Kyoto.
An old man named Ouyang was tending to some rather unremarkable flowers and plants.
As an elder.
Spending his days in the company of sunlight and flora was quite meaningful.
A subordinate’s footsteps were hurried, yet his voice was exceptionally soft.
As if afraid to disturb the tranquility of the afternoon or the garden full of blossoms.
“Elder, I have a situation report from Stone Forest!”
The officer, arriving with haste, lowered his voice to report.
“Oh?”
“Stone Forest?”
“Did that young fellow Meng Hao stir up trouble again?”
The old man chuckled, patting the dirt from his hands, straightening his back, and settling into a bamboo rattan chair, his eyes half-closed. “What’s the situation? Read it out!”
Soon.
The officer recounted the recent events surrounding Meng Hao.
“Oh? More foreign-connected vermin crawling out of Hong Kong City?”
“They actually think they can force this young Meng Hao to go abroad by tarnishing his reputation. How interesting!”
“Why hasn’t Zhang Weimin dealt with these bugs?”
“Hmm, I see. This young man Zhang Weimin is quite cunning, wanting to use these foreign-colluding insects to pressure Meng Hao… A rather effective use of provocation!”
Old Man Ouyang listened to the report, occasionally interjecting with a chuckle, offering his commentary or expressing his opinions!
It wasn’t until the subordinate officer delivered the final piece of news that Old Man Ouyang fully opened his narrowed eyes—
“Hmm?”
“What did you say?”
“Meng Hao has just taken a car from Stone Forest directly to Shanghai and boarded an international flight to the Hawaiian Islands?”
The officer’s expression turned displeased.
“Elder.”
“Should we intercept the plane?”
“Has Meng Hao been swayed by America’s gilded bullets and plans to betray the country and flee?!”
The old man rubbed his nose, then gazed deeply towards the sky before chuckling and reclining again.
“No, absolutely not.”
“I’ve seen this young man Meng Hao myself. He’s not the kind of person who would sell his country for personal gain.”
“Besides, he wasn’t tempted when America offered 50 billion US dollars before!”
“Right, you reported earlier that Meng Hao publicly declared his intention to develop our Great Xia’s own lithography machine at Huirong Technology?”
The officer nodded, confirming it was indeed the case.
Old Man Ouyang grinned.
“Then it makes sense.”
“Previously, intelligence indicated that there was a batch of scrap lithography machines in the Hawaiian Islands.”
“But what can this kid do with scrap lithography machines? Could he be modifying them into functional ones again?”
“I’ve heard that the large and small mechs he built before incorporated American F-35 technology!”
There’s an old saying in Great Xia:
A person sitting at home can know everything under heaven.
Old Man Ouyang was clearly such a divine being.
However.
This more accurately represented that Old Man Ouyang and the military behind him possessed intelligence far beyond ordinary imagination.
“Talent should be trusted when employed…”
“But this young Meng Hao is too reckless in his actions. Doesn’t he know he’s already a hot commodity in the eyes of the US and other Western allies? He’s so rashly going into their territory, isn’t he afraid of being detained…”
“Right, the Russian Bear is currently ‘exercising’ with Western countries. Our aircraft carrier fleet should also make a move. Send an aircraft carrier fleet to patrol around the Hawaiian Islands. Ensure a show of force to let America know that unless Meng Hao himself is willing, no one can force him to leave Great Xia…”
The elder was indeed an elder.
With every gesture.
Every casual remark.
He exuded an imposing aura.
However.
It was also enough to show the importance he placed on Meng Hao.
To ensure Meng Hao’s safety and prevent his detention, an entire carrier battle group was being dispatched.
“This young Meng Hao is going to develop a lithography machine for Great Xia…”
“We old folks, our minds are too rigid, we can’t do technology…”
“But at least we should protect our own young ones, and not let him come to harm…”
Old Man Ouyang waved his hand with a chuckle.
He instructed his subordinate to quickly carry out the orders.
…
Meng Hao arrived at Shanghai Airport around 5 PM and boarded the international flight bound for the Hawaiian Islands.
After a long and arduous flight of nearly 10 hours.
He landed in the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu—which is commonly referred to as Honolulu in Great Xia.
Honolulu.
It is one of the largest islands in the Hawaiian Islands.
Situated in the central region of the Pacific Ocean.
With a coastline stretching 32 kilometers, almost any spot can be a natural beach.
Meng Hao departed Shanghai around 6 PM.
However, he arrived in Honolulu around 10 AM.
The 18-hour time difference made him a bit dizzy.
Jarvis called, saying he had encountered some delays and would only be able to arrive the next day.
That was fine.
To be mentally sharp for business negotiations tomorrow, Meng Hao decided to adjust to the time difference first.
…
Strolling along the sun-drenched beach.
Countless uninhibited girls in bikinis looked at Meng Hao.
Almost all tourists at the beach were dressed very lightly.
It was rare to see a young man like Meng Hao, dressed so conservatively and appearing listless.
And also.
This young man with an Eastern face was simply too handsome.
Innumerable uninhibited girls, whose views were far more open than those in Great Xia, immediately wanted to strike up a conversation with Meng Hao and head to a balcony with a terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows for an international, interracial encounter.
Declining these alluring encounters.
Meng Hao chose a less crowded spot to sit down.
After casually tossing out a thousand-dollar bill.
A most polite attendant immediately brought a large quantity of seafood and fruits.
Even a large bouquet of fresh flowers was presented as a gift.
With nothing else to do.
To pass the time and adjust to the time difference.
Meng Hao took out his phone and clicked into Xiaopo Station.
Well.
He intended to post an update.
[To all my anti-fans, keyboard warriors who stir up trouble, and fake passersby acting as impartial observers, I’ve arrived in the Hawaiian Islands!]
[Let me show you the bright sun and beaches here, perhaps it will bring a little sunshine to your dark hearts?]
Meng Hao originally intended to overcome the headache caused by the time difference, deliberately provoking those shouting anti-fans, keyboard warriors, and impartial observers.
Unexpectedly.
This update caused another stir.
“Holy cow?”
“Brother Hao went to the Hawaiian Islands in the center of the Pacific, a territory of the United States?”
“Didn’t he just announce that he was going to develop Great Xia’s own domestically produced lithography machine… why did he go to an island thousands of miles away?”
“Do you think there’s a possibility that Brother Hao bragged too big and just ran away?”
“No way, Brother Hao doesn’t look like that kind of person!”
“Are you that familiar with him to definitively say he’s not that kind of person?”
Meng Hao, having posted the update.
Did not stare intently at his phone, but instead picked up a few fruits and popped them into his mouth.
“Mmm, so sweet!”