Chapter 101: Moving Abroad?

After leaving the Azure Blue Base, Zhu Lan asked Kong Yan to bring some medicine to reduce the swelling on his forehead, then applied a hot towel to the area.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Come in!”

Zhu Lan looked up and frowned when he saw who entered.

“What’s the matter? Surprised to see me?”

“Surprised? Of course! When did Major Xiao return?”

“Just arrived. I’ll be back to work immediately. I look forward to working with you!”

The visitor was none other than Xiao He, who had been missing for over two months. Since Zhu Lan had gone to the Japanese base, he hadn’t seen Xiao He. When he inquired with Li Hongjin, the only response was that Xiao He had a mission. Hearing that, Zhu Lan hadn’t pressed further.

However, no one else had been sent from above to oversee Fantasy Technology except for Tian Jun and the South China Sea Military District personnel acting as a security presence. Zhu Lan found this puzzling and kept probing.

But now that Xiao He had returned, Zhu Lan’s expression grew serious.

“Welcome, welcome! How could I be so petty?” Zhu Lan stood up from his chair, approached, and poured a cup of tea for Xiao He.

“Don’t bother, Zhu Lan. Cut the act! This time, I’ve come with a mission.”

Zhu Lan’s face showed a knowing look. “Oh? Is that so?”

“Your actions have made the higher-ups uneasy, so they sent me back. From now on, I’ll be supervising you.”

“Oh, that’s the reason! Welcome, welcome!” Zhu Lan wasn’t angry. Recently, his actions had indeed agitated the authorities. He was curious who they would send, but never expected Xiao He, who had disappeared for over two months, to return. It seemed the higher-ups still showed some humanity. Otherwise, they would have sent someone more rigid, which would have made things difficult for Zhu Lan. Although Xiao He was a monitor, he tended to keep things discreet in many matters.

“Zhu Lan, I need to inspect Fantasy Technology’s security forces. I have to make an assessment.”

Zhu Lan frowned but quickly understood. Previously, he had told Luo Guoqiang that Fantasy Technology’s security did not require military protection, but he hadn’t been explicit. At the time, due to other matters involving ‘S’, Luo Guoqiang hadn’t pursued the topic.

“No problem, let’s go.”

Zhu Lan led Xiao He downstairs and drove a few of the electric vehicles parked in front of the building toward Yu Dongming’s security center.

“Zhu Lan, I’m not talking about this. What you’ve been hiding!”

Xiao He frowned, turning to look at Zhu Lan seriously.

“Hiding?”

“The place you call District 30!”

Xiao He didn’t mince words.

“District 30?” Zhu Lan smiled wryly. “If you want to see it, I’ll take you. There’s really nothing special.”

District 30 was a codename Zhu Lan had given to a secret location. Few knew its purpose. It was nestled in the northern mountains, accessible only by a narrow path less than half a meter wide.

In fact, the entrance to Azure Blue Base was not far from there, but no one had discovered it.

Following the path and climbing over a mountain, District 30 came into view.

It was situated between three mountains, hidden among trees. The houses were made of wood, and the environment was harsh.

“Gather!”

People emerged from wooden huts and assembled in a sizable clearing.

Xiao He frowned. “Zhu Lan, can you tell me what you’ve assigned these people to do here?”

“Wang Sheng, come here!”

“Yes!” Wang Sheng ran over and saluted Zhu Lan.

“Tell Major Xiao your mission.”

Wang Sheng glanced at Xiao He, lifted his head, and loudly replied, “To learn bodyguard skills and fulfill the responsibility of protecting key company personnel!”

“Bodyguards?” Xiao He was puzzled. “You keep bodyguards here?”

“What did you expect?”

“You know about the ‘S’ incident before, right?”

Xiao He nodded.

“I’m thinking, if I was attacked, what about the company’s executives?”

“So I’ve pulled some people out and had several experienced bodyguards teach them how to protect others.”

Xiao He frowned, pondering Zhu Lan’s words.

“Don’t you have professionals for that? Why not use them?” On this point, Xiao He couldn’t argue. The company had assigned bodyguards for their executives; what could he say?

Zhu Lan shook his head, saying nothing.

“I’ll show you something.”

“Dismissed!”

Zhu Lan said to Wang Sheng, then walked to one side. Xiao He followed.

Passing through the wooden huts and beyond a cluster of enormous trees, a cave appeared before Xiao He. It was clearly modified.

Inside, the cave was beyond Xiao He’s expectations. It was like a futuristic world. Shelves lined the rooms, each holding strange devices.

“What is this? Combat gear?” Xiao He stepped forward to inspect, frowning. Soon he understood and turned to look at Zhu Lan in surprise.

“Not bad! Looks like you know quite a bit!”

With Zhu Lan’s confirmation, Xiao He’s expression grew serious. There were at least fifty sets of such equipment.

Though Luo Guoqiang underestimated them, Xiao He understood what these devices represented.

“May I try?”

Zhu Lan nodded. “Go ahead.”

Without hesitation, Xiao He explored, found the switch, entered the suit, and slowly donned it.

Zhu Lan stood aside as Xiao He operated the combat gear, stepping down from the shelf.

For the next half hour, Xiao He tested various functions before stopping.

After removing the gear, Xiao He frowned deeply, glancing at Zhu Lan from time to time.

“What? Is there something on my face?” Zhu Lan touched his face, puzzled why Xiao He kept staring.

“Zhu Lan, this equipment is too dangerous. I demand you seal it immediately and not use it outside!”

Zhu Lan smiled. “What? Is it much stronger than your so-called combat gear?” He bluntly dismissed Xiao He’s words.

Xiao He frowned and looked at Zhu Lan. “You know a lot.”

Zhu Lan turned and laughed. “Of course, I’m a genius!”

Xiao He looked at Zhu Lan’s background. “If you know all this, why do you still create these things? Don’t you understand what this means?”

“What does it mean?” Zhu Lan turned to face Xiao He. “It means I have something that could make you uneasy, instead of pushing me into that deep pit to wait for death like before!” His voice nearly rose to a shout.

Xiao He wasn’t surprised by Zhu Lan’s sudden outburst. Even then, he knew Zhu Lan was not someone to swallow losses quietly.

“Lost for words?” Zhu Lan sneered at Xiao He. He was still very angry about the Japanese base incident. Although he didn’t pursue it, if he did erupt, what could anyone do? Arrest him? Kill him?

“Zhu Lan, you must understand, that was just an accident!” Xiao He tried to explain.

Zhu Lan waved him off. “Enough. I know your spiel. This combat gear is just an accidental product, the fighter simulation is just a fluke, and quantum communication is something I whipped up casually! Is that enough?” he sneered.

“Hmph! I know your bottom line, and I have mine. If something like the last incident happens again, don’t blame me for revealing everything!”

“What are you trying to do, Zhu Lan?”

“Do? It seems many in the country don’t want me around Fantasy Technology, right?”

“Those trust fund kids probably want to devour me alive. They don’t get a single share of the gene optimization liquid cake. I bet they’re furious.”

“And those officials—I haven’t offended them enough to get myself killed, have I?”

“Listen, Xiao He, please inform your superiors: if this happens again, I won’t hesitate to move Fantasy Technology overseas. I’m confident I’ll have more freedom there!” With that, Zhu Lan turned and left. Kong Yan didn’t even glance at Xiao He and followed Zhu Lan.

Xiao He didn’t stop Zhu Lan’s departure. Zhu Lan had just given him a lot to think about.

Back in his room, Xiao He contemplated before taking out his secure phone. From the table, he retrieved a strange device, placed the phone on it, and watched as four lights—two red, two green—displayed on the device.

After a moment, the red lights turned green until all four were green. Xiao He picked up the phone and dialed a short number.

“Anything?”

“Minister, this is Xiao He. There’s an issue here.”

“An issue? What did you find?”

“Yes. I’ve seen the device Commander Luo mentioned and what General Qin talked about. It’s definitely far more powerful than ours. I’ve tested it personally.”

The other side was silent for a moment. “Can we get Zhu Lan to hand it over?”

“Minister, that will be difficult. Zhu Lan is still bitter about the Japanese base incident. I think he’s making this equipment purely as revenge against us.”

“Anything else?”

“Zhu Lan said himself that if the higher-ups continue to treat him like a pawn, he might relocate Fantasy Technology abroad.”

“That’s unacceptable. You must stabilize him immediately!”

“Minister, listen, that’s only if. Zhu Lan hasn’t completely broken ties yet.”

“That Zhu Lan—why is his ideological awareness so poor?”

Xiao He said nothing. If it were anyone else, they’d have turned hostile long ago.

Of course, these thoughts were just internal; Xiao He wouldn’t dare say them aloud.

“Does Zhu Lan really have that intention?”

“Yes. He said if he’s treated like a nobody again, he will move Fantasy Technology out of the country. I suspect he’s already found a place. Minister, I suggest our overseas contacts keep an eye on this. Fantasy Technology’s personnel have been quite active abroad recently.”

“Understood. You keep Zhu Lan appeased. I’ll report to the superiors as soon as possible.”

(To be continued.)