Speak of the devil, Chen Zikong took a glance and knew what kind of tricks the Japanese were up to.

  They are suspicious of their own identity, so outstanding and daring to teach the Japanese youth elite, definitely do not belong to Beijing's social circle.

  Chen Zikun's guess was correct. There was a Japanese embassy counselor named Araki Toshio who was familiar with Beijing's high society and had a thorough understanding of the personnel investigations. He didn't know anyone he hadn't met before, but this young man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere made him vigilant. He must quickly find out the true identity of this person, and the most convenient way to do so was to ask the foreign manager of Rokoku Restaurant to show his invitation card.

  The British general manager of the Rokoku restaurant, William Johnson, was also very interested in this mysterious young Chinese man. The Rokoku restaurant is a gathering place for Beijing's high society, and as a restaurant manager, he is familiar with every face, can call out each official's name and title, as well as their obscure "courtesy names", but this person he had no impression of whatsoever.

  "Sir, may I see your invitation?" Mr. Johnson asked again.

  Chen Zikun ignored him, coldly picked up a glass of brandy from the table and drank it all in one gulp. Under the cover of this action, his two eyes looked around randomly, searching for an escape route.

  Johnson, who had been in the restaurant business for many years, had developed a keen eye and immediately spotted a small label on Chen Zikun's waistband that was not very noticeable. It was a laundry tag, but it would be removed before being handed over to customers. He quickly understood what was going on and made a discreet gesture, and two tall Indian security guards put their hands on their batons.

  "Sir, must I repeat myself?" Johnson asked again.

  Araki Toshiyuki gloated at Chen Zikun, with his years of experience, this guy must be a anti-Japanese element who sneaked in to cause trouble. For people like him, absolutely cannot let them off, wait until he is kicked out later, then find a few Chinese thugs to get rid of him.

  Chen Zikun still didn't answer, although he had an invitation on him, it was stolen, and fooling the security guard might work, but fooling the manager wouldn't, the real Lin Changmin was standing not far away, taking it out would immediately expose his deceit.

  At this time, Xiao Shunzi had completely lost heart and was thinking about the arrangements after being expelled. He was unlucky himself, but he couldn't bear to drag down Shi Liu Jie from the laundry room as well.

  Yao Yile, who was as sharp as ice and snow, also noticed Chen Zikun's unnatural behavior. She stood up and said: "He is my friend, I brought him in, Manager Johnson, is there a problem?"

  Johnson smiled and said in a pleasant tone: "Of course, there's no problem, dear Miss Yao. I just wanted to know where your friend got his clothes from?"

  This move was ruthless, and Yao Yile was also stunned, looking at Chen Zikun with incredulity, unable to guess his background.

  Just as Chen Zikun was about to make a scene and run away, a familiar voice suddenly came: "Mr. Julian Solomon is certainly wearing his own clothes."

  Everyone turned their heads to look, and on the stairs stood a European gentleman with blond hair and blue eyes, dressed in a suit and tie, holding a civilized cane, wearing pince-nez glasses, speaking fluent French with a hint of Slavic accent.

  Chen Zikun's eyes almost popped out. Isn't this the old man from the second cabinet? When did he also sneak into Beijing?

  "What's this, Mr. Johnson? Do you have some suspicion of my companion? It seems that guests at the restaurant don't need an invitation to attend the dance." The second cabinet minister walked down with a flourish and stood beside Chen Zikun.

  Everyone was amazed to find that the two men were very similar in build, with the same height and leg length, the same broad shoulders and back, handsome and elegant, except that one was Asian and the other European, one younger and the other older.

  "Count Andrei Solomon, please forgive my impertinence. I apologize to you and your friends." Johnson was a manager who was more worldly than the others; since someone had taken it upon themselves to vouch for this Chinese kid, he didn't need to bother with it anymore - after all, only the Japanese were concerned about this matter, so why bother joining in on the commotion.

  "Have a good time." Manager Johnson bowed and left with the guard.

  Araki Toshio was at a loss for what to do, but he had no choice. After all, this was the Liu Guo restaurant, not some Japanese territory.

  Yao Yile let out a sigh, just wanting to chat with this "Julian" for a couple of sentences, but saw him walking away shoulder to shoulder with the foreigner, completely ignoring her, making her stomp her foot in anger.

  "Second Master, what brings you here? Are you going to the Flowing Water Cave to insert incense or receive the Wealth God?" Chen Zikun asked in a low voice.

  One cabinet was smiling and chatting with familiar customers, while the other replied: "Damn it, this kid has gone to the seaside, I'm just covering for him. You little brat can't even get a decent job, if I weren't here, you'd be out of work."

  "How's your family?"

  "The family can't afford to support him anymore, and his fellow villagers are either trampling on him or leaning against the wall."

  They were speaking in the Kwantung dialect, and Chen Zikun asked Er Gui how he had run into him here. Were you sent to the Liu Guo Restaurant to investigate or to kidnap someone? Er Gui replied that with so many police and soldiers around, he was simply staying at the hotel, and when you were changing clothes, you didn't even pay attention, if I hadn't helped you out, you would have been exposed.

  Then Chen Zikong asked about the situation of the second cabinet, and Erguang said that the second cabinet was in a mess, some brothers hid and others joined other cabinets.

  After chatting for a while, Chen Zikun glanced around four times and didn't see Lin Wenjing's figure, feeling a bit anxious. He said to Er Gui: "I have to go first, I haven't returned this leaf yet."

  "Never mind returning it," said Ergou with a smile, "this leafy garment is mine, and I think it suits you quite well."

  "It's not the same thing, I'll go first. I live in Ziguang Factory inside Xuanwumen, come find me when you're free."

  He hastily walked away, just arriving at the storage room door, Xiao Shunzi followed closely behind, tearfully complaining: "Brother, you've scared me to death again. Next time you play a trick like this, please give me advance notice, I can't take your scares."

  Chen Zikun quickly took off his clothes and changed into his own coolie outfit, tore off his small mustache, messed up his hair, put on a cotton hat and left through the servant's special passage. He cautiously looked around to make sure no one was following him before running to where he had hidden his rickshaw and pulling it out.

  ……

  Although Lin Wenjing wanted to stay and continue watching the excitement, the hour hand on the wall clock had already pointed to eight o'clock. If she didn't leave now, she would be discovered. She bid farewell to her uncle and sister, took a hasty glance at the central figure in the scene, that mysterious uncle who brought her into the venue, and then walked out of the ballroom.

  After the fireworks were over, the onlookers outside had gradually dispersed. Lin Wenjing looked around but couldn't find Wang Yueqi anywhere. She looked around in all directions but also couldn't see Uncle Liang who was pulling the cart. The cool air was filled with a smoky smell and there were few pedestrians on the streets of Dongjiaomin Alley.

  No way, I have to go home like this. Lin Wenjing secretly cursed, covering her nose and mouth tightly with a scarf. Just as she was about to hurry on her way, a voice suddenly came from the darkness: "Miss."

  Lin Wenjing looked back and saw Chen Zikun squatting in the corner of the wall, she didn't know how long he had been waiting. She couldn't help but feel a sour nose: "Uncle..."

  "Hehe, it's over, the foreigners' fireworks are quite something to see, I saw them too." Chen Zikun smiled foolishly, wiped his neck with a towel and invited Lin Wenjing to get on the car. He then took off his sheepskin coat and covered her knees with it. This small gesture made Lin Wenjing think of her own mother, who used to tuck her in like this when she was little.

  Chen Zikun spread his legs and started running on the empty street, the water moon lamps by the road emitted a dim light, this winter night was extremely cold, but the heating facilities in the Zi Guangche factory's rickshaw were perfect, Lin Wenjing sat inside the car feeling warm and cozy, all the cold wind was blocked by that broad back.

  "Uncle, today was interesting. I met someone who looks like you." Lin Wen said excitedly, fidgeting with her little legs.

  "What kind of person is he?" Chen Zikong asked with feigned ignorance.

  "Uh-huh, I've grown a small mustache, and my height is the same as yours,"

  "Then did you talk to him? Didn't you tell him that there's a rickshaw puller who looks just like him?"

  "There wasn't... I didn't dare, and besides, we weren't familiar with each other. Oh right, later on he even got into a fight with a Japanese person..." Lin Wenjing vividly recounted the story of what happened in the dance hall to Chen Zikun, who also cooperated by asking questions left and right. This leg of their journey on this cold night became lively and colorful."

  All the way to the door, Lin Wenjing still had some unfinished thoughts. Seeing no car at the door, she knew that her father and Mi Ayi had not returned yet, and her heart was slightly settled. She asked Chen Zikun: "Uncle, will you be waiting for work at the entrance of the alley from now on?"

  Chen Zikun said: "Right, I'm running around in this piece."

  "Oh, great, see you later." Lin Wenjing went into her house and left Chen Zikun with a smile before closing the door.

  This smile made Chen Zikun's spirits soar, and he hummed a little tune as he pulled the empty cart back.

  ……

  The six countries restaurant, Yao Yire frantically searched for "Julian" Mr., but this person was like evaporated and could not be found again. To the front desk of the restaurant to check the registration information of that Andre Solomon Earl, only know he is a guest from Paris, specific nationality is unclear.

  Having found the room number, Yao Yile rushed upstairs, disregarding everyone's reserve, and actually went to knock on Count Solomon's door. After knocking for half a day, no one responded, and the waiter came over to say: "Miss, the gentleman who lives here just went out."

  "Oh, thank you." Yao Yile had to leave, and her family's car had been waiting at the door for a long time. If she didn't go home now, she would definitely be scolded by her father. She reluctantly came to the entrance hall, where Thomas, the small servant in charge of the cloakroom, handed over her fur coat and hat. Miss Yao opened her purse, was about to take out a five-yuan note as a tip, but then put it back and handed over a ten-yuan note instead.

  Tom, also known as Xiao Shunzi, saw this big bill and his two eyes almost spouted fire.

  "Thank you, Miss Yao." He stretched out both hands to receive it, but the banknote was withdrawn again.

  "Help me with something." Miss Yao's powdered face was filled with seriousness.

  "You just give orders." Little Shunzi also became serious.

  "When Mr. Julian appears, give me a call, you will call, right?"

  "I'll make a phone call, Miss Yao. This matter is on me, he won't be able to escape." Little Shunzi patted his chest, guaranteeing it with utmost confidence.

  "Be quick about it, if you delay Miss Yao's important matter, humph, I won't forgive you lightly." Miss Yao threw down the money, her high heels clicking as she went out and got into the car, the Ford sedan speeding away.

  Xiao Shunzi picked up the banknote and chuckled: "Big Kunzi, don't blame me, brother. You've become my money tree now."

  Chen Zikun, who had just pushed his cart into the courtyard, suddenly let out a loud sneeze and muttered: "Damn it, is my wife thinking of me?"

  He didn't notice a black shadow floating down from the top of the wall behind him.