Invasion of America

Chapter 92 Suicide
The disinfectant cotton gently wiped Zhou Qingfeng's fingertips, and the cold touch made him frown slightly.

The lancet quickly pierced the skin, and a drop of bright red blood oozed out from the fingertip, like a small ruby.

Xiao Jinlang held the capillary and carefully collected two or three milliliters of blood, then carefully injected the blood into the prepared anticoagulant tube.

After finishing, Lao Xiao handed Zhou Qingfeng a small cotton swab and asked him to press the blood spot on his fingertip. However, Zhou Qingfeng just rubbed his finger casually to wipe off the remaining blood.

"Wait..." Lao Xiao couldn't help but take a few more glances.

In just two or three seconds, the tiny blood collection point stopped bleeding. Half a minute later, no matter how hard I squeezed, there was no trace of blood on the fingertip.

"Xiao Zhou, your healing speed is a bit exaggerated."

Zhou Qingfeng didn't respond. Instead, he asked calmly, "You came to me, didn't you, just to take a drop or two of my blood?"

Xiao Jinlang scoffed at himself and shook his head. He had put a lot of thought into finding Zhou Qingfeng, spending a month on end before finally finding Washington through Chen Rui's connections.

"Blood collection is really the top priority. Also, I want to get some information from you. The agreement we negotiated previously remains the same. As for what you did in the United States, we will not be interrogating you."

Lucy busied herself in the kitchen for a while, then took Old Man Hammer for a walk. Zhou Qingfeng and Xiao Jinlang were the only ones left in the safe house.

Lao Xiao took out a small notebook from his arms, but after thinking about it, he put it back and decided to memorize it by heart.

He said in a deep voice, "I have a few questions for my superiors. First, how did you know about Project 'X'?"

"No comment."

"How dare you bet that enhancer 'X' will work and be harmless for you?"

"Still no comment."

"How much do you know about Project 'X'?"

"Now, I don't know any more than you do."

Lao Xiao was not surprised by these answers. He continued to ask in a businesslike manner, "How do you plan to manage your 'electric flight'?"

"I've handed all matters over to Kelly. As for the US Congress, let Marcos talk to those members.

See if you can spend some money and choose a suitable method to unblock the bank account. After all, there are more than a billion dollars in it. "

Hearing the words "Congress" and "Congressman", Lao Xiao's brain froze a little. He couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Wait, you found a member of the U.S. Congress?"

Zhou Qingfeng spread his hands. "It was old man Hammer who came up with the idea of ​​finding a lobbying firm for help. As long as you're willing to spend enough money, a lot of what you think are the bottom lines won't exist."

Lao Xiao was speechless for a moment. Although he had worked in China for many years and had some understanding of the national conditions of the United States, he was still quite surprised to encounter such a situation.

Zhou Qingfeng then listed a few names. When he mentioned “Congressman Harrison” from Oregon, Xiao Jinlang interrupted him again:

"Wait, buddy, you mean Congressman Harrison from the 'Special Committee on Eastern Issues'?"

"Yes, it's him." Zhou Qingfeng was quite calm.

"He is extremely anti-China."

"Being anti-China is my job, and collecting money is my life."

Lao Xiao pursed his lips and nodded heavily. Although he had seen many "two-faced people" in the country who said one thing and meant another,
But he had never seen a congressman like Harrison, who was so powerful and emphasized the "Threat from the East" in the media every day, accept money so blatantly to do things.

"Hiss..." Lao Xiao shook his head and sighed helplessly, "Brother, please continue. I'm worried that my brain is not enough, so it's better to remember it."

As he spoke, he took out his notebook again, opened a page, and the tip of his pen hovered over the paper, waiting for Zhou Qingfeng's next name.
-
When the notebook was filled with shorthand codes that only Xiao Jinlang could understand, the atmosphere in the room gradually became solemn.

It was getting dark outside the window, the street lights were brightly lit, but the safe house was still dim.

"Xiao Zhou, why didn't you return to China before?" Xiao Jinlang put down his pen and looked directly at Zhou Qingfeng, his eyes revealing some confusion and concern.

"I can't go back."

Xiao Jinlang was very confused and tried to read more information from Zhou Qingfeng's expression, but there was no emotion on that cold face.

Zhou Qingfeng found it difficult to describe his current state.

He has a sense of mission, or an urgent sense of crisis - deep down he hopes that he is the only one in the world who has been enhanced by the "X" virus.

Whether it is making friends with US congressmen or trying to eradicate Diaz, the "Tree of Justice", he subconsciously does not want to be surpassed.

Even if it cannot be avoided, he wants to delay the emergence of other enhanced people, and hopes that he can continue to become stronger. He does not want to live a life where he is suppressed by others.

Xiao Jinlang whispered, "Do you know where the US military's research base for Project 'X' is?"

This question is very sensitive.

Zhou Qingfeng has shown Lao Xiao the "excess deaths" report from the Efficiency Department, revealing the terrible impact of the "X" virus.

Lao Xiao deliberately emphasized his tone, "If we ever need to take action, the country will want to know where to launch missiles. This may sound like a joke, but necessary intelligence gathering is essential."

Zhou Qingfeng sneered and shook his head: "I'm also investigating. I also want to know which bastard came up with this thing."

Xiao Jinlang sighed, his expression becoming even gloomier: "Alas... In fact, similar situations have been discovered in China.

RNA fragments of the 'X' virus were found in sewage samples from hundreds of cities, confirming that the 'X' virus had been spreading everywhere at least half a year ago.

This has also been confirmed by some overseas agencies.

Domestic research teams are already working like crazy, eager to develop a vaccine.

However, the academician in charge of Project 'X' has issued multiple warnings, saying that this virus has a strong ability to self-replicate and evade immunity, and that a global outbreak is likely to occur within a month.

At this point, Xiao Jinlang stood up and said, "I have to go. Your blood must be sent back as soon as possible. Perhaps it can speed up the development of the vaccine..."

"It's useless." Zhou Qingfeng gave the most pessimistic answer: "In this era of globalization, the most effective way to deal with the 'X' virus is only one.
Efficient isolation, strict disinfection, and a 'shelter'."

Xiao Jinlang stood there in a daze. After a while, he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Qingfeng's hand, "Xiao Zhou, how do you know all this?
What secrets can't be told? Your words may save many people. "

Zhou Qingfeng shook his head indifferently, his eyes revealing a deep sense of powerlessness: "It can't be saved."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the last bit of hope in Xiao Jinlang's heart. His hands slowly loosened, and as if all his strength had been drained from him, he slowly took a few steps back.

"Take care." Lao Xiao glanced at Zhou Qingfeng, turned around and left the safe house, heading towards the unknown darkness outside the door.
-
At night, Thomas from the Efficiency Department drove home in a very bad mood.

Yesterday, he presented his superiors with detailed data demonstrating the "excess deaths" in the United States over the past three months, hoping to secure sufficient resources and authorization to lead a thorough investigation. His superiors were astonished and praised Thomas profusely, lauding his milestone achievement.

However, all these beautiful fantasies were completely shattered in less than twenty-four hours.

This morning, his superiors suddenly changed their attitude and transferred him to investigate the Pentagon's audit problems, without mentioning the "excess deaths" case at all.

The U.S. Department of Defense has failed to pass its fiscal year audit for seven consecutive years, but those military leaders are not afraid of it.

Where does the $700 billion to $800 billion in annual military spending go? No one knows.

Transferring Thomas to investigate the Pentagon was tantamount to pushing him into a bottomless vortex. It was either sending him to his death or a subtle warning to keep him from interfering in matters he shouldn't be involved in.

"Why won't you let me investigate 'excess deaths'?" Thomas's mind kept replaying his superior's cold eyes and perfunctory tone, and the anger in his heart grew more intense.

He joined the government's Efficiency Department as a "dog" agent in order to pierce the darkness that shrouded the country, but he didn't expect that there was also darkness within the Efficiency Department.

Thomas finally returned home with a lot of resentment. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a strange atmosphere.

The lights in the living room were dim, and the young wife sat on the sofa, looking nervous. Her eyes were panicked, as if warning of something.

There was a man sitting on the sofa with his back to Thomas. He was a heavyset man, but he sat relaxed, as if he were at home.

"Damn it." Thomas subconsciously thought Zhou Qingfeng was here again, so he walked over quickly and cursed, "Victor!"

Thomas' heart sank as the man slowly turned his head.

It was a completely unfamiliar face—dark skin, stocky build, and a ferocious expression. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth that looked particularly ferocious.

"Who are you?" Thomas' tone instantly became alert, and his right hand subconsciously reached for the pistol at his waist.

But before he could complete the action, he froze in mid-air.

The strange strong man held a black pistol in his hand with a silencer on the muzzle, and pointed it steadily at his wife who was sitting at the other end.

Thomas' heart seemed to be tightly gripped by an invisible hand. His eyes moved back and forth between his wife and the strong man, and his mind was racing with countermeasures.

At this moment, the sound of crisp high heels came from the direction of the restaurant.

A voluptuous woman emerged from the shadows, holding a cup of ice cream, and greeted her dismissively, "Good evening, Mr. Thomas. My name is Monica, and I'm from the Department of Homeland Security."

Thomas instantly recognized the woman's identity, but forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Why would someone from the Department of Homeland Security come to me?"

Monica smiled slightly and gently stirred the ice cream in the cup with a spoon. "Don't play dumb. I came to see you for one thing—where is that bastard Victor?"

Thomas shook his head calmly, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know any Victor."

Monica's smile turned into a mocking one. She tilted her head slightly towards the burly man who stood up on the sofa.

The next second, a muffled gunshot broke the silence in the living room. The bullet whizzed out of the silencer and hit Thomas' wife's forehead accurately.

"No!" Thomas let out a shrill roar from his throat. The world in his eyes collapsed at this moment, and his original calmness disappeared.

He immediately wanted to pull out a gun from his pocket and fight back, but before his hand could touch the handle of the gun, the stranger's gun muzzle turned quickly and fired another shot very accurately.

The bullet hit Thomas's arm, killing him from fighting back. He held his arm and stumbled, screaming.

"Mr. Thomas, as a government employee, you actually cooperated with the criminal wanted for killing the governor. Do you really think the Department of Homeland Security can't find you?

Of course, it is not easy to find you.

Who would have thought that an Efficiency Department agent could be a mole? If you hadn't suddenly wanted to investigate 'excess deaths', we wouldn't have noticed you.

Tell me, where is Victor? How did you guys get in touch? Who are the other accomplices? What conspiracy are you planning behind the scenes?

Thomas tried to rush out, but was punched back by the strong man. He felt a sharp pain in his lungs and was unable to shout.

He wanted to use his other hand to take out his cell phone to call the police, but the strong man snatched the phone away as soon as he unlocked it.

Monica took the unlocked phone and sarcastically said, "You wouldn't be so stupid as to save that guy's number directly in your address book, would you?"

Just as Monica opened the address book to check, Thomas rushed to the home alarm installed in the corner of the living room.

Monica said lazily, "Stop him."

The sturdy man was obedient and quick to act. With a snap of his fingers, the bullet shot out of the gun and blew Thomas's head off.

The body fell to the ground, blood splattering on the wall.

Monica immediately panicked. "You Nigerien pig! I told you to stop him, not to kill him. I haven't even gotten the details yet."

The sturdy man was stunned for a few seconds, his eyes wide, and he retorted in a muffled voice, "It's you. You didn't explain clearly. You can't blame me."

At this moment, Monica really felt like she was communicating with a brainless pig.
-
The next day, Zhou Qingfeng received an email from Marco Shifa.

Last night, through the introduction of someone from a lobbying company, Lao Ma had dinner with Congressman Harrison of the "Special Committee on Eastern Issues" at a hotel in Washington.

The two sides fully exchanged views on the "Electric Flight" business in the United States and Zhou Qingfeng's bank account in the United States.

Councilman Harrison agreed to exert influence and first unblock the account of the 'Holy Light Foundation'.

The foundation still has approximately $270 million in funds, which will be donated to several charities designated by the congressman.

The second is Zhou Qingfeng’s personal account, where about $800 million in funds were blocked. Congressmen said that as long as these dollars are used in the United States, they can be unblocked conditionally.

However, when Marco mentioned some of the situations regarding the 'Tree of Justice', Congressman Harrison was vague and did not give a clear answer, and it was obvious that he still had some concerns.

In the email, Marcos described in detail every detail of the meeting with the congressman, and all the words were recorded according to the original text to ensure that there was no ambiguity or misunderstanding.

Zhou Qingfeng couldn't understand the vague literature in the officialdom, but Hammer could. He confirmed that the money could be unblocked, but more people had to be mobilized to solve the "Tree of Justice".

Just as the old man was planning to take Zhou Qingfeng to meet more "acquaintances" in Washington, "Gray Shark" sent a message.
A senior agent from the government's efficiency department killed his wife at home last night due to work pressure and then shot himself in the back of the head.

When he saw the name of the deceased, Zhou Qingfeng was speechless.

Old man Hammer patted him on the shoulder and said, "This business is so dangerous. You may be killed by your own people at any time.

But it's too late for you to quit now. Let me teach you how to become a qualified agent."

(End of this chapter)