Chapter 5: Enough Pretending, I'm Revealing Everything
992 Words
"Could you please repeat your itinerary again?"
In the interrogation room at the police station, Captain Adam asked once more.
"After leaving Paris, France, I first went to..."
Yi-An Li repeated his escape route from France to England. This wasn't his actual experience but rather the journey of a college classmate. Unlike most of his peers, who had chosen mundane paths, this particular classmate, a wealthy Roman, had traveled the world after graduation. From Europe to Africa, he had explored nearly every corner of the globe.
Yi-An Li, envious of his classmate's adventures, had followed his social media updates. His classmate had traveled from North Africa to Spain and then into France. By reversing this route, Yi-An Li constructed his own escape route.
As for language barriers, Yi-An Li had no worries. During university, he had studied not only English but also French and German, with English and French being particularly useful for communication and report writing.
Thanks to the frequent posts about food, squares, and churches from his classmate, Yi-An Li had memorized many details. European towns often retained their historical charm, providing him with a broad scope for improvisation. Even if some details were not entirely accurate, Yi-An Li hoped that Captain Adam wouldn't delve too deeply.
After Yi-An Li repeated his story, Captain Adam, having found no discrepancies, left the interrogation room. He mulled over the situation, starting to believe that Yi-An Li might indeed have escaped from France.
"Perhaps he really did come from France after all."
He then instructed, "Notify the embassy to verify his identity."
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49 Portland Square.
Pushing his bicycle, Guo Ren Li continued to ponder as he approached the embassy.
"It’s quite strange that someone could escape from France."
However, in these times, bizarre occurrences were not uncommon. As a third secretary, Guo Ren Li didn't think too much of it. The ambassador was currently in the United States, and the counselor had sent him to check things out—just a routine matter.
Upon arriving at the police station, Guo Ren Li quickly met with the responsible officer. As usual with British officials, he addressed them politely.
"Sorry for the trouble."
In addition to his courtesy, he added, "But sir, I can't really vouch for him. I can only talk to him and see what we can find out."
"Since he has no identification, we need you to talk to him to verify his identity."
"Alright, alright..."
Verify his identity? Who could determine his identity?
What if they got it wrong? Who would be responsible?
Why did this person have to make trouble for himself instead of staying in France?
Upon meeting Yi-An Li, Guo Ren Li directly said, "Why didn’t you stay in France? Why are you causing trouble during such chaotic times?"
He placed his bag on the table, his tone impatient.
Yi-An Li, recognizing the familiar Jiangsu-Zhejiang accent in Guo Ren Li’s speech, responded calmly, "Are you from the embassy? Is Ambassador Gu in the embassy?"
"Ambassador Gu?"
Guo Ren Li’s expression changed slightly. He scrutinized Yi-An Li more carefully, and his impatience turned into a smile.
"You know Ambassador Gu?"
Ambassador Gu was the same Gu Wei-Jun who had signed documents at the Paris conference. Yi-An Li, of course, did not know him personally. However, he had read an article about Gu Wei-Jun’s wife, Huilan Huang, and knew that she had served as the ambassador to France before the war and later to the UK. The article had detailed their luxurious life and travels across Europe and the US.
Yi-An Li mentioned, "I once met Mrs. Huang at a banquet at the Paris embassy."
He also added, "Our family had some business dealings with the Huang family."
Why mention the Huang family? Because the Huang family was influential, and Huilan Huang’s father was a renowned figure in Southeast Asia. Given the connection with the Huang family, it was plausible that the embassy might assist him.
"Ah, I see! My apologies!"
Guo Ren Li’s attitude grew more enthusiastic. Anyone with business connections to the Huang family was evidently significant, and it made sense that Yi-An Li could escape from France.
"Mr. Li, you should know that Ambassador Gu and his wife are currently in the US accompanying Mrs. Song’s visit and are not at the embassy."
"Ah, what should we do then?"
Yi-An Li’s brows furrowed in frustration. "The British are suspecting me of being a spy. Without Mrs. Huang’s confirmation, how can I prove my innocence..."
Before he could finish, Guo Ren Li immediately spoke up.
"The British are being unreasonable. Mr. Li is clearly our fellow countryman, yet they accuse him of being a German spy. It’s absurd! Don’t worry, Mr. Li. Whether we are from the same family or just ordinary compatriots, I will ensure that the British do not frame you. I will negotiate with them. These British are imperialists; if we don’t stand up to them, they’ll look down on us!"
With that, Guo Ren Li stood up, knocked vigorously on the iron door, and shouted in English, "Open the door! Open the door!"
When the door opened, Guo Ren Li, no longer hesitant, confronted Captain Adam loudly.
"Captain Adam, what is the meaning of this?"
"What?"
"How dare you detain an ally? Our compatriots suffer under German occupation and finally escape to Britain only to be accused of espionage and detained. This is outrageous. I’m going to the Foreign Office to protest, to Downing Street to protest. Is this how your country treats allies?"
Confronted with this barrage of accusations, Captain Adam quickly asked, "Secretary Xu, didn’t you say you couldn’t vouch for him?"
"Vouch for him?" Guo Ren Li responded with righteous indignation. "Mr. Li’s family is a prominent overseas Chinese family, and they have connections with the ambassador’s family. How could I not vouch for him?"
Suddenly, Captain Adam understood that Yi-An Li had some significant background.
"Alright, let him go."
- Writer
