The train driver in the courtyard

evening.

After a bustling day, the capital city gradually fell silent, with streetlights casting a dim, yellow glow.

However, the entrance to Donglaishun was still bustling with people.

Even through the thin paper window, you could almost smell the enticing aroma of mutton wafting out.

"Patriotism, how did you manage to predict that so accurately?" Old Cat asked, chewing on a steamed bun with an incredulous look on his face.

"How do you know that Liu Jian will definitely leak the information about the blueprints?"

Old Cat finds it unbelievable when the topic comes up.

When Li Aiguo proposed the "substitution of the crown prince" plan.

The biggest challenge was: how to get Dieter to take the bait naturally and pass the blueprints to them?

Li Aiguo, however, directly circled Liu Jian's name on the list.

As Li Aiguo had predicted, things turned out exactly as he had.

Liu Jian had just received the secondary drawings at the factory today, and in the evening, he invited Zhou Ning, the factory's most beautiful girl, to dinner at Donglaishun Restaurant.

"Heh, the reason is simple. Zhou Ning was able to be transferred to the power department because Liu Jian pulled strings behind the scenes. Liu Jian had been eyeing this factory beauty for a long time," Li Aiguo said with a smile.

"Tsk tsk, you even noticed that." Old Cat sensed that the man who used to be behind him had now moved ahead.

Just then, the operative responsible for nearby surveillance emerged from the corner and gave a coded signal: "They're coming out, should we follow?"

Li Aiguo immediately responded with a hand gesture: "Follow up, play the long game, and don't alert them."

After sending the code, Li Aiguo put down his equipment and stretched.

"Alright, Old Cat, we've been busy all day. Let's go home and cuddle with our wives and go to sleep."

Seeing Li Aiguo leisurely leave work, Lao Mao didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

This kid is really carefree. How can he sleep at such a crucial moment?

However, Old Cat felt relieved after thinking about it. The necessary arrangements had been made, and all that was left was to wait for the fish to take the bait.

"Off work!" Old Cat put down his binoculars without hesitation and waved his hand.

Night was falling.

When Li Aiguo returned to the courtyard house, it was already quiet, with lights on in every household.

Pushing open the door, I saw Chen Xueru sitting in front of her sewing machine, busy at work.

"Brother Aiguo, good news from the port city: our second traditional clothing is selling very well, and Hextech has placed another order for 50,000 pieces."

Chen Xueru's eyes crinkled with joy. She had been genuinely worried that her designs wouldn't sell, but they unexpectedly became a huge hit.

"Really? That's great." Li Aiguo took the enamel mug from Chen Xueru and took a sip of tea.

"We've started designing new models now." Chen Xueru put down her work and began to chatter about things happening in the compound.

"I heard from the third aunt that Xu Damao and Yi Zhonghai made a bet."

"bet?"

"What else could it be? It's about the cost of your electric train..." Chen Xueru vividly recounted what had happened in the courtyard during the day.

After hearing this, Li Aiguo was both amused and exasperated; Yi Zhonghai was becoming increasingly obsessed.

However, Li Aiguo felt no sympathy for Yi Zhonghai.

Since this kind of person insists on deliberately making things difficult for themselves, let them run into a brick wall.

After finishing his tea, Li Aiguo did not rest. Instead, he turned around and went into his study, sat down at his desk, and got back to work.

We are currently fighting on two fronts.

On one hand, they need to capture Dieter.

On the other hand, the entire electric train system still needs further improvement.

The night grew deeper and deeper.

At this very moment, in a secluded bungalow in the capital, the atmosphere was unusually lively.

Liu Jian stared at Zhou Ning, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, completely drunk and unconscious, with reddened eyes. He felt as if a fire was burning in his heart.

We've waited so many years and invested so many resources.

Today, he was finally able to carry away this beautiful peony, pot and all!
Liu Jian swallowed hard, impatiently took off his shirt, and then quickly kicked off his pants, leaving him only in his underwear.

He rubbed his hands together, preparing to pounce.

"boom!"

The door was suddenly kicked open from the outside.

An old man entered, carrying a gleaming butcher knife upside down, exuding a murderous aura.

"Fine! You beast! I knew you, as a leader, had ulterior motives when you invited my daughter to dinner! So it turns out you were trying to rape her!"

Liu Jian trembled at the shout, and upon closer inspection, he recognized the old man as Zhou Ning's father, Zhou Hei.

The moment the word "rape" was uttered, Liu Jian was terrified.

"Old Zhou! It's a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding! I only brought Ningzi back to rest because I saw she was drunk and it wasn't safe for her to walk alone at night!"

"Misunderstanding? You were down to your underwear, and you're telling me you were just trying to be helpful by bringing her back to rest?!"

Zhou Hei snorted coldly: "Believe it or not, as long as I go out right now and shout at the top of my lungs at the alley entrance..."

You bastard, you'll spend the rest of your life stuck in that fenced-off area!

"No, no! Old Zhou, you absolutely mustn't!"

Liu Jian was now truly desperate. His legs went weak, and he knelt down in front of Zhou Hei, pleading with tears streaming down his face.

"I've spent most of my life struggling to get this position of deputy section chief. If you shout that out, my whole life will be ruined!"

"Old Zhou, how about this? I'll compensate you! I'll give you compensation! Name your price, I'll pay whatever you want!"

"Money? You think you can do whatever you want just because you have a few stinking coins? Come on! I'm going to get justice for my daughter right now, and I'll take you to the police station to see the police!"

Zhou Hei doesn't buy into that at all.

With one hand gripping the butcher knife tightly, and the other grabbing Liu Jian's collar, she dragged him out.

"Please don't!" Liu Jian cried.

"Dad! Wait a minute... Section Chief Liu isn't a bad person..."

Just when Liu Jian thought he was completely finished, a delicate voice came from the bed.

Zhou Ning, who was originally so drunk that he was unconscious, slowly got out of bed.

She walked barefoot to Liu Jian and ran her fingers across his chest.

"Old Liu, I understand your feelings for me. Actually, I like you too and want to be your wife."

But you already have a wife, and there's a significant age gap between us; the organization won't approve. Unless…”

Liu Jian, who had been terrified, was overjoyed to see that things had taken a turn for the better: "Unless what?"
Ningzi, you said it! I'll agree to anything you ask, as long as it's within my power!

"Unless we leave here and go abroad."

"How is this possible? Who are you people? What do you want?!"

Even if Liu Jian was slow on the uptake, he realized at this moment that this was a honey trap.

Now that the truth has been revealed, Zhou Ning simply stopped pretending.

She sneered, took out a cigarette from her pocket, lit it with a match, took a deep drag, and exhaled a ring of smoke.

"Old Liu, now that we've made things clear, things are simple."

"Give me that copy of the electric train development team's drawings."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jian's expression changed drastically: "You're trying to steal classified blueprints! You're Dieter! I'm going to report you!"

"Go ahead, the door's open, go now." Zhou Ning casually stepped aside to make way for him.

"But as soon as you leave, I will go to the police station to report the case and tell the police officers that you, Deputy Section Chief Liu, attempted to rape me, and because you failed, you are holding a grudge and are turning around and accusing me."

"I don't know if the matter of the blueprints will be investigated thoroughly, but you will definitely be the first one to be executed."

Liu Jian, who had been so aggressive, froze on the spot, beads of sweat dripping down his face.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhou Ning softened his tone and began to use a combination of persuasion and pressure.

"Old Liu, I really want to be with you. As long as you give me the blueprints, I'll take you straight to Japan."

Once we reach the other side of the shore, we'll get married right away.

I'll give you a big, healthy son, and we'll have more money than we can spend. How about that?

Liu Jian hesitated.

"Old Liu, do you really want to spend the rest of your life with that old, ugly, yellow-faced woman? Or do you want to go and get shot right now?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Hei suddenly stepped forward, placing the cold kitchen knife in his hand directly against Liu Jian's neck, the blade pressed against the carotid artery.

"Section Chief Liu, this old man doesn't have that much patience."

Now I'll give you three options.

First, if I apply a little force with this knife, I can chop you up in one go.

Secondly, I'll go and call the police from the local police station right now to arrest you, you hooligan.

Thirdly, give us the blueprints, and our family will run away together.

Feeling the biting cold on his neck, Liu Jian's last line of defense completely collapsed.

"I promise you, but the secondary image is in the safe. You can only view it, not take it away."

"That's easy."

Zhou Ning handed Liu Jian a matchbox-like object: "This is a spy camera. All you need to do is take a few pictures of the blueprints."

Looking at the camera, Liu Jian knew he had fallen into a trap that someone had set long ago.

However, it's impossible to escape now.

Since we're going to die anyway, we might as well take a gamble!
Liu Jian gritted his teeth, grabbed the camera from the ground, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"I can promise to send you the blueprints! But you have to keep your promise!"

As Liu Jian spoke, he knelt down on the ground, called Zhou Hei "Father," and kowtowed.

"What do you mean?" Zhou Hei frowned.

Liu Jian turned to Zhou Ning and said, "Uncle Zhou, I truly love Zhou Ning. Since we're family now, why don't we get married today?"

Liu Jian, being a seasoned veteran, wasn't stupid. What if he handed over the blueprints and photos, and the father and daughter just packed up and ran away?
The best way is to cook the rice into a tangible result.

"Father, no, this is too hasty," Zhou Ning objected instinctively.

Zhou Hei glared at her: "Ningzi, have you forgotten? Everything we have was given to us by His Majesty Tianhuang. We must be loyal to His Majesty Tianhuang."

Upon hearing the words "Your Majesty Tianhuang," Zhou Ning's face instantly turned deathly pale.

From childhood to adulthood, the only education she received was that her sole purpose in life was to serve as a tool, fulfilling the tasks assigned by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor at any cost.

Early the next morning.

As Liu Jian walked to the factory, he felt a rush of wind beneath his feet, and even the air seemed sweet.

He felt that his luck had been incredibly good lately.

He not only gained a young and beautiful wife, but also got the opportunity to visit Xiaobenzi's house.

Last night, Liu Jian had some conversations with Zhou Ning and found out Zhou Ning's identity.

This is a nobleman from the Little Notebook family, with immense wealth.

Zhou Ning is the sole heir of the family.

What does this mean? It means that as soon as he sets foot on that land, all of that family's vast assets will fall into Liu Jian's pocket!
This is an immense fortune, within easy reach!

Of course, all of this is predicated on obtaining the blueprints.

Thinking of this, Liu Jian touched the matchbox in his pocket and strode towards the blueprint room.

The original blueprints for the electric locomotive were kept in the workshop of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Later, it was decided that the drawings were moved to the blueprint room to facilitate technicians in checking the parameters of the parts during manufacturing.

The blueprint room was heavily guarded, with people on duty at the entrance 24 hours a day.

Reaching the entrance to the blueprint room, Liu Jian took a deep breath, trying to make his expression appear as natural as usual, and then walked over.

"Halt! Who goes there?" The security officer was very alert.

"It's me, Xiao Zhang. Liu Jian from the Power Department." Liu Jian took out his work ID and handed it over.

"The second workshop is processing a core component, but they're a bit unsure about the data, so I came over to check the sub-drawing."

"Oh, it's Deputy Section Chief Liu." The security officer checked the ID, relaxed his guard, and pointed to the register next to him.

"You know the rules. Just sign here and state the time and reason for your review."

Liu Jianfei quickly signed his name, and only then did the security officer turn around and use the key to open the iron door to the blueprint room.

Upon entering the house, Liu Jianli immediately locked the door from the inside.

He rushed to the safe, turned the combination lock, and with a click, the safe door opened.

There were more than thirty blueprints neatly stacked inside.

Time was of the essence, and Liu Jian dared not waste a single second.

He quickly pulled out the camera, spread the blueprints out on the table one by one, and started snapping away at them.

It took several minutes to photograph all the drawings.

He reorganized the blueprints exactly as they were and locked them back in the safe.

He then hid the camera close to his body, took a few deep breaths to calm his wildly beating heart, and then casually pushed open the door and walked out.

"Xiao Liu, you've worked hard these past few days. I'll celebrate with you when the first batch of electric trains is manufactured."

"Thank you, Section Chief Liu." The security officer was a little surprised, as Liu Jian wasn't usually this generous, but he didn't think much of it.

"So, Liu Jian has already succeeded?" In the office, Li Aiguo listened to the report from the surveillance personnel.

“We calculated the time, and it’s clear that Liu Jian spent more time in the blueprint room than the necessary time to review the documents.”

After the monitor finished speaking, he asked, "Should we continue following Liu Jian?"

“No need. Zhou Hei and Zhou Ning both have the ability to counter tracking. If we follow them too closely at this time, they will easily discover us, causing the mission to be ruined,” Old Cat said.

"Just keep an eye on Zhou Hei and his daughter Zhou Ning from a distance, as well as those people in the expert group."

Li Aiguo could understand Lao Mao's decision.

Tracking is inherently a matter of luck; even the most skilled trackers can be exposed due to unforeseen events.

To catch the big fish hiding in the deepest part of the pond, you need to let out a long fishing line, the longer the better!

Throughout the subsequent operational meetings, no one mentioned Liu Jian again.

Because everyone present knew perfectly well that the moment Liu Jian pressed the camera shutter, he had already made the final choice for his destiny.

"Consultant Li, Chief Engineer Liao just called. It's Xiao Rui's experts reminding you that they're going to visit the Beijing subway factory tomorrow," an officer said.

Li Aiguo really overlooked this matter.

"Please inform those experts to meet at the Friendship Hotel at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

"Deputy Team Leader Cat, I need to go to the Beijing subway station." Li Aiguo looked at Old Cat.

"Go ahead, go ahead, I'll keep an eye on things here. If anything happens, I'll contact you."

Old Cat also knows that Li Aiguo is currently holding multiple positions and cannot neglect either one.

Then.

Li Aiguo then drove his large SUV to the subway construction site in Beijing.

Those facilities that need to be kept confidential need to be arranged in advance.

Around noon, in a room in the capital city.

"You took pictures of all the blueprints?" Zhou Ning asked eagerly, taking the camera.

"Honey, don't worry! When have I, Liu Jian, ever failed to do something right?"

Looking at the beautiful Zhou Ning, Liu Jian couldn't resist any longer. He pulled Zhou Ning over and took two deep breaths on her.

"Honey, I've already taken the afternoon off, so I don't need to go back to the factory. Let's..."

"Ugh, you're like a hungry wolf, never satisfied! So annoying!"

Zhou Ning playfully punched Liu Jian in the chest and then pushed him away in a coquettish manner.

"Not today."

Listen to me, hurry back to the factory and show your face at work. You absolutely cannot arouse the suspicion of the security department at this time.

"Once evening falls and it gets dark, we'll set off immediately and leave the capital!"

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to my wife..." Liu Jian was unwilling in his heart.

But he could distinguish between what was important and what was urgent, and knew that now was not the time to indulge in sentimental feelings, so he could only reluctantly give up.

As Liu Jian's departing figure disappeared, the door to the inner room was pushed open, and Zhou Hei walked out expressionlessly.

"That idiot already took the whole picture?"

“It’s all here. I’ve already sent him back.” Zhou Ning casually handed the camera to Zhou Hei, his face completely devoid of the tenderness and affection he had shown just moments before.

"Father, what should we do next?"

Zhou Hei took the camera, removed the back cover, pulled out a roll of film and examined it. After confirming that the film did indeed contain the contents of the drawings, he nodded in satisfaction.

"I have already arranged a meeting place with my superior through secret channels."

As soon as the film is handed over, we will leave Beijing immediately.

I've already obtained the travel permit and letter of introduction from the neighborhood committee; everything's perfect.

“Fine.” Zhou Ning nodded coldly.

During the conversation between the father and daughter, Liu Jian was never mentioned again.

To them, Liu Jian was nothing more than a tool whose value had been completely exploited.

Once the tools are used up, their only fate is to be ruthlessly discarded.

The father and daughter packed their belongings quickly and left the house.

They also greeted the residents along the way.

"Report! Targets Zhou Hei and Zhou Ning have already set off with their luggage!"

Old Cat received the latest intelligence and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Although he had anticipated that the father and daughter would run away quickly after getting the items, he did not expect them to act so swiftly and decisively.

"It seems that the other side has been planning this for a long time and has already arranged an escape route, intending to catch us off guard!" Li Aiguo, who had just rushed back from the subway construction site, immediately understood upon hearing this news.

Li Aiguo stood up: "Deputy Team Leader Cat, get the manpower ready, the show is about to begin."

The old cat got excited too.

"Action team, all personnel! Prepare to move out!"

The team members drew their pistols and loaded them.

Inside the Friendship Hotel.

Bernard, the head of the Iron Alliance delegation, looked at Professor Yamamoto, who was sitting on the opposite sofa, with a suspicious expression.

"Mr. Yamamoto, isn't this decision too sudden? Why didn't you even give us a heads-up before suddenly announcing that you're withdrawing the delegation and returning home?"

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Bernard." Professor Yamamoto sighed, feigning helplessness, but his eyes darted away.

"We just received a call from China saying that the Shinkansen project has encountered some tricky technical problems during testing, and our expert team needs to rush back immediately for an emergency consultation."

"Since it's an emergency order from your country, I won't force you to stay."

Bernard had no suspicions, assuming that these little devils had suffered a setback here and felt embarrassed, so they were looking for an excuse to make a quick getaway.

"I'll contact the foreign affairs department right away and ask them to arrange your return flight as soon as possible."

There are no direct flights from here to Japan; you need to transfer in Moscow.

With Bernard's coordination, the flight was quickly finalized.

After confirming the takeoff time, Professor Yamamoto quickly returned to his room.

As soon as he entered, he looked solemnly at a man sitting by the window.

Black Marsh.

"Kuronuma-kun, I don't care what shady things you're planning, I've already arranged all the formalities for leaving early as you instructed."

However, you don't have much time left; you only have two hours at most!

"You've worked hard, Yamamoto-kun. Everything you've done is in service of His Majesty Tenko! His Majesty will remember your contributions."

Kuronuma raised his wrist to check the time, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Before he arrived, he learned about the weather station from the bereaved families association.

Over the years, many excellent mice have fallen.

Looking at the reasons why those rats failed, most of them did not evacuate in time.

Therefore, he had to catch the other party off guard.

"Now, it's time to bring the blueprints back."

(End of this chapter)