Chapter 203: Strong Protest

“On behalf of Dream Technology, I strongly protest against the hegemonic actions of the United States, which have caused significant casualties among the employees of Dream Technology.

Mr. Li Shennan, an important shareholder of Dream Technology, has unfortunately fallen victim to this tragedy. This is a naked murder of peaceful civilians.

This is an instance of a nation overtly using military force to strike a multinational company’s facilities, setting a precedent that, if followed, will leave no place in the world safe.

We believe that the U.S. military has committed an act of terrorism!

Effective immediately, our company will regard the U.S. military as thugs!

We will impose comprehensive sanctions on the United States and will not sell any products to them!”

After the South Sudan government issued a condemnation of the brazen airstrike on its capital, RRein Leinar, president of the Germanyan headquarters of Dream Technology, released the above statement at a press conference.

If South Sudan’s voice is so small that it barely attracts Western media attention, then the statement made by RRein Leinar in Berlin, the heart of Europe, has certainly caused quite a stir in the Western world.

“It’s unbelievable that the U.S. military actually raised its knife against a company!” — Berlin Daily

“We need to be vigilant; our ally is abusing its military power!” — Le Figaro Times

“What exactly did Dream Technology do that made the United States bold enough to violate the sovereignty of a small country to carry out a military strike?” — The Times

…

Opinions and speculation are rampant, yet no one has commented on RRein Leinar’s so-called sanctions against the United States.

It’s just that no one believes a company is capable of sanctioning a superpower, especially in the fields of electronics and machinery.

As for the major powers, they watch with detached interest and quietly dispatch intelligence personnel to South Sudan to gather first-hand information.

What exactly is there that made the U.S. military so brazen to destroy it!

The United Nations on Blue Star has made a lukewarm statement, urging the United States to show restraint and to use military force carefully in international politics.

On the internet, countless articles burst forth, with mainstream opinion holding that the unprecedented attack by the U.S. military on a company is utterly bullying and absurd.

Many netizens believe that the realities of today’s world tell us that ‘might makes right’ remains the main theme of international politics.

‘Truth is always within missile range,’ a phrase that has evolved with the times, has also become a popular online catchphrase.

Of course, many netizens express their sympathy for Dream Technology as a company.

In anticipation of the self-branded consumer electronics the company plans to launch, they express eagerness to purchase and support them.

Upon the outbreak of the incident, Ning Shuangshuang immediately contacted Du Qiu.

“Du Qiu, did Mr. Li Shennan really perish in the bombing? Didn’t you say that was you?”

“It was just a simulated robot; we didn’t actually suffer any casualties.”

Ning Shuangshuang realized, “So this is the scheme you arranged, they make the first move, so you can take the grander step?”

“Sort of. I just wanted to make sure whether the Americans would attempt to kill me; now it seems they’re eager to eliminate me.”

Ning Shuangshuang voiced her concern, “You must be careful these next few days; do not show your face. If the Americans discover you’re still alive…

The carrier task force is about to dock, and once you board it, you need not worry about the Americans’ dirty tricks anymore.”

Du Qiu pondered and said, “I was about to tell you, I’m not planning to return to the country…”

“What?! Why not?”

Ning Shuangshuang exclaimed with a string of questions, “If you don’t return, you will always be in danger. The United States’ targeted elimination strategy has become very sophisticated, and it will be hard for you to escape their continued assassination attempts.”

“Don’t worry, the Americans’ every move is under my surveillance, and my counter-attack has been made. The first-line forces involved in the bombing have been completely annihilated by me.”

Since Du Qiu had spoken, the rest flowed more smoothly, “I have decided not to return because I need to struggle with the United States.

On the other hand, the harmonious forces within the country are so strong that if I go back, many subsequent tasks cannot be carried out.”

“Does this mean you will never come back?” Ning Shuangshuang’s tone was already a bit off.

Du Qiu comforted her, “Shuangshuang, why don’t you apply for discharge and then I can bring you here?”

Ning Shuangshuang hesitated; although she had concealed some information from her superiors for Du Qiu’s sake, she still had a deep love for the career to which she had dedicated her youth.

To be asked to retire now was naturally a hard decision to make.

But if Du Qiu does not return and she does not go to him, would the two of them just part ways now?

Another concern was, given her rank and position, even if she retired, she wouldn’t be able to leave the country for a long time. How could she reunite with Du Qiu then?

If it weren’t for this regulation, she would have decided to leave her job and run to him months ago when her mother had an issue in South Sudan. It’s because of this rule that she knows even if she leaves her job, she still can’t leave the country.

“Du Qiu, even if I resign, it’s likely I won’t be allowed to leave the country.” Ning Shuangshuang expressed her concerns.

Du Qiu laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ve got it handled. As long as you resign, I’ll find a way to get you out of the country.”

“Can you really manage that?” Ning Shuangshuang was somewhat incredulous.

Du Qiu boasted slightly, “I managed to leave the United States by plane right under GIA’s nose. How could getting you out of the country quietly be a big deal for me?”

Du Qiu, being young and having amassed a great deal of power, naturally had an enormous confidence welling up inside him and spoke with much more vigor.

Ning Shuangshuang thought for a moment and said, “Can I think about it?”

Understanding Ning Shuangshuang’s hesitation upon hearing this, Du Qiu knew how she had joined the security department and how she had risen within it step by step. She had faced life-and-death crises many times; this career had always been her passion.

“Of course, you can.”

“Du Qiu, thank you for understanding.”

Du Qiu said, “I know asking you to resign is somewhat selfish of me, but I want to tell you that you can still pursue your beloved career with me because I’m creating a world people dream of — Heaven!”

Ning Shuangshuang was stunned, “Heaven?”

Du Qiu explained, “Yes, there will be endless supplies, and we’ll achieve distribution according to needs, with no more worries about clothing, food, shelter, and transportation.”

“By the sound of it, isn’t that our country’s aspirational goal?”

“You could say that. But trust me, technological advancements will make all this possible without it being a dream.”

Ning Shuangshuang lit up with excitement and urgency in her voice, “Can it really be achieved?”

“Believe me, it certainly can.”

“Alright, if that’s the case, then I’ll submit my resignation tomorrow!”

“There’s no need to rush. I’ll inform you when exactly to submit your resignation. By the way, your mother is still in South Sudan and hasn’t rotated out with the medical team; how about I bring her here first as one of Heaven’s inaugural citizens?”

Ning Shuangshuang was taken aback, “But what about my father then?”

“For quite a long time, Heaven will still need to interact with the nations on Blue Star, and the diplomatic talents of my future, great ‘Mount Tai,’ will not be wasted.”

“Ptui, ‘Mount Tai’ indeed.” Ning Shuangshuang spat out, “My father hasn’t even approved of you yet, and now you want him to resign too; he’s even less likely to approve of you now.”

“To be honest, I really do need a representative of Heaven’s diplomacy, but not now, only when Heaven is officially established.”

Ning Shuangshuang was surprised, “Didn’t you just say you wanted my mother to be one of the first citizens of Heaven? Doesn’t Heaven exist yet?”

Du Qiu laughed and said, “I have a closed-base here in the Tanga Federation that can simulate the operation of Heaven.

I plan to first bring selected company researchers, scientists, and their families here to establish a small society.

Once Heaven is truly constructed, they will be the first citizens, moving very naturally into life in Heaven.”

Ning Shuangshuang couldn’t help but ask, “Where do you plan to build Heaven?”