Power and Wealth

Night.

Sis Zhang’s mansion.

Underneath the bed of a guestroom.

Yao Shun did not hide anything from Zhang Longjuan and told her about his mission. “You are a senior member of our State Security. Fine. Even if you don’t want to admit it, you have funded lots of our operations. We will not hide anything from you. We have a scientist, Zhong Lizhen, who has developed state-of-the-art technology. We don’t know what this technology is, but the higher-ups are very concerned. She is now in US custody and cannot return home. The higher-ups ordered us to bring her back at all costs.”

Zhang Longjuan asked. “Which research center is she from?”

Yao Shun pointed towards the west. “That one.”

“That?” Zhang Longjuan’s eyes turned cold. “No wonder the security around this area had tightened recently.”

Yao Shun looked at Zhang Longjuan. “This is critical to our country. So….”

Zhang Longjuan interrupted him. “How did Xiao Lu and the rest sacrifice?”

Yao Shun hesitated and said. “Old Lu tried to infiltrate the research center and was discovered. He was killed on the spot. The rest were arrested and killed. Our bureau in Florida had not been successful in establishing a foothold here. Comrade Zhang, we know you are a patriot. Please help us complete our mission. We cannot save Zhong Lizhen by ourselves. We cannot even confirm if she is locked up in that research center.”

“You all think too highly of me.”

“None of us can compare to you in your influence and connections here. We had no choice but to seek your help.”

Zhang Longjuan lit another cigarette and crossed her legs. “How do you all want me to help? Tell me first. I don’t want to get involved in some things.”

Yao Shun replied. “We need some funds, and we need to know the situation in the research center. It would be great if we could locate Zhong Lizhen.”

Zhang Longjuan shook her head. “I can provide the fund but cannot do the rest. I don’t have connections to find out the situation in the research center. I am Chinese, and I will be exposed if I ask around. I still have a few thousand employees to feed. What should I do if the government decides to suppress my company or arrest me? Look for someone else.”

Yao Shun thought for a second. “Alright. We need your financial assistance.”

“No problem. How much do you all need?” Zhang Longjuan asked.

“I still do not know the exact amount. I need to plan first. I also need you to bring us to the research center. We don’t need to enter it. Just bring us around the facility.”

“You all have not gone there before?!”

“I am not familiar with this place. The agents who know this place well were killed, and we don’t have many people left.”

Zhang Longjuan thought for a second. “It’s fine if you all are going to look around the facility. When do you want to go?”

“As soon as possible. Tomorrow morning, and it would be best if lesser people know about this.” Yao Shun replied.

“I understand. Fine. I will drive you there tomorrow morning. But I will only drive you near the facility and don’t know about the situation inside the research center. Let me make it clear. This is the first and the last time I am helping you all. Other than funds, don’t look for me again. I still want to do business here.”

“We understand.”

“Ok. Come over tomorrow morning.”

“I will be bringing someone with me. He is also from the State Security and an expert in this area.”

“Ok. I don’t care who you are going to bring. I will only bring you all around the facility as a tour guide. I will not get involved.”

“Thank you, Ms. Zhang.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Ok. I am going now. See you tomorrow.”

Yao Shun left quickly.

Zhang Longjuan left the room and sat in the living room. She drank her wine and did not call Dong Xuebing.

One minute….

Five minutes….

Ten minutes….

Dong Xuebing used STOP again and returned to his room before deactivating it.

Dong Xuebing sat on his bed and thought about the conversation he had overheard earlier.

Dong Xuebing did not expect Zhang Longjuan to be involved with State Security. Xu Yan had told him that Sis Zhang was not from State Security. Was she unaware of her involvement? Sis Zhang said she had only provided financial assistance to the State Security operations and did not want to get involved in other areas. She also does not admit she is from State Security. He knows she is only a patriot and many others like her. These people are not considered State Security agents, and they do not need the State Security Bureau to do anything for them.

Sigh…. Things had become more complicated.

Why is Sis Zhang dragged into this mess?

Dong Xuebing wondered if he should tell Zhang Longjuan about his purpose here. But he considered for a while and decided not to. It’s not the right time, and he does not know how to tell her. She is only a businesswoman and should not be involved.

Dong Xuebing decided to act tomorrow, and Yao Shun will go near the research center to familiarize the surroundings.

Why is everything happening at once?

What should I do? Am I going to let Sis Zhang and Yao Shun go?

Dong Xuebing was worried. This is getting complicated.