45: Chapter 45 Portable Space, Better Late Than Never

Regarding the Varyag, Zhao Yang had watched specialized documentaries in his past life.

That unfinished, massive empty shell was not the most critical link in building an aircraft carrier—otherwise, it would not have sat moored at the port for nearly ten years before work began to refit it. During those ten years, what the Dragon Country truly completed was an entire industrial System for manufacturing large warships: how to plan, how to collaborate, and even how the entire System should be scheduled during construction. These things were far more valuable than just a shell.

The "Operation Sunset Glow" operation went so smoothly, in fact, because it benefited from the Varyag. So, Zhao Yang decided to return this "favor."

The so-called mole in Ulan Country was just an excuse. All the information came from the System exchange.

These were not particularly astonishing secrets twenty years later, so the System's pricing was not high. Zhao Yang simply exchanged for super-heavy rocket technology and space shuttle technology as well—both were failed projects from that superpower in the north back then. That country had dissolved ten years ago, so treating them as scrap materials now was reasonable and justifiable.

After getting the materials, the most painstaking part was making them look old.

Relying on his superb Computer Science skills and using his computer from twenty years in the future, Zhao Yang worked for nearly the whole night. All the materials were presented in the form of "photocopies of photos," with yellowed paper that looked like it had been stored for years. Some places had creases or even missing corners. The arrangement was also chaotic, with different types of things mixed together. After General Feng received them, just sorting them out would take quite a bit of time.

Anyone who saw these yellowed Russian photos would conclude that these were taken in a hurry by insiders when the great power dissolved, waiting to sell them for a good price later.

After dawn, Zhao Yang returned to the Imperial Capital.

Two days later, he handed a CD to General Feng.

The next day, General Feng sent word: let the other party name their price, and they would buy the whole batch of materials.

Four days later, Zhao Yang received a check from a state-owned enterprise—500,000 yuan, with the project listed as "Technical Consultation Fee."

The day after receiving the money, he handed two more CDs to General Feng.

Subsequently, he withdrew all 500,000 from the account.

A day later, Gao Qiqiang arrived in the Imperial Capital. He did not stay long before leaving with a suitcase.

General Feng received his subordinate's report and let out a sigh of relief.

"Little Zhao, it is not that I am being suspicious. After all, this is a major matter; you must be able to understand."

"Chief, is there a need to continue monitoring?"

"No need, withdraw them."

"Understood."

After the subordinate left, General Feng picked up the red telephone on the table and dialed a number.

"Old Leader, the child is fine, everything is normal. This child really does carry luck with him."

"He still does not want to go to the General Staff?"

"Yes, he is determined to pursue an official career."

"An official career it is, then. His rank is too low right now; when he reaches the right rank, we will help where we can."

"Understood."

...

Zhao Yang was well aware of being monitored—those materials were too precious and came too easily. He had to make it look like he "bought them with money," otherwise, he might easily be taken away for dissection.

With "Operation Sunset Glow" plus this batch of materials, Zhao Yang had already entered the field of vision of certain people. Although he had no connections in the upper echelons, he had begun to possess a backing that transcended connections—that backing was called "National Interest."

Not long after Gao Qiqiang left, Zhao Yang's heart skipped a beat.

[The host's actions have had a clear impact on the national fortune of the Dragon Country in the current world, obtaining reward: Portable Space.]

[Portable Space: 1 cubic meter.]

[Can store inanimate objects not exceeding the volume limit. When the host transmigrates to other worlds, items in the space can be retained.]

Space!

Zhao Yang's face lit up with joy. A Sharp Weapon for living at home, traveling, and committing murder or arson—though late, it finally arrived.

He immediately closed the doors and windows to start testing.

Things in the room would disappear and reappear in his hands.

Soon, he became familiar with the method of use: just make contact with the item to collect it.

With this ability, even if he had nothing, he could make a living as a magician.

...

Seeing that the summer vacation was about to end, Zhao Yang had not had a proper rest. Even when he arrived in Jinghai, he could not stay for long before flying back to the Imperial Capital. Jinghai was clearly supposed to be his home, but it felt more like a business trip.

There was one week left before the start of the semester. He put aside everything and returned to the Jinghai Public Security Bureau dormitory, feeling lighthearted.

He was studying for his postgraduate degree in the Imperial Capital, but his position was still attached to the Information Section of the Jinghai Public Security Bureau.

Just as he entered the dormitory, An Changlin strolled in.

"Zhao Yang, you are back?"

"Uncle An, why are you here? I was just about to go to your office."

"I saw you enter the main gate from upstairs," An Changlin laughed. "Our great Ph.D. student has finally returned to his maiden home."

"Please do not tease me, Uncle An. I just transferred to the doctoral program and am still studying," Zhao Yang said while taking a carton of cigarettes from his bag and handing it over.

"I know you have money, kid, so I will not decline," An Changlin sat on the edge of the bed. "What are your plans for the future?"

Zhao Yang thought for a moment: "I do not have any long-term plans yet. First, I will finish my Ph.D. I do not know if Uncle Meng told you, but my teacher in Criminal Investigation is also forcing me to finish the doctorate. For the next two or three years, I will definitely be too busy to even have time for plans."

"I heard about that," An Changlin smacked his lips. "Good grief, let me calculate for you—a dual Ph.D. in three years, plus a First-Class Merit. By then, a First-Class Police Inspector is guaranteed, and administratively... a deputy division-level position is no problem."

After saying this, An Changlin was stunned himself. He looked Zhao Yang up and down: "I am jealous!"

Zhao Yang could not help but laugh, and took out another carton of cigarettes to hand over.

An Changlin did not waste words, took it directly, and stood up: "Alright, I have work to do. Do not go to my office; I have to go to the municipal government for a meeting. Your Uncle Meng is also busy; find him after work. Go chat with Li Xiang and the others."

"Got it!"

As soon as An Changlin left, Li Xiang and two other brothers from the Criminal Police Team arrived at Zhao Yang's dormitory.

"Great Ph.D.! Quick, shake hands! Let me get some of that Immortal Qi from the star of literature!"

As soon as Li Xiang arrived, he grabbed Zhao Yang's hand and started fumbling with it, giving Zhao Yang goosebumps.

"Let go, you!" Zhao Yang pulled his hand away. "If you do that again, I will call the police and say you are harassing me! There are cigarettes in the box, do not be polite, take as many as you want."

"Then I really will not be polite!" Li Xiang opened the box. Although he saw several cartons of soft cigarettes inside, he only opened one and shared it with the other two brothers.

After chatting and laughing for a while, Li Xiang and the others went to work.

Zhao Yang also left the dormitory, hailed a taxi, and arrived at the old Gao residence.

Before he could even knock, the door opened by itself. Gao Qilan stood at the doorway, looking lovely.

Zhao Yang was stunned: "Qilan? When did you get back?"

Gao Qilan laughed: "My brother said you were coming back today. It just so happened that my negotiations with Penguin were finished, so I rushed back."

"Where are Old Gao and A Sheng?" Zhao Yang entered the door.

"Big brother went to buy groceries, second brother will not be back until almost noon."

"Oh... that is great!"

As soon as Zhao Yang finished speaking, he pulled Gao Qilan into his arms and kissed her soft red lips.

"Brother Yang... mm... mm..."