Chapter 3: Search

Finally, these troublesome pests have been sent away

"Meng, Lu and I are very good friends. In Paris, Lu cured my headache with his miraculous Eastern medicine." Monte put his arm around Lu Xiyan's shoulder, indicating a close relationship

What happened, is this?

No, it seems that he locked the door when he went out

The French Concession is still relatively well, currently maintaining a neutral stance, while within the International Settlement, the Japanese have long been rampant and unrestrained

"Take a look at my clinic, do they want to search my clinic?" Lu Xiyan said displeased.

This is probably not appropriate, as this is a private place

Does Dr. Lu have a girlfriend? After entering, Asano looked around and found nothing in particular, but casually asked this question when he came out

Flyers were scattered all over the ground, and the young students shouting "Resist Japan" at the street corner quickly burrowed into the bustling crowd, just like loaches diving into the mud, disappearing in the blink of an eye

As the number of people increased, it appeared lively; however, the concession had already become an isolated island, surrounded on all sides by the Japanese army. The Chinese within the concession were living only slightly better than those outside.

Didi ... ...

"It is necessary, I would like to see how big the mice in your attic are!" Meng Hao said as he climbed up the ladder.

The back of Lu Xiyan, who was startled, instantly became soaked

Lu, I believe in you, but damn it, how should I explain this to you?" Monte racked his brains, seemingly unable to find the right words to explain this matter to Lu Xiyan.

Mr. Asano wants to see it, so let him see it. I don't understand what is so interesting about a man's living space! Lu Xiyan thought to himself that this was not good. Since this guy has begun to suspect, he probably won't let it go easily. If he is not allowed to see it, it is likely that he will come in secret if not openly.

Fellow citizens, unite and fight to the death against the Japanese invaders

Bring the ladder

At the end of the street, a group of officers in black uniforms from the Annan police rushed over, causing the pedestrians on the street to stagger and fall in disarray

Please make way, little brat

Yes, is there any problem

I apologize for the interruption, Dr. Lu!" Asano Ichiro bowed once again

"Anzi, how can there be a cat in your attic? There wouldn't happen to be mice, would there? Should I go up and take a look for you?" Meng Hao suddenly turned around, his eyes fixed on Lu Xiyan as he asked.

The Japanese occupy our territory, kill our compatriots, we must fight them to the end!

"Mr. Monte, I heard that the owner of the clinic has returned?" said Ichiro Asano, who had a small tuft of goatee and was wearing a gray trench coat.

Asano, private residences are not within the scope of this search! Monte was very displeased with Ichiro Asano's rude attitude; Lu Xiyan is his friend, and he must defend him.

What should be done about this

Upon returning to Shanghai, he unexpectedly encountered an old acquaintance from Paris, France

Lu Xiyan prayed while taking out the key to unlock the door

Meow ... ...

Creak, creak

Shh! Lu Xiyan felt as if his heart was about to explode; just now, he had practically walked through the gates of hell.

This is Shanghai, where the authorities of the French Concession do not dare to offend the Japanese, prohibiting all anti-Japanese rhetoric and suppressing anti-Japanese activists. Lu Xiyan thinks of Meng Fanxing at home, who at this moment is probably still in her pajamas, clutching her blanket, prompting him to quicken his pace.

At the entrance of the alley, Lu Xiyan was suddenly grabbed by someone.

Lu, is this your clinic? Mont is very surprised

The footsteps of pedestrians on the street have quickened significantly. After the Japanese army occupied Shanghai, many people's homes were reduced to piles of rubble in the great bombardment

"Yes, after I returned to my country, I opened this clinic," Lu Xiyan asked in confusion, "Is there a problem?"

If there are no medical records, then there are none

Just as the Japanese plainclothes officer poked his head up, suddenly, a large black-and-white spotted raccoon cat jumped down from above his head, landing on the floor, and with a "whoosh," it darted out from beside Lu Xiyan's feet

Is there anyone whose foot has been injured and has come here to have the wound bandaged?

"If you don't mind the dirt, then of course it's fine..." Lu Xiyan smiled awkwardly; could he really say no?

Moments later, calm returned as if nothing had happened

Shaking his head, he found nothing.

Oh no

At the entrance of the clinic, Lu Xiyan saw a familiar figure!

Of course

What a big cat

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a corner of a pink garment peeking out from the bag he was holding. He immediately understood that Asano must have seen this corner of the garment earlier, which led to his suspicion.

his childhood friend, Meng Hao

"Monte, what are you doing bringing people around my clinic?"

Asano Ichirō's subordinates were also taken aback, and after hastily glancing inside, they came down.

Take care, no need to see you off

"There is an attic, how about it, does Mr. Asano still want to go up and take a look?" Lu Xiyan feigned calmness and said, "Inside there are only some old items, things that the previous landlord did not want, there is really no place to put them..."

"Governor Monte, I am merely curious and have no intention of offending Dr. Lu."

It is probably a cat, in this cold weather, the stray cats on the street will find a place to shield themselves from the wind and snow, so it is quite normal for them to climb onto the roof. Lu Xiyan said with a hint of an awkward smile

Suddenly turning his head, Meng Hao saw Lu Xiyan and hurriedly walked over, saying: "Anzi Ge, why have you only just returned?"

"How is that possible? I live alone; where would I have a hidden beauty?" Lu Xiyan said while rapidly thinking in his mind.

In addition to Meng Hao, he also encountered several other unfamiliar faces, dressed in plain clothes, as well as some onlookers among the common people

A large number of homeless citizens flocked into the concession.

You scoundrel

Doctor Lu, I heard that you live right above this clinic

"Doctor Lu, there should be an attic upstairs, right?" Ichiro Asano suddenly turned his head and asked Lu Xiyan.

"Is there anything inappropriate? Could it be that Dr. Lu has a hidden beauty in his golden house?" Asano Ichiro chuckled, his gaze seemingly sweeping over a package that Lu Xiyan had just brought back from outside.

"It's nothing, I sincerely apologize for disturbing Dr. Lu." A hint of disappointment flickered in Ichiro Asano's eyes

"What sound?" Just as Ichiro Asano was about to step outside, he suddenly frowned, turned around, and carefully examined the ceiling.

I have indeed been somewhat careless

Lu Xiyan suddenly remembered that he had mentioned to Meng Fanxing that there was an attic upstairs, which housed some old items and served as a storage room

Yes, this is the owner of the clinic, Dr. Lu, he is my good friend, Mr. Asano. Monte specifically emphasized this.

You forgot, I told you last night...

The door lock is intact, and Meng Fanxing is still inside the room. This is troublesome; the Japanese man named Asano has been following closely behind him, his gaze never leaving him for a moment.

A young woman, let me think, there was a heavily pregnant one a couple of days ago, her amniotic fluid had already broken, and she insisted that I assist in the delivery, but I am neither an obstetrician nor a midwife

... ...

Although the words were polite, there was not a trace of surrender in Ichiro Asano's eyes

Search the clinic, what is the reason for this

Three Japanese plainclothes officers entered and began a thorough search of the clinic, including the disinfection room, the treatment room, and the patient records, among others

Meng Fanxing, I truly hope you can hear the commotion and hide yourself, or leave a step ahead.

There was no one in the house, and Lu Xiyan felt a sudden drop in her heart at the thought of the commotion downstairs. With Meng Fanxing's alertness, she should have been able to anticipate it.

The Japanese authorities requested to search all medical institutions in this area, so ... ...

"Doctor Lu, may I ask if any young women have come to see you for treatment recently?" Asano Ichiro approached and inquired of Lu Xiyan.

This seems to be absent. Here, people come and go every day, and I am the only one inside and outside. Anyway, I have records of my medical visits. Shall I check for you?

Mr. Asano, please ... ...

There is, perhaps there might be... Lu Xiyan felt somewhat guilty

"Doctor Lu, you should hurry back and take a look; the constables have surrounded your Anping Clinic," said Master Jia, the tailor.

"Lu, what brings you here?" Monte looked up and, upon seeing Lu Xiyan, wore a similarly astonished expression.

What? Lu Xiyan's heart sank, thinking to himself that something bad had happened, and he hurriedly ran back.

... ...

Mont

Chairman Jiang delivered an important speech in Wuhan, vowing to fight the war to the end

Lu Xiyan truly feels utterly helpless, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, his hands involuntarily slipping into his pockets, constantly clenching them to conceal his anxious heart

Meng Fanxing is not in the room; she must have hidden in the attic

No, I must go up and take a look. I hope it is not a rat that has made a nest, coming out at night to scare people!

However, Lu Xiyan understood that the Japanese were pursuing an injured "female anti-Japanese activist," and clinics, hospitals, and prescriptions were key areas of focus

Before he could utter the words "no," Lu Xiyan suddenly felt a shock, realizing that this was Asano trying to trap him with his words

This is terrible; if that Japanese person goes up to the attic, they are bound to discover Meng Fanxing

Hurry, the patrol is coming, run quickly

"Can we go up and take a look?" Asano's eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of cunning light flickering within them

No need, we have already reviewed the medical records from your esteemed clinic!" said Ichiro Asano directly

May I go up to take a look

Lu Xiyan was so nervous that she could hear her own heartbeat, thump thump thump

Ichiro Asano ordered one of his subordinates to climb up

Haozi, is it really necessary... Lu Xiyan suddenly felt overwhelmed; Meng Hao, this kid, has always liked climbing trees since he was young, and he has an especially strong curiosity

"Anzi Ge, Director Meng, do you know each other?" Meng Hao's eyes widened in surprise

Attic

The streets are bustling with traffic, and people are weaving in and out. As the year-end approaches, the number of Chinese people in the French Concession has increased, making it lively and prosperous, although this is only temporary

No, no, Lu, this is not your concern; it is merely a routine matter. Those damned Japanese monkeys want to take a look at your clinic, " Mont said quietly, covering his mouth.

I just feel that this figure is too familiar, I didn't expect it to really be you. Didn't you say you were going to Annan? How did you end up in China?

Suddenly, a familiar face jumped into Lu Xiyan's view, surprising him. How could this person appear in Shanghai

I have just been transferred from Annan to serve as the patrol chief at this Beitang police station. Monte was also very pleased to encounter a familiar person in a foreign land

"Mont, do not make it difficult for yourself. Since they want to see, just let them see!" Lu Xiyan said helplessly

Fellow citizens, the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual

Lu Xiyan stepped forward to open the door of the clinic

Meng Fanxing is just upstairs. If this Japanese person insists on going up to take a look, what should be done? If we forcibly stop them, it is likely to backfire.