On the sea.
Several speedboats cut through the waves, heading straight for Meng Hao.
Although the submarine had surfaced, this was not a good harbor. Even though Meng Hao had already emerged from the submarine, he was still over a kilometer from the shore. While, for Meng Hao, swimming over a kilometer was not an issue with his current skills, it would be rather inconvenient to be soaked wet upon his return to his homeland.
The soldiers, on the other hand, breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had been on high alert for hours, fearing that the submarine of unknown origin might suddenly launch an attack. Now, the crisis was averted. The other party was not an enemy but a compatriot from Da Xia.
As the crisis subsided, more and more attention shifted from the strange, stealth submarine to Meng Hao. They had clearly heard him announce his name. Thus, memories of him, long thought buried, resurfaced. Six months ago, the sensational news of Meng Hao's defection was recalled. Coupled with his image found online, almost everyone concluded that this was the genius researcher who had suddenly disappeared half a year ago, and whom the United States claimed had defected from Da Xia to join them.
"Mr. Meng Hao?"
"It's an honor to see you!"
"No matter what attacks you faced online, I've been your fan from the beginning. I never believed you defected."
The highest-ranking officer in charge of the on-site operation was a lieutenant colonel. He personally piloted a speed boat to Meng Hao's location.
"Mr. Meng Hao, please board the boat!"
"Also, there's one more thing, which I hope you can forgive."
"As per our superior's orders, you are not yet free to move about until higher-level command is given."
Indeed, Meng Hao had been missing for half a year. Military exercises between the United States and Da Xia were still ongoing, with over a thousand vessels engaged in exercises in the international waters off Australia, thousands of kilometers away. Therefore, before understanding Meng Hao's true identity and intentions, he could not be granted freedom of movement.
Meng Hao shrugged. He naturally understood the military's caution. However—
Meng Hao leaped onto the speed boat, expressing his understanding to the lieutenant colonel.
"That's no problem."
"But before that, can I have something to eat first?"
"Do you know how I've been surviving these past six months?"
The order to restrict Meng Hao's freedom was personally issued by Lieutenant General He Yu. As a soldier, the lieutenant colonel could not disobey. However, Meng Hao's request for a meal was not at all unreasonable and would certainly be fulfilled.
"Please don't worry about that."
"This was originally a tourist spot, with many restaurants."
"Whatever you can name, as long as it's legal, we can provide it."
The lieutenant colonel had even decided that, whatever dishes Meng Hao requested, he would ensure he ate them, even if he had to pay out of his own pocket.
"Garoupa? Salmon? Bluefin tuna?"
"Just name it, and I guarantee you'll eat your fill."
As long as Meng Hao cooperated, the lieutenant colonel had thought of every dish he was familiar with.
To his surprise, Meng Hao waved his hand.
"No, no, no."
"I feel like throwing up just looking at meat or seafood right now."
"I want to eat green vegetables, like cabbage and radishes, fresh vegetables."
Huh?
The lieutenant colonel looked utterly bewildered. However, he naturally did not refuse Meng Hao's request.
...
Kyoto.
The residence of Elder Ouyang.
Since the start of the military exercises, the elder's residence had been anything but empty. High-ranking officials gathered here daily to discuss specific countermeasures and the next steps of the military exercises.
"The military exercises have been going on for over half a month, and the US seems to be getting more and more frantic. Are they sure they're looking for Meng Hao?"
Someone voiced their doubts and suspicions. Indeed, it had been over half a year since Meng Hao disappeared and announced his defection to the United States. At this point, Elder Ouyang's judgment that Meng Hao had escaped US surveillance and was making his way back to China seemed somewhat illogical.
"Could it be that we've fallen for the US's trick again?"
"Is the US deliberately creating chaos to lure us in?"
"Is it possible that Meng Hao can never return?"
"Even more so, the possibility of Meng Hao being harmed is quite high."
"..."
Faced with the cacophony of discussions, Elder Ouyang's brow furrowed. All his actions and decisions were based on the premise that Meng Hao would successfully return to his homeland. If, as his senior colleagues speculated, this was all a US conspiracy, then the Chinese military would be in a very passive position.
Just as everyone was chattering, a civilian officer hurried in. A faint smile played on his lips. The civilian officer handed Elder Ouyang a still-warm printed document. Elder Ouyang glanced at it and immediately beamed.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately, and my eyes are strained, so I can't see the words clearly... So, you read it out!"
Huh?
The civilian officer was taken aback. He mumbled softly.
"A telegram from Lieutenant General He Yu, the highest-ranking official of the Guangdong Military Region, states that Meng Hao has appeared in their jurisdiction, piloting a self-developed submarine with stealth capabilities..."
Clearly, the officer hadn't grasped Elder Ouyang's intention and didn't dare raise his voice too high.
"Your voice is too soft, I can't hear you!" Elder Ouyang said with a chuckle.
The civilian officer instinctively glanced at Elder Ouyang and hesitantly read it again.
"Still can't hear it. Read it out as loud as you can, like you're shouting a slogan."
Elder Ouyang directly interrupted the civilian officer. This time, the officer thoroughly understood Elder Ouyang's meaning. He immediately raised his voice and, with a roar-like tone, shouted—
"A telegram from Lieutenant General He Yu, the highest-ranking official of the Guangdong Military Region, states that Meng Hao has appeared in their jurisdiction, piloting a self-developed submarine with stealth capabilities..."
Boom.
The news struck like thunder from the heavens, instantly silencing the entire room. After a long pause, the murmur of discussion began to resume.
"Holy cow, really? Meng Hao is back?"
"Elder Ouyang's judgment was correct once again. Meng Hao escaped from the Americans."
"It seems the US has been in chaos for the past period searching for Meng Hao."
"What's more, Meng Hao even brought back a brand new submarine!"