King Jingyao smiled faintly. "I also feel it’s not genuine."
The elites imdiately expressed their agreent once more.
At this point, Wang Jingchuan chid in, "Actually, whether it’s genuine or not doesn’t matter. As long as everyone signs next month’s X-tickets, that will prove your sincerity to Mr. Wang and Miss Gu."
What?
The elites felt like they were about to vomit blood.
How could they sign at this ti? If Bo Qing gains the upper hand, wouldn’t they be courting death?
Gu Anxi’s voice was light. "Older Brother, it seems these people don’t really want to support you. Or perhaps they’re being duplicitous, still observing the situation, and actually favor Bo Qing in their hearts."
King Jingyao’s face darkened. "Since that’s the case..."
Before he could finish, the n hurriedly exclaid, "Sign! We’ll sign imdiately!"
Their faces were etched with bitterness. Wang Jingchuan went over, collected the X-tickets, and watched them sign one by one. Then he smiled. "That’s much better. With everyone’s suspicions allayed, our future cooperation will be even more pleasant."
The elites remained bitter. Damn it, we’ve been duped!
If we had known it would turn out like this, we wouldn’t have followed them here. Now that we’ve signed these tickets, we’re bound to King Jingyao for better or worse.
Once downstairs, the group started cursing. "That Gu Anxi is a devious piece of work! Her sches are watertight. We were completely in her grasp tonight."
Another added, "And did you see how Mr. Wang pretended he was going to take her down? How could we have fallen for that? He usually dotes on her like she’s a precious treasure. I bet even if Bo Jingshen was a saint, if she decided to kill him, Mr. Wang would just turn a blind eye."
The others joined in the chorus of curses.
Inside the eting room, everyone else was content. Old Lin, in particular, was beaming. "Jingyao, congratulations! Next month is secured."
King Jingyao raised a hand. "It was everyone’s contribution."
Only Chen Ming was still dazed. He asked bluntly, "Weren’t we... just about to arrest Anxi? How did it turn into this? Did everyone else know?"
Wang Jingchuan chuckled. "That’s right. We all knew Mr. Min would step forward."
Chen Ming looked at Gu Anxi. "You knew beforehand?"
"Nope, I didn’t," Gu Anxi said, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
Chen Ming scratched his head. "But you two coordinated so perfectly! I actually believed it."
Gu Anxi tapped the table. "One look from Older Brother, and I understood!"
Huh? Chen Ming was stunned again. It can work like that? Why can’t I ever understand Mr. Wang’s signals then?
King Jingyao was thoroughly pleased, a wide grin on his face. "It’s getting late, but let’s all go for a late-night snack."
Everyone else agreed, but Gu Anxi said quietly, "I need to head back to the Cloud He Group first."
Seeing her expression, King Jingyao relented. "Alright, go handle your business."
He shot a look at Wang Jingchuan, signaling him to escort her, while he took the rest of the group for their snack.
The nerves that had been stretched taut for so long could finally relax a little.
「At the Cloud He Group」
Wang Jingchuan accompanied Gu Anxi to the Cloud He Group headquarters. It was deep into the night, but the technical departnt still had people working overti. As soon as Gu Anxi arrived, she plugged in a USB drive and began accessing data online.
Then, she dialed Bo Xichen’s number.
Bo Xichen answered quickly, his voice raspy. "I’m at the airport, preparing to return to Beicheng imdiately."
Gu Anxi humd in acknowledgnt. So, it’s been acquired.
After hanging up, she said to Wang Jingchuan, "Notify the Air Traffic Control Bureau to imdiately place all dostic airspace under close surveillance."
Wang Jingchuan tensed. "Are you saying Bo Qing might resort to extre asures?"
Gu Anxi nodded. "Not before today. But after today, he might."
Wang Jingchuan affird he would see to it. Gu Anxi then said softly, "I’ll rest here for a bit. I’ll go over myself at dawn."
Her face showed a trace of weariness. Watching her, Wang Jingchuan felt a pang of sympathy. He was in his early forties, and his own young daughter was around Gu Anxi’s age—an ordinary girl, living a happy, carefree life.
In contrast, Anxi seems to carry so much, he thought. She has so much, but aren’t all these possessions also shackles for her?
He softly agreed to her plan and then personally went to buy so late-night supper for her, only leaving after she had eaten.
「The Next Day - Air Traffic Control Bureau」
At dawn, Gu Anxi drove directly to the Air Traffic Control Bureau, closely monitoring the airspace over Beicheng. King Jingyao, after hearing from Wang Jingchuan, also ca in person, afraid that sothing might go wrong at such a critical mont.
By two in the afternoon, a flight from South Africa appeared on the radar. The blip on the screen indicated Bo Xichen’s position. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the aircraft to land safely.
Gu Anxi, too, gripped the edge of the console, her eyes fixed on the screen, unblinking.
Suddenly, a controller exclaid, "Unidentified flying object detected behind Professor Bo’s private jet!"
King Jingyao imdiately rushed over. "What’s happening? Check at once if it’s a scheduled flight!"
In less than a minute, the data confird it was not a regular flight; moreover, its signature was far too small.
"It’s a stealth aircraft," soone breathed, and a wave of horror swept through everyone present.
Gu Anxi’s throat tightened. She said softly, "I request permission to fly."
"Nonsense!" King Jingyao rebuked sharply, though his voice was low. "Target it imdiately! Shoot it down at all costs! Protect Professor Bo!"
But Gu Anxi was already walking out, and no one could stop her.
"Chen Ming!" King Jingyao’s voice was stern. "I order you to knock her out!"
This ti, Chen Ming didn’t hesitate. He moved to intercept her, but she took him down in a matter of seconds.
Gu Anxi planted her foot on Chen Ming’s shoulder, drew his gun, and aid it at the others. "Nobody move."
King Jingyao stepped forward and kicked Chen Ming. Useless oaf!
He looked at Gu Anxi, his voice hoarse. "What do you think you’re doing? Have you lost your mind? Do you want to get yourself killed, soaring up into the sky like that? I order you to put down that gun and stay put! I will save Xichen!"
Gu Anxi said softly, "I only trust myself."
With that, she struck King Jingyao with the butt of her gun, and Older Brother collapsed.
His eyes rolled back. "You little rascal... you’ve got... so nerve..."
The control room erupted into chaos, but Wang Jingchuan remained relatively calm. "Professor Bo’s safety is paramount! Mr. Wang will be alright."
He and two others carried Older Brother to a sofa and laid him down. He’s so heavy, Wang Jingchuan thought silently, like a sack of bricks.
Wang Jingchuan then hurried back to the console. "Open full fire on that stealth aircraft! I don’t care if it’s friend or foe, shoot it down!"
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