Chapter 129: Planting Intelligence

Soon, the two parted ways. Su Yu left the club ahead of the others, while Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong nodded to Shao Wenguang before trailing closely behind him.

Ten minutes later, Takeda Kaede emerged at a leisurely pace, with Shao Wenguang following from a distance. Everything was under control.

Ning Zhiheng watched as Su Yu returned to his residence and placed a call to Xiang Yan.

"Section Chief, everything went smoothly. We can proceed to the next stage of the operation."

"Excellent. The Intelligence Section is ready. We can initiate the delivery plan tomorrow, and soon we will know the true face of this Section Chief Su," Xiang Yan replied with satisfaction.

The next morning, Jin Wenkang, Section Chief of the Second Section of the Planning Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was awakened by his alarm clock. He felt lightheaded the moment he sat up. Gritting his teeth, he rose and called his domestic servant to assist with his morning routine.

"Sir, you are not feeling well today. Why not stay home and take a day off?" the servant suggested, concerned by his poor state.

Jin Wenkang shook his head. He was a diligent man who rarely missed work due to illness, and he had always been in good health. What was wrong with him today?

"I will skip breakfast; I have no appetite. Tell the driver to prepare the car. I will leave after resting for a while," Jin Wenkang insisted.

Before long, his official car pulled out of the courtyard.

Nearby, inside a parked car, three intelligence officers watched the vehicle depart.

"Tell me, Old Lin, didn't you slip him a sleeping pill? Why isn't it working?" one officer asked, puzzled.

"Did you use too small a dose?" another asked, equally confused.

"Nonsense. Do you think I dare use more? Too much will kill a man. I can't afford the consequences of offing a diplomat!" Old Lin retorted, curling his lip. He was not about to take the blame for that.

"Forget it. Luckily, we have a backup plan. I tampered with his fuel tank; he won't get far before he runs out of gas," the first officer said, waving his hand dismissively. He was glad he had made arrangements. "Start the car. We’ll follow him. If there’s an accident, we’ll just ram him and stage a traffic collision. Either way, he is not going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today."

At the Ministry, Su Yu prepared several documents that required Jin Wenkang’s signature and walked to the door of his superior’s office across the hall. He knocked and stepped inside, only to find Jin’s secretary cleaning up.

"Secretary Song, why hasn't the Section Chief arrived yet?" Su Yu asked.

"He hasn't. The Chief is always punctual. He’s usually here by now. I wonder what’s happened today?" Secretary Song replied.

"I see. I’ll come back later," Su Yu nodded helplessly, returned to his own office, poured some tea, and began reading a newspaper.

Half an hour later, he heard voices from the office across the hall.

"Secretary Song, is Section Chief Jin not in?" a man’s voice asked.

"Ah! Secretary Chen. The Chief hasn't arrived yet. Is there something you need?"

"It’s like this: I have an important document that I must hand to Section Chief Jin personally. I don't know when he will be here," Secretary Chen said, sounding troubled. "Very well, I will come back later."

"Understood. He should be here soon. He is never late; perhaps he was delayed by something," Secretary Song explained.

The footsteps faded away as Secretary Chen walked off. Su Yu heard the entire exchange, and his heart skipped a beat. What kind of important document could it be? The Planning Office was the department in the Ministry with the most access to information, and every measure to be implemented required their prior planning. In his position, Su Yu had already stolen much valuable information for the Japanese.

Twenty minutes later, footsteps returned. "Secretary Song, has Section Chief Jin arrived yet?"

"I am truly sorry, he is still not here. Why don't you leave the document with me, and I will pass it on to him?"

"Forget it, I won't trouble you. I will wait a little longer," Secretary Chen said, hesitant to agree.

Su Yu opened his office door and saw Secretary Chen turning to leave.

"Secretary Chen, it’s been a while. Why don't you come in and sit for a moment? Why the rush?" Su Yu said with a smile.

Su Yu knew this man; he was a confidential secretary in the Planning Office, and they usually exchanged greetings when they crossed paths.

"Oh, Section Chief Su! My apologies, I must have been muddled to forget your office was right here. I’ll take you up on that offer—I could use a rest," Secretary Chen said, his eyes crinkling into a smile, feigning relief.

Inwardly, he was delighted. If Su Yu hadn't called him over, he would have had to knock on his door in another twenty minutes. That would have felt forced and unnatural, far less effective than being invited in by Su Yu himself. It seemed Su Yu really did have something to hide.

Once inside, they exchanged pleasantries, and Su Yu naturally steered the conversation toward the document folder in Chen's hand.

"What brings you to our Second Section today?" Su Yu asked, handing him a cup of tea with a smile.

Secretary Chen acted flattered, accepting the tea with a grin. "I'm busy as a bee, no time for leisure. The office sent over an important document that needs to be handed directly to Section Chief Jin. I’ve made two trips already, and he’s still not in. I’ll have to come back a third time. It’s quite a long walk, you know!"

Su Yu said sympathetically, "That is unfortunate. Section Chief Jin is always punctual; he must have something urgent. He might not come in at all today."

"Oh, please don't say that! I can't keep such an important document overnight. Besides, I have a mountain of work; I can't just waste my time here!" Secretary Chen complained, his face falling with anxiety.

"There is nothing to be done. I'm afraid I cannot help you. Why don't you stay here for a while? Perhaps the Chief will arrive soon." Su Yu spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

With no other choice, Secretary Chen stayed to chat. They idled away more than half an hour talking about everything and nothing. It was nearly ten o'clock, and there was still no sign of life from the office across the hall.

Finally, Secretary Chen couldn't take it anymore. He checked his watch and gritted his teeth. "Section Chief Su, it’s getting too late. I have too much work waiting. I won't keep you any longer. Do come by my office sometime. I must be going."

"Very well. It looks like Section Chief Jin won't be coming in today. Come by tomorrow; I have some excellent black tea at home that I'll bring for you to try," Su Yu said, standing up to see him out.

Hearing this, Secretary Chen looked pained. He hesitated for a long moment before finally saying, "Section Chief Su, would you be willing to accept this document on behalf of your Chief? I really cannot keep it overnight, and I have to meet some friends tomorrow—I won't be able to make it back here."

"This... I'm not sure if that's appropriate. Doesn't it have to be received by the Section Chief personally?" Su Yu asked, feigning deep reluctance.

"Oh! If the Section Chief isn't here, accepting it on his behalf is the same thing! I really don't have the time to wait around. Please, help me out!" Secretary Chen pleaded sincerely.

Su Yu hesitated for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. "Very well. Leave it with me. I will give it to the Chief when he arrives. That will save you the trouble of running back and forth."

Secretary Chen was overjoyed. He quickly handed the folder to Su Yu along with a receipt. "When you hand it to Section Chief Jin, please ask him to sign this. It must be his personal signature; otherwise, it won't comply with the procedure. I will come to collect it tomorrow afternoon!"

Su Yu understood the procedure for handling important documents. He took the receipt and nodded. "Rest assured, I will handle it. Come by tomorrow afternoon."

Seeing the matter resolved, Secretary Chen thanked him repeatedly and left in high spirits.

Su Yu watched him walk away, then immediately turned back into his office and locked the door behind him.