by <unknown>
Chapter 71: Brushing Past |
For Chen Chen who was no stranger to the display of international metropolises, Windhoek may as well be part of the slums. Everywhere he went, he only saw small buildings ranging from two to three stories tall. There were only a couple of high-rise buildings that barely met international standards a couple of hundred meters away.
The glimpse of reflection came from the top of the tallest commercial building among the bunch.
At that moment, that glimpse of reflection continuously flickered on and off like a chilling, radiant star shining mid-day.
Chen Chen remembered back when he was in high school, the teacher made a fitting analogy: When you stand at the side of a lake and look down at the lake by your feet, you would notice that the water appeared transparent. The reflection of the sun was not harsh either.
However, if you stood from afar and looked at the lake, you would see that the lake did not appear transparent. Also, the reflection would be incredibly harsh to a point where you could barely open your eyes.
This was what was known as the Fresnel Effect.
The Fresnel Effect was on observation that the amount of reflectance you see on a surface depended on the viewing angle. Apart from metallic surfaces, Fresnel Effect of varying degrees applied to all materials in the world.
By taking advantage of this natural effect and aligning his position and angle perfectly, Chen Chen had exposed the location of his assassin.
[He's 15° above my line of sight. If I treat both of our locations as two points of a triangle, the angles of the said triangle will be 15°, 75°, and 90° respectively.]
[The three sides of the triangle can be depicted as a, b, and c. I know that the distance between the building and the stage is 560 meters, therefore b = 560. In that case, a=560tan15° = 560(2-√3) = 150. Using Pythagorean Theorem, the result of c will be c = √（a^2+b^2）= 580.]
[Which is to say, the distance between me and the sniper is 580 meters.]
[There's a parapet on the building, therefore the assassin should have his sniper rifle set up on the parapet. The moment he fires, the powerful recoil will cause the reflection to vanish out of my sight. This means that the moment the reflection vanishes will in turn signal the moment the assassin fires his shots.]
[The wind is currently blowing from the northwest so the sniper's shot will be carried by the wind. The current wind speed is at level 3 at approximately 4.5 meters per second. A large-caliber bullet fired from a sniper rifle from 580 meters out converted by the angular minute equation: Range / 100 x Wind speed (Kilometers per hour)/Constant 14, the resulting angle is 6.]
[Also, an experienced, qualified sniper will be aiming for my chest instead of my head due to the surface area of the chest being larger and the lowered chances of displacement. Considering the impact force of a sniper rifle, the damage caused by a shot directed at the head or the chest is similar. Factoring in the minute angle displacement, if the assassin is aiming for my right chest region, the wind and distance traveled should displace the bullet to hit me in my left chest which is near my heart. I can dodge the bullet by simply moving 20 centimeters to the right.]
[Just to be safe, I'd better move 25 centimeters to the right.]
[A bullet fired from a sniper rifle travels at a speed of 800 to 900 meters per second. This means that the moment the reflection vanishes, I have a 0.644 to 0.725 seconds window to avoid it. But I'll also need to factor in the recoil delay, so the time is shortened to 0.5 seconds.]
[That's more than enough…]
This string of calculations may seem like it had taken a long time, in truth, it had only been less than four seconds since Chen Chen noticed the flash of reflection.
After four seconds, Chen Chen had relayed the location of the assassin by tapping on his phone.
"Everyone, there's a bright future ahead for nuclear power plants. As a form of clean energy, nuclear power plants will prove to be several folds more efficient than thermal power. By employing the most globally advanced third-generation nuclear power technology developed by my company, not only will it not cause any form of environmental pollution, the rate of error is equivalent to…"
At the same time that Chen Chen enthusiastically uttered the words "equivalent to", he noticed the white glimpse of reflection disappearing in his peripheral vision!
[Now!]
Chen Chen smiled with his arms held upright and took half a step back. The moment he stepped back, he seemed to have tripped on his own feet and lost his balance. He barely managed to stagger 25 centimeters to his right.
"Swoosh--!"
At the same time, a piercing screech passed by Chen Chen on his left. The violent airflow tore his shirt apart and left behind the trace of a bloody ravine on his left arm!
When it happened, the audience burst into screams and similar exclamations. Several large men dressed in black immediately rushed on stage and shielded Chen Chen behind their backs.
…
"No big deal, just a slight scratch."
They returned to the embassy. A Chinese medic expressionlessly treated his wound with iodophor and cotton swabs.
Most of the members of the expedition team gathered by Chen Chen's side, including Qian Wenhuan, Zhou Jing, Wang Liang, along with Anthony and the legal counsel, Jennifer, who were in charge of the business discussions. There was a gathering of the staff under them.
"Will the wound be infected?"
Qian Wenhuan had a look of shock on his face as he asked the doctor, "Doctor, is there anything we need to avoid after this such as avoiding food that's too spicy or too oily?"
"Just drink more hot water." The doctor rolled his eyes at Qian Wenhuan. He then exited the room after packing his supplies in the medical box.
"I can't believe that they'd stoop as low as this."
Wang Liang, who stood beside, frowned as well. "It's not like we have wronged anyone in Namibia. What's the deal with the flat tires and then the assassination."
"Spare the talk, get ready to pack up."
Chen Chen rubbed his arm expressionlessly, took his coat, and headed out. "Wenhuan, book the earliest flight available."
"… Understood!" Wenhuan answered. There seemed to be something else he wanted to say but he ultimately decided against it.
"Where are we going?" Wang Liang asked quizzingly.
"Leaving Namibia. Obviously." Zhou Jing rolled his eyes at this fellow colleague of his and walked out of the room.
"Please wait, Mr. Chen Chen!"
However, before they even had time to leave the embassy, a group of members from the investment department made their appearance. Apart from Lydia, Chichurel was present as well. An elder with ashen-gray hair was leading in front.
"Mr. Chen Chen, please wait for a moment!"
Lydia said frantically, "We take full responsibility for this incident. We never expected them to do something as vile as this, you…"
"Is there anything else you'd like to add?" Chen Chen brushed past the few of them. "Let's leave it at that."
"Mr. Chen Chen, please hear me…"
Chichurel quickly chimed in as well. "There's a Chinese saying: For a close friend to visit from a faraway place, is that not… Uh, no… Is that not reason to celebrate? You're a guest, we…"
Chen Chen did not show any signs of stopping.
Despite their efforts of persuading Chen Chen to stay, he was already on his way out the door.
"Please wait for a moment, Mr. Chen Chen."
It was at that moment when the elder leading them spoke.
"Mr. Chen Chen, this is Mr. Bajifi Zurama. He's the minister of the Department of Investment, the Mining Department, and the Energy Department!" Lydia, who was beside him, suddenly informed.
It was only then when Chen Chen halted. "Minister Zurama, excuse my manners. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"
"Only one thing."
The elder looked at Chen Chen with steadfast eyes, his voice was clear and distin
ct when he spoke, "The Namibian government is willing to adopt a policy of tax exemption for three years and tax reduction for five years, provided that the other conditions remain unchanged. This is to make up for what has happened today. Will this suffice?"
Chen Chen finally turned around and faced him with a frown. "I trust that this policy will not affect the original offer by your country. If it will, then you'll have to forgive me for refusing your generosity."
"It won't. I guarantee it on part of my position as the minister." The elder nodded.
Hearing this, the corner of Chen Chen's mouth finally raised into a smile. He stretched out his hand and firmly shook the hands of the elder before him.
"Pleasure working together with you, Minister Zurama!"
Chapter 72: Captive |
Upon receiving the assurance of the Minister of the Department of Investment, Chen Chen "changed his mind" and remained in Windhoek.
Very soon, it was midnight on the 28th December.
"Boss, I just spoke to them. The Namibian officials still haven't found the culprit!" in the room, Qian Wenhuan put down the phone and exclaimed angrily, "Worthless lot!"
Chen Chen was seated on a sofa nearby, playing with his phone. He said without even making a point of turning around, "Don't be upset, there's a good reason they can't find the culprit."
"Ah?" Qian Wenhuan turned to him blankly. "What's the reason?"
Chen Chen only smiled without explaining.
At the same time, Chen Chen's phone rang suddenly. He picked up the phone and heard Cheng Cao's voice coming from the other end. "Boss, the car is ready."
"Got it," Chen Chen replied.
Qian Wenhuan was taken aback, he just realized he had not seen Cheng Cao for an entire day. Apart from Cheng Cao, several bodyguards had gone missing for the entire day as well…
"Wenhuan, I'm going to give you two choices now."
After hanging up the call, Chen Chen suddenly raised his head with a solemn expression.
"Boss, go ahead…"
Qian Wenhuan felt a grip in his heart. He seemed to have thought of something.
"I'm going to take you somewhere in a short bit. When we get there, you'll see another side of the company."
Chen Chen lowered his voice. "After you see what goes on there, you'll have to make a choice – Join our ranks or simply refuse.
"Should you choose to join us, you'll become more or less a little restricted. For example, you can't just simply quit or leak confidential company information…
"Of course, you're free to refuse to join. If you refuse, I'll have you sent back to Switzerland."
Chen Chen continued explaining, "I'll assign you as Wynn's assistant. Once he retires, you'll take his place as the new head manager to fulfill my previous promise. Naturally, you'll have your freedom and can quit whenever you intend to."
"I…" Qian Wenhuan muttered.
"No need to respond yet."
Chen Chen advised sternly, "Think of your wife and children. Once you get involved with the other side of the company, you'll not have a chance to back out! If you plan to quit by then, I'll make sure to buy you insurance worth ten million so that the wife and children you leave behind will never have to worry about finances for the rest of their lives!"
Qian Wenhuan suddenly fell silent.
"You have one minute to consider." Chen Chen motioned at the mechanical watch on his left wrist.
"Boss, I've already made my decision."
To Chen Chen's surprise, Qian Wenhuan answered without so much as a thought, "I already saw something like this coming. I always knew that there was something more to the company. After all, how many companies would come all the way out to Africa to build a nuclear power plant?"
Qian Wenhuan smiled bitterly. "Besides, I can tell that you need more men. I figured I might as well bet on you. Who knows, maybe I can advance further by sticking with you?"
"You have that much confidence in me?" Chen Chen asked.
Qian Wenhuan nodded solemnly. "I can't explain it either but I can tell that there's limitless potential in you even though you're younger than me. My gut is telling me that I can't go wrong with following you…"
"Excellent." Chen Chen smiled. "I hope you won't regret this choice in the future."
After that, Chen Chen turned around and left the room.
Qian Wenhuan was taken aback. He quickly followed him.
They went to the ground floor of the embassy. Qian Wenhuan saw a bodyguard by the entrance of the embassy waiting for them in a Wrangler.
"Get in," Chen Chen said before getting into the car.
Qian Wenhuan walked around the other side of the car and got in as well.
After the engine started, the Wrangler made its way into the narrow traffic network of the city of Windhoek.
Things were more complicated than Qian Wenhuan had expected. From the moment the two of them got into the Wrangler, they rounded countless corners in the city. After about twenty minutes, they suddenly entered a deep, dark alleyway.
Before Qian Wenhuan could process what was going on, Chen Chen suddenly made him get out of the car and made his way into a rundown van.
The van was driven by another bodyguard. Qian Wenhuan glanced at the logo of the van, hmm…
It was none other than the iconic vehicle back in Mainland China – the Wuling Hongguang.
Qian Wenhuan had countless questions floating in his mind now but knew better than to voice them so he kept his mouth shut and followed Chen Chen's lead.
After switching cars for three more times, the two of them finally made their way out of the city. The car was parked by a deserted factory on the outskirts of the city.
"Boss." Outside the factory, Cheng Cao suddenly approached them, accompanied by two bodyguards.
"Any casualties?" Chen Chen immediately asked when he saw Cheng Cao.
"Yes, two of our brothers are wounded. One has a fractured sternum and the other a fractured leg, they are both hospitalized," Cheng Cao answered, "The rest is just minor injuries."
"All good as long as it's not life-threatening. Where are the others?"
"Posted inside waiting for your orders. We haven't forced a confession out of them yet."
Chen Chen nodded and let Cheng Cao lead the way until they saw two men inside a rundown engine room in the factory.
The two men were a black man and a white man respectively. They were both strapped onto the chair. The black man was built extremely large, almost double Chen Chen's size while the white man was on the smaller side but still looked energetic.
When they walked into the room, the white man lifted his head and inspected them with eyes like a falcon's.
"This is them."
Cheng Cao gave an army green-colored rifle by the door several light kicks. "This is what they used."
Chen Chen glanced down at the rifle. As expected, it was an AWP sniper rifle manufactured by British Precision International. It was one of the most classical rifles in the industry.
"Did they spill where they come from?" Chen Chen asked.
"Tara Private Security Company, that's all they told me." Cheng Cao shook his head. "They were recruited by the company. They don't know anything else apart from the company's orders."
Cheng Cao paused for a brief moment before asking again, "Are we going to do it the classical way?"
"Do they have mobile devices?" Chen Chen asked.
"Yes. I put them into the interference room to avoid location tracking," as Cheng Cao spoke, he turned to the man beside him, "Lil Wang, bring me their phones."
"Got it." The bodyguard beside him quickly left the room.
Chen Chen, on the other hand, walked in front of the two men. He drew two cigarettes from the cigarette box on the table and passed it to them with a smile.
The two men nodded to Chen Chen at the same time as a show of their gratitude.
He stuck the cigarettes between their lips and lit them with a lighter. Before he did so, Lil Wang
returned to the room running. "Boss, here are the phones you requested."
Chen Chen took a look at them. One of the two phones was a standard old school phone while the other one was an unbranded cheap smartphone with no password setup.
"We checked them previously. Apart from several contacts, there's nothing else in them," Cheng Cao walked over and informed them.
"Have you called those numbers?"
"We haven't called them yet to avoid alerting them unnecessarily."
Chen Chen nodded and inserted the few numbers into his phone. After a brief moment, Little X replied with an "OK" emoticon.
"Alright, let's go." When Chen Chen saw the message, he motioned to Qian Wenhuan and Cheng Cao, then turned around and left the room.
"Uh…" Little Wang and several other bodyguards were caught off guard. They looked at the two men strapped to the chairs then exchanged glances with each other, not knowing what to do.
Cheng Cao trailed behind Chen Chen. When he noted that no sounds were coming from the room even after them leaving, he unstrapped his gun and went back in.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!"
A series of dull gunshots rang across the abandoned factory.
Qian Wenhuan shot up suddenly. He kept his head low and followed Chen Chen without uttering a single word.
"This is the other side of the company." Chen Chen suddenly sighed before raising the question again. "What's it going to be? Are you still sticking with your previous choice?"
Qian Wenhuan nodded.
"Excellent." Chen Chen remarked while walking. "From here on, we're on the same 'team'. Wouldn't hurt to communicate with Cheng Cao more from now on since you guys are going to be the core members of the company."
"Ok." Qian Wenhuan agreed silently.
Except that his legs would not comply with him and continued trembling even after leaving the factory…
[ol][li data-annotation-id="9d9b1d38-274c-dc65-1595-b578b8ba17af"]A class of compact multi-purpose vehicle.[/ol]
Chapter 73: Rainbow Nation |
As the most advanced artificial intelligence entity in the entire world, Little X possessed the ability to effortlessly infiltrate satellite communications of all countries. Using the contact information obtained from the phones of the two Tara employees as a lead, Little X was able to trace it to the contact person of Tara company in Windhoek.