Chapter 132: The Hidden Fox, Move Out!

Danilina drove at breakneck speed, circling the city for the better part of an hour before finally pulling up to the hotel where they had stayed the previous night.

"Let’s go up and get the weapons," Danilina said, gritting her teeth. "Damn it, they actually dared to kidnap my best friend. I’m going to kill them."

Song Kai was speechless. He followed Danilina upstairs and said, "Danilina, don't forget, you're a hacker."

"I am also an Interpol agent. Before I joined Interpol, I was one of the top students in the police academy!" A look of reckless determination flashed across Danilina's face.

Xu Ling said, "This place seems quite safe. Edgar must have been hunting for us all night, yet he never managed to find this place."

Danilina nodded. "It’s definitely safe, you can count on that. Besides, as a permanent safe house, it has some essential weaponry. Song Kai, Xu Ling, I’ll take you to the airport first. Once you’re safe, I’ll call headquarters, gather some backup, and rescue Desna."

"I'll stay and help you," Song Kai said. "You aren't really built for combat. Let’s get Xu Ling to the airport first."

Xu Ling shook her head.

Just then, Xu Ling’s phone rang. She pulled it out and saw a landline number—it looked like it was from Harvard University. Xu Ling looked up at Danilina.

Danilina said, "Answer it quickly, or they might be able to trace the signal."

"Okay." Xu Ling answered and put it on speaker.

Dean Joel’s voice came through. "Xu Ling, the paperwork is finished. When will you have time to come to my office?" he chuckled.

Xu Ling was stunned. She suddenly remembered that the main reason she came here was to collect her degree and diploma. She immediately replied, "Dean Joel, the thing is, I’m at the airport right now, about to leave. Could you please mail the documents to China?"

"Ah? How can that be?" Joel’s tone shifted instantly. "Student Xu Ling, you must understand that I went to great lengths and faced immense pressure to secure this re-examination opportunity for you. If you don't even attend the basic ceremony to receive your degree, I simply cannot give you these documents."

Xu Ling frowned. "Oh, Dean Joel, I’m sorry. I was being too impulsive. I’ll come to see you to pick them up. When will you be in your office?"

"I'll be here all day," Joel said, then began to ramble, "Xu Ling, you must realize, this time..."

*Click.*

Xu Ling hung up the phone.

Song Kai paused, then gave Xu Ling a thumbs-up. "You're impressive, daring to hang up on a dean."

Xu Ling looked at him. "He’s deliberately stalling for time."

"What?" Song Kai asked.

Xu Ling explained, "Harvard is a place that values rules, but as one of the world's most prestigious institutions, it is also a place that values freedom. There is no rule in the academy stating that diplomas won't be mailed if one doesn't attend the ceremony. Therefore, the documents could absolutely be mailed! Dean Joel refusing to do so means there is something wrong."

Song Kai frowned, beginning to catch on.

Xu Ling’s mind was faster than Song Kai’s. She placed her phone on the table and said quickly, "The situation is complicated, but I am certain now that Dean Joel is involved, and his target is me. Remember what Professor Jack Li said? He said that re-examination opportunities are rare. In fact, there have been over a dozen such cases in Harvard’s history, but those students were all Americans with some background. I’m likely the first of Asian descent."

Song Kai and Danilina listened intently.

Xu Ling continued, "Later, when Song Kai and I went to Professor Winton’s house, we were attacked. At the time, we both thought Professor Winton had leaked the information, but now that I think about it, it wasn't him—it was Dean Joel. When I spoke with him, he asked where I was staying and if it was close to the campus. I wasn't on guard, so I told him."

"But why would they want to kidnap you?" Danilina looked at her, confused, then laughed. "Just because you're pretty? You are indeed beautiful, but by American beauty standards, you might not be considered as striking as Shu Qi. Is it because you're smart? You are brilliant—you have a photographic memory and terrifying attention to detail—but surely Harvard has other geniuses like that."

Xu Ling thought for a moment. "Unless it’s still because of the image recognition algorithm I have. But the Penguin Group has already acquired the algorithm and announced it to the world; there’s no reason to keep targeting me."

Song Kai waved his hand and stood up. "No need to guess. We’ll go see the dean and we’ll know. And we’re not just going to see him—we’re going to capture him and interrogate him about Desna’s whereabouts."

"Joel will likely be prepared," Danilina said, frowning.

Song Kai nodded. "He definitely will. And having you go pick up the diploma in person is clearly a trap. We have one advantage: Joel doesn't know he’s been exposed. He doesn't know we suspect him. We can lull him into a false sense of security, then capture him for questioning. After all, capturing a Dean should be much easier than catching Edgar."

Danilina reached under the bed and pulled out a case. Inside were two handguns, several grenades, smoke bombs, communication headsets, and directional demolition charges.

"Alright, it's settled!" Danilina loaded the handguns and tossed one to Song Kai. "Let’s move."

Song Kai took the gun, thought for a moment, and handed a flashbang to Xu Ling. "Take this. If you need it, just remember to close your eyes before you use it."

"I know," Xu Ling said, taking it.

Song Kai rubbed his head. "Here’s the plan: I’ll infiltrate the campus disguised as a cleaner and lurk nearby. Danilina, you stay close by in the car, ready to provide cover. Xu Ling, you go in alone to get the diploma. Try to get information out of Joel. If you’re in danger, call me immediately and use the flashbang. I will save you."

"Understood."

The three of them discussed the finer details and headed downstairs. Danilina peeled off a layer of the license plate, instantly transforming the vehicle into a different Volkswagen.

They drove quickly to the vicinity of Harvard University.

Once inside the campus, Song Kai found a maintenance uniform and headed toward the administration building. As he walked, he frowned. On a distant lawn, a white man with curly golden hair was sitting and smoking. It was Harrison—the guy who had been tracking him, claiming to be from the Department of Homeland Security. It seemed he was here to see Dean Joel.

Song Kai avoided Harrison, slipped into the building, and hid in the office adjacent to the Dean's.

Once hidden, Song Kai spoke into his headset: "I'm in position. When you arrive, avoid the men downstairs; they're local gang members."

"Copy that."

Xu Ling walked toward the back of the administration building and arrived at Dean Joel’s office door. She took a deep breath and knocked.

"Who is it?" Joel’s voice came from inside.

"Dean Joel, it’s me, Xu Ling," she said.

"Come in."

Xu Ling pushed the door open and entered, her eyes scanning the room instantly. There were two indentations on the sofa that were slowly rising, indicating that at least two people had been sitting there just before she arrived.

But now, only Joel was in the office.

Xu Ling pretended not to notice. She bowed to Joel and said, "Dean Joel, I’m here. I apologize for my impulsiveness earlier. I don't know what's going on, but ever since I arrived, my boyfriend and I have been hunted. My boyfriend lured them away. I’m sorry—I know it's hard to believe, but it’s the truth."

"Your... boyfriend?" Joel’s expression changed abruptly. "Are you saying the boy who came with you isn't your brother, but your boyfriend?"