The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

Professor Qian and Chief Designer Wang exchanged a solemn glance.

Chief Designer Wang adjusted his glasses and added, "Wan Hongxin has consistently refused to confess, and Professor Zheng Hong has only found evidence of thallium poisoning, without any other valuable clues. And currently, Gao Yanzhou is in charge of the pipeline project."

One sentence reminded Commander Liu that everyone was smart enough to understand, and he immediately said, "Contact the provincial hospital and get in touch with Zheng Hong."

"Bai Shuyong, send our spare ambulance back to base. It has advanced medical equipment and we must do everything we can to save Xing Yuxiu. We must save both the child and the mother."

"Commander, Xing Yuxiu's lover..."

"Company Commander Gao Xu? Send him back with you. Tell him that if he encounters any difficulties, the organization will solve them for him. Don't have any reservations, just ask!"

"yes!"

"Song Dazhuang!"

"arrive!"

"In my name, call the Armed Police Force and have them block all roads within a 50-kilometer radius! Send out Air Force helicopters and search for me from the air!"

"clear!"

"As for you, Liang Zhe!" He stepped forward, staring into the latter's distraught eyes. "You must calm down! Think of Tian Tian! What she needs most right now is a clear-headed soldier, not an impulsive father!"

With these layers of reassurance, Liang Zhe finally calmed down from his immense grief. He breathed heavily, clutching his head in his hands, trying to control his slightly trembling body. "Reporting to the Commander," the first order received a response, "The Provincial Hospital has called back. Professor Zheng Hong's condition is under control. He was very excited after learning of the danger and requested to return to the base to help with the rescue efforts."

Commander Liu pondered for a moment, then said, "Approving this request, dispatch a helicopter to pick them up, along with medical personnel. Oh, and while you're at it, find me the best obstetrician and gynecologist and surgeon from the provincial hospital, and bring them all back."

"As for Gao Yanzhou..."

"Commander, I think Gao Yanzhou needs to be brought under control," Professor Qian suggested. "If he had strictly followed the plan during this period, such a major oversight wouldn't have occurred. We can't rule out the possibility that he tampered with things."

Commander Liu nodded. "I agree, but we must do it quietly, without alerting him, lest we alert him."

"Commander, the Armed Police Force has been ordered to deploy, and the Air Force helicopters have also received instructions to skip all formalities and take off in five minutes."

"Good!" Commander Liu clapped his hands. "Notify the base troops to search for the hostages at all costs! If any suspicious targets are found, force may be used, provided that the safety of the hostages is ensured!"

"Professor Qian and Chief Designer Wang will handle the aftermath at the experimental site. I will personally lead the team back to the base!"

"yes!"

The convoy sped across the Gobi Desert, kicking up clouds of dust.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was so heavy it was suffocating. Liang Zhe stared intently out the window, his lips pressed tightly together, not uttering a single word.

Brigade Commander Bai kept asking about the latest situation at the base via walkie-talkie, but the news he received was not optimistic.

"...The seepage hasn't been completely stopped yet; we're currently organizing manpower to reinforce the dike..."

"Comrade Li Guihua has regained consciousness, but she has a wrist injury; she is otherwise unharmed."

"Comrade Xing Yuxiu... is still undergoing emergency treatment, but she has lost too much blood and needs a blood transfusion. The provincial hospital's helicopter has the equipment."

"Shen Ruowen and Wu Hao drove a disguised military jeep, carrying the hostages, and fled northwest. The exact route is unknown..."

"Northwest direction..." Song Dazhuang frowned, gesturing on the map, "The terrain there is complex, with yardang landforms, which are good for concealment."

"Their choice of this direction is clearly premeditated," Commander Liu said, gazing intently into the distance. "Contact the armed police force and be wary of them sending reinforcements."

Liang Zhe looked up abruptly, his voice hoarse: "Could they... take Tian Tian abroad? Or... hide her in some secret place?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out," Brigade Commander Bai said in a deep voice. "Therefore, we must act quickly! We must intercept them before they cross the border or find a new hiding place!"

The convoy sped across the Gobi Desert, racing against death. Everyone had only one thought in their minds: Faster, faster! We must rescue Tian Tian! We must catch those two beasts!

A vast expanse of yellow sand billowed up, creating a murky curtain, and the speeding wheels ploughed up clouds of dust on the sand as the car raced wildly toward the northwest.

The car was violently jolted between the rolling sand dunes, and Tian Tian's small body swayed with it. Even in her unconscious state, her tender brows were furrowed in discomfort.

Suddenly, the vehicle lurched up a steep slope and then plummeted back down as if weightless—"Bang!" The violent jolt shook everyone inside the car. Tian Tian's head tilted back uncontrollably, hitting Wu Hao's arm.

"You little beast!" Wu Hao roared in fury and slapped Tian Tian across the face.

If that slap had landed squarely, the child's cheek would have swelled up badly. Shen Ruowen reacted quickly, instantly pulling Tiantian into her arms. The slap narrowly missed, only brushing against the little girl's braids.

"Ugh..." Sweetie, still half asleep, instinctively shrank her neck and let out a weak whimper.

Wu Hao's palm strike missed its mark, his face darkening as he glared at Shen Ruowen: "What do you mean?"

Shen Ruowen's expression was equally unfriendly, and she said coldly, "Wu Hao, watch your attitude! I'm your superior; is this how you speak to your superior?"

"You're protecting this little brat?"

"I have no reason to protect him, but don't go crazy for no reason. The higher-ups want the target intact. If you hurt this child, how will you explain yourself!"

"Ha, come on." Wu Hao wasn't buying it at all; his pent-up resentment finally exploded. He had been assigned to the most inconspicuous orderly position for this mission, and he had been holding back his anger for a long time.

"Deputy Team Leader Shen, isn't it just because you've taken a liking to this girl's father that you're protecting her at every turn? What, are you planning to find a chance to release her and curry favor with that Commander Liang?"

"What did you say?!"

Shen Ruowen flew into a rage, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and raised her hand to slap Wu Hao across the face.

Wu Hao reacted with lightning speed, grabbing her wrist in a lightning-fast move. "Shen Ruowen, you still want to hit me? I'll let it slide because you're a rank higher than me, but don't push your luck and think I'm really afraid of you."

"you--"

Shen Ruowen was about to erupt again when the man in the passenger seat coughed lightly, "Alright, we're all on the same side, what's all the fuss about?"

He turned his head and glanced sideways at Wu Hao: "Little Wu, don't break the rules. Deputy Team Leader Shen is, after all, half a rank higher than you, so watch your step."

Wu Hao was quite wary of this man, so he snorted coldly and said nothing more.

The man then looked at Shen Ruowen: "Deputy Team Leader Shen, you've been lying in wait for many days, thank you for your hard work. The station chief is very pleased with your performance. As long as this mission is successfully completed, I believe a promotion is just around the corner."

Shen Ruowen quickly raised her right hand and gave a standard military salute: "Thank you for your guidance, Station Chief, and thank you for your trust, Deputy Station Chief Yan!"

Yan Shijun, who was addressed as Deputy Station Chief Yan, nodded and returned a military salute.

Wu Hao watched coldly from the side, his lips twitching slightly, but he ultimately remained silent.