16. The Bustling Foreign Concession

For the time being, Ah Gui was assigned to handle some preliminary preparations, and Zhou Hongyi took a rickshaw back to the police station.

His round trip coincided with the police station’s lunchtime. As he entered the canteen, he immediately spotted the tall, simple-minded Fusheng, wearing his hat askew and his uniform buttons fastened unevenly.

Fusheng was devouring a lunch meant for two, eating ravenously. Captain Xu and the others nearby were pointing and whispering about him, their laughter rising and falling.

“So this is the first member of the Special Operations Unit? Our young master Zhou is very capable, but his eye for people leaves much to be desired. Why on earth did he pick such a blockhead?” a policeman sneered.

“Yeah, useless at everything, can’t even speak properly, but when it comes to eating, he’s better than anyone,” another chimed in, disdain clear on his face.

“Hahaha, look at his buttons—completely crooked, his belly’s even showing! How sloppy! Could he be related to young master Zhou somehow?” another jeered.

“Who knows, maybe he is. So all of you keep your mouths shut. If young master Zhou hears this, he might make things difficult for you. Don’t forget, his current rank is equivalent to deputy chief,” Captain Xu warned the crowd, just as Zhou Hongyi approached from afar.

“Ah, young master Zhou is here, haven’t eaten yet? Quickly, come sit here. Someone with some eyes help young master Zhou get a meal, make sure there’s plenty of meat and vegetables,” Captain Xu ordered.

Zhou Hongyi didn’t hesitate. After a quick thank you, he sat directly opposite Fusheng.

“Fusheng, is the food here to your liking?” Zhou Hongyi asked with a smile.

With his mouth full and bits of rice stuck to his cheeks, Fusheng wiped his mouth with his sleeve and grinned foolishly. “It’s good, brother. Way better than the meals at my old station!”

The simple-minded Fusheng was obedient; when Zhou told him to call him “brother,” he did so without hesitation. This greeting indirectly confirmed the earlier suspicions of the other officers, who now silently stuck out their tongues, vowing never again to mock this gentle giant.

Zhou Hongyi said nothing further, smiling as he added, “Eat up. After lunch, we’ll go out on patrol. I’ll help you get familiar with our daily duties and patrol areas.”

Turning to Captain Xu, he asked, “Captain Xu, no group operations this afternoon, right? I’ll take Fusheng out to familiarize him with the environment.”

Captain Xu waved his hand dismissively. “No, no. The missions assigned from above aren’t urgent yet. Mostly just searching for underground agents from the Red Party and the Nationalist Party. We usually handle those during patrols. You just get to work. Also, Director Feng has already arranged for the innermost office to be cleaned out. Young master Zhou, your Special Operations Unit will be officially established tomorrow. I’ll personally oversee the furniture and arrangements, so rest assured.”

“Thanks a lot, Captain Xu. By the way, I chatted with my brother-in-law last night, and he gave me a pack of cigarettes. I can’t finish them all, here, take these and help me get rid of them,” Zhou Hongyi said, pulling out a pack and slipping it into Xu’s hand. Though Xu pretended to refuse, he gripped them tightly.

After lunch at the station and a brief rest, Zhou Hongyi led Fusheng on a stroll through their precinct’s jurisdiction.

The Second Precinct’s area covered much of Jing’an District and a smaller part of Huangpu District, the famed “Ten-Mile Foreign Settlement” of the metropolis.

Everywhere exuded an intoxicating air of decadence. The streets were crowded, lively, and bustling. Neon lights flickered with vibrant hues, illuminating the night like daylight. Shops lined the streets, their signs dazzling and varied: upscale Western restaurants with foreign lettering, quaint traditional Chinese teahouses, and fashionable dance halls pulsing with modern music.

Men and women dressed in splendid attire moved through the throng—arm in arm with sweet smiles or hastening to their next entertainment venue. The honking of car horns, street performers’ music, and the mingled laughter of the crowds created a vivid tableau of urban splendor and noise.

“See that? This is the Ten-Mile Foreign Settlement, a paradise for the wealthy, a money pit,” Zhou Hongyi explained.

Fusheng stared in awe, his eyes wide as copper bells, almost forgetting to blink. The dazzling lights and lively scenes seemed to cast a spell, holding all his attention, saliva uncontrollably dripping from the corner of his mouth.

“Don’t just gape like an idiot. This is all our patrol and operational area. Our Second Precinct has both resources and authority. Work hard with me; you won’t be left out,” Zhou Hongyi said, patting Fusheng’s shoulder with a grin.

Only then did Fusheng regain himself, wiping his mouth and nodding vigorously. “I’ll listen to everything you say, brother. You’re the kindest person in the world to me, after my mother!”

Zhou Hongyi chuckled and casually asked, “By the way, Fusheng, where do you live? What do your parents do? Why did you come to work at the police station?”

Fusheng’s eyes still couldn’t take in the vibrant neon signs, drifting distractedly between them as he answered absentmindedly, “My parents are dead. I live with my grandmother in the alleys. She used money left by my parents to get me this job. She said being a policeman at least means I won’t starve or be bullied.”

“Your parents are dead, and you live with your grandmother?” Zhou Hongyi looked at the gentle giant ahead and felt a pang of emotion. People like Fusheng were like untouched blank slates—pure and simple. If left with Captain Xu and his group, the corrupting influence of the police station might twist him into something unforgivable. But with Zhou Hongyi’s guidance, he was confident he could shape Fusheng into a steadfast Bolshevik warrior, leading him onto a righteous path.

Suddenly, the sound of a gramophone drifted from a quaint shop nearby, playing the haunting melody of “Night Shanghai.” The wistful tune seemed to hold a magic all its own, telling tales of the city’s glory and mystery.

Fusheng listened, enchanted, his steps slowing involuntarily.

Before long, they had reached the Bund, where the wide streets occasionally saw the passage of carriages. Advertisements glowed on both sides, the colorful lights flashing across billboards showcasing the latest perfumes, fashionable clothing with models posing seductively in exquisite garments, and upscale hotels boasting luxurious interiors. The lively and noisy atmosphere reached its peak here, with people coming and going, faces full of satisfaction.

Feeling they had toured enough, Zhou Hongyi took Fusheng to a wonton stand and ordered two bowls.

As they ate, they watched a grand ballroom across the street. The guests entering and leaving were either wealthy or noble. Men wore sharp suits, bowler hats, and carried canes; women donned elegant qipao or evening gowns, their makeup flawless and smiles radiant.

Fusheng had never seen such a spectacle before; his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Interested? That’s the famous Paramount. If you want, I can take you in and let my brothers show you a good time,” Zhou Hongyi teased with a smile.

Though tempted, Fusheng quickly shook his head. “No, no. My grandmother said places with lots of women are no good. I can’t handle it; I’d get tricked.”

“Oh? Your grandmother said that? Did she say anything else?” Zhou Hongyi asked curiously.

Fusheng rolled his eyes, trying to recall, counting on his fingers. “She said don’t go to smoky places, or where they play dice, or where there are lots of foreigners, and especially not to places with plaster medicine signs.”

Zhou Hongyi nodded in agreement, intrigued. “Your grandmother’s right. Those places aren’t good. Well, then keep listening to her advice and stay away from them. For now, just eat your wontons.”

Though outwardly he was showing Fusheng the neighborhood, Zhou Hongyi was also scouting for safe houses.

His ideal safe house needed to be easily accessible with multiple routes for quick evacuation or relocation in emergencies, and located in bustling areas with complex foot traffic to better conceal their presence.

After their walk, he had tentatively identified two suitable residences in Huangpu and Jing’an Districts. They seemed ordinary but possessed unique geographical advantages. He would have to arrange for others to purchase them discreetly to serve as their “foxholes.”

As they ate and chatted, Zhou Hongyi’s eyes suddenly caught a familiar face in the crowd.