Grandpa and Grandma spent the entire morning preparing sixteen dishes, symbolizing that everything would go smoothly in the new year.
Yaya sat beside Liu Yutong, her little hands resting obediently on her knees. However, her eyes could not help but steal glances at the crystal-clear Eight Treasure Rice. She pursed her lips again and again, looking absolutely adorable.
Grandpa sat at the head of the table and, as the head of the family, spoke first.
Everyone, take a seat.
The adults who had finished their chores gradually took their seats. Yaya still maintained a very proper posture and did not touch her chopsticks.
Yaya, why aren't you eating? Grandma asked her.
Yaya replied in a milky, childish voice, If the elders haven't touched their chopsticks, children can't eat first. We have to wait for the elders to take the first bite.
At these words, all the adults at the table burst into laughter.
Grandpa was grinning from ear to ear. Good, good, our Yaya is so polite.
Saying that, he picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of fish. Grandpa has started, so you go ahead and eat.
Having received permission, Yaya finally picked up her little spoon, scooped up some Eight Treasure Rice, and started eating happily.
Compared to the heavy meat and fish dishes, she obviously preferred this sweeter food.
Liu Yutong could not help but remind her, Don't eat too many sweets. You need to protect your teeth, you know?
Yaya made a finger heart with her thumb and index finger. Sister, can I just eat a little bit more?
Before Liu Yutong could speak, Grandma chimed in, Let her eat a bit more. What's wrong with eating a little extra for the New Year?
Grandma, you are just spoiling her, Liu Yutong said helplessly, then turned to Yaya. Then remember to brush your teeth regularly.
Mhm! Yaya nodded her little head, then scooped up a few more large spoonfuls of the Eight Treasure Rice, eating with even more relish.
She looked at her grandparents again. Grandpa and Grandma, you eat too.
Alright, alright, we will all eat.
The atmosphere at the dining table gradually warmed up, and the family finished their lunch amidst talking and laughing.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room to drink tea and watch TV.
Yaya grew sleepy and lay on Liu Yutong's lap, yawning continuously. This was mostly a habit formed in kindergarten, where she always had to take a nap after lunch.
Sister, you smell so good, Yaya mumbled drowsily while resting on Liu Yutong's lap.
Really? What kind of smell is it?
Like... like a blanket that has been baked in the sun. Mmm... warm and fragrant.
Go to sleep now.
Liu Yutong took the small blanket Grandma handed her and covered the little girl, who quickly fell asleep.
The newly built house in their hometown had additional heating installed, so there was no need to worry about her catching a cold.
Gao Min finished washing the dishes and brought over two cups of tea, handing one to Liu Yutong.
Is Yaya asleep?
Yes.
Liu Yutong took the tea. Thank you, Sister.
Gao Min sat beside her with her tea, sipping it while watching the large TV, which was replaying last night's Spring Festival Gala.
A moment later.
Is something on your mind? Liu Yutong suddenly asked.
Gao Min turned to look at her. Is it that obvious?
Liu Yutong said, It's about Zhao Weixiang, right?
You are as scary as ever. Sometimes I really wonder if you can read minds.
Gao Min smiled bitterly. All the evidence points to him now, but if we can't bring him back, it is all for nothing.
The day my dad sacrificed his life... I still remember when he left the house that morning, he said, Girl, when Dad gets back, I'll take you out for your favorite hotpot, and then...
Gao Min turned her head away. After calming her emotions, she continued, I went to the police academy and worked desperately hard, all so that one day I could personally catch the person who killed him.
Now I have a pretty good idea of who it is, but the key suspect has hidden abroad. This feeling of powerlessness... Yutong, can you understand it?
The Dragon Kingdom and the Beautiful Country had no extradition treaty, which was indeed a huge problem.
Liu Yutong handed her the teacup and stroked Yaya's hair, saying, What if I told you I have a way to make him come back?
Gao Min froze for a moment, then shook her head. Don't comfort me. Without an extradition treaty, official channels won't work. As for other methods, don't tell me you would actually send your Wanlong Syndicate people to snatch him by force?
I admit your Wanlong Syndicate is very powerful domestically, but abroad, especially in the West, your people wouldn't be of much use. Plus, gun ownership isn't banned there, so the risk is extremely high.
What she said was the truth.
The Wanlong Syndicate was absolutely a formidable corporate group within the country, but in a foreign land where they were unfamiliar with the people and the environment, they would basically be useless. If the other side used guns, people could die.
I never said I was going to use Wanlong Syndicate's people, Liu Yutong said.
Hearing this, Gao Min looked at her in confusion.
Liu Yutong tucked the blanket around Yaya. The little girl smacked her lips in her sleep, hugging Liu Yutong's leg and rubbing against it, looking incredibly cute.
I know someone. His name is Jesse, of Italian descent.
What do you mean?
That man has some influence in the Beautiful Country. Assisting in catching someone shouldn't be a big problem for him.
After so much time had passed, Jesse had not been completely idle. Relying on the funds she provided and the support of his father's old subordinates, he had finally taken control of more than half the factions over there. Dealing with a guy who had fled from the Dragon Kingdom would be more than easy for him.
Gao Min seemed to have guessed Jesse's identity and did not ask any further.
She was just shocked by her younger sister's methods, quietly extending her reach abroad. Domestically, her sister was indeed very law-abiding. Even though the company looked like an underworld syndicate, they never did anything illegal. If it weren't for their long period of interaction, anyone else would find it hard to believe.
But it was different abroad. There were numerous gangs in the West, and they even had access to all kinds of weapons. Turf wars over there were truly terrifying.
With her sister's methods, would she actually turn into a real mobster over there?
Although Gao Min really wanted to follow her sister abroad to catch the man personally and keep an eye on her sister while she was at it, logic told her it wouldn't work, because her status as a police officer made it inappropriate.
Leave this matter to me. I happen to be going abroad after the New Year anyway, Liu Yutong said.
Gao Min nodded. Then you must be very careful.
Mhm!
After staying in her hometown for three days, Liu Yutong returned to Pearl City. Not long after she entered her office, Su Mansu knocked on the door and walked in.
Boss, all the preparations for the trip abroad are complete. Let me give you a report.
The members accompanying you on this business trip include Yun Cheng, Ji Yu, Chu Yang, Zhao Tianyi, Qiu Ciyun, three engineers, myself, and twenty bodyguards selected from our core members, forming a joint delegation.
She had not originally planned to let Yun Cheng go, but he was truly worried and insisted on tagging along. Perhaps in his mind, the danger level abroad was far higher than at home, so having one more person meant an extra layer of security. Unable to dissuade him, Liu Yutong had to agree.
As for Zhao Tianyi, his foreign language skills were quite good, and he was relatively knowledgeable about some foreign laws.
There was even less need to mention Qiu Ciyun and the others. They were among the main figures of this trip, and many of the itineraries revolved around them.
There was no need for extra arrangements regarding translation. As Liu Yutong's primary assistant, Su Mansu had studied abroad and was proficient in multiple languages, making her more than capable of handling the job.
Chu Yang was coming along because of his Special Forces background. He was the best marksman among them, and as for legally carrying firearms abroad, someone else would handle the paperwork for them.
The reason for bringing Ji Yu was even simpler: he was the chief bodyguard, tough as nails and a phenomenal fighter.
In short, the security for Liu Yutong's trip was practically maxed out.
"According to the itinerary, we expect to stay abroad for about two months. Our first stop is Berlin, where our main agenda is to tour the production lines of three microchip companies. The equipment we need for Longxin is primarily imported from the second-hand machinery phased out by these manufacturers. President Qiu reported that the negotiations are basically finalized."
"On March 3rd, we fly to Eindhoven. On the 4th, we will tour the ASML headquarters. We obtained an internal visitor permit through a company we secretly control, but our true identities must remain confidential, so we can't bring too many people. On the 5th, we have a technical exchange session with the Philips Research Institute."
"On the 7th, we head to Leuven to visit the IMEC microelectronics research center, which is one of the top chip research and development institutions in the West..."
"On the 9th, we fly from Brussels to San Francisco, followed by our Silicon Valley itinerary..."
"Also, boss, Miss Bai called. She said she plans to travel with us since she happens to be attending a fashion show there anyway. Furthermore, her family's main businesses are located in the West, and her father, who lives in the United States year-round, is hoping to meet with you."
"..."
