Chapter 540: Anti-Japanese Sentiment
At noon, the group from last night’s dinner was called back to the farmhouse restaurant. They sat around a table with a teapot and some sunflower seeds, smoking and chatting, making it feel like a casual tea party.
Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue entered, and Xu Xiaodong briefly explained the situation. Chen Shi nodded, took a seat, and asked, “I heard there was some unpleasantness with the two deceased last night. Is that true?”
“It wasn’t anything serious, just some jokes.” “We had just finished shooting and were talking about Sino-Japanese relations.” “Those two Japanese guys threw a tantrum and broke plates, ruining the mood.”
“Alright, one at a time. You start,” Chen Shi pointed to a man on his left. “The rest of you, no interruptions!”
After questioning each person, their stories were all over the place. Old Wang said, “Officer, we were just having fun and told those two Japanese guys to kneel and apologize to China. They were the ones at fault.”
“They were at fault?” Chen Shi looked surprised.
“The Japanese invasion, of course. They harmed so many Chinese.”
“Exactly! In my opinion, those two Japanese deserved it. They owe China millions of lives!”
“If this had happened before liberation, the Japanese army would have marched in. Now they don’t dare because we’re strong.”
“Yes, we’re strong now and won’t be bullied again!”
The atmosphere grew heated. Chen Shi banged the table, “Have you sobered up yet? Today is September 18th. Two Japanese people were murdered in China. The perpetrator is likely Chinese. Do you find that something to be proud of?”
Their smug expressions faded. Chen Shi scanned the room, “If the killer is among you, hiding behind patriotism is still murder. Stop gloating and cooperate with the investigation.”
Old Wang protested, “Impossible! None of us could be the killer. I bet one of those Japanese guys was messing around with Chinese women and got revenge.”
“What do you mean, messing around with Chinese women?”
“That Fujihara, he’s a playboy. I often saw him in questionable places. I heard he had a mistress here. How did he manage that when he barely speaks Chinese?”
“Disgusting. Women like that are just infatuated with foreigners. Do they think the Japanese are made of gold?”
“Enough! Old Wang, explain this in detail.”
As Old Wang spoke, Lin Dongxue took notes. It was already 12:30, and many were hungry. They asked Chen Shi, “Can we eat now? We haven’t done anything all morning because of this. We were supposed to audition for a new role today. Damn those Japanese!”
Chen Shi said, “Fine, I’ll treat you to lunch!” The group cheered. “Order exactly what you did last night, including drinks. Nothing left out.”
They were puzzled but complied, trying to remember last night’s orders. Chen Shi had them sit as they did the previous night, with him and Lin Dongxue in the Japanese actors’ seats, Xu Xiaodong standing by.
Lin Dongxue realized he intended to reenact the scene. Chen Shi said, “Do everything the same as last night. Drink as much as you did, and repeat what you said.”
Someone hesitated, “Is this necessary?”
“Aren’t you actors? It shouldn’t be hard. I just want to know what really happened. Thanks for cooperating!”
Reluctantly, they ordered food and drinks. Old Wang raised his glass first, “To the wrap-up of our shoot!”
“Cheers!”
They reenacted up to the part where they made the “Japanese” kneel and apologize. Chen Shi asked the actor who slapped Fujihara, “Why did you hit him?”
“I… I didn’t like him.”
“Because he earned more than you?”
“No… because he’s Japanese. They owe a blood debt to China. Can you smile at a Japanese person?”
Chen Shi sighed, “Don’t do that again. That slap could get you in trouble. A mark on your record means no one will hire you.”
The man, realizing his mistake, looked ashamed.
“What happened next?” Chen Shi asked the others.
Old Wang said, “We made the Japanese kneel and kowtow three times.”
“They did?”
“They were probably scared of getting beaten. Tanaka was quite obedient, but Fujihara was reluctant. These two held him down…” Old Wang pointed to two men who looked embarrassed.
“Let’s do it again.” Chen Shi cleared the chairs, leaving an open space, and mimed kneeling.
“Hey, officer, don’t do that,” Old Wang tried to stop him.
Chen Shi still “knelt,” sitting cross-legged as a compromise, and had the two men hold his shoulders.
After reenacting, Chen Shi asked, “Did you use force on Fujihara?”
“No!” The two shook their heads vigorously.
“Don’t lie. The body is at the station. Injuries can be examined.”
One guy admitted, “I kicked him in the leg… I was drunk.”
“Then?”
“Then they left, and we… we continued drinking.”
“Keep drinking then.”
Old Wang protested, “Officer, that’s enough. If we keep drinking, we’ll be drunk. How can we help with the case then?”
Lin Dongxue whispered, “Take it easy.”
They had drunk three bottles of baijiu. Their faces were flushed, and they had eaten most of the food. The mood was nothing like the previous night.
“When did you leave?”
“Around eight or nine.”
“Be specific.”
“8:45. I have the WeChat payment record on my phone,” Old Wang said.
After verifying his phone, Chen Shi asked, “Did anyone leave the table during the meal?”
Several admitted to short absences for the bathroom or calls, none long enough to commit a crime.
Chen Shi asked each person when they left and with whom. Their accounts confirmed each other’s alibis. “Thank you for cooperating. You can go now.”
“Will this affect our work?” Old Wang asked.
Another said, “They were just Japanese. Why worry? The killer is a national hero!”
Chen Shi glared at the speaker, who looked down, embarrassed. “Do you still think last night was patriotic?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I call it bullying! Reflect on your behavior. Don’t do this again. It’s disgraceful.”
After Chen Shi and the others left, the room buzzed with indignation, “What’s wrong with that cop? Siding with the Japanese.”
“Maybe his mother is Japanese.”
“He doesn’t deserve to protect the people. Acting all high and mighty.”
They found their sense of national pride again, but one person’s smile slowly faded…