Chapter 173: Chapter 137: A Friend on the City Council (Double Chapter)
Wei Xueming wasn’t surprised and took a sip of tea, saying plainly, "Don’t be ungrateful. You’re not the only ones from the Chinese Academy of Sciences interested in this treasure, remember you owe me a favor."
Hearing this, Director Yu gritted his teeth, knowing that what the other party said was true. Although the Chinese Academy of Sciences is influential, there are others just as strong.
Once news of the Qingnang Book leaks, it’s uncertain whether it’ll end up in their hands.
"Alright, alright, consider it that I owe you a favor," Director Yu said helplessly. "But Qi Yun, that brat, is really slippery, almost got fooled by him."
Wei Xueming laughed and said, "That kid is indeed a bit crafty, but he can be counted on."
"Look at how he donated a meteorite before and now has handed over the Qingnang Book, it shows he still has patriotic sentiments. It’s normal for ordinary people to have their own ideas and requests."
Director Yu nodded, not saying anything further.
...
After leaving Wei Xueming’s office, Qi Yun drove straight home.
The little girl was already asleep, and only Zhao Qing was waiting for him on the sofa.
"So, how did it go? Was everything smooth?" Zhao Qing asked as she brought him a bowl of freshly brewed chicken soup from the kitchen.
Qi Yun took the chicken soup, looked at Zhao Qing gratefully, gently blew on it, took a sip, and then slowly said, "It went quite smoothly."
"Sorry, I promised to go with you to the renovation company today, but got held up again."
Zhao Qing gently shook her head, saying softly, "It’s okay, you can go when you have time."
Qi Yun put down the bowl, pulled Zhao Qing’s hand, hugged her, and whispered, "I may need to go to Hong Kong in a couple of days, leaving you to take care of Nuannuan alone at home again."
Zhao Qing was slightly taken aback, looked up at Qi Yun with a pout, a bit unhappy, "You just got back two days ago, and now you have to leave again."
Seeing her slightly aggrieved look, Qi Yun felt a pang of guilt in his heart, lightly kissed her forehead, and said softly, "I need to take care of some things, but it will only be for one or two days at most. Is there anything you want, I’ll bring it back for you when I return."
Hearing this, Zhao Qing finally nodded obediently, "Alright, I don’t need anything, just come back as soon as you’re done."
Qi Yun hugged her tighter, "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things quickly and hurry back."
...
The next day, while eating breakfast, Qi Yun checked the intelligence updates for the day.
[Current Intelligence Points: 9]
[Today’s Intelligence 1 (Red): The mistress of Boss Bi, Jiang Yue, and his cousin are colluding secretly, planning to embezzle 80 million from the company and take a flight to London tomorrow morning.
They are currently staying at room 1801 of the Hong Kong Central Hilton Hotel]
"Tsk, tsk~ still calling herself an assistant..."
"This Jiang Yue is quite shrewd, managing to handle both brothers at once."
Qi Yun frowned and pondered, he knew there was no reason not to help since he owed them a favor for that small villa last time.
"Tomorrow morning’s flight... looks like I’ll have to head to Hong Kong early."
[Today’s Intelligence 2 (Red): Japanese Fukui Sakaeda was found cheating in a big boss’s venue in Shenshui Bu and is currently detained at the "Major Tom" bar at 14 Nanchang Street, Shenshui Bu]
The second piece of intelligence puzzled Qi Yun, as he had no relation to the Japanese man, right? Is he supposed to rescue him?
"Getting involved with a big boss, how to save him, I don’t have that kind of leverage..."
[Today’s Intelligence 3 (Red): A newly opened Jade Stall at Hualing Jade Market A-201, in a pile of waste there is a soil-yellow rough stone priced at two thousand yuan, containing a small glass-type jade worth more than 60,000 yuan]
Seeing this intelligence, he suddenly remembered he had promised Shi Feng to help find a raw stone, and the opportunity had arrived.
So he immediately edited a message and sent it to Shi Feng, telling him to buy it himself at the market.
After sending the message, Qi Yun checked flights to Hong Kong, noting the earliest was at 2 PM, and it was just 10 AM now, so he should have time.
He quickly finished breakfast and began packing his luggage.
Just then, his phone rang, a call from an unknown number from the Capital came in.
"Hello, Mr. Qi, I’m Director Yu’s assistant. Do you have time now to come to Xin Da to sign a donation agreement?"
Qi Yun was slightly surprised, not expecting Director Yu to act so quickly. After thinking for a moment, he replied on the phone, "Alright, I’ll head over now."
After hanging up, he messaged Zhao Qing about the change in plans, saying he had to head to Hong Kong today.
Then, he quickly left, suitcase in hand, heading towards Xin Da.
Back in Wei Xueming’s office, besides him and Director Yu, sat a young woman, around 25 or 26, exuding a scholarly air. She was likely the assistant who called earlier.
"Qi Yun, you’re here, have a seat," Wei Xueming pointed to the nearby sofa with a smile, "Afraid you’d be in a hurry, Director Yu had the donation agreement faxed over first thing in the morning."
Qi Yun chuckled inwardly, knowing it wasn’t about him being in a hurry but their worry over potential complications.
The young woman opened her briefcase, took out a few documents, and handed them over with both hands.
Qi Yun thanked her, took the documents, and skimmed them, noting the six million yuan compensation for his donation to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, while the political matter wasn’t mentioned — naturally, such things aren’t put into writing.
He wasn’t overly concerned as he trusted the others’ integrity, especially with Wei Xueming mediating.
"Qi, regarding the Qingnang Book, the Chinese Academy of Sciences won’t disclose it for now. But when necessary, there might be a TV interview," Director Yu said calmly.
"A TV interview?" Qi Yun was taken aback, "Is that necessary? I prefer to stay low-key."
Director Yu was silent, while the young assistant explained with a smile, "Mr. Qi, your donation of the Qingnang Book is a significant patriotic act. Proper publicity would encourage others to contribute to the nation,
and help the public understand the Qingnang Book’s importance for medical research, also recognizing and respecting your contribution."
With her words, Qi Yun couldn’t refuse and sighed, "Alright then."
"Many people would strive for such an opportunity, and you’re still so reluctant," Wei Xueming teased him.
Director Yu also sighed, "I see now, this kid truly likes to make a fortune quietly."
Qi Yun didn’t mind, as long as he got the benefits, checking the time before smiling and saying, "If there are no further instructions, I should be going."
"Go, go," they replied.
...
Leaving Xin Da, Qi Yun headed straight to the immigration office, needing to get documentation for travel to Hong Kong.
Having never done this before, he assumed it could be issued on the spot, only to be told by staff it would take up to ten working days.
Disappointed, he stepped outside, lit a cigarette, deliberating whether to call Zhang Dayong for help.
But it seemed inappropriate to trouble him over such a small matter.
Then, a chubby image came to his mind.
"It’s me, Qi Yun." He called.
"Haha, I have an urgent matter, planning to head to Hong Kong today, but the long wait for this pass is a bit of a problem..."
"Okay, thanks for your help, let’s grab a drink when I’m back."
"..."
A few minutes later, an unknown call came in, Qi Yun answered and headed back into the hall.
Afterwards, he went straight to the airport.
...
Two more Chapters are being written, will post later.