“Of course, neighbors should help each other, but don’t be too kind-hearted.” Caleb Bennett reminded him. Matthew Brooks was, after all, still too young. Even though he had some ability, he was still lacking in social experience.

“It’s fine, we’ll have to deal with each other in the future anyway.” Matthew Brooks said indifferently.

“What are your plans for the future?” Caleb Bennett suddenly asked. Matthew Brooks’s situation was special—not only was he a patrol officer, but also a student at a Japanese language school. After graduation, he might not continue as a mere patrol officer. Being proficient in Japanese made it easy to find a good job in Guxing City these days.

“What plans could I have? I’ll just take things one step at a time.” Matthew Brooks said. He had a little over three months left before graduation, but he hadn’t made any plans for the future yet.

“With your Japanese skills, you’re a talent, and you’ll definitely be put to good use.” Caleb Bennett said.

“I don’t ask for much, as long as I have enough to eat.” Matthew Brooks replied casually. He glanced at Caleb Bennett and noticed that Caleb Bennett had suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on the newly opened Xiaoyang Photo Studio ahead.

This photo studio had opened before the Dragon Boat Festival, on the west side of Changtang Street, south of Taigu Street. Matthew Brooks always paid attention to new shops like this, and he had even told Third Young Master to keep an eye on it.

“Old He, what’s wrong?” Matthew Brooks asked in surprise. Caleb Bennett’s expression was complicated—there was suspicion, surprise, and even a trace of fear.

That shouldn’t be. They had passed by here with Caleb Bennett every day recently, and he hadn’t paid special attention. When the photo studio opened, the two of them had even gone to visit the owner, Dai Xiaoyang, and at that time Caleb Bennett hadn’t acted strangely.

Following Caleb Bennett’s gaze, Matthew Brooks saw that today there was a sign hanging outside the photo studio, which read: “Special offer for new and old customers: 20% off on photos.”

Such signs were common. Times were tough, many families struggled to put food on the table, and business at photo studios was naturally not as good as before, so discounts were normal. But for something to make Caleb Bennett lose his composure, it had to be unusual. Matthew Brooks stared deeply at the sign, then looked away.

Caleb Bennett seemed to realize his lapse, froze for a moment, and only relaxed when he saw that Matthew Brooks hadn’t noticed. Everyone has secrets, and he was no exception.

Ever since seeing the sign, Caleb Bennett became uncharacteristically silent. Even when Matthew Brooks handed him a cigarette, he just took it quietly and smoked in silence.

Although Matthew Brooks was curious, he was no longer as green as he once was and kept his curiosity to himself. Since Caleb Bennett didn’t say anything, he would never ask.

After work, Matthew Brooks invited Susan Rowe out for a meal. That evening, after class, he deliberately waited by the back door of the Delicious Restaurant. He was eager to see what Raymond Shaw would do.

Matthew Brooks guessed that Raymond Shaw, with a guilty conscience, would definitely take action at night. Sure enough, at midnight, the back door of the Delicious Restaurant quietly opened. In the dim light, Matthew Brooks immediately recognized Howard Clark!

Matthew Brooks had always wondered what kind of people Raymond Shaw’s two “relatives” were, and he waited patiently. In the middle of the night, the back door of the Delicious Restaurant silently opened. Matthew Brooks, who had been waiting, suddenly became alert.

When Matthew Brooks saw Howard Clark slowly walk out, he was so shocked he almost cried out. But he quickly calmed down. Now he knew that the Delicious Restaurant must be a contact point for the underground party, and Raymond Shaw must be a member. It was even possible that everyone at the Delicious Restaurant was part of the underground party.

Matthew Brooks quietly followed them from a distance. Raymond Shaw didn’t move Howard Clark very far, just to a place two streets away.

Although he now knew where Howard Clark lived, Matthew Brooks was deeply worried. If Raymond Shaw didn’t know Howard Clark’s true identity, it would surely bring disaster upon Raymond Shaw.

“Bang!”

Around the fourth watch, Raymond Shaw suddenly heard something fall outside. He turned to listen, but there was no further sound. Yet he seemed to hear footsteps—very light, but real enough to reach his ears, making him instantly alert.

Raymond Shaw quickly lit the kerosene lamp, pulled back the bolt, and, holding the lamp, went out into the yard. It was pitch black outside. Even with the lamp held high, he could only make out a little. But he was very familiar with the yard, and soon noticed a stone wrapped in paper that hadn’t been there before.

As soon as Raymond Shaw touched the paper bundle, he didn’t bother to look at it. He quickly opened the back door and looked around. The back street was silent—there was no one in sight. He quickly pulled himself back in, closed the back door, and returned to his room. Only then did he turn up the lamp and take out the paper bundle.

There were only six characters on the paper, but they made Raymond Shaw’s heart pound: “Howard Clark is a traitor!”

Holding the paper, Raymond Shaw was instantly wide awake. Out of trust for his comrades, he felt he shouldn’t believe what was written. But those six characters on the note seemed to be under a spell, stabbing at his heart again and again, growing ever more intense, making him feel suffocated...