Invasion of the United States

"What's wrong?" Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, having anticipated Thomas's reaction.

"In the past three months, the payments from several pension funds have shown a significant decrease, jumping from initially three percent to five percent, and last month it dropped by ten percent."

Thomas's tone was filled with shock and anger, "The reduction in pension payments indicates that a portion of the elderly have died in excess.

Increasing by several percentage points each month means that the number of deaths is continually rising. If this accumulates over a year, tens or hundreds of thousands of elderly people will die all over the United States."

He lifted his head, looking at Zhou Qingfeng with a complex expression, "My God, this is definitely major news."

At this moment, Thomas's heart was filled with conflict. If he reported this news, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation, and a promotion with a raise would be inevitable.

But at the same time, he also realized the severity of this issue—the rise in elderly deaths might be hiding a greater crisis behind it.

"The increase in the death toll involves too many interests behind it; it's definitely a lead worth digging deeper." Thomas murmured to himself, "Victor, how did you know to investigate this?"

Zhou Qingfeng spread his hands, not answering the specific reason.

Thomas didn't press further, his mind already storming with thoughts, "Journalists in the United States are always sharp, reporting any sign of trouble.

Such excessive deaths can't be hidden; sooner or later, it will be discovered. Just probing the reasons can definitely trigger a wave of public opinion."

Thinking to this point, he could no longer hold himself back, grabbed his jacket, and hurried towards the door, "Victor, thank you. I need to go back to the office immediately; this news must be reported by me."

Thomas hurriedly left, his footsteps gradually fading in the corridor until disappearing outside the door.

Zhou Qingfeng still sat on the sofa, leaning slightly forward, hands crossed on his knees, head bowed as if staring at a point on the floor.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the ticking sound of a wall clock, as if counting down something.

He wore a small communication earpiece, maintaining constant communication. The voice of "Gray Shark" came through, "Victor, is the apocalypse coming?"

Zhou Qingfeng did not respond immediately, his gaze still lowered, as if avoiding something, or perhaps thinking deeply.

"Gray Shark's" voice grew more anxious and uneasy, "Is it the X Virus? Does it specifically target the elderly? What about my mother? She's over sixty and not in good health."

Zhou Qingfeng's throat moved, as if wanting to say something but being suppressed by an invisible force.

It wasn't until he took a deep breath that he finally spoke, "Get into a shelter, ensure air filtration, including for yourself."

"Gray Shark" was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "How long to stay in the shelter?"

"A long time."

"Is there no vaccine?"

"There is, but the X Virus is very peculiar; it mutates quickly and frequently, making the vaccine's effectiveness limited."

"Gray Shark" struggled to digest this harsh news, asking with a slightly trembling voice, "So in the future… will humanity have any hope?"

Zhou Qingfeng let out a long sigh, "I don't know, I haven't seen that day."

Once again, the room sank into silence, with only the ticking sound of the clock continuing.

Zhou Qingfeng slowly stood up and walked out of the Thomas family's house, looking at the still lively and vibrant world outside, like a traveler abandoned by fate, standing at the edge of apocalypse, gazing into a terrifying future.

-----------------

A day later, Kelly's father, Jeff Connally, chairman of 'Pioneer Holdings,' flew from New York to Washington D.C. on a private jet.

Accompanying him was Beck Hughes, who provided legal services to Zhou Qingfeng. Both men, one in his sixties and the other in his seventies, were considered old men. Uploaded by the M|V|L(EMPYR) team.

The plane landed at Dulles International Airport, where Zhou Qingfeng met them outside in a 'Lincoln' and handed them a document.

The document was compiled by Thomas's "dog" agent, and the first page bore the logo of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with content detailing the excess mortality data from the past three months.

"The health department is trying to cover up the excess mortality of the past three months, or rather, they're 'investigating this matter' and preparing to 'deal with it promptly.'

Jeff's eyes quickly scanned the report, and his first reaction was, "We can short sell elderly products in the stock market, and buy into some health insurance stocks."

Beck Hughes, hearing this, raised his voice in anger, "Jeff! You're still thinking about making money? It's a matter of life and death now! This X Virus has already spread, and we are the susceptible group!"

Both old men looked at Zhou Qingfeng. The latter shrugged, "I'm telling you this, first because we have some connection, to warn you about this terrible virus spreading rapidly.

Secondly, I hope you can exert some influence, see if you can persuade some politicians to mobilize the state machinery of the United States to curb the development of the situation.

After all, this virus was created by the US Military, and Congress is full of old guys over sixty."

Jeff's eyes returned to the report, drawn to a bolded section: In the past three months, seventeen former congressmen died, and four current ones.

This number itself is very abnormal.

What shocked him more was that six billionaires in the United States also died. These people could have enjoyed the best medical services, but in front of the virus, they were completely equal to ordinary people.

The faces of the two old men turned grim. Originally, they thought this only involved the suffering of the poor, but now it seemed that's not the case at all!

"What do we do now?" With the threat imminent, Jeff dropped his previous calculative demeanor.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't have a good idea either, "Either ask the US Military if there's a vaccine, which I doubt there is, otherwise the health department wouldn't be in a rush to cover it up for a few months.

Or go home and set up a shelter, ensuring no contact with X Virus until a vaccine is available. Of course, the best way is not to deceive yourselves, and let those responsible stand up and take accountability."

Old Beck, hearing this, shook his head with a bitter smile, "I know the bureaucrats in Washington too well; expecting them to take responsibility is impossible. When have you ever seen them admit mistakes?"

Jeff, even more anxious, complained angrily, "Victor, you shouldn't have called us to Washington.

This damned place has huge crowds, with thousands of people coming or leaving every day. The death of any congressman means this is a natural breeding ground for the virus!"

The two old men exchanged looks and simultaneously spoke, "Turn around! We're not going downtown!"

The driver, Chen Rui, paused for a moment, then turned the car around as indicated by Zhou Qingfeng.

Jeff and Beck had clearly made up their minds, resolutely refusing to go to Washington D.C. Instead, they requested to find a high-end medical facility and booked a fully isolated nursing ward.

"So... you don't plan to meet with the congressmen and exert some influence?" Zhou Qingfeng's voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

Old Beck burst out laughing, "Victor, even if you know about this, the congressmen must know too. They just don't want to take responsibility, not until they can't hide it any longer."

Jeff, equally frustrated, complained, "Next time this sort of thing happens, just send an email, there's no need to call us over."

Zhou Qingfeng could only tilt his head and sigh, "You guys are hopeless."

-----------------

The two old men really just circled around the airport and then got back on a private jet, returning to Miami.

Zhou Qingfeng had to take a car back to a safe house near Washington D.C. When he entered the house, Old Hammer was watching TV in the living room, and Lucy was doing chores in the kitchen.

"Hey... Victor, you've got a visitor." Hammer pointed towards the dining area.

Xiao Jinlang, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, was sitting at the dining table, drinking coffee made by Lucy. Seeing Zhou Qingfeng, he slowly raised his head and said, "Xiaozhou, it's really hard to find you, I need to draw your blood."

Zhou Qingfeng asked with a stern face, "Are you going back to China?"

Old Xiao shook his head, "You and I… I'm afraid we can't go back."