Chapter 29: There is no one else in this room.

"Xiao Qin, let me introduce you."

"This is Professor Wei from Harbin Institute of Technology."

"He will serve as the team leader for the F-35 stealth module reverse-engineering project."

"You two must work in full cooperation and produce a report as soon as possible."

Lin Xiao’s introduction was delivered with such gravity that it felt like a matter of utmost importance. In his view, no one was better suited for this task than Wei Xiu. It was Wei who had modified the quantum radar that accurately captured the F-35 and brought it down. In other words, Wei Xiu was currently the person in the country who understood the F-35’s stealth characteristics the best. Now, with the wreckage in hand, reverse-engineering the F-35’s stealth coating should be manageable.

Beyond that, there were deeper considerations. Academic types like Qin Xi had their strengths, but also inherent weaknesses. For instance, in terms of practical application, knowledge gained from books often proves shallow. Wei Xiu, a specialized mechanical technician, was perfectly positioned to maximize strengths and compensate for weaknesses. That was why he had appointed Wei as the lead.

Faced with the superior's arrangement, Qin Xi showed no resistance. She stepped forward gracefully and extended her right hand. Wei Xiu, still trying to process what was happening, reached out in a daze. Who was Professor Wei from Harbin Institute of Technology? And who was this stealth task force leader? It couldn't be me, could it?

...

"Uncle, stop worrying, I’m already making the call."

At Victory Appliance Repair, the whole family was in a state of frantic anxiety. While these elders usually sounded like they had all the answers, when a real crisis hit, they were useless, doing nothing but fret. The task of pulling strings and making inquiries fell to Wei Xianjun.

It went without saying: Wei Xiu must have caused some serious trouble to be taken away by the military. In a situation involving the military, the local police station and the like had no say. Fortunately, he had a former classmate who was a leader at the county’s People's Armed Forces Department; that might be of some help. Wei Xianjun had to swallow his pride and give him a call.

"Hello, Old Xie, are you busy?"

"..."

"I have a favor to ask. My younger brother was taken away by the military this afternoon. Could you help me find out what's going on?"

"..."

"We aren't entirely sure of the specifics, but it seems he was repairing a vehicle for the military and messed something up."

The old classmate on the other end of the line was stunned. Sometimes the military would hire private repair shops; that wasn't unusual. But what kind of mess could one make while fixing a car? If they trusted you with the vehicle, they surely understood the risks. Was it really grounds for arrest? At worst, if the car was ruined beyond repair, you’d just pay for it.

Thinking this, the old classmate speculated, "This shouldn't be a big deal. Usually, there’s no criminal liability. At worst, if your brother caused damage to military property, he’ll just have to pay for it."

Hearing this, the Wei family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"About how much would the compensation be?"

The classmate replied, "That depends on what broke. Something cheap might be a hundred thousand, something expensive, a million?"

*Thump.*

The hearts of Wei Jianguo and his brother sank again. A hundred thousand they could handle, but a million—even if they liquidated all their assets, it wouldn't reach that amount. The old classmate could hear the silence from the Wei family and, realizing he might have spoken too heavily, quickly tried to smooth it over.

"Maybe it’s not that serious. Which unit took your brother away? Let me ask around."

Wei Xianjun didn't know how to answer. He was stumped. He had been so worried at the time that he hadn't dared to ask for the unit's name.

"I just know they were wearing green military uniforms, and there was an old man."

The old classmate asked, "Don't you even have a name?"

Suddenly, Wei Jianguo interjected loudly, "Yes! His name is Lin Xiao."

"Who?"

"Lin Xiao. 'Lin' as in two trees, and 'Xiao' as in the 'xiao' of an overlord."

As the words left his mouth, an endless silence descended on the other end of the line, as if time itself had stopped.

Wei Xianjun asked, "Hello? Old Xie? Are you still there?"

"Listen, Xianjun, I have something to take care of, I’m hanging up. Just pretend you never made this call. Goodbye."

"???"

Wei Xianjun stood there, phone in hand, completely bewildered. What was that about? They were talking fine just a moment ago about helping him look into it. Why the sudden change? He looked up at Wei Jianguo.

"Uncle, how did you know his name?"

Wei Jianguo pointed toward the muted television—Channel One, the evening news. On the screen, several people in military uniforms were holding a meeting, with a ticker scrolling at the bottom: *[Today, our military held an enlarged meeting, with key leaders from various theater commands in attendance...]*

Wei Jianguo didn't recognize the others, but the old man sitting at the center of the conference table—he would recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes.

"That's him! Lin Xiao! Without a doubt!"

In an instant, Wei Xianjun felt as if he had been paralyzed. It was true. His uncle wasn't mistaken; the man on TV was the same one who had taken Wei Xiu away today. And the crucial part! How could he be sitting at the very center of the table? This was the national evening news! Could anyone who appeared on this program be an ordinary person? No wonder his old classmate hung up so quickly. It was a miracle he hadn't packed his bags and fled overnight.

Thinking of this, Wei Xianjun’s heart died. "Uncle, you need to prepare yourself. I’m afraid Wei Xiu is in big trouble."

Wei Jianguo asked, "What do you mean? How big? He's my only son!"

"While my aunt is still young, maybe try for another one."

No exaggeration—Wei Xiu’s account could be considered wiped. You think about it: when a high-ranking official comes down personally to take someone, could it be anything good? Who knows what Wei Xiu did? Did he break one of their military aircraft or something?

Just as they were talking, the sound of a rolling shutter opening came from the front yard. Wei Xiu poked his head in. "Why are you closing up so early?"

"Wei Xiu is back!"

In an instant, the whole family crowded around him, hugging and grabbing him until he felt embarrassed. "It’s normal for me to come home, isn't it?"

Wei Xianjun immediately pressed him: "Why did Lin Xiao take you? What did he do to you?"

Hearing his family mention the old man’s name, Wei Xiu looked curious. "How do you know his name?"

Wei Jianguo replied, "It was on the evening news!"

"Ah, right." Wei Xiu nodded, thinking to himself that the old man was truly something else—always appearing on the evening news. *When will I ever get to be on it?*

While he was daydreaming, his cousin punched him in the chest. "Answer the question! We’re asking you! Why did they take you?"

"It’s nothing." Wei Xiu kept it brief. "Just about that car repair from last time."

Wei Xianjun asked, "Are they making you pay?"

"No, they just gave me some other work."

The matter was too complex to explain in a few words. Wei Xiu could only use the simplest language to keep his family from worrying. But his brevity caused Wei Xianjun’s brain to short-circuit. *What do you mean, 'gave you other work'?* What? Was the amount so high that he had to work to pay off the debt? Even if that were the case, why would an official who appears on the national news be the one to arrange it?

Everyone was too stunned to notice that there were still two people in military uniforms standing outside the door.

"Professor Wei, now that you’re home safely, we’ll be heading back."

Wei Xiu waved. "Thank you both. Drive safely."

"You're welcome!"

The two soldiers left. Wei Jianguo was stunned. The second uncle was stunned. Wei Xianjun was stunned. Three seconds later, they looked left and right, their faces full of confusion. There was no one else in the room.

Who was "Professor Wei"?