Chapter 662: The Torch Project

While Peng Sijue and his team meticulously gathered evidence, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue roamed the site. Chen Shi rummaged through Lü Qi’s “emergency rations,” which were the priciest of convenience foods: self-heating hotpot, self-heating pasta, Russian sausages, and German beer, all packed in a large box. Chen Shi remarked, “He’s eating well. For me, just one of these would be a luxury.”

“Since we tracked Su Chan here, it seems she really is a corporate spy. I wonder if Lü Qi knows about it?” Lin Dongxue said.

“One possibility is that Su Chan was planted by Lü Qi near Dong Xiao… But I doubt it. Would he really cuckold himself? It doesn’t fit his character.”

“It actually might fit his character. To Lü Qi, women are tools. I think someone like him would do such a thing.” Lin Dongxue shuddered at the thought of Su Chan enduring Dong Xiao’s tyranny for the sake of a corporate secret.

“No, you don’t understand men. Lü Qi is a lecher. Lecherous men are paradoxically conservative; they despise infidelity. This might seem contradictory, but it isn’t. Their conservative values stem from misogyny and objectification of women. Behavior dictates values, not the other way around. People adopt values to justify their actions. That’s why even the most heinous criminals can rationalize their deeds. So, a man like Lü Qi would be deeply averse to being cuckolded. I believe he genuinely likes Su Chan and hasn’t grown tired of her. He wouldn’t use her to seduce Dong Xiao for intelligence.”

“Then Lü Qi doesn’t know about it?”

Chen Shi nodded. “If that’s the case, Su Chan must be an operative from another faction, possibly a competitor.”

“Investigating her background would clarify things.”

“I wanted to, but finding Lü Qi takes priority right now.”

Peng Sijue entered, saying, “If you two are just going to chat, you might as well go investigate.”

“Are we in your way?” Chen Shi chuckled.

“Get out. We need to examine this room.”

The two were shooed out. Sharing a laugh, Lin Dongxue suggested, “Since we have time, let’s investigate the surroundings. If people were hiding here, they must have gone out occasionally.”

“Good idea!”

They went to a nearby supermarket to check surveillance footage. Again, more surveillance. Lin Dongxue joked, “Sometimes I feel like our job is just to watch security footage.”

“Even though I’m not a cop, I feel the same.”

They had a bit of luck, finding footage of a man frequently buying large quantities of yogurt, beer, instant noodles, and bread. Each trip, he loaded up a shopping cart.

They copied the footage.

By the time they returned, Peng Sijue had wrapped up. They rode back together. Lin Qiupu was interrogating a company executive, who was shaking his head, saying, “I don’t know why Dong bought that rundown factory.”

“Do you know about this matter?”

“No!”

“Did he mention any projects?”

The executive thought for a moment. “I recall him mentioning a Torch Project, but I don’t know the details.”

This was the only useful information. Dong Xiao seemed to have a specific purpose for buying the factory. After the questioning, Lin Qiupu came out, and Lin Dongxue said, “Captain Lin, we found one of Lü Qi’s men frequently buying large quantities of food from a nearby supermarket.”

“From surveillance?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll review it later. Come with me to the Information Department.”

Lin Qiupu had his team search Dong Xiao’s computer for references to the Torch Project. They found an electronic contract with vague terms, mentioning a company called Chengxing tasked with completing a project for Dong Xiao.

“What does Chengxing do?” Lin Qiupu asked.

A search revealed it was a rocket manufacturing company, with engineers who had previously worked on national rocket projects. Hearing “rocket,” the trio felt a sense of foreboding.

“Let’s visit that company,” Lin Qiupu said.

They immediately went to Chengxing. Despite sounding grand, the company was in a shabby office, resembling a front. Lin Qiupu found the manager and asked, “What does your company do?”

“We make rockets… I know it sounds unbelievable, but we really do. Mainly private rockets for satellite launches.”

“What about legalities?”

“Legally, it’s fine. As long as we get government approval, companies can launch satellites. Any sizable telecom company can get approval.”

“Why private satellite launches?” Lin Dongxue asked, puzzled.

“Have you heard of ‘satellite signal lease fees’? Mobile signals are transmitted via satellites, and whoever owns the satellite charges the fee. Telecom companies pay, but ultimately, it’s the users. When China had few satellites, we paid billions in lease fees to developed countries annually. Private telecom companies pay the state for signal leases unless they own the satellite, in which case they can even charge others for using their signal. Private satellite launches have happened here, like Fengma Niu No. 1, which we helped with.”

“I guess business hasn’t been great,” Chen Shi remarked.

The manager chuckled awkwardly. “You’re right. It’s tough. We pitched to telecom companies, but they weren’t interested. Despite the cost savings, the risks are high. Private launches often fail. Recently, though, a telecom company agreed to work with us, helping us through a rough patch.”

“Zhuoyuan Corporation?”

The manager’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Mr. Dong is very perceptive. After a few meetings, he signed a contract with us. We make the rockets and satellites, and he provides the funding.”

“How’s the project going?” Lin Qiupu asked.

“It was going well, with a launch planned for the first half of the year. But there was a funding issue, so it’s stalled…” The manager touched his nose inadvertently.