Chapter 23: The Crisis of the Crash

“Have they set out yet?”
“Yes, the airport has already sent word. This afternoon’s flight—our people are on board, and everything is prepared on the other side. Once they succeed, they’ll take the target directly to the Antarctic base. There, no matter how big the secret, we’ll surely uncover it.”
“Good. Make sure nothing goes wrong!”
“Rest assured! I’ve dispatched the Iron Cross troops. They’re the fiercest in the Empire; nothing in this world is beyond their reach. You can trust this point.”
“Alright… just be careful not to let the Americans find out. Our contacts report they’re investigating us.”
“That’s nothing to worry about. We chose Iran; though the Americans pay attention there, our people have deep roots. Worst case, we reveal some strength—it’s easy to divert attention, whether from the Americans or others interested in us.”
“And if it fails? You know what to do?”
“We’ve already considered the worst outcomes. The Iron Cross team is composed entirely of US-born members. Even if something goes wrong, that Chinese man will think it’s the Americans behind it. And in Iran, Americans are the most likely suspects. No one will suspect us. Even if there’s an accident, do you think it’ll ever trace back to us?”

Berlin Airport. Zhu Lan set down her luggage.
Ren Linting stood behind her.
“Manager Ren, the product trial is up to you now.”
“Don’t worry, boss, I understand. I’ll open up the European market as planned. I’ve already contacted several European pilot centers. Once we begin promotion, the rest should be very simple.”
“I trust you, that’s why I’ve handed this over. Do not let me down.”
Ren Linting nodded. “One month—I’ll give you a satisfactory answer.”
Zhu Lan nodded, patting Ren Linting’s shoulder. “Cheng Xue, stay here and assist Manager Ren.”
“Yes!” Cheng Xue replied without complaint, nodding with understanding.
“Boss, it’s time to board.”
Zhu Lan nodded. “I know.”
“Manager Ren, remember the company’s regulations. I don’t want to see you wearing any other uniform.”
Ren Linting nodded solemnly. “I know that well. I would never break those rules.”

Though the plan had failed, Zhu Lan had not given up, still choosing to open the gene optimization fluid market in Europe.
The authorities at home called her back, so Zhu Lan had Ren Linting come over, leaving Lan Tianxin to temporarily manage the domestic company.
Fortunately, except for some production planning, there was little else to do. Lan Tianxin’s task was to investigate the launch of the gene optimization fluid domestically—a leisurely job. The biology division was producing small batches in the lab and accelerating factory construction.
Inside Fantasy Technology, there was little to do. Ren Linting’s departure was no issue; Lan Tianxin was quite capable. As one of the company’s original staff, she was utterly loyal.
Letting Ren Linting open the European market, anything urgent could be communicated online. Even if Zhu Lan returned home, she could still control the gene optimization fluid’s market.

Watching Zhu Lan leave, Ren Linting turned and left the airport with a cold smile.
On the plane, Zhu Lan sat with her eyes closed. Qin Shi and Wang Sheng sat beside her, surrounded by foreigners, each absorbed in their own affairs.
The plane soared through the clouds, gradually climbing to ten thousand meters, heading for distant Asia.
With her eyes closed, Zhu Lan lost track of time.
Suddenly, a tremor shook the cabin, followed by cries in a mix of languages.
Boom, boom, boom…
Violent explosions jolted Zhu Lan awake from her slumber.
Before she could grasp what was happening, the turbulence flung her out of her seat.

Startled, Zhu Lan cried out. At that moment, a strong hand grabbed her.
“Boss, hold on tight!”
Hearing Wang Sheng’s voice, Zhu Lan was overjoyed and gripped tightly.
“Boss, are you alright?”
Qin Shi hurried to Zhu Lan’s side, pulling her down from the ceiling of the plane.
The impact had torn several seats loose, scattering them in pieces. Zhu Lan was trapped in a frame.
Qin Shi struggled to free her. No sooner had he succeeded than another bout of violent shaking hit, accompanied by more explosions.
Qin Shi and Wang Sheng were alarmed, while Zhu Lan, still dazed, had no idea what was happening.
“Hurry, the plane is about to explode!” Zhai Bang’s panicked voice came through.
Since they spoke in Chinese, the frantic people around them didn’t understand.
“Go!” Qin Shi didn’t question Zhai Bang’s warning, nodded to Wang Sheng, and together they supported Zhu Lan toward the cabin.
“What on earth is happening?” The four rushed toward the cabin. Zhu Lan’s group wasn’t the only clever ones; several foreigners were also heading there, knowing there were parachutes prepared for emergencies.
“No idea—the plane suddenly exploded, and you know the rest!”
Forcing open the cabin door amid the shaking, the contents tumbled everywhere. Qin Shi quickly found the parachutes.
“I’m the captain. The plane has been hit by a missile. Please follow the crew’s instructions and collect parachutes. We don’t have much time.”
The moment they received the parachutes, the captain’s voice came over the broadcast in English, delivering the grim news.
“Damn!” Zhai Bang cursed. “Hurry! The plane will explode soon!” He glanced at the six foreigners following Zhu Lan, said nothing, moved aside, smashed the glass, and pressed the emergency release.
The cargo door opened, letting in thick smoke.
Cough, cough, cough…
Suddenly, Zhu Lan began coughing violently.
“Hurry! The plane can’t hold out much longer!” Zhai Bang shouted, watching smoke and flames pour from the engines.
Qin Shi quickly strapped Zhu Lan into a parachute and dragged her to the door.
“Go!” Zhai Bang called, leaping out first.
Before Zhu Lan could react, she felt herself pulled forward, feet dangling in midair—Qin Shi was already clutching her as they jumped.
Wang Sheng followed, along with the six foreigners.
Boom, boom, boom…
Violent explosions erupted behind them; as they looked back, the plane burst apart, debris flying everywhere.
One unfortunate foreigner was struck by shrapnel, blood blooming in the air like a crimson flower.
“Boss, keep your balance!”
Qin Shi clung desperately to the panicked Zhu Lan, shouting loudly.
Bang—
Qin Shi yanked open Zhu Lan’s parachute, releasing her and moving to the side.
“Ah!”
The force of the parachute wrenched Zhu Lan’s shoulder painfully, making her cry out.

The parachute’s cushioning force gently lowered her.
The impact made Zhu Lan’s face pale; she had never trained with parachutes, and the landing shock left her legs numb.
“Boss, are you alright?” Qin Shi and the others quickly gathered, finding Zhu Lan among the trees.
Her face twisted in pain. “I think I twisted my ankle.”
Qin Shi listened to her strained reply, pulled up her trousers, and checked her legs.
“It’s nothing—a little rest and you’ll be fine.” Wang Sheng glanced at her, recognizing the rookie’s common ailment: most people landing with parachutes mishandle their cushioning, taking the full force. Usually, a half day’s rest suffices.
Bang, bang, bang…
Just as Zhu Lan was about to speak, gunshots sounded in the distance.
“Get down!” Qin Shi reacted instantly, pushing Zhu Lan to the ground.
Whizz, whizz, whizz…
Bullets zipped past, the sound clearly audible.
Rat-tat-tat-tat…
Before they could react, more bullets swept toward them.
“Damn it, what’s going on!” Zhai Bang was furious—first a plane crash, now gunfire.
“Are they after me?” Zhu Lan forced a bitter smile, momentarily forgetting her pain.
Zhai Bang’s face changed drastically.
Bang, bang, bang, bang…
“No, listen—the shots are coming from three directions, and only one is aimed at us. That means there are not just one group, but three, all armed.” Qin Shi, though retired, still had his skills, which was why Zhu Lan entrusted him with such responsibility.
Zhai Bang and Zhu Lan didn’t understand these details, but Qin Shi and Wang Sheng did.
“What do we do?” Zhai Bang was just an ordinary clerk; he’d fired a gun before, but now, at best he was a bit better than an average person—not panicking was already commendable.
So now, they could only rely on Zhu Lan’s security team. Zhai Bang had already learned about Qin Shi and Wang Sheng’s backgrounds, and even Yu Dongming’s.
It was now clear they were after Zhu Lan, and their only hope was Qin Shi.
As a former special forces soldier, Zhai Bang had hope.
“Without weapons, we’re at a severe disadvantage. The attackers have automatic weapons, and we can’t be sure there aren’t snipers.”
Qin Shi surveyed the surroundings, helpless.
They had landed in a small grove, the trees barely over a meter high—stand up, and your head would be exposed. If not for a few rocks shielding them, they’d have been riddled with bullets.
“Where are we now?” Zhu Lan asked, frowning.
Zhai Bang took out his phone, fiddled with it. “Damn, someone’s using a jammer—we can’t get online. But our position is roughly Iran’s Northwest Province, a mountainous area, though there are no mountains immediately around us.”
“No, look!” Wang Sheng pointed behind them.
Zhai Bang and Qin Shi looked over; in the distance, a blurred outline appeared—far away, but clearly a stretch of mountains.
“In that case, we should be here!” Zhai Bang said, showing them his phone.
On the satellite map, there was a mountain area and a plain, and Zhai Bang’s finger was right on the line between the two.