Xiao Dongsheng's voice remained calm and unhurried, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
Qin Ye stood ramrod straight and quickly reported everything that had happened in the alley using the most concise language.
From how he and Su Tang were ambushed, to how he single-handedly subdued the gunman, and how he managed to pry open the gunman's mouth and extract key information such as "KGB" and "Polonium-210".
He concealed all details of Su Tang's actions, minimizing exposure to reduce danger.
Su Tang stood quietly beside him, her eyes lowered, revealing no emotion.
Xiao Dongsheng listened quietly, his refined face revealing neither joy nor anger.
“KGB…” He looked at Qin Ye and nodded. “Qin Ye, we owe you a lot this time. Your vigilance and combat effectiveness are as excellent as ever. If it weren’t for you, Comrade Su Tang would probably be in real danger.”
He stood up, paced around the room a couple of times, then stopped. His gaze finally settled on Su Tang, his expression incredibly complex.
"Now that things have come to this, Comrade Su Tang, I must apologize to you."
Xiao Dongsheng's tone became extremely serious, "It was because my protection of you was not thorough enough that you were caught in such a huge crisis in broad daylight. But now, the situation has completely changed."
Su Tang met his gaze but remained silent.
She knew the real issue was about to be addressed.
Xiao Dongsheng continued, "Comrade Su Tang, you are now facing a double crisis. You must be clearly aware of this."
"On the surface, it's the KGB's relentless pursuit. The 'Polonium-210' mine is a strategic project concerning the fate of the nation for them. Its importance is no less than that of a war. You've destroyed their hard work, and they will definitely take revenge. Today's attacker was just a pawn that failed. Next time, who knows what will come? It could be a more professional assassination team, or even... an all-pervasive intelligence network."
"And behind the scenes... Comrade Su Tang, do you know what people in Beijing think of you, given your performance at Devil's Slope and your achievements at the research institute?"
He didn't say anything more, but his eyes said it all.
Su Tang's heart sank little by little.
Of course she understood.
She was like a three-year-old child walking through a bustling city with a gold ingot in her hand.
The technology of the high-temperature circulating furnace and the special high-temperature resistant clay—the value of these things far exceeds the scope of a military research institute. If this high-temperature resistant material could be applied to the engine nozzles of fighter jets, the pressure hulls of submarines, and the nose cones of missiles…
What does that represent? It represents tremendous achievements, a soaring future, and immeasurable benefits and power.
Zhou Huai'an was just the first to rush in, drawn by the smell of blood. If he falls, there will be Li Huai'an, Wang Huai'an.
Those unseen undercurrents are more deadly and harder to defend against than KGB bullets.
"Therefore, I have no choice but to protect you." Xiao Dongsheng finally revealed his purpose.
He looked intently at Su Tang: "Comrade Su Tang, do you still think you can live a peaceful life as a military dependent and an ordinary person?"
"You think that refusing my offer will keep trouble away? Quite the opposite. You're now like a wandering swordsman who possesses a peerless martial arts manual but has no sect to protect him. Every sect wants to steal your manual. Every enemy wants to take your life."
"Only by becoming one of us and receiving the protection of the nation's most powerful machine can you truly transform your talents into armor to protect yourself. Only then can you nip all threats in the bud."
"This is your only choice. I'm formally inviting you one last time, Comrade Su Tang, to join our 'Dragon Flame'."
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