Courtyard Houses: From Families of Martyrs and Orphans to Giants of the Times

late at night.

The military region's conference room was brightly lit.

Everyone looked grim.

The news of Zhou Tianming's son's disappearance was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Everyone understands.

Things have started to go in the worst possible direction.

If before it was just suspicion...

So now.

It's almost certain.

Someone is taking advantage of Zhou Tianming.

Moreover, the other party is very well hidden.

Zhao Changhe stood in front of the map.

His face was frighteningly gloomy.

"What did the Southern Machinery Factory say?"

The head of the security department immediately reported the incident.

"I've already contacted them."

Zhou Jianye left work at the usual time in the afternoon.

"Then I rode my bicycle away from the factory area."

"Then they disappeared without a trace."

"I did not ask for leave."

"No message was left behind."

The meeting room fell silent immediately.

Gao Wenshan couldn't help but curse.

"asshole!"

"This is using family members as bargaining chips!"

Everyone looked grim.

Because this method is too despicable.

Ironically, it was the most effective.

A researcher.

People who care most about themselves are often not themselves.

Rather, it's family.

Just then.

The system prompt appeared again.

[Identifying a key breakthrough]

[Target Zhou Tianming's psychological defenses continue to weaken]

Current probability of crash: 83%

[Immediate interrogation recommended]

Lin Jian'an's eyes flashed.

The opportunity is here.

If this continues...

The people behind the other party are likely to transfer evidence.

We must make a breakthrough as soon as possible.

Thinking about this...

He looked at Zhao Changhe.

"General."

"I'd like to speak with Zhou Tianming alone."

Zhao Changhe was stunned for a moment.

He then nodded.

"it is good."

"be safe."

......

Military region guesthouse.

Temporary interrogation room.

Zhou Tianming sat in a chair.

He looked as if he had aged ten years.

His face was pale.

His eyes were bloodshot.

From the moment I heard the news that my son had gone missing.

His condition was clearly not right.

The door opened.

Lin Jian'an walked in.

I didn't bring anyone with me.

It was him.

Zhou Tianming gave a wry smile.

"You've arrived."

Lin Jian'an pulled out a chair and sat down.

He did not speak immediately.

The room was silent for a full minute.

finally.

Zhou Tianming spoke first.

"Has something happened to my son?"

His voice trembled slightly.

Lin Jian'an looked at him.

He said calmly:

"It's not certain yet."

"But we are looking."

Zhou Tianming lowered his head.

My hands were trembling uncontrollably.

This moment.

He no longer possessed the demeanor of an expert.

He's more like an ordinary father who worries about his son.

Lin Jian'an suddenly asked:

When did they contact you?

brush!

Zhou Tianming's body jolted violently.

The air fell silent instantly.

Much later.

He slowly closed his eyes.

It's as if they've given up on their last stand.

Seven years ago.

boom!

The moment the answer appeared.

Lin Jian'an was startled.

Seven years!

It's been so long!

Zhou Tianming's voice was hoarse.

They begin to reveal a secret that has been buried for many years.

......

seven years ago.

Zhou Jianye has just graduated from university.

Prepare to assign tasks.

As a result, he got into a car accident on his way home.

The rescue will require a lot of money.

At that time.

Zhou Tianming is an expert.

However, the salary is limited.

It's simply impossible to produce it.

Just when we were at our most desperate.

Someone has appeared.

The other party not only helped arrange hospital visits.

They also covered most of the costs.

There is only one condition.

I will provide them with some technical information in the future.

Just started.

Zhou Tianming refused.

But later...

The other party produced their son's medical records.

They also produced detailed family information.

They even know what time the lights are turned on at home each day.

that moment.

He was scared.

I was truly scared.

then.

The first compromise has occurred.

Speaking of it.

Zhou Tianming was trembling all over.

"I know I was wrong."

"I've always known."

"But I can't stop..."

"Every time I want to quit."

"They would threaten me with my family."

"I dare not gamble."

Silence fell over the room.

Lin Jian'an remained silent.

Because he knew.

Zhou Tianming did make a mistake.

And it's a big mistake.

But in a sense...

He is also a victim.

The system notification keeps refreshing.

[The target's psychological defenses collapsed]

[Information access rate improved]

Please continue to ask questions.

Lin Jian'an asked:

Do you know who they are?

Zhou Tianming nodded.

He shook his head again.

"I don't know the real boss."

"Every time I'm in contact with someone, it's through a middleman."

"but……"

He suddenly stopped.

It seems she remembered something.

Lin Jian'an immediately pressed for more information.

"But what?"

"There is a name."

I've heard it once.

"What's your name?"

Zhou Tianming took a deep breath.

He slowly uttered three words.

"Far East Trade"

boom!

The system panel started flashing wildly.

[Key Clues Discovered]

Match successful

[Target Organization Confirmation]

Far East Trading Company

[Danger Level: S]

[Long-term engagement in industrial technology theft]

I saw the notification.

Lin Jian'an's heart skipped a beat.

S-rank!

This is the highest level that has ever been recorded.

This shows that this organization is by no means simple.

And just then...

Zhou Tianming then said something else.

"They seem to be paying particular attention to communications projects lately."

"Some time ago."

"They even told me to find a way to access the core information."

I didn't agree.

"Then Jianye disappeared."

Done.

The expert, who was over fifty years old, finally broke down.

He covered his face with his hands.

He wept uncontrollably.

Seven years of torment.

Seven years of fear.

Finally, everything erupted at this moment.

......

Half an hour later.

Military region conference room.

Everyone listened to the interrogation transcript.

The air was terribly oppressive.

Nobody expected it.

The incident has revealed the involvement of such a large organization.

Zhao Changhe's eyes were icy cold.

"Far East Trade"

"I've heard of that name before."

Everyone looked over.

Zhao Changhe continued:

"On the surface, we're doing business importing equipment."

"The background is actually quite complex."

"There were suspicions about me before."

"We just haven't been able to find any evidence yet."

Gao Wenshan was so angry that he slammed his fist on the table.

"No wonder!"

"No wonder I've always felt like someone knew our research direction in advance!"

"So it was them!"

Chen Guoliang's face turned ashen.

"It must be eradicated!"

"Otherwise, the consequences will be dire!"

While everyone was discussing it.

The system notification sounded again.

[Hidden Quest Update]

[Phase Goal Achieved]

[Reward points: 30000]

[Reward: Advanced Counter-Reconnaissance Technology Package]

[Next Phase Begins]

Mission: Destroy the Far East trade intelligence network

[Mission Reward: Breakthrough in Military Communication Technology]

[Mission Reward: Opportunity to Summon Special Talents]

See the last reward.

Lin Jian'an's heart stirred slightly.

Opportunities to recruit exceptional talents.

This is good stuff.

What we lack most right now is high-end talent.

If you receive this reward.

The development speed of Hongxing Machinery Factory will increase again.

......

the next day.

The military region's security department launched a full-scale operation.

A large number of investigators began to travel to various places.

Meanwhile, the search for Zhou Jianye was also launched simultaneously.

at the same time.

The communications project has entered its final sprint stage.

The review date is fast approaching.

Lin Jian'an had to focus more of his energy back on the project itself.

Inside the experimental hall.

The latest generation of communication equipment has been assembled.

The various parameters have been greatly improved compared to the initial version.

The communication range has tripled.

The anti-interference capability is improved by more than two times.

The equipment size has been reduced by nearly 40%.

In the present era.

It is definitely at a leading level.

See the test data.

Even Gao Wenshan couldn't help but sigh.

"Jian'an".

"If I hadn't seen it done with my own eyes..."

"I can't believe it."

The experts around them nodded in agreement.

In just a few months.

To achieve this level of technological leap.

Simply incredible.

Just then.

The lab technician suddenly stood up excitedly.

"It's a success!"

"24-hour continuous operation test complete!"

"All indicators are normal!"

boom!

The entire experimental hall instantly erupted in excitement.

Applause resounded all around.

Many people were so moved that their eyes welled up with tears.

too difficult.

From the start of the project until now.

They overcame countless difficulties.

Equipment malfunction.

Material issues.

Espionage incident.

Each time, they nearly failed.

Now we've finally reached this point.

Zhao Changhe even showed a rare smile.

"good!"

"very good!"

"At this pace."

"The chances of it passing the review are very high!"

however.

Just when everyone was happy.

A communications officer suddenly rushed in.

His face showed extreme anxiety.

"Report!"

"Urgent news has arrived from the south!"

Everyone's hearts sank at the same time.

Zhao Changhe took the telegram.

I only glanced at it.

His expression suddenly changed drastically.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Jian'an asked.

Zhao Changhe slowly raised his head.

His voice was deep.

"Zhou Jianye has been found."

The meeting room fell silent.

Everyone looked at him.

But the next second.

Zhao Changhe's words sent chills down everyone's spines.

"I am currently in Shanghai."

"and."

"He showed up on his own initiative."

boom!

The air seemed to freeze.

Did they appear on their own initiative?

What does this mean?

If it's a kidnapping.

Why did it appear on its own initiative?

If it wasn't a kidnapping.

Why did they disappear before?

Just as everyone was wondering.

The system notification flashed wildly again.

【warn! 】

[Anomalies detected!]

[Target Zhou Jianye's condition is abnormal]

[Suspected contact with core members of Far East Trade]

The progress of the hidden quest has changed.

The real mastermind is about to reveal themselves!

I saw the notification.

Lin Jian'an slowly narrowed his eyes.

Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Gu Changfeng is in Shanghai.

Zhou Jianye is also listed in Shanghai.

The core members of Far East Trade also appeared in Shanghai.

all of these.

This is clearly not a coincidence.

It seems the review process is not yet over.

I'm afraid I'll have to go to Shanghai myself.

And there.

It may very well hold the biggest secret of the entire incident!