Shanghai, spring 1932.
The faint scent of tuberose mingles with the lingering smell of gunpowder in the air. Two months have passed since the January 28 Incident, when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Shanghai without warning, tearing apart the once-glorious cosmopolitan city. A ceasefire had been signed under international pressure, but the wounds in the nation's hearts and on the cityscape still felt raw. Charred buildings bore silent witness to the fierce fighting, and shadows of suspicion and uncertainty hung over every street corner.
Amidst the ruins of a history freshly written in blood, life at Arsenal Military Academy slowly began to beat again. But for Xie Xiang, the calm was as fragile as a thin layer of ice on a deep lake. Her nights were now filled with deeper sleep by Gu Yanzhen's side, the warmth of his body an anchor amidst the storm of memories of betrayal and danger they had just endured. However, despite her newfound happiness, Xie Xiang couldn't completely ignore the vague sense of foreboding that was nagging at her heart.
That morning, the rising sun cast a pale light through the window of their barracks. Gu Yanzhen was still asleep, his breathing steady and calm. Xie Xiang watched him, the lines of fatigue still visible on his handsome face, a reminder of the physical and emotional battles they had faced together. She reached out, gently caressing Gu Yanzhen's cheek. In the past, she had had to hide her identity as a woman, pretending to be her brother, Xie Liangchen, in order to study at the male-dominated academy. The love between her and Gu Yanzhen had grown amidst disguise and danger, a bond that now felt stronger and more real.
However, their happiness was marred by the shadow of Shen Junshan. The figure of a friend who loved her in silence, who with his noble character chose to step back for Xie Xiang's happiness. Ever since Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen's wedding a few weeks ago, Shen Junshan had withdrawn, sinking into military duties with greater dedication than ever. Xie Xiang felt a distance between them, a chasm filled by Shen Junshan's sacrifice. She knew that behind the sincere smile she showed at the wedding, there was a wounded heart.
After getting out of bed so as not to disturb Gu Yanzhen's sleep, Xie Xiang stepped out of the barracks. The morning air was cool and fresh. She saw several cadets had already started their morning exercises, their spirits burning even though the city still bore the scars of battle. Xie Xiang took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. She had to focus on the future, on her happiness with Gu Yanzhen, and on her devotion to the fragile country.
As she walked towards the dining room, a young officer approached her hurriedly. His face looked pale and tense.
"Miss Xie," the officer greeted, his voice trembling slightly. "There is bad news. An incident occurred at the docks last night."
Xie Xiang's eyebrows knitted together. "What incident?"
"A cargo ship carrying weapons supplies for the National Army was attacked and hijacked. All crew members were killed."
Xie Xiang's heart was pounding. An attack on military supplies was serious news, especially in a time like this. "Who was responsible?" he asked, his voice now full of caution.
"It's not clear yet, Miss. However, there are strong indications that this is not just ordinary piracy. There were witnesses who saw a group of people with unusual characteristics near the docks before the incident."
Xie Xiang felt his premonitions growing stronger. This incident felt strange, as if there were other forces at play behind the scenes. He was reminded of the foreign espionage network they had faced before, and it was possible that the threat had not been completely eliminated.
In the dining room, the atmosphere was more somber than usual. News of the attack on the docks had spread quickly. Gu Yanzhen, who had just arrived, approached Xie Xiang with a worried expression.
"Have you heard the news?" he asked.
Xie Xiang nodded. "This is not just ordinary piracy, Yanzhen. I sense it."
Suddenly, a senior officer entered the dining room with firm steps. "Attention everyone! There is a new order from the commander. All officers and final year cadets are to be gathered in the main hall right now."
The atmosphere in the main hall was tense. The commander of the academy, a middle-aged man with a stern face and sharp eyes, stood at the podium. Beside him stood a foreign man in a dark suit, his face cold and his gaze searching.
"Officers and cadets," the commander said in a loud voice, "We are facing a new threat. The attack on the docks last night was a terrorist act aimed at weakening our country's defenses. The government has requested assistance from an international intelligence expert to help us uncover the mastermind behind this attack."
The commander pointed to the foreign man beside him. "This is Mr. Dubois, a French agent with extensive experience in handling espionage and terrorism cases."
Mr. Dubois stepped forward. He spoke with a thick but fluent French accent. "I am here to help you find out who dared to attack your sovereignty. I believe that with good cooperation, we will uncover the truth."
Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen exchanged glances. The presence of this foreign agent raised new questions. Did the government not trust their own intelligence capabilities? Or was the threat they faced truly so great that it required international assistance?
After the meeting in the main hall, Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen gathered with some of their closest friends, including Ji Jin and Du Qiyuan. They discussed the incident at the docks and Mr. Dubois' arrival with great suspicion.
"I think there is something strange about the arrival of the French agent," Ji Jin said, frowning. "Why did the government suddenly involve foreigners?"
"Perhaps it involves a force greater than we thought," Du Qiyuan replied. "The attack on the arms supply was a very bold move."
"Or perhaps," Xie Xiang said slowly, "there is something they are hiding from us."
Gu Yanzhen put his arm around Xie Xiang's shoulder. "We will find out the truth, Xiang'er. We will expose anyone who dares to threaten our country."
That night, Xie Xiang could not sleep well. His bad feeling grew stronger. He felt a thread connecting the attack on the docks to the espionage network they had destroyed. He was worried that the enemy they thought had been defeated was still lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to strike again.
Suddenly, he felt movement beside him. Gu Yanzhen woke up and looked at him with loving eyes.
"What's wrong, Xiang'er? You seem restless."
Xie Xiang sighed. "I don't know, Yanzhen. I just feel like something's not right. The incident at the docks... the arrival of the French agents... everything feels strange."
Gu Yanzhen held her hand tightly. "We'll face it together, as usual. Don't let fear get the better of you."
Xie Xiang smiled faintly. Gu Yanzhen's power had always been her shield, a place where she could hide from all uncertainties. However, this time, she felt that the danger lurking was more complex and hidden.
The next day, Mr. Dubois began his investigation at the academy. He interviewed several senior officers and checked the intelligence records. His attitude was professional but a little arrogant, as if he doubted the abilities of the Chinese officers.
Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen watched Mr. Dubois' movements carefully. They did not fully trust the man. There was something in his cold, calculating gaze that made Xie Xiang feel uneasy.
In the midst of the ongoing investigation, Xie Xiang received a mysterious letter with no sender's name. The letter contained only one short sentence: "Find out about 'Operation Bamboo Curtain'."
Xie Xiang frowned. She had never heard of that term before. However, she senses that there is an important clue behind the text message, something that may be related to the attack on the docks and the arrival of Mr. Dubois.
With the help of Gu Yanzhen and his friends, Xie Xiang begins to secretly search for information about the "Operation Bamboo Curtain". They go through old archives, contact acquaintances in various agencies, and try to put together the vague pieces of the puzzle.
Their investigation leads them to a dark secret from the past, a covert operation involving foreign powers and aimed at instilling influence in the Chinese military. They begin to realize that the attack on the docks is only part of a much larger and more dangerous plan, a shadow that threatens to overshadow the entire Republic of China.
Xie Xiang feels danger approaching. They are not only facing enemies from outside, but also hidden forces within the country who are ready to betray the nation for personal gain. Amidst the maelstrom of intrigue and lurking threats, Xie Xiang must once again sharpen her instincts and courage, not only to protect her love for Gu Yanzhen, but also to uncover the truth and save her country from destruction. The shadows behind the bamboo curtain began to move, and Xie Xiang knew, the real battle had just begun.
***to be continued chapter 2