Stayed at the family compound for one night.
The next day, Secretary Liu called Ye Cangtian out early in the morning.
"Yesterday, the Chief mentioned that because you risked your life to rescue several researchers, he intends to give you a reward."
"The old man is too kind. I just casually asked, and he's actually going to give me something?"
Ye Cangtian's interest was immediately piqued, a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
What reward would the old man give?
Secretary Liu pushed up his glasses and smiled, "Come with me, and you'll find out when we get there!"
Xu Shi'an overheard a bit and wanted to follow along to have a look, but before he could even leave the courtyard, he was called back by the old man inside.
With no other choice, Xu Shi'an obediently stopped in his tracks.
...
Half an hour later!
Secretary Liu drove a military jeep to a residential area.
The entire compound had top-notch security facilities, and even the guards at the entrance and those on patrol were not simple, at least being elites from the military.
This left Ye Cangtian a bit puzzled.
Was he going to meet some important figure?
This residential area was clearly not ordinary, especially in a place like the capital where every inch of land was precious. People who owned villas here were bound to be either rich or powerful.
Soon, the jeep stopped in front of a villa.
The two got out of the car, and Secretary Liu smiled, "What do you think of this place?"
Ye Cangtian nodded, "The environment is excellent. People who can live in this compound are definitely high-ranking officials and influential figures. Each of these villas is probably worth a sky-high price."
"Indeed. However, the Chief said that this villa is for you, as a reward for last time!"
"Really?"
Ye Cangtian was overjoyed. He was currently worried about not having a place to stay in the capital!
Last time he and Tang Xinwan came to the capital, they had also planned to buy a house there, but at that time, they were only considering buying a flat.
As for a villa, even Tang Xinwan, that rich woman, hadn't considered it!
It was truly a case of needing a pillow when you felt sleepy. The old man was generous!
He asked curiously, "Does the old man have so much power that he can just give away a villa as a reward?"
"How is that possible!"
Secretary Liu gave a wry smile and sighed, "This was a house allocated to the Chief a few years ago. However, the Chief said he was used to living in the family compound and hadn't moved in, so it had been vacant all along."
Old Man Xu had a distinguished career, once hailed as China's God of War, dedicating his life's effort to the country.
Therefore, allocating a villa to him was not a big deal!
"Well, this is for the old man from the higher-ups. Isn't it inappropriate to give it to me?" Ye Cangtian said, feeling somewhat surprised and a little shy.
Secretary Liu smiled, "Since the Chief is authorized to gift it to you, there's no problem!"
"Then I'm truly honored!"
Ye Cangtian rubbed his hands together with a smile, feeling a bit embarrassed. He then asked, "Can this house be transferred to my name?"
"..."
Secretary Liu was speechless and amused.
He really thought you were shy and embarrassed to accept it! Now it seems you're not holding back at all!
Although he felt a bit exasperated internally, he still nodded, "It can be transferred. I'll arrange it shortly and try to get the house registered in your name today!"
Ye Cangtian's smile broadened upon hearing this.
It seemed this trip to the capital was truly worthwhile!
He casually acquired a villa, which was much more tangible than any medal or meritorious deed!
The villa before him had three floors, and the main structure alone looked much larger than Tang Xinwan's in Yangzhou.
The more Ye Cangtian looked, the more pleased he became. He pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.
The villa had courtyards in both the front and back, and they were quite spacious. It was separated from the surrounding villas by several hundred meters, offering excellent privacy.
This was undoubtedly a luxurious mansion!
After Secretary Liu accompanied him for a stroll, he received a phone call.
His expression became serious. After hanging up, he said directly, "Take a look around yourself. I'll arrange the transfer later. I have an urgent matter to attend to."
"What happened?" Ye Cangtian asked, seeing his somber expression.
"Nothing major, just that we've detected someone secretly entering the country, and they seem to have hostile intentions. I need to go back and handle it!"
Secretary Liu quickly drove away in the jeep.
...
On an elevated highway in the heart of Beijing.
A girl in her early twenties stood by the roadside, watching the vehicles whiz by, looking somewhat lost and helpless.
This was Kawada Mieko's second day in China!
She was quite unlucky. This was her first time in China and her first time out in the world after many years.
She had arrived in the capital the previous night and was looking for a hotel to stay in when she discovered her wallet was missing from her pocket.
Although she had learned many killing techniques and was proficient in various combat styles, making her powerful, she had no idea how her wallet, kept in her backpack, had been stolen.
Later, she encountered a 'kind-hearted' old woman who offered her a place to stay for the night.
Kawada Mieko followed the woman to the suburbs. If it weren't for two burly men making advances towards her, she wouldn't have realized that the 'kind-hearted' old woman was a human trafficker.
After dealing with the two men who had attempted to molest her, the old woman also fled.
She had no choice but to return to the city and hailed a taxi.
However, when the taxi driver learned she had no money to pay the fare, he unceremoniously dumped her by the side of the elevated highway.
Her stomach was rumbling incessantly.
Kawada Mieko touched her stomach. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and was already starving!
A hint of moisture welled up in her eyes, feeling a bit wronged.
Soon, she took a deep breath and clenched her fists, encouraging herself: "Kawada Mieko, you've endured hardships before! You can do this, you will find your enemy!"
She stood up, looked around the surroundings, and then gritted her teeth, moving forward.
Half an hour later!
Kawada Mieko descended from the elevated highway and walked aimlessly, a look of anxiety on her face.
She only knew that her enemy had come to the capital.
But the capital was so vast, and she didn't know how to find them.
Her stomach rumbled again. Kawada Mieko looked up at a ramen shop by the roadside and found it hard to walk any further!
"Miss, would you like some breakfast?" the ramen shop owner called out enthusiastically.
Kawada Mieko swallowed her saliva and, after a moment's thought, went inside.
Soon, a bowl of ramen was served.
Starving, she immediately devoured the entire bowl of ramen like a whirlwind, though she still felt a bit hungry.
"Thank you, boss!" She bowed to the ramen shop owner and prepared to leave.
"Hey, wait a moment..."
The ramen shop owner grabbed her sleeve and frowned, "You haven't paid yet!"
"I'm sorry, I don't have any money!"
Kawada Mieko bowed again, full of apology.
The ramen shop owner immediately became angry and reprimanded her, "What kind of person are you, girl? Eating without paying, trying to get a free meal? You're so young, are you a beggar?"
It had to be said that after a night of turmoil, Kawada Mieko's clothes were somewhat dirty, and her face was covered in dust.
If it weren't for her delicate features, she might indeed have looked like a beggar.
As the ramen shop owner shouted and reprimanded, a crowd soon gathered at the entrance of the shop.
Kawada Mieko was on the verge of tears, bowing and apologizing repeatedly.
But the ramen shop owner refused to let her leave, even threatening to call the police.
"Is it really that serious for the price of a bowl of noodles? I'll pay for her!"
Just then, a voice rang out.