Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 319 - 304 Joining the Degenerate

Chapter 319: Chapter 304 Joining the Degenerate

Joelson was flying around the Middle East and North Africa on a CIA business jet in the capacity of a headquarters inspector, which meant Gao Yi could have flown directly to the United States with Joelson.

However, Gao Yi chose to go by himself.

There was more than just Joelson on the plane, and since it was a CIA aircraft, being photographed would have been problematic. But more importantly, if Gao Yi took the CIA plane to meet Crawford in Lanli, it would appear as if he rushed over immediately upon Crawford’s summons.

That couldn’t happen; it would place Gao Yi in a subordinate position to Crawford.

Gao Yi wasn’t the type concerned overly with face to the point of suffering, but he knew his place and status.

He would address someone as "big brother" when necessary but wouldn’t do so to just anyone. If he called everyone "big brother," that would demote the real "big brother’s" status.

His relationship with Crawford could only be one of cooperation, with the emphasis on Gao Yi providing Crawford with opportunities and not the other way around.

To highlight this distinction, Gao Yi needed Crawford to come to see him, not the other way around.

So, it wasn’t about pride; it was about profit.

Of course, Crawford couldn’t possibly travel to Libya to meet Gao Yi or even leave Lanli for another location in the United States, given the nature of his job and his position. Gao Yi couldn’t inconvenience Crawford.

So, the location of their meeting required careful thought.

Joelson was skilled in many areas, but he lacked finesse in interpersonal relations; he could not make suitable arrangements, particularly misunderstanding the delicate nuances of who should visit whom.

"Sorry, there’s no suitable place for your meeting at the moment. Most importantly, I can’t ensure a location where both Crawford and you would feel safe..."

This was the first task Joelson handled, and he had not done it well.

Joelson had returned to the United States first; logically, he should have already arranged a meeting place where the money would be exchanged, making them collaborators. Yet, such a minor detail of setting the meeting point had not been arranged.

With a look of embarrassment, Joelson said, "Crawford wants to meet you outside the CIA headquarters. After you arrive, I’ll call him, and he’ll briefly come out to meet you and then return. But I knew you wouldn’t agree, so I suggested to him a place in Washington D.C. However, Crawford refused, fearing it wasn’t safe. He worries about recording devices, he worries about many things."

"Is this the first time doing such a thing? If he lacks the resolve for this, then I’ve already given him enough respect by agreeing to meet in Washington. If he can’t handle even a neutral meeting place and is still concerned about being secretly recorded, then he shouldn’t be making this deal."

Gao Yi expressed his dissatisfaction explicitly. Still, it wasn’t directed at Joelson, but rather in front of Joelson towards Crawford.

This was yet another issue of attitude. Those unfamiliar might think Gao Yi was making a big issue out of a small matter with Joelson.

But those in the know understood it was an underlying tactic—demonstrating that Gao Yi and Joelson were insiders together, and Crawford was the one they needed to strategize against.

Patting Joelson on the shoulder, Gao Yi smiled and said, "This has nothing to do with you; let me think. Crawford has already decided to collaborate with us, but he still has reservations."

"Yes."

"Taking the first step is always hard, it’s normal for Crawford to have concerns. Since he won’t come to Washington, and I can’t go to Lanli, we’ll have to choose a middle ground."

After a moment of thought, Gao Yi spoke sternly, "Let’s meet in a car, find a central location, an empty area where we can meet face-to-face. Each of us drives to the middle?"

"Empty area?"

"Parking lot, green space, park, or roadside; any place will do. It can be close to Lanli, but remember, I must designate the spot."

Gao Yi smiled, then looked at Joelson, "I’m not familiar with the local terrain, do you know of a suitable place?"

Joelson paused for a moment, then said, "There are many such places. How about meeting at National Square? How about in front of the Natural History Museum on the north side of National Square? It’s not far from Lanli and is in the District of Columbia, with a large parking lot and lots of people. The place is sizable; during the day, there’s no parking, but if it’s at night, it’s quite convenient."

Unhesitatingly, Gao Yi said, "That’s the place, and it’s perfect. Set the time for 8 PM; I’ll bring one person, and Crawford will bring one."

"That person can only be me."

"Yes."

Joelson thought for a moment and said, "Eight o’clock is a bit rushed, how about ten?"

"No, eight o’clock."

Gao Yi earnestly said to Joelson, "We can’t be the only ones accommodating Crawford; we need to make him understand that this is a process and result of joint negotiation and compromise. If we leave him with the impression that he can decide everything at the first meeting, it will be difficult to change that impression later."

After explaining to Joelson, Gao Yi couldn’t help saying, "I see now, you really haven’t handled this kind of matter before."

"I’ve never done this before. If we’re meeting at eight, then I must contact him immediately. If possible, let’s meet at the Natural History Museum at eight. If not, then we’ll have to discuss it further."

Gao Yi seriously said, "If we can’t meet today, I can’t guarantee when the next meeting will be."

Joelson nodded, then quickly walked to the side and began to make a call in a low voice.

It was already past six now; arranging a meeting for eight o’clock indeed seemed rushed.

However, Joelson returned quickly and said to Gao Yi, "He needs to think it over. If he can meet, he will be there."

Gao Yi didn’t say anything, just smiled and said, "I will arrive on time and wait for five minutes. I hope to see Crawford then. I’ll be leaving first."

For his first meeting with Crawford, to waste time and energy on such minute details was not the mark of a man who handles big affairs.

But with no more to say, Gao Yi bid farewell to Joelson, turned, and got into the car he had rented from the airport, then said to Lucy, "Now we’re heading to the Natural History Museum."

Lucy was dressed in a black robe, with a hood and a mask, her face completely covered.

Since Gao Yi and Lucy had flown to Dubai from Libya and then transferred from Dubai to Washington D.C., Lucy had been wearing the common attire of Middle Eastern women during the flight and hadn’t had the chance to change after landing in the United States.

She kept wearing the black robe because revealing her face was truly troublesome; she was too beautiful, which could lead to people staring at Lucy. To avoid trouble, she simply covered up her figure and face, saving both worry and hassle.

However, Lucy’s black robe wasn’t a Middle Eastern style but a simplified nun’s habit.

Lucy was accustomed to wearing this type of clothing and liked it too. Initially, Gao Yi hadn’t felt anything, but now every time he saw Lucy in the black robe, he always thought of the first time he met her.

It was a sentiment, or perhaps a memory hit; Lucy had left a deeply profound impression on Gao Yi, so much so that he always imagined Lucy wearing stockings under that black robe.

Lucy was about to drive, but glancing at the look in Gao Yi’s eyes, she suddenly said, "Should I change my clothes?"

The same black robe wasn’t quite appropriate in Washington D.C.

Gao Yi thought for a moment and said, "No need, but show your face and take off the headscarf. You’ll join me to meet Crawford later."

It was purely a matter of face-value; although Lucy and Joelson would have to step aside when the real business matters were discussed, having a supremely beautiful woman by his side often proved a man’s strength.

What followed was rushing to the meeting; although getting from Dulles Airport to the Natural History Museum was a bit out of the way, since it was the chosen midpoint, they had to make the effort.

The next period was just traveling and then waiting.

At precisely fifty-eight minutes past seven, Gao Yi arrived at the square in front of the Natural History Museum, just across the street.

There were still people around, but they weren’t clustered thickly, so standing and talking there was convenient.

Lucy stood slightly behind Gao Yi; although her attire was somewhat unusual, it hadn’t attracted much attention at the moment.

After standing for two minutes, Gao Yi looked at his watch and decided to wait another five minutes. If Joelson didn’t show up with Crawford, Gao Yi would leave.

Then at exactly eight o’clock, not a minute late, a car briefly stopped on the road in front of them, and two people got out—one of them was Joelson who, without looking around or hesitating, walked directly towards Gao Yi with a Black man.

This behavior explained a lot—Crawford hadn’t been late nor had he made any new demands through Joelson. Arriving on time at the meeting place indicated he was indeed ready to take this critical first step.

Crawford was a tall, strong Black man with a dignified and handsome appearance, absolutely one of the most handsome among Black men.

Walking straight up to Gao Yi, he stood firm. Just as Joelson was about to introduce them, Gao Yi extended his hand first, smiling at Crawford, "Hello."

"Hello," Crawford responded.

He didn’t say much; his handshake was serious and formal but was quick to let go. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes caught a glimpse of Lucy, and his expression was staggeringly shocked, frozen for at least two seconds.

Gao Yi was still thinking of how to best describe Crawford when Crawford finally snapped back to reality. Forcing his gaze back to Gao Yi, he repeated, "Hello."

Distracted and discomposed, for a man in a high position to lose composure at the sight of a beautiful woman indeed demonstrated Crawford’s lack of substance.

Gao Yi, holding a Black Card in his left hand, transferred it to his right hand, then casually and presumptuously flashed the card and smiled, "Here is ten million dollars, a small gift for our first meeting."

Without saying much and not pleading for Crawford to accept it, he handed it over as if it were a mere formality.

That casual disregard for ten million had the essence of Shaman’s cousin Harold’s butler.

Crawford’s eyes flickered hard for another five seconds, scanning between Lucy and Gao Yi, finally resting on the Black Card in his hand before he eventually said, "Thank you."