Chapter 37: The Current Situation

Qin Youfu had been waiting outside the restaurant for a while. Seeing Huang Panyang and Huang Xinrui emerge, he bid them farewell and called out, "Shu Qin, it is time for us to head back. Oh, Zhihan, come along with us."

"Oh, no thank you, Uncle Qin. I still have some matters to attend to. You go ahead."

Zhou Zhihan felt a sudden sense of relief. Once Shu Qin left, he had to find a discreet location to enter the "Air Hegemon" system to practice flying the P-26 fighter or the Type 96 carrier-based aircraft. He was determined to master the flight performance of the Type 96 and convey the details to Huang Xinrui and his group before they returned to China.

As for how he would explain his knowledge of the Type 96’s specifications, that was a concern for later.

Thinking about the prospect of battling Japanese fighters in the skies above his homeland, Zhou Zhihan resolved to master every active-duty WWII fighter plane, especially those of the Japanese, until he knew them inside and out.

As Shu Qin and Zhou Zhihan walked downstairs, Zhou Zhihan surreptitiously tucked some money for the meal under a Chinese-language newspaper on the counter before thanking the owner.

Chinese immigrants abroad held a low social status, often facing discrimination and immense pressure to survive. Patriotism, however sincere, could not supersede the immediate need to feed one's family; otherwise, it would remain nothing more than empty slogans and hollow words.

Outside, Qin Youfu was waiting for Shu Qin. Having spent the time reminiscing about their childhood homes and wondering about the fate of old friends, the men had indulged in more drink than usual. Without his niece, Shu Qin, there to curb him, Qin Youfu was flushed with wine.

Shu Qin went to retrieve her bicycle. Zhou Zhihan did the same; he had "borrowed" it from outside a villa the night before and knew he would need to return it soon. "I am a man with a system," he mused. "Even if I must act as a thief, I shall be a cultured one."

After collecting his bike, Zhou Zhihan stood with Qin Youfu to discuss the overseas Chinese donations. It was his first time interacting with the Chinese Association, and he felt both a sense of novelty and a deep connection to these compatriots who, though living abroad, kept their hearts in their motherland.

"Uncle Qin, do you think the death of that donor was an accident, or was it the handiwork of the Japanese?"

Qin Youfu scanned the surroundings before leaning in. "It is almost certainly the work of the Japanese. We have our community, and they have their Japanese-American population. They have been locked in a shadow war with us for years—it is an open secret. Japanese ronin often provoke our businesses, leading to frequent brawls. But we have numbers; whenever they stir up trouble, our people—even those just passing by—unite to fight them off. We must stick together to avoid being bullied."

Zhou Zhihan nodded. "There are far more of us than there are Japanese expatriates. We should be able to crush them."

Qin Youfu accepted a cigarette from Zhou Zhihan and lit it, his eyes narrowing. "We may have the numbers, but because our motherland is weak, our social status here is far below theirs. That is why we all pray for the day our country grows strong enough to stand as our shield."

Zhou Zhihan fell silent, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. It was true: when a nation is strong, its citizens abroad naturally command respect.

"The Japanese have been preparing for their invasion for years," Qin Youfu continued. "They established the Tokko—their secret police—to target patriotic Chinese abroad. Many of our people have died under mysterious circumstances. Everyone knows it is the Tokko, but we are powerless. We can only call for unity and mutual protection."

"Does our Nationalist Government simply sit by and watch?" Zhou Zhihan asked.

"The government is weak and lacks the resources to combat their secret agents abroad," Qin Youfu replied. "After the meeting today, Liu Yunyi and a few of us core members discussed the recent murder. We suspect a traitor within our own ranks leaked the victim's address, as only a few of us knew his details."

After a pause, Qin Youfu’s expression grew grave. "Zhihan, I have heard that the Japanese may launch a full-scale invasion within the next few years. You must ensure those fighter planes reach China. And be careful—the situation is deteriorating. Stay at school; it is safer there. Your mission is to bring advanced military knowledge back home. We cannot afford for anything to happen to students like you."

Zhou Zhihan nodded. He knew Qin Youfu was only sharing this because of his status as a high-level cadet at West Point.

"Zhihan," Qin Youfu said after a long silence, his face etched with concern, "I don't know if I should say this, but... Miss He is beautiful, kind, and wealthy, but I am not sure you two are a good match. You are destined to return to China. Will she?"

Zhou Zhihan looked down, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"How much do you really know about her?" Qin Youfu asked, watching his niece approach.

"Uncle!" Shu Qin called out, pushing her bicycle. "The tire is punctured. I'll have to walk it back to be repaired."

"That's strange, it was fine this morning," Qin Youfu said, inspecting the bike. "Probably some mischievous kid. Never mind, I'll find a shop."

"No need, Uncle," Shu Qin said. "I'll leave the bike with the restaurant owner and ride with you."

"I'm too heavy," Qin Youfu protested.

"How about this," Zhou Zhihan suggested. "I will take you on my bike, and Shu Qin can take yours."

"I'm too heavy for the back of a bike," Qin Youfu insisted. "Zhihan, just take Shu Qin. She is light."

Before Zhou Zhihan could reply, Shu Qin chimed in, "Then I shall trouble you, Zhihan."

Qin Youfu climbed onto the back of the bike with surprising agility. They had only pedaled a few yards when Shu Qin called out, "Go ahead, Uncle! I need to pick up some face cream and hairpins. With Zhihan there, you have nothing to worry about."

Zhou Zhihan twitched a smile. Qin Youfu remained silent.

Half an hour later, after Shu Qin finished her shopping, Zhou Zhihan rode slowly as she perched on the back of his bicycle, holding his jacket steady. Once he dropped her off, he rode to the old cowboy's inn, checked into his room, hung the "Do Not Disturb" sign, and activated his system to enter the "Air Hegemon" training program.