The beautiful CEO falls in love with me
Chapter 644 - 625:

Chapter 644: Chapter 625:

"It’s hard to say; our company would definitely pay, but how much that would be still needs to be discussed. However, if it’s a Chinese vessel, I can assure you there will absolutely be no bargaining!" Dr. Nakagawa said earnestly, "Last month, a Chinese oil tanker was hijacked here, and the pirates demanded a ransom of three million US dollars. Reportedly, without hesitation, they paid five hundred dollars, but they requested an invoice for ten million dollars."

"Really?!" The little brother’s eyes widened in shock.

"Absolutely!" Dr. Nakagawa’s eyes gleamed with cunning before he reminded, "If you go after them now, you might still have a chance!"

"Sorry, I’m only interested in Japanese vessels, not Chinese ones!" With those words, the little brother made Dr. Nakagawa feel desperate. He added before leaving, "Tell your company to prepare the ransom quickly, or else, there’s only one outcome: death!"

The ship was under the control of the Heavenly Reversal Gang, and the Japanese Government grew frustrated—those damned pirates, those damn robbers. The Japanese Government immediately ordered the Guard Team to close in on the Arabian Sea. It was a warning to the pirates. But with the ship and crew in the enemy’s hands, what could be done?

In the end, after much discussion, they decided to pay the ransom, but the exact amount needed to be carefully negotiated. So, a negotiation team was assembled to talk with the pirates, with both sides engaging in intense discussions over the phone, starting from five million and eventually settling on three million.

Japan prepared three million in cash, then dropped it into the Arabian Sea by airdrop. Soon after, a motorboat dragged the hefty crate back to the base. Quickly, Xiao Bai and Jiang Wei ordered the hostages to be released. In business, one must keep their word; if they reneged today, next time someone might not be willing to pay up. Nowadays, business is tough—all merchant ships are carrying a hefty arsenal for retaliation.

"Xiao Bai, do you think Brother Chen would be mad if he knew we were playing pirates here?" Jiang Wei, tanned dark by the sun, mused. Here in the desert, there’s plenty of sunshine but a lack of rainfall, with many areas being deserts and few green belts—those that exist are filled with large numbers of cacti and barrel cacti.

"Probably not?" Xiao Bai glanced at the dazzling blue sky and laughed, "Aren’t we also staying undercover? If our influence could expand globally, hehe, just this force alone would be enough to make Brother Chen proud!"

"That’s true!" Jiang Wei nodded and added, "But we should report back to Brother Chen later!"

"Mhm, that’s a must!" The two immediately agreed.

...

The growth of the Heavenly Reversal Gang seemed to have vanished from public sight, but it was still thriving in adversity. Rather than being eradicated by the extensive crackdowns within the country, the Gang grew even more steadfast within the hardships.

In China’s Southwest, the development of the Heavenly Reversal Gang skyrocketed with the help of Demon Moon. They quickly established camps around Myanmar, with Li Tieniu leading a group to train in the mountains and cultivate opium poppies, extracting narcotics to become a vital means of making money. However, Li Tieniu would not sell his drugs to China. They were determined to sell all extracted drugs exclusively to Japan and the United States, even if it meant lowering prices.

With initial investments assisted by Demon Moon, once the opium poppies matured and drugs were extracted, the Southwest branch of the Heavenly Reversal Gang was destined to cause a sensation.

"Wondering how Ye Chen is now," Demon Moon muttered.

"Demon Moon Leader, you can rest assured that with Brother Chen’s strength and resilience, such a minor setback can’t touch him!" Li Tieniu said with a grin.

"Then... where is Ye Chen now?" Demon Moon asked curiously.

"I don’t know either!" Li Tieniu immediately shook his head, "The last time we were in contact, he was in Hong Kong, setting plans for the future there. Afterward, Brother Chen disappeared, and no one knows where he went!"

"That jerk, always pulling stunts like this!" Demon Moon huffed, "Doesn’t he worry that one day when he returns, everything will have changed?"

"When you say change, you mean..." Li Tieniu was puzzled.

"I mean you all collectively betraying him and taking things into your own hands!" Demon Moon huffed.

"Heh, you can rest easy about that. Each of the Eight Hidden Generals of the Heavenly Reversal Gang is utterly loyal to Brother Chen; otherwise, he wouldn’t have appointed us as the Hidden Generals," Li Tieniu proclaimed proudly, "Brother Chen said that we eight are the pillars of the Heavenly Reversal Gang, supporting its development."

"I really want to see what Ye Chen is up to!" Demon Moon worried inwardly. The world was becoming increasingly bleak. The Church Court’s influence was gradually expanding, even sending missionaries to places like Myanmar, which concerned Demon Moon greatly. And the Church Court had already mobilized from Europe; except Antarctica, nearly every continent was infiltrated.

These powers were all potential disasters. As the saying goes, a levee is destroyed by an anthill. These were the termites continuously infiltrating, and once the time was ripe, the dam would break.

...

United States, Washington Airport, a solitary figure emerged. Carrying a simple bag and donning a hat, he was the picture of casual elegance. Stepping out from the corridor, he smoothly hailed a taxi. Slipping inside, he informed the driver of his destination.

The taxi immediately sped off.

The White House is the official residence and office of the President of the United States. It is home to the First Family and is thus called "The White House" in Chinese. Located in the heart of Washington D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue, it borders Lafayette Square to the north and Eliptic Park to the south, with the towering Washington Monument in view. It’s a white two-story building.

Soon enough, the taxi stopped at the entrance to the White House, and Ye Chen hopped out, glancing around. Then, with his head down, he walked along the driveway, from the main entrance to a side door at the rear. An elderly butler-looking man was watching at the door, his eyes brightening upon seeing Ye Chen as he approached with a smile and asked, "Are you Mr. Ye Chen?"

"Yes!" Ye Chen nodded.

"Please, follow me!" the old butler said respectfully.

Led by the old man, Ye Chen quickly entered the White House. They passed through the garden, walked down the corridor, and by an artificial lake with a fountain. Although Ye Chen had seen the beauty and advanced marksmanship of Leisure City, he couldn’t help but be deeply attracted by the beauty here. Ye Chen lightly smiled, "The White House truly lives up to its reputation, beautiful!"

"Thank you for your compliment. I will certainly convey it to His Excellency the President," the old butler nodded slightly.

The two arrived at the door of a room, and the old butler said politely, "Mr. Ye, please come in with me!"

Both entered the room, and upon opening the door, Ye Chen realized it was a study, filled with the scent of books. The rich aroma of ink made him take a deep breath. Inside, a middle-aged man sat in a chair with greying hair, his back to Ye Chen.

"His Excellency the President, Mr. Ye Chen has arrived," the old butler whispered softly.

"Mm!" the man nodded, his voice commanding. As the leader of a nation, that kind of presence and dignity couldn’t be matched by ordinary people. Standing behind him, Ye Chen felt that authority but was unfazed.

The butler gently closed the door, and the middle-aged man stood up and turned around. He was taller than Ye Chen. However, height doesn’t mean much. The man showed a slight smile and said, "Mr. Ye Chen, it’s said that seeing is believing. You indeed look more handsome than the rumors suggest!"

"Heh, thank you for the compliment," Ye Chen smiled gently, gazing at the man and said, "However, I’m curious about why you’ve personally sent for me in secret. What guidance might you have?"

"Sigh..." Obama glanced at Ye Chen and smiled, "I have much to discuss with you. Of course, as the Chinese say, ’get to the point.’ So, I will do just that!"

"Please speak!" Ye Chen immediately nodded.

"Please, have a seat. I apologize for any inconveniences," Obama said with a light smile. Ye Chen sat down on a sofa nearby and then looked at Obama as he extended a Cuban cigar toward Ye Chen, "Cuban cigars, care for one?"

"Heh, quite ironic!" Ye Chen said with a hint of a smile, "The United States has imposed a decades-long embargo on Cuba, yet here you are, the President of the United States, smoking Cuban cigars!"

"You don’t understand, this is politics. In fact, I have a special fondness for Cuban cigars," Obama replied with a light smile.

"Get to the point," said Ye Chen after lighting the cigar. It was indeed an authentic Cuban cigar, the delicate fragrance was very charming.

"About the Church Court," Obama looked at Ye Chen and smiled, "I believe you must be quite interested, right?"

"How can I be interested if you don’t tell me what it’s about?" Ye Chen looked at him, expressionless, which made Obama, a seasoned politician, unable to read Ye Chen. Anyone would think Ye Chen had been in office longer than Obama himself.

"I want to work with you to strike at the Church Court," Obama said solemnly and earnestly.

"How so?" Ye Chen feigned ignorance.

"The Church Court’s increasing infiltration has destabilized the domestic situation. Most people have started to withdraw support from the government in favor of the Church Court," Obama explained with frustration, then angrily added, "Last time, the decision to strike at the Church Court was harshly rejected by the populace. This time, I’ve decided to forgo the usual paths, hence seeking collaboration with you!"

"Tell me how we’ll cooperate!" Ye Chen said, smiling faintly.