A Kuomintang agent's spy career during the War of Resistance against Japan

Chapter 21 My First Date with a Girl

All I had to do was buy "Nanyang Oil" starting December 7th and sell it on December 14th. Then my £12 leverage would grow to an astonishing £4 to £3.6. After repaying the £8 in leveraged funds to the exchange and paying commissions and interest, I would have at least £120 in hand. Converted to silver dollars or fiat currency, that would make me a "millionaire" with over 12 million silver dollars!

By then, I won't be living alone in my 280-square-meter villa anymore; I'll need at least five Filipino maids to take care of cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc.

"Should I buy a Buick or a Stypton?" Just as Han Zhenghua was daydreaming and unconsciously grinning foolishly as he walked out of the exchange, he saw Lin Xiaowen waiting outside, her face filled with curiosity and excitement.

Although she didn't understand the specifics of financial operations, she could see how much her father valued this young man, and the tense yet professional atmosphere of the negotiation in the room just now.

"Teacher Han, it seems you've reached an agreement with my father?" she asked playfully.

"Thanks to Lin's introduction, Chairman Lin gave me an opportunity," Han Zhenhua said with a smile, expressing his gratitude.

"So how are you going to thank me?" Lin Xiaowen blinked her big eyes, a hint of girlish naiveté in her voice. "A verbal thank you isn't enough!"

Looking at her youthful and lively appearance, Han Zhenhua felt relaxed and smiled, "Of course not. I wonder if Ms. Lin would do me the honor of having a simple meal with me? You can choose the place."

"That's more like it!" Lin Xiaowen smiled sweetly. "I know a new Western restaurant opened on Xiafei Road. I heard the chef is from France and the food is very authentic!" She had wanted to try it for a long time, but it always felt a bit strange to go alone.

"Okay, that's the one." Han Zhenhua readily agreed.

As dusk falls and the lights come on along Avenue Joffre, a romantic atmosphere permeates the air beneath the plane trees. Inside the Western restaurant called "Blue Whale," the lighting is soft, and a gramophone plays soothing jazz music.

Han Zhenhua and Lin Xiaowen sat facing each other. He had changed into a well-fitting suit, which made him look even more handsome and dashing; Lin Xiaowen had also dressed up a bit, exuding a fresh and refined charm with a touch of allure.

Away from the formal environment of the campus and the stock exchange, their conversation became more casual.

Han Zhenhua talked about his experiences at British universities (all thanks to AI search on his phone), describing the fog in London and the bridges in Cambridge with humor and unique insights; Lin Xiaowen shared interesting stories from her school and her insights from studying history, her eyes bright and her laughter clear.

They talked about literature, art, and their views on the current situation (Han Zhenhua naturally chose his words carefully). Han Zhenhua's insightful views that transcended his time and his occasional profoundness attracted Lin Xiaowen; while Lin Xiaowen's simplicity, kindness, and enthusiasm for her country also brought a touch of warmth to Han Zhenhua, who had seen through the course of history and was often lonely at heart.

"Teacher Han, you seem to know a lot, not at all like someone who looks younger than me." Lin Xiaowen rested her chin on her hand, looking at him curiously.

Han Zhenhua felt a slight chill in his heart, but smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because I enjoy reading and thinking. Chaotic times make people age faster."

"But you don't look old at all," Lin Xiaowen said, her face slightly flushed as she lowered her head to cut the steak on her plate. "It's just that although you're not very old... you're very special and reliable."

A faint, ambiguous atmosphere filled the air. Looking at her beautiful face under the lamplight, Han Zhenhua couldn't help but feel a ripple of emotion. He never imagined that his first date with a girl wouldn't happen in his usual university life, but rather in this magical city of 1937.

The dinner ended in a pleasant atmosphere. Han Zhenhua then drove Lin Xiaowen back to the Lin family mansion, which was not far from the stock exchange.

"Thank you, Teacher Han. I'm very happy tonight." Lin Xiaowen stood at the door, her head slightly bowed, her voice soft.

"I'm very happy too, thank you for the recommendation, the restaurant is great," Han Zhenhua said gently. "Go back now, good night."

"Goodnight." Lin Xiaowen looked up, glanced at him quickly, and then ran into the gate.

Han Zhenhua watched her figure disappear before slowly exhaling and turning to blend into the night.

He knew this was just a minor episode in a chaotic world. However, in his previous life, he had been relentlessly pursuing "involution," with various math, physics, and chemistry tutoring classes from elementary school onwards leaving him breathless. In order to get into a good university, he had truly been "studying from sunrise to sunset, striving without regrets," and "getting one more point, eliminating a thousand people. If you can handle it, then handle it; if you can't, then hold on to the death. If you die from exhaustion, your whole family will be happy..."

However, judging from my first date with Lin Xiaowen today, the feeling of being in love is really great. I have a sweet feeling in my heart that I can't quite describe. In short... it's a very good feeling!

As he approached the villa's front door, he saw the tall, blonde Ms. Susan Cole anxiously waiting there. Upon seeing him, she immediately went up to him and said, "Han, where have you been? My dad is looking for you... The experimental data is out, and he wants you to hurry back to the university lab. Dad is so excited..."

Upon seeing this, Han Zhenhua immediately felt a headache coming on. During this period, he had already "exceeded expectations" by using Professor Cole as a "protective umbrella" and even obtained a British passport. However, he was fully aware of his own abilities and knew that his physics level was only at the high school level. In order to prevent being "exposed," he could only minimize his contact with Professor Cole. Apart from going to the experiment the first time, he made various excuses to avoid it afterward.

He would either say he had urgent business to attend to or that he was feeling unwell and needed to rest, which infuriated Professor Cole to the point of almost going crazy with disappointment and frustration at his wasted talent in physics.

But Susan's anxious expression didn't seem fake. The experimental data was out and the professor was particularly excited. Just as he was about to say something, Susan grabbed his hand and started walking directly towards the school!

The feeling of being held by the hand by a beautiful Western woman, still basking in the afterglow of his date with the "pure and innocent beauty of the Republic of China era" Lin Xiaowen, sent a flutter through his heart...

Susan's hand was warm and strong, and with an undeniable urgency, she pulled Han Zhenhua toward St. John's University.

The evening breeze lifted her golden hair, brushing against Han Zhenhua's cheek, carrying a faint fragrance that intertwined with the lingering sweet emotions he felt after dinner with Lin Xiaowen, creating a strange feeling.

"Susan, wait, slow down." Han Zhenhua tried to steady himself, his mind racing as he quickly calculated how to make up an excuse again.