Chapter 69: Behind the Scenes (Extra for Everyone's Selfless Contribution)_1

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Hearing the reporter's question, Jiang Yu first thought about the Operation Center's readiness to "kill the donkey after it left the millstone," cough cough, to "dismantle the bridge after crossing the river."

But then he thought it shouldn't be the case, because today's press conference was too critical. Botching this event would be bad for everyone involved.

So who sent this journalist?

Very few people in the Operation Center knew about the release of Kong Xiang, so who leaked the information?

For a moment, the press conference went deadly silent, then all the journalists turned their eyes toward Jiang Yu, many of whom had long been eager to dig up some dirt on him.

The staff members were somewhat at a loss, unsure whether to cut off the live broadcast immediately.

After a few seconds of oppressive silence, Jiang Yu asked the host, "Which media does the journalist who asked the question come from?"

The host answered: "Turkish NTV Television."

Jiang Yu countered the journalist: "Where did you get the information you mentioned?"

The journalist, holding the microphone and smiling, asked, "So, Mr. Jiang Yu, are you admitting that everything I just said is true?"

Jiang Yu chuckled, "Whether I admit it or not is another matter, but I suspect you are from ETO. Please have the security personnel temporarily detain him."

The reporter got anxious and shouted out before the security personnel could get to him: "Are you trying to arrest me to cover up the truth?"

"I will answer your question," Jiang Yu remained smiling. "And if you can't clarify the source of your so-called intelligence, then you are definitely ETO."

Two armed police officers took control of the Turkish journalist, causing a minor disturbance at the scene.

Jiang Yu raised his voice: "No one here understands the Trisolarans better than I do! No one understands ETO better than I do!

"I said something similar at the Operation Center meeting.

"And because of that, both ETO and the Trisolarans want me dead!

"Any form of attack I suffer is very likely a planned assassination by ETO from behind the scenes!

"The Operation Center will use this as a lead to strike against ETO!"

This was the speech Jiang Yu had prepared for this very moment. He continued, "I believe this journalist friend is an external member of ETO, and he needs to be investigated by the Operation Center to be set free."

The journalists looked at each other. Any unfriendly move towards Jiang Yu could be interpreted as ETO, so who would dare to continue asking the earlier question?

However, it wouldn't do to leave the Turkish journalist's question unanswered.

So Jiang Yu added, "As for the question asked by the journalist friend just now, I hope everyone understands a simple logic.

"First, you should know that the Operation Center has never charged me with any crime!

"So how coincidental is it that today, this so-called intelligence came into the hands of this journalist friend? And how coincidental that he is asking at a globally broadcast conference?"

Both the other journalists and audiences watching the live broadcast thought that if the Operation Center had never charged Jiang Yu with any crime, then the question asked by the journalist previously was likely to be baseless.

The Q&A was brief, but Jiang Yu had broken into a cold sweat.

Although he maintained a smile outwardly, he was already pondering how to dig out the mastermind behind all this.

The following question session went smoothly. After the press conference, Jiang Yu immediately called Chang Weisi: "General Chang, did you watch today's live broadcast?"

Chang Weisi took a deep breath, "We are already interrogating that journalist. Don't be anxious, we will give you a satisfactory answer."

Jiang Yu confidently said: "I think that journalist is definitely ETO, and behind him, there must be an ETO gang."

He said this only to draw Chang Weisi's attention. As for the background of that journalist, he himself wasn't clear.

Chang Weisi paused for a second or two: "I don't think so."

As Jiang Yu got into the car, he asked, "Have you found anything from the questioning?"

"Not exactly, but I know there are some people now, just like ETO, who see you as a thorn in their side!" Chang Weisi said: "If you think about it carefully, you should also be able to guess the identity of the other party."

Jiang Yu lit a cigarette with the hand not holding the phone. Did Chang Weisi know some inside information? But it seemed like he didn't want to state it clearly!

Jiang Yu took two drags of his cigarette: "I understand, if you get any results from the interrogation, please let me know as soon as possible."

In the back seat of the car, Jiang Yu murmured while smoking, "Relying on mountains, mountains will fall, relying on water, water will flow, one can only rely on oneself."

He contemplated whether he should use his current prestige to initiate a campaign against ETO, to deter the enemies lurking in the shadows?

While he was pondering, his phone suddenly rang—it was his mother, saying that three Operation Center staff had gone to the villa to investigate the matter from the press conference.

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After ending the call, Jiang Yu realized, when had their efficiency become so high?

The press conference had just concluded, and they were already starting an investigation?

Jiang Yu immediately realized that those three individuals were suspicious.

He lit another cigarette, suspecting that it might be a fallback plan of the "Turkish journalist."

Only by understanding who was behind them could he take the initiative in his moves to come.

Recalling what Chang Weisi had said not long ago, Jiang Yu quickly had a rough idea of his target.

If one were to talk about whom he had recently offended, then the four people who had requested access to the Poison Apple Project were the ones he had most seriously antagonized lately.

Jiang Yu wondered if there could be any connection between these people?

So he contacted Shi Qiang and asked him to get the records of those four applicants.

Just glancing through them, Jiang Yu immediately noticed that all four were researchers at large biopharmaceutical companies in Europe and America.

Pinching his chin, Jiang Yu felt that the outline of the situation was becoming clear.

Some wealthy individuals, upon hearing about the advanced Genetic Modification Technology from ETO or the combat headquarters, became eager to act.

Thus, the people from the biopharmaceutical companies sought information on Genetic Modification Technology, hoping to achieve their own ends, but Jiang Yu had stopped them all.

After their multiple failed attempts to persuade Jiang Yu through domestic lobbyists, they prepared to play dirty and smear Jiang Yu, so no one could stop them anymore.

In other words, the three people now at his villa, even if they were staff from the combat headquarters, were representing the interests of the people behind the biopharmaceutical companies.

Having realized this, Jiang Yu immediately had a plan for how to deal with them.

Returning to the villa, Jiang Yu strode into the living room, ignored the pleasantries of the three men, and sat directly on the sofa opposite to them, "Speak, what do you want?"

A younger man angrily retorted, "Jiang Yu, we came here with good intentions to help you, what's with the attitude?"

"Help me?" Jiang Yu laughed, "I'd really like to ask about the people behind you, what benefits have they offered you that you would disregard the interests of all humanity?"

Among the three men, the middle-aged leader gestured to the younger man to stop and then smiled at Jiang Yu, "My last name is Du, you can call me Chief Du."

Chief Du adjusted his black-framed glasses, "As we understand, you not only let Kong Xiang go but also killed someone in Mongolia, right?"

...

I, the author, got up bright and early this morning (uhh, does past eight count as bright and early?).

While sifting through Zheng Hong's book reviews (you should know which book), I stumbled upon a post by [Carmine Mask Powder] promoting my book.

To tell the truth, I was quite touched. Hence, I decided to write another chapter overnight as an extra update to show my gratitude.

A reader previously recommended a promotion for me, but it was rejected due to the low word count of my book.

I'm sure there are other readers who like the book and have done what they can to promote it, even if I'm not aware of it.

To all the known and unknown supporters, please accept this bow of gratitude from me, the author.

I have no other words, but I'm willing to risk hair loss to add updates as thanks to you all.

Though limited in talent, I'm committed to delivering my best work to you.

Of course, I also ask for your understanding as there are still many shortcomings in this book.

Especially since I'm planning to gradually add some original plot lines, I have no idea how they'll turn out.

But I'm willing to make the utmost effort to write this book well.

And having once contributed to a science fiction magazine, though apprehensive, I do have some confidence in creating original content.

Well, it's getting late; I need to sleep.

Oh, by the way, you might wonder, given the time, why I managed to update only three chapters today, right?

Some of you might have guessed, for the sake of livelihood, I still contribute to various magazines, with a significant portion of my energy devoted to those submissions.

Besides, I demand myself to revise each chapter three times (though typos still pop up occasionally) and insist on not writing filler content, striving to present the best to you all.

It's really late now, I'm off to sleep, the author signing off. Comments will have to wait till tomorrow.

Oh, right, one more thing, I'd appreciate another round of monthly and recommendation votes, (＾∀＾).