Chapter 35: Exploitation

"Why?"

Dao Ya knitted her brows tightly. Sensing that her sister had realized something, Dao Yan quickly interjected, "Xiao Ya, have you discovered something amiss?"

Dao Ya tapped her fair, smooth chin with her finger, her gaze turning nostalgic. "This morning, our teacher organized a visit to learn about the situation of the teachers and students arrested at Tongji Middle School. That was when I met Zhou Xiaoman—the daughter of the boss who suddenly attacked Uncle today."

"Because we were acquaintances, I chatted with her for a bit. Now that I think back on it, everything she said was intended to lure me into ordering a portion of pork chop rice cakes. She told me that after today, she and her father would be leaving Shanghai."

"I thought to myself that if they left, I wouldn't be able to eat those delicious pork chop rice cakes anymore, so I said I wanted one delivered today."

"But Zhou Xiaoman said she had to follow her teacher to the French Concession to demand the release of our classmates and teachers, and wouldn't have time to deliver it. She gave me a phone number, so I called and placed the order."

Upon hearing this, Dao Yan immediately turned and walked to the cabinet by the wall, grabbed the phone, and dialed the Operations Section.

"This is Dao Yan from the Telecommunications Section. Has Section Chief Ma captured Zhou Xiaoman?"

"Alright, I understand."

Hanging up the phone, Dao Yan walked back with a frosty expression and stared at Dao Ya. "Zhou Xiaoman never went to the French Concession. According to her classmates, she was picked up by a black Ford after school."

"You silly girl, you’ve been deceived. Can you use your brain for once? Today, you almost got Uncle and Zhao Xuan killed!"

Scolded, Dao Ya burst into tears. On one hand, she was furious that such a pretty girl could lie to her. On the other, she was overcome with lingering fear; her brother-in-law had nearly died because of her. She was certain that if her brother-in-law hadn't shielded her, that bullet would have shattered her skull.

"I... I'm sorry. I want to see my brother-in-law... I want to see my brother-in-law!" Dao Ya sobbed, looking at Dao Yan with a pleading expression.

Dao Yan sighed, sat back in her chair, and gestured toward Zhou Mei.

Zhou Mei’s mouth twitched. Did she really have to keep asking after all this? Wasn't it already clear? Dao Ya had simply been duped. Did she really expect her to squeeze something else out of the girl? If she did, she would be the one in trouble! *Damn it all!*

Your whole family is just bullying me because I’m an outsider, aren't you?

"Cough, cough. Miss Dao, I'm afraid that's not possible right now. Your brother-in-law is likely being questioned as well."

Dao Ya froze, her sobbing halting for a second before she choked out, her body trembling, "Wh... why? My brother-in-law is injured... he even saved Uncle. Why is he being questioned?"

Zhou Mei smiled awkwardly. "After all, the pork chop rice cakes were originally ordered by your brother-in-law, and he even arranged for a recurring delivery."

"B-but... that was the stall I took my brother-in-law to."

Dao Yan couldn't hold back anymore. At a time like this, she was still being stubborn! Someone had already tried to shift the blame onto Zhao Xuan, and she had just dragged it right back! *My foolish sister, are you in such a hurry to die?*

In the interrogation room where Zhao Xuan was held, Ding Moqun, having just finished the call, smiled at him. "A-Xuan, I have a general understanding of the situation now. The Kuomintang spy status of Zhou Dahe and his daughter has been confirmed."

"Thinking about it carefully, Zhou Dahe had been trying every possible way to get close to Xiao Ya, and this time he even used her. We’ve confirmed that Zhou Xiaoman was picked up. A-Xuan, given the current situation, what do you think the KMT is really trying to achieve?"

Zhao Xuan looked at Ding Moqun with feigned surprise and asked with great confusion, "Director, don't you suspect me?"

Ding Moqun exchanged a glance with Zhang Sanjin, laughed, and asked with interest, "Oh? Why would I suspect you? A-Xuan, you are family!"

Zhao Xuan leaned back in his chair, looking directly into Ding Moqun’s eyes. "If I hadn't ordered those pork chop rice cakes, Zhou Dahe and his daughter would have had no opportunity to approach Apartment 27, and today's assassination attempt wouldn't have happened. So, no matter how you look at it, the source of the incident lies with me."

Zhang Sanjin chuckled and scratched his head. "Mr. Zhao can rest assured about that."

Seeing Zhao Xuan’s confused expression, Zhang Sanjin didn't know how to speak, or rather, he didn't want to. Ding Moqun, however, spoke quite frankly.

"We've already clarified things with Xiao Ya. Even if you hadn't ordered the pork chop rice cakes, Zhou Dahe and his daughter would have found a way to induce her to order them. Their preparations were extremely meticulous."

Ding Moqun paused there, his gaze fixed on Zhao Xuan.

Listening to Ding Moqun’s inner thoughts, Zhao Xuan felt speechless. *This old man wants me to analyze the situation to test my abilities.* And since he had already stated the situation in his thoughts, there was nothing left for Zhao Xuan to analyze—just repeat it back!

"Director, do you mean that even if it were Zhou Dahe's first time delivering the food, the fact that he was truly there to deliver them allowed him to reach Apartment 27 successfully?"

"And Zhou Dahe’s purpose was simply to make you get out of the car at the entrance, thereby assisting others in the assassination."

Ding Moqun snorted coldly, his expression grim as he nodded. "Exactly!"

"I've faced so many assassination attempts that I almost never get out of the car at the entrance. Today, I was careless. I was first lulled into a sense of security by Zhou Dahe, and then, seeing Xiao Ya actually take the rice cakes from him, my guard went down."

After speaking, Ding Moqun sighed and slowly stood up, stepping forward. "And the most important point is that all the events today were far too coincidental."

Zhang Sanjin fell into deep thought. He had realized it earlier, too—it was the convergence of so many coincidences that created the perfect environment for the KMT agents to strike. It was a chain of events; without a flawless plan, they could never have reached the final step.

"A-Xuan, if it weren't for you today, I would have met my end right at my own doorstep. My life was saved by you, my nephew."

Zhao Xuan quickly replied, "Director, I..."

Ding Moqun waved his hand to interrupt him, smiling as he continued, "What 'Director'? There are only the three of us here, and San-Pangzi is not an outsider. Call me Uncle!"

Watching Zhao Xuan nod, Ding Moqun pondered for a moment before asking, "A-Xuan, regarding today's events, what can you deduce? I am well aware that you were recommended by Humboldt University to enter the military academy, specializing in intelligence studies, and that you received top marks in every subject of intelligence analysis."

"A-Xuan, you don't want to see your uncle fall into such a dangerous situation again, do you?"

Zhao Xuan looked at Ding Moqun, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration, while inwardly feeling genuine admiration for the original Zhao Xuan.