You don't understand us.
Raman sent someone to help Chen Jiu with the boarding problem at the airport.
Although Xinlan was visibly shaken when she was rescued, her eyes lit up when she learned that Chen Jiu had been sent by Nutag to save her. She mustered all her courage, forced herself to calm down, and painstakingly cooperated with Chen Jiu's actions.
Xinlan tried her best to appear normal as she boarded the plane, hoping the flight attendants would think she was just a tired tourist who didn't want to talk. She forced herself to suppress her anxiety and not show her fear in front of others, but after takeoff, she could no longer hold on and fell into a deep sleep.
Looking at the cold sweat on Xinlan's forehead and her sleeping face as she finally succumbed to unconsciousness, Chen Jiu couldn't help but marvel at the woman's strength.
He was just a scholar with no strength to even kill a chicken; he probably had never seen a real gun in his life. He had just been protected by them as they braved a hail of bullets, yet he hadn't been scared out of his wits.
From the moment she learned their identities, Xinlan's eyes were filled with longing to return to her motherland, as if the words "return home" could give her endless strength.
Even Chen Jiu was moved by her.
Xinlan was just an ordinary person, without any special training. She didn't know how to deal with fear professionally, nor what techniques were needed to remain normal while imprisoned, yet she didn't break down after being held by Karim for three months.
Ordinary people will never have the chance to see what killing is like in their lifetime, but Xinlan went through the battlefield with them.
Chen Jiu had even prepared sedatives at the beginning; he was prepared to face a target who was mentally broken and unable to cooperate. However, Xinlan bravely controlled herself and did not cause them any trouble.
Chen Jiu couldn't help but feel that they had arrived too late. They should have come earlier; Xinlan shouldn't have been locked up by that pervert Karim for so long.
Before boarding the plane, Chen Jiu had already received a report from the mission site. The entire process went very smoothly; Steve was rescued while calm and should now have been transferred to Raman's manor. Three agents remained on site to help Raman clear the area and rescue the other detainees.
The remaining agents stood guard beside Steve to ensure his safety.
Their people cannot be allowed to get into trouble after the mission is completed.
Chen Jiu was never at ease with Raman.
The flight from West Africa to Nutag takes ten hours, and a lot can happen in those ten hours.
Rahman will seize the high ground in public opinion as soon as possible, portraying himself as a grieving father who has lost his beloved son, thus providing a reasonable background explanation for this large-scale operation that cannot be concealed.
They had prepared "Steve's body" long ago, and also left enough of Steve's biological samples for Raman in case there was any need to verify the biological samples to prove his identity.
Raman will also find a reason as soon as possible to bury "his beloved son's body" in order to truly destroy the evidence.
During these ten hours, Chen Chao will be very busy, monitoring the aftermath and secretly guiding public opinion to ensure that Nutag has absolutely no connection to the aftermath of this incident.
Chen Chao would receive reports of Steve's safety immediately, but he couldn't actually see him or know Steve's true condition. As the one in charge, the reports he received were cold, emotionless numbers, objective descriptions devoid of likes or dislikes. He had countless responsibilities, so he couldn't personally go to the front lines to embrace Steve. He could only wait anxiously amidst his busy schedule, praying that everything would be alright.
After getting off the plane and settling Xinlan in, Chen Jiu went straight to Chen Chao's office.
Chen Jiu was the one who understood everything. He knew best what Steve needed right now, and he also understood the misunderstandings others had about them.
He was going to find Chen Chao and make him truly understand what he was about to face. He couldn't let Steve suffer further harm from Chen Chao.
"Brother, I need to talk to you." Ignoring Trot's attempts to stop him, Chen Jiu barged into the office.
Chen Chao glanced at Chen Jiu and immediately realized what Chen Jiu wanted to talk about, so he directly instructed Trot to set aside the next hour.
"How is he?" Chen Chao asked first.
"It's not good," Chen Jiu replied directly.
Chen Chao's eyes darkened. He paused for a moment, as if trying to encourage himself: "No matter what he does, I will never let him down. He will be mine for life."
"But brother, do you really know how to take responsibility?" Chen Jiu's tone was unusually sharp today.
Chen Chao looked at Chen Jiu with some doubt, his words filled with helpless self-mockery: "I didn't expect you to distrust me to this extent."
Chen Jiu shook his head: "I believe him, he believes you, so I believe you too. I don't doubt your feelings, but brother, you don't understand us."
"What do you mean?" Chen Chao needed Chen Jiu's explanation.
"When I was captured and rescued, you didn't immediately borrow Feiyu to be with me, but you did it later. Why?"
That's because...
"That's because you didn't think my psychological problems were that serious at first, until you saw the video of me being tortured, right?" Chen Jiu answered directly for Chen Chao.
"Yes," Chen Chao admitted.
At the time, Chen Jiu acted perfectly normal in the hospital. He cooperated with all the treatments and the investigation process. He even calmly gave his statement, recalling the details of the entire mission, including everything he experienced in the cell.
At first, no one realized that Chen Jiu's mental state was actually on the verge of collapse. No one realized that all his behavior was a facade, and that he was forcing himself all along.
It wasn't until Chen Chao saw the video that things changed.
"Brother, the Special Agents don't force people to go to the battlefield, but they also don't allow agents with PTSD to go to the battlefield. In other words, we are not allowed to have PTSD, and we have our own principles."
Agents of Steve's caliber and I instinctively put on a perfect facade before we truly break down. We don't want anyone to discover that we have PTSD.
Now that Steve has been rescued, do you think he might pretend to be something he's not to reassure you?
Chen Jiu's words caused Chen Chao's expression to change abruptly. He immediately realized that Chen Jiu was right. Steve probably didn't want him to see his vulnerable side.
Steve will definitely put on a brave face and pretend that everything is fine.
Even if his heart is already riddled with holes, Steve will still smile and tell him it's okay.
That's just the kind of person he is.
"But in reality, every minute of pretense is a drain on my energy. If you hadn't brought Feiyu back, I probably would have completely collapsed. Brother, you have to find a way to make him drop his pretense in front of you, do you understand?"
"In the hospital, we might not be able to let go of our pride and show vulnerability in front of medical staff. But after discharge, you need to let him show you his vulnerability, his weakness, and then help him get through it little by little." Chen Jiu's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight. Every word was stained with his own blood and tears, a past he didn't want to recall.
"I understand. What exactly do I need to do?" Chen Chao asked earnestly. He knew that this explanation was also very difficult for Chen Jiu.
Chen Jiu took a deep breath, giving herself a moment to process her emotions: "Back then, Fei Yu accompanied me through my drug rehabilitation. On the first day of rehabilitation, the doctor brought me a straitjacket to tie me up in a room full of chains. Fei Yu couldn't accept it at first; he couldn't accept me being treated like that. But I knew that this straitjacket might be my last bit of dignity."
When the craving hit, only complete restraint could stop me from doing things I absolutely didn't want to do. I knew how utterly awful I would be under the torment of drugs, so I willingly put on that outfit. For the next three days, all my consciousness was robbed by the drugs; I remembered nothing but pain. I have no doubt that if Feiyu hadn't been with me, I would have died there.
At this point, Chen Jiu closed his eyes in pain: "Brother, I want to tell you. The training we received made our mental defenses exceptionally strong. But because they are exceptionally strong, once they are breached, rebuilding them is even more difficult. You can't just rely on gentleness and love to appease him; to rise from the ashes, we need something much tougher. For me, rebirth meant that shackles and a room full of chains; for Steve, I think you know better than I do what it means."
Chen Chao's breathing slowed down; it was an unconscious habit he developed when facing immense pressure. The more tense the situation, the more important it was to remain calm—they were all deliberately trained to be like that.
"I... I'm not sure I can do it." Chen Chao hesitated for once, almost unable to maintain his composure.
“You have to do it, or he will never be able to turn back into the original Steve.”
"...I understand." Chen Chao dug his nails into his flesh, forcing himself to agree through the pain.
He's a gunman; he has to bear the consequences. He can't back down.
"Also, brother. The first step in rebuilding is to get him to completely drop his pretense with you. But in that state, dropping the pretense is tantamount to losing control."
During my recovery period, I often couldn't help but attack Feiyu. Feiyu is Yunxiao's special forces member; he can withstand my attacks, but what about you?"
Chen Chao knew what Chen Jiu was worried about; ultimately, he and they were from different worlds. Chen Jiu doubted whether he truly had the ability to help Steve using their methods.
"No matter what, I'm the only one who can help him now."
Just like back then, I knew your family couldn't be your support, so I temporarily transferred Liang Feiyu to be with you. You needed him then, but now Steve needs me.
I believe Steve may be reluctant to show weakness to me, but he's the only one he'll be willing to show weakness to. Now that I'm in this unique position, I will bear everything that comes with it.
Don't worry, he can lose control completely in front of me, and I won't really be in any danger.
"Okay." Chen Jiu didn't ask Chen Chao what he planned to do. Since Chen Chao had made a promise, he would trust him.
Having said what he wanted to say, Chen Jiu had no intention of lingering any longer: "Xinlan has been taken to the hospital, and I believe someone will send you the preliminary assessment report soon. From my observation, I think the problem shouldn't be too serious. I'll be going back to West Africa later to finish up the last bit and bring Steve back."
"Thank you, you've worked hard this time."
Chen Jiu was unmoved by Chen Chao's gratitude: "I was sent on this mission because of him, and also because you can't do without me. Otherwise, you would have no one to send to keep Raman in check and coordinate on-site."
I wouldn't have come back if either of those conditions hadn't been met, but since I've returned, I don't need your gratitude. You know I didn't come for you, I didn't even come for the Chen family.
Chen Chao knew that Chen Jiu's choice was due to her faith, and had nothing to do with her family.
"After this is over, your file will be sealed again. Unless something major happens, we will not easily reopen your file."
"good."
Chen Jiu responded and turned to leave with satisfaction.
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