Chapter 104 The Timid Him (Sixteen) I'm Proud to Have My Motherland by My Side…

"Good! Good!" The old man said excitedly to the guard beside him, "Xiao Li, quick, play the video again."

The lights on A-101 dimmed instantly. On the large screen, the footage of Song Ce conducting experiments at the test range was played again. When they saw the bullets hit the shield and fall to the ground without impact, the high-ranking military officials and experts present began to whisper among themselves, discussing the military value of this groundbreaking invention.

"Comrades! This is a powerful symbol of the rise of our country's scientific research capabilities! Once Comrade Xiao Song's X1 energy shield is put into large-scale use, the casualty rate of our soldiers on the battlefield will be greatly reduced! Judging from the current test results, it can not only effectively resist conventional bullet attacks, but also has a controllable cost, and is fully ready for mass production!" The old man stood up again and said with bright eyes.

At this moment, a general with gray hair and sharp eyes frowned slightly and raised his question: "Old leader, although the cost of this thing is controllable, we haven't really witnessed its power in actual combat yet. In my opinion, why not send Comrade Liu Junzhou to the testing ground and have him conduct a real military exercise with our soldiers?"

"That makes sense! Xiao Li, immediately arrange to clear out the testing grounds so that we old folks can really see how powerful this X1 energy shield is!" The old man laughed heartily and quickly gave the order.

"Yes, sir!"

In just over an hour, the military had repeatedly tested the X1 energy shield. Ultimately, the military confirmed that the shield could protect its owner in all directions, and that even a full-force rocket attack could not penetrate its defenses.

The old man stared at Liu Junzhou's X1 energy shield for a long time before signaling Xiao Li to call Old He over.

"Comrade He, from today onwards, raise Comrade Song's security level to the highest level. We must ensure his personal safety and absolutely not allow him to be threatened in the slightest! We must be especially vigilant against any foreign forces trying to poach him. We must do everything in our power to protect him, understand? Also, from now on, any of his requests, as long as they do not violate public order and good morals, will be granted without any reports or requests for permission!" the old man said in a deep voice.

"Yes, old leader!" Old He straightened his back instantly and gave the old man a standard military salute.

As the days went by, Song Ce noticed that the number of people protecting him had visibly increased recently. His original research lab had also moved to a separate building, and in addition to Liu Junzhou, who was protecting him closely, he was now surrounded by a team of fully armed soldiers.

Within a month, after confirming that the X1 energy shield developed by Song Ce was stable and without problems, the higher-ups quickly issued instructions to relevant departments to carry out mass production.

Looking at the ring in his hand that was the same model as the X1 bracelet, Song Ce turned to Liu Junzhou and asked, "Junzhou, I work in the Armed Forces Research Department. How much is my monthly allowance?"

Liu Junzhou was taken aback. "What...did you say?"

“Back when I was at Tsinghua University, I heard from the seniors that houses in Beijing were ridiculously expensive, so I wanted to ask you first if my current job allowance is enough to buy a house in Beijing,” Song Ce asked somewhat shyly.

Liu Junzhou gave Song Ce a standard military salute, then took out a bright red card with a small golden dragon printed on it from his pocket and handed it to Song Ce, saying, "Comrade Song Ce, this is a salary card specially made for you. There is no limit to the amount you can receive."

Song Ce asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'no restrictions'?"

Liu Junzhou chuckled sheepishly and explained, "Even if you want to buy a Happiness Express high-speed train right now, this card can be used to pay for it without any spending limit."

Song Ce: "..." So why did he buy a high-speed rail ticket all by himself?

Soon, Song Ce composed himself and said gently, "Then could you please help me find a two-bedroom apartment? My father is still in Shanghai, and I'd like to bring him to Beijing to live with me."

After hearing this, Liu Junzhou was momentarily speechless. He scratched his head and said earnestly, "Comrade Song Ce, with the Yi Ying, the second-generation Yi Ying, and the X1 energy shield that you developed, you could afford to buy a hundred houses, let alone one. In fact, the organization sent people to Haishi to pick up your father a month ago, and he has already settled in at the Armed Forces Research Department. You have made such a great contribution to the country, and it is our responsibility to take care of you and your family."

That evening, accompanied by Liu Junzhou and the team of fully armed soldiers, Song Ce went to the family compound of the Armed Forces Research Department. Because the Research Department was full of confidential workers who dedicated themselves to the country, their family compounds consisted of grand detached villas.

Since the father and son spent a few days together during the Spring Festival last year, Song Ce and Song Mingyuan have not seen each other for a long time.

The villa arranged for Song Mingyuan to live in was the closest to the Armed Forces Research Department. Armed police officers patrolled the area daily, so security was absolutely not a problem.

"Dad." Song Ce saw Song Mingyuan turning over the soil in the courtyard from afar and quickly walked over.

"Xiao Ce!" Song Mingyuan looked up, his eyes instantly filled with pride and affection. "What brings you here?"

"Dad, you've been in Beijing for so long, why didn't you tell me? Are you getting used to living here?" Song Ce asked with concern.

"I'm used to it! I'm used to it! I heard from the leaders that you work in the national security department, which has great responsibilities. How could I bother you? Besides, the people here take good care of me, and the surrounding environment is great. I never dreamed I could live in such a nice house." Song Mingyuan smiled and patted his son's shoulder, then instructed, "But Xiao Ce, you should take care to rest more often and don't overwork yourself."

Song Ce smiled and shook his head, "Don't worry, Dad!"

Liu Junzhou, who was standing nearby, immediately stood at attention and saluted, saying loudly, "Mr. Song, please rest assured! The organization will do its best to take good care of Comrade Song Ce!"

Song Mingyuan stood up and bowed as well, "It is an honor for Xiao Ce to be able to contribute to our country! From now on, I will be relying on you comrades!"

"Yes!" Liu Junzhou responded loudly.

The father and son chatted on the sofa for a long time. Looking at his increasingly composed son, Song Mingyuan sighed and slowly said, "Xiao Ce, your mother... she's not doing well these days. Last October 1st, she was tricked out of money by a former... classmate. I heard that the house in Shanghai is also listed for sale. Before coming to Beijing, she somehow found me and insisted on coming to Beijing to see you."

Song Ce nodded upon hearing this. "Then... where is she now?"

“Dad doesn’t know either, because I came to Beijing with my comrades the next day. I don’t know if she was just saying it casually or if she really intended to come. But, knowing your mother as I do, since she knows you’re in Beijing, she will definitely try her best to come,” Song Mingyuan said in a deep voice.

"Okay, Dad, I understand."

The father and son enjoyed another warm dinner, and it wasn't until late at night that Song Mingyuan reluctantly saw Song Ce off at the door.

On the way back, Song Ce asked Liu Junzhou, "Can you find out where my mother is now?"

Liu Junzhou nodded slightly and said cautiously, "Comrade Song Ce, don't worry. The day the organization brought your father here, they had already sent people to closely monitor your mother's movements. Currently, she is at the Dafeng Hotel in Beijing."

Song Ce nodded and said calmly, "Then I'll go see her tomorrow."

Liu Junzhou hesitated for a moment, then quickly reminded him, "Comrade Song Ce, according to our investigation, your mother, Comrade Chen Mei, has recently been in contact with some...unidentified overseas forces. Given that your safety may be threatened, your application to travel abroad is very likely to be rejected by the higher authorities."

Upon hearing this, Song Ce frowned slightly, seemingly unaware of the power dynamics...

Meanwhile, at the Dafeng Hotel.

Chen Mei sat on the sofa in her hotel suite, holding a cup of hot tea, staring warily at the unfamiliar woman in red opposite her.

“Don’t be nervous, Ms. Chen Mei. We just want to know a few things with you. If you can satisfy us, then these—” the woman in red said, then pushed the silver briefcase in front of Chen Mei and said with a smile, “are all yours.”

Chen Mei was stunned. With trembling hands, she slowly opened the suitcase, only to find it filled with a whole box of brand-new Y coins.

"These...are all for me?" Chen Mei asked uncertainly, looking up at the woman in red in front of her with a surprised expression.

The woman in red nodded slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "That's right. As long as you can answer a few questions truthfully, this money is yours."

Chen Mei swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the box of money, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the armrest of the sofa. After hesitating for a long time, she mustered her courage and asked, "What do you want to ask me?"

The woman in red's eyes flashed, and she chuckled, "We heard that your son, Song Ce, has already joined the secret service of China. It's truly enviable that you have such an outstanding son. I wonder if he's made any impressive technological breakthroughs lately?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mei's expression changed slightly, and she stammered, "I...I don't know. Xiao Ce...he hasn't contacted me for a long time."

The woman in red paused in her smile upon hearing this, and her tone became less polite. "Ms. Chen Mei, I advise you to think carefully before answering my question. As far as we know, your son is a very filial son and used to listen to you the most."

Chen Mei bit her lip and said in a low voice, "You said it yourself, that was before. Since I divorced his father, Xiao Ce has rarely contacted me."

"If he doesn't contact you, you can contact him yourself!" the woman in red coaxed. "After all, you are mother and son. If he knew that you traveled all the way from Haishi to Beijing to see him, he might come to see you tomorrow. If you can get something useful out of him, we will give you more rewards later."

"Who...who exactly are you people?" Chen Mei asked in fear upon hearing this.

“Ms. Chen Mei, who we are is not important.” The woman in red stood up, looked down at Chen Mei, and said slowly, “What is important is that we can give you much more than this.” As she spoke, she gently patted the box containing the money. “Then, we will await good news.”

Chen Mei stared intently at the box of money, her inner turmoil escalating. Even working day and night, she couldn't earn such a large sum. Moreover, this was just the beginning. Didn't that mean she could get even more money from these people in the future?

"I...I'll give it a try." After a long silence, Chen Mei finally spoke with difficulty.

"Good! Good! There's an old Chinese saying, 'A wise man submits to circumstances.' Ms. Chen Mei, you are a smart person." The woman in red gave Chen Mei a thumbs up, then left the Dafeng Hotel with her entourage.

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Author's Note: (Pulls over a cushion) (Kneels obediently) (Flicks a handkerchief) (Thank you, little angel) [Sprinkling flowers]