Chapter 50: Natural Force

Ever since they had chatted on WeChat that morning, Du Qiu and Ning Shuangshuang would occasionally exchange a few words, though their conversations remained brief. Initially, Du Qiu thought nothing of it.

However, tonight Uncle Tang mentioned he had acted as a matchmaker, which caught Du Qiu off guard.

【Shuangshuang】: I saw the picture of the crystal cube you posted. Do you want to be a firefly?

A faint smile crossed Du Qiu’s face as he thought to himself, “Huh, she guessed my idea right away, even using the exact same words.”

With swift fingers, he typed out a line of text.

【Mengyou Xinghai】: Yeah, Qin Yun had some trouble tonight. Su Jianming thinks that the person behind it might be sent by “Wolf’s Kiss.”

I think since I have the item, it’s better to draw them in and catch them all at once—to prevent harming the innocent.

【Shuangshuang】: It’s better to take initiative than be passive.

【Mengyou Xinghai】: Have you been busy recently?

【Shuangshuang】: Quite busy. You should know about the person we caught last time.

【Mengyou Xinghai】: Right, you have discipline. I won’t ask more.

【Shuangshuang】: Take care of yourself, and if you need help, call me.

【Mengyou Xinghai】: Sure, I definitely will.

【Shuangshuang】: Good night.

【Mengyou Xinghai】: Good night.

The conversation with Ning Shuangshuang was, as always, succinct.

Du Qiu was about to turn off his phone when he noticed that Zhang Mingliu had sent him several messages in the meantime.

【Two Orioles】: Does your company need help with a soft article for promotion? I’m a big V in journalism, you know, with quite a few followers.

【Two Orioles】: Why are you not replying again?

【Two Orioles】: Did you turn off your phone?

【Two Orioles】: That’s really annoying…

…

Being hated is actually good. Better than her liking oneself again. Du Qiu thought to himself as he turned off his phone.

Looking at the crystal pillow arranged on the bedside, he hoped tonight he might find information related to this object in his dreams.

Praying silently, Du Qiu lay down, his head resting on the crystal pillow, and drifted off to sleep.

On the other side of Earth at New York International Airport in the United States, Imanka was going through customs.

At that moment, a white police officer approached and said, “Miss, please come with me. We need to talk to you.”

Imanka showed a surprised look on her face but didn’t question the officer.

Being stopped from leaving the country wasn’t common, but with the United States’ anti-terrorism efforts in recent years, such checks had become stricter.

Imanka, pushing a small suitcase, followed the white police officer into a room. Pointing at an inner door, the officer said, “Ma’am, someone is waiting for you inside.”

Imanka nodded slightly and then pushed the door open.

Feeling relieved as she recognized the person inside, Imanka closed the door behind her.

“Imanka, long time no see.”

The person in the room came forward to embrace her, then guided Imanka to sit down on the couch.

“Nesta, what happened? You actually arranged to meet me in such an urgent manner?” Imanka asked, frowning.

“I heard you were flying to Shanghai in China, so I used this method to see you.”

The person sitting opposite Imanka was a white, middle-aged man in his early 40s, wearing silver-rimmed glasses and neatly styled brown hair.

He seemed scholarly and well-mannered.

“I sent you a specific report earlier. The business trip to Shanghai is a mission personally arranged by Walkerson.”

A hint of disdain flashed in Nesta’s eyes as he said, “There’s a more pressing mission now, which can utilize your current identity.

So, your undercover mission with Natural Force will be canceled. Once this mission is complete, you can return to the headquarters in Langley.”

Imanka’s face revealed shock. “What urgent mission? You’re canceling my current undercover mission? Don’t we need to monitor Natural Force anymore?

You know, it took me three years to become Walkerson’s secretary, and we have all their recent activities under control.”

With indifference, Nesta said, “The new director believes we should focus most of our resources on the East. We can temporarily ignore these domestic extremist organizations.”

Imanka spread her hands, saying, “Alright, I’ll follow orders. So, what is this urgent mission?”

Nesta explained, “China is building their third aircraft carrier in Shanghai. Although still conventionally powered, they’ve managed to solve the electromagnetic catapult problem.

Looking around the world, only our Ford-class carriers have such technology. So we need to get a handle on the construction progress and details of this carrier.

However, over a week ago, our people were cleared out by the other side’s security personnel. In the short term, we don’t have suitable people to reinsert.

Your report indicates that Natural Force’s research on the Yangtze River Mouth’s natural environment in Shanghai is a perfect cover. Their shipyard is right by the Yangtze River mouth, making you the ideal choice.”

A shadow passed through Imanka’s eyes as she asked, “Then what about the task assigned by Walkerson to cooperate with Frank in retrieving the Maya crystal cube? Do I still need to complete it for them?”

Nesta chuckled. “Walkerson is really getting old. What crystal artifacts from Maya civilization? The crystal skull has long been proven fake, and this cube is probably a modern product as well.

Focus on our mission. As for retrieving the cube, it doesn’t matter.

The counterfeit gift technology of China is quite good. Maybe you can buy a crystal cube that looks exactly the same.”

Imanka was noncommittal, thought for a moment, and then said, “The Natural Force research activity is jointly conducted with the Shanghai environmental department. This period only lasts three months; I can’t carry out long-term surveillance.”

Nesta adjusted his glasses and calmly said, “You will be carrying out a transitional mission to fill the gap while we put longer-term pieces in place. Three months is enough.”

“Understood. In Shanghai, do I have a superior?”

Nesta folded his hands and quietly looked at Imanka, saying, “No, you’re a lone wolf. The intelligence you gather, transmit it back once a week directly through the ear system.

By the way, I’ve prepared a lifelike fish for intelligence gathering. Once you’re in Shanghai, someone will deliver it to your hotel room.

In Shanghai, you may engage in any other activities, such as… rekindling old flames with your ex-boyfriend.”

A flicker of annoyance passed through Imanka’s eyes. She stood up, took her suitcase, and walked towards the door, pausing there.

Looking back, she asked, “When I return this time, will I be able to see my brother?”

Nesta watched Imanka and finally said, “Your brother is free, you know. We never restrict geniuses!”

“Remember your words!”

Imanka said through clenched teeth before pulling open the door and walking out.

Nesta watched the empty doorway, a faint smile spreading across his face as he softly uttered a few words, “But we do control geniuses!”

Outside at the airport parking lot, inside a Cadillac sedan, Walkerson was on a phone call.

“Really? She was taken to the immigration room for a check? You follow her to Shanghai, but don’t disturb her, and don’t let her notice. Just make sure in the end you get what you need from her.”

After Walkerson hung up, the Black man in the passenger seat turned and asked, “Captain, are we sure Imanka is a problem?”

“No issue, finding out is good news. That guy who just met with her, you know what to do?”

“Understood, the Blood Wolf is watching. He won’t get away.”

“Do it naturally, don’t let Langley’s people trace it back to us.”