Regardless, Xiao Peng finally met the person they were supposed to pick up.
Although it was different from what they had imagined, this person was indeed highly valued on this side. They had become quite familiar with the situation here during this time.
In this small Western-style building, there were at least a dozen guards nearby. They were stationed at different times and in different locations, and even if Hong Yan wasn't there, there were still several people guarding the place.
This left absolutely no opportunity for anyone to approach or enter the building. Even though Xiao Peng had become familiar with Sister Wang, he could only reach the entrance and couldn't step into the room at all.
Although they were sent to make contact with this Hong Yan, they only knew she was important, but not why.
However, given how highly she was valued by this side, she must be truly important. Could such a person really be taken away? Or would she truly be willing to go with them?
From the time Xiao Peng had spent interacting with Sister Wang, he had discovered the kind of treatment the "young lady" Sister Wang mentioned enjoyed. Could such a pampered and precious young lady truly adapt to their way of life?
Just as they all thought their days would pass peacefully, one night, the back door of the pastry shop was knocked upon.
The first person to hear the knocking was Meng Xian, who lived right by the back door.
The knocking was very light; if he hadn't been awake, he wouldn't have heard it. He quickly got dressed and got up.
"Who is it?" he asked, walking to the back door and lowering his voice.
The person outside didn't speak, just knocked a few more times.
Meng Xian then realized that the knocking followed a specific rhythm. This rhythm was only known to their own people. If it wasn't one of them, then it could only be Hong Yan, who received pastries every day.
He quickly opened the door and saw a woman standing outside, wrapped up very tightly.
"Are you Hong Yan?" he asked in a low voice.
"If you mean the one who eats red bean paste filled Fu Rong Su, then I am," Lin Yan's voice was also very soft.
"Quick, come in!" Meng Xian quickly pulled the door open and let Lin Yan in. After Lin Yan entered, he stepped out and looked around, confirming no one was there, before coming back in and closing the door.
"You can go sit in that room over there for a moment, I'll go call them." Although he said this, he still held up the lamp and led Lin Yan to the room, where he had her sit down.
Leaving the lamp for Lin Yan, he immediately went out to call the others.
A moment later, except for Xiao Peng, who lived in his own home, all three of them entered the room.
"Are you Hong Yan?" Old Fan finally understood that Xiao Peng hadn't exaggerated.
"If that's the codename you've given me, then I am."
Lin Yan took off her hat, revealing her full face.
A beauty under lamplight is even more beautiful, but the three in the room didn't have the mood to appreciate her.
"How did you get here? There are so many people monitoring you over there, and we haven't had any opportunity to get close," Xiu Wen had seen Lin Yan before.
After all, when he went to scout over there, he had seen Lin Yan from afar several times.
"There are always times when they let their guard down," Lin Yan didn't elaborate.
"Then why have you come?" Old Fan asked.
"I have some materials here that I need you to help transmit back, and although we know of each other's existence, it's still good to meet,"
Saying this, Lin Yan took out some documents and placed them on the table.
"What is this?" Old Fan was very confused. Their orders were to bring this person back, but now?
"These materials are all usable. Please take them back. As for me, I can disappear for an hour or two occasionally, but if I'm gone for too long, I'll be discovered.
I can't leave. If I were to leave, the entire Nanjing would be under strict surveillance, and they would find me at all costs."
Lin Yan said this lightly, but the three opposite her wore heavy expressions.
"Can you tell us why you are so important?" Meng Xian inquired.
"More than two months ago, a military factory was built in the mountains nearby. The local residents always said they heard thunder in the mountains; that was actually testing new types of artillery shells. Currently, this project is under my charge."
Lin Yan spoke with ease, but the hearts of the three opposite her were like stormy seas.
"You... you mean?" Xiu Wen said in disbelief.
"Yes, that's also why they invited me from Shanghai."
After hearing Lin Yan's words, all three of them understood that Lin Yan truly couldn't be taken away for the time being.
"Then these materials?" Meng Xian realized the importance of these documents.
"You're thinking correctly. However, I also know that the conditions over there are quite poor, so I've only provided things that are relatively easy to manufacture." It wasn't that the conditions were poor, but that there were no conditions at all.
"There's also a letter here. Please have someone take it to Mr. Du in Shanghai. You should be able to get a batch of weapons and ammunition." Lin Yan believed that Mr. Du would provide this batch of weapons and ammunition, as it was something he owed her.
"Then when can you leave?" Old Fan really wanted to bring such a talent back to their own territory.
"There will be an opportunity. I also have a letter here. Please find someone to deliver it to Mr. Ye Xiu Yuan at the address written on it. He is also a mechanical expert and is currently in charge of my laboratory in Shanghai.
The laboratory should have achieved certain results by now. With my letter, he will give you the results from the laboratory. If possible, please ask him if he is willing to leave with the people you send.
If he is willing, then hand these materials over to him. If he is not willing, do not force him."
After arranging things, Lin Yan prepared to leave.
"Then how can we contact you?" Old Fan quickly asked.
"Do not contact me actively. I am surrounded by too many people. If there is anything you really need to tell me, add a mung bean cake when you deliver the pastries. I will come to find you myself.
My cook should have arrived by now; he knows which mung bean cake I'm referring to."
After speaking, Lin Yan prepared to leave. She had been out for quite some time, and any longer would lead to discovery.
She put on her hat, wrapped her clothes tightly, and was about to walk out.
"Do you need us to escort you?" Meng Xian quickly held the lamp for Hong Yan, Lin Yan.
"No need. The target would be too big. I'd better go back by myself." Lin Yan left the room, then walked to the back door, opened it, and then slowly disappeared into the night.
Old Fan and the other two felt as if they had dreamed that night, but the documents on the table told him that it was all real.
"Who should we have send the materials back?" Xiu Wen inquired.
How important were these materials? Extreme caution was paramount. Therefore, they had to use a complete plan to send them back.