Chapter 266: Another great achievement
The smuggling gang's defenses completely collapsed, like a paper tiger that had been punctured.
Fully armed coast guards quickly boarded the ship and escorted out the 13 smugglers, who looked as pale as death, one by one.
When the police officers opened the secret compartment in the cabin, even the experienced Qin Chaoyang gasped.
A full 2.3 tons of high-purity rare earth ore are neatly stacked in a radiation-proof box, enough to be extracted into core materials for manufacturing 90 precision-guided missiles.
"No wonder they fought so desperately..." A young police officer trembled as he held up a bag of gray powder. "If these rare earth elements were to get out, they would be enough to equip an entire reinforced battalion with long-range firepower."
"This isn't smuggling," Qin Chaoyang said, crushing the homemade fuse beneath his feet. "This is endangering our country's security!"
All the police officers involved in the count fell silent.
Under the dim light in the cabin, the packages labeled "fish meal" clearly contained strategic materials that could change the regional military balance.
The smugglers who take the risk are only after the five-digit black market profits per kilogram.
There was a burst of heated discussion at the scene.
"I can't even imagine it..." A middle-aged police officer took off his police hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes full of fear.
"If it weren't for the intelligence and support from the General Administration, we would have been..."
He didn't finish his words, but his shaking hands said it all.
The young coast guard nearby clapped his hand excitedly on the clipboard: "Amazing! This operation is like opening the eyes of the universe!"
He turned to Xia Lili, his eyes shining brightly, "Comrade, this intelligence of yours has saved so many lives!"
"It's more than just a meritorious service!" Qin Chaoyang walked over with a laugh and patted his colleague on the shoulder. "Seizing 2.3 tons of strategic-grade rare earths is enough for us to be collectively credited with a great achievement!"
He turned to look at Xia Lili, his eyes filled with praise and gratitude, "This isn't just an action, it's textbook-level perfect coordination."
Another veteran officer rubbed his chin, looking incredulous: "I've been with the Coast Guard for twenty years, and this is the first time I've encountered such a serious case with zero casualties..."
He shook his head. "It's like a dream."
Xia Lili, surrounded by the crowd, felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, but she straightened her back and smiled brightly: "This is all thanks to everyone."
She looked around, her eyes bright and focused. "The best outcome would be to contribute to the rear and ensure the safe return of our comrades."
She raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, her tone sincere and firm: "You who are charging on the front line are the most admirable."
As she spoke, she stepped aside and gestured to the bodyguard standing behind her, "And this Brother Li Zhen, if it weren't for him escorting me all the way, I wouldn't have been able to get here in time."
Upon hearing this, the coast guards turned to Li Zhen, their eyes full of praise: "Brother, you're quite skilled! Just now, that smuggler who was about to jump into the sea was pinned down by you with just one leap!"
"That's right!" Another officer patted Li Zhen on the shoulder. "That move was clean and neat, you can tell he's a martial artist! We'll definitely apply for a commendation for your bravery!"
Li Zhen scratched his head sheepishly, a blush spreading across his bronzed face. "This... The salary the Pei family gives me is already generous enough, and getting a commendation like this is really double the money I've earned."
He smiled naively, revealing two rows of white teeth.
Xia Lili looked at him, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude: "This is what you deserve."
Only she knew what happened in the hallucination, and how trustworthy and admirable this big bodyguard in front of her was.
Xia Lili paused, then added, "I'll definitely ask Pei Qinyue to give you a raise!"
This is a bodyguard who has been proven to be absolutely trustworthy and can be assigned to a more core position in the security team.
The two smuggling ships were escorted on the left and right by coast guard speedboats, with long white waves trailing behind their sterns.
Technicians are putting seals on the ship. The rare earth minerals in the secret compartments have been photographed for evidence and are awaiting subsequent transportation.
Suddenly, an electrical noise came from the intercom, and Li Qihan's cold voice pierced through the noise: "All units report casualties."
The coast guards responded in unison, "No one was hurt! This operation was a success thanks to the General Administration's foresight and timely support!"
After a brief pause, Li Qihan added, "Those who are seasick will be transferred first."
Qin Chaoyang suddenly looked at Xia Lili with concern in his eyes. "Officer Xia, did you vomit on the boat just now? Do you want to take a helicopter back?"
Li Zhen nodded in agreement. "Yes, you were writing on the boat while enduring the turbulence of the wind and waves. Your physical exertion must have been tremendous."
"And I heard you just got off the cruise ship this morning. You should go back and get some rest."
Upon hearing this, the other police officers urged, "Officer Xia, take the helicopter back. The bumpy ride on the sea is too uncomfortable."
Qin Chaoyang said nothing and directly pressed the intercom: "Report, Comrade Xia Lili is very seasick. Requesting helicopter transfer as a priority."
Xia Lili was just wondering if she really had to climb up the rope like in the movies when Li Qihan's cold voice suddenly came over the channel: "Got it."
She looked up and saw a black helicopter hovering in the air like an eagle. A slender figure at the hatch swiftly dropped the rappelling rope.
Li Qihan wore tactical goggles and slid down rapidly while controlling the rope with one hand.
The safety belt tightened the lines of his slender waist, and when his combat boots stepped on the deck with a clang, even the waves were still.
"Turn around." He gave a brief command, his fingers deftly wrapping around Xia Lili's waist.
The moment the safety buckle clicked shut, Xia Lili felt the warmth of his palm through his uniform.
Before she could react, Li Qihan had already wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled the lifter with the other hand——
"Hold tight."
Li Qihan's low voice mixed with the roar of the propeller came, and before Xia Lili could react, she felt her feet suddenly leave the ground.
The feeling of weightlessness instantly invaded her whole body, and she instinctively put her arms around his neck, her fingertips touching the slightly sweaty roots of his hair on the back of his neck.
In the whistling sea breeze, Li Qihan's taut jawline was close at hand, and his Adam's apple rolled up and down with his breathing.
The smell of gunpowder on his body mixed with the salty sea breeze lingered at Xia Lili's nose.
Only after she was safely brought into the cabin did the hand clasped around her waist suddenly loosen, as if the touch just now was only necessary for the mission.
Li Qihan fastened her seat belt neatly.
As he leaned over, the strap of his tactical vest brushed against Xia Lili's arm, feeling the coolness of metal.
The noise-canceling headphones were gently placed on her head, blocking out most of the noise. He glanced at the dark circles under Xia Lili's eyes and spoke in a deep, clear voice, "Go to sleep. I'll call you when we get there."
Amid the regular vibrations of the engine, Xia Lili's consciousness gradually became blurred. She only felt that Captain Li was much more gentle and considerate today.
The last thing that caught her eye was the sharp outline of Li Qihan's profile under the red light in the cabin, and his gaze that never moved away from her.
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