At thirty, I started my comeback from the intelligence system.

On the other end of the phone, Mu Yunhai remained silent for a moment.

"If your mother could see you today, she would be so proud... There are some things that a girl like you shouldn't have to shoulder so early. The Mu family may look glamorous on the surface, but underneath..."

"Alright, let's not talk about that. Tell Dad what exactly happened today. Wang Liguo gave me a heads-up, but he was vague. I want to hear it from you yourself."

Mu Xueke composed herself and briefly recounted the events of the day to her father.

"Emmas..." Mu Yunhai's tone suddenly became extremely serious, even sharp.

"This cooperation is crucial not only for Hanfeng, but also for the Mu family's industrial layout and strategic influence over the next decade or so. If we can facilitate it, and you lead its implementation, Xueke, your foundation in the family will be truly secure. In the future... when you take over the entire Mu family, you will have enough confidence and achievements to convince others."

"Therefore, we must not allow any accidents to ruin this cooperation, especially such a heinous terrorist attack! This matter has transcended the realm of business. You did the right thing by reporting it promptly and letting the professionals handle it. As for yourself, please be sure to take care of your safety!"

Mu Xueke could sense the gravity and a hint of worry in her father's tone.

"Dad, is there any news from Uncle and my cousin?"

She had been back in China for some time and could vaguely sense that the family was not a united front. Her second uncle, Mu Yunjiang, and his son, Mu Xuezong, seemed to have some reservations about her taking over important businesses as their "daughter."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone before Mu Yunhai's voice returned to its calm tone: "You focus on handling things in Shenzhen. Your father is here at home."

"Your second uncle and his group... have been making some minor moves lately, but nothing serious. Your primary task right now is to ensure the Emas project goes smoothly and establishes a firm foothold in Hanfeng. Don't get distracted by anything else for now."

"I understand, Dad." Mu Xueke didn't press further; she knew her father's protective instincts.

"I'll be careful. Also... we have a lot of credit for someone today, his name is Chen Geng, he's a technical director at Hanfeng GG Company. He risked his life to bring out the crucial intelligence this time, and..."

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "He's a bit special. He looks ordinary, but he's very courageous in crucial moments, quick-witted, and... seems to know things that ordinary people don't. He played a crucial role in this incident."

"Chen Geng?" Mu Yunhai had no recollection of the name, but his daughter's specific mention of it made him take notice. "Yes, he's a capable person who stepped forward in times of crisis. Since you think he's good, Hanfeng can provide him with appropriate support and training."

"I know, Dad."

"Alright, it's late, you should get some rest. I'll have Gao Tian go to Shenzhen immediately. I can only feel a little more at ease with him by your side."

"Uncle Gao? Isn't this going too far?"

Mu Xueke knew that Gao Tian was her father's most capable and mysterious confidant, who was said to be unfathomably skilled and rarely left her father's side.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Your safety is more important than anything else. Listen to me."

Mu Yunhai put down the phone, and the gentle expression on his face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn look typical of someone who had long held a high position.

The study was lit only by a dim antique desk lamp, casting his slightly thin figure onto the pear wood bookshelf behind him, the shadow swaying gently in the candlelight.

The name "Chen Geng" that his daughter mentioned caught his attention. Xue Ke needed her own team, and as long as this person had a clean background and was beneficial to Xue Ke, he didn't mind observing him.

As for Mu Yunjiang and Mu Xuezong… a cold glint flashed in Mu Yunhai’s eyes.

He pressed a hidden button on the desk.

About five minutes later, the heavy solid wood door to the study was silently pushed open.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a dark gray Chinese-style stand-up collar cloth shirt, of medium build and extremely ordinary appearance, who could be easily lost in a crowd, walked in silently.

His footsteps were extremely light, like a cat's walk, and his breathing was long and almost inaudible; it was Gao Tian.

Gao Tian stood about two meters away from the desk, bowed slightly, and remained silent, waiting for instructions.

His eyes were calm and still, like a deep well, but occasionally, when they opened and closed, a glint of light would flash across them, a light that was unsettling and seemed to penetrate the skin to the very essence of the body.

The man standing there did not appear particularly tall or imposing, but he naturally possessed a calm and dignified demeanor, like a silent mountain that could isolate one from all the storms and noise.

Mu Yunhai spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying the unique authority of a family head.

"Xue Ke is in trouble in Shenzhen. I need you to set off immediately and get there as quickly as possible. From this moment on, your sole task is to ensure her absolute safety. Whether it's overt or covert matters, the decisions are entirely yours. If anyone or anything threatens her safety..."

Mu Yunhai paused for a moment, his tone calm yet containing an undeniable determination.

"You can use any necessary means to handle this; there's no need to ask for permission!"

"Yes." Gao Tian answered without any questions or unnecessary words, simply and decisively. It was as if Mu Yunhai had asked him not to travel a thousand miles to protect the young lady, but simply to fetch a book from the backyard.

"Go ahead. Once you get there, just let her know you're there; there's no need to disturb her rest." Mu Yunhai waved his hand.

Gao Tian bowed slightly again, and then, just as he had entered, quietly left the study, gently closing the door behind him. The entire process was completely silent.

The night grew deeper.

When Chen Geng returned home, he walked to the window and vaguely saw a red light flash and disappear in the shadows downstairs. He knew that it was a hidden sentry post arranged by the police or the military.

Although he no longer needed to meet with Carlos, he still received "close protection" as an important witness.

Draw the curtains to shut out the outside world.

Exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave, but my mind remained unusually clear.

Xiao An, Mu Xueke, tomorrow when you go to the company, you will be her subordinate!

The Hanfeng board meeting tomorrow… I must find a way to let her know about Sun Liwei and Qian Jianguo's secrets. The threats from Carlos and "Viper" seem to have been handled by professionals, but can I really remain completely uninvolved?

And then there's "Scarface Liu" who escaped...

He shook his head, suppressing his chaotic thoughts for the time being, closed his eyes, and concentrated.

Midnight!

【Today's Intelligence List (3/3)】

[Intelligence 1: The final round of secret negotiations between the United States and Afghanistan, brokered by a third party, completely broke down half an hour ago. The U.S. Seventh Fleet has repositioned itself in the disputed waters of the Strait of Hormuz, and Afghan coastal forces have been placed on high alert. A new round of military conflict is now inevitable, and global energy and financial markets will face significant volatility when they open on Monday.]

[Intelligence 2: Forty-five years ago, Miranda, the daughter of the current head of the Redfield family, a wealthy family on the East Coast of the United States, fell in love with Qiao Senlin, a Chinese student, while studying at Harvard, and secretly gave birth to a son the following year.]

[Intelligence 3: In order to cover her huge personal deficit and find a "parasite" target, Li Qianqian abused her power to illegally access and copy financial data. She secretly collected and organized clues about financial irregularities, irregular reimbursements, related-party transactions, and possible embezzlement involving several mid-to-senior level executives of Hanfeng Group, including Lu Shiming, Sun Liwei, Qian Jianguo, Wang Zhenye, and Song Rui (retired). She stored the information on multiple encrypted USB drives and in the cloud.]