Power and Wealth

Morning.

Beijing City Party Committee family quarters.

Dong Xuebing paid the fare and got out of the cab. He walked quickly towards the No.2 villa and pressed the doorbell.

The door opened.

Han Jing said. “You are here.”

Dong Xuebing was panting. “What happened, Mum?”

“Come in first.” Han Jing let Dong Xuebing in. Xie Guobang is in the living room too.

Dong Xuebing greeted Xie Guobang. “Dad.” He was in a rush and was still panting.

Xie Guobang nodded to his son-in-law and patted the seat beside him. “Sit here and have some tea first.”

Dong Xuebing was not in the mood to have tea. He was anxious when he heard something happen at home. “Dad, Mum, can you tell me what happens first? Is it about Grandfather’s health? But I visited him yesterday, and he looks fine.”

Xie Guobang replied. “No. Let your Mum tell you about it.”

Han Jing sighed and said. “Xuebing, catch your breath first.”

Before Han Jing could finish, the doorbell rang again. She walked out quickly to open the door. It was Xie Guojian.

“Brother, Sister-in-law.” Xie Guojian greeted.

Han Jing looked at him. “Why are you here?”

“I am here to let you know I will tell Xiao Bing.” Xie Guojian saw Dong Xuebing and stopped. “You are here, Xiao Bing.”

Han Jing sighed. “Come in first.”

Xie Guojian entered and said. “I was about to look for you, Xiao Bing.”

Dong Xuebing blinked and did not understand what was going on.

“Let me say it.” Han Jing sat on the sofa. She hesitated for a second and said. “Xuebing, we have a relative, Zhong Lizhen. She is a few years younger than me…. Err…. We are not blood-related. We grew up together, and we are very close, like sisters. She is also close to Guojian. Huilan calls her Aunt.”

Dong Xuebing listened quietly.

Han Jing continued. “Lizhen’s mother passed away early, and her father passed away when she was still schooling. She left China for a change in the work environment and visits us every one to two years.”

Xie Huilan’s Aunt?!

That means she is my Aunt too.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “And then?”

Xie Guojian said. “She got her Ph.D. at twenty and became our military researcher. She had been working overseas since.”

Han Jing added. “Lizhen might have some breakthrough in her research this time. Although she got her citizenship there because a relative applied for her, her heart is still in China. She told Guojian and I last year that she wanted to return. After this breakthrough in her research, she wants to bring it back.”

This is a good thing.

Dong Xuebing looked at them.

“But….” Han Jing got mad. “She was not allowed to leave that country even when she said she wanted to give up her citizenship or not bring her research back with her. They refuse to let her go. They know as long as Lizhen is alive, she can replicate the research data. So….”

Dong Xuebing frowned. “Aunt wants to return, and they are stopping her?! What do they want?!”

Xie Guobang replied. “It’s fine if it was someone else. But the technology Lizhen is researching is the leading technology in the world. They will not let her go.”

“What can we do?” Dong Xuebing asked.

Han Jing said. “The higher-ups heard about it and are very concerned. They tried using diplomatic means, but it’s not working.”

Dong Xuebing said. “They had arrested her?!”

Xie Guojian looked at Dong Xuebing. “This has happened before.”

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and nodded. These foreigners will do anything for their benefit.

Xie Guojian continued. “We gathered that Lizhen is currently in custody at one of the research labs. She is not allowed to use her phone, go online or go anywhere. The last time we contacted her was around 2 to 3 weeks ago. She asked for help to get home. After that, we cannot contact her. We don’t know what happened, and we can only find her location in one of the research labs.”

Han Jing’s eyes turned red. “We don’t even know if she is still alive.”

Xie Guojian consoled her. “Lizhen should be fine. She should be in custody, and they are holding her because of her research.”

Han Jing replied. “I hope so.”

Xie Guojian looked at Dong Xuebing. “The higher-ups are very concerned about this and had ordered to get Zhong Lizhen back safely.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “What technology is that?”

Xie Guojian hesitated. “It is confidential, and I cannot disclose it.”

Han Jing explained. “Your Second Uncle is not treating you as an outsider. Even I don’t know what the technology is. I know it is crucial, and even Senior Xie is concerned about this matter.”

Dong Xuebing understood what was going on. The higher-ups want this technology, and Han Jing worries about Zhong Lizhen’s safety. “What do I need to do?”

Han Jing hesitated and did not say anything.

Xie Guojing said. “The military has your records after you eliminated the pirates. The military had contacted many people to rescue your Aunt without success. The higher-ups know you are from our family and dare not force you to go. They only asked me to contact you. How confident are you if you go?”

Dong Xuebing smiled wearily.

The higher-ups want me to go.

Confident? How can I be confident?

Xie Guobang said. “I will repeat this. I firmly disapprove of this.”

Han Jing looked at him. “Do you think I want our son-in-law to risk his life? We have no choice now. Lizhen might not even be alive.”

Xie Guobang looked at Han Jing. “I know Xiao Bing is capable. He can steal our National treasures from Japan’s museums without anyone knowing. But we are rescuing someone, and he will be facing a country. He will not succeed by himself. Moreover, you should know about Huilan’s temper. She will fall out with you all if she finds out.”