The Top-Tier Alpha Refuses to Be Pretty Cannon Fodder - Chapter 25

Morpheus: “Country M developing its own chips? Are you kidding me?”

For years, Country M had not even had people researching the field, let alone conducting independent research. What were they going to use for research? The wind? Morpheus assumed Lu Yunli was simply making a joke.

Lu Yunli, of course, saw right through Morpheus’s thoughts.

For a long time, Country M had relied on purchasing chips from Country Y. This was partly because Country M had been busy resolving various livelihood issues over the previous years, and partly due to a scarcity of technical talent. Technical knowledge and theory still required studying abroad in Country Y.

While learning from others is good, independence and innovation tend to lag behind. For a nation to be powerful, it must hold core technologies and products firmly in its own hands. Only then can it avoid being controlled or led by the nose by others. These research outcomes would become a nation’s most powerful military force in the future.

Since Country Y wanted to use this incident to turn Country M into a mere processing plant, Country M could use it as a turning point for complete independence. They would show the world that Country M can be strong; they would walk at the forefront of technological development and replace Country Y as the new hegemon.

Lu Yunli took a step back to create some distance. “Whether it is a joke or not, Colonel Morpheus, why don’t you wait and see? When the time comes, we in Country M can even give Country Y a discount.”

Qi Xi: “Four percent profit.”

Lu Yunli: “Honest prices for all.”

Morpheus: “…”

Seeing the two of them play off each other like this, he did not believe for a second that they did not know each other. It was likely that this entire situation was a trap they had designed together, intentionally watching them jump into the pit.

This could not just be ignored!

Morpheus stared at Lu Yunli’s retreating back and clapped his hands. “How wonderful, you two. The data our research team detected is solid. You are claiming Country Y framed you based on nothing but words? Where is your evidence?”

Lu Yunli paused and sighed. Why were some people so persistent?

Just as Lu Yunli was about to speak, a familiar voice rang out from behind the crowd. “The evidence you want is right here.”

Lu Yunli turned abruptly and saw Huo Yan, dressed in his military uniform, walking in followed by his personal guards. The crowd parted to make way, and Huo Yan stopped in front of Lu Yunli.

For years, none of the countless scholars in Country M had stepped forward to say that they could lead Country M’s technology to the world. Only Lu Yunli. This person always managed to bring him surprises.

Sunlight streamed down from the high windows of the warehouse, enveloping Lu Yunli. He stood in the light like a fearless warrior walking toward the sun.

Huo Yan curled his lips slightly. “Long time no see.”

[520: Huo Yan’s favorability +10. Current favorability: 60 (Kindred Spirits)]

He had actually taken a step forward sooner than he had expected.

Lu Yunli looked into the other’s eyes. “Long time no see.”

[520: Dear, Huo Yan’s Boyfriend Power is at Max. Are you really not going to consider him?]

[Lu Yunli: I want to level up and go home.]

To put it bluntly, no golden house or silver house was as comfortable as his own dog house. No matter how great Huo Yan was, he was just a character on paper.

Qi Xi, who had been treated as completely invisible, looked between the two of them. “Hey, hey, I am still here.”

Huo Yan pulled back his gaze and extended a hand toward Qi Xi. “President Qi.”

Qi Xi snorted and gave a perfunctory couple of shakes. “Did you find the person?”

Huo Yan gestured behind him. Lu Yunli saw an adjutant step forward and throw the man he was holding at Morpheus’s feet.

Lu Yunli: “This is?”

Qi Xi explained from the side: “He is the one who messed up your business.”

Lu Yunli raised an eyebrow. He wondered why Huo Yan had shown up; it turned out Qi Xi had brought him. It seemed Qi the Dog could actually be useful at a critical moment.

Lu Yunli looked back to see Huo Yan step forward, adjusting his glasses with a finger. “Colonel, I assume you recognize this man?”

Morpheus’s eyes darted away for a moment. “What are you talking about? I do not understand.”

So indecisive.

“I will say it,” Qi Xi stepped forward. “This man is a magician. This is where the FLP Group’s goods were disappeared, and you were the one who hired him.” He kicked the man sitting on the floor. “Speak for yourself.”

The man was shaking like a leaf. He never imagined that a job meant for a quick fortune would involve matters between two nations. He had been deceived by the people from Country Y.

“I will talk, I will talk.” He looked up at Morpheus and pointed. “A few days ago, this man came to me. He said he wanted to make a deal and asked me to make the goods disappear here. I did not know it was something like this. I won’t ever do it again!”

Morpheus’s face turned completely dark. “You’re talking nonsense!”

“Stubborn until the end,” Qi Xi pulled a phone from his pocket, opened a video, and held it in front of Morpheus’s eyes. “After big data screening and comparison, the person in the footage is you, Morpheus. This is the moment you made the transaction with him. What else do you have to say?”

The adjutant hurried over from the side. “General, the goods have been found.”

Lu Yunli turned and walked over. He looked down at the two warehouse seals on the boxes and breathed a long sigh of relief.

“This matter involves two countries; you do not need to worry about the follow-up,” Huo Yan said, focusing on Lu Yunli. “We will make Country Y give FLP Group an explanation.”

Lu Yunli nodded. “Thank you. When this is over, I will treat the General to dinner.”

“Bring Qi Xi along,” Huo Yan glanced at Qi Xi, who was standing nearby on the phone.

Lu Yunli followed Huo Yan’s gaze. “He is the one who found the person?”

Huo Yan hummed in affirmation. “Yes. After he received the news this morning, he had Lanhai use big data streams to lock onto this individual. He contacted me and coordinated with the relevant departments to make the arrest. Although he is a bastard regarding Xingxing, he was actually quite helpful in this matter.”

Lu Yunli nodded. “Fine, I will invite him later.”

[520: Dear, are you really going to invite him?]

[Lu Yunli: I have always been one to repay both grudges and kindness. This time, he did help me.]

Huo Yan left to attend to business. Lu Yunli watched Qi Xi finish his call and walked toward him. “Thanks for today. I will host a dinner in a few days; come join us.”

Lu Yunli spoke in a strictly business-like manner and turned to leave. Qi Xi chased after him. “President Lu, are you inviting me?”

Otherwise, who? Am I inviting a ghost?

Lu Yunli: “.”

Qi Xi took the opportunity to test the waters. “Then, regarding me and Xingxing, is there a chance?”

Lu Yunli: “Out of the question.”

Qi Xi: “Why?”

Lu Yunli stopped abruptly. He frowned and turned to face him. “Qi Xi, do you love Xingxing?”

Qi Xi was momentarily speechless. Recently, he had tried to pay attention to Lu Yunxing and learn to care for him. During their time living together, every move Lu Yunxing made seemed to pull at his heartstrings. He could not help but care and miss him.

He had never felt this way before; he had never loved anyone and did not know if this counted as love. But he knew he liked the feeling of being with him. He scratched his head and answered, “I think I—”

Lu Yunli interrupted him again. “President Qi, you had better ask yourself if this is just a temporary novelty. A person’s patience and feelings are limited. Especially in a relationship, it cannot withstand any deception or concealment. I do not care why you did not return once in those three years, but I hope you can put yourself in his shoes. If you cannot be consistent, I suggest you stay away from Xingxing.”

Lu Yunli looked at Qi Xi’s darkening expression. “When you have figured it out, come find me again.”

At night, neon lights flickered, illuminating the city. At the top of the Century Tower, a man stood on the rooftop overlooking the city below. The wind caught his black trench coat. His hands were clasped in front of him, rubbing the silver head of a black cane resting on the ground.

The rooftop door pushed open behind him, and Colonel Morpheus hurried forward. “Duke Albard, we failed.”

Duke Albard glanced sideways. The moonlight fell upon his cold, stern face. It was a face that commanded awe without even trying. “I know.”

His fingers slowly stroked the silver lion on the cane’s handle. “Lu Yunli.” He savored the name slowly; his voice was cold and thin like floating ice in winter, sending a chill through the air.

Morpheus lowered his gaze. “The news from FLP said everything would go smoothly today. Who knew Lu Yunli would appear and ruin our plans? He even had the audacity to say Country M is going to start its own independent research.”

A sharp slap echoed across the rooftop. Morpheus’s voice cut off instantly. He clutched his face, bowing his head even lower. “Duke.”

“Such a small matter, and you could not even handle it,” Duke Albard’s face was as cold as frost. “If I had not sent people to protect you, you would be in a Country M prison right now!”

Morpheus knelt on one knee. “It was my carelessness.”

“Five years ago, FLP Group appeared on the global stage,” Duke Albard walked forward. “But it was only today that the man named Lu Yunli made us both remember him. A lion lying in wait, striking in a single move; this man will likely become a formidable enemy for Country Y in the future.”

Morpheus frowned. “Is the Duke overestimating him? I met him before; aside from his face, he does not seem to have much ability. His secretary, Rice, is the one who graduated from business school and is very capable. This idea might have been his.”

Duke Albard rubbed his cane and gave a cold laugh. “Whether he is a cat or a wolf, we will know once we test him.

Morpheus: “What does the Duke plan to do?”

Duke Albard: “There is a birthday banquet in a few days. I should prepare a grand gift to present to him.”

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