Minamida Yoko's Recruitment

Near the Japanese Consulate in Hongkou stood a sizable three-story building where the reception was being held. The area was hardly bustling, since Chinese people living in the Japanese-occupied zone did not dare come around here without reason. Only the occasional Japanese rōnin or woman in kimono passed by. Some of those rōnin ostentatiously wore tachi swords at their waists, clomped along on broken wooden geta, their distinctive hairstyles drawing attention wherever they went.

Wang Yan watched as a Japanese rōnin passed in front of his car, shooting him a sidelong glance without bothering to hide the contempt on his face. The man clearly had some standing and knew who had been invited to that afternoon's reception. He had recognized Wang Yan as Chinese, and so showed him little respect.

That was perfectly normal. The so-called Empire of Japan was flourishing, its military fortunes enduring. As part of it, they naturally looked down on the Chinese they had beaten so badly they could barely lift their heads. Even the Chinese able to attend an event like this were high-status elites, leagues above them, yet they still looked down on them. Militarism and populism had already taken deep root in their hearts. Every victory on the front lines gave them even greater confidence.

Unlike those senior officials, they had no need to put on an act, so naturally they showed no courtesy.

Wang Yan patted Qi Si on the shoulder. "Starting trouble with the Japanese on their own turf—what were you thinking?"

Qi Si gritted his teeth. "I'll kill them sooner or later."

Wang Yan rubbed Qi Si's head and shook his own with a smile. "How many times have I told you? Hide when you need to hide. Even when you're taking someone's life, you should be smiling. Don't let