Zhao Weimin initially thought Lin Su’s search was unnecessary, so although they all helped with the search, he didn’t think they would find any listening devices.
This base was founded by these people; these old guys have worked together here for over a decade or two.
Qian Siming was forced to betray them because his son was in their hands abroad, but his heart was still with them.
But as they searched the library, archives, and even their dormitories and found one sophisticated listening device after another, Zhao Weimin slumped into his chair, speechless.
Betrayal can be so utter! How could Qian Siming, how could he strangle the child he raised with his own hands?!
Zhao Weimin couldn’t stand it. Pan, the old researcher who grew up with Qian Siming, sat next to him like a wilted eggplant, completely devoid of energy.
His heart ached, and his vision blurred. He couldn’t believe that someone who had been his brother had stabbed them in the back.
When Huang Weiguo returned from his business trip and learned the whole story, he was so angry when he heard that many listening devices had been found at the base that he trembled with rage and wished he could tear Qian Siming to pieces.
No wonder they were always intercepted when they sent out materials before; he thought it was just a coincidence.
It turns out there was such a deep-seated traitor within the base; it’s truly impossible to guard against!
Suddenly, Huang Weiguo remembered something, and he almost stumbled as he walked: “Notify everyone to have a meeting, immediately.”
Huang Weiguo’s voice cracked towards the end, showing how anxious he was!
Huang Weiguo’s broken-voice command, like a boulder thrown into a stagnant pool, stirred up a thousand waves in the base’s conference room.
All the key research personnel present went from shock to disbelief, and finally their faces turned a deathly pale green.
Qian Siming, that always smiling “good guy” who would lend a hand to anyone in trouble, actually drove so many “poisonous nails” into this base they regarded as their home right under everyone’s noses!
For a moment, the conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only heavy, suppressed breathing remaining.
It’s unclear who started it, but the crowd suddenly stirred, and the researchers, no longer caring about order, rushed to the technician in charge of registration at the conference table.
They all chimed in with their names and projects, their voices filled with panic and lingering fear.
“Me! He helped with the data processing for the ‘high-density alloy’ fatigue test in March!”
“And me! He participated in the algorithm optimization for the initial stability simulation of the ‘new propellant’ at the end of last year!”
“Last month, he volunteered to help review the code for the ‘Structural Mechanics’ module!”
…
With each project name announced, Huang Weiguo and several key leaders paled further.
These projects are all key areas that the base has been focusing on in recent years. Although they are not top-secret, if they were leaked, they would be enough for adversaries to clearly understand my country’s scientific research trajectory and technological foundation in this field.
As Zhao Weimin listened to these reports, his body trembled involuntarily.
He slammed his hand on the table, tears streaming down his face: “Beast! This beast! He’s going to personally present our hard work, our decades of effort, to others!”
The elderly researcher next to him had his eyes tightly closed, his lips trembling, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Gu Beichen stood in the corner of the conference room, his posture still upright, but his tightly pursed lips and the deep coldness in his eyes betrayed his inner rage.
His gaze cut through the chaotic crowd and landed on Lin Su, who was sitting alone by the window.
Unlike the others’ excitement, she simply sat quietly, her leather notebook open in front of her, occasionally jotting down a few key project names with her pen.
Her profile was somewhat blurred in the dim light streaming in from the window, her expression calm to the point of indifference, as if the chaos before her had nothing to do with her.
But Gu Beichen could sense an extremely oppressive, sympathetic sadness. Her mother’s inheritance was being coveted, and she was now witnessing her colleagues’ hard work being trampled upon.
“Silence!” Huang Weiguo, fighting off his dizziness, spoke again, his voice hoarse but carrying an undeniable authority.
“Now is not the time to panic! After registration, the heads of each project team should immediately work with Gu Beichen, the head of the security department, to conduct the highest level of risk assessment on all the links that Qian Siming has been in contact with!”
I need to know exactly how much of our stuff has been stolen!
He looked at Gu Beichen, his eyes filled with the resolute determination of someone entrusted with a heavy responsibility: “Commander Gu, you are fully responsible for the security screening and subsequent deployment within the base! I authorize you to take any necessary measures!”
If it weren’t for Gu Beichen and the translator, their base would have been doing all the work for someone else.
“Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!” Gu Beichen saluted, his voice firm and resolute. He knew this would be a tough battle, a tough battle to clear a minefield in his own backyard.
The meeting ended in a heavy and urgent atmosphere.
Everyone left hurriedly with solemn expressions, each throwing themselves into the intense work of loss assessment and remediation.
Lin Su closed her notebook and was about to leave when Gu Beichen’s voice sounded behind her, maintaining a deliberate, businesslike distance.
“Ancient translator.”
Lin Su paused, but didn’t turn around: “Commander Gu, please speak.”
“The security level of your mother’s notes needs to be further upgraded.” Gu Beichen walked to her side, his gaze level, his tone as calm as if he were giving a battle report.
“Qian Siming’s clear target is it, which means it is more critical than we thought. I suggest that I arrange for someone to guard it 20 hours a day, or I should personally take charge of its security.”
Lin Su remained silent for a moment. She knew this was the most rational thing to do, but entrusting her mother’s only heirloom, and her greatest secret, to this man…
“No need,” she finally spoke, her voice cool. “I will keep it myself. I know its importance better than anyone. I don’t want it out of my sight unless absolutely necessary.”
This is her bottom line, and also the instinct she has developed over the years to protect herself.
Gu Beichen did not insist. He understood her wariness, just as she understood that his suggestion at this moment was purely out of duty.
“Understood.” He nodded. “Then, please be sure to be vigilant, Advisor Lin. Also, regarding the ‘Shepherd’ organization, if you can deduce any information from the notes that might be related to their behavior patterns or technological preferences…”
We hope to share this information promptly. This is crucial for us to anticipate their next move.
“I will,” Lin Su replied, which was the basis of their temporary alliance. “If I find anything, I will pass it on through Platoon Leader Zhan.”
Recently, Lin Su’s security has been almost entirely handled by Platoon Leader Zhan, which is good, as it allows her to remain calm and secure.
Without further ado, the two parted ways at the end of the corridor. One went left, heading towards the laboratory filled with technological anxiety; the other went right, heading towards various parts of the base that would soon be filled with both visible and hidden sentries.
Although the alarm at the base has been lifted, the invisible tension has only intensified.
Huang Weiguo stood by the office window, looking down at the people hurrying by.
He sighed heavily, picked up the red secure phone, and connected to his superior.
He knew he needed to give a more detailed report about the storm at the base and the young ancient translator.
And the code name “Project Dawn,” which has been dormant for many years, will probably have to be brought up again.