Xiong Xiling was also straightforward and got on a rickshaw, pointing with his cane towards the northeast: "Go to Rokoku Restaurant."

  Chen Zikun's head got bigger, and Liuguo Restaurant was a place where Miss Yao often came and went. However, thinking again, how could they be so lucky to meet, so he still went with a hard scalp.

  Arriving at the Liuguo Restaurant in Dongjiaomin Lane, he indeed ran into an acquaintance, but it wasn't Miss Yao, rather it was Xu Er. This guy was holding a book and reading with great relish, completely unaware of Chen Zikun's arrival.

  "Mr. Xiong is old and has arrived, I'll wait for him here." Chen Zikun said as he stopped the car.

  Xiong Xiling said, "No need, come with me."

  "This... isn't good, is it?" Chen Zikun hesitated a bit. What if those Japanese agents were still lurking in the restaurant waiting to catch "Zhu Lian", and then saw him again? That wouldn't be good.

  "They are all my friends, nothing wrong with that." Xiong Xiling insisted, Chen Zikun couldn't refuse, and shouted to Xu Er: "Xu Er, help me watch the car."

  Xu Eryi looked up and saw that it was Chen Zikun, and he was so frightened that he trembled with fear, hastily saying: "Good, good."

  Chen Zikun followed Xiong Xiling into the Liu Guo Restaurant, and in the lobby, only a few white people were scattered on the sofa, with no Japanese spies in sight, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

  The hall manager saw Xiong Xiling arrive and hurriedly came forward to greet him: "Premier Xiong, Mr. Lin and the others are already waiting for you, please come this way."

  Upstairs in the coffee shop, a window-side private room was already occupied by four people, all dressed in suits and leather shoes. One of them was even an old acquaintance of Chen Zikong's, Lin Wenjing's uncle Lin Changmin.

  When they saw Xiong Xiling bring in a young man with an unfamiliar face, the four of them were all somewhat surprised. Lin Changmin was even more stunned, thinking to himself that this wasn't Julian, the Soviet spy who had been wanted by the authorities just a while ago, so how could he be appearing openly at the Six Nations Hotel?

  Xiong Xiling said: "Zi Kung, I'm here to introduce you. This is Mr. Wang Daoyuan, who has also served as Acting Premier like me; this is Mr. Liu Chongyou, a member of the House of Representatives; this is Mr. Lin Changmin, who has served as Minister of Justice and is now Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Presidential Palace; and finally, this is Mr. Ye Jingxuan, who works with Mr. Lin, Secretary of the Presidential Palace and Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee."

  He then turned to the four of them and said: "This young man is my bosom friend, and the newly released public toilet management rules in Beijing were written by him."

  Chen Zikong was neither arrogant nor humble, and cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Chen Zikong, also known as Kunwu, a rickshaw puller from the Purple Light Rickshaw Factory inside Xuanwu Gate."

  Xiong Xiling saw him composed and dignified, and was secretly delighted.

  The four of them secretly admired him. Although this young man came from a humble background, he was elegant and refined, no wonder Xiong Xiling valued him so much.

  Lin Changmin suddenly realized that this person and Julian were actually two different people, but it was also a strange thing that there could be two people in the world who looked so similar. This matter was relatively sensitive, so he didn't dare to say more, and could only keep it in his heart.

  The waiter brought over two cups of coffee, a small silver spoon and sugar cubes. Chen Zikun listened to their conversation while naturally picking up the sugar cube and putting it into his cup of coffee, stirring it with the small silver spoon. He picked up the saucer with his left hand and the cup with his right hand, taking a sip. The coffee was good, fragrant and rich, with a smooth texture that seemed familiar.

  His every move fell into Lin Changmin's eyes, yet it also made him suspicious. This "carriage driver" drank coffee with such elegance and poise, not at all like the rough and unrefined laborer he should be. In Lin Changmin's impression, cart pullers usually drank water like beasts, slurping loudly from a ladle. But this man was so refined and elegant, just like some young master from a wealthy household. Even if he were an old friend of Xiong Xiling's, it shouldn't be the case, because Old Master Xiong never drank coffee at home.

  Ye Jingxuan said: "Zong Meng brother, the latest news from Paris, you haven't told Lao Xiong yet."

  Lin Changmin hastily said: "It's like this, yesterday Liang Qichao sent another telegram saying that Britain and France do not support our demand for the return of Shandong's sovereignty. Among the five powers, only American President Wilson repeatedly emphasized justice and righteousness, calling for a new international order, but it's hard to make a sound with just one hand."

  Xiong Xiling sighed: "Although the European powers have always had contradictions with Japan, they will not offend Japan for China. It is already a fantasy to recover Shandong's sovereignty through the Paris Peace Conference. By the way, what news from Hunan?"

  Wang Daixie said, "Wu Peifu is still stationed in Hengyang, not making a move, occasionally sending telegrams nationwide to call for peace, secretly colluding with Zhao Hengti in the south, and it's said that the two have already become sworn brothers."

  Liu Chongyou sneered, "Is this deliberately letting Duan Qirui add fuel to the fire? Wu Ziyu is brave and good at fighting, and his southward march is unstoppable. However, Duan Qirui gave the position of Hunan governor to Zhang Jingyao, a drunkard, while Zhang Jingyao is the person Wu Peifu looks down on the most. By doing so, Duan Qirui has ruined his own plan for military unification of the country. Guangdong and Guangxi are right in front of us, but Wu Peifu has halted his troops. You all see, it's not guaranteed that one day Wu Peifu won't lead his men back to attack."

  They were talking enthusiastically here, but Chen Zikun couldn't help but secretly yawn. What's Duan Qirui and Wu Peifu, he didn't know any of them, nor could he join in the conversation, it was really boring.

  Xiong Xiling noticed his impatience and said: "Zi Kung, you go back first, I'll call a car later, it's very convenient here."

  "How is that going to work..." Chen Zikun made a few polite remarks and bid farewell, returning to the entrance of the restaurant. Just as he was about to tease Xu Er a couple of sentences, he suddenly heard the sound of high heels clicking on the cement floor behind him, accompanied by a man's shout: "Miss Xiao, wait for me."

  Then came a familiar female voice: "Xu Gongzi, I already have someone in my heart, and that person is not you."

  Chen Zikun was shocked, wasn't this Yao Yile's voice?

  Speak of the devil, all he could hear was footsteps rushing towards him, Chen Zikun was at a loss, his mind in disarray, Xu Er looked at him curiously, thinking what's wrong with this kid.

  On the other side, Xu Tingge still clung to it: "Miss Yao, tell me who that person is, I want to duel with him!"

  Yao Yile ignored him and quickly walked over to Chen Zikun's rickshaw, lifted her leg and got in: "Rickshaw driver, hurry up."

  Chen Zikong didn't dare look back and pulled the cart to run, Xu Tingge also jumped onto Xu Er's cart and ordered: "Hurry up and chase!"

  Two foreign bicycles chased each other, but Chen Zikong was still one step ahead. At the crossroads, he shook off his pursuers and Xu Tingke sighed in admiration, complaining to Xu Er: "Why are you running so slowly?"

  Xu Er said with a hint of grievance: "I was reading books until midnight last night and I'm not feeling well, please forgive me, young master."

  Xu Tingge stamped his foot and said no more.

  ……

  "Coachman, you're driving quite fast, stop!" Yao Yile said.

  Chen Zikun stopped the car by the side of the road, and Yao Yile took out a 50-cent coin from her purse and handed it over to him. He had no choice but to reach out and take it, their eyes meeting, and Yao Yile was almost startled into stupidity.

  "Julian" left an indelible mark on her, unforgettable for eternity, and the coachman in front of her was so similar to Julian that it made people suspect they were the same person.

  "You... know me?" Yao Yire asked tentatively, after all, she was a socialite and her ability to read people's expressions was not bad. She looked at the car driver's expression, seemingly evasive about something.

  "You know, your family's car once crashed into a car from our factory." Chen Zikong replied honestly.

  Yao Yile let out a breath, she also remembered that there was such a thing, at the time the driver who ran out to question her had a very high head, and his appearance was quite handsome, his facial features were similar to Julian's, of course the difference in temperament was huge.

  "Oh, it's you." Yao Yire gazed at Chen Zikun's face without any reserve, thinking that if he had a small mustache, he would be just like another Julian.

  "Miss, are you alright?" Chen Zikun asked.

  "It's nothing, this is your money." Yao Yile tossed the small silver coin to Chen Zikun and looked at the "Purple Light" copper plate nailed on the rickshaw with a thoughtful expression.

  ……

  Xu Er pulled the rickshaw across the street, Xu Tingge stood on the cart looking around in all directions, unable to find any trace of Miss Yao, and couldn't help but clench his fist.

  "Master, returning to the mansion?" Xu Er asked.

  "Go back." Xu Tingge slumped down.

  He walked halfway and suddenly changed his mind: "Go to Shaanxi Alley!"

  "Alright, Shanxi Alley." Xu Er turned the carriage around, but was surprised in his heart. The young master actually went to play at the Eight Great Hutongs. If Master found out, he would break his legs.

  But that's not something for the lower class to consider, Xu Er pulled the cart straight to Shanxi Alley, this is where the brothels of the capital gather, after the Republic of China, the regulation prohibiting officials from visiting prostitutes was lifted, and the sex industry in Beijing developed rapidly, with famous prostitutes emerging one after another, such as Sai Jinhua and Xiao Fengxian, who were household names, even someone like Xu Er could recite a couple of stories about Sai Jinhua outsmarting Wadisi, or Cai Songpo's High Mountain Flowing Water Meeting Like-Minded People.

  When he arrived near Shaanxi Lane, Xu Tingge got off the car and told Xu Er to wait at the entrance of the alley. He himself casually found a brothel to go to. This was not the first time he had been rejected by Yao Yilei, and he had a fire burning in his heart. If he didn't find a place to vent, he would get sick from holding it in.

  The old procuress saw a young nobleman with a furrowed brow and luxurious attire arrive at the door, and immediately smiled and invited him to the elegant room upstairs, where fine wine and dishes were served, and also called over a group of beautiful and charming courtesans for the young master to choose from.

  "Not a single one is worthy, replace them!" Xu Tingge waved his hand, how could these mediocre women compare to Miss Yao?

  One after another, they changed several batches but were not satisfied. The wine was drunk a lot, and the old prostitute's eyes turned around and asked: "Young master, have you ever had an acquaintance with a girl?"

  "No."

  "What kind of young master does he like? I'll help you find him."

  Xu Tingge thought for a moment, his face filled with longing as he said: "She must be beautiful and enchanting, lively and lovely, have a sense of humor, understand English poetry and the latest Parisian fashion trends."

  The old procuress widened her eyes and thought to herself that this young master's request was indeed excessive. She smiled slyly and said, "Young master, we do have a girl like the one you described. Recently, a Shanghai courtesan came here who likes to wear Western clothes and speak foreign languages. However...the price is not low."

  Xu Tingge was already in a bad mood, and after drinking a bit of wine, he immediately got angry, slamming his hand on the table: "Do you know who I am? My uncle is Xu Shuzheng, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, tell me if I have any money!"

  The old procuress immediately put on a shocked expression: "Oh dear, it's actually Young Master Xue, I'm blind, I should die, I should die!"

  As he spoke, he also waved his hand in front of his own face a few times.

  Xu Tingge said irritably: "Hurry up and bring the person over."

  The old procuress said, "Right away." She hurried downstairs and after a while, she indeed led up a slender, fair-skinned young woman who had a modern air about her every gesture. Xu Tingguo's eyes went wide with wonder.

  "Xu Gongzi, this is Miss Manli from Shanghai. You two chat slowly." The old procuress smiled and backed out, helping to close the door.

  Manli girl was indeed a Shanghai beach mixed, took a look and knew that Xu Tingge was a college student who had lost his love. Moreover, the old lady had reminded her that the other party was the young master of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief's family, so she naturally served him wholeheartedly. She helped Xu Tingge pour wine and asked in Mandarin with a Wu dialect accent: "May I share your sorrow?"

  So gentle and considerate, Xu Tingge was almost enchanted, with tears in his eyes, he slowly told his story of lost love...

  ……

  Under the brothel building, there was another middle-aged customer in a suit and leather shoes who came to visit. As soon as he entered, he asked: "Is Miss Manny here?"

  The old procuress waved her handkerchief and came up: "Ah, it's Professor Chen. You haven't come for a long time. Manli is not feeling well today, I'll help you find another pretty one."

  "Professor Chen said, "Nonsense, I have an appointment with Manli, how can she suddenly not be feeling well." He went upstairs on his own, and the old madam hurriedly chased after him, saying "Professor Chen, Manli really isn't here.""