The R&D Director grabbed the documents and scanned them frantically. Instantly, darkness clouded his vision, and he nearly lost his footing.
The intelligence report stated plainly: the blueprints for the folding combat knife had been leaked. As the "inventor" of the folding combat knife, the R&D Department would undoubtedly take the fall.
The R&D Director fumed, "I didn't do this! It must be that little bastard Xiao Han! He's clearly framing us for revenge! Everyone in the bureau knows those blueprints were his to begin with! He hates us for cracking them! Director, you must clear this up with higher-ups!"
"The report states the R&D Department holds the invention rights to the folding combat knife. That is your responsibility," the Director declared flatly.
A chill ran down the R&D Director's spine. He finally understood.
The report review and the arms trafficking charges happened on the same day. The implication was crystal clear.
The higher-ups were backing Xiao Han!
The conservatives were making their move!
The higher-ups hadn't rushed to address the report initially because their factions—hawks and conservatives—were divided. They wouldn't immediately jump to Xiao's defense.
This also served as a test: to see how Xiao would react when his interests were threatened. If he swallowed his pride and backed down, the higher-ups would adjust their cooperation plans, gradually tightening the screws to squeeze every last bit of benefit from him.
If Xiao chose to cause trouble—as long as he didn't cross the line, like demanding to end the partnership—the higher-ups would turn a blind eye, tolerating his over-the-top actions.
Xiao deliberately orchestrated a crude frame-up to signal to the higher-ups: "I'm pissed. Are you going to watch me get bullied, or help me vent? Here, I've given you the excuse."
The higher-ups were both amused and exasperated. They knew full well the R&D department was being framed, but they were more than happy to play along. They immediately approved the R&D department's report, forcing them to take the blame and shoot themselves in the foot. This was meant to appease Xiao, signaling: "We're in the honeymoon phase of our partnership. Don't let this minor issue ruin things. We've got your back."
Most crucially, the higher-ups intended to use this as an opportunity to discipline the R&D department.
Xiao's folding combat knife was originally exclusively supplied to Bureau 13. Though production capacity was limited, at least it was Bureau 13's sole privilege. It was precisely because of the R&D department's greed that they intercepted Xiao's sales midway, forcing him to sell the blueprints to arms dealers.
Given Xiao Han's unique status, higher-ups couldn't easily hold him accountable. They were in the wrong here—the blueprints belonged to Xiao in the first place, and he never agreed to contribute them to Bureau 13 for free. The R&D department had usurped his profits, forcing him to seek other means to recoup his losses.
For an ordinary agent, they could be sent straight to a military tribunal and expelled from Bureau 13 without hesitation. But Xiao was different. He had only recently joined, and Bureau 13 still needed his intelligence. Moreover, Xiao had just barely avoided crossing the higher-ups' red lines. The higher-ups weren't sure if he had stumbled blindly into luck or if he had genuinely figured out their limits.
Punishing Xiao would send a terrible signal. How would other agents react? If the impression took hold that the agency was bullying its own agents, the damage would far outweigh losing a single new equipment blueprint. This was precisely what the higher-ups dreaded. The R&D Department, driven by selfish interests, had dared to disregard the greater good, stirring up this trouble and crossing the higher-up's red line.
The R&D Director instantly grasped that the higher-ups were determined to make an example of him. His heart sank, and he regretted it bitterly. Had he known this guy was a porcupine, he never would have provoked Xiao. This was a total loss.
Accused of arms trafficking—though merely a warning from the higher-ups, not severe enough to warrant execution—this stain would forever tarnish his political career. From now on, every achievement would require twice the effort for half the results.
Dirt in the pants is still dirt.
The R&D Director raged inwardly: "Xiao Han, you're a fucking trouble maker!"
... ...
Rumors of the R&D Director's alleged arms trafficking spread like wildfire, leaving the entire Bureau 13 utterly stunned.
For someone implicated in arms trafficking, a mere suspension without pay was an extremely bizarre punishment. Typically, such cases would warrant dismissal, imprisonment, or even execution. This anomaly screamed of hidden motives.
Naturally, all eyes turned to Xiao Han, leaving everyone utterly shcoked.
Having remained silent for days, they'd assumed Xiao had backed down. Now it seemed like the calm before the storm.
"This must be a setup!"
"He actually dared to do it!"
"The higher-ups are backing him?"
What astonished them most was the higher-ups' stance—choosing not to hold Xiao accountable. In their eyes, Han Xiao suddenly became an enigma. He always wore a mask at headquarters, never revealing his true face. Only the higher-ups likely knew his identity.
The R&D Director had hit a brick wall this time!
Li Yalin was the happiest of all, feeling vindicated as she gloated triumphantly in front of Di Susu before strutting off with her nose in the air.
Di Susu, however, wasn't the least bit upset. Instead, she found herself intrigued by Xiao Han.
"Who exactly is little linlin's new teammate?"
The R&D Director seethed with frustration. Warned not to repeat his actions, he couldn't take it out on Xiao. Instead, he vented his anger on his subordinates. Luo Xuan bore the brunt of it. The promised promotion was revoked. He dismissed Luo Xuan as an ordinary researcher, relegating him to the sidelines.
"Bastard!"
Luo Xuan's face twisted in rage.
His situation was worse than when he'd been in Logistics. Colleagues in R&D pointed fingers at him behind his back, whispering things that couldn't be good, leaving him utterly humiliated.
He tried to see the department head's secretary, but she flatly refused to meet him, a stark contrast to her previous warmth.
This attempt to crack the folding battle knife had backfired spectacularly. Not only had it failed to achieve his desired outcome, but it had also dug his own grave. Now, he couldn't even return to the Logistics Department.
Unfair!
Why the hell were the higher-ups protecting Xiao?!
What made him better than me?!
Luo Xuan gritted his teeth in fury....
The next day, Xiao received word from Feng Jun that the higher-ups wanted to mediate the situation.
"Seeing I'm stubborn as a mule and audacious beyond belief, they've decided to continue the previous 'gentle cooperation' approach. Higher-ups is stepping in to mediate, shifting all blame onto the R&D Director. This lets them test my stance while using mediation to patch things up with me—their little scheme is pretty clever," Xiao shook his head.
Though the R&D department had been warned, the folding combat blades had already been seized and were now in mass production. Once the meat was swallowed, it couldn't be spat back out—which was precisely why the higher-ups had decided to compensate him. This was the perfect opportunity to make demands.
And likely the only chance. The hawks wouldn't dare test him again so easily in the future. His [advancement mission] hinged on this one moment!
Wearing a mask, Xiao arrived at headquarters and was escorted by Feng Jun to the director's office. Three people were waiting inside: the Director, the R&D Director, and an old man standing with his back to them, gazing out the window.
"Gu Hui, Executive Director of the Star Dragon Territorial Strategic Defense Bureau," the Director introduced himself.
Xiao narrowed his eyes. That name...
Gu Hui's voice was solemn. "Someone wishes to see you."
The old man with his hands behind his back turned, offering a faint smile.
Xiao promptly displayed expressions of "shock" and "astonishment."
"Old Gao?!"
Old Gao chuckled softly. "Didn't expect that, did you?"
"Who exactly are you?" Xiao forced an awkward expression, nodding stiffly. He felt transported back to that night of brainwashing at the Sprout—time to channel his inner Oscar-winning actor.
"Suffice it to say, I have influence over the decisions of the Bureau 13."
"..."
"Heh, no need to be tense. I noticed you long ago. You've made a favorable impression."
Mission accomplished. Done!
Xiao instantly regained his impassive expression.
Old Gao felt Xiao's composure returned too swiftly. Wondering if it was his imagination, he studied him for a moment longer before slowly asking, "So, how do you propose we resolve this matter?"