Just through data research, Luo Zheng discovered that defeating Charlie was nearly impossible. Since that was the case, why get hung up on the issue? Take a step back and the sea is wide open; if you can't beat him, then don't fight. Defend yourself, wear him out. As long as you hold on for a week until the General's negotiations are over, we'll have won even if we haven't defeated Charlie, but we also won't have been defeated by him. The task will be complete, so why bother proving a fleeting point?
This counterintuitive line of thinking made Hong ihua pause and curiously question aloud. Her eyes were tightly fixed on Luo Zheng, trying to see through his inner thoughts, but much to her dismay, she found she couldn't read him at all. This outco piqued her interest and filled her with a sliver of anticipation—faint, almost undetectable, yet it existed, like a seed planted in hope of potential growth.
"There's no specific plan," Luo Zheng admitted bluntly.
"No specific plan?" Hong ihua asked in surprise. As soone working in covert operations, having detailed plans for everything had beco a habit, so she was a bit unprepared for Luo Zheng's lack of planning.
"Why should there be a plan?" Luo Zheng countered.
"Huh?" Hong ihua was montarily stunned by Luo Zheng's retort.
Luo Zheng observed Hong ihua's expression, smiled, and said, "See, even you think I should have a plan. Doesn't Charlie think the sa way?"
"What are you trying to say?" Hong ihua realized that Luo Zheng had taken control of the conversation, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long ti. It felt novel and a little strange, making her inquire further.
"With Charlie's shrewdness, there's no way he doesn't have my data. He can deduce my plan from any clues and develop a response. So why should I create a plan that puts at a disadvantage? What I need to do is act freely, without a set path, not even knowing what my next step will be. This way, my actions have no rhythm or pattern, which makes it impossible for Charlie to grasp, keeping the initiative on my side. Since you've faced off against him multiple tis, how do you perceive this line of thinking? I need you to be honest."
After listening to Luo Zheng's explanation, Hong ihua fell into deep thought. With her astuteness and experience, she naturally understood the pros and cons of this approach. Luo Zheng didn't interrupt her. It was a risky idea, and he needed an accurate assessnt from soone familiar, making Hong ihua the best candidate; otherwise, Luo Zheng wouldn't have voiced it due to his cautious nature.
After waiting for about five minutes, Hong ihua sighed and said, "Standing before you, I suddenly feel like I know nothing about espionage operations. I don't know whether your idea is right or wrong, but one thing is certain: Charlie will be bewildered by you. If you can seize the opportunity to fully control the situation, you have a sixty percent chance of success."
"Sixty percent?" Luo Zheng was startled, falling into contemplation.
"Sixty percent is already quite a lot." Lan Xue erged from the inner room, enthusiastically approaching and sitting beside Hong ihua. They seed quite familiar with each other as she continued, "Sister Hong i, don't listen to his bluffing. His broad strategy is decent, sure, but when it cos to tactics, we need the help of experienced spies like you. How about staying and helping us jointly defeat Charlie?"
"You, after all these years, aren't married yet, and you're already siding with outsiders?" Hong ihua laughed.
"No, it's for the good of the nation and the people. How could we do it without you?" Lan Xue laughed.
"That depends on whether you'd value soone who's been defeated." Hong ihua laughed, her eyes turning to Luo Zheng, her calm gaze flashing with an imperceptible expectation.
Luo Zheng was taken aback, then rejoiced, saying, "It would be great to have your help."
"Won't it affect your judgnt?" Hong ihua smiled and asked.
"No, it won't," Luo Zheng confidently replied.
"Since that's the case, what do you suggest we do next?" Hong ihua continued.
"That's not important. Why don't you analyze what Charlie might do next?" Luo Zheng asked in return.
"From my understanding of Charlie, he'd hide for over a day to evade detection, then send others to test you and find a weakness to decisively end it," Hong ihua stated.
"Hide?" Luo Zheng was startled and thought deeply.
"Then mobilizing the police for a thorough investigation will be ineffective, won't it? If he hides, we won't know where he is, and all our efforts would be in vain," Lan Xue said in surprise.
Upon hearing this, Hong ihua inquired about the details and eventually sighed, "Your tactic is indeed ruthless, but Charlie hiding renders it almost useless against him. I reckon he's no longer in the country, making a nationwide investigation futile. However, it does have a deterrent effect on others. I suspect our enemies aren't limited to just Charlie."
"Abroad?" Luo Zheng looked at Hong ihua with surprise, seeing that she wasn't joking, he believed her sowhat. If Charlie had already gone abroad, actions on their side were pointless, but they couldn't stop. At the very least, it had so intimidating effect on Reincarnation and the Death God Killer Organization, leading Luo Zheng into deeper thought.
"Of course, these are just my personal guesses. It's possible he's hiding sowhere in this community, watching us. If I could predict his location, I wouldn't have lost to him," Hong ihua said, her expression showing a hint of lancholy.
"Whether he's here or not, he'll do his thing, and I'll do mine. The clearance plan remains unchanged, the defenses here remain unchanged. Liu Qingqing stays out of sight for a few days, we'll set up two more strongholds to confuse the enemy about her whereabouts—one at school and one at the Liuyuan Group CEO's office," Luo Zheng proposed.
"Three in hiding? That's useless. He has a hacker who's excellent with computers and can easily find out." Hong ihua shook her head in denial.
"I know it's useless; the two strongholds are bait, waiting for him to bite. Let him investigate, and as soon as he does, he'll reveal a flaw. We'll then track and pursue him. With Charlie's cautious nature, he won't ignore investigation. As long as he acts, we have a chance," Luo Zheng said earnestly.
"How will you make him believe it's bait?" Hong ihua asked.
"Simple. I'll personally oversee the operations at the Liuyuan Group CEO's office, turning it into our command post. My presence will draw Charlie's attention, while you oversee things here. How about that?" Luo Zheng's face suddenly turned serious as he said, "I can feel it—he's nearby. I need your assistance."
"Can you really sense he's nearby? On what grounds?" Hong ihua asked in surprise.
"Yes, because he only has seven days. He won't let his target slip out of sight. If we hide, where would he look? Once the ti is up, he fails. From your understanding of him, would he allow himself to fail?" Luo Zheng firmly nodded.
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