Did the world end today?

Chapter 156 Neurotic Trojan Horse

Chapter 156 Neurotic Trojan Horse
12 hours later, Guangzhou.

David Julius stepped off the plane, stretched his slightly stiff limbs, and was about to head to customs when he found a van already parked in front of him.

He glanced at it with a hint of doubt, then lifted his foot to walk around it.
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At that moment, he still thought the car was there to pick up other "big shots" from the plane.

But soon, the car door opened.

A strange man walked up to him.

“Mr. David Julius”.

The man, speaking fluent English, extended his hand to him with a broad smile.

“It’s an honor to meet you here – we never expected you to fly directly from Munich.”

"You must be tired from the trip. Please get on the bus and rest."

"We will arrange everything for you."

David shook hands with the man with a reserved air, then asked in a half-joking tone:
"I think this is just a normal business trip, right?"

"Do you represent the businesses, or the government behind them?"

"Of course, it's businesses."

The man pointed to the logo on the van and replied:

"Look, we're from Fangzheng Pharmaceutical. My name is Xiao Yue, and I'm the Customer Relations Director. This is my business card."

"This car is also one of our company's vehicles."

"Of course, the place we're going to is also our office in Guangzhou."

"Everything is compliant. I assure you, this is just a normal business visit."

"Everything we're going to talk about is only related to business."

"If you feel it's not suitable, you can certainly leave at any time."

Having said that, David let down his last bit of guard.

He took the business card, glanced at it casually, and put it in his pocket. Then he stepped into the van and sat down in the same airline-style seat as in first class.

"Can you help me with the immigration procedures?"

David asked.

"One hundred percent."

Xiao Yue replied:
"All you need is your passport and ticket, and we'll process your application through the VIP lane."

"You don't need to have any worries, we will definitely give you the most convenient experience."

"Now, let's set off immediately."

"Should we go back to the hotel to rest first, or go straight to the company?"

David thought for a moment and replied:
"Let's go back to the hotel first."

"I'm really tired after a twelve-hour flight."

"Furthermore, to be honest, although your views on ion channels are novel and your samples are quite unique, they are far from being revolutionary."

"Indeed, indeed."

Xiao Yue still wore a harmless smile.

“I don’t really know much about the technical aspects, but your name is already an authority in this field.”

"If you think it's not disruptive, that only means one thing—our research does have flaws."

"That's why we're so eager to communicate with you."

"That sample was very peculiar."

"We are completely unable to digest it, but it might be more meaningful to an expert like you."

"Ah."

David nodded.

"Your trust also makes me happy."

"To be honest, this isn't the first time I've changed my schedule and flown elsewhere, but the last time wasn't a pleasant experience."

"Last time?"

Xiao Yue asked curiously:

"Where did you go last time?"

David exhaled heavily.

".New Delhi."

An uncontrollable smile instantly appeared on Xiao Yue's face, and then he forced back his laughter and said:

"That probably won't be very pleasant."

"I've been to New Delhi before, and the smell there..."

Xiao Yue shook his head, still shaken, and didn't continue.

Seeing his reaction, David also smiled.

It's certainly not because of their shared experiences.

Rather, it was because he was now basically certain that the man in front of him was indeed just an ordinary account manager.

A client manager who has no connection with the Chinese government.

He couldn't possibly be an intelligence agent. After all, what intelligence agent would be unable to hold back their laughter in front of important officials?

The atmosphere instantly relaxed. David turned to look out the window and said with a touch of wistfulness:

"The last time I came to China was 15 years ago."

"This place seems a little different from what I expected."

"So, is the Institute of Neuroscience at Guangzhou Medical University still in its original location?"

"If I have the chance, I would like to go back there for a visit."

"of course can."

Xiao Yue replied:
"You can stay here as long as you want—of course, I mean within the validity period of your visa."

"Hahahaha"

David laughed in relief, while Xiao Yue tentatively asked:

"Your attitude towards China seems to be more positive than that of some other scholars?"

"Just neutral."

David shook his head at first, but then said:
"However, even if it is just neutrality, it is still much more proactive than most scholars."

"That's how it is for you, isn't it?"

"Yes."

At this moment, the van had already driven out of the airport along the VIP passage. David's gaze was completely drawn to the buildings and scenery outside the window, and Xiao Yue wisely kept quiet.

The car drove quietly forward, and an hour later we arrived at the pre-arranged accommodation.

After getting off the bus, David asked with some confusion:
"This doesn't seem to be a hotel?"

“In fact, it is.”

Xiao Yue opened the electric door and got out of the car, then explained:
"This is a private club belonging to Huazhu Group—it is of a higher standard than a typical star-rated hotel."

"Of course, if you have any concerns about the environment here, we can immediately arrange for you to stay at a star-rated hotel under another international brand."

"It all depends on your wishes."

"Then here."

David shrugged.

"But please don't arrange any more 'special services' for me."

"That trip fifteen years ago was indeed a bit embarrassing for me."

"Don't worry, don't worry!"

Xiao Yue led David into the clubhouse, which was laid out like a Chinese garden. The entire clubhouse had been almost emptied out, and apart from the staff, David didn't see any outsiders. This made him very satisfied.

In any case, I was indeed deeply impressed by these Chinese businessmen in terms of "reception of important officials".

He entered the room, where his luggage had already been delivered.

A faint light shone from the study next door, suggesting that someone was waiting inside.

David looked puzzled and glanced at Xiao Yue, who was equally confused.

The two walked to the study door, pushed it open, and saw that someone was already waiting in front of the huge tea table.

The middle-aged man in the middle had already stood up.

It was Chen Yixin.

Then, he spoke:
“Mr. David Julius”.

"Welcome."

"We have been waiting for you for a long time."

10 minute later.

David drank the last sip of tea from his cup.

Then, with a serious expression, he looked at Chen Yixin opposite him and said:
"This is a scam."

"You used me and tricked me into coming here."

“Your actions will never be accepted internationally, and I will expose them immediately once you leave.”

"Do you know what this means? From now on, you will never be able to get any international medical support again."

"No scholar would want to set foot on this land again; they must consider their own safety."

"please wait a while."

Chen Yixin raised his hand to interrupt David, and then said:

"Before you make your judgment, please allow me to play you a video."

As he spoke, he pushed a tablet computer in front of David.

David frowned as he looked at the screen, which displayed surveillance footage of the airport arrival hall.

He didn't know what it meant, but soon, several men in uniforms appeared on the screen.

Those people walked toward two inconspicuous men in the corner of the arrival hall and quickly subdued and took them away.

Immediately afterwards, the view switched to the perspective of the dashcam.

According to the dashcam footage, this car had been following the van I was in ever since I left the airport, monitoring me the whole way.

David's expression changed instantly. He wanted to yell at them, but Chen Yixin raised his hand, signaling him to continue watching.

A dozen seconds later, the vehicle to which the dashcam belonged suddenly accelerated.

Then, at an intersection, the vehicle collided with a speeding light truck, knocking it over onto the road.

The scene shifted again, this time from the perspective of a recorder worn by one of the operatives.

The footage recorded by the recorder was very brief, showing the operation being carried out by the personnel on a high-rise building.

Shooting, arrest, first aid.

But from this footage, David can clearly see the garden landscape of the "private club" where he is staying in the distance below.

He looked up in surprise and stared at Chen Yixin, whose face remained calm.

Chen Yixin then took a box from under the table and placed it in front of David.

"In just the past hour, we have thwarted three assassination attempts against you."

"This box contains syringes containing a mixture of ricin and other toxins, which were found on the two assassins at the airport."

"Of course, to be precise, these are not syringes."

"It is a miniature needle launcher that can be used at long distances."

"If you are hit by it, you will experience poisoning symptoms within 2 hours and die within 4 hours."

"We welcome you to examine this vicious weapon yourself."

"However, you must be careful."

"Don't hurt yourself."

David's face was filled with terror. He instinctively reached out his hand, but quickly withdrew it.

"So...who wants to kill me?"

Chen Yixin sighed.

"Unfortunately, it's the CIA."

"Why? Why did they kill me?"

David was dumbfounded.

"I have no conflict of interest with them. I have very close relationships with all pharmaceutical companies, all medical institutions, and even the NIH!"

"I'm not the kind of person who would stand in their way; I'm on their side!"

"That's what we thought too."

Chen Yixin spoke:

"So, this was originally a normal business visit."

"You see, the person who received you actually knew nothing about us."

"But when we intercepted the first operational order, we realized that things were not so simple."

"Therefore, we immediately activated the emergency plan."

"Luckily, we stopped them."

"You survived."

David nodded slowly.

Deep down, he didn't want to believe Chen Yixin's actions.

But he also knew that the other party had no need to go to such great lengths to put on a show for him.