War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1953 The Test That Ended Here and Some Misunderstandings Arising from the Test

Sarajevo's city center isn't very large, so the journey back to the hotel wasn't far either.

However, before their car had even returned to the street where the hotel was located, Hella 147, who was driving, slowed down after listening to something through his headset and said, "Boss, there's a little trouble."

"tell me the story"

As Wei Ran spoke, Ji Ma had already unbuttoned his shirt and pulled out the Czech pistol he had just received yesterday from the holster under his arm, loading it with a bullet.

"We just received word that someone in Sarajevo wants to get you two involved in a murder case."

Hela147 paused here and glanced at Wei Ran and Ji Ma through the rearview mirror, "It would be best to put you in jail."

"That's a really good method."

Wei Ran exclaimed in admiration, "Is the source of this information reliable?"

"reliable"

Hela, the girl driving the car, said, "We maintain a very good working relationship with many of the police officers here."

"You mean someone has already taken on this business?"

Jima immediately asked, as he seemed to be naturally more sensitive to such matters.

"We're already negotiating the price."

Hella147 said, "And it seems to involve the seizure of Mr. Allah's private jet, and the question of its ownership after being seized."

"You really can't wait," Wei Ran said with a smile.

Before Hela could say anything while driving, Wei Ran's phone rang.

After taking a look, Wei Ran said with a smile, "It seems Mr. Hans has also received the news."

Almost simultaneously, Jima's phone also rang.

"It's Mr. Miguel."

As Ji Ma spoke, he and Wei Ran pressed the answer button one after the other.

“Victor, you’re probably in a little trouble.”

Hans got straight to the point, saying, "Someone wants you to stay in Sarajevo a little longer."

"Is there business?" Wei Ran asked with a smile.

"It certainly seems like a business opportunity for them."

There was no hint of urgency in Hans's tone. "Victor, the people I've arranged will meet you and take you to the airport. You should leave there as soon as possible."

"Thank you for reminding me. I will leave as soon as possible." Wei Ran added a touch of gratitude to his voice.

He had just hung up the phone when Dima also hung up. "Miguel and that German Mr. Milos told us to go back to the hotel as soon as possible and stay there for the time being. Someone will come to see us later."

"Is all the intelligence about this place sieve-like?"

Wei Ran asked with a smile, but he wasn't worried about the troubles he had just mentioned.

Sarajevo is too small.

Hella147 had already started driving again as she spoke, "Moreover, the group behind that hotel is a very prestigious large investment group in the area, so it's not surprising that they were able to get the information."

“I’m more curious about where Mr. Hans got his information,” Dima pressed.

Mr. Hans runs a private hospital and several dental clinics in the area.

Hella147 replied, "Boss, we need to go deeper."

"Need not"

Wei Ran put away his phone and said, "There's no need to be overly curious about Mr. Hans's businesses; after all, he's our friend."

Next, I'll try to find someone who's trying to keep me here.

"We will find them as soon as possible," Hella 147 assured.

Wei Ran thought for a moment and then asked, "How many of you are here?"

“There are significant potential threats here, and there have been recent actions against this area, plus it’s one of Hela’s recruitment stations.”

Hela147 replied, "So Hela has four core members here, and some peripheral members sent by the succubus to be responsible for the seed digging work."

"Prioritize your own safety"

Wei Ran gave a reminder, and the car drove directly to the hotel entrance.

Before Wei Ran and Ji Ma could open the car door, a woman who looked to be in her fifties and wore an eye patch on one eye had already opened the back door for them.

Is it Zorana? Wei Ran recognized her almost instantly.

“Mr. Victor, Mr. Allah, I am Zorana, the manager of this hotel.”

The woman in the suit standing outside the car warmly led them out of the carriage while saying in German, "Mr. Milos has mentioned the possible minor troubles to me, but please don't worry, we will handle these minor issues."

"Thank you for your help."

Wei Ran expressed his gratitude gently and let the no-longer-young Zorana lead the two of them into the hotel lobby, and then took the elevator to the suite on the second-to-last floor.

After saying goodbye to Zorana, whom he could not recognize, Wei Ran invited Jima into his room.

Are we leaving as usual tomorrow?

While Wei Ran was drawing the curtains, Ji Ma took out his phone, turned on airplane mode, typed out a question, and showed it to her. Then they began to inspect the suite together.

"Don't rush to make a decision"

Wei Ran typed out a reply on the other person's phone: "Let's see who wants to invite us to stay."

"Isn't this too risky?" Jima tapped the screen and asked a new question.

This time, Wei Ran simply shook his head.

Seeing this, Jima cleared the conversation he had written in his phone's notes app, turned off airplane mode, and put the phone back into his pocket.

After a thorough inspection to ensure the room was safe, Jima pulled the pistol from its holster and placed it on the coffee table. He then began contacting the crew on his cell phone to prevent anyone from tampering with his private jet.

Wei Ran was not idle either. During his urgent communication with Anfia, the people who tried to frame him and Jima gradually came to light.

"It's not Wartachi? Who is this person?"

Jima was somewhat surprised when he saw the information that Anfia had sent to Wei Ran's tablet.

Not only him, but even Wei Ran was surprised that the person who attacked them was a weapons dealer from the local black market—a weapons dealer he had never heard of and could never possibly know.

Why did this person attack me?

Wei Ran looked at the information Hela had collected with a puzzled expression.

He was a local, and at first glance, it was impossible to see why he would attack me.

"This person can't possibly be after my private jet, can he?" Jima guessed with a strange expression.

"I believe we'll have the answer soon."

Wei Ran turned off his phone screen as he spoke. Hela was able to find this person so quickly entirely because she was still monitoring the hotel's network.

In other words, finding this person was entirely thanks to Zorana.

There is another possibility.

"This person might be after the person who hosted us," Jima said.

I mean, they came either for Mr. Milos or for Mr. Hans.

Regardless of which one, a renowned historian and a famous movie star, this happened on their turf.

If we were their guests, they would always have to pay some price to save us.

"Jima, you've really become smarter."

Wei Ran exclaimed in admiration, after all, Jima didn't know about the secret security company hidden behind this hotel.

"It's not like we haven't done this kind of thing before."

Jima is definitely experienced in this area, "but there is a great risk involved. If word gets out, it will be a big problem for the two of us and the people who are hosting us."

"If word gets out..."

Wei Ran was halfway through his sentence when he couldn't help but exchange a glance with Ji Ma.

"Looks like a trap," the two replied in unison.

"If we take action against this black market arms dealer, we might really get involved in a murder case."

Wei Ran thought for a moment, then typed on the screen to send an encrypted email while saying, "Jima, post an update on social media."

"What's the update?" Ji Ma immediately picked up his phone.

"Creating the illusion that we will visit the Sarajevo Tunnel and the Sutjeshka Battle Memorial tomorrow."

Wei Ran sent the email along with the message, saying, "Have Miguel and Mr. Milos help create this illusion."

"I understand"

Jima immediately understood Wei Ran's plan and picked up his phone to start communicating.

That very evening, the staff member who had been arranged by Mr. Hans to pick them up at the airport also checked into the hotel as a guest.

Milos, the German who was in charge of hosting everyone, also arranged the itinerary and transportation for the group's visit to the Sarajevo Tunnel the next day through Zorana.

Based on some tacit understanding, whether it was Hela who followed orders, the German Milos who secretly maintained a private security company, or Mr. Hans from Germany and his subordinates.

Although everyone had learned through various channels and methods who wanted to frame Wei Ran and Ji Ma, no one rushed to do anything.

The next morning, Wei Ran and Ji Ma, along with the others, set off from the hotel in several cars and headed to the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, which was not far away.

After a tour guided by Wei Ran and a group photo, Wei Ran and Ji Ma got into a car driven by someone sent by Mr. Hans, and then drove off to the airport, which was almost right next to them, without any warning.

Under the guidance of this staff member, the two quickly completed the exit process and boarded a public flight to Germany.

Almost immediately after this flight, Zima's private jet also took off and flew to Berlin along a nearly parallel route with an altitude difference of only 300 meters.

Meanwhile, the arms dealer who usually made a living selling various Soviet-style black guns and was hiding in the black market of Sarajevo's Old Town was also trapped in his home by men arranged by Mr. Hans's men.

However, the result was once again beyond everyone's expectations. This black market weapons dealer, whom Wei Ran did not know at all and was not a member of the Wartsai tribe, was actually just doing his bidding for money.

The person responsible for giving him the money turned out to be his supplier of weapons.

However, when asked about the identity of his superior, no matter how much blood Mr. Hans's men drew from him, he truly knew nothing.

When Wei Ran and Ji Ma landed in Berlin and learned the news, they belatedly realized that they had probably really wronged Youtai this time.

"Who do you think it could be?"

When Jima asked this question, he had already taken out his phone and started looking for contact numbers.

"Who else could it be?"

Wei Ran countered, "Do we know any other honest arms dealers?"
Especially since that uncle had recently stood up for Aurora and punished some people.

"makes sense"

As Jima spoke, he pressed the answer button and, after the call was connected, greeted him warmly with "Uncle." This shameless fellow was asking Big-Eared Chabu for answers. Meanwhile, Nona, who had briefly met Wei Ran on the second floor of the small church near Kozala Mountain, was also waiting for Zorana, who had rushed over.

I recently received an email.

As Zorana hurried upstairs with her laptop in her arms, she said, "It was during that young historian's visit to the Sarajevo tunnels."

"Email? What email?" Nona asked with great interest.

“A man who called himself Charon sent me a lot of intelligence via private email.”

Zorana said, "It's inside."

"What did you just say? The other person called himself Charon?" Nona put down the teapot in surprise.

“That’s right, Charon.”

As Zorana sat down, she opened her notebook and showed Nona the contents of the email she had received, while giving a brief summary, "The intelligence here mainly consists of two parts. The first part is what the other side discovered: our internal network vulnerabilities."

The second part consisted of intelligence provided by the other party that we needed; he seemed to know us quite well.

After a brief pause, Zorana added, "Also, they claimed to have fixed some vulnerabilities for us and provided some advice on cybersecurity."

In addition, they said they could provide some assistance free of charge, depending on our needs.

"What does the other party need?" Nona asked, frowning.

“It was just out of a friend’s help,” Zorana replied. “That’s what they said.”

"No demand?"

It seems not.

Zorana's tone was full of doubt and wariness. "In addition, the other party also said that they might be able to provide us with some intelligence from within Deyang in the future, free of charge."

"I see"

After a moment's thought, Nona nodded. "Let's investigate as this friend suggested. Also, what's the deal with framing that young historian and movie star?"

"They weren't coming for us."

Zorana replied, "That Mr. Hans seems to be that infamous vampire."

"I knew that young historian seemed a bit off; it looks like he's hiding some secrets."

Nona waved her hand, "Since it has nothing to do with us, let's not pay attention to it. But we should investigate the potential problems mentioned in that email immediately. The person who sent the email might really be a friend."

"I'll arrange it right away."

As she spoke, Zorana closed her laptop and hurriedly left the church.

"Which of Charon's friends is Charon?"

After muttering to herself for a while, Nona picked up the teapot again, poured herself a cup of black tea, and seemed unconcerned about the little incident that had happened today.

That evening, neither Mr. Hans, who had invited Wei Ran and Dima to his home, nor Wei Ran and Dima, who were invited, tacitly avoided mentioning the arms dealer they had captured in Sarajevo.

However, some things, even if not mentioned, are enough to prove something.

Especially for Mr. Hans and his friend whom he originally intended to introduce to Wei Ran, this little accident undoubtedly proved their unfounded speculations about Wei Ran, and even more so about Aurora.

The next morning, the elderly Hans not only insisted on personally taking Wei Ran to the airport, but also entrusted him with the task of taking his granddaughter, who looked like she probably hadn't even graduated from university, and Anna from Chicken Rooster to Kazan.

In Mr. Hans’s words, his granddaughter was preparing to join Sui Sui’s Golden Fleece organization and was ready to invest a large sum of money.

However, judging from the blank look in this seemingly innocent and naive girl's eyes, she probably doesn't even know what the Golden Fleece is.

After a somewhat long and winding flight, Wei Ran and the two young women landed safely at Kazan Airport. Before they even stepped out of the arrival gate, they were greeted by the Sui Sui and Kadenka sisters.

Of course, Maya and Marta also came along.

"Where's Jima? Why hasn't he come back?" Maya asked hurriedly before Sui Sui could greet the young girl named Mora.

"He was kept behind by Mr. Hans."

Wei Ran explained with a smile, "He will be back a few days later."

"It's good that he's alright," Maya breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It was only at this moment that Anna, who had come before when Wei Ran was not home, followed the group out and introduced the young woman she had brought.

At the very end of the group of girls, Anfia, deliberately lagging a few steps behind, switched to Italian and whispered, "I contacted that email address and sent some gifts."

"What was their reaction?" Wei Ran asked, slowing his pace slightly.

No response.

"That's normal, let's take it slow."

Wei Ran wasn't surprised. "Is there anything unusual at home?"

"Nothing unusual"

Anfia paused, then added, "Sister Aurora has been busy lately organizing the first cashmere sharing event with Miss Coco."

"Sheep what? Cashmere? And a sharing session?"

Wei Ran looked up in surprise. "What kind of weird name is that? And, Coco's here?"

"It's basically a fundraising gathering. Miss Coco arrived yesterday."

Anfia explained, "We expect a lot of people to come, so we even suspended the studio hotel's reception services to prepare in advance."

"Is there anything else?" Wei Ran continued to ask.

Anfia thought for a moment before saying, "The little boy Miss Paige sent has officially joined Charon, and we have given him the promises he needs."

After recalling the conversation and matching it with his memory, Wei Ran decided not to ask any more questions about this matter that didn't require his attention. He trusted that the Kajenka sisters wouldn't make any mistakes in such a situation.

However, after all this deliberation, he found himself seemingly idle once again.

The reason is simple: the coffee shop business was handed over to Jima and Greva, while Sui Sui was busy raising funds to open a mine and do legitimate business. Meanwhile, the miscellaneous affairs behind the scenes were handled remotely by Kazhenka.

It seems that he really has nothing left to do for the time being.

In that case, you can finally get some rest.

Wei Ran secretly pondered that he really needed to get some rest.

Of course, while some people are resting, others are working like dogs.

Besides Sui Sui, who is getting busier and busier, the girls who are preparing to attend this investment gathering are also busy raising as much money as possible—even though they are more like mascots representing their respective families.

Of course, these are all just things that are out in the open.

In the No. 52 mine camp, where the sun never shines, some boneless seafood that was "imported" just yesterday has moved into rows of sterile glass houses, where it is being cared for and observed day and night by reserve Hela.

In a sense, their existence is also a warning.

Meanwhile, in fragmented Europe, after receiving some intelligence shared by Miss Page, Hela and many of her friends, especially the reorganized Charon, began a larger-scale hunt.

In this series of almost showy kidnappings, guided by one small boat folded from A4 paper after another.

One after another, wealthy individuals possessing certain qualities disappeared without warning, without ever causing a ripple.

The happiest people in this celebration were none other than Wei Ran's Palestinian friends.

Aside from this revelry, the most agitated person was none other than Niner.

After all, none of the above had anything to do with him, but he had no choice but to readjust his policies according to Wei Ran's request and make friends with the infamous Deyang.

"Ania, what's the situation on your end?"

After dismissing one of his trusted men, Niner asked Aynya, who was taking a selfie with her phone.

"I plan to marry Cecilia after she graduates."

Nobody asks you these questions.

Niñer felt his head throb even more. "I mean, how's the work the Queen assigned you going?"

"I don't need to concern myself with the entertainment industry on the other side."

While still taking a selfie, Anya replied, "Cecilia and I are currently focusing our main efforts on her hemp farm."

"Okay, how's your farm doing right now?"

Niñer asked wearily, "Do you need me to buy you some good brains?"

"That won't be necessary. Thanks to Miss Coco and Mr. Victor's investments, we have already purchased a small piece of land in several states."

Aynya explained proudly, "I am currently in charge of managing these lands."

"You'll manage it?"

Niner looked at Aynya suspiciously. "I hope you're prepared for bankruptcy."

"It's only nominally under my management."

Ania, however, was not angry at all. She continued taking selfies while nonchalantly explaining, "The Queen and Coco's Golden Fleece invested in and established an agency company at the beginning of the year."

I already handed over those unimportant tasks to that company.

Once your private security company is established, I suggest you do the same.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Ninnell snorted in annoyance. It was probably only that brainless idiot, Anya, who hadn't realized that his private security company could only be managed by himself.

"You're welcome"

Aynia put away her camera and said, "Also, Coco's first cashmere convention is about to start, and I plan to leave tomorrow. I'd like to bring some for Olga for you."

"It's better for you to stay away from her than anything else."

Nigel, weary, reminded him, "Otherwise, I wouldn't mind giving you a pair of Doraemon's hands."

"Stingy girl" Anya rolled her eyes.

On the same day Wei Ran returned to Kazan, in a small town on the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, a bankrupt arms dealer from Albania was dragged out of a small house and shoved into a van bound for Albania.

"It seems the rumors are true."

On the second floor of a building in this small town, a man holding binoculars said disappointedly, "That Chinese man, and one of his girlfriends, are indeed connected to that arms dealer."

I even suspect the disappearance of Lu.”

Let's end this probing here.

Another person in the room said, "Let's try not to get into conflicts with that playboy in the future."

"What did you say? That's it? Are we just going to stand by and watch him die?"

"Could it be?"
Are you planning to suggest that the higher-ups assassinate that mad arms dealer and seize his business? Who will do the killing, you or me?

Another person in the room suggested, "Or perhaps we should attack that vampire?"

"Alright, let's end this test here."

With another sigh of reluctance, the two left the inconspicuous building one after the other.