Power and Wealth

Noon.

State Security Bureau.

The windows were opened as Xu Yan’s office was warm. It was because of the afternoon sun and Zhang Longjuan’s call.

“What happened to Sister Zhang?” Dong Xuebing asked.

Xu Yan tried calling Zhong Longjuan again. “She switched off her phone.”

Dong Xuebing was anxious. “What happened, Sister Xu?”

Dong Xuebing was grateful to Zhang Longjuan for helping him rescue Professor Zhong.

Xu Yan replied. “She is in Hongkong now.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Why did she go to Hong Kong?”

Xu Yan explained quickly. “It seemed that State Security had given her a mission.”

Dong Xuebing said. “Sister Zhang’s duty is to fund the State Security’s overseas operation. Why is she given a mission this time?”

Xu Yan thought for a while and said. “I think it is related to her business. I heard her company is having some cash flow issues. She had separated her business from her family, and they fell out. So, she got to shoulder this responsibility. I don’t know the details, but she did mention it would be difficult to solve this issue. She is in Hong Kong because she works for State Security to settle her company’s cash flow problems.”

“How is she going to settle it?”

“Old Zhang did not say.”

“I still have tens of millions of RMB if she needs it.” Dong Xuebing said. “You know I won the lottery, and my money is kept in the bank.”

Xu Yan shook her head. “Tens of million RMB is too little to help her company.”

Dong Xuebing was speechless. “She needs so much money?”

Xu Yan nodded. “Tens of million RMB is not enough.”

“Then I cannot help.” Although Dong Xuebing knew Zhang Longjuan was wealthier than him, he did not expect her company to be so big.

She needs a billion RMB or more.

Dong Xuebing does not have so much money.

“You don’t need to do anything.” Xu Yan sighed. “Old Zhang will not accept your money too. She might be wild, but she has a high ego.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Her business… it does not mean she is in trouble.”

Xu Yan tapped her desk with her fingers. “Old Zhang said she received a threatening letter and noticed someone was following her. She is staying at a hotel in Hong Kong, and the letter was sent to her room. This person knows her movement, and the letter demanded her to transfer a few million HKD to a bank account, or she cannot leave safely.”

Dong Xuebing frowned. “This is ridiculous.”

Xu Yan replied. “That is not the mainland, and they are lawless.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Did Sister Zhang offend anyone, like her competitor?”

“Her business is in the US and has no business here. She will not offend anyone in Hong Kong. Her business competitors will also not do such things.”

“Then you mean…”

“Old Zhang loves gambling.”

“Gambling?”

“Yes. She goes to legal casinos in Macao. Her family became successful through gambling, and Old Zhang is good at it. I don’t know how much she won, but it should not be small.” Xu Yan closed her eyes. “I thought about it for a while, and the person threatening her should be from the casino. Maybe he is someone who lost to Old Zhang. From how the letter is sent, these people are lawless and should have strong backing there. This is what I am worried about. Old Zhang’s influence is in the US, and she does not have friends in Hong Kong.”

“Report to the police?”

“The police would not do anything as those people might have connections with the Police.”

“We still have State Security’s staff. Sister Zhang is helping them, and they should protect her.”

“I hope so.”

“What do you mean?”

“Old Zhang’s mission is given to her directly by the higher-ups. She told me that not many people know about this mission as it is a big case. Many people are involved. Other than a few higher-ups, most people do not know about it. I don’t think there will be people protecting her.”

“Are you sure?”

“I have known Old Zhang for decades. I can tell from her tone that it is a secret operation.”

“Then Sister Zhang is in danger.”

“That’s why I asked her to come back immediately. However, she off her phone. Her temperament is similar to yours. Nothing can change her mind.” Xu Yan said. “The only good news is those people who threatened Old Zhang are not the ones targeted by the State Security.”

Xu Yan tried to call Zhang Longjuan again.

“Sorry, the number you just called is unavailable.”

Xu Yan put her phone down and walked to her PC. She entered a Hong Kong hotel name.

Dong Xuebing followed behind and remembered the hotel’s name.

Xu Yan checked the hotel and made a few calls.

5 minutes…

Ten minutes…

Half an hour…

Xu Yan could not find out anything. She did not even know Zhang Longjuan’s room number. The hotel staff refused to tell her their guests’ particulars. She could not call her room directly and must wait for her to return the call.”

“This Old Zhang…” Xu Yan was getting frustrated.

Dong Xuebing consoled her. “Don’t be anxious. Sister Zhang should be fine.”

Xu Yan sighed. “I am afraid something might happen to her.” She paused and said. “I got to make a few more calls. Xiao Bing, I will not have lunch with you today. Go back first.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Ok. Let me know if you got Sister Zhang’s news.”

Xu Yan nodded, and Dong Xuebing left.

One hour…

Three hours…

3 pm. Dong Xuebing sat at a teahouse.

Dong Xuebing had been waiting for Xu Yan’s call but did not receive any.

Threatening letter?

Dong Xuebing got anxious when he thought about that threatening letter. Sister Zhang might be in danger, and he could not sit still. She had fetched him from the airport, made supper, and cared for him. When the US military discovered them, she asked him to escape first. Sister Zhang might be crazy at times, but she is loyal to her friends.

Dong Xuebing waited for a while more before calling Xu Yan.

“Sister Xu, did you receive any news about Sister Zhang?”

“She did not contact me. You should stay out of this, and she should be fine.”

“Yes. Oh, I am going back to Beijing for treatment.”

“Go on. Your injuries are quite severe, and should be resting more. Ah, you can keep in touch with Xiao Tan. She is doing well and was promoted to director recently.”

“Xiao Tan? Tan Limei?”

“Yes. You two were close.”

“Sure. I will call her when I am back.”

Dong Xuebing called Xie Huilan, Qu Yunxuan, Luan Xiaoping, and the rest after hanging up.

“Huilan, I am returning to Beijing.”

“Are you going back today? What’s the rush?”

“My wounds felt uncomfortable, and I want to be checked at the hospital.”

“I will help you contact the hospital.”

“No need. I know people there too. I can call them.”

“All right. Haha…. you are so busy. You just returned for one day, and you are leaving again.”

“I want to get well soon. I should be back within ten days.”

“Mum, I am going to a Beijing hospital for treatment.”

“Didn’t you have seen the doctor?”

“I want to be safe and check again.”

“I will accompany you. I don’t have anything to do at home.”

“You need to care for the child. Don’t worry. I will be fine. Furthermore, Huilan’s parents and relatives are there.”

“Ok. Go ahead.”

“Aunt Xuan, I am Xiao Bing.”

“I just got home. Why did you go out again?”

“I am going back to Beijing for treatment and to check my wounds.”

Dong Xuebing walked out of the teahouse after hanging up. He got into a taxi and said. “Please send me to the long-distance bus station.”

Inside the taxi.

Dong Xuebing made his final call.

Ring… ring…. ring… a woman answered.

“Haha, Xuebing.”

“Tan Zi. I heard you were promoted recently.”

“Hehe… it is luck.”

“Congratulations. Err… I need a favor from you.”

“What is it? I will help if it is within my means.”

“I need to go to Hong Kong urgently. Can you help me get the air ticket and permit immediately?”

“Oh, no problem. I will do it immediately.”

“Thank you. Don’t tell anyone, especially Chief Xu.”