Mr. Song: "One more thing, Aggan's sister has boarded a flight to Ruili with relevant personnel. The brother and sister will be reunited tonight."
I said happily, "That's great, thank you so much. I promised Aggan I would help him see her after this matter was resolved. I didn't expect you to handle it so quickly with just a word."
Mr. Song: "Combating organized crime is our responsibility and duty. Their actions have reached the point of egregiousness, and we have zero tolerance for it. Even if you had no connection to this, we would still swiftly cut them off!"
I cupped my fists and said, "Thank you all the same. Firstly, you've helped me fulfill my promise to Aggan. Secondly, your timely intervention in dismantling the cross-border drug trafficking syndicate has saved countless lives from the scourge of drugs. And thirdly, you've also done a great deed."
I didn't finish, deliberately leaving a hook.
Mr. Song: "Oh? What great deed?"
I glanced at my senior, who smiled without a word, while Xie Nana looked at me expectantly.
I said, "Among the people apprehended today is a high-ranking officer who has been entrenched in the Golden Triangle region. Chen Liben was under the command of the renowned General Wu. He actually controls the military power, leaving General Wu as a mere figurehead. For years, General Wu has wanted to surrender to the government forces, but due to the obstruction of [Chen Liben's name, which I omitted to avoid mentioning a Chinese character, I will assume this is where the character was], his wish could not be fulfilled. Now that Chen Liben is captured, the biggest beneficiary is General Wu Guodong. Wouldn't you say this is a great deed? Is there anything greater than keeping civilians away from war, from drugs, and allowing them to live in peace and prosperity?"
Mr. Song: "Li Hua, I am increasingly impressed with you. I didn't expect you to have such broad-mindedness. This is indeed a great deed, a very, very great deed! I salute you!"
Mr. Song continued, "Have you considered joining the police force? I can apply to the police academy for you, to become a real officer?"
I quickly replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Song. As I said before, I'm accustomed to a life of freedom. Please let me continue to struggle in society. I enjoy this kind of life."
Mr. Song: "Alright, but if you ever need our help, contact me promptly."
After bidding farewell to Mr. Song, I took Xie Nana and returned to the hotel with my senior.
Having removed the disguise and no longer being wrapped in thick silicone, I felt much more relaxed.
Once in the car, I told Xie Nana to go back to the villa first, as I still had many things to handle.
Xie Nana wore a reluctant expression. I also felt it wasn't right to let her go back alone at this moment. However, I was now Li Hua, and transitioning back to a normal life meant too many things to attend to, making it inconvenient to have her by my side.
That hotel was certainly no longer an option. I was no longer myself, and appearing there would undoubtedly make it easier for Brother Hui, who was lurking in the shadows, to find me.
I said, "How about this? Let's change to another hotel. You stay there, and I'll arrange for two female colleagues from the company to be with you. I'll handle company matters during the day and come to accompany you in the evening if I have no social engagements."
Only then did Xie Nana nod, leaning her head on my shoulder. I told Wen Siqiang to drive us to the Ruili Grand Hotel, where my senior and the Taoist brothers were staying.
Setting aside Xie Jiabao's involvement in drug trafficking, he was, after all, Xie Nana's father. I had witnessed his usual doting affection for her, and Xie Nana was always obedient to her father. The father and daughter had a very good relationship. Faced with this sudden turn of events, no matter how much she detested drugs, her father was still her father. This bond could not be erased.
At this moment, sending her back to the villa alone would be a stark reminder of everything, and she would surely be unable to face it.
Although it was highly inappropriate for her to stay by my side, I couldn't bear to be so heartless. After all, I was the one who had personally broken up her family. The fact that she didn't hate me was already the greatest concession. I didn't want to be such a villain, making her bear the pain of losing her father alone.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Bo Gang.
He said, "The government forces have agreed to peace talks. The time is set for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow at two o'clock. Please inform General Wu to send a representative."
I said, "That's wonderful! I'll tell General Wu immediately. General Bo Gang, thank you for your hard work."
Bo Gang: "General Wu's men made a great contribution during the encirclement of headquarters by the rebel army. The government forces have lowered their stance, which is why the peace talks have been initiated so quickly and without preconditions. This is the government forces' greatest sincerity."
I said, "General Bo Gang, thank you again. Without your mediation from within, none of this would have happened. If this matter is successful, you will be credited with the greatest achievement!"
Bo Gang: "Words from you, young man, are not flattery. Alright, I will do my best to handle the remaining matters well."
After hanging up, I found General Wu's number and dialed it.
I said, "General Wu, the government forces have arranged for peace talks to be held at a hotel in Yangon the afternoon after tomorrow at two o'clock. Please arrange for a representative to attend."
General Wu would surely know that Chen Liben had been eliminated. This was very important for him and for these peace talks. I didn't repeat it on the phone, directly informing him about the talks.
General Wu was very excited and said, "Excellent, excellent! I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Let my third son represent me in the talks. However, I have a request. It would be best if you could accompany him. After all, it was through you that we connected with General Bo Gang. Any communication that is difficult to convey directly can be done through you. This would be more effective, don't you think?"
I said, "General, since you trust me so much, I will push aside all other matters to go. Rest assured, I will accompany Young Master Wu throughout this important mission."
General Wu: "I wouldn't doubt you even if I didn't trust my own son. Everything you've done is evident, and it fills this old man with admiration! Alright, discuss the specific details of the talks and the itinerary with my third son. I am old, and I will hand over the matters to you. I will be a spectator."
General Wu would, of course, not be a mere spectator. He just wanted the younger generation to gain more experience. At crucial moments, he would still intervene.
Especially after eliminating Chen Liben, the military power naturally returned to his hands. Now, he had regained his influence and authority.
As we were talking, the car arrived at the hotel entrance. I got out with my senior and took Xie Nana to the front desk to check in.
No longer having the identity of Sheng Hao, I naturally presented Li Hua's ID to the attendant.
Xie Nana saw my ID with this name for the first time. When the attendant handed it over, she snatched it and looked at it, as if to verify that I really wasn't Sheng Hao.
She then looked at it from all angles for a while, smiled with relief, and tucked her arm through mine, saying, "I like you more like this."
I said, "You're quite quick at changing your affections."
She said, "I haven't transferred them to anyone else, it's still you, isn't it?"
I said, "Of course it's me. Whether I'm Sheng Hao or Li Hua, I still like you! Even if I change to another role in the future, I'll still like you!"