Chapter 145: Protection

“Is today the day they arrive? Your whole family is coming, right?” Cheng Huanan pushed up his glasses. He remembered seeing Wu Tong in high spirits a few days earlier and asking her about it. As he recalled, it was her parents, along with her maternal grandfather’s family, who were coming.

“Wait a moment. I’ll make a call and borrow a vehicle from the university for you!” Cheng Huanan arranged it with a smile.

“There’s no need to trouble the university. Taking a taxi is quite convenient!” Wu Tong did not want her personal affairs to inconvenience the university. Taxis were readily available at the airport, so getting around would not be difficult.

Cheng Huanan waved a hand and made the call anyway. Only after everything had been arranged did he say, “This isn’t a matter of inconvenience. It’s necessary. Whenever you go out now, security personnel have to accompany and protect you. The university’s own vehicle will give us greater peace of mind. It also happens to let them shift from covert protection to openly accompanying you. Your safety is more important than you realize!”

The classified data connected with Wu Tong was no small matter. Moreover, with the T4 and T5 materials entering production and undergoing equipment testing, and with the decisive optimization of the WS-15S, Wu Tong’s exceptional and irreplaceable importance had become increasingly apparent. Her status had already advanced from the university’s priority list directly onto its classified list, and naturally, the security arrangements around her had been strengthened another step.

For a researcher like Wu Tong, someone capable of driving China’s technological progress forward by leaps and bounds, no degree of attention would be excessive. If she were not still so young and at the peak of her developmental years—and if it were not for the need to protect her by keeping her status undisclosed—she would already have been assigned her own official security detail.

“Uh…” Wu Tong looked somewhat bewildered. She had always stayed at the university, traveling only between the laboratory and her dormitory, and had never truly realized how different her circumstances were.

“I’ve arranged a minibus for you. The security personnel will blend into your surroundings as the driver, co-driver, and tour guide. The vehicle is here now. I’ll take you over to meet them!” Wu Tong knew that people had been assigned to protect her, but she had never actually met them. Cheng Huanan smiled. “Don’t worry. We’re simply taking precautions. The one acting as your tour guide is a native of the old capital and has an excellent way with words. He’ll make sure your family has a wonderful time sightseeing around the city!”

Because Wu Tong was so important, the people assigned to protect her were all seasoned operatives and elite professionals. They would not be awkward novices who failed to judge the proper boundaries and made her family uncomfortable or suspicious.

The teacher and student walked outside. A minibus was already parked in front of the laboratory. It had more than ten seats, enough for the entire family and the security personnel to travel together.

“You’ll have this vehicle throughout the National Day holiday. Return it to the university when you no longer need it. The university has no urgent use for it during the holiday. Of course, you’ll have to pay for the fuel yourself, and the vehicle’s wear-and-tear costs will be deducted from your salary.”

That way, no one could accuse them of using a public vehicle for private purposes. Cheng Huanan was experienced enough to help Wu Tong avoid such trouble. Besides, Wu Tong was hardly short of money for fuel and maintenance costs.

He pointed toward the vehicle and introduced the three men who had stepped down from it and come to greet Wu Tong. “This is Comrade Cai Yi, captain of the action team responsible for your protection; this is Wang Jie; and this is An Wenshu. Little An will be acting as your tour guide on this trip!”

“Chief, greetings!”

Cai Yi and the other two men immediately raised their hands in a standard salute. Wu Tong held no official rank, but according to the protection order they had received, she was the center of their operation—in other words, their chief.

More importantly, they had been given a basic briefing on the classified material and understood the extraordinary importance of this young student. They were proud to have been assigned the mission of protecting her.

“Hello. I’m sorry to trouble you. Just call me Wu Tong!” Startled by the sudden address and the salute, Wu Tong hurriedly replied, flustered.

“It’s no trouble at all!” Wu Tong spent most of her time at the university, living according to a fixed routine. She had already made their work much easier.

Traveling during a holiday and having family come to visit were perfectly ordinary things. All they needed to do was make thorough preparations in advance. They could not allow Wu Tong to remain confined to the university simply because she was afraid of causing trouble, as though she were under house arrest. It would be far too unfair to such an exceptional young person.

Cai Yi smiled, and the military firmness that had filled him a moment before vanished completely. His entire bearing changed in an instant, transforming him into the kind of inconspicuous passerby who would disappear into any crowd. His features were exactly the same, yet it was as though a real-life transformation had taken place. He had just demonstrated one of their special skills for Wu Tong.

Wang Jie and An Wenshu underwent the same transformation behind him, both becoming utterly unremarkable pedestrians. Wu Tong could not help examining them repeatedly.

“That’s incredible!”

“Nothing worth mentioning—just a minor trick. It’s basic procedure for us!” Cai Yi grinned, revealing a row of bright white teeth. Those who worked in close protection had to possess this ability. Without it, how could they conceal themselves while safeguarding their assigned person? They had shown Wu Tong a little of their professional skill so that she could witness their capabilities and trust in them.

Their presence would not draw strange looks to Wu Tong.

“Everyone has their own specialty. Wu Tong, go on. Relax properly with your family during the National Day holiday. You can’t keep burying yourself in the laboratory all the time!” Cheng Huanan said with a smile as he waved her onto the vehicle. “If anything comes up, we old fellows will shoulder it. It’s not yet time to squeeze every last drop of effort out of you young people!”

Wu Tong could endure a few sleepless stretches when inspiration struck, but ordinarily there was no need for her to remain in the laboratory at all times. During her first month at the university, she had been working almost nonstop. No one could keep their nerves taut forever. Her family had arrived at exactly the right time, giving her a chance to relax, recover her energy, and lift her spirits.

“All right, Teacher. Sometime over the next couple of days, please set aside a little time. My parents would like to pay you a visit!” Before leaving, Wu Tong arranged a time with Cheng Huanan.

Her teacher was busy in his own right. When researchers became occupied, holidays and non-holidays meant very little to them.

“You’re welcome anytime. Just let me know before you come. I’ve been staying at the university lately and won’t be going anywhere.” Recently, his main focus had been assisting Wu Tong with the development of the two new alloys. That was the most important task. He would normally have joined a project team whenever the new term began, but this month he had remained at the capital university to participate directly.

After bidding farewell to her teacher, Wu Tong followed Cheng Yi onto the vehicle and took a seat. Wang Jie was driving, An Wenshu sat beside Wu Tong on the inner side, and Cai Yi took the seat across the aisle on the other side. Their positions formed a natural protective angle, turning security into part of their ordinary movements and ensuring that it was present at every moment.

On the road, Cai Yi explained their arrangements to Wu Tong. “Wu Tong, during the National Day holiday, we’ll operate as a tour group while maintaining close protection around you. Wenshu will act as the guide and remain responsible for your personal security. Wang Jie and I will follow and keep watch. If anything seems unusual, just move toward Wenshu. Wang Jie and I will cover the surroundings and protect your family.”

“And if anything feels inappropriate, you can tell us at any time. We’ll make adjustments according to your wishes.” Their task was to protect Wu Tong, not restrict her. That distinction had to be kept clear.

“You don’t need to worry about causing trouble. This is our duty and our mission.”

End of chapter.