"You come from a different background than he does," Liu Mei trembled. "You're not on the same path."
"Exactly. Don't ever think he will marry you. Even if he marries a whole class of women, it won't be you. You're just an extra, a guerrilla fighter," Yang Chun cautioned.
Warm tears rolled onto Yang Chun's chest as Liu Mei sobbed, "I believe that, but I still like him."
Yang Chun furrowed his brow, speaking earnestly, "If you truly like him, don't cause trouble for him right now."
Liu Mei fell silent.
"If you die and that Wang woman takes over, Haizhou Pharmaceuticals is doomed. We need to get through this crisis first," Yang Chun continued.
Liu Mei looked up, "How do you know everything? Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Guo Xiaopeng?"
"I don't need to eavesdrop to know," Yang Chun replied.
Liu Mei couldn't help but kiss his chest, "I never realized you were this kind of person."
Yang Chun teased, "Did you ever see me in your eyes before? It was always Guo…"
Before he could finish, Liu Mei silenced him with a kiss. They kissed passionately. Once calmed, Liu Mei jumped down from Yang Chun's arms and asked, "Has the ephedrine arrived?"
Yang Chun smiled, "Now that's the Liu Mei I know."
Liu Mei tugged on his arm, "Has it arrived or not?"
Yang Chun held her delicate hands, "Would I dare come without it? The first batch is safely stored in Haizhou, the rest will arrive within a week."
Liu Mei exhaled softly, "Let's do this one last job together, make a pile of money, and live a carefree life abroad."
"With whom abroad?" Yang Chun joked seriously.
Liu Mei playfully hit him but then grew serious, "I'm just afraid that once that Wang woman is out, she'll cause more trouble."
"I doubt she'll get out easily. Drugs are no joke. If she causes more trouble, we'll deal with her our way," Yang Chun made a slicing motion.
It was nearing noon, the airport was bustling. A Boeing aircraft roared as it landed. Dai Tian, Chairman of the Hualong Group, was the first to disembark, followed by his secretary and legal advisors. To show his importance, Guo Xiaopeng had arranged for the car to drive onto the tarmac. As Dai Tian descended, Guo Xiaopeng led his team in applause. Numerous journalists captured the moment. Dai Tian briefly shook Guo Xiaopeng's hand before heading to the waiting Mercedes.
The luxurious convoy sped down the wide airport road. Inside the car, Dai Tian was solemn and silent. Guo Xiaopeng, feeling increasingly uneasy, said, "We've repeatedly discussed with the police and city government, but they refuse to release her."
Dai Tian's lips remained tight, saying nothing.
"The entire Haizhou Pharmaceuticals staff believes Ms. Wang is innocent," Guo Xiaopeng continued.
"Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant," Dai Tian's face remained taut, "What matters is that the police believe it."
"We're trying our best," Guo Xiaopeng assured.
"Why not apply for bail?" Dai Tian asked, staring out the window.
Guo Xiaopeng couldn't admit Dai Tian's unfamiliarity with mainland laws, so he hedged, "We're negotiating."
Though advanced in years, Dai Tian's mind was sharp. He turned and glanced at Guo Xiaopeng, recognizing the evasion.
Guo Xiaopeng flattered, "Your presence in Haizhou has been highly valued by city officials. I believe the problem will be resolved soon."
Dai Tian responded coldly, "I manage over thirty economic entities where Hualong holds more than 35% shares. If I had to personally resolve issues for each one, how could I manage?"
Guo Xiaopeng was speechless.
"The Hualong board finds Haizhou Pharmaceuticals severely lacking in commercial spirit and difficult to cooperate with. Your distrust and disrespect for our agents are unacceptable."
"That's…" Guo Xiaopeng began to explain.
Dai Tian interrupted, "Hence, we preliminarily decided to suspend further funding."
Guo Xiaopeng panicked, "Our new project is halfway through; this would be devastating."
"It's also a significant loss for us, but if the situation doesn't improve, we'll terminate all cooperation," Dai Tian's words hit the mark.
Guo Xiaopeng, desperate, pleaded, "You must give us a chance to correct this."
"We will, but it's up to you to seize it," Dai Tian replied slowly.
The convoy arrived at the city's only five-star hotel, Haibin Grand Hotel. Guo Xiaopeng escorted Dai Tian to the presidential suite. Dai Tian's team immediately set up computers in the living room, connecting with the world.
Dai Tian took a brief rest in the living room before retreating to the bedroom. Guo Xiaopeng waited on the sofa. The secretary soon came out, saying, "Chairman Dai wants you to contact Mayor Jin Bing and arrange a meeting soon."
Guo Xiaopeng was startled, "Do they know each other?"
The secretary shrugged, "No comment." He added, "Chairman Dai also requests you negotiate with the police. Our doctors need to examine Ms. Wang Jingfei."
Knowing this was an excessive request, Guo Xiaopeng reluctantly agreed, "Understood."
In a solitary ward of the Xinjiang Labor Reform Hospital, Lin Xiaoqiang, in striped hospital clothes, lay reading a newspaper. The morning sun bathed the room, warming it pleasantly. In the sunlight, his complexion looked much healthier.
Jin Tie quietly entered. His immaculate suit, perfectly knotted tie, and spotless leather shoes gave him a polished look. He approached the bed, "Hello, Mr. Lin."
Lin Xiaoqiang didn't look up, "Hello."
Jin Tie patted the soft bed, "Much better than the bunks. Not used to it?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Lin Xiaoqiang rolled his eyes, "Do you want to go back to the doghouse?"
Jin Tie laughed, "More like a duck pen, mule shed, or stable."
As they chatted, Dr. Zhang walked in, noting Jin Tie's affluent appearance, "You have no idea how many connections I used to get him here. It wasn't easy!"
Lin Xiaoqiang signaled to Jin Tie. Understanding, Jin Tie took out an envelope and handed it to Dr. Zhang, "I know you spent a lot."
Dr. Zhang calmly pocketed the envelope without a word of thanks.
Jin Tie said, "Dr. Zhang, we need to talk privately. Can we?"
Dr. Zhang joked, "Planning an escape?"
Jin Tie shook his head, "Where would we go?"
Dr. Zhang chuckled and left, eager to count his money. Once he was gone, Lin Xiaoqiang asked, "IDs, car, cash?"
Jin Tie replied seriously, "Requirements?"
"The car doesn't need to be fancy, just not stolen. Cash in small bills," Lin Xiaoqiang specified.
"Time?"
"If I don't show up the day after tomorrow, wait another day."
"Okay."
Lin Xiaoqiang gestured towards the door, "That's all. You can go."
"With security so tight, can you get out?" Jin Tie worried.
"Don't worry about my business," Lin Xiaoqiang replied impatiently.
"Alright. Goodbye," Jin Tie said.
Lin Xiaoqiang returned to his newspaper.
At Haizhou City Hall, the cream-colored aluminum facade gleamed in the sunlight, dominated by the grand national emblem. Mayor Jin Bing was reviewing documents when Dai Tian, accompanied by Guo Xiaopeng, walked in. Jin Bing immediately put down his papers and warmly greeted them, "Welcome, welcome," shaking Dai Tian's hand.
"It's been at least ten years, hasn't it, Jin Bing?" Dai Tian asked.
"More than that, I think," Jin Bing replied.
Dai Tian patted his hand, "Still vigorous as ever!"
Jin Bing touched his hair, "Getting old! Seeing an old friend, even with gray temples, is a pleasure. How is your wife?"
"Thanks to you, she's doing well," Dai Tian replied.
"Good health is a blessing. Business must be thriving," Jin Bing said.
Dai Tian smiled, "When you were with Xinhua in Hong Kong, your connections were invaluable to me."
Jin Bing responded, "Your contributions to the Basic Law were significant and beneficial."
Guo Xiaopeng, feeling anxious, couldn't get a word in.
Finally, Jin Bing shifted to business, "I hear this trip is for official matters?"
Dai Tian's expression grew serious, "Our chief representative at Haizhou Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Wang Jingfei, was falsely accused of drug involvement and detained. This has caused an uproar in Hong Kong's business community."
"Is it that serious?" Jin Bing asked, smiling.
"Hualong's core business is pharmaceuticals. Any association with drugs, even rumors, is deadly," Dai Tian explained, glancing at Guo Xiaopeng.
Jin Bing became serious, "I'll do my best."
"Her arrest was reported yesterday. This morning, Hualong's stock dropped three percent. If this continues, I'll have to come to your home for meals," Dai Tian joked.
"You're always welcome," Jin Bing said.
"I hope Haizhou's leadership will take the broader view and quickly clear Ms. Wang's name, restoring her freedom and reputation," Dai Tian urged.
"I'll discuss the case with the relevant departments. Her situation impacts our investment climate and economic development," Jin Bing promised.
Both Dai Tian and Guo Xiaopeng felt relieved.