A Valuable Connection

Within the Eastern District Bureau, Gao Dake, a man consumed by restlessness, sat anxiously in his office, eagerly awaiting news from Universal. Despite the clock ticking past 4 pm and only minutes remaining until 4:30 pm, he had yet to receive any updates. His mind raced, contemplating the current activities of Universal. Were they still in pursuit of the elusive box of shotguns, or had they achieved the remarkable feat of locating and salvaging it?

Seated in his office chair, Gao Dake found solace in the swirls of smoke from his cigarette as he delved into deep contemplation. Suddenly, the office door creaked open, disrupting his reverie. Another deputy director entered the room, breaking the silence.

  " Hey Gao, have you received any recent updates from Global Ocean Services? "  the deputy director inquired, his tone filled with curiosity and concern.

Gao Dake shook his head lightly, his expression reflecting both worry and impatience.  " Oh, not yet; it's almost 4:30, and it will be too late if we don't get the information soon. " 

The deputy director's face grew serious as he acknowledged the urgent nature of the situation.  " Yes, we don't have much time left. " 

A glimmer of a plan flickered in the deputy director's mind, and he took a long drag from his cigarette before suggesting,  " Why don't you call them and ask for an update, Gao? " 

Feeling a surge of determination, Gao Dake seized the phone on his desk, his fingers dialing the familiar number. He held his breath as he awaited a response from the other end of the line.

  " Hello, this is Gao Dake speaking. Can you please update me on the current situation, Mr. Liu? "  Gao Dake's voice trembled slightly with anticipation.

Liu Yong's voice resonated through the phone, exuding a sense of ease and cheerfulness.  " Hey, Gao, we were able to locate and retrieve the items. I'm leaving the office now and should arrive in about an hour. " 

The unexpected turn of events took aback Gao Dake. His mind raced to process the information, and soon, excitement overcame him. As he sought confirmation, his voice quivered with emotion  " Wait, are you saying that you were able to salvage the box of shotguns? " 

Liu Yong responded affirmingly,  " Yes, we were able to salvage the box of shotguns. There were ten in total, a significant quantity. I'm currently on my way to the office. " 

The confirmation brought an even greater sense of exhilaration to Gao Dake. His hand clutching the phone trembled ever so slightly, and his face lit up with pure delight as he exclaimed,  " Mr. Liu, that's fantastic news, that's wonderful! I'll send someone to pick you up at the gate of the branch office. " 

Moments after concluding the call, the deputy director, observing the conversation, expressed his surprise.  " Old Gao, have the things been recovered? " 

Overwhelmed with joy, Gao Dake vigorously nodded, his voice filled with excitement.  " Yes, you heard correctly. The box of shotguns has been successfully salvaged, and Mr. Liu is personally driving here to deliver it. " 

The deputy director chimed in, his admiration evident in his tone.  " Wow, Global Ocean Services is truly an impressive company. Thanks to their capabilities, this matter has been successfully resolved. " 

Gao Dake agreed wholeheartedly, acknowledging the immense assistance they had received.  " Yes, they have been of great help to us. With this box of shotguns as evidence, we will ensure that this case becomes ironclad. " 

Eager to share the joyous news, Gao Dake and the deputy director headed out, laughing and chatting animatedly, their steps guiding them toward the head of the Eastern District Bureau. They were determined to report the favorable outcome and provide their superiors with a sense of relief.

Meanwhile, Liu Yong embarked on a swift journey to the office, his foot pressing the accelerator with purpose. Despite the speed limit set at 80 kilometers per hour, he skillfully maneuvered his vehicle, maintaining an average speed of 80 kilometers per hour. 

Liu Yong possessed great reaction times, surpassing those of an average driver. His exceptional driving skills even hinted at the potential for a racing career had he chosen to pursue it, with the promise of becoming a champion with some training.

Throughout the journey, the box of shotguns remained securely stowed in the trunk of Liu Yong's car. Despite the initial estimation of the trip taking an hour, he arrived at the Eastern Branch in approximately fifty minutes.

The car glided to a halt at the entrance, catching the attention of Tian Fengyun and her colleagues, who had been patiently waiting. Tian Fengyun signaled the security guard to grant passage and directed Liu Yong to position his vehicle directly in front of the Eastern District Bureau's office.

  " Mr. Liu, thank you for your hard work, "  Tian Fengyun expressed gratefully.

Liu Yong, ever humble, replied with a modest smile,  " Where, where. " 

As the trunk opened, two policemen wearing white gloves delicately lifted the box of shotguns from the vehicle. They carefully documented the evidence, photographing it from various angles and scrutinizing it meticulously.

After a thorough inspection, one of the policemen affirmed,  " Yes, that's right, it's this batch of shotguns. " 

Satisfied with the confirmation, the police officers again sealed the box and transported it inside the building. Tian Fengyun politely invited Liu Yong, stating,  " Mr. Liu, our Land Bureau would like to thank you in person. We are waiting for you in the office. " 

Liu Yong accepted the invitation with a contented smile.  " Then please take me in. " 

Guided by Tian Fengyun, Liu Yong stepped into Gao Dake's office, where the atmosphere brimmed with gratitude. Gao Dake warmly expressed his appreciation, repeatedly thanking Liu Yong. As a token of their gratitude, he presented Liu Yong with a cash check of 500,000 yuan.

The gesture took aback Liu Yong, his surprise evident. Gao Dake, not wanting the connection to fade, requested Liu Yong's business card and added him as a friend on WeChat.

Exiting the East District Bureau, Liu Yong marveled at his good fortune. Not only had he earned 500,000 yuan, but he had also forged a valuable relationship with the police. It became clear to him that this endeavor had been worthwhile.

Returning to his villa, Liu Yong reached out to Bawang to discuss the progress on the sunken ship. Bawang had arrived near the wreckage, displaying boundless energy, seemingly unaffected by fatigue.

The sunken ship had already undergone significant dismantling, with various sections removed, including a powerful one-ton cannon that disassembled with remarkable ease, appearing no larger than a small toy.

Liu Yong's deductions were further confirmed through his communication with the Overlord. It became apparent that the warship was over a century old, equipped with rear-loading artillery that required modernization and updates.

Using utmost precaution, Liu Yong instructed Bawang to prioritize safety, particularly when handling the shells. He granted Bawang full autonomy in the process of dismantling the ship.

Relaxing on his comfortable sofa, Liu Yong observed the sunset through his window, knowing that evening was fast approaching. He picked up his phone and contacted Li Changle, proposing they have dinner together.

  " Lele, I'll come over later. Let's have dinner together, "  Liu Yong suggested.

Li Changle gladly accepted the invitation.  " Okay, I will wait for you. " 

After a brief exchange, Liu Yong set off for No. 2 Middle School in Huahai City, and they had a  super dinner together.

The following day...

Upon awakening, Liu Yong's first course of action was to contact Bawang and inquire about the progress on the sunken ship.

  " Overlord, how is the situation on your side? "  Liu Yong queried.

Bawang's response was filled with joy and enthusiasm.  " I have created a large opening on the side of the sunken ship, revealing multiple cabins inside. I am currently searching through these cabins. " 

If Liu Yong could witness the scene firsthand, he would be awestruck. It was not merely a matter of a large opening; the entire side of the sunken ship had been dismantled, exposing the hidden cabins within.

  " Master, it's incredible, "  Bawang conveyed, overwhelmed with delight.