M Country, S City.
Zhou Wu led Huo Rou and Qin Ningyi to a building.
Huo Rou looked at the familiar house and said, "Still living here?"
Zhou Wu pushed open the door and smiled charmingly, "Of course, I've been waiting for you to come back."
Huo Rou rolled her eyes at him and turned to Qin Ningyi, "Let's find another place, this one is moldy."
Qin Ningyi was happy to oblige and pulled Huo Rou back.
Zhou Wu shouted, "Wait, it was agreed that you would stay at my place before I take you to find the Songju."
Huo Rou turned back and looked at Zhou Wu coldly, saying each word in a chilling voice: "I need the Songju to save a life, don't joke with me about this."
Zhou Wu knew she was angry and didn't continue to tease. "Come in quickly, I bought this building, you can choose whichever room you want."
"Who are you looking for, and when can I get the Songju?" Huo Rou didn't want to rest; it was noon in M Country.
Zhou Wu's eyes deepened. He wanted Huo Rou to stay a few more days, but as Huo Rou said, she needed the Songju to save someone. If his selfishness caused a delay, Huo Rou would really stop talking to him.
"I'll contact him, and you'll go with me this afternoon."
Qin Ningyi held her hand, "I'll go with you."
Zhou Wu let out a contemptuous laugh, his sapphire-like eyes flashing with the vortex of the deep sea, "They don't welcome Chinese people. Rose can wear a mask and I can still conceal myself, but you?"
"Ningyi, let's split up. You go to the base." Huo Rou looked at Qin Ningyi with some pleading in her eyes.
There was no time to lose.
Qin Ningyi saw the urgency in her eyes and rubbed her hand with some difficulty, "Okay."
Zhou Wu contacted the other party and led Huo Rou to an industrial park.
"This is the largest cosmetics company in M Country, and we have a lot of cooperation. I've also helped them a lot. When we go in, you must speak in M Country language and don't give yourself away, they don't welcome Chinese people."
After Zhou Wu's instructions, he led Huo Rou to the entrance of a building, adjusted her mask, and was about to go in.
A car sped past, and it looked like it was going to hit Huo Rou. Zhou Wu, his nerves tense, pulled her over.
Huo Rou turned back and saw a familiar profile in the driver's seat.
Duan Rui?
He hadn't been to the company for several days and had reportedly resigned. Why was he here?
Huo Rou stared in that direction, lost in thought.
"Were you scared?" Zhou Wu asked her softly, afraid he had frightened her again.
"What company is that?" Huo Rou asked Zhou Wu, looking at where Duan Rui's car had finally stopped.
Zhou Wu glanced at it, "It seems to be an internet company here, quite capable."
"Do they hire Chinese people?" Huo Rou was a little surprised. Generally, companies in network security wouldn't hire people from other countries, especially when the relationship was so delicate.
"I don't know about that." Zhou Wu didn't understand these things and asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, let's go in." Huo Rou just kept the matter in mind and would discuss it later.
Upon entering the cosmetics company, everyone looked at the masked Huo Rou with vigilance.
Zhou Wu, looking relaxed, led Huo Rou to the CEO's office.
He exchanged pleasantries with the CEO in fluent English, "Hey, Ed, how have you been lately?"
His straightforward approach clearly showed he had a good relationship with the other party.
Ed looked up from his documents, his gaze then stopping on Huo Rou.
He instantly became vigilant, "Who is this? Your new girl?"
Zhou Wu shook his head and proudly introduced, "This is Rose, my goddess. I found her and brought her to show off to you."
Ed's expression visibly relaxed upon hearing the name. It was clear that Zhou Wu had mentioned Rose to him many times.
"I'm here for something," Zhou Wu said, getting straight to the point after seeing Ed relax.
Ed leaned back and smiled in surprise, "You're asking me for help? That's rare!"
"Tell me, what is it?"
Zhou Wu sat down casually, "I want the Songju."
"Hahaha, that's all? I'll have them bring you one right away." Ed burst into laughter.
Ed immediately dialed the internal number and asked for a Songju to be brought from the laboratory.
After doing so, he asked, "Although Songju is a good thing, its value is only fully realized in the laboratory. What do you want it for?"
Zhou Wu glanced at Huo Rou and said lightly, "My goddess deserves the best! How much, I'll pay you."
Ed's expression stiffened for a moment, then returned to normal. He looked at Huo Rou, who only revealed a pair of dark eyes, "To make your beauty smile, you're actually willing to pay."
An employee packaged the Songju and brought it up. He handed the item to Zhou Wu, pausing during the handover.
He solemnly warned, "I don't want your money; giving you one is not a big deal for me, but remember, don't let this thing fall into the hands of Chinese people. The export volume has reached its limit."
He clapped Zhou Wu heavily on the shoulder, "If China gets more Songju, it will be difficult for us to explain to the higher-ups."
Zhou Wu's eyes flashed, and he smiled relaxedly, "Of course."
The two left the cosmetics company. Zhou Wu thrust the Songju into Huo Rou's arms, "Next one."
Huo Rou looked at the Songju in her arms doubtfully, "Are we going to visit twenty companies?"
"Maybe more. Even Ed was only willing to give me one Songju, it seems this year's situation is even more severe."
Zhou Wu's expression was also not good.
In the past, whatever Zhou Wu asked of Ed, Ed would help him accomplish it.
Before, Ed would definitely have asked him how many he needed, not just given him one.
"Recently, has your China offended M Country?" Zhou Wu asked in a deep voice.
Huo Rou's eyes showed sarcasm, "As long as China exists for one day, M Country will not be happy, right?"
She also understood that China was in an important period, and M Country must want to take some action, so they were strictly controlling all important items.
"Let's go, next one." Zhou Wu's heavy mood vanished, "With my ability, Zhou Wu, I'll gather them for you one by one."
"However, for the next few companies, you cannot show your face. They won't be as kind as Ed."
As expected, the second company did not give Zhou Wu any Songju, only saying that the production was very low this year and there were no spares.
While the two were making slow progress, Qin Ningyi was on the other side, in a tense negotiation with the people from the Songju base.
"Ten billion." Qin Ningyi's calm and rational voice casually uttered this sum, shocking the person in charge opposite him.
He was tempted, but he had been instructed from above. Not even a little more could be given.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Qin, we cannot give you any extra this year."
The assistant next to him wanted to bid higher, as President Qin's instruction was that it must be obtained regardless of cost, but Qin Ningyi stopped him.