However, those who work in such hotels are never short of people with a kind heart.
Barbara, the service manager, was a thoughtful Black woman who found Paul's story amusing at the dinner table and thought it was a unique kind of humor typical of Chinese diplomats.
However, after clearing away the dishes and going back for my lunch break, I started to feel increasingly uneasy.
The United States and China have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, and Chinese diplomats have never been seen playing such pranks. They are very meticulous in their work, and every word and phrase is carefully considered before being spoken.
Although writing notes in a room is a private act, such incidents can range from minor to major.
At best, it's a joke; at worst, it could be suspected of espionage involving the sale of state secrets.
So why would a Chinese diplomat who is so self-disciplined and unlikely to be forgetful play such a joke on a cleaner on April Fool's Day?
After thinking it over, Barbara immediately went to find the cleaner, Paul.
When they found him, Paul was in the staff lounge watching a football league game with his friends.
"Paul, did you throw that note you found this morning in the trash?"
Paul, seeing that it was a service manager with whom he had a good relationship, didn't hide it from him.
"How could that be? This was an April Fool's joke played on me by a foreign diplomat. It's very memorable. I plan to take it home tonight to keep it. It'll be something to be proud of when I talk about it at gatherings later."
Barbara breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that the note was still there.
"It's like this, Paul. We might have to hand this note over to our superiors. I think this might not be a joke."
"What about my losses...?"
Paul muttered something, but then he saw Barbara making a phone call.
In less than 10 minutes, the CIA had already sent someone to the door.
Paul reluctantly handed over the note.
To comfort Paul, Barbara promised to treat him to a meal, which eased his bad mood.
When the note was handed over to the CIA, it was no longer the hotel staff's business, but it still caused controversy within the CIA.
There are roughly two opposing views: one side believes it's a prank, while the other believes it's a hint or has a deeper meaning.
However, there are more rational people here, and most of those who know about this matter tend to believe the second possibility.
Because the note contained the sensitive word "god," it was inevitable that information would have to be shared with the Supernatural Security Department.
While this U.S. department is not yet as important as China's fifth-tier special agents, it has gained considerable influence after the incident a week ago.
Diplomacy is no small matter, especially for China, which holds a pivotal position globally.
As time went on, this note was not only not ignored, but instead attracted more and more attention, with a dedicated code-breaking team conducting meticulous research on it.
In the deciphering report, 32 hours after cleaner Paul found the note, the person in charge is reporting to Chris, the chief of the Paranormal Security Department (pSd), and Charlie, the Secretary of Defense.
"I believe that these four sentences, arranged in a row, each mentioning the relationship between humanity and God, are not a code, but a hint or a test."
"It seems this can't be a joke."
"Yes, Minister, this note was left by Ni Xinbiao from the Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. We have studied his information in detail. He is basically the serious and rigid type. He rarely jokes in his daily life, let alone during diplomatic visits."
"We believe this was a probing activity by Ni Xinbiao, authorized by his superiors."
"What are you testing? Are you trying to find out if the United States has conducted biochemical experiments? That's just something out of Hollywood."
The person in charge produced a time analysis table.
"We cannot yet determine what they are testing, but what is certain is..."
“We must respond as soon as possible, because China’s probing is likely an attempt to ascertain whether we know any secrets, and clearly, they already know those secrets.”
"If we cannot respond accurately and in a timely manner, then their subsequent activities..."
Locke glanced at the note in his hand.
"It is very likely that my country will be excluded. Whatever it is, for China to test us in this way is definitely extraordinary. It is a pity that China has taken the lead this time."
"Moreover, Commander Chris, I have a gut feeling that this matter is closely related to you."
Chris knew this, which is why he disclosed the current information to the codebreaking experts, but it was clear that what they had was not enough to counter China's probing.
"Locke, what do you think is the latest we should respond?"
“I think it’s best to respond within 48 hours. Considering the factors that need to be discovered and discussed, this timeframe can be interpreted as an ‘immediate’ response. Beyond this timeframe, it would make us appear less confident.”
Charlie sighed, stood up, and patted Kris on the shoulder.
"Chris, think it over carefully and try to come up with a safe response. We'll go to the White House together tomorrow morning. As for whether or not to respond, that's up to the president."
...
When I got home, my wife was chopping vegetables in the kitchen.
Where is Anna?
"Playing in the garden."
"oh."
Chris sat down on the living room sofa and gently rubbed his head.
His wife handed him a glass of warm water, looking at him with concern.
"Chris, you look very tired lately, can't you take a rest?"
Thank you, I will.
Chris was now preoccupied with how to respond to China's probing, and felt a greater burden than ever before.
"Hehehehe~~~~ Hahahaha~~~~"
The laughter of his youngest daughter, Anna, came from the garden. He and his wife had two daughters. Their eldest daughter was already in middle school, but she attended a private school with her grandfather in Los Angeles. Their youngest daughter, Anna, was only three and a half years old and not yet of school age.
Hearing Anna's laughter, Chris stood up and looked out the window at the back of the house at the garden. Due to the angle, he could only see his little daughter laughing happily in one direction.
"Maggie, who is Anna playing with?"
Just then, his wife, who was already stewing the soup, put the lid on the pot.
"No, she's playing by herself."
one person?
Hahahaha~~~~
Anna's laughter grew even brighter.
Chris left the living room and walked towards the back of the house.
"Hey Anna, who are you playing with?"
"Damn it! I made a new friend in the garden!"
Anna ran over and took Chris's hand, pulling him toward the small table where she usually played house.
"Look! Daddy, this is Lulu, and I even treated her to a donut!"
"Um... hello... Lulu."
Opposite Anna's small garden table sat a cat with shiny black fur and bright, human-like eyes looking at her.
"Hello, Mr. Chris."
What?!!!!!!!!!!
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