liked this place, and I felt as if I had lived here for a very long time. But never mind, none of that matters. My mission, as Detective Zhang said, is that my country needs China's resources, and what I need to do is acquire those resources. According to the plan, things are simple: I gain Mr. Howard's trust, become the general manager of Li Chengxing in China, and use land and sea transportation to bring benefits to my country. But an obstacle arose: the general manager is Luo Xiuqing, not me. So the organization wants to eliminate him. Fortunately, an unexpected thing happened: I fell in love with this person, and I couldn't bear to let him die." Jian Rou's voice was as soft as a dreamlike murmur.
For some reason, tears welled up in Xiaoju's eyes. Luo Xiuqing's heart also trembled.
"So, at the crucial moment, I still testified for him." Jian Rou's eyes were also glistening with tears. "I kept stubbornly telling myself that I really liked this person, but now I've just realized that I like the feeling of being cared for and loved. I've found my mother, and I can stop torturing myself. Actually, what I fell in love with wasn't this person, but the sense of security. Xiao Ju, don't cry, you won't be pretty if you cry."
"Xiao Rou".
"Jian Rou".
Two voices spoke at the same time, Dr. Yu and Xiaoju.
“I’ve never felt this relaxed before,” Jane smiled. “Never. Mom was right, I’ve been hurting myself all along.”
"So you did these terrible things for the country you supposedly wanted to be loyal to?" Howard asked.
“There’s something even more terrifying: I killed someone,” Jian Rou replied, causing everyone present to gasp in shock.
“Originally, I had my doubts about this plan, and I really didn’t want to deceive others. Unfortunately, I messed up the plan and killed my colleague. The original plan was that I would just stab him. I had no choice but to do as the organization arranged. I want to atone for my sins.”
"You mean?" Jiaming's mind suddenly cleared up. He met Zhang Zhi's gaze, and the two of them suddenly understood what Jian Rou was talking about.
“You’re very clever. I assassinated the Japanese military attaché at the ball. It was part of the plan so you wouldn’t suspect the Japanese were involved. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the angle right, and I killed my colleague.”
"So, the Japanese used this as a reason to force you to do everything?" Jiaming felt his anger reach its peak. "What kind of bullshit country is this? What kind of bullshit organization is this? They'd use their own people's lives as a price!"
“We are all prepared to give our lives for our country at any time.” Jian Rou’s voice was unusually calm. “Unfortunately, that was not my country at all. Unfortunately, I was the one who truly harmed my own country.”
"Nonsense!" The Japanese consul jumped up from the sofa. "Miss Jane, you must take responsibility for your words! Chief of Police, I solemnly inform you that our country reserves the right to negotiate with your country on this matter."
"What the hell! Zhang Zhi, take this woman back to the station before we talk. Don't spout nonsense here!" The police chief's face flushed red and then turned pale. He was furious and thought to himself that his job was really in danger now.
"Jian Rou, then who killed Wu Dazhong and Feng Bingde?" Zhang Zhi seemed not to hear the bureau chief's roar.
“I really don’t know. I’m only responsible for my own work. But there is indeed a Tanuki illusion technique, and through my mother’s improvements and by combining the strengths of Chinese disguise techniques, it can achieve a level of realism that is indistinguishable from the real thing.”
"Damn it! I cannot tolerate your slander against my great Japanese Empire! Chief of Police, I have changed my mind. The suspect and her mother will be taken away by us because they deliberately damaged our country's image, and the suspect confessed to killing our military attaché. The criminals should be taken away by us." The Japanese consul was furious, his mustache trembling and his hands shaking.
“No, you can’t take them away. The Chinese government will also investigate your country for selling counterfeit goods that harm our interests.” Zhang Zhi refused to back down.
"Xiaoju, we sisters haven't known each other for very long, but I still have a few words to say to you. The most important thing for a woman is not her appearance. Stop being so critical of yourself. Cherishing the people who love you is the most important thing. Don't be like me, planning everything, which only makes everything wrong."
"Jianrou, you'll be alright, Xiuqing, my brother and I, we all know you're a good person." Xiaoju's words seemed incoherent to herself.
Jian Rou smiled at Xiao Ju, then turned to Jia Ming, "Jia Ming, I once asked you what happens when someone does something wrong. I know in my heart that people have to pay the price for their actions. Since you can't avoid it, just bear it."
"Xiaorou, don't be so sad. It's all over now, your nightmare is over. I'll find you a good lawyer, and we'll go on a trip together."
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never had a day of relaxation since I was a child. Jiaming, what you said, I really yearn for,” Jian Rou’s face and lips regained color. “Also, you have to promise me that next time, before I do something wrong, you will stop me.”
The ball! The ball! If he had grabbed Jian Rou instead of just his sister, perhaps none of this tragedy would have happened. Jiaming thought, a sweet feeling rising in his throat.
"Xiao Rou!" Doctor Yu's voice was so shrill and desperate that it pulled Jia Ming back to reality from his thoughts.
Jian Rou collapsed to the ground.
In shock, Jiaming felt his blood surge and his vision blurred. He rushed over and picked Jian Rou up. Jian Rou had already stopped breathing. Doctor Yu staggered over and touched behind his daughter's ear. Sure enough, two three-inch-long gold needles were stuck in her vital points.
"Ah!" Jiaming's anger turned into a heart-wrenching roar, "How could you be so stupid? You didn't give me a chance to stop you. Why did you commit suicide? Why?"
“This silly child, just like me, is too strong-willed. I’m the one who hurt her.” Doctor Yu gently tidied her daughter’s hair, her movements so gentle that it was as if her daughter had just fallen asleep. “This silly child understands that the people she exposed will not let her go, nor will they let go of anyone who wants to protect her, so she doesn’t want to cause trouble for anyone.”
Everyone present was saddened; the rain was still falling, and the whole world was deathly quiet.
With bloodshot eyes, Jiaming lunged at the Japanese with his bare hands. Zhang Zhi reacted swiftly, striking him on the back of the neck, and Jiaming lost consciousness.
“I should go now,” Dr. Yu stood up. Her once smooth face now looked unusually old. “Mr. Zhang, Mr. Luo, please take my daughter home.”
Without waiting for a reply, Dr. Yu walked towards the door. The Japanese consul also stopped, signaling to his guards on either side, who then followed Dr. Yu.
That night, the explosions in the south of the city awakened the entire city.
The next day's newspaper headline read: "Former Imperial Physician's Residence Explodes Unexpectedly, No Survivors."
According to local residents, several Japanese military vehicles surrounded the area when the explosion occurred. They witnessed a woman being led into the courtyard by Japanese soldiers. Minutes later, the entire courtyard was razed to the ground after several consecutive explosions.
end
Tianjin, two months later.
Li Tongtian, deputy general manager of Licheng Trading Company, has mysteriously disappeared.
Licheng Trading Company is temporarily closed for renovations, and the reopening date is undetermined.
Zhang Zhi was transferred to work in Beiping.
The autumn wind is chilly, and the red and yellow fallen leaves in the courtyard resemble a beautifully crafted carpet.
"Xiuqing, maybe we really shouldn't have come back."
"People can't change the past, nor can they predict the future. Stop overthinking and just enjoy every moment."
"Xiuqing, you must be careful in everything you do," Xiaoju said as she packed her luggage. "You have to be careful when you're out there alone."
"Don't worry, after going through so much, for the first time I truly know what I want to do."