220: Chapter 221 The Remnant of Destiny is Executed, Feelings Gradually Become Clear, and Initial Intentions are Revealed

The study at Song Family Manor had been temporarily converted into a command center. A Jiangcheng map was spread across the large mahogany table, and the police's movement trajectories pulsed in real-time on the electronic screens.

Zhang Fan sat in the main seat, his fingers sliding across the touchpad to pull up a 3D model of the Hongxing Machinery Factory in the western suburbs. This had been quickly generated by Liu Ruyan using drone aerial data, with the warehouse structure, ventilation ducts, and guard positions clearly marked.

Gu Jingshen sat beside him, his suit sleeves rolled up, speaking in a low voice into an encrypted phone: "Qin Xue has confirmed that the special operations team has reached the factory perimeter and will launch the raid in three minutes. Tell the technical team to synchronize the real-time footage; don't let any mistakes happen."

On the other side of the screen, Zhou Yurou, Song Zhiwei, Lin Wanyi, and Liu Ruyan sat around a secondary table. Having just escaped the kidnapping crisis, the group still looked weary, but their eyes were fixed on the real-time surveillance in the corner of the screen—the footage transmitted by the micro-camera Qin Xue had planted in Zhou Yurou's accessory beforehand, now clearly showing the kidnappers pacing anxiously inside the warehouse.

"The kidnappers' signal jamming range is limited; I've already locked onto their emergency communication channel using a satellite link." Liu Ruyan pushed up her glasses, her fingertips tapping on the keyboard, and a string of encrypted code popped up on the screen. "They were just in contact with 'The Bishop,' saying Zhang Fan didn't respond and they wanted to eliminate the hostages to force a deal, but 'The Bishop' told them to wait another ten minutes; it seems they are waiting for someone."

Song Zhiwei brought a glass of warm water and handed it to Zhou Yurou, her voice tinged with lingering fear but remaining firm: "'The Bishop' is stalling for time; he must want to take the technology and run immediately. I've already had our family security contact customs and the airport; all outbound flights and ports are under strict surveillance. He won't be able to escape."

Lin Wanyi leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples. As a superstar, she had just canceled two international press conferences to rush here, yet she showed no star airs at this moment, pointing at the kidnappers on the screen: "I recognize these mercenaries; they are from the Southeast Asia 'Black Scorpion' organization, driven only by profit. I heard them arguing on the monitor just now, saying 'The Bishop' only paid half the deposit; infighting is inevitable now."

Zhang Fan suddenly raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. On the screen, Qin Xue's voice came through the encrypted channel, accompanied by the sound of wind from the scene: "President Zhang, President Gu, the special operations team is in position. There's internal conflict among the kidnappers; two guards are arguing about whether to surrender. This is the best time to strike."

"Move." Zhang Fan's voice was calm, without a ripple. He tapped the warehouse door position on the 3D model: "Have the team breach from the front door, and send two people to flank via the ventilation ducts. Make sure to leave some alive; I need to know 'The Bishop's' exact location."

Gu Jingshen immediately repeated the order, and red arrows lit up instantly on the movement trajectory map on the screen. Everyone's eyes were focused on the real-time footage—the warehouse door was blown open in an instant, the deafening sound coming through the camera. The special operations team, clad in bulletproof vests, filed in. The beams of their high-intensity flashlights swept across the corners, and the kidnappers were pinned to the ground before they could even react. The whole process took less than thirty seconds.

When the figures of Zhou Yurou and the others walking safely out of the warehouse appeared on the screen, the tense atmosphere in the study finally relaxed. Song Zhiwei's eyes turned red, and she stood up and walked to Zhang Fan's side but stopped half a step away from him. Lin Wanyi took out her phone and sent a "safe" message to her brothers, though her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the screen. Liu Ruyan pushed up her glasses and continued to adjust the equipment, hiding the concern in her eyes.

Only Zhou Yurou was the most natural; she walked behind Zhang Fan and gently pressed his tense shoulders: "Don't be so nervous; the crisis has been resolved. But for a programmer to act as commander-in-chief, you were even more precise than a professional commander; it's truly impressive."

Zhang Fan patted the back of her hand with his other hand. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Ruyan suddenly shouted: "New situation! The leader of the 'Black Scorpion' mercenaries has confessed. 'The Bishop' is in Jiangcheng, hiding in an abandoned church in the old district, and he has a time bomb with him, threatening to go down with Singularity!"

The smiles on everyone's faces froze instantly. Gu Jingshen immediately dialed Qin Xue's phone: "Dispatch bomb disposal experts to the old district immediately; I am heading to the scene to take command now."

"I'll go with you." Qin Xue's voice came from the phone, carrying the decisiveness typical of a police officer: "I am familiar with the terrain of the old district and can find the church's location faster."

Zhang Fan shook his head and pulled up the heat map of the old district: "No need. Liu Ruyan has already locked onto the specific location of the church through thermal sensing. 'The Bishop's' bomb is remote-controlled; he wants to force me to go there and negotiate. Gu Jingshen, have Qin Xue take the bomb disposal experts in through the side door, and at the same time, have the technical team jam his remote control signal. I will talk to him to stall for time."

He picked up the encrypted phone and dialed 'The Bishop's' number directly. The moment the call connected, the other party's sinister voice came through: "Zhang Fan, your women are in my hands... oh, wait, they've already been rescued? No matter, I still have one last card. Sacred Heart Church in the old district. Come alone, bringing the core technology, or I will detonate the bomb and let the entire old district be buried with me!"

"The technology you want, I can give you." Zhang Fan's voice slowed down deliberately, carrying a hint of compromise: "But, I need to confirm your bomb is real; let me see the scene. Also, I'm just a programmer and don't understand negotiations. Let Song Zhiwei talk to you; she is a shareholder of Singularity and can make decisions."

Song Zhiwei looked up sharply, a flash of surprise in her eyes, then immediately understood Zhang Fan's intention—she was the daughter of the richest man, possessing a powerful aura, and could better stall for time while also making 'The Bishop' lower his guard. She took the phone, her tone steady: "Mr. 'Bishop,' I am Song Zhiwei. I have brought the technical data, but I need to see the bomb with my own eyes to ensure your threat is not empty talk."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of a video transmission. On the screen, 'The Bishop' stood in the center of a church filled with explosives, holding a remote control device in his hand, with an innocent priest tied up behind him. Liu Ruyan immediately analyzed the footage using technical means and whispered: "The bomb is real, but the detonating device has a vulnerability; I can interfere with it remotely."

Just then, Qin Xue's voice came through: "The bomb disposal experts have entered the church's side door and are approaching the bomb. 'The Bishop's' attention is entirely on the phone; he hasn't noticed us."

Song Zhiwei understood and deliberately raised her voice: "The technical data is very large; I need time to transmit it. Release the priest first to prove your sincerity."

'The Bishop' was just about to retort when the image suddenly shook violently—the bomb disposal expert launched a surprise attack from behind, snatching the remote control from his hand, and several police officers immediately stepped forward to pin him to the ground. 'The Bishop' struggled frantically, roaring: "Zhang Fan! I won't let you go! Tianming Group still has remaining forces; they will avenge me!"

The call was disconnected, and a "Mission Accomplished" notification appeared on the screen. Applause erupted in the study again. Gu Jingshen breathed a sigh of relief and teased: "Old Zhang, your brain is truly that of a natural commander. When we were writing code together back then, how come I didn't notice you had this talent?"

The night grew deeper, and the group moved to the courtyard to drink tea. Moonlight spilled onto the stone table. Zhou Yurou refilled Zhang Fan's tea and said softly: "What's the plan next? The remaining forces of Tianming need to be cleared out, and the promotion of the eastern technology standard cannot stop either."

"Leave the promotion to you and Song Zhiwei, and the technology R&D to Liu Ruyan." Zhang Fan looked at the people in front of him, his eyes sincere: "As for the remaining forces of Tianming, state departments have already intervened; we just need to cooperate and provide intelligence. However, today's events made me realize that I cannot let you be in danger again."

He looked at Song Zhiwei: "Your family's resources can help us build a safer protective network; Wanyi, your connections can help us gather overseas intelligence; Yurou, you are my most trusted right-hand person, the company cannot do without you; Ruyan, your technology is our strongest backing."

Lin Wanyi chuckled, breaking the subtle atmosphere: "So you want to keep us all by your side as your 'technical backing' and 'safety protection'?"

Zhang Fan's cheeks flushed slightly, but he did not avoid their gaze: "I know this is selfish, but I don't want to lose any important person again. Whether it's career or relationships, I want to take them seriously."

Zhou Yurou nodded first, Song Zhiwei smiled along, Liu Ruyan pushed up her glasses, and Lin Wanyi raised her teacup: "Then here's to our President Zhang, may the eastern technology standard spread globally soon, and here's to us... may we all get what we wish for."

Under the moonlight, the sound of teacups clinking was crisp and pleasant. Zhang Fan knew that the threat of Tianming Group had not been completely eliminated, and the road ahead was still full of challenges, but with these partners who fought side-by-side with him, he had the confidence to face any storm. And this complex yet sincere affection would also slowly find its answer amidst their shared struggles.