Chapter 27: The Beautiful Military Officer
After the battalion captain finished speaking, he led the majority of the troops, including the platoon captain and most of the members of the twentieth squad, away to avoid arousing suspicion. Three members of the twentieth squad were left behind to guard the confinement room.
Leaning against the wall, Zhou Lin continued pondering the affairs of the Seventh Division. Since he had traversed into this time, he was determined not to let history's tragedy unfold further!
As Zhou Lin reached for his tobacco, contemplating lighting a cigarette, he heard voices outside. "Miss, what brings you to the confinement room?" A woman's voice replied, "I've come to see my classmate." "Your classmate? Who?" "Zhou Lin, the new trainee staff officer." The guard outside immediately responded, "I need to consult a deputy director about this." "Go ahead. I'll wait here for news."
Listening to the young woman's voice, Zhou Lin couldn't recall when in the Seventh Division there was a female soldier who knew him. And their relationship seemed unusual. Ordinary individuals wouldn't visit the confinement room in the middle of the night.
Shortly after, outside Zhou Lin's confinement room, the voice of Xiang Zijun was heard. "Staff Officer Zhou, someone has come to see you." After saying this, Xiang Zijun lit an oil lamp. As the lamp flickered, Zhou Lin saw the person standing outside the confinement room door. It was a woman in her twenties, dressed in military attire, exuding an air of grace.
Approaching the door, Zhou Lin noted the door was a lattice gate. At that moment, memories of the original occupant flooded Zhou Lin's mind. He immediately remembered the woman as Xie Tingting. She was indeed the original occupant's classmate from the same class.
The original occupant kept a low profile in school, with no one aware of his status as the nephew of a high-ranking official. Combined with his introverted nature, he rarely socialized. Thus, only two or three classmates had a good relationship with him.
Among those with a close relationship was Xie Tingting. Once, Zhou Lin witnessed two female classmates being harassed by ruffians outside the school, and one of them was Xie Tingting. Zhou Lin stepped forward, drove away the ruffians, and saved the two classmates. Since then, every time Xie Tingting saw Zhou Lin, she would greet him first.
However, Zhou Lin didn't want trouble and had no intention of making friends. Unexpectedly, the girl now stood before him. "What? Can't recognize me?" Xie Tingting asked. Zhou Lin replied, "Xie Tingting! What brings you here?" Beside them, Xiang Zijun added, "This is the daughter of our commander Xie."
Understanding, Zhou Lin said, "You are from a prestigious family." Xie Tingting corrected him, "Am I from a prestigious family? You are the one from a prestigious family." Xiang Zijun, seeing the two familiar with each other, tactfully said, "You two talk; I'll guard outside." "Thank you!" Expressing her gratitude, Xie Tingting passed something through the lattice gate. Zhou Lin reluctantly accepted it, opened it, and found various snacks and two packs of good cigarettes.
Xie Tingting explained, "The cigarettes are from my father. The food was bought by the family's servant. I'm not sure what you like, but I hope it suits your taste." Taking a chicken claw, Zhou Lin responded, "Delicious! It would be perfect with some wine." Rolling her eyes, Xie Tingting said, "Thinking about alcohol while in confinement! You're dreaming. I dare not give you alcohol. If my father finds out, he might put me in confinement too." Zhou Lin quickly added, "No need for alcohol! The food is enough."
Xie Tingting stood outside the door, saying, "You've become much more outgoing compared to your school days. Back then, you always wore a cold expression and rarely spoke. Everyone thought you were mute." After saying this, Xie Tingting laughed, reminiscing about their school days. Zhou Lin explained, "Due to my family background, I was not encouraged to socialize at that time. So, I had no choice."
"Well, if your classmates knew about your situation, some might try to curry favor with you, hoping you'd help them climb the ranks." "That's why I was sent to the Seventh Division." "Being in the Seventh Division is great! If we have time, I'll cook for you." Zhou Lin asked, "Can you cook?" "A little, I can only make Dongpo pork. But it's delicious! Would you like to try it?"
The two chatted for an hour while Zhou Lin ate the food. Seeing Zhou Lin finish the food she brought, Xie Tingting was pleased. "Zhou Lin, I have to go. It's late, and my parents will be reciting scriptures. I'll come to see you again tomorrow." Zhou Lin teased, "You're expecting me to be in confinement again tomorrow?" "Oops! My apologies!" Sticking out her tongue, Xie Tingting waved and left the confinement room.
Returning to his bed, Zhou Lin took out the cigarettes Xie Tingting had brought, lit one, and started contemplating the information from his previous life. There was no mention of Xie Tingting. However, if Xie Tingting was in the Seventh Division and not among those left behind, she must have gone to the combat zone.
If she went to the combat zone, it meant she met a tragic fate at the hands of the Japanese. I must save her. The prerequisite for saving her is to find the traitor.
Early the next morning, Wang Hong arrived. "Zhou Lin, the head agreed. The other two squads from the original battalion are temporarily assigned to me." "That's good! I estimate that the market in the town is a Japanese communication point. The battalion leader can arrange for people to investigate. The Seventh Division's spy wouldn't dare use a radio; it's too risky. So, if they want to communicate, they have to go through a middleman."
"Right! The most suitable middleman is the people in that market. They have concealed identities, a location, and telephones. Whether it's a telephone, telegram, or runners, they can quickly send out information." Handing a cigarette to Wang Hong, Zhou Lin said, "Before the Shanghai battle, the Japanese wouldn't have thought that the Chinese army was stationed here, let alone that a market would be established in this inconspicuous place. So, the people in the market should be safe before the battle starts."
Wang Hong lit the cigarette. "I was thinking the same. Let's investigate those who started doing business in the market only after the battle began." Zhou Lin smiled, "This is just the first round of investigation. In the second round, we'll look into those merchants who aren't from Zhejiang." "Why?" "Our Seventh Division is from Zhejiang, mostly Zhejiang locals. Therefore, the people doing business in the market are also from Zhejiang. Sharing the same dialect and local connections makes business convenient. Outsiders would be at a disadvantage. So, it's challenging for outsiders to establish themselves in the market. If, under these circumstances, someone persists in doing business in the market, it indicates either that the merchant has unique goods not available to others in the market or that the person has connections within the Seventh Division."
Wang Hong handed a cigarette to Zhou Lin. "What if the contact person for the spy is also from Zhejiang?" Many people discussed the matter of the colonel.
Messa