Chapter 1740

"Hahaha, Comrade Commander, I've come specially today to pay you a visit." Holman laughed heartily.

"Please, Comrade Commander," Li Yunze also said.

The three men entered the hotel.

The hotel's decor was extravagantly luxurious; upon entering, one could see massive floor-to-ceiling windows, before which sat a banquet table, beside it a swimming pool, the air impossibly fresh, as if one had stepped into paradise.

A group of beautiful female waitresses filed out, carrying red wine, steak, roast duck, and various other dishes.

Each dish was visually stunning, making one's mouth water.

Zhang Yugan looked at the lavish spread and shook his head with a smile: "Old Huo, can you even eat all this?"

"Of course I can eat it," Holman chuckled. "After so long in Africa, I've grown used to plain tea and simple meals. This meal is rich, but back in Africa, I've eaten wild greens, tree bark, and roots."

"Wild greens, tree bark, roots—they're all what sustain human life," Zhang Yugan nodded deeply. "We Chinese must learn frugality, no matter the time."

He pointed at the mountain of delicacies on the table: "I don't know how you lived in Africa, but I estimate these dishes cost you half a year's salary."

This was indeed true, so when Zhang Yugan spoke these words, the mid-level officers in the military all felt a mix of amusement and helplessness.

But Holman, upon hearing this, laughed, then coughed twice to cover it up.

His chest rose and fell, his breathing quickened, as if he were struggling to control himself.

Ximen Wudi watched Zhang Yugan and Holman chatting warmly, and couldn't help feeling envious—this also greatly improved his impression of Zhang Yugan.

"Comrade Commander, how's your health lately?" Holman asked, his face always lit with a bright smile.

"Not bad," Zhang Yugan said. "Lately, work's been busy—I haven't been sleeping enough."

"That won't do," Holman said, turning to Li Yunze beside him in English: "Bring me one box of the medicine I brought—give it to Comrade Commander. It's for insomnia."

Then he said to Zhang Yugan: "Comrade Commander, I think this will ease your burden considerably."

The words carried deep thoughtfulness, warming the heart.

Li Yunze quickly agreed: "I'll send someone to get it right away."

After saying that, he added: "Professor Holman, you're truly considerate."

As he spoke, a mocking smile curled at his lips.

Li Yunze clearly had ill intent—he said this deliberately, and anyone with eyes could understand.

Holman, upon hearing this, showed no anger, still smiling, and patted Li Yunze's shoulder: "What would you two like to drink? I'll have someone prepare it."

Li Yunze's eyes flickered with a cold, ruthless glint: "Bring me a bottle of Wuliangye."

Holman said directly: "This is China. Chinese custom: guests drink baijiu, hosts drink red wine."

Li Yunze frowned, then said: "Then bring a bottle of Maotai. Comrade Commander shouldn't drink red wine—it'll make him drunk too easily."

Holman glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to another Russian man in black.

The man wore sunglasses, his expression unreadable.

"Mr. Apollo, let me toast you on behalf of Comrade Commander," the man said.

The moment he spoke, his true identity was revealed!

"I don't drink alcohol," Ximen Wudi said.

He didn't remove his sunglasses, still staring at the food on the table, his gaze blazing like a fire, as if trying to melt the table with it alone.

"I'm Kanalis," the Russian girl said to Ximen Wudi with a smile.

The moment she spoke, Zhang Yugan understood: this young man before him was none other than Kanalis, son of Russian Colonel Kalagunis!

This Russian girl had once participated in the National Youth Military Exercises in Nanjiang City, China, and had brief contact with Ximen Wudi—but nothing more. They never exchanged contact details, only seen each other a few times on TV.

Who would have thought, on foreign soil, he'd meet someone he knew.

"Oh, I remember now. You competed that time, and I was there too—but... you didn't perform very well then," Ximen Wudi said coolly.

His words struck straight to the point.

Kanalis didn't get angry: "Yes, your marksmanship was better back then."

"Thank you for the compliment," Ximen Wudi said, then kept eating, seemingly unaware his words had caused such a shock.

Zhang Yugan's expression became complex.

He instinctively thought Kanalis must have some interest in Ximen Wudi.

After all, in Zhang Yugan's view, Kanalis's beauty and figure were absolutely top-tier—tall, long straight legs, practically demonic. Such a woman couldn't be found a second time in all of Africa—who wouldn't like her?

"I have something to attend to. Goodbye," Kanalis said, rising and leaving without further conversation. This time, Zhang Yugan didn't stop her.

Watching Kanalis's slender back vanish beyond the Baoxiang Sect door, Zhang Yugan said: "Ximen Wudi, what did you just say?"

"Oh, Comrade Commander, I just told this Russian brother that Chinese beer tastes bad, and his lung capacity is terrible," Ximen Wudi shrugged, smiling.

Seeing Ximen Wudi's reaction, Zhang Yugan couldn't help laughing.

"Old Leader, if I'm not mistaken, you came here specifically to seek support, right?" Holman said cheerfully, looking kind and approachable—completely unlike his usual decisive, battle-hardened self on fighter jets.

"You're almost exactly right," Zhang Yugan smiled. "I'm feeling relaxed now—otherwise, I wouldn't dare come here alone from the capital."

Holman's expression turned deeply solemn: "Actually, so am I."

"What's going on?" Zhang Yugan asked, his smile fading as he saw Holman suddenly serious.

Holman looked out the window: "The enemy's hand has reached into China. I don't want China plunged into the quagmire of internal chaos."

These words made every military and political official in the room tense instantly!

Internal chaos in China?

Where is the enemy?

Holman continued: "I've received confirmed intelligence—there are enemies hiding within China's borders. But I don't know who."

Holman spoke slowly, each word chosen with extreme caution.

In this world, there were many people he was unwilling to mention or face.

"It's not safe here anymore?" Zhang Yugan was silent for a while before asking.

"Or rather…" Holman paused: "This place is going to be the eye of the storm."

That single sentence made the atmosphere in the room suddenly become unbearably oppressive!

This was the core region of Huaxia; if enemies had infiltrated, they must be harboring extremely destructive objectives!

Ximen Wudi raised his head, looked at Holman, and asked in a calm voice: "Is there any way to ensure the safety of the country?"

"Hard to say, the enemy will certainly have follow-up moves." Holman shook his head.

Ximen Wudi narrowed his eyes: "I need a chartered flight to the capital."

…………

Half an hour later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan that Ximen Wudi was riding in headed toward the airport.

"You two have worked hard all the way; I'll treat you to dinner tonight." Ximen Wudi said.

Because Zhang Yugan and Holman were both present, Ximen Wudi did not wear the set of Major General's uniform hanging on his military attire.

"You got it." Holman said cheerfully: "I've been wanting to sample the skills of your Huaxia chefs for a long time."

His preference for Huaxia cuisine probably far exceeded Ximen Wudi's expectations.

"I'm quite partial to Huaxia food." Holman grinned: "But this mission is rather arduous, so I still need to stuff myself first."

Watching the table full of delicacies, the fellow felt his stomach rumbling and couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

"Relax, both you and Li Daibing will earn merit and be rewarded this time." Zhang Yugan said with a smile: "Our Huaxia soldiers are all outstanding; no need to worry about someone else taking your livelihood."

Ximen Wudi smiled and said to Holman: "You may not know yet, but the situation in Huaxia recently isn't all that optimistic either; certain ambitious schemers in the Western dark world are also starting to stir."

Holman nodded and said no more.

Zhang Yugan looked at Ximen Wudi and asked: "Are you short of people around you?"

Mhm, him saying that was tantamount to a direct announcement — I can dispatch troops to assist you.

Hearing this, Ximen Wudi burst out laughing: "That would be wonderful; I'm in urgent need of expanding my ranks right now, but I'm afraid my own authority isn't enough — what if I overreach and make a mess of things?"

That, though, was the truth.