Chapter 144: Spies Everywhere (Complete)...
Udenev.
Led by shipyard staff, He Changyi and his group trudged along the aircraft carrier deck with great difficulty.
There are so many seagulls here!
From the ship's side to the island superstructure, there were crudely made bird nests everywhere, along with a massive amount of bird droppings that made it impossible to find a place to step. This warship, which should have been majestic, had been placed in the territory of seagulls, and any human who dared to board the ship was regarded as an intruder.
These sea pirates swooped down from above, pecking at people and throwing excrement at them, as united as people fighting over fries at the dock.
Despite being protected by bodyguards, He Changyi was still unable to escape the air raid. Bird droppings rained down from the sky, and every now and then a cunning seagull would seize an opportunity to peck at her.
Fortunately, He Changyi was wearing a helmet, and fortunately, the manufacturer hadn't cut corners. The helmet was being pecked so hard it made a loud, chilling sound. If she had been pecked on the head, her notarized will hidden in the safe would have come in handy.
It was a chaotic scene, like crossing a battlefield, with seagulls overhead and bird droppings underfoot as humans struggled toward the entrance to the aircraft carrier.
Amidst this chaos where even the most vulnerable could not be saved, Mikhail suddenly leaned close to He Changyi and whispered a warning: "Someone is watching us."
He lowered his head, using his hat as cover, and said, "Don't look up, keep walking, pretend nothing happened."
He Changyi reacted quickly, her expression unchanged, as if she hadn't heard anything, and continued to trek. However, unintentionally, she covered the lower half of her face with her hand while trying to avoid bird droppings.
Where are they? How many people are there?
Mikhail said in a whisper, "On the fourth floor of the residential building closest to the port, the exact number of people is unknown, and there is a reflection from a telescope."
He Changyi seemed completely unfazed, and even joked, "Sounds pretty good, at least it's not a reflection from the scope."
As they spoke, the group finally entered the aircraft carrier and breathed a sigh of relief, no longer having to fight the seagulls.
While everyone was cleaning themselves of bird droppings, Mikhail whispered to He Changyi, "Shall I go and find out what's going on?"
He Changyi shook her head, took off the raincoat she had prepared in advance, and instructed, "Don't move. Just pretend you didn't notice anything. Let them continue to follow you."
Mikhail looked troubled, then complained lightly, "This isn't an easy task. Those guys are so sloppy; they're as conspicuous as searchlights in the dark..."
He Changyi glanced at him with a half-smile, and Mikhail immediately changed his tune: "Okay, it's hard for a fool to pretend to be smart, but it's much easier the other way around. I'll pretend I didn't see anything~"
The kid even raised his hand, pretending his vision was blocked, then spread his fingers to reveal a pair of bright, rolling brown eyes.
He Changyi glanced outside. From this vantage point, she couldn't see the residential buildings near the port, and the other party couldn't see her either. But it seemed that the spying gaze still pierced through the thick steel plate, staring intently at her.
Since He Changyi arrived in Ussak and expressed her intention to buy the Udnev, more and more people have been following her, and eyes are on her from all sides.
Some are skilled, like a drop of ink in water, diluted to only a faint trace; others are crude, daring to follow behind in broad daylight under the watchful eyes of many, completely unafraid of being discovered.
However, the former is extremely rare, probably because an unfinished aircraft carrier is not of great importance and is too obvious a target. Its movement can be observed even from several kilometers away, leaving no secrets. Therefore, there is no need to send elite spies.
When He Changyi first contacted the shipyard, she used the pretext of buying scrap metal from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The spies from various countries were not interested in her at all. They probably only mentioned her briefly in their daily or weekly reports when they had no more intelligence to pass on, and they might even be criticized by their superiors for wasting resources.
However, when He Changyi publicly announced his intention to purchase the Udnev, overnight, spies from all over the city flocked to him.
Mikhail can run into more than three former colleagues every time he goes out for a walk, but they all now have completely different allies.
“I can smell those guys from a kilometer away!” Mikhail complained loudly. “It’s terrible. They should have spent more money instead of hiring a bunch of cheap drunks!”
Lermontov bluntly stated, "So they can smell you too, right? Bad guys can always spot their own kind in a crowd at first glance, and you KGB agents are just like that!"
Mikhail froze, and after a long pause, muttered, "I'm not like those drunkards. At least I won't drunkenly follow anyone..."
Lermontov nodded and said, "It's different. You'll go out after you've sobered up, and you'll spray a kilogram of perfume on yourself before meeting Miss He, and then swallow a whole pack of chewing gum."
Mikhail shouted angrily, "You're just envious!"
"Envious? Envious that you pour perfume into the bathtub?" Lermontov retorted bluntly. "I'm just worried that Miss He might be overwhelmed by your perfume one day. She's such a kind lady, but I certainly couldn't stand it..."
Lermontov gestured as if he were covering his nose, which enraged Mikhail, who roared and lunged at Lermontov.
"Damn soldier, I'm going to fight you to the death!"
Xie Xuejun looked at the guy rolling around on the ground with Lermontov with a complicated expression, his lips twitching uncontrollably.
Ever since he met a legendary KGB agent in real life, he could no longer read cheap, mass-produced literature—this guy was completely different from the cold-blooded, ruthless spies in the novels!
However, Mr. Raven still played his role in Ukraine.
—On the second day after landing at the airport, Mikhail introduced He Changyi to the head of a local consulting firm.
Anyone who has ever worked with a consulting firm knows that their so-called main business is just a facade, or a front, to hide all the things that can't be brought to light.
The owners of some consulting firms are often incredibly capable individuals with extensive connections. From approvals that are constantly rejected to meeting a powerful figure who is extremely difficult to reach, to handling huge sums of money that cannot be transferred through normal channels, in short, there is nothing they cannot do.
Mikhail introduced He Changyi to a consulting firm that appeared ordinary but actually had a powerful background.
By the way, the owner of this consulting firm is also an unemployed Cheka—that's why the KGB is known for producing so many talented people.
With the help of this consulting firm, He Changyi was able to directly connect with the shipyard's senior management on his first visit to discuss the purchase of the aircraft carrier, skipping the preliminary procedures and directly stepping into the final round.
In contrast, Xu Shaobo had to go through much more trouble. He personally visited the shipyard multiple times, and only after a combined offensive of expensive gifts and alcohol battles was he able to request the purchase of an aircraft carrier in his personal capacity.
Xu Shaobo originally wanted to use this point to control He Changyi. After all, without him, she wouldn't even know which way the factory director's office door faced, let alone want to buy an aircraft carrier right away. She would have been ripped off by these greedy traitors.
But to my surprise, the woman actually managed to do it.
She even shamelessly used her friend's name to openly curry favor with the shipyard leaders, which was a complete way of climbing over them to get ahead!
Xu Shaobo was so angry that his nose was crooked. He went back and called General Qin again, receiving a whole bunch of comforting words and a promise that he would deal with her when he returned to China.
But distant water cannot quench immediate thirst; Xu Shaobo needs immediate help, not empty and useless comfort.
As fate would have it, one day, Xu Shaobo, still hungover, was having breakfast at the hotel restaurant with a long face. While eating, he pushed his plate aside and grumbled, "Have them steam a bun for me and get some pickled vegetables. What is this rubbish? Is it fit for human consumption?!"
The young translator was taken aback, still had the bread in his mouth, when his subordinate reacted quickly, pulling him up and heading towards the kitchen, saying, "Don't worry, I'll have someone make it for you right away!"
After walking a bit further away, the young translator, with a pained expression, quietly asked, "Where can I find steamed buns abroad?"
The experienced subordinate said, "It's okay if he doesn't eat. Just stall for time. He'll know to eat when he gets hungry. A grown man making such a fuss abroad is just asking for trouble."
The young translator, who had only recently graduated, exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? You can do that?"
The subordinate said warmly, "You're still young, you'll get better with experience. When you get back, just tell him the kitchen is already steaming buns and to wait a bit—remember, don't make a mistake..."
The junior translator looked at the other person with admiration; so this was what a professional elite was like…
Xu Shaobo was sitting alone, his head throbbing from a hangover. He took off his glasses, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples. Suddenly, someone pulled out a chair next to him and sat down.
Xu Shaobo, without even opening his eyes, said, "You're back? So fast? Did you bring steamed buns?"
However, the speaker's voice did not belong to a subordinate or a junior translator.
"Mr. Xu, I have long admired your name. You are a role model for us Chinese. I am sorry to have come here so abruptly. I wonder if I could have the honor of getting to know you?"
Xu Shaobo opened his eyes in surprise, touched his glasses and put them on, and saw that the person speaking was a well-mannered Chinese man in a suit.
The other person appeared refined and dignified, and when shaking hands, he pulled up his sleeve to reveal a Rolex watch.
Xu Shaobo immediately flashed a warm smile, grabbed the other person's hand and shook it up and down: "What role model or not, you're really flattering me. I just did what I should do—what's your name?"
The visitor identified himself as surnamed Liu, and said he was engaged in international bulk commodity trade and was currently discussing the purchase of iron ore with the Ukrainian government.
Xu Shaobo's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened, especially when the other party subtly expressed his willingness to contribute to the patriotic cause. He was so enthusiastic that he wished he could treat the other party to a big drink first thing in the morning.
The two hit it off immediately, and Xu Shaobo felt this was the most enjoyable day he had had since arriving in Uzbekistan. Mr. Liu generously offered to lend him five million US dollars interest-free, with the option to add more if needed.
"If there were more businessmen like you and me, humble in rank but never forgetting the nation's worries, how could our country not become strong and prosperous sooner? Mr. Liu, I'd like to offer you a toast with tea instead of wine! Cheers!"
Mr. Liu raised his glass in acknowledgment, took a small sip of tea, and then casually mentioned He Changyi.
"Where is your female friend? I heard she seems quite interested in the Udnev as well. Why don't the three of us sit down and talk about it? Perhaps by combining our efforts, we can bring the aircraft carrier back to China sooner."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shaobo quickly said, "She's not my friend, don't be fooled! She's a vicious woman with a black heart and a thick skin!"
Then Xu Shaobo recounted the whole story of how He Changyi had competed with him for the aircraft carrier. If it weren't for her interference, he would have bought the carrier long ago! However, he didn't mention General Qin. He was his trump card and couldn't let anyone know about it casually. He was saving it for a great use.
Mr. Liu raised an eyebrow in surprise, puzzled, "We're all from Zhongguo, how could she do such a thing? Is there some hidden reason?"
Xu Shaobo looked around, lowered his voice, and whispered, "She's not some proper Chinese person, she's just a Russian in disguise, listen to me..."
Xu Shaobo embellished the story, portraying He Changyi as a traitor who had his heart set on Russia, who made a fortune in Russia and then abandoned his own country, who used the name of the Chinese to undermine China's roots, and who had several Chinese lovers, was promiscuous and unchaste.
Mr. Liu didn't say much, but his eyes flickered. He only asked a few questions at just the right time, which made Xu Shaobo even more interested in talking.
"If that's the case, then since she's already immigrated to Oros, why would she come to Usak to buy an aircraft carrier? Oros doesn't need an unfinished Udnev; their fleet has plenty of aircraft carriers."
Xu Shaobo scoffed: "What else could it be? It's all about the money. The aircraft carrier only costs 20 million US dollars. Once we buy it, the four main engines alone can fetch 80 million US dollars! Not to mention the tens of thousands of tons of scrap steel, that's a huge sum of money! I heard that she made her fortune in Oros by dumping scrap steel, and now she's got her eye on the aircraft carrier, hoping to make money by dismantling it."
Mr. Liu suddenly realized: "No wonder she wanted to buy the scrap steel from that nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. I heard the shipyard is already organizing the loading."
Xu Shaobo said sourly, "She's finally got a chance to make a fortune..."
Mr. Liu comforted her considerately, saying, "Although she made money, you gained fame."
"No, I want both fame and fortune!"
After chatting for a while, Xu Shaobo couldn't help but say, "Anyway, the country won't treat me unfairly, and it can't afford to. The ship is still in my hands. Our government collects trillions of yuan in taxes every year, so giving me tens or hundreds of billions is just a drop in the ocean."
He winked at Mr. Liu: "You have to let me, no, let's make some money..."
Despite his constant professed patriotism, Mr. Liu smoothly corrected himself, saying, "That's true. The country shouldn't mistreat its heroes."
The breakfast was a pleasant affair, and when the translator and his subordinates returned, they found Xu Shaobo, who had previously looked gloomy, now beaming with pride. He said warmly, "Why are you only getting back now? Come over and introduce yourself. This is General Manager Liu. From now on, you must respect General Manager Liu as you would me, understand?"
The junior translator was completely bewildered. How did he suddenly have to serve another General Manager Liu during just one meal? This job is getting harder and harder!
Xu Shaobo had to make another trip to the shipyard that morning, so he had to bid a reluctant farewell to Mr. Liu. They agreed to meet again next time to process the loan of five million US dollars, and it would be best to bring the accountant along so that the money could be transferred on the spot.
Mr. Liu remained as refined as ever, and the two of them escorted each other to the hotel entrance before reluctantly parting ways.
Watching Xu Shaobo's car drive away, Mr. Liu turned around, loosened his meticulously tied tie, and turned down the corners of his mouth, instantly changing his demeanor.
—Hmph, yet another greedy fool!
He took off his suit as he walked, skillfully slipped into the deserted alley, and when he came out again, he was a black-haired man that could be seen everywhere.
Mr. Liu walked with a relaxed gait, seemingly without any guard, but in reality, he was constantly observing his surroundings to see if anyone was following him. After confirming that he had not been exposed, he took an extremely complicated route and eventually entered an ordinary residential building by the sea.
After carefully checking that the small mechanisms on the doors and windows had not been triggered, Mr. Liu took out a radio transmitter and coded messages from a hidden place, translated the draft into code, skillfully typed on the keyboard, and transmitted the intelligence via radio at the agreed time.
Although Xu Shaobo was a fool, his words were still valuable, at least confirming He Changyi's identity. She was indeed not a member of the Communist Party, but an opportunist using patriotism as a pretext.
Mr. Liu stood by the window and put down his binoculars.
Rather than letting Zhong Guo tow the aircraft carrier back and threaten coastal defense, it would be better to just dismantle it completely into scrap metal.
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