Han Feng didn't expect Su Wanwan to be so persistent about this news. Just then, Liu Mengran finished getting ready and they all sat down on the sofa.
The two women kept their mouths agape as Han Feng recounted the stories of these reclusive families.
When Su Wanwan learned that Liu Mengran had actually been a member of a reclusive family and had gone through a series of events, Su Wanwan stared at her with wide eyes. Liu Mengran shrugged, saying that she had heard about it from her brother and was not surprised at all.
"No wonder you didn't react when they were talking about these things during dinner. So you already knew all along, and I was the only one kept in the dark," Su Wanwan said angrily.
“It’s not that we’re kept in the dark. The affairs of these ancient martial arts families are something that ordinary people can’t access. Even members of the Dragon Abyss wouldn’t know about this unless they received a relevant mission,” Han Feng said.
"So, they don't know about the Iron Tower either?"
"Well, they don't know either."
"Oh, then this young lady has learned some secrets." Su Wanwan's quick change of expression left Han Feng and Liu Mengran speechless.
This was when Liu Mengran asked a crucial question: "Will you be in danger going to R Country this time?" She remembered when Han Feng and her brother went to rescue her in Qi City, and the two most important people in her life were seriously injured. When she heard that they were going to carry out another mission, her heart clenched, but she didn't show it. Now that the three of them were chatting together, she couldn't help but worry.
"Uh, it's not a big problem." Han Feng noticed Liu Mengran's change and winked at Su Wanwan. "If it were a very dangerous mission, I wouldn't have taken Wanwan along."
Su Wanwan understood immediately: "That's right, Sister Mengran. You see, back at the base, Old Man Lin wouldn't let me participate in anything, but now he's letting me go on this mission. What does that mean? It must be safe. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him in R country and make sure he doesn't try to abduct any R country girls." Su Wanwan patted her chest to assure him, a gesture that left Han Feng somewhat stunned.
Liu Mengran chuckled, amused by Su Wanwan's actions, and her anxiety eased slightly: "That would be best."
The three chatted for a while longer. Su Wanwan said she was going to take a shower and was about to leave to give Han Feng and the other person some space, but Liu Mengran stopped her. She turned to Han Feng and said, "Wanwan and I still have some things to talk about. You go upstairs and wash up and rest first."
Han Feng had no choice but to do as he was told. He lay on Liu Mengran's bed that day, full of joy, waiting for Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan to finish their conversation and return to their room. But he only heard the sound of the door closing and then there was no other sound.
---
The next day, Han Feng appeared in the living room with dark circles under his eyes. The two women couldn't help but laugh when they saw him, and they both said, "Did you not sleep well last night?"
Han Feng was speechless, so he simply said hello and prepared to go out to arrange the next steps. Liu Mengran also needed to go back to the company today, so Su Wanwan accompanied her.
Several days passed quickly, and it was the day before the three of them were to depart for Country R.
The corridors of the Longyuan base were lit only by emergency lights late at night. My watch showed 2:17 a.m., a time when even the staff on night shift were starting to doze off. It was the perfect time to carry out top-secret operations.
"I mean, do we really have to come at this hour like we're thieves?" Su Wanwan yawned, twirling a strand of her hair with her fingers. "My beauty sleep is ruined."
Liu Xiaoran, walking at the front, didn't turn around: "If you're tired, you can still quit now."
"Hey, you big blockhead Liu..."
"Quiet." Han Feng interrupted softly, stopping in front of the conference room door. The red light from the iris scanner swept across his eyes. "Identity verification in progress, name: Han Feng."
An electronic voice responded: "Verification successful." The heavy explosion-proof door slid open silently.
Only a small light was on in the meeting room, casting long shadows of the three people on the wall. Han Feng went straight to the coffee machine in the corner and pressed the start button.
"To keep us awake, we might have to stay up until dawn." He pushed two cups of black coffee to Liu Xiaoran and Su Wanwan, then downed his own in one gulp, the bitterness making him frown slightly.
Liu Xiaoran took the cup and suddenly asked, "Have you made arrangements for Mengran?"
Han Feng nodded: "Night Owl and the others work in shifts 24 hours a day; they're the most elite members of Dragon Abyss." He paused, then added, "Unless it's the same gene warriors as before, no one can get close to her." This condition was something Han Feng had pleaded with Lin Zhengguo for. Normally, Dragon Abyss members wouldn't personally protect someone, but given Han Feng's significant contributions and the seriousness of this mission, Lin Zhengguo agreed to Han Feng's request.
Liu Xiaoran's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly. Su Wanwan noticed this detail and pouted, "So even this blockhead Liu can worry about people."
Before Liu Xiaoran could retaliate, the conference room door slid open again. Lin Zhengguo strode in, the general's stars on his epaulets still conspicuous in the dim light. The three men immediately stood up and saluted.
"Sit." Lin Zhengguo tossed a stack of documents onto the table, but remained standing. The old man stood ramrod straight, his sharp gaze sweeping over the three men. "Time is of the essence; I'll get to the point."
Three folders of different colors were pushed across the table. Han Feng received a blue one, Liu Xiaoran a green one, and Su Wanwan a striking red one.
"Open it, remember it, burn it." Lin Zhengguo's command was concise and forceful.
Han Feng opened the folder. The first page contained a photocopy of an ID card. The name was Zhang Qian, 28 years old, project leader at the State-owned New Energy Group. The photo showed his face, but his hairstyle and glasses made him look like a refined scholar. Following this was a twenty-page document detailing his background: education, work experience, and even dietary habits.
"Zhang Qian..." Han Feng murmured the name, trying to adapt to his new identity.
Liu Xiaoran had already quickly finished reviewing the file: "Chen Li, project team member, 29 years old, mechanical engineer background." He closed the file. "No problem."
Suddenly, a soft gasp came from Su Wanwan's direction. Han Feng turned his head and saw that the tips of her ears were red, and she was staring intently at a certain page of the document.
"What's the problem?" Han Feng asked.
Su Wanwan looked up, her eyes darting around: "That...this identity setting..." She turned the file towards Han Feng, her finger trembling as she pointed to a certain line of text.
Han Feng narrowed his eyes—[He is in a romantic relationship with his colleague Zhang Qian for eight months; it's semi-public knowledge within the company.]
An eerie silence fell over the conference room. Liu Xiaoran's lips twitched, as if he was trying his best to suppress a laugh.
"Old Lin, what is this?" Han Feng tried to keep his voice steady.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com