179: What are your plans next?

Lu Fan woke up from a brief and uneasy dream, sitting up abruptly as night had already fallen outside the window.

After steadying his nerves, he suddenly smelled an enticing aroma of food lingering in the air.

It made his empty stomach growl uncontrollably.

He rubbed his bloodshot eyes and slowly got up to walk out of the room.

In the dining room downstairs, the lights were bright and soft.

Sheng Aiyi was placing the last steaming dish of steamed fish on the table.

There were also several delicate Shanghai-style side dishes and glistening white rice on the table.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Lu Fan standing at the top of the stairs, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"You're awake? Just in time, the food is ready. Come down and eat something."

Her tone was natural and kind, carrying a trace of subtle concern.

Lu Fan felt a slight warmth in his heart, nodded, and walked down the stairs.

Just as the two sat down and before they could pick up their chopsticks, they heard a burst of hearty laughter and familiar footsteps from outside.

"Hahaha, arriving early isn't as good as arriving at the right time. I could smell the fragrance from far away."

Tang Jifeng pushed the door open and walked in without ceremony, a cynical smile on his face.

He made his way to the dining table with ease and pulled out a chair to sit down, as if he were in his own home.

Without even being invited, he picked up a set of clean chopsticks and a bowl.

He took a piece of fish with his chopsticks, stuffed it into his mouth, and praised indistinctly, "Fresh~~ Seventh Miss Sheng's cooking is truly beyond reproach."

Sheng Aiyi gave him a sharp look. "Your nose is certainly sharp. Are you a dog? You always pick mealtime to come and scrounge food."

Although she said that, she wasn't truly angry; instead, she got up to get another set of tableware.

Watching their familiar interaction, Lu Fan's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

The three chatted while eating in a casual atmosphere.

After a few drinks, Tang Jifeng put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said with a more serious expression, "Alright, let's talk business.

My coming to Shanghai this time is officially for a condolence visit, but in reality, I'm here on the Principal's secret orders to gather information."

Sheng Aiyi scoffed and said crossly, "What kind of information requires a playboy like you to investigate?"

"Seventh Miss Sheng, Brother Fan, you might not know, but my Principal is focused on finding out one thing.

He wants to know the origin of that civilian armed force that suddenly emerged during this battle.

So I, his most favored disciple, have come."

Tang Jifeng skillfully took the cigarettes next to Lu Fan and lit one for him first.

As his own cigarette was lit, he opened up completely: "Brother Fan, you and your Security Team have made quite a splash.

Now, among the big shots in Jinling, you are a hot topic."

He gave a thumbs-up and sighed with a face full of pride: "In a single day, you shelled Huishan Wharf, annihilated an infantry battalion.

You took out a Japanese tank company, shelled the headquarters, and finally coordinated with Commander Zhang to surround the Japanese in Shanghai.

This record—not one of those generals has ever achieved anything like it in their entire lives."

He counted on his fingers: "Wang Jingwei, Granny He, Feng of the Northwest, Old Yan... many people, knowing I was coming to Shanghai for a visit, quietly sent word.

They asked me to investigate the background of this mysterious armed force.

Even my elder brother, who is a four-star general, gave secret instructions.

Your suddenly emerging elite force has truly whetted everyone's appetite."

Tang Jifeng leaned back in his chair and talked eloquently, looking more and more proud as he spoke.

After all, the Security Team was trained under his nose, and he was even the nominal head instructor.

Lu Fan smiled faintly and teased, "So you're here in Shanghai on a mission to enjoy yourself by decree!"

"That goes without saying," Sheng Aiyi rolled her eyes and said crossly, "With his character, he must have asked for plenty of funding!"

Tang Jifeng replied proudly, "Of course, I squeezed ten thousand silver dollars out of the old man!"

"Ten thousand? You're quite ruthless! By the way, if you dare to fool around, see how I deal with you on Xiao Feng's behalf!" Sheng Aiyi warned with a cold face.

Then, changing the subject, she asked, "Xiao Si, you've taken the money. How do you plan to report back?"

"Report back? What report?" Tang Jifeng acted like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water. "My coming to Shanghai is simple.

Eat, drink, and play. When the money is gone, I'll go back.

As for that mysterious team? Don't know, couldn't find them~~"

This nonchalant attitude was that of a total rogue.

Sheng Aiyi and Lu Fan looked at each other and forced a smile.

Tang Jifeng crossed his legs and casually reminded them, "By the way, Boss Dai didn't come this time.

But there are many of his subordinates lurking in Shanghai. These people are useless at everything except investigating their own.

You must hide the members of the Security Team well! Don't let anything slip."

"Of course. Tomorrow, the Women's Relief Association I initiated will join forces with several hospitals and charities.

We will open several large temporary relief hospitals to publicly treat civilians injured in the war.

When there are many people, it's easy to fish in troubled waters, so non-public hospitals will naturally follow.

This way, our wounded can receive the best treatment and the safest concealment."

Although Sheng Aiyi spoke calmly, the entire arrangement was airtight.

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng clapped his hands in praise: "Brilliant! A perfect move of 'openly repairing the walkway while secretly crossing the Chencang'.

You gain a reputation, do practical work, and hide your troops. Impressive!"

He then switched back to a teasing tone: "But speaking of which, chatting with the old man this time, his appearance...

He was really stimulated by your victory. This time, he's truly determined to fight the Japanese to the end."

"How so?" Sheng Aiyi's curiosity was piqued.

"On one hand, this victory not only allowed him to completely suppress public doubt and inspire the people of the whole country.

At the same time, in the political arena, he used this achievement to completely suppress Wang Jingwei's faction.

Now he has truly secured his position as the President."

Speaking of politics, his expression became serious: "Additionally, Jinling intercepted the latest secret telegram from the Japanese.

They have already begun transporting troops from their homeland on a large scale. This war has only just begun.

The old man didn't back down this time; he is urgently mobilizing troops from all over the country to Shanghai.

It looks like he's going to go head-to-head with the Japanese here, a fight to the death."

Hearing the news of the Japanese reinforcements, Lu Fan's heart sank.

Familiar with history, he sighed in his heart: the second stage of that extremely tragic Battle of Shanghai had finally arrived.

However, he still spoke calmly: "Your dear Principal's command ability is terrible.

But he does have some strategic vision. Now the military and civilians across the country are united, and morale is high.

It's the perfect time for a decisive battle with the Japanese. This decision is sound!"

Tang Jifeng looked at Lu Fan and asked seriously, "Brother Fan, what are your next plans? Are you going to stay and deal with this mess?"