We did not speak, Liu Yuning and I, merely following Director Yan’s lead as he boasted about the medications. I then asked, “So, Mr. Yan, what are the internal components of this Puer Si?”
I asked this intentionally, of course. Director Yan, however, responded with great excitement, “This is a special efficacy drug that we have developed through years of research and assessment, combining various traditional Chinese and Western medicines. The formula is very complex. Well, even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. So, it’s best you don’t ask!”
“Oh, it sounds quite impressive.”
Despite my disdain, I could only feign interest. We were actually feeling quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, Director Yan’s interview concluded not long after. He seemed prone to fatigue, and after the ordeal, he allowed us to move about freely. Just like last time, we took some photos and prepared to leave. However, as we were departing, a guard stopped us, saying, “Don’t! You don’t need to go back. New accommodation has been arranged for you at the Venus Hotel nearby. Tomorrow, you will meet Zhuge.”
“Ah, really?”
“Of course. The boss has a very packed schedule. After tomorrow, he has other matters to attend to. You will only have one hour tomorrow!”
“Alright, then we’ll go and rest first!”
The guard in red nodded and then escorted us to the nearby hotel. This place was much more upscale than our previous lodging, but we felt no sense of relief. The guard had just told us we would be meeting Zhuge Tianyu tomorrow.
Let’s bring this matter to a proper conclusion.
Old tortoise, let’s see about this!
The guard opened rooms for us and then had someone accompany us upstairs, presumably to keep watch outside. But there was nothing we could do. We had no choice but to act as if we were unconcerned and entered the room. To our surprise, it was a presidential suite. Liu Yuning commented wearily, “If it weren’t for this mission, we might never have had the chance to stay in a room like this.”
“Do you like it? If only we could go back…”
“Don’t say such ominous things. We will definitely get back!”
Liu Yuning had me sit beside her. For some reason tonight, knowing that the final mission was tomorrow, we still had the mood for… Perhaps it was the fear that we might not make it back together.
We said nothing that night, spending an unforgettable night in each other’s embrace. But the next day arrived all too quickly, as happy times always do.
Dressed and ready, looking like reporters, we prepared to set out again. It was time to meet that old tortoise, Zhuge.
Perhaps this time, we truly wouldn’t have a chance to return, but the mission had to be completed. At that moment, that was all I could tell myself.
Once again, we traveled by boat, moving from the outskirts towards a flat area at the center of the island, led by some special forces soldiers.
We hadn’t noticed this flat area before. Perhaps it was an optical illusion. After we landed, the special forces soldiers lined up rigidly beneath a massive, towering structure.
Gongsun Hao and An Bai, who had hosted us before, reappeared. They led us into the base of a tall tower. This place, with its many floors, seemed to have dozens of levels. Upon entering, I realized it was a company building, likely the headquarters of the Hengxing Group.
The interior was elegantly and nobly decorated, with brilliant lighting. The equipment was almost entirely automated, and special forces soldiers stood guard in nearly every corner.
There were only the two of us, and we were unarmed.
Gongsun Hao and An Bai pressed the elevator button, and we cautiously followed them upwards.
We ascended to the 18th floor. It was quite high. As the elevator doors opened, I saw that this entire floor contained only one office.
The space was extremely vast, with intricate murals painted directly on the walls. A long, willow-wood desk stood in the center. Despite it being daytime, the lights were dazzlingly bright. A frail old man stood near the window, looking outwards.
I faintly noticed what appeared to be signs of decay on his skin, with insects crawling. Clearly, this person suffered from Morgellons disease.
The person before us was none other than Zhuge Tianyu, the one who could allow us to end all this.
He turned his aged body slightly upon hearing a slight noise.
Beside him stood a little girl, wearing a pink dress and a cute ponytail with a cartoon bow from behind. However, when she turned her head, revealing a face covered in rotting flesh and crawling insects, I knew she was afflicted just like the old man Zhuge.
“Welcome, two reporters, to Hengxing International Pharmaceutical Group. I am its president, Zhuge Tianyu. Today’s interview is about… the final meeting between you and me, He Sheng…”
At that moment, I realized the situation was not right. Countless special forces soldiers stood guard around him, armed with light machine guns, wearing bulletproof vests and sturdy steel helmets. It was clear the old tortoise Zhuge had recognized me long ago.
“Zhuge Tianyu, that’s right. We are from the Sin-Punishment Squad. Your pathetic rambling will not be broadcast. What right do you have to call yourself an excellent entrepreneur? Do you think you’re serving society by brainwashing these people? That’s just your despicable and vile criminal method. Today, we will end all of this!”
The light machine guns were about to open fire. I wondered why Zhuge hadn’t killed us sooner and waited until now. But at this point, I didn’t care about the specifics. As long as we could take down the people here and apprehend Zhuge, then Yu Ning and I would have died a worthy death.
We had no weapons, so we used our cameras to smash them, hiding beneath the desk to dodge bullets. Two people against over a hundred special forces soldiers. Although we were no longer who we once were, we were instantly subdued. Old Tortoise Zhuge leaped from a window onto a helicopter. Protected by Gongsun Hao and An Bai, he waved at us and said, “If you ever get a chance to reach Thor’s Island, then we can discuss my capture! Goodbye, you two…”
“Zhuge Tianyu, you can’t escape! Do you think we are so foolish that we didn’t see what was happening?”
“Zhuge Tianyu, if you dare come to China, the Chinese People’s Police will ensure you never return! Even if you escape back to Norway, we will apply for your extradition and arrest you!”
Zhuge made a farewell gesture. The helicopter quickly flew away. Yu Ning and I were pinned to the ground by numerous special forces soldiers. After struggling for a moment, those people actually left, but they closed the office door and placed bombs outside.