Chapter 22: Approach
At this moment, two other thieves shouted, "Hold your ground! Brothers, lend a hand. After we're done, drinks on us."
This shout drew the attention of three onlookers, who happened to be in the same line of work and stepped in to assist their fellow thieves.
Soon, the five thieves rushed into a scuffle with a Japanese man.
The Japanese man found himself at a disadvantage, especially with many undercover police officers around. He couldn't showcase his Japanese martial arts without revealing his identity.
In no time, the Japanese man suffered a knife wound.
Observing the situation, Zhou Lin quickly devised a plan.
He shouted, "Under broad daylight, daring to suppress righteousness with evil."
One of the thieves challenged Zhou Lin, "What do you want?"
Zhou Lin rolled up his sleeves, "Where there's injustice, draw your sword and help! I want to give you a beating!"
With that, Zhou Lin threw a punch and charged.
Zhou Lin was now at Level 2, stronger than these petty thieves. They could handle a group, but against a formidable opponent, they were ineffective.
The once perilous Japanese man, with Zhou Lin's assistance, gained the upper hand.
The thieves were left battered and defeated, and the five of them fled hastily, dragging their injured comrade.
Zhou Lin chased a few steps but couldn't catch them.
The Japanese man waved it off, "No need to chase. There are dozens of thieves at this station. Provoking them together would be a tough match for us."
Zhou Lin nodded, "You're right! Let's go. Grab your things; we're leaving."
Zhou Lin's actions earned approval from the Japanese man.
Initially positioned near the suitcase, Zhou Lin refrained from tampering with it, letting the Japanese manhandle it.
It indicated Zhou Lin's lack of interest in the suitcase.
As they exited the station, Zhou Lin bid farewell.
The Japanese man insisted on treating Zhou Lin to dinner, expressing gratitude for his intervention.
Zhou Lin reluctantly agreed.
"What cuisine do you like?" the Japanese man asked.
"I like Western food, but it's too expensive. Let's go for Hangzhou cuisine," Zhou Lin replied.
This sparked the Japanese man's interest, and they headed to a Hangzhou restaurant.
Familiar with Hangzhou cuisine, the Japanese man ordered several exquisite dishes.
"You have a good taste; these are all high-quality dishes," Zhou Lin remarked.
The Japanese man explained, "I'm not from Hangzhou, but after living here for three years, I developed a fondness for Hangzhou cuisine. Are you from Hangzhou?"
Zhou Lin shook his head, "I'm from Ningbo."
"Ningbo? Where's that?"
"Fenghua."
The Japanese man's smile broadened, "So, you're from a distinguished family! Today must be my lucky day."
Zhou Lin waved it off, "I'm just a college student waiting for job placement."
The Japanese man introduced himself as Gao Xiuhang, visiting Nanjing to meet friends.
Zhou Lin shared his real name without reservation; there was no need to conceal it.
"Mr. Zhou, visiting Nanjing for family or friends?" Gao Xiuhang inquired.
"My family is in Nanjing. I toured Shanghai and now returning home," Zhou Lin replied.
At this point, the dishes arrived.
Gao Xiuhang raised his glass, "Mr. Zhou, a toast to our meeting."
Zhou Lin obliged, and after a bottle of wine, he became tipsy.
Gao Xiuhang called for another bottle.
As Zhou Lin got drunk, Gao Xiuhang asked, "What do Mr. Zhou's parents do in Nanjing?"
"My father works in the Ministry of National Defense," Zhou Lin replied, his head tilting as he fell asleep.
Gao Xiuhang paid the bill swiftly, returned, and checked the suitcase and Zhou Lin. Satisfied, he summoned assistance to escort Zhou Lin to a nearby hotel for rest.
After closing the door, Gao Xiuhang left with the suitcase, believing Zhou Lin wouldn't wake up for a day.
Unbeknownst to him, Zhou Lin, seemingly asleep, quickly examined the suitcase's contents—a transmitter and a codebook in Chinese.
Zhou Lin noted the book's title and locked the suitcase as it was.
Later, he pretended to wake up as Gao Xiuhang returned.
Gao Xiuhang, thinking Zhou Lin was deeply intoxicated, left confidently.
Believing Zhou Lin wouldn't track him, Gao Xiuhang headed to an apartment building, home to government officials, specifically those from the Ministry of Finance.
Claiming to be the younger brother of someone in Room 307, Gao Xiuhang gained access.
Zhou Lin decided not to follow any longer, having pinpointed the person's location.
Back at the hotel, Zhou Lin rested for a while, waking up only in the evening.
Stretching lazily, he informed the staff he was checking out.
The staff mentioned the room fee had been settled.
"No need to refund," Zhou Lin said as he left.
Outside, he hailed a taxi without noticing any pursuers.
Perhaps Gao Xiuhang assumed Zhou Lin needed a day to recover from intoxication and hadn't sent anyone to watch him.
Upon arriving home, his family rejoiced.
His mother, worried sick, expressed relief when Zhou Lin assured her of his safety.
Zhou Lin, upon hearing about the deaths of twenty-five people, bowed his head. "They died protecting me."
His father patted his shoulder, "Remember them! You live for them."
Zhou Lin nodded, "I'll continue what they started."
"Exactly! Don't mourn excessively. I've experienced this too. Over the past decade, more than a hundred people died protecting me," his father shared.
His mother chided him, "Stop talking about death. Say something auspicious."
His father laughed, "Your call! Tell us something joyful."
Zhou Lin asked, "What joyful news?"
His mother beamed, "Your father promised me that you won't join the daredevil squad anymore."
His father added, "The school's deployment list is out. You've been assigned to the Seventh Division. Trainee staff at the Division's Staff Office. Report in ten days."
Zhou Lin knew this was arranged by Dai Su in consultation with his father. His mother had been kept in the dark.