Invasion of the United States

"If we encounter a second robbery, this little money wouldn't be enough..." His throat felt dry, and his steps hesitated.

"Hey... Maurice." At this moment, a voice called out from the restaurant. Maurice looked towards the sound and saw a young couple sitting at a table inside.

The man was Zhou Qingfeng, the Asian 'Trader' Maurice had seen in the parking lot, "Come in, those two at the door are my bodyguards."

Hearing the word 'bodyguards', Maurice's tense nerves relaxed a bit. He took a deep breath and walked into the restaurant.

The two 'Door Gods' only glanced at him briefly, then continued focusing on their food.

Maurice walked to Zhou Qingfeng's table and carefully sat down. A set of fast food was set on the table. His stomach growled in protest; he was indeed hungry.

"I figured you hadn't had dinner, so I ordered it especially for you." Zhou Qingfeng twirled a fry and smiled, "Let's eat and talk."

The bright environment made people feel comfortable, and the aroma of the food also helped to relax the mind.

Maurice grabbed a burger, took a big bite without hesitation, chewed a few times, and swallowed it down, washing it down with half a cup of drink. The feeling of satisfaction made him sigh:

"No matter who you are, you're at least better than those FBI folks."

Zhou Qingfeng chuckled, "Being a devil always requires more diligence than being an angel, otherwise how can one tempt others to fall?"

"Are you sure I will fall?" With the hunger greatly eased, Maurice became much calmer. He put down the burger and stared at Zhou Qingfeng's face, "Who are you?"

"My name is Victor, a… nouveau riche. I am interested in 'Apocalypse Creatures', but I'm prohibited from acquiring it.

The latest news is that 'Apocalypse Creatures' has some secret cooperation with the military, the project is codenamed 'X'. I want to know more detailed information."

Maurice was stunned, the burger in his hand suspended in mid-air, and his appetite instantly disappeared. He frowned and asked in return, "How much are you willing to pay for this?"

"I won't pay you a penny." Zhou Qingfeng shook his head lightly, "This won't involve any monetary transaction."

"No money?" Anger surged in Maurice's heart. He felt like a complete fool, being toyed with twice in one night.

"Don't rush, paying money is too vulgar." Zhou Qingfeng soothed in a deep voice, "If we're friends, and I help your daughter get a recommendation letter for a prestigious university, wouldn't that be reasonable?"

Maurice opened his mouth, only letting out a short "ah" sound—he naturally understood that in a society like the United States, the number of connections one has often determines their fate.

Many immigrants naively believe that the United States is a fair and transparent society, without knowing that the true elites disdained to play with the lower class, the stratification has long been solidified like an iron wall.

And a quality recommendation letter, for an ordinary person, is like a golden key opening the door to advancement, an opportunity that is rare and precious.

Zhou Qingfeng continued, "You have a brother, locked up in the infamous Market Prison, serving as a 'friend' for an inmate who is two meters tall and weighs 150 kilograms.

He's begged you many times, hoping to transfer to another prison, or at least change cellmates. If he doesn't escape, he will definitely commit suicide."

Maurice's face instantly turned pale, as if stripped naked, exposed completely under the other's gaze.

His family background and secrets had long been thoroughly investigated by the other party, leaving nothing hidden.

"Guess how many steps I need to solve this problem? Is it filing a request with the prison administration and slowly submitting various documents? Or just having a lawyer make a call to the district attorney?"

Zhou Qingfeng handed out a business card, then stood up and patted Maurice on the shoulder, "Think it through and call me; everything can be arranged within 24 hours."

The 'Black and White Generals' at the restaurant door also stood up, escorting their boss out.

Maurice stared at the business card with just a name and number printed on it, after half a minute of silence, he suddenly jumped up and hurriedly chased out of the restaurant.

"Victor, can you really help my brother transfer to another prison?"

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

An hour later, Zhou Qingfeng returned to his apartment in the city center by car.

Selena, accompanying him, found the evening extremely dull, so drowsy that she had to be 'princess carried' back.

Jerger, the driver, due to Special Service Bureau occupational habits, couldn't help but tactfully advise Zhou Qingfeng to stay away from matters involving the military.

From the CIA, Lux was very quiet, saying nothing in the passenger seat.

According to Maurice's description, the situation was quite clear.

The United States government often excuses their heinous research under the guise of "science". The military is particularly keen on this, starting biochemical weapon projects during the Cold War.

Back then, with limited technology, biochemical weapons were just some bacterium, viruses, and chemicals. With breakthroughs in the human genome project, new results are now on the microscopic level.

Project X isn't about studying any specific bacterium or virus; it's actually researching a method to enhance the human body.

The principle comes from 'mitochondria'—according to the current popular endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria originated from an ancient α-proteobacterium.

These bacteria were swallowed by primitive eukaryotic cells billions of years ago and gradually evolved to become part of the cells.

Mitochondria are the structures in cells that produce energy, the main site for aerobic respiration. The mitochondria of different organisms vary greatly in size, number, and capability.

Meaning, there's huge room for improvement. If mitochondria can provide stronger energy, human physical and mental abilities can greatly leap forward.

Especially with the maturation of AI technology, efficient protein molecule-level research became possible, and almost all pharmaceutical companies flocked to this field.

Good news: this path of autonomous evolution truly works; Bad news: the side effects are too severe, almost destroying humanity.

Carl mentioned it's related to the military, Zhou Qingfeng was half skeptical, wanting to investigate further. Maurice said the same, leaving him in the dark.

No matter how brilliant he was, he had no confidence to challenge the US military or even the government.

What to do?

No solution.

The US military had conducted numerous such heinous experiments, and US media themselves frequently reported such news, causing no major uproar. [email protected]* for the l#a&tes#t. up&dates. on My V$i@r*tual Library$ E%mp*ire (@M-VL-E#M$P-Y@R&).$

Could the whole world do more than condemn a few words and overturn the United States?

Zhou Qingfeng couldn't play the role of A Qiang against the car, he could only watch the situation evolve day by day, eventually ushering into a desolate apocalypse.

After carrying Selena home, he returned to his room, heavily collapsed on the bed, limbs spread out, eyes blankly staring at the ceiling.

As the room quieted down to just his breathing, a light knock came from outside the door.

The door was pushed ajar, Julia walked in quietly, silently sitting at the bedside, her gentle gaze falling on Zhou Qingfeng.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't raise his head, just turned over, naturally extending his arm, embracing Julia's waist, like a little animal seeking shelter, trying to draw some comfort from her embrace.

Julia didn't ask what happened, nor did she break the silence. She just raised her hand, fingers through Zhou Qingfeng's hair, slowly massaging his scalp.

With her soothing, Zhou Qingfeng's tense nerves gradually relaxed, and the chaotic thoughts in his mind slowly dissipated.

The fear of the apocalypse, the confusion about the future seemed temporarily isolated outside this warm embrace.

Tired, let it go.

Let the world end, I've tried my best.

Zhou Qingfeng's heart gradually calmed down, his body sinking into the soft bed, breathing also becoming steady. Sleepiness quietly crept in, ready to take him into the tranquility of dreams.

This is like a Priest refilling a Warrior's magic.

However, the phone rang inappropriately… and the number was unfamiliar.

After answering, a stuttering voice came from the other end, "Hel..Hello, Victor, I'm Maurice. I suddenly had some thoughts, maybe you would be interested."

"I'm not interested, don't call again." Zhou Qingfeng directly hung up.

Seeing him rejuvenated, Julia playfully slapped him, "If someone is so urgent to call you, it must be important."

Zhou Qingfeng lay still, "I don't care. If one day's delay leads to the world's end, it won't be my fault."