Transmigrating to the Republic of China: A Spy Enters the Game

In the twenty-ninth year of the Republic of China, during the turbulent occupation of Shanghai in 1940, Lin Ruotang finds herself transmigrated into the body of an eighteen-year-old famine refugee. Originally a twenty-two-year-old woman who preferred a life of leisure, she is now stranded in a city where human lives are cheap and survival is uncertain. The original Lin Ruotang died of starvation in the French Concession, leaving the transmigrator with nothing but her wits and a photographic memory. Initially desperate and weak, she is rescued by Zhang Zhenhua, a kind traditional doctor who runs a pharmacy called Jirentang. Zhang Zhenhua provides her with food and shelter in a dilapidated woodshed behind his shop, showing her the only compassion she has encountered since arriving in this hostile era.

The narrative takes a violent turn when Zhang Zhenhua is revealed to be an underground Communist operative codenamed "Sparrow." While being hunted by agents from the infamous No. 76 Headquarters, a brutal spy organization under the Wang Jingwei puppet regime, Zhang Zhenhua is mortally wounded. Before he dies, he entrusts Lin Ruotang with a fountain pen containing critical intelligence and urges her to find his contact, codenamed "Hawk." To escape the pursuing agents, Lin Ruotang dives into the icy river and swims to safety, leaving Zhang Zhenhua to sacrifice himself by detonating a grenade. This event marks her forced entry into the world of espionage, transforming her from a passive victim into an active participant in the resistance.

Lin Ruotang uses the money and identification papers left by Zhang Zhenhua to secure her survival. She rents a room in a modest inn and begins to navigate the dangerous social landscape of Shanghai. Her intelligence and quick thinking are tested when she encounters Xie Wuwei, the underground operative known as "Hawk," who is also searching for the missing intelligence. After a series of cautious exchanges and coded messages involving an eagle kite, they confirm each other's identities. Xie Wuwei, initially suspicious, recognizes Lin Ruotang's courage and potential. He recruits her as a temporary courier, tasking her with withdrawing operating funds from a bank in Zhang Zhenhua's name.

The mission proves to be a critical test of Lin Ruotang's capabilities. While transporting a large sum of legal tender, she encounters a secret police checkpoint. Demonstrating remarkable composure, she disguises herself as a pregnant woman, hiding the money in a bundle of cotton against her stomach. She successfully passes the inspection, though Xie Wuwei, who was tailing her, notes her underlying panic. Her successful delivery of the funds and the intelligence solidifies her position within the underground network. Baizhu, a senior operative, decides to train Lin Ruotang formally, recognizing her value despite her lack of experience.

Simultaneously, the story introduces a secondary conflict involving the Black Dragon Gang. Xie Wuwei maintains a cover identity as a security guard at a casino owned by the gang's second boss, Song Wei. Song Wei is portrayed as a ruthless and suspicious figure who suspects Xie Wuwei of harboring secrets. He attempts to control Xie Wuwei by targeting his growing attachment to Lin Ruotang, viewing her as a potential leverage point. The narrative highlights the precariousness of Xie Wuwei's double life, balancing his loyalty to the Communist underground with his need to maintain his facade within the criminal underworld.

As Lin Ruotang settles into her new role, she moves into Xie Wuwei's residence, posing as his cousin from the countryside. She begins to undergo ideological training and operational instruction, preparing for more dangerous missions. The story concludes with Lin Ruotang fully committed to the resistance, driven by a desire to avenge Zhang Zhenhua and survive in a war-torn city. The intertwining paths of espionage, gang politics, and personal survival set the stage for her evolution from a refugee into a dedicated spy, facing the constant threat of betrayal and death in occupied Shanghai.