Time Is Running Out

"At such a critical time, isn't it a bad idea to ask me out for tea?"

In a teahouse on Father Jin Road in the French Concession, Wang Yan set down his teacup and looked calmly at Ming Lou across from him.

"Mr. Wang, we had no choice. At a time like this, doing more is wrong, and doing less is wrong. Once suspicion falls on us, it becomes very difficult to erase. So we might as well act naturally. After all, I am still the director of the Economic Division, while you are the most influential businessman on the Shanghai Bund. There are perfectly legitimate reasons for us to have dealings."

Wang Yan shook his head and laughed. "You Red Party people really are impressive. If I'm not mistaken, Young Master Ming must have exposed some flaw during his operation at that banquet, and Minamida Yoko noticed it. Then, when you and Ming Cheng went to the scene, Minamida Yoko noticed something unusual as well. Left with no other choice, your Shanghai underground party sent out Pei Min, your ace assassin, to kill Minamida Yoko."

Naturally, Ming Lou heard the amusement in Wang Yan's words. The term "Young Master Ming" was hardly a compliment for an agent like Ming Tai, who had undergone Military Statistics Bureau training. Ming Tai was also his younger brother, while he himself was a colonel in the Military Statistics Bureau. Those four words mocked quite a string of people.

"You're right. That was roughly how it happened. My younger brother's skills simply weren't up to par..."

"Then what is the purpose of meeting me at a time like this? Do you want me to clean up your mess? As far as I know, there was a shootout at the Army Hospital last night, and