Song Zan's smile was a little awkward.
"This matter, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."
"Before you arrived, experts from the United States, citing concerns about leaks, had already dismantled all equipment related to nuclear submarines and US technology."
As expected.
The people of India, in the end, were too concerned with appearances.
Song Zan had spent so much time with him touring their country.
How could he not have had a chance to tell Meng Hao?
However.
Meng Hao didn't care about such trivial matters.
What he truly cared about was—
"The United States also knows I'm in India?"
Song Zan spread his hands.
"This matter is impossible to keep secret anyway."
"But, rest assured, while you are in our India, we will definitely guarantee your personal safety."
"I don't think the United States would risk offending our country by forcibly abducting you."
Meng Hao had almost been taken away by US agents in Hawaii. It wasn't a secret in the global intelligence community that the elder Ouyang had ordered China to deploy its fleet and dispatch agents to ensure Meng Hao's safety.
However.
Unless they tore each other apart and went to war.
Otherwise.
The United States would never publicly abduct Meng Hao while offending China or other major powers.
However.
Engaging in small tricks and secret abductions was still possible.
Meng Hao glanced at Zhang Xijin.
His gaze was meaningful.
After spending more than half a month together.
He had come to realize.
Zhang Xijin was no longer the frail girl she was six months ago.
He didn't know what methods or measures the military had used, but they had transformed her into a beautiful warrior.
While filled with emotion.
Meng Hao couldn't help but admire the country's military and China, with its millennia-old history.
Perhaps.
There were many incredible technologies he didn't know about that had been passed down.
Perhaps even human modification techniques.
A civilization with an unbroken history spanning thousands of years must possess hidden secrets, lurking beneath the surface, unknown to anyone.
Facing Song Zan's embarrassed expression.
Meng Hao waved his hand dismissively.
"Fine."
"I take money and do work."
"Anyway, I don't care for those US technologies."
Indeed.
As the "big fool" India.
The Western alliance, led by the United States, would certainly not give them the best technology.
The dismantled technologies, including the nuclear engines, were likely several generations behind the US's latest advancements.
"If there are no other issues, I won't disturb you further."
"All resources and personnel, whatever we have, will be supplied without reservation."
"If you have any problems, you can contact me directly!"
Song Zan was smart.
He knew that professional matters should be left to professionals.
All he needed to do was provide Meng Hao with the best logistical support.
...
Time flies.
The seasons change.
When Meng Hao departed from China for India, it was still early spring.
In the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed.
Early summer had quietly arrived.
As a country located very close to the equator.
India's summers were extremely hot and humid.
A ringtone broke Meng Hao's pleasant dream.
He patted the person next to him, Ke Ren... Zhang Xijin.
For months, Zhang Xijin, under the guise of protecting Meng Hao, had been inseparable from him.
Their relationship had gradually deepened.
Until half a month ago.
Their physical relationship had finally shifted from being platonic to intimate.
"This girl, she said she was protecting me!"
"She sleeps more soundly than I do."
"But who would call at this hour!"
Meng Hao groggily pressed the answer button.
"Song Zan, why are you calling so early?"
It could be heard.
Song Zan on the other end of the line sounded exceptionally excited.
"Dear Meng."
"I heard that the initial installation of the submarine was completed yesterday?"
"Ready for sea trials at any time, correct?"
This Song Zan.
His sources were indeed extremely well-informed.
When it came to work matters.
Meng Hao instantly became much more alert.
"Yes, the nuclear motor was installed yesterday. Both its power and efficiency are several times stronger than US technology."
"With a few more days of sealed testing, it should be ready to go to sea."
Receiving Meng Hao's affirmative reply.
Song Zan became even more excited.
"Dear Meng, you are truly amazing."
"I heard from the researchers assisting you that the newly completed Annihilation Type 2 nuclear submarine is extremely stable."
"A single maintenance of the nuclear reactor is enough for it to undertake missions for up to a year."
Meng Hao chuckled.
This was obvious.
I take your money, I do my job.
For the sake of the 500 million US dollars in remuneration and the vast future market of India, Meng Hao would definitely provide something of value.
"Yes."
"That is indeed the case."
"Moreover, your Indian researchers participated in the entire process of the nuclear submarine technology development... I will have them compile all the technical parameters later and leave them with you!"
The Indian researchers had intended to learn from him from the beginning.
Meng Hao had no objections to this.
Anyway.
Based on his understanding.
The technology used in India's Annihilation Type 2 nuclear submarine was not only several generations behind US technology.
It was also technology from China's decades ago.
Otherwise.
Meng Hao wouldn't have so readily given such core technology to India.
"Oh my, I don't know what to say."
"Meng Hao, you will be my father, my father's father, and the best friend of our India!"
"By the way, where are you now? Let's have a meal together!"
Meng Hao glanced at his phone.
Was he hallucinating?
It was indeed less than seven in the morning.
So early, where could he be?
Of course, he was in the mansion arranged for him by India.
And also.
Song Zan, who usually seemed quite sensible.
Was he too excited?
Dragging Meng Hao out for a meal so early in the morning?
Hmm.
Having his own "indigenous nuclear submarine technology," Song Zan's reaction seemed understandable.
However.
Meng Hao was currently inconvenienced.
"Uh."
"I just woke up."
"I haven't even washed up yet, wouldn't it be too shabby to go out?"
Meng Hao politely declined Song Zan's invitation.
Damn it.
He couldn't possibly say.
In the time it took to make a phone call.
Zhang Xijin had disappeared?
To be precise.
The bedding around his legs was currently rising and falling, and his waist was also exerting force.
Going out at this moment?
Was Song Zan out of his mind?
Song Zan, whose excitement had slightly subsided, suddenly realized.
"Oh my."
"Look at me."
"I got too excited."
"How about we have some dim sum later?"
"Is an hour enough?"
An hour?
That wouldn't be enough at all.
Meng Hao refused the invitation directly this time.
"Forget about breakfast and dim sum... How about we have lunch directly?"
Subsequently.
After hastily ending the call.
Meng Hao threw off the covers.
He found Zhang Xijin, whose speech was slurred.
"Good heavens."
"I'm still hungry, and you've already started having breakfast."
"Very well, then now, I've decided to eat you!"