Chapter 69: Lydia

Before daybreak the next day, the residents in Walvis Bay heard a rushed bark of military orders coming from outside the window. It was then accompanied by a large amount of vehicle engine sounds.

Numerous cars whooshed past the windows of the residents’ houses one after another. The town was soon enveloped in a thick cloud of suffocating haze.

Many people were taken by shock. They thought it was the uprising of a rebel faction in Namibia or that it was the initial spark to a war.

Many people nervously gazed out their windows to see hundreds of armed soldiers lining up on Walvis Bay. Many military jeeps were parked together in a row and appeared to be inspected by the leaders.

The residents managed a sigh of relief when they noticed that the soldiers were not currently on a state of alert.

What was even more shocking to them was that the troops had stopped in front of the Flamingo Hotel. After a short while, they had escorted an Asian man out of the hotel and had him enter a military vehicle.

At last, the troops left Walvis Bay, all in a mighty display…

…

With the escort of the Namibian troops, Chen Chen had arrived at the Embassy of Mainland China which was located in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek.

Over the next few days, Chen Chen never left the embassy. Activities such as the signing of agreements and meetings were all conducted within the embassy. The mysterious organization from the previous night did not make any further contact with Chen Chen.

However, Chen Chen knew that the other party had not given up yet and they were merely waiting for him to show himself again.

Besides, since their previous attempt of taking him as a captive had failed, their next attempt could very well be an assassination.

Their goal was to stop him from investing in Namibia. Blacklight Biotechnology was an independently-owned enterprise in Mainland China. The legal procedures dictated that in the case of the death of the owner, all related accounts would be seized and inspected before the enterprise could be inherited by his parents. In that case, the investment in Namibia would not be able to proceed as planned.

The results of Little X’s investigations did not prove to be surprising to Chen Chen. The event was orchestrated by the Rainbow Nation just as he had expected. The confidential plan against him was simply left on the desktop in a computer of the Rainbow Nation Ministry of Defense.

However, the Rainbow Nation did not directly involve themselves in the scheme as they had entrusted the task to a private military organization known as “Tara”.

The full name was Tara Private Security Company.

Chen Chen fell into deep thought when he read the information transmitted by Little X.

This was a new private military company set up by the higher executive branch of the former Executive Outcomes (EO) mercenary organization which was disbanded some years ago.

At the time, EO was second to none in Africa. They operated from the shadows across the entire continent. They were involved in many events such as the quelling of the Rwanda crisis, helping the government of Sierra Leone, and helping Papua New Guinea to curb the riots, defeating the Angolan rebels, and many other such events…

Though they were later disbanded following the establishment of the International Anti-mercenary Act drafted by the United Nations, a sunken ship still provided weapons to be salvaged. “Tara Private Security Company” was inevitable.

However, the fact the information on Chen Chen’s side was so quickly transmitted to the Rainbow Nation, even as far as them getting such a fine grasp on his schedule implied it had something to do with the inside circle of Namibia.

Little X had obtained too little information. At the moment, he was unable to figure out who the spy was.

“Mr. Chen Chen?”

There was suddenly a knock on the door outside. It was a staff of the embassy.

“Come in, it’s unlocked,” Chen Chen informed.

The door was promptly opened gently. A staff of the embassy brought in a black woman.

“Mr. Chen Chen, someone from the Namibian Department of Investment wants to meet you.”

Chen Chen hid his frown. When he identified the person who came in, a gentlemanly smile appeared on his face. “So, it’s Miss Lydia.”

“Mr. Chen Chen knows who I am?”

The lady before him was adorned in a black evening gown and a pleasant expression came to her. “I don’t think we’ve met before.”

“I’ve seen your picture in the Namibian official site,” Chen Chen explained politely, “Also, I could distinctly remember your voice.”

“I see. I wonder, Mr. Chen, do you feel more so impressed or disappointed after having met me in person?”

The woman sat down in a ladylike fashion in front of Chen Chen. Her movements were swift and graceful.

That was right, she was the “Unlicensed Ride” which Chen Chen had spoken of.

“A little disappointed.”

Chen Chen displayed a look of remorse. Before the other person had time to express her surprise, he quickly added. “My disappointment stems from the fact that I didn’t come to Windhoek earlier. Otherwise, I would’ve been graced by your beauty, Miss Lydia. Such a shame, I must say.”

“Hahaha, Mr. Chen Chen, you have a way with words!”

Lydia responded to his remark with a bright smile which revealed a row of pearly white teeth. She leaned in considerably closer to Chen Chen as she whispered in an extremely seductive voice, “Then, you mean to…”

“Ahem, Miss Lydia, are you here to reminisce about the past with me?” Chen Chen suddenly coughed sternly, changing the topic of the conversation.

“Uh, well, no… I’m here on behalf of the investment department. We hope that you’ll attend the speech at the town hall on the 28th December.” Lydia seemed to be having trouble keeping up with Chen Chen. She was initially startled and shot a quick, bitter look at Chen Chen before she got to explaining the reason she came.

“Speech?”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re aware that basic infrastructures such as electricity are very rare in our country. People all over the country are more than eager to have sufficient electricity. This investment may simply be another step of your business strategy to you but to us Namibians, you might as well be a godsent angel…”

Lydia looked at Chen Chen eagerly and went on explaining without reservation, “However, due to some internal complications, there have been some conflicts with the Ministry of Environmental Protection concerning the location of the nuclear plant. If you’d participate in the speech and gain the support of a portion of the citizen, the problem with choosing the location should be out of the way!”

“When and where?” Chen Chen asked.

“It’ll begin at noon on the 28th December. It’ll be hosted in the plaza in front of the town hall.”

“It’s not done from a studio? Then wouldn’t I be exposed?” Chen Chen frowned slightly.

“No worries, we’ll be sure to appoint enough security forces to ensure nothing will happen to you.”

Lydia promptly explained.

“Oh?”

There was a hint of change in his expression as he seemed to have thought of something. He suddenly lifted his head and looked behind Lydia.

There was a city map of Windhoek framed on the wall behind Lydia.

[Windhoek is positioned on the south latitude 22°34′S, 17°06′E. The speech will be on 28th December 2022, the sun will be projected at 23°26′S, achieving an angle of 90° (The direct projection of sunlight – latitude). Factoring that into a formula, we get…]

[Judging by the angle of the sunlight on the 28th, if they are planning to assassinate me with an appointed sniper… Using the Fresnel effect, I should be in this position at noon…]

[In that case, if I want to turn the situation around on them, I will need to…]

In a split instant, countless arithmetic formulas rushed past Chen Chen’s mind. From Lydia’s perspective, all Chen Chen did was merely take a glance behind her and went on as normal.

Lydia continued trying to persuade him. “Besides, it’ll be conducted in the city. Even if they were to ambush or even assassinate you, where could they run to?”

“You’re absolutely right.” Chen Chen nodded and gave her a look like she was making perfect sense. “But, I have one additional request.”

“Please do tell.” Lydia became full of spirit.

“I hope that the speech can be conducted here instead.”

Chen Chen walked past Lydia and pointed at a spot on the map on the wall. “For my safety, I hope that the speech could be hosted here, right by the embassy. I think this location would be ideal.”

“But this spot by the embassy is close by the suburbs…” Lydia was a little troubled by this.

Chen Chen did not utter a word except for silently staring at her.

Lydia lowered her head with a hint of embarrassment. “…Alright, if you insist.”

Soon, Lydia said her farewell and took her leave.

Chen Chen showed her way to the door. He observed her gracious figure from behind, a thoughtful look greeted his expression.