Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

11:30 a.m.

Antoine arrived at the hotel.

"The President wishes to see you."

Chen Mo was not surprised.

Bataclan's report on his actions has been sent to the highest levels of the French government.

The side gate was opened in advance, private security personnel were deployed for the rescue, and the hotel was converted into a temporary treatment center; none of these measures could be overlooked.

"When?"

"Now."

"The president has a security meeting this afternoon and can only spare half an hour."

Chen Mo looked at Lu Jingyi.

Antoine immediately added, "Ms. Lu is also on the invitation list."

The convoy left the hotel under the escort of French official vehicles.

After passing through several temporary checkpoints along the way, the car finally entered the Élysée Palace.

The atmosphere here is far more tense than usual.

Staff members walked briskly, and military, police, and intelligence officials were constantly coming and going.

Hollande has just concluded an emergency meeting.

He looked visibly tired, but upon seeing Chen Mo, he still took the initiative to step forward.

"Mr. Chen."

"On behalf of France, I thank you for everything you did last night."

The two held hands.

Only a small number of personnel from the presidential office, the foreign ministry, and the security services were present.

Hollande has already read the action report.

"Based on the police's initial assessment of the exits, the density of the crowd, and the timing of the attack, you have secured the opportunity for at least one hundred people to leave."

"This number may increase further."

Aurang's tone was very serious.

"It is difficult for any language to accurately express the weight of these lives."

"I just made some safety arrangements in advance."

Chen Mo said.

"It was French security personnel who opened fire to stop the attackers, on-site security who organized the evacuation, and French police who finally brought the attack to a close."

"The hotel's medical staff, along with the driver, saved many lives."

"If France needs recognition, consider them first."

Aurang looked at him for a few seconds.

"They will all receive the honor they deserve."

"the same as you."

"However, given the security and confidential nature of the meeting, France will not disclose your full identity for the time being."

"After the investigation is completed, we will ask for your opinion before deciding how to express our gratitude."

This was exactly what Chen Mo wanted.

"Thank you, Mr. President."

"I should be the one saying thank you."

Aurang turned to look at Lu Jingyi.

"Ms. Lu, France also thanks you and Chuangsheng for providing vehicles, medical personnel, and hotel resources."

"This is what we should do."

The meeting did not last long.

France remains under a national state of emergency, and the president's upcoming schedule has been planned down to the minute.

As the meeting drew to a close, Aurang looked at Chen Mo again.

"Antoine told me that this is your first time in France."

"It's a pity that you've come to know Paris in this way."

"Paris is still a beautiful city," Chen Mo said. "Last night, there were many people who showed me the bravest side of this city."

The weariness on Aurang's face finally eased a bit.

"Welcome back to France once all this is over."

"At that time, I hope to invite you to a quiet dinner as an ordinary host."

"I'm really looking forward to it."

When they left the Élysée Palace, Antoine personally escorted them to their car.

"The president rarely makes private invitations."

"I know."

Antoine paused for a moment.

"There's one more thing."

"The French government will assign dedicated personnel to handle the semiconductor, energy, and infrastructure cooperation issues you raised during the conference."

"Sensitive projects still need to be reviewed in accordance with the law, but as long as the rules allow, you will no longer be shut out."

Chen Mo nodded.

"That's enough."

He did not discuss specific interests at this time.

A relationship forged in blood and fire is not suitable to be immediately converted into business.

However, both sides understand that much of the trust that would have taken years to build has already been established.

……

On the way back to the hotel.

The convoy traveled slowly along the Seine.

From time to time, temporary checkpoints can be seen outside the window, where armed police and soldiers check passing vehicles one by one.

Paris has yet to recover from last night's panic.

Lu Jingyi withdrew her gaze and looked at Chen Mo beside her.

"The St. Clair meeting would normally have made it impossible for you to truly enter the inner circle of these families."

She paused for a moment.

"But everything changed after last night."

Chen Mo leaned back in his seat, looking exhausted.

"The price of this trust was too high."

Thirty-two lives.

Hundreds of people were injured.

And then there are the families who are still waiting outside the hospital, hoping their loved ones will wake up.

If he had a choice, he would rather not receive anyone's gratitude in this way.

Lu Jingyi turned to the side, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache and complex emotions.

"Some people are glad you attended this meeting, while others are glad you experienced that car accident, which is why you prepared so much security in advance."

She reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of Chen Mo's hand.

"But I'm not glad."

Lu Jingyi's fingertips gradually tightened.

"If I have to go through a life-or-death experience before I can save those people from last night, I'll just feel it's unfair."

"Why you?"

Lu Jingyi's eyes reddened slightly, revealing a look of lingering fear.

"Aren't I sitting here perfectly fine right now?"

"So you should sit here properly from now on."

Lu Jingyi looked at him.

Chen Mo met her gaze and grabbed her fingers with his other hand.

"Okay, I promise."

The carriage returned to silence, with only two shallow breaths mingling together.

The convoy crossed the Alexander III Bridge, where gilded bronze statues stood silently amidst the lingering smoke of war, overlooking the city still wounded by the past.

hum - hum - hum -

Lu Jingyi's encrypted phone, which she had placed on the armrest, interrupted their tender moment.

Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands.

Private emails and meeting invitations began to arrive one after another.

Many of these names, even those created, could only be accessed through intermediaries a few days ago.

The blood-soaked night in Paris made a young man from China unforgettable for one of the most closed-off groups in Europe.

This also created a debt of gratitude that is difficult to measure in monetary terms.