Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 478 - 458: Welcome Home

Chapter 478: Chapter 458: Welcome Home

"I need to go back to Northeastern University for a bit."

The same sentence, about the same matter, Gao Yi had to make four phone calls, speaking to four different people.

To Marina in France, to Green in the UK, to Panetta in the United States, and to Luca, whose location was unknown.

Although playing both sides of the fence had its advantages, it also had its downsides, which was that once the fragile balance of trust was broken, his ability to play both sides would be compromised.

Gao Yi’s main approach was to be frank, and he also liked to get straight to the point and speak honestly.

"I have some matters to handle at Northeastern University, there shouldn’t be any problems, but if something happens to me, please find a way to bail me out."

Handling this delicate balance required skill, and Gao Yi actually lacked intricate techniques; he mostly relied on appearing loyal and seemed like one of their own to everyone.

Marina was an old war buddy, tried and true, so it was naturally reliable for Gao Yi to entrust his escape route to her.

Green was like half a mentor, involved in the most extensive and complex dealings with Gao Yi; it was only natural for Gao Yi to entrust him with his fallback plan.

There’s no need to mention Panetta, as Gao Yi could not do without him, nor could he do without Gao Yi; it was a mutually beneficial relationship in terms of interests and complementing each other’s identities, so it was natural for Gao Yi to entrust major matters to him.

The other two people agreed without hesitation, curious about why Gao Yi wanted to go to Northeastern University, but they did not immediately ask.

But Panetta was meticulous in his questioning because if Gao Yi fully sided with one party, the impact on him would be too great, necessitating caution.

"Why suddenly go to Northeastern University?"

Panetta’s tone was full of skepticism, though fortunately, he did not show any dissatisfaction. However, since Panetta asked this way, he definitely was not keen on the idea of Gao Yi’s trip to Northeastern University.

Gao Yi didn’t feel the need to hide anything, he said in a low voice, "Xinfeng analyzed the situation for me, and I think it makes a lot of sense. Now, it’s not just a matter of personal grudges between me and Andic Group, but it also involves major financial interests."

"Oh, what did Xinfeng say?"

"Bitcoin!"

Gao Yi basically repeated what Xinfeng had told him.

Given Panetta’s status and insight, Gao Yi didn’t believe he hadn’t thought of this, yet Panetta hadn’t mentioned these things to Gao Yi before.

So when Gao Yi explained these deeper issues to Panetta, Panetta was silent for a moment before speaking profoundly, "Xinfeng knows more than I thought; he makes sense."

Gao Yi said softly, "So I’m heading to Northeastern University first, and if anything happens, at least they can ensure my safety."

"Alright, I understand. I just want to remind you again, Gao, I don’t want you to take sides. If you do, we must sever all ties; our relationship will become very complicated. This isn’t just my personal issue but involves many people. So, it’s fine for you to go to Northeastern University, but do not take sides, definitely do not publicly take sides. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand, I definitely won’t burn all my bridges. My trip to Northeastern University is just for some business, nothing else, and won’t involve any other issues."

"Good, I wish you smooth sailing."

Panetta hung up the phone.

Gao Yi made these calls from the car, not hiding anything from anyone.

If you’re going to deal with people for a long time in the future, then there’s no need to be secretive, so Gao Yi made these calls in front of everyone.

After Panetta’s call ended, Gao Yi said with ease, "Alright, the calls are done; we can go to the embassy now."

You can’t just drive the car straight from the crime scene to the embassy. One must have some principles and not act recklessly just because someone’s got your back.

So Gao Yi and the others switched cars twice, changed outfits twice, detoured around people, and then used every possible means to hide their tracks and identities before they finally arrived at the embassy.

People give you face, but you can’t really take courtesy for granted. You need to be aware and try not to trouble others.

After making the calls, the day had already brightened, and the embassy had started its workday.

Certainly, there was no need to queue up with others. Gao Yi didn’t know what Brother Biao did when he returned, but when Gao Yi arrived at the service hall, someone immediately came forward to guide him and led him to a visa window. However, the visa officer greeted him with a smile, saying, "Welcome home."

Queuing was not to draw too much attention, but once at the front, they would not ask Gao Yi any extra questions, instead extending a welcome.

A stamp was swiftly placed on Gao Yi’s American passport.

Arrive at the place, get the stamp, and that’s all there is to it. When Gao Yi took his closed passport, he found a slip of paper tucked inside.

Gao Yi stood up to leave the visa window to let Lucy, who was following him, proceed; five people in total, not a single question asked, the passports handed over received stamps, extremely efficient.

Never having gone through such a thing before, Gao Yi didn’t know what kind of procedure this was.

Gao Yi opened the passport and looked at the slip of paper inside; it merely listed an airport name, a flight number, and a phone number.

After all, being in someone else’s territory, the necessary procedures couldn’t be omitted, but everything was very quick; the remaining task was to head directly to the airport.

If this were a commercial flight, the next step would be to check in and board, but the problem is that Gao Yi and his group are not taking an ordinary flight, but rather a private plane, or a chartered flight if you will.

Although it is rented, it is still a large executive jet. Before arriving at the airport, Gao Yi and his group had made a phone call from the note, and then someone had picked them up in the parking lot, directly escorting them through the VIP channel onto the private plane.

Everything went very smoothly, completely eliminating the pain of waiting, and as soon as they boarded the plane, they immediately queued for takeoff.

There were no flight attendants on the plane, which seemed to be a deliberate choice. The advantage was not having to worry about outsiders getting in the way, and the disadvantage was having to serve themselves food and drinks. This wasn’t great for regular VIP passengers, but for Gao Yi and his group, it was a thoughtful arrangement.

They didn’t have to worry about anything along the way, which was very reassuring, and yet when the plane was landing, it was dawn again.

With the time difference, Gao Yi wasn’t the least bit tired. It was only when the plane landed smoothly on the runway of Beiyuan Airport without any hint or delay that Gao Yi realized he had finally come home.

The plane taxied to a stop at the end of the runway. Looking out of the window, Gao Yi saw that there weren’t many planes at the airport, but a long line of cars could be seen parked at the end of the runway early on.

All Red Flag limousines, not official reception vehicles, but all black sedans lined up in a long procession that looked quite imposing.

No one spoke along the way because they were not on their own plane, and some things were inconvenient to discuss. But when they arrived and touched down at the airport, Sith finally couldn’t hold back, whispering, "I have never seen such a low-key yet ostentatious secret operation."

At first, the statement sounded paradoxical, but after pondering, you realize that Sith’s comment was not flawed at all.

In the face of the necessity for discretion, they had done everything possible to demonstrate importance and courtesy, which is exactly what was happening right now.

When the plane stopped, a stair truck drove over, and then Gao Yi had to open the airplane door himself before he could disembark.

Very low-profile, there was no red carpet laid out under the plane.

But also quite extravagant, because at least a dozen people were standing below the aircraft.

If these people were just ordinary security, then the number was definitely insufficient, and if they were ordinary officials, it would still be too few, but considering those standing below were entirely unable to reveal their identities, the count was a bit intimidating.

Knowing the identity of Huang Haisheng and the people he brought was enough.

They were all dressed formally, at least in suits.

Of course, there wasn’t going to be any clichéd scene where they yelled "welcome home" in unison. Gao Yi just descended steadily, and Huang Haisheng approached him by the stairs, extending his hand and said calmly, "Mr. Gao, welcome home."

One sentence, uttered quietly, was enough.

Flooded with emotions, Gao Yi simply replied, "Thank you."

"Mr. Gao, please."

Huang Haisheng made a welcoming gesture, pointing towards the line of at least ten vehicles, "Aside from the lead and rear cars, the rest are the same. Mr. Gao, please decide how you’d like them arranged."

It was indeed low-profile yet without lacking luxury—the license plates on the leading vehicles were not ordinary, certainly the kind that traffic police would not check for any offenses, and it’s assumed the rear car had the same arrangement.

"I’ll ride with you; let them choose whichever car they like."

"Okay, please."

The group that had come to welcome Gao Yi dispersed quickly, got into their respective cars, and all opened the doors, while Gao Yi and Huang Haisheng got into one car, and the person who held the door for them closed it and walked swiftly towards the next sedan.

Apart from the driver, there was no need for a third person in the car.

As Gao Yi got into the car, he couldn’t help saying, "I never thought that in my lifetime I would have the opportunity to ride in this car."

Huang Haisheng couldn’t simply say it was all for appearances, instead, he chuckled lightly, "It’s all for safety."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Gao Yi didn’t say much more, he just gave a simple thanks and then suddenly said, "Oh, I forgot to tell Brother Biao that I’m back."

Huang Haisheng smiled without comment; whether to notify Feng Biao was Gao Yi’s matter, and he wouldn’t interject.

Anyway, the person had safely arrived. From now on, Gao Yi could do whatever he wanted.

As long as it’s not excessive, anything goes.

Gao Yi picked up the phone, intending to notify Feng Biao, but just as he was about to dial out, he had a second thought and said, "Forget it, I won’t call him. It’ll be a surprise when I suddenly show up."

Huang Haisheng smiled and said, "Want to give him a surprise? That can be arranged. Mr. Gao, do you have any plans or preferences for where you want to stay?"

"It doesn’t matter, just handle it as you see fit."

Huang still had a smile on his face.

Huang Haisheng had not done this sort of thing before; it was his first foray as well, but understanding what high standards and good treatment meant was easy, and it didn’t matter if he lacked experience.

There were plenty of people with ample experience; as long as Gao Yi had returned, everything could be discussed and arranged smoothly.