Chapter 204 Establishment of the Joint Command Center for Project 1124
When Gu Baobao arrived at her grandparents' hospital room, she swayed slightly.
Lu Zhanming had been by her side the whole time. Without saying a word, he gently led her to the empty bed next to him and made her sit down.
He half-knelt in front of her, took her cold hand in his, looked up at her red and swollen eyes, and spoke in a deep and gentle voice, carrying a reassuring strength:
"Honey, listen to me. You need to rest now. You've done enough. Grandpa and Grandma's surgery was successful, and Dad, Mom, and my brother's injuries have all been treated."
What they need most right now is a healthy, clear-headed you. You've just undergone a highly complex surgery, and your mental state has been severely impacted; you're under immense pressure.
He raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on her face with his fingertips:
"If you're sad, cry it out; if you're worried, tell me. You don't have to force yourself to be strong with me. But right now, close your eyes and lean against me for a while, just a little while."
I'll stay here and watch over things. If anything happens to Grandpa and Grandma, I'll call you immediately. You need to take care of yourself first so you can better take care of them, right?
His words were like a warm current, gradually melting the icy shell and the hardened barrier in her heart.
Gu Baobao looked into her husband's eyes, which were filled with heartache and determination. They were the familiar and trustworthy haven she could rely on.
Her last bit of strength to hold on disappeared. She bit her lip, nodded heavily, and tears welled up silently again.
Lu Zhanming pulled her into his arms and they lay down together on the cot, letting her lean against his strong chest and wrapping her tightly in his coat.
She finally stopped suppressing her emotions, buried her face in his chest, her shoulders trembling, and let out a soft, animal-like whimper.
Tears quickly soaked his shirt, leaving it icy cold.
Lu Zhanming didn't say anything, he just patted her back gently, like comforting a frightened child.
His chin rested on the top of her head, but his sharp gaze swept over the faint figure at the door of the ward, making sure no one would disturb them.
He held her quietly, letting her release her pent-up fear, sadness, and anger.
After an unknown amount of time, the sobbing in her arms gradually subsided, her tense body slowly relaxed, and her breathing became long and steady.
She was exhausted and heartbroken, and finally fell into a deep sleep in his protective embrace.
Lu Zhanming maintained the position and carefully adjusted it to make her more comfortable.
He looked down at his wife's slightly furrowed brows and the dampness on her eyelashes, even in her sleep. His heartache almost overflowed, but was then covered by a deep chill.
Lavoisier...
This debt doesn't just belong to the baby, it belongs to the country too.
Almost at the same time that the Gu family spent a terrifying night in the hospital, in a heavily guarded building in the capital, the lights were on all night.
The small conference room was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed like you could wring water out of it.
Several serious-looking military officers with prominent epaulets sat around the oval table, along with officials from the national security and public security systems.
Zhao Feng was also among them, with a thick stack of files and an urgent report he had just received spread out in front of him.
"The situation has been verified."
An elderly man with a general's star on his shoulder spoke in a deep, resonant voice, tinged with suppressed anger.
"The car accident targeting Comrade Gu Baobao's family was a malicious and deliberately staged incident. The methods were professional, the intent was clear: to cause serious injury or death and to strike at Comrade Gu Baobao. The means were extremely heinous!"
"This is a blatant provocation against our bottom line!"
Another leader slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
"To use such insidious means against our distinguished expert and her family on our own soil! This is a declaration of war!"
"The commander's instructions,"
A higher-ranking leader, who was chairing the meeting, looked around at everyone and said, word by word,
"First, a joint command center for the 1124 case was established, led by the Ministry of State Security, with the General Staff Department, the Public Security Bureau, and the Garrison Command providing coordination and granting it the highest authority."
We will spare no effort to thoroughly investigate all related individuals and spies within the country and sever their criminal activities!
Second, Comrade Gu Baobao and all her family members should be immediately placed under the highest level of protection, with security measures upgraded inside and outside the hospital to ensure their absolute safety.
Third, the nature of this matter has changed, and the corresponding contingency plans for foreign-related matters should be activated.
The 1124 command center was immediately established. Lu Zhanming, as the core security officer and family representative, was urgently summoned. He briefly left the hospital and was taken over by absolutely reliable personnel.
Inside the meeting room, intelligence was shared and clues collided.
"Based on a detailed investigation of the vehicle involved in the accident and a surprise interrogation of our monitored target A, it can be determined that the sabotage was carried out by another independent hidden stake, possibly codenamed 'Blue Brick'."
Zhao Feng reported,
"This person is skilled in machinery and explosives, has a complicated historical background, and is deeply entrenched. Target A is only responsible for relaying instructions and rewards, has never seen the true face of the blue brick, and communicates with it through a dead mailbox and coded messages in newspapers."
"Investigate! Dig three feet into the ground and dig out this brick!"
The leader in charge of the public security system said sternly.
"A net has been cast."
Zhao Feng nodded.
"Meanwhile, international intelligence reports indicate that the impact of Lavoisier's laboratory accident in Southeast Asia is expanding, with serious problems detected in samples he provided to Project Angel Wings."
The project owners are furious and are seeking substantial compensation, while also considering terminating the partnership. Lavoisier himself has been making frequent public appearances recently, attempting to raise funds and contacting certain underground arms dealers; his actions are highly suspicious.
Everyone's eyes sharpened. Gu Baobao's report on toxin-induced mutation resurfaced in everyone's minds.
The seeds of technological countermeasures seem to be sprouting within the enemy's ranks.
"In terms of diplomacy,"
A comrade in charge of foreign affairs spoke up.
"We have expressed our serious concerns to the relevant countries through clandestine channels, presented some evidence that does not involve core secrets, and clearly pointed out that foreign forces have hired spies."
They are carrying out terrorist and sabotage activities targeting key scientific and technological personnel within our country's borders. Although their statements were vague, the pressure has been effectively conveyed.
"not enough!"
The old general said in a deep voice,
"Protests of this level are ineffective. What we need is a real crackdown! The intelligence front must be mobilized to gather all evidence of Lavoisier's illegal and criminal activities, especially concrete evidence of smuggling, illegal human experimentation, and financial fraud!"
Find an opportunity to give him a severe beating! And that 'Angel Wings' project—since cracks have already appeared within them, add fuel to the fire!
"A technology countermeasures team has been established,"
A bespectacled, refined-looking middle-aged man said he was the head of a cutting-edge research institute.
"Based on Comrade Gu Baobao's report and the intelligence we have gathered, we will conduct in-depth research and analysis. If necessary... we can help deliver certain information more smoothly to those who need to see it."
The meeting continued until dawn.
One instruction after another was issued, and one invisible net after another was cast.
Faced with such blatant provocation, the state apparatus demonstrated an iron will and highly efficient action.
Internally, a more covert and thorough screening is underway in specific fields and among specific groups of people.
Any aspect that might intersect with Gu Baobao's research or life is placed under a magnifying glass.
Externally, an invisible confrontation unfolds across a wider range of areas. Diplomatic pressure continues, intelligence networks operate at high speed, and a full-scale investigation into Lavoisier's business empire and its financial backers is launched.
A secret assessment report on serious safety flaws in Lavoisier's laboratories and the potential for irreversible damage from his products was "coincidentally" leaked to his competitors and certain international medical regulatory agencies.
The core idea behind Gu Baobao's mutagen has been confirmed to have extremely high potential strategic value after further demonstration and simulation by a top domestic expert team.
Related "defensive" research was classified as top secret and carried out quietly.
All of this happens without the ordinary people being aware of it.
In the hospital, morning light streamed into the ward through the gaps in the curtains.
After finishing his secret meeting, Lu Zhanming rushed back to the hospital and continued to hold his wife in his arms. Now that she was asleep, he wanted to give her a sense of security.
He sat in that position all night, and the person in his arms stirred and slowly opened their eyes.
His eyes were still somewhat dazed, but then they focused and he remembered everything.
She immediately looked at her grandparents' hospital bed; the numbers on the monitor were stable.
She then looked into Lu Zhanming's bloodshot but still gentle eyes.
"How long did I sleep? How are Grandpa and Grandma?"
Her voice was hoarse.
"Not long after, just as dawn broke. Grandpa and Grandma's condition stabilized; the nurses had just checked on them."
Lu Zhanming lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead. "Feeling better?"
Gu Baobao nodded and sat up from his lap.
Although she was still exhausted, the emotional release and short sleep seemed to have helped her regain some strength.
The vulnerability in his eyes was hidden, replaced by something calmer and more resilient.
She looked at the faint light streaming through the window; a new day had begun.
Our loved ones are still injured and ill, and the enemy is still lurking in the shadows.
But she is not alone.
Behind her are her lover, her family, and the unwavering will of the entire nation.
Lavoisier, we accept your "gift".
Now, it's your turn.
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