After listening to her father's brief introduction of the current situation, Shen Fei said in puzzlement, "Why not just call and ask clearly?"
Shen Songling shook his head and said, "Making a call is easy, but whether to believe or not is not up to us to decide, nor is it up to Chen Fei to decide. When someone wants to cause trouble, truth doesn't matter, excuses are most crucial."
Being experienced in Jianghu, Teacher Shen saw everything clearly, but understanding was one thing, and turning the situation around was another.
Basically, every family has its own difficult scripture, and no industry or corporation is an exception.
Both giants in the aerospace manufacturing industry, the National Defense Star Aerospace Company was entirely dominated by its chairman, who could even veto the board's decisions unquestioned. In contrast, Northern Weapons Industry Group's management structure focused more on collective will rather than autocracy. The advantage was stability and collaborative strategy which usually prevented major issues. However, the downside was slow responsiveness, numerous small interest groups, and inevitable internal strife.
After thinking it over, Shen Fei said, "Let's urge the 'Canglong' team to accelerate the research and development progress, to shut those people up with results!"
Indeed, it wasn't a bad solution to address the current criticism facing her father and the "Canglong" team.
"Easier said than done. For 'Canglong' to truly produce results, it would take at least two to three years; by then, it might be too late."
Shen Songling frowned deeply, pinpointing the biggest problem in his daughter's suggestion—time!
Since doubts had already arisen, they would only intensify. If nothing was done now, it would soon become uncontrollable.
Those who raised doubts wouldn't afford Shen Songling and the "Canglong" team the time to produce results. Even if they eventually did produce results, the credit might have already been claimed by others, making them irrelevant to Shen Songling. There wouldn't be any talk of unfairness or injustice, only two words—deserved!
"What should we do then?"
Shen Fei started to worry and seemed to make some resolution, tentatively saying, "How about I let Chen Fei secretly give some tips?"
Like the "Canglong" advanced combat aircraft, while the original and authentic research and development team was progressing "slowly"—not really slow considering the years-long development cycle of combat aircraft—comparison is the thief of joy. With just a borrowed shell, yet Chen Fei already possessed a complete set of mature design plans.
Maturity is determined by actual combat. If it can fly, land, perform stunts, and destroy enemies, then it's a mature product. Nobody would nitpick in this area; as they say, if you can do it, step up, otherwise don't bother.
If it weren't for her father, Shen Fei would not be keen on asking this favor from Chen Fei.
This set of battle-tested mature design plans belonged to the other party. Except for the publicly known aerodynamic design, the contents of the plans had nothing to do with Northern Weapons Industry Group.
Moreover, the group had already explicitly banned the other party from joining the "Canglong" team. How could they possibly have the nerve to ask for their design plans now?
"No. For the time being, you and Chen Fei should keep a distance!"
Shen Songling raised his eyebrows—they couldn't afford to add fuel to the fire at this moment.
Chen Fei had just dealt with "Canglong," and then made contact with people from National Defense Star Aerospace Company, Northern Weapons Industry Group's archrival. This had already cast suspicion on him. If his own daughter eagerly approached him now, it would truly be like getting mud in their pants—not from shit, but it would seem so!
Shen Fei was startled, but gradually, she came to understand.
Their relationship could easily be exploited, directing the blame towards Shen Songling. This was also the main concern for the special discussion about whether to incorporate Chen Fei, the Metal Ability User with industrial-level capabilities, into the "Canglong" team.
Concerns were just concerns, but once they became reality, the consequences would be quite severe.
Father was right; truth does not matter, an excuse does.
"But what about your situation?"
Shen Fei was worried about the pressure her father faced—high-level conflicts never involved trifles. It was either do or die.
"It's okay. Not doing anything unnecessary is the best support you can offer me."
Besides worrying about his daughter and that Chen boy complicating things, Shen Songling also had some strategies in mind. He immediately started making several calls to discuss and prepare for the forthcoming evaluation.
"Huh, pull one hair and move the whole body, Little Chen, you've really troubled your future father-in-law."
Miyoshi Monk, who had suddenly called Chen Fei over for tea, as an outsider, could still see the dynamics in the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" conflict very clearly.
The relationship between Northern Weapons Industry Group and National Defense Star Aerospace Company had always been tense. This event had led to another escalation.
Ultimately, it's all about interests.
"Canglong" is Northern Weapons Industry Group's cake. Once they realized their old rival wanted a piece of this cake—with billions already invested—the fallout from a failed project was something no one could afford, so flaring tempers were inevitable.
"What's up? Talk about your situation."
Quicker to react than Shen Fei, with just a casual remark, Miyoshi Monk made Chen Fei instantly aware of Teacher Shen's and her father's awkward predicament.
Despite his distaste for the cunning monk involving him in extraneous matters, he was quite grateful for the reminder.
However, the tea he was drinking now tasted bland, and he only wanted to quickly call Teacher Shen.
"Capture a person for me, the service fee is 100,000 Star Yuan."
Miyoshi Xuesen passed over a notice.
"A warrant? Does the Global United Defense Committee also handle these trivial matters?"
Chen Fei glanced at the document the other party had pushed toward him, puzzled.
Capturing wanted criminals should be the responsibility of international police departments, shouldn't it?
If not, then at least Bounty Hunters.
"This guy is special, might be related to 'Water Bear'. There are mistakes in killing, no one overlooked, to ensure there is no slip-up and other variables, only we can take action."
The monk handled his tea-making skills unhurriedly.
Whenever there was time, a leisure moment, he would conduct a tea ceremony in front of others: a mat, a table, a furnace, a pot, several small cups, burning incense, sipping tea.
"This guy hiding in the 'Abyssal Gladiatorial', is completely an amateur."
Chen Fei browsed through the information in his hands, only glanced a few times, his mouth twitched, and he said, "This guy is too dangerous, need more money!"
Nickname CopyCat, real name unknown, the most dangerous B-level special ability user, ability is to copy special abilities, through physical contact, copy other special ability users' abilities, currently known to simultaneously copy two different elemental powers, maintaining more than 10 hours, but not permanent copying, ranked 11th on the Blue Star Global Ability User Wanted List, 3rd on the Superpower Users Wanted List.
100,000 Star Yuan to capture such a person is just wishful thinking.
Miyoshi Xuesen leisurely added two pieces of walnut charcoal to the red clay charcoal stove.
In the crisp friction sound, the black wood charcoal that was just put in quickly covered up with a bright red glow.
"Help solve the trouble of Shen Fei and her father?"
Chen Fei very slyly tested.
Now being debt-free, his desire for money was not as strong as before, working at Jiu Defense Company for a few years, he could also afford to buy a house back home.
"Hehe, you sure know how to propose conditions, no!" Miyoshi Monk straightforwardly shook his head, then said, "The Global United Defense Committee will not and does not dare to meddle in such large-scale conflicts, spare us please! Just name a number!"
The backers of the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee were the major sovereignties of Blue Star, but to expect these two behemoths to give face and mediate, it was utterly wishful thinking, provoke them and they'd all attack.
"Really not possible?"
"Really not possible!"
"Alright! 5 million Star Yuan!"
Chen Fei casually threw out a number, and Miyoshi Monk, without lifting his head or opening his eyes, casually agreed.
He asked in disbelief, "Aren't you going to counteroffer?"
The monk matter-of-factly, seriously said, "First, my authorized budget is 12 million, second, it's not coming from my pocket."
Since he had already agreed, there was nothing to regret, Chen Fei nodded, recognizing the deal, naturally he would not backtrack.
It seemed he was still inexperienced in the ways of Jianghu, not ruthless enough.
But upon reflection, considering the advance payment of good faith (this time concerning Jiu Defense Company's blacklist), he hadn't made a bad deal.
After browsing through the information in his hands, Chen Fei got straight to the point.
"Tomorrow morning, the specific timing, I will arrange for someone to create the opportunity, remember we need him alive, at the very least, hanging by a thread."
Miyoshi Monk's slight worry finally settled, he was afraid Chen Fei after taking advantage would not agree.
After all, at this time, it was really hard to find suitable manpower, and also to have some level of cooperation and understanding.
Superpower Level is just a broadly shared general standard, if abilities are properly utilized or there is ability restraint, overpowering beyond one's level is not impossible.
After all, having cooperated so long with the Huntsman Squad, Miyoshi Xuesen never really regarded Chen Fei as a typical B-level special ability user.