As the beef noodle restaurant was staging a spy hunt, within a one-kilometer radius of the Guocheng Hotel, espionage operations were also underway in high-rise buildings such as photo studios, hotel cafes, and residential complexes.
On the roof of a fifteen-story residential building directly east of the hotel, providing a clear view of the entire Guocheng Hotel, a middle-aged man carrying an astronomical telescope, stargazing in broad daylight, was subdued by two operatives. The man's DSLR camera had clearly captured the security arrangements around the Guocheng Hotel. His identity as a spy was confirmed.
South of the hotel, at the Wonderful Photo Studio, a palm-sized camera sat on the windowsill of the ventilation window in the top-floor changing room, focused on the hotel's side entrance. Through the side door's windows, the security posts on each floor could be observed. While not perfectly clear, it was enough to map the situation inside. On the changing room floor, a woman in her thirties was pinned down, her hands secured with silver handcuffs. She had been in a wedding dress, using the excuse of trying it on to secretly photograph the area around the south side entrance.
In other high-rise buildings surrounding the hotel, the remaining four spies were apprehended one after another. Coupled with the confiscated evidence, it was revealed that seven spies had been monitoring the Guocheng Hotel for just half a day after the research and development team checked in. In over a day, through external observation and surveillance alone, they had managed to map out the hotel's security system.
Even though they hadn't yet determined the origin of the R&D team, their meticulous observation and the sudden increase in security personnel led the seven to conclude that China was undertaking a top-secret operation. This is why, after transmitting the collected data abroad, the internet was flooded with anti-cybercrime operations and inquiries from numerous overseas accounts today.
When the Ministry of State Security informed the R&D team about the spies, Yang Guochun immediately requested plainclothes police from higher authorities to reinforce the security around the Guocheng Hotel.
At Feiteng Investment Company, shortly after Gao Fei finished a meeting with the senior executives of Ding Yao's cosmetics factory, he received a message from Li Chenghao.
"Xiao Gao, you don't need to come to the hotel today. Just arrive half an hour before the press conference begins tomorrow."
"Did something happen, Director?" He sat down on a chair and gestured for Jin Qiqi to remain silent.
"We just received news from the Ministry of State Security. Less than half a day after we checked into the hotel, we were being monitored by foreign spies."
"Are these spies' noses that sharp?"
"The Guocheng Hotel belongs to a state agency and is not open to the public, only hosting foreign dignitaries and domestic leaders. Therefore, any slight disturbance is bound to attract the attention of those maggots in the gutter." Li Chenghao explained with a cold laugh and continued, "Remember to arrive early tomorrow. Call me when you get there, and I'll come out to meet you."
"Understood, Director."
As Gao Fei hung up, Jin Qiqi, sitting opposite him, asked curiously, "Boss, what project are you working on that it's attracting spies?"
"You'll know tomorrow. I can't disclose it yet," Gao Fei shrugged, as the project was still confidential.
Jin Qiqi stopped prying and muttered softly, "I really don't know what your leaders are thinking. If the project needs to be kept secret, why choose the Guocheng Hotel for the press conference!"
Listening to her muttering, Gao Fei couldn't explain much. The most critical part of the civilian navigation system was its main server. In Kyoto, apart from the center of power and the military region, the Guocheng Hotel possessed the strongest security. It was impossible to enter the center of power. Currently, the Kyoto Military Region was conducting drills, making it unsuitable as a press conference venue. Therefore, the leadership ultimately chose the Guocheng Hotel. The secret apprehension of spies today had resolved a major hidden danger before the press conference.
At this point, some might wonder why, with the press conference scheduled for tomorrow and the navigation system soon to be globally known, they would still bother arresting spies. Remember, spies are like a group of parasites hidden within a country. Regardless of when the press conference is held or when the public becomes aware, if spies are discovered, they must be reported and apprehended immediately. Spies harm national interests and are detested by every nation.
Putting aside the R&D project and the spy topic, Gao Fei inquired about the progress of the collaboration with the eldest daughter of Qiao Run Group.
"It's been half a month. Do you have any news from Miss Qiao?"
"To be honest, your cooperation plan is genius! It not only helps with preliminary promotion and preparation for the product but has also received countless positive reviews. Although you haven't allowed sales yet, Qiao Sisi has received numerous orders from cosmetic stores in addition to private orders. I believe when the cosmetics are officially launched, they will be a sensation across Long Country."
Seeing Jin Qiqi's excited demeanor, Gao Fei coughed and said with a touch of boastfulness, "Just standard procedure. Which tier cities are currently covered by our product preparation?"
"Tier 1 and 2 cities are almost fully covered. Qiao Sisi is now following your instructions to start expanding into tier 3 and 4 cities."
Gao Fei nodded thoughtfully and continued his instructions, "Call Qiao Sisi now and ask her to clear out spare warehouses in her company for us to use as product storage. You can negotiate the rent with her."
"Call her now?"
"Yes, right now."
Jin Qiqi said no more, picked up her phone, and walked out of the office.
After she left, Gao Fei turned on his phone, found Wang He's number, and sent a text message.
"Brother Wang, busy?"
Less than ten seconds after sending it, Prince Wang immediately replied.
"Yo, Feige, you're not calling me Old Wang, you're calling me Brother Wang. Do you need a favor?"
Seeing his teasing text, Gao Fei quickly typed a string of characters: "Brother Wang, your Wang Group's Wanke Commercial Plazas, which tier cities do they usually target?"
"Tier 1 to 3. Why?"
"Didn't you promise me that when I start preparing for direct-operation stores, you'd give me the best located shops?"
"How about the pricing?"
"Here's what I propose: I'll pay one-third of the rent for each store, and you take a 40% share of the profits from the store. What do you say?"
As Gao Fei's message was sent, Wang He fell silent. But the next second, his phone received a call from Prince Wang. As soon as he answered, he heard Wang He exclaim, "Damn it, I just took over the Wanke Commercial Plaza, and you're already trying to find ways to make me embezzle. Brother, Wanke Plaza is part of our Wang Group. You want me to embezzle from my own company?"
Gao Fei held his phone away, letting the Prince Wang on the other end continue his tirade. After about a minute, Wang He finally quieted down. Gao Fei picked up his phone again and asked, "Did you just come out of Uncle Wang's office?"
"Good brother, you understand me!"
"So, do you agree to my terms just now?"
"I'll come over to sign the contract with you right now!"
"Good brother, powerful!"
"Good younger brother!"
Jin Qiqi, who had just entered, saw Gao Fei talking on the phone with such a flirtatious tone that goosebumps rose all over her body. Just as she was about to speak, Zhang Cheng suddenly burst into the office.
"Lao Gao, quick, look at the news!" he shouted, panting.
Gao Fei and Jin Qiqi immediately gathered around the computer. As soon as the screen lit up, a push notification popped up from the corner of the desk. The news headline read: "He was accused by thousands and cursed by ten thousand, yet he never used official resources to clear his name, because he knew the truth would reveal itself, no whitewashing needed!"
"It's this news, click on it!" Zhang Cheng said excitedly, pointing at the computer screen.
As Gao Fei clicked, a webpage for social media opened. After a quick refresh, besides the news headline at the top, there was a video published by Dragon Country's Channel 1 below. Clicking to play the video, the introductory music began. After the music ended, white text appeared on a black background: "Sword of Justice Against Crime"! As the subtitles appeared, a sharp sword was dramatically inserted into the four characters.
The first minute and a half of the interview video described the impact of dark and evil forces on society. Subsequently, it began broadcasting the crime-fighting reports from Kyoto in June. "Based on the decision of the Kyoto Municipal Committee and Leadership, Kyoto launched a special campaign against crime and evil in May. Over forty days of the campaign, Kyoto dismantled twenty-five criminal gangs, thirty-six criminal organizations, and three large criminal syndicates involved in organized crime... Confiscated over 300 illegal firearms and 1.5 billion Long Country Yuan in criminal funds..."
After the general report was displayed as subtitles, it proceeded to narrate typical criminal gangs. Yu Min's Tian'an Group was featured as a key criminal organization in this video. The narration, accompanied by footage of real fights and surveillance, began to detail how Yu Min commanded Xiang Nan and others to commit crimes. It described violent demolitions, forceful debt collection, coercive transactions, and the violent means used during transactions. The video detailing Yu Min's criminal syndicate lasted about ten minutes, during which three major cases committed by Yu Min and his group were highlighted. This was followed by scenes of the police demonstrating their strong force and conducting large-scale arrests of the masterminds and core members of the Yu Group's criminal syndicate.
After the arrest footage, Yu Min appeared on camera, wearing a prisoner's uniform, shackled with iron leg and hand cuffs, looking extremely haggard and aged. Sitting opposite her was Tang Xue, who looked valiant and had a captivating beauty. After the confessional interview, Yu Min appeared to be crying as she faced the camera.
"Do you regret it?" Tang Xue asked.
Yu Min wiped her tears and nodded, giving a wry smile, "I was a product of my time, but regretting it now cannot save me. If I could, I would just want to be an ordinary person, a free ordinary person who doesn't have to face death."
After a few poignant questions, Tang Xue suddenly asked, "Besides your family, what is the one thing you most want to salvage after your arrest?"
"I have nothing worth salvaging, but I want to apologize to someone who should not have been disturbed!"
"Who?"
"Gao Fei!"
"Gao Fei?"
"Gao Fei, the actor who played the lead role in the movie 'Black and White Edge'!"
Tang Xue's eyes widened in surprise, and she continued, "Why do you want to apologize to Gao Fei?"
Yu Min let out a relieved sigh and began to reveal the entire process of bribing reporters and fabricating rumors about Gao Fei's involvement in organized crime.
At this moment, upon learning that Yu Min was the instigator of the rumors about Gao Fei, all netizens watching the video were shocked.