Shanghai Embroidery Lady

Chapter 140
The winter in Shanghai is far less chilling than the fall of large areas of Northeast China. After Jinzhou was captured by the Kwantung Army, people from all walks of life and students became more anti-Japanese. The government has been declaring that it is ready to resist, but in fact it has been resorting to the League of Nations for negotiations. He also ordered the national army to avoid conflicts with the Japanese army.For a while, public opinion was in an uproar, and news of the town's railways being captured came one after another, and the people were panic-stricken.

Although thousands of miles away, there are many wars, but the bustling place in Shanghai is still peaceful with singing and dancing.

After winter, it gets dark earlier, and the orange lights are particularly eye-catching under the hazy night.A car slowly stopped in front of the Swan Pavilion Western Restaurant.

Meng Haoxiang got out of the car, wearing a black coat and standing tall and straight.He opened the car door for Ye Zijin, and after Ye Zijin got down, her hand was naturally placed in Meng Haoxiang's arms.Several people who came out of the store recognized Meng Haoxiang and stepped aside, seeing a graceful woman in white mink fur and an indigo cheongsam standing next to him, guessing that the woman must be his fiancée Ye Zijin.Not long ago, the two announced their engagement in the newspaper, and the wedding is scheduled for March this year.

"Who are you taking me to see?" Ye Zijin asked suspiciously.

Meng Haoxiang smiled faintly, "You'll know it when you see it."

In a corner of the western restaurant, three men and a woman were already seated.Seeing Ye Zijin and Meng Haoxiang approaching, they got up one after another.Ye Zijin saw that it was Qian Jiang and Duan Zhenzhen, Qu Xiangtian, and the other... She forgot the name for a while, but thought that person looked familiar.

"Brother." The man in suit and leather shoes greeted him with a smile.

Meng Haoxiang patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You're back, you look good, you're much stronger."

Qian Jiang laughed and said: "Mozi has a stomach full of foreign ink, so he will be strong."

Ye Zijin heard Qian Jiang calling that person Mozi, and suddenly remembered the lawyer who helped her many years ago——Cheng Mo.I haven't seen him for many years, but the childishness and greenness in his eyebrows have long since faded away. He has a gentleman's demeanor in his gestures and gestures, with a handsome face and a radiant look.

"This is Ms. Ye, I should call her sister-in-law now. Brother, sister-in-law, congratulations." Cheng Mo laughed.

Ye Zijin's face turned red, it was the first time someone called her that, and she always felt a little awkward.After everyone was seated, the waiter brought dishes to order.

As usual, Qu Xiangtian was very thoughtful, and ordered desserts for the ladies present, and recommended the signature dishes of this restaurant, Baked Chicken Noodles and Filet Mignon.Apparently he frequents this Italian-style restaurant from time to time.

After ordering the meal, Qian Jiang smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, it seems that you are very familiar with this restaurant, do you often bring your girlfriend here to eat? Friends don’t bring it out for us to see, why are you hiding it, is there any good thing to hide from us?”

Qu Xiangtian said: "Third brother made fun of me again, it's nothing, I don't have any girlfriend, why don't you ask third sister-in-law to introduce one to me?"

Duan Zhenzhen pushed Qian Jiang, and said: "Is the fourth son still worried about not being able to find a girlfriend? It must be picked slowly. What kind of heart are you talking about?"

Qian Jiang nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, I just picked you slowly and finally picked you..."

"What do you mean?" Duan Zhenzhen said angrily.

Qian Jiang shrugged and said slowly: "The good ones are always left at the end, I just want to see what kind of wife the fourth child will find in the end, is it like Xu Susu or Feng Qixia ?”

Ye Zijin was startled, how could Qian Jiang suddenly mention these two women, one is Liang Xiaochuan's lover, the other is a Japanese spy, she felt a little strange...

I saw Qu Xiangtian smiled awkwardly, raised his glass and said: "Today's protagonists are the eldest brother and the second brother, one is to congratulate the eldest brother and Miss Ye on their upcoming wedding, and the other is to clean up the dust for the second brother, the third brother Don't always talk about me, how about I wish the third brother that you have a precious son early?"

Everyone present raised their wine glasses, but Qianjiang was the only one who did not move.Duan Zhenzhen touched Qian Jiang's elbow, and said in a low voice: "What are you thinking, are you trying to embarrass the fourth child?"

There was a hint of reluctance in Qian Jiang's eyes. Seeing that everyone was waiting for him, he felt embarrassed not to raise his glass. After everyone drank a glass of wine, Ye Zijin found that Qian Jiang's attitude towards Qu Xiangtian was a little different from before. She still called them brothers and sisters, but she always felt that the two of them seemed unfamiliar. During this period of time, it was rare to see the two of them appearing at Baohui Foreign Firm at the same time. It has been a long time since brothers and sisters had dinner together like today.

After the waiter refills the wine, the dishes are brought to the table one after another. Western dishes such as steak and cream of mushroom soup are brightly colored and mouth-watering.

"Mozi, why did you suddenly remember coming back?" Qian Jiang asked while cutting the steak.

Cheng Mo paused, and said, "Do you believe me when I say I miss you?"

Qian Jiang waved his hands and said, "I don't believe it when I go out to study abroad and talk so nastyly."

Meng Haoxiang asked, "Did something happen at home?"

A trace of complicated emotions flashed in Cheng Mo's eyes, and he said casually: "It doesn't matter if you don't mention it, anyway, I was tricked back by those idlers, otherwise I wouldn't want to step into that house, and I might as well stay in Jin'antang."

Ye Zijin also knew a thing or two about Cheng Mo's life experience. He grew up in Jin'an Hall when he was young, and was later taken away by the Cheng family. Now it seems that he still has complaints about the Cheng family. Although he only said it lightly, it can be seen It turned out that he really didn't want to go back to his current home, even though that home had a glamorous appearance and a prominent position.

"You won't be able to come back either, otherwise Master Cheng will come to Jin'an Hall to ask for someone again. He has some friendship with Master Hua. Even if I want you to stay by my side, I'm afraid it won't work." Meng Haoxiang spoke for Ye Zijin. Snow-white napkins are laid out.

Cheng Mo was a little frustrated, and said helplessly: "I'll continue to do my job and be my lawyer. If Baohui Foreign Firm is willing to hire me in the future, I will be happy to go."

The atmosphere gradually calmed down, there were chatter and laughter at the table, Ye Zijin glanced at Qian Jiang and Qu Xiangtian inadvertently, and found that the two hadn't said anything to each other except for the conversation at the beginning, Ye Zijin guessed the relationship between the two What contradiction arose.

After returning home, Ye Zijin couldn't help but ask Meng Haoxiang, "Don't you think it's strange that Qian Jiang spoke to the fourth child today?"

Meng Haoxiang was reading the newspaper, he didn't seem to care too much about Ye Zijin's words, he didn't raise his head and asked, "Is there anything strange?"

Ye Zijin shook his head, "I can't say, I just feel that they are not what they used to be, and why did Qian Jiang mention Xu Susu and Feng Qixia in such a good way, Feng Qixia has been missing for a long time, and Xu Susu has always been Liang Xiaochuan's force Hold the famous role."

Meng Haoxiang was silent for a moment, and said: "Maybe the third child is just talking casually. You also know that Qian Jiang is a joking character, so don't worry too much. The four of us are brothers who were born and died. There is no conflict that cannot be resolved. Since you Having said that, I will ask the two of them to come out another day to ask."

Ye Zijin took a piece of paper and handed it in front of Meng Haoxiang, saying: "This is the list of people to be invited to the wedding banquet, you can see if you need to add more."

Meng Haoxiang glanced at the list, and said with a smile: "Let's leave it to you to decide. In the future, this family will be in your charge. It turns out that Mrs. Meng is so impatient."

Ye Zijin glanced at him, and said angrily, "It's not that I can't wait to marry you."

"Really?" A smile floated on the corner of Meng Haoxiang's lips, he suddenly got up and grabbed Ye Zijin's waist and hugged her horizontally.

"Put me down quickly!" Ye Zijin whispered as he looked a little embarrassed.

Meng Haoxiang was not willing to let it go, he went upstairs with Ye Zijin in his arms.A pale yellow wintersweet flower is inserted in the porcelain vase of tangled lotus on the low table in the bedroom. The fragrance is floating around, as if bringing the breath of early spring...

Two months later, on a quiet winter night, a burst of gunfire suddenly came from afar, waking up the sleeping people. Everyone couldn't believe that the flames of war could spread to Shanghai.

The next day, the newspaper published the fierce battle with the Japanese army in Zhabei District last night. After the provocations and troubles caused by the Japanese army some time ago, the Japanese finally couldn't hold back and started to capture Shanghai last night.After the first battle last night, the military police and defenders recaptured the captured Tiantongan Station and Shanghai North Railway Station. Unexpectedly, today the Japanese government issued a statement threatening the Chinese government, claiming that the incident last night was caused by China’s action against Japan.

After Meng Haoxiang saw the news, he hurriedly sent someone to find Qian Jiang. The Chao Gang managed by Duan Lipeng had always been the main gang in Zhabei District. The sudden Japanese attack would inevitably cause some losses.

Unexpectedly, before Meng Haoxiang dialed the number, the phone rang suddenly. He picked up the phone, and Qian Jiang's voice came from the opposite side.

"Brother, I have something very important to tell you, where are you now?" Qian Jiang asked urgently.

"I'm at Baohui Foreign Firm, what's so urgent?" Meng Haoxiang heard Qian Jiang's tone very anxious, and had a premonition that something serious must have happened.

"Let's talk about it when we meet. I can't say a few words clearly on the phone. I'll go find you." Qian Jiang hung up the phone hastily after saying that.

Meng Haoxiang was waiting in the office for Qian Jiang to arrive, but after waiting for two hours in a row, Qian Jiang was still missing. He had an inexplicable premonition in his heart.Just as he was walking out of the office, Secretary Luo came over in a hurry and said, "Boss Meng, something happened to Mr. Qian, and he is being rescued at Hong'en Hospital!"

Meng Haoxiang was startled, and hurried downstairs with Secretary Luo.When the two rushed to the hospital, they saw a dead body.

"Shot in the back, he lost too much blood and died." The doctor shook his head helplessly, and gently closed the door when he went out.

Meng Haoxiang stood there blankly, and then Duan Zhenzhen who rushed in looked at her husband's body and was already sobbing. Qu Xiangtian and Duan Zhenzhen came over together, and stopped Duan Zhenzhen who wanted to commit suicide several times. Duan Zhenzhen was so heartbroken that she almost fainted from crying. .Ye Zijin rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news, and was shocked and saddened to see the scene before her.

"Who killed the third child?" Meng Haoxiang asked in a deep voice with his face livid.

Qu Xiangtian couldn't hide his anger, he clenched his fist and said, "The Japanese did it."

"How do you know?" Meng Haoxiang suppressed his grief, his lips twitched slightly.

Qu Xiangtian's throat trembled and said, "Third brother was attacked by Japanese ronin on the road..."

Meng Haoxiang was silent for a moment, and only said to Qu Xiangtian coldly: "Go and find out who did it first, and catch them all, and none of them will live."

"Yes, brother, I'll do it now." Qu Xiangtian wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes, and said firmly.

Coming out of the hospital, Ye Zijin followed Meng Haoxiang into the car silently. As soon as she got in the car, she heard a heart-piercing cry.The man beside Ye Zijin covered his face with his hands, and big drops of tears leaked from between his fingers.Before this, she had never seen Meng Haoxiang so sad, and she didn't even remember that he had shed tears.The man in front of me, who dominates the business world and gangs, is so resolute and wise. He has never shed a tear in countless life and death junctures, and he has been brave and persistent all the way.Now facing his brother's murder, he cried bitterly and let go of his last bit of strength.

Ye Zijin gently stroked Meng Haoxiang's shoulder, seeing his painful appearance felt very distressed.When Qian Jiang left, what Meng Haoxiang lost was not only his right-hand man, but also his brother who was born and died with him...

(End of this chapter)