Helen Green had willow-shaped brows like the moon, a pair of beautiful eyes that sparkled with life, a delicate and charming nose, rosy cheeks with a faint blush, cherry lips moist and alluring, and flawless, snow-white skin as pure as frost and snow. Even without any makeup and deliberately dressed in a men’s Zhongshan suit, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

　　The first time Michael Brooks saw Helen Green, he fell deeply and hopelessly in love with her.

　　Although Section 76’s Social Department had a few socialites with alluring figures, compared to Helen Green, they were nothing more than wildflowers next to a lily.

　　Helen Green let out a slight sigh, feigning regret: “Director Brooks, you’ve gone to such trouble, but I never use perfume. Please return it.”

　　To be precise, she never used perfume at 76.

　　Michael Brooks didn’t mind and extended another invitation: “You’re a natural beauty; perfume is indeed unnecessary. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Great World. How about going together tonight?”

　　Helen Green said, “I heard one of our people was killed in the French Concession, and the case is under your charge, Director Brooks. Let’s talk after you solve it.”

　　Michael Brooks replied, “It’s a deal then—after I solve the case, we’ll go to the Great World to celebrate.”

　　Helen Green smiled gently, like a blooming begonia: “You sound so confident. Do you have a lead?”

　　Michael Brooks stared, unable to help himself: “Not yet, but I’ll have one soon.”

　　Helen Green handed over the paper bag: “Return the perfume, it’s too expensive.”

　　Although Helen Green didn’t accept his gift or agree to go to the Great World, Michael Brooks was still very happy. As long as he could exchange a few words with Helen Green, or even just look at her a bit longer, he was satisfied.

Chapter 0004: Familiarizing with the Terrain (Part 1)

　　The phrase “On the 23rd, eat scallion pancakes with Mr. Mu” in the secret writing notebook was penned by Henry Clark.

　　In fact, there are many ways to write in secret, such as using starch paste, which can be revealed with iodine tincture or dilute hydrochloric acid. Using gallnut ink, revealed with green vitriol; using milk, revealed with iodine tincture; writing with rose essence, revealed with rose water—all can make the writing appear.

　　Henry Clark felt that using milk was most suitable for Brian Carter, as he drank milk every day.

　　As for “Mr. Mu,” that was, of course, fabricated. Once Section 76 got hold of it, they could suspect anyone. As for “eating scallion pancakes,” it wasn’t specific either. This was a smokescreen; Henry Clark never expected that a single secret notebook would throw Section 76 into chaos.

　　Henry Clark was overly cautious and never had high expectations for anything. Even for things that were almost certain, he only considered himself seventy percent sure. And for things that were only thirty percent dangerous, he would treat them as if they were extremely risky.

　　For example, last night, Howard Grant originally arranged for him to stay at the Pingji Hotel. Since the room was paid for, why not? Henry Clark agreed at the time, but not long after Howard Grant left, he also departed. However, he didn’t check out, as checking out in the middle of the night would attract the hotel’s attention.

　　With two people knowing about the place, the safety factor dropped significantly. Even if Howard Grant was his superior, he couldn’t entrust his safety to him.

　　Moreover, Henry Clark still needed to report the “corner cannon” plan to the organization.

　　Henry Clark joined the Communist Party in the 25th year of the Republic. Early last year, when the Military Statistics Bureau’s training class was recruiting, the organization sent him to enroll as an undercover agent.

　　This time, when the Military Statistics Bureau sent him to Shanghai, Henry Clark’s organizational affiliation was transferred to the Jiangsu Provincial Committee. On his first day in Shanghai, he made contact with the organization.

　　Because of his special status, Henry Clark couldn’t contact the organization at fixed times, so a permanent contact point was set up at No. 3 Fude Lane in the International Settlement.

　　The safety signal for contact was whether a broom was hanging at the door. If there was a broom, it meant it was safe to make contact.

　　However, every time Henry Clark passed by Fude Lane, there was no broom at the door. This made Henry Clark a bit worried, but no matter how worried he was, he couldn’t violate organizational discipline.

　　As an underground worker, Henry Clark knew that organizational discipline was paramount.

　　Although he couldn’t report to the organization in time, the “corner cannon” plan still had to be carried out. In disguise, Henry Clark arrived at Jessfield Road. Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated. To get close to Helen Green, he had to first understand Section 76.

　　Jessfield Road ran from the southeast of West Shanghai to the northwest. Section 76 was located on the north side of Jessfield Road near Kangjia Bridge, east of Wuning Road and Difeng Road, south of Xinzha Road, with Zhenning Road intersecting Jessfield Road to the southwest, and Wuding Road to the north.

　　Not far south of Xinzha Road was Yuyuan Road, where Helen Green’s home was at Lane 433, No. 5 Yuyuan Road. South of Lane 433, No. 5 Yuyuan Road was one of the most bustling streets in the concession: Jing’an Temple Road.

　　When Henry Clark assassinated Brian Carter at Shuanglong Lane, he spent two and a half days familiarizing himself with the terrain. Now, to go undercover at the Gu family, he had to memorize the surrounding area even more thoroughly. Every alley, every house, had to be etched in his mind.

　　Of course, the most important was still Section 76. To the east of Section 76 was No. 74, and across the street was No. 75—both were garden villas built by foreigners who bought land from the Daotai Yamen in those days, with blue-background, white-lettered address plates of the International Settlement. Before the occupation, it was the residence of the Anhui provincial chairman, with a Western-style building, a new-style bungalow, and a large garden.

　　Henry Clark disguised himself every day, investigating the area under different identities. There were several shops outside Section 76, such as a tin shop and a grocery store.

　　As soon as Henry Clark walked into the grocery store, the clerk leaning against the counter immediately cast a watchful glance at him.

　　Henry Clark casually asked, “Do you have cigarettes?”