The moonlight bathed the endless sea, casting a shimmering glow on the water. G peered through a high-powered infrared binoculars, scanning the sea's surface. Despite the anxiety gnawing at him, his face remained expressionless. Standing in the lookout tower of a cargo ship, he said to his aide, "I think we've passed the expected time."
The aide, checking his military-grade luminous watch, replied, "Yes, it's been over half an hour."
G lowered the binoculars and commanded, "Full speed retreat!"
The aide hesitated, "Mr. G, this is worth billions of dollars!"
G's face remained calm, but his voice was menacing, "I hate people who ask obvious questions!" The aide fell silent and stepped back.
The cargo ship began to turn, its bow slicing through the waves as it picked up speed. G descended from the lookout tower to the deck, gazing out at the calm sea.
The aide emerged from the cabin, standing behind G with regret, "I can't believe we're letting billions slip away."
G didn't move, still staring at the sea, "So many heroic tales end in sorrow." The aide, not catching his words, asked, "What did you say?"
G, with a wry smile, said, "I said, we should thank the gods that we're alive to see the sunrise." As he spoke, a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon. On the Wolf Fang Point beach, Zhang Xiaohua was also staring at the sea.
Qiang Min, regretting deeply, squatted by the police car. Li Xinjian, with one hand holding a gun and the other resting on a small tree, also gazed out to sea. Lu Xiaofei fiddled with the PDA. Undoubtedly, she had been deceived by Guo Xiaopeng; there was no bomb in the device.
Li Xinjian turned to Zhang Xiaohua, "The operation failed. I'll take full responsibility." "No, the operation was still a success." Zhang Xiaohua pointed to the truck, "This truck carries the lives of millions!" He emphasized, "Two tons of methamphetamine, the largest seizure since the founding of the country." Lu Xiaofei handed the PDA to Li Xinjian, "It contains Guo Xiaopeng's account information and details about G."
Li Xinjian, mustering his energy, glanced at Lu Xiaofei and then handed the PDA to Zhang Xiaohua. Lu Xiaofei, blushing slightly from Li Xinjian's gaze, lowered her eyes, "It's all my fault for letting Guo Xiaopeng escape."
"Nonsense!" Li Xinjian glared at her fondly, "Our opponent was too cunning. It wasn't your fault."
Zhang Xiaohua, scrolling through the PDA, said, "Get me Beijing."
In Xiamen, Guo Xiaopeng, dressed casually with large black glasses and carrying an ordinary bag, blended into the crowd as he exited the ferry terminal.
He hailed a taxi and instructed the driver, "To Binlang Le."
The taxi slipped away silently. When Chen Ran opened the door, his jaw dropped in shock at the sight of Guo Xiaopeng. After a long pause, he stammered, "Chairman Guo? You, you're here."
Guo Xiaopeng nonchalantly asked, "Can I come in?"
Chen Ran quickly responded, "Of course. Please."
Once inside, Guo Xiaopeng glanced around and then casually sat on the central sofa. Chen Ran, anxious, watched him, his heart pounding.
Guo Xiaopeng observed the room, his demeanor giving no hint of being a fugitive. Finally, his gaze settled on Chen Ran, "Heard about Haizhou?"
Chen Ran nodded.
"From where?" Guo Xiaopeng's tone was commanding.
"Someone posted it online," Chen Ran replied.
Guo Xiaopeng nodded, "Knowledge spreads without leaving home." He resumed his scrutiny, making Chen Ran uneasy again.
"Why don't you ask why I'm here?" Guo Xiaopeng asked, looking elsewhere.
Chen Ran, clearly intimidated, stammered, "I'm always at your service, Chairman."
Guo Xiaopeng assessed him, "During the Cultural Revolution, Air Force Commander Wu Faxian always declared loyalty to Deputy Commander Lin. But when Lin Biao fell, Wu was the first to denounce him."
Chen Ran remained silent, lost in thought.
"I know everything you've done," Guo Xiaopeng suddenly turned stern but then relaxed, "But I won't hold it against you."
Chen Ran looked up.
"I've managed businesses for years; I understand people's psychology. I also know what you're thinking now." Completely overawed, Chen Ran repeated, "What am I thinking?"
"You're thinking: Guo is just a fugitive now. Manufacturing and selling over fifty grams of methamphetamine carries a life sentence, let alone two tons." Guo Xiaopeng waved off Chen Ran's attempted protest, "Why should I be afraid of him?"
Sweat beaded on Chen Ran's forehead, "Chairman, I never thought that!"
Guo Xiaopeng was indifferent, "It's natural for you to think that way. If I were you, I'd think the same. Stealing corporate secrets might get you two or three years, but dealing with a major drug lord is trouble."
Chen Ran, struck by the accuracy of Guo Xiaopeng's words, trembled.
"I don't deal in secrets. I have brothers across the country. I know where your family lives. If anything happens to me..." He paused, speaking slowly, "I hope I've made myself clear."
Chen Ran, understanding his predicament, asked calmly, "How long will you stay here, Chairman?"
Guo Xiaopeng smiled, "That's the spirit of a negotiator. I'll stay twenty days, just enough to arrange my mother's escape. After that, even if you beg me to stay, I won't."
Chen Ran, feeling a bit relieved, nodded.
Guo Xiaopeng added, "Before I leave, I'll give you a hundred thousand."
Chen Ran quickly said, "Chairman, I can't take your money while you're on the run."
Guo Xiaopeng emphasized, "A hundred thousand dollars."
Chen Ran didn't refuse anymore.