"Are you saying that we can only watch helplessly as these rats escape right under our noses, while our powerful army is completely powerless?"
Durant, though reluctant to admit it, replied honestly, "Yes, sir. We have done everything we can. Right now, we can only rely on blockading the territorial waters in an attempt to find them, but the chances of locating them are almost zero."
"Then let's proceed with that. I need to think about how to handle the aftermath," Kwan Jianguo said, rubbing his temples, his face filled with worry.
This was not an easy situation to resolve. If mishandled, it could spark a new wave of turmoil domestically. He had just ascended to the presidency and did not want to be ousted by his political enemies so soon.
Whether for the greater good or for his own position, this matter needed to be settled quickly.
As for the question of war, Kwan Jianguo dismissed it after a brief consideration.
If the opponent were not Huaxia, then some form of retaliation could be considered. However, once the opponent reached this level, going to war could not be taken lightly.
At least for now, Kwan Jianguo had no intention of starting a war. Moreover, he knew that even if he was determined to do so, there would be those who would stop him at all costs.
This was not a trivial matter; a world-destroying war could not erupt over such a minor issue. Ultimately, they had lost in this round of conflict; otherwise, it would not be them who were feeling downcast.
Having lost this hand, they would have to accept the bitter fruit of their defeat.
"Sigh..." Kwan Jianguo let out a deep breath, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes.
...
The Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world by surface area, was also a desolate place that few cared about.
Aside from a few scattered islands on the sea surface, the only activity in this vast expanse came from cargo ships traveling between various ports. Beyond that, there was nothing but emptiness.
At the bottom of the ocean, there lay a tranquil and profound deep sea. At this moment, within this dangerous and mysterious expanse, a massive submarine, resembling a long noodle, swiftly advanced like a ghost beneath the waves.
The U.S. Military was also quite proactive; despite knowing it was like searching for a needle in a haystack, they dispatched numerous warships to the vicinity to search for traces of the submarine.
Unfortunately, no one knew the exact location of the submarine, and their efforts were destined to be in vain.
Two hours later, near the continent far from the center of the Pacific, Li Hong and his companions finally disembarked from the submarine and switched to an armored vehicle to rush back home to the capital.
The submarine was incredibly fast and wouldn’t normally take this long. However, in order to evade enemy searches, it had to dive deeper into the water. Additionally, they had taken several detours along the way to obscure their path, which extended their journey back to the mainland.
Breathing in the familiar air of his homeland, Li Hong felt as if his heart was about to soar.
The outside world was filled with countless wonders, yet his soul remained tethered to his native land.
Since setting foot on this familiar soil again, the tension that had gripped Li Hong for days dissipated in an instant. Finally returning home was no small feat!
Recalling the anxiety he felt in the hotel, the confidence he displayed at the press conference, and the confusion and fear during his escape seemed like fleeting memories now.
This adventure, though perilous, ultimately brought him unprecedented gains.
The Virtual Helmet skyrocketed in popularity, becoming one of the most sought-after technological products in the world—a significant achievement.
In those uncertain days, he witnessed a different side of Lin Ruxian and unexpectedly found happiness in love—his second major gain.
Faced with difficulties and dangers, he received support from his country; from then on, he had a strong backing from overseas—his third major gain.
Harboring goodwill but facing unfair treatment made Li Hong realize the harsh reality of "those not of my kind will have different hearts"—his fourth major gain.
A trip to Las Vegas was fraught with challenges, yet it also yielded numerous rewards. Now, as he reflects on the experience, he finds it hard to determine whether he came out ahead or behind.
They disembarked at a port in Bohai that was not open to the public, just a few steps away from the capital city.
In the face of modern transportation, this distance was merely a few hours' drive.
In the afternoon, the family of three finally returned to their familiar and cozy home.
After thanking the personnel sent by a certain department, Li Hong led Yuchen and Lin Ruxian through the door.
It had been over ten days since they left, and the house had been unoccupied for quite some time; a light layer of dust covered the sofa and floor.
Seeing this, Lin Ruxian shook her head and said, "It looks like resting is out of the question. We should hurry up and clean the house."
"Let's hire a cleaning service; otherwise, it would be too exhausting for you to do it all alone," Li Hong replied, feeling somewhat sympathetic.
Since they had given their housekeeper, Aunt Chen, a break before leaving, she wouldn't be back until they returned. Now that they were home, Aunt Chen probably wouldn't start working again until tomorrow.
If they didn't clean up now, they would have nowhere to sleep tonight. Therefore, Lin Ruxian's plan to tidy up was fully supported by Li Hong.
However, the house was quite large. If Lin Ruxian were to clean it by herself, she might not finish before nightfall. Considering his future wife's well-being, Li Hong thought it best to hire two cleaners from a service to help out.
Lin Ruxian glanced at Li Hong with curiosity and asked, "Aren't you here too? Why spend money on hiring someone from outside?"
Li Hong shook his head and explained, "I can't help; I need to check on things at the company. I have to leave soon; I can't stay home to help you with cleaning."
"Alright, Li Hong, are you planning to make me your servant before you've even married me? With such a big house, you're just going to sit back while I, an outsider, do all the cleaning?" Lin Ruxian pouted and shouted upon hearing Li Hong.
Li Hong rubbed his forehead and explained with a wry smile, "I've been away from the company for so long; I really need to check in. I've even hired two housekeepers to help you out. You can go buy groceries and cook now."
"What am I supposed to cook? The kitchen is covered in dust. How can I cook anything without cleaning it first?"
After her complaints, Lin Ruxian understood Li Hong's situation and said, "Fine, you go to the company first. I'll call the housekeepers to clean up, and then I'll take Yuchen to my mom's place. We'll have dinner there tonight."
"Sounds good. You two go ahead; once I'm done here, I'll head over to my mother-in-law's for a meal," Li Hong replied with a smile.
Lin Ruxian shot him an annoyed glance. "Get lost! Who's your mother-in-law? Don't try to get close; just hurry up and do your work. I still have things to take care of here."
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving now." Li Hong bid farewell to Yuchen and Lin Ruxian before driving off toward Baisheng Building nearby.
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