Chapter 137: Hao Ren’s Helping Hand

The incident this time is different from that of Huawei. Although I was inadvertently involved in the Goryeo nuclear issue, the United States has directly determined that I was ostensibly using environmental waste treatment equipment as a cover to intentionally sell centrifuges to Goryeo.

Moreover, just before New Year’s Day, Goryeo conducted another ballistic missile test, pushing the nuclear issue to the forefront once again.

Unfortunately, it coincided with a time when Tang Country had just managed to ease trade tensions with the United States, with agreements awaiting signatures.

At this critical moment, it’s unlikely that Tang Country would react aggressively for my sake.

After all, even with the affair at Huawei, that person still hasn’t returned, has he?

So, under no circumstances can I fall into the hands of the Americans.

“Star Ocean, the United States announced sanctions last night. It was daytime in Tang Country. Did the government spokesperson issue any statement regarding this matter?”

“They just issued one. It was merely a reminder to the United States to be mindful that Dream Technology indeed sold environmental waste treatment equipment, and it was someone who changed the core components for other uses. Dream Technology is not to be blamed.”

“That’s it? Nothing else?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

Du Qiu’s heart sank instantly and he said, “Star Ocean, use the instant messaging software I modified to send a message to Ning Shuangshuang. Ask her about the case against me.”

His earlier composure was gone. The case details should not be online yet, or only within the government’s internal network, which Star Ocean couldn’t access.

Du Qiu needed to understand the situation clearly. If he rashly returned to the country, he might end up in jail, becoming another victim of loopholes in the legal system that were manipulated successfully by others.

After all, even if he was eventually released without charges, and the state compensated him, the time he would be imprisoned could not be recovered.

“Sir, look at your glasses display. You can tell me what message you want to send directly.”

This instant messaging software was similar to WeChat and could push text and voice messages simultaneously. Du Qiu wanted to modify one, partly because future computing systems would need such software.

On the other hand, it was out of consideration for security and confidentiality.

With so much happening in the company, Du Qiu’s security concerns were even greater.

Before leaving the country, Du Qiu had specifically installed this software for Ning Shuangshuang and several high-ranking company executives.

“Shuangshuang, are you there?”

This message was sent out and almost instantly replied to.

“You finally have news. Have you escaped Las Vegas? I can no longer contact any of your company’s staff in the United States.”

“I have left Las Vegas. Don’t worry, the Americans can’t catch me.”

“Are you not worried about being discovered by the Americans when you’re online?”

“Don’t worry, I told you before, this software is very secure and I can access the internet at any time. By the way, I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Has the Tianhong Sub-bureau in Mont City filed a case against me? If I return to our country, will I be detained?”

Ning Shuangshuang immediately replied, “I am already investigating this. I believe I will soon understand the situation. I trust that you definitely did not embezzle public funds.

However, I used the account you gave me to purchase the relevant information, and I still have not received a response.”

Du Qiu gave a bitter smile. It seems the opponent has opted for paper documents, and some information, even if entered into the system, would be on the internal network. Star Ocean naturally couldn’t access detailed intelligence.

“Do you know who reported it?”

“I’m not sure. It was an anonymous report, sent to all leadership within the aerospace systems, accusing you of misappropriating public funds from Xingguang Precision for issuing bonuses to employees in your name.”

Du Qiu quickly reflected and understood; the report was definitely related to Fu Guochen.

However, he couldn’t recall ever using Xingguang Precision’s public funds for personal purposes.

Suddenly, Du Qiu remembered something. When Xue Ningmei’s Huading Group was in trouble, which nearly broke his cash flow, he seemed to have transferred 10 million yuan from the newly credited registered capital of Xingguang Precision. It was supposed to be a payment for the annual patent license fee to the R&D center.

But that transaction had a traceable record, how could it be considered embezzlement?

After the crisis, once he received a large sum of carbon fiber patent licensing fees, there were no such fund transfers anymore.

Not being able to figure it out, Du Qiu stopped dwelling on it for the moment. He was still on the run and couldn’t keep stopping on the roadside. Being caught in a routine check by a patrolling American police officer would be really bad luck.

“Shuangshuang, I can’t go to the consulate in Los Angeles for now. I got intel that GIA has people watching around the consulate.”

“Then… how do you plan to leave the United States? Otherwise, I’ll figure out a way…”

“Shuangshuang, you don’t need to worry about me for now. Just help me keep an eye on Dream Technology. Don’t let anyone bring it down while I’m not in the country.”

“Rest assured, I’ll keep watch. Uncle Er will help too.”

“Let’s leave it at that. I can’t delay any longer. If the GIA people catch on, I won’t be able to escape.”

“You… be very careful. If it really comes to it, don’t resist. It’s most important to save your life.”

“I understand.”

After ending the communication with Ning Shuangshuang, Du Qiu started thinking about how he might escape from this foreign land.

Du Qiu instructed Star Ocean, “Star Ocean, plan a route for us. Let’s head east first, away from the direction of Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Then GIA will have a harder time finding us.”

“Yes, I will plan it right away.”

Du Qiu quickly turned his car onto an eastbound highway, following Star Ocean’s plan, heading 300 kilometers away to Wi City.

Driving on American highways was still quite good, especially as it was nearing midnight and there were hardly any vehicles on the road.

Once Du Qiu’s car reached Wi City, following Star Ocean’s plan, he found an unattended parking lot to stop.

Du Qiu now had a problem: he had no identification, and if stopped by the police, his cover would be instantly blown.

He had to pick such parking lots and treat the car as a mobile dwelling.

“Sir, we need to switch cars quickly. By morning, the owner will definitely report this car as missing.”

“Have you found a new car?”

“There’s a Buick SUV here in this parking lot, also a high-end version. I can open it.”

“You mean we’re switching cars now? But if someone’s following the Mercedes, won’t they track down this Buick immediately?”

“I’ve thought of a plan that requires your help to adjust the Mercedes settings a bit. Then I can barely control it and drive it out of Wi City toward a nearby lake. I’ll dump the car in the lake.”

“Will the control work? Could there be any problems?”

“Hmm, it’s a very short journey, only seven kilometers. There should be no problem. The most important thing is that there are no cars or people on the road right now.”

Alright, it’s now past two in the morning, and the streets are ominously quiet.

“Alright, I’ll move to the Buick. After you handle the Mercedes, we need to leave here as soon as possible.”

It looks like on the road to escape, I’ll need to keep switching cars.

Half an hour later, Du Qiu was driving the Buick, having left Wi City. After exiting Wi City, he continued east for over an hour.

He found a stretch of road with woods and drove the car into the forest.

Du Qiu planned to rest and consider his next moves for escaping.

“Sir, there are two messages on your WeChat account. One is from Laiyinsoke, and one is from Hao Ren. Both are concerned about your situation.”

“Immediately send my instant messaging software to them to download and install. I will talk to them about my situation right away.”

Hao Ren was the first to get in touch.

“Master Du Qiu, Kim Zhenan is so bad, making you take the blame for something like this,” was Hao Ren’s first message, complaining about Kim Zhenan.

“Who could have foreseen such a situation.”

“Master Du Qiu, how are you now? You were just in America launching a product, and ‘Xiaobai’ is so cool.”

“Did you see the news? I just escaped from the GIA agents, and now I’m not sure how to leave America.”

“Hasn’t your country tried to arrange for you to leave?”

“The Americans are watching our consulate in Los Angeles. I might not be able to get in.”

“Then go to our country’s consulate. I will have my father send them a message. There will be no problems.”

“But there are probably GIA undercover agents all over Los Angeles right now. Going there now would be like walking into a trap.”

“Then head to New Castle City. I can arrange a boat there to take you to our Tangga Federation.”

“Really? Can you do that?” Du Qiu was pleasantly surprised.

“Of course, as long as you can safely enter our consulate in New Castle City.”

“Rest assured, I can definitely make it.”