Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1041 Be Careful

As night deepened, Nanjing, like a wounded beast, gradually fell into silence amidst painful gasps.

The daytime hustle and bustle slowly dissipated like the receding tide, leaving only boundless darkness and scattered lights swaying and flickering in the cold wind.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the city, the military police...

Yusuke Ichijo sat alone in the spacious office, his body sinking deeply into the soft leather chair.

Outside the window, a crescent moon hung on the bare branches, its hazy light casting a veil of melancholy over the desolate winter landscape.

His mood, however, was completely different from the desolate night scene; a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in a long time was slowly flowing through his heart.

This feeling of comfort originated from Xiaojuan.

The Chinese girl he had forcibly pulled back from the brink of death recovered unexpectedly smoothly.

The medical officer just reported this afternoon that the wound is healing well and the risk of infection has been greatly reduced.

This is undoubtedly good news.

Thinking of Xiao Juan, Youjie's fingertips tapped lightly on the smooth mahogany table surface, the rhythm quick and light.

Of course, he did not forget his "promise" to Li Shouren and retrieved the pocket watch that was considered a "mother's keepsake".

This is just a small but essential part of the whole plan.

Severing Xiaojuan's connection with the past requires a sense of ritual, a seemingly perfect ending.

In front of her, he returned the pocket watch, which carried the weight of their "blood ties," to her, as a symbol of a complete farewell and pledge of loyalty.

Yusuke Ichijo, upon careful consideration, found the psychological manipulation implications quite ingenious.

Thinking of Li Shouren, a barely perceptible sneer crossed Yusuke's lips.

At this moment, the slightly worn but still exquisitely crafted silver pocket watch lay quietly on the table in front of him.

The military police had restored power, and the office was brightly lit, the bright white light reflecting off the silver watch case with a cold luster.

My fingers gently caressed the exquisite lotus scroll pattern engraved on the watch case. The lines were delicate and smooth, clearly the work of a skilled craftsman.

On the back of the watch case, there appear to be some blurry words engraved on it. Perhaps due to its age or frequent handling, the specific content is no longer legible.

"These must be words expressing longing," Yusuke Ichijo thought casually.

These Chinese people always like to attach too much cheap emotion to these useless objects.

He could almost see the complex expression on Xiao Juan's face tomorrow when he handed the pocket watch to her: surprise, gratitude, and perhaps even a hint of relief.

Then, in the gentlest yet most unquestionable tone, he would tell her about the "new life" that was about to begin, and the loyalty she needed to offer to Miss Huizi.

Then, he seemed to see young master Takasaki saying in his aristocratic Kyoto accent, "Ichijo-kun, you really are a meticulous and trustworthy person."

This praise, like the finest sake, will fuel his loyalty and pave the way for his advancement.

As his thoughts drifted, Yusuke subconsciously reached for the watch cover to check if the pocket watch was still keeping accurate time.

Extending out neatly trimmed fingernails, I gently pressed them against the gap in the watch cover and habitually pried them open.

However, the expected crisp "click" sound did not occur.

The watch cover was only slightly opened, yet a very subtle but clearly perceptible resistance could be felt.

It was as if something unseen was stuck deep within the watch cover's intricate hinge mechanism, preventing it from opening smoothly.

"Ok?"

Yusuke Ichijo frowned slightly.

He is a perfectionist who pays attention to details to the point of being demanding.

This personality trait also makes him instinctively averse to anything imperfect.

How could a "gift" that is about to be given away as an important prop have the slightest flaw? A pocket watch that is difficult to open and close not only looks shabby, but also damages Yusuke's dignity.

This small obstacle, like a tiny grain of sand, fell into the normally smoothly running gears of his mind, casting a shadow over his momentary feeling of comfort.

He absolutely could not allow any uncontrollable flaws to appear in this meticulously prepared plan.

"Someone come here!" he called out, raising his voice towards the office door. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried his usual commanding tone.

The door opened in response, and an adjutant in a crisp military uniform, with a respectful expression, strode in and stood at attention: "Sir, what are your orders?"

Yusuke Ichijo picked up the pocket watch with two fingers and handed it to his adjutant. His tone was calm, yet it contained an undeniable authority: "Go, find an experienced watchmaker in the city immediately."

We need the best skills and the most experienced.

Tell him I have a pocket watch that needs a little adjustment, and that he should bring his tools and come quickly.

"Yes, sir!" the adjutant replied, taking the pocket watch with both hands as if it were a fragile treasure. He then turned and quickly left.

Silence returned to the office.

Yusuke Ichijo stood up and walked to the huge glass window.

Outside the window, the night in Nanjing was as dark as ink, with only a few scattered lights flickering in the darkness like will-o'-the-wisps.

His gaze swept over the blurry outline of the city wall in the distance, and the slight displeasure caused by the flaw in his pocket watch was gradually replaced by a deeper emotion—a habit of being in control of everything.

On this land, he has the right to demand that everything proceed according to his will, even something as simple as the opening and closing of a small pocket watch.

Time passed in silence. About half an hour later, a report came from outside the door. The adjutant returned, followed by an old man.

He was a typical old Chinese craftsman, hunched over, wearing a faded dark cotton robe, his face covered with deep wrinkles etched by time.

Wearing an old-fashioned pair of reading glasses tied with a rope, his eyes behind the lenses were lowered, and he dared not look around.

The old man's hands were rough, and his knuckles were deformed from years of meticulous work. He carried a wooden toolbox that looked quite old.

Accompanied by his adjutant and an armed military policeman, he appeared trembling with fear, taking each step with extreme caution, as if he were walking on a minefield filled with traps, not a smooth floor.

"Captain, the man has been brought here," the adjutant reported.

Yusuke Ichijo turned around, his gaze sweeping over the old man like a hawk's. The old man felt the gaze, his body trembled almost imperceptibly, and his head drooped even lower.

"Tai...Sir." The old man's voice was hoarse, filled with obvious fear.

Without wasting any words, Yusuke Ichijo took the pocket watch back from his adjutant and handed it to the old man. His tone remained calm, yet carried an invisible pressure: "Take a look at this watch. The case doesn't open and close properly. Fix it."

"Be careful, don't break anything." He emphasized, "Be careful."