Chapter 34: The Capital's Number One License Plate (Second Revised Edition)

Jiang Chen was aware that their leader had returned from the Eastern Continent badly wounded. So, after coming back to the capital, he personally chauffeured her everywhere. Sheng Ting never missed a chance to tease him, always wondering why Shen Chaoxi alone received such special treatment.

But Jiang Chen replied, “Sister Sheng Ting, you’re impressive too, but there’s nothing I can do—I admire our leader!” His tone brimmed with pride.

The atmosphere inside the car had Shen Chaoxi laughing. They all knew the Eastern Continent affair was over. Yet the wound Zhou Xu left in Shen Chaoxi’s heart refused to heal.

“Oh my—” Jiang Buyan, just putting on his sunglasses, caught sight of something at the entrance to the Imperial Club and raised his hand, gripping the frames as he stared at the car for quite a while. “Who are these people?” His shock was masked by the sunglasses, but his lips parted, as if startled; he took off his glasses, his expression dazed.

A license plate starting with “Jing 1”—in the capital, that signified someone of rare and considerable importance. Could they be here for pleasure at the Imperial Club, or perhaps for the auction? He hadn’t seen this person at the wine auction, though.

It wasn’t only Jiang Buyan; Gu Suizhou and Lu Yunzhou, both outside the Imperial Club, noticed as well. Gu Suizhou reacted differently, however. He stared at the departing car, eyebrows arching in surprise. “A vehicle from the First Military District?”

Gu Suizhou was indeed a doctor, but at the Imperial Hospital of the capital—an institution under military jurisdiction. He was familiar, at least in passing, with matters of the military districts.

Lu Yunzhou’s gaze darkened as he fixed his eyes on the “Jing 1” license plate.

#

Unbeknownst to them, half an hour later, this military vehicle, its license plate beginning with “Jing 1,” came to a stop outside the headquarters of the Seventh District.

This was a place that struck fear into the hearts of everyone in Y Country’s military and political circles. It possessed unique powers of oversight. To the left was the Intelligence Division; to the right, the Special Operations Division. The comings and goings were all agency personnel.

“Salute, Chief!” Upon seeing the young woman walking toward them, they bowed respectfully, holding documents in their arms.

When they saw Sheng Ting walking beside her, they quickly called out, “Captain, here are the files you requested.”

“Mhm.” Without delay, Sheng Ting led Shen Chaoxi straight to the interrogation room in the Operations Division and opened the door.

“Leader, what are you up to?” Jiang Chen asked.

“Sheng Ting says the person we captured in Yingdu is linked to Y Country.”

“To Y Country?” Jiang Chen was taken aback. “Does that mean…”

During the covert joint military operation in the Eastern Continent, Sheng Ting, a key figure in the Seventh District, coordinated with Y Country’s forces, dismantling several hideouts of the W multinational group in Yingdu. As a result, they learned crucial information from those they apprehended.

“Take a look at this,” Sheng Ting said, pushing a file toward Shen Chaoxi.

Shen Chaoxi lowered her gaze, a shadow flickering through her eyes.

“Surprising how deep the connections run, isn’t it?” Sheng Ting went to the water dispenser, poured two cups, and handed one to Shen Chaoxi, a light smile on her face.

But Shen Chaoxi’s expression turned cold. “Who else knows about the names listed in this file?”

Sheng Ting smiled. “Just received it. Didn’t I call you here right away?”

Jiang Chen interjected, “Sister Sheng Ting, are you saying that even within Y Country, there are insiders entangled with them for profit?”

“It’s more than profit,” Sheng Ting replied. “Yingdu is the Eastern Continent’s prime den of luxury and the most lucrative place. Some become overnight millionaires there, others lose everything in a single night—death is the least of their worries. Such a place, teeming with extravagance and opportunity, attracts not only local criminals but also ambitious outsiders.”

“That’s why the Falcon Operation in the Eastern Continent failed.”

Shen Chaoxi’s eyes, clear and cool, deepened in hue; at that moment, her very presence seemed to chill the air. Her gaze was one Jiang Chen had never seen before.

With biting coldness, Shen Chaoxi said, “Someone leaked classified information.”

Back in the capital, investigating the leak required Shen Chaoxi to take advantage of her reputation as the frail heiress of the Shen family, ensuring she avoided undue attention.

#

August in the capital. Sanqing Peak, Clearwater Cottage, nestled amid mountain forests, shrouded in clouds and mist, oppressive with heat. Loquat trees rose like green umbrellas, offering shade. Pink lotuses blossomed on the natural lake.

In the pavilion, a grandfather and granddaughter sat quietly, locked in a game of chess.

“Grandfather, you’ve lost,” came a low, cool voice.

Shen Chaoxi’s slender fingers placed a black stone onto the tense board. This move was pivotal.

Suddenly, the white stones that had dominated the game fell into disadvantage, defeat looming.

“Oh? I moved too quickly just now, didn’t see clearly—I should’ve played here, here.” The old man protested.

“Grandfather,” Shen Chaoxi looked up with clear eyes, indulgent yet puzzled. “Are you regretting your move again?”

“…” The old man froze, hand poised over the board, embarrassed.

It seemed throughout the match, he had taken back his decisions more than a fair share.

He decided not to undo his move this time. “I’ve lost.”

Opposite Shen Chaoxi sat an elderly man, nearly seventy, his temples silvered, a gentle smile on his kindly face. He did not seem at all displeased by his defeat; instead, he marveled, “Ah Chao, your chess skills truly surpass mine.”

“You taught me well, Grandfather.” Shen Chaoxi smiled, meeting his gaze, as if cherishing this adorable old man.

In truth, the elder Shen was not usually so easygoing. But in Shen Chaoxi’s presence, his usual sternness vanished, leaving only a simple, playful duo.

Shen Chaoxi’s smile was serene, tinged with indulgence.

Just then, the old Shen family steward approached the pavilion, bowing respectfully. “Sir, Miss Shen Xin has arrived.”

The elder Shen paused, fingers still holding a chess piece. He turned, casting a look at the steward as if to say, “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Shen Chaoxi watched him quietly.

“…”

“Grandfather, aren’t you going to see her?” Shen Chaoxi asked.

He chuckled. “Ah, there’s always time to see her. I’ve invited a few old friends to watch the fish up in the mountains, planning to hone our chess skills together. It wouldn’t do to keep them waiting—so I’ll head off now.”

With that, under the steward’s gaze, he rose from the mat and left the pavilion.

Shen Chaoxi shook her head helplessly.

“Miss!” The steward greeted her warmly. “And Miss Shen Xin…?”

He seemed to seek her opinion.

“Let her wait outside for now,” Shen Chaoxi said, picking up a black stone and placing it at the heart of the white encirclement, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Her tone was light, as if discussing something trivial, leaving Shen Xin to wait.

Out under the scorching sun, Shen Xin’s face paled, sweat beading on her brow.

“Grandfather still won’t see me?” she asked, wavering on her feet as the Shen family steward stepped out, nearly unable to stand.