Invasion of the United States

But the trembling old Hammer was the first to come looking...

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

"Victor." Old Hammer seemed a bit unnerved, "I just remembered something important that I had forgotten. Some of my old colleagues are in trouble.

These are friends I've known for many years, adventured with, faced life and death with, and served the country with. But now they are old and need some help..."

The old man spoke hesitantly, stammering.

Zhou Qingfeng figured it out, "You need money, right?"

Hammer nodded, "Yes, we have a 'Patriot Foundation' specifically for taking care of those old friends.

Many of them, for various reasons, have very meager pensions, if any at all.

Some live in trailers, surviving on welfare; some have PTSD and have lost their medical coverage... I left the nursing home hoping to secure some funds."

"How much do you need?" Zhou Qingfeng asked directly.

Old Hammer pursed his lips and cautiously asked, "One million US Dollars, I know it's a lot, but there are many people in need."

Zhou Qingfeng was straightforward, "Hammer, you have helped me a lot too.

Without your critical advice and connections, I wouldn't have been able to save Julia and her daughter, let alone deal with the Chris Family so smoothly.

I got more than sixty million US Dollars from the Chris Family, not including the real estate. I can give you half, thirty million US Dollars.

The only trouble is how to legally get this money into the 'Patriot Foundation' you mentioned."

Hearing the figure 'thirty million,' Old Hammer felt a sense of relief. He was no longer the elite agent of his younger days, with agility and unyielding conviction.

He was now just a confused, forgetful old man who belonged in a nursing home and was disliked by the caregivers.

With Zhou Qingfeng's acknowledgment, he laughed heartily, "Great, Victor, you are truly generous. With thirty million US Dollars, I can solve all my friends' and my problems.

Whether it's legal or not is too simple. What is difficult for others isn't a problem for us."

The old man happily hugged Zhou Qingfeng, patting him on the shoulder nonstop, "Victor, you are a good man. I never thought our salvation would come from an old rival."

What?

Zhou Qingfeng sensed there was something more to that statement.

Old Hammer smiled, showing a bit of past pride, "The relationship between China and the US is very complicated. I worked for the CIA for decades and had many run-ins with our counterparts across the ocean."

Zhou Qingfeng wasn't too concerned, deciding to transfer some charitable funds from the 'Holy Light Foundation' to the so-called 'Patriot Foundation.'

After all, the foundation's money was meant for 'networking and gifting,' so why not use it?

----------------- This version was sourced from M|V|L^EMPYR.

For big clients like Zhou Qingfeng, account transfers were simple.

He gave an order, Kelly made a call, Old Beck's lawyer confirmed it, and they followed the electronic authentication process.

Once the money was confirmed to have arrived, Hammer trembled with excitement but expressed the need to leave temporarily, "Victor, I need to meet with my old friends. I won't be back for a while."

"Let the caregiver go with you." Zhou Qingfeng was worried about the old man's memory loss.

"No, my friends will come to pick me up; they will take care of me." Hammer said a few words of thanks, took some simple luggage, and insisted on leaving alone.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't stop him, seeing the old man off from his apartment, watching him shakily get into an old Ford F150.

The driver, about fifty years old, had a closely cropped haircut and sharp eyes that assessed Zhou Qingfeng.

Old Hammer got into the front passenger seat, waved goodbye to Zhou Qingfeng, and said something to the driver...

The driver was visibly moved, gave Zhou Qingfeng a standard American military salute, and then drove off.

Zhou Qingfeng was taken aback and only then realized— 'Patriot Foundation,' why does this name feel ironic and unpatriotic?

Soon after, a 'friend' from the Department of Homeland Security called, "Victor, my name is Diego.

Thank you for taking care of Hammer and supporting our foundation.

I didn't expect you to donate thirty million US Dollars to our foundation; this completely solves our funding issues.

Though in our line of work, we don't talk much about friendship and avoid letting emotions get in the way, big clients are always given special treatment.

In the future, any consultation you may have, as long as it's not highly classified or too complicated, I won't charge you.

We'll also put you on the whitelist; regarding anything about you, we'll keep an eye on it and provide reminders and help when necessary."

That's the effect Zhou Qingfeng wanted, thirty million US Dollars bought 'connections,' more reliable than empty talk of 'friendship.'

He then mentioned his current 'trouble' and emphasized that someone was warning him through Jeff Connally.

"I want to know who that person is?" Zhou Qingfeng was wary of someone plotting against him in secret. He could choose not to acquire 'Apocalypse Creatures,' but he had to know who was sabotaging his plans.

"I'll help you investigate." The 'friend' agreed readily, "Jeff Connally? He's just a guard dog in the capital circle; he's nothing in front of the Department of Homeland Security.

Anyone who needs him to send a message to intimidate you can't be that powerful.

I'll apply to monitor his phone communications and scan his call records. I'll give you a result within twenty-four hours.

By the way, I have prepared a gift for you; it will be delivered in two or three days, and I believe you will like it."

Zhou Qingfeng was generous with money, and the 'friend' was efficient with his work, even seeming eager to show that the money was well spent.

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

After hanging up with the 'friend,' Zhou Qingfeng called 'Gray Shark' with the same request to investigate 'Apocalypse Creatures.'

After the exchange, he specifically told 'Gray Shark,' "Porter, you can move; I won't have anyone watching you anymore."

There was a long silence on the other end. After a while, Porter asked uncertainly, "You...won't threaten me anymore?"

"Sorry, Porter, for previously using your address and your mother to threaten you. I was too weak then, without reliable friends, and had to use such means to protect myself.

But now..." Zhou Qingfeng chuckled, "It's no longer necessary. I know you lack a sense of security; you can find a new place to hide."

'Gray Shark' first breathed a sigh of relief, but then eagerly asked, "Can you tell me how you know all my secrets?"

"Sorry, I can't say yet."

"I have an absurd guess," 'Gray Shark' said, facing the flashing lights of the servers and computer screens in the basement, his voice suddenly ethereal.

"Did I tell you those secrets in the future? You...don't belong to this timeline?"

Zhou Qingfeng burst into laughter, "Are you obsessed with 'Time Traveler'?"

"Yes! Exactly!" Porter suddenly got excited, "No one knows I read that book, no one can trace it.

The book wasn't read online or purchased; my mother picked it up from a pile of discarded books at a neighbor's yard sale at the 'Saturday Market.'

My mother hoped I wouldn't spend all day with computers, but even she didn't know what was in that pile. If I didn't tell you myself..."

Zhou Qingfeng was suddenly at a loss for words and hastily changed the subject, "Porter, you should go out more. There are specially designed modified cars for disabled people, so you can take your mother out. She'll be pleased."

"Also, move to a new place, find a self-sufficient house with a yard. Don't put all your assets in virtual currencies; allocate some to gold and cash.

Get a caregiver for your mother so she doesn't have to take care of you all the time; she's getting old.

And the old widower she knows...he's a good person. Let them accompany each other, so they have someone in their later years."

"Victor!" Porter interrupted him, "You're from the future, aren't you?"

"Don't overthink it."

"What are you hinting at?"

"I'm going to hang up now."

"Is there something you can't openly say?"

"Remember to help me find out who is behind the scenes."

When the busy signal sounded, Porter sat in his wheelchair.

The LED light in the basement cast a mottled shadow on the server racks, but his eyes seemed to see through them into some distant time and space.

Footsteps came from the stairs, and his mother's worried voice called out, "Porter, I heard you shouting. What happened?"

He turned his head, looking at his mother's wrinkled face, suddenly smiled, "A friend gave me some advice to go out more..."

The old lady was stunned, then her eyes welled up with tears, "You have a friend? My God, you've been in the basement for over a decade..." she trembled, "This is wonderful."