Chapter 294 I have a favor to ask!

Hearing this, Liu Jianguo's gaze involuntarily fell once again upon the black Fishing Rod in the center of the conference table.

He pointed at the Fishing Rod that made him feel both love and hatred, rubbing his hands together.

"Um..."

Liu Jianguo pointed at the Fishing Rod on the conference table and said, "Can we take another look at that Fishing Rod?"

The Head of Special Operations Officer looked at him, then looked at the Old General who had been silent the whole time.

The Old General nodded slightly.

Having received permission, the Head of Special Operations Officer indicated it was fine.

Liu Jianguo stood up immediately, walking quickly to the conference table, almost unable to contain his impatience.

He reached out both hands and, with extreme care, as if holding a priceless treasure, picked up the Fishing Rod.

It felt slightly heavy in his hands, and the surface had an extremely unique, cold texture that seemed to cling to his skin.

He pulled out the rod tip section by section, examining it again and again.

His eyes were almost pressed against the dark golden dragon scale patterns.

Just a short while ago, when he received this package in his office.

At that time, he thought the Fishing Rod was something he had bought online from an unknown manufacturer.

He hadn't known before that it was made from carbon fiber material used by the Air Force.

He thought that although his rod was impressive and could lift hundreds of pounds of iron, it was just that—nothing special.

It was just a matter of spending more money, wrapping the carbon cloth a bit thicker, and using a bit more resin.

It was just a crude, bulky piece of over-engineered gear.

But now that he knew the truth.

After knowing the true identity of this thing.

He felt that this Fishing Rod was simply "a heifer riding a rocket"—absolutely mind-blowing!

Oh, my goodness...

How is this a Fishing Rod? This is clearly a wing from a stealth fighter jet without an engine!

Liu Jianguo screamed internally.

Looking at the Fishing Rod again now.

The texture.

The strength.

The perfect taper design.

Liu Jianguo stroked it lovingly, his fingers rubbing back and forth along the rod body.

His eyes were filled with the look one might have upon meeting a peerless beauty.

That deep-seated fanaticism, greed, and the possessiveness unique to an angler seeing top-tier gear made him look exactly like a lecher.

The conference room was very quiet.

The Old General and the Head of Special Operations Officer just watched Liu Jianguo acting crazy over a Fishing Rod.

He touched it for a long time.

Liu Jianguo seemed to have finally satisfied his urge, slowly retracting the Fishing Rod and clutching it tightly in his hands.

Then, he turned around.

On that old face, a rare, shy blush unexpectedly appeared.

And at this moment.

Liu Jianguo spoke hesitantly, looking at the Head of Special Operations Officer:

"Um, Comrade, I have a humble request. Could you grant it for me?"

Hearing Liu Jianguo say this.

The Head of Special Operations Officer immediately sat up straight, his expression becoming serious.

He immediately said, "Please speak."

In fact.

Looking at Liu Jianguo, the Head of Special Operations Officer felt both helpless and a bit guilty.

In their line of work, being decisive and showing no favoritism—even to one's own family—was an ironclad rule.

Although bringing Liu Jianguo in for investigation as a spy was his duty.

At that moment, all alarms pointed to the worst-case scenario, and they had to take the most decisive, forceful measures.

But now.

After knowing that this was a huge misunderstanding.

Looking at the elderly comrade before him, whose hair was already graying, he felt that the scene he had caused at the airport was indeed a bit too much, and he felt somewhat sorry for this old leader.

Putting himself in his shoes.

Imagine a person who worked hard for over half a year, finally got leave approved, and was excitedly taking his wife and children to the airport, ready to go abroad for a vacation.

Only to be at the security checkpoint.

In public view.

Pinned down by a group of agents, his wife and children terrified and pale, and then the whole family separated, detained, and interrogated.

Who could feel good about that?

The Head of Special Operations Officer thought that perhaps the other party wanted them to explain things to his family.

After all, it seemed Liu Jianguo's wife and children were quite suspicious of him.

Thinking of this.

He revealed a strange expression again.

In his mind, he involuntarily replayed the scene in the special security channel at the airport.

It was truly a drama for the ages, unforgettable for a lifetime.

That little girl, Liu Jianguo's daughter.

The moment the alarm went off, not only did she not hide behind her father in fear.

Instead, she immediately took a step back and shouted, "I was the one who leaked state secrets," "I'm young, I'll still be young when I get out," and "I don't like school anyway."

That practiced scapegoating rhetoric, that smooth, logical loop.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought their family was a dynasty specialized in spy training.

And Liu Jianguo's wife, Wang Shufen.

She was even more incredible.

From beginning to end, she didn't offer a single word of defense, and the despair and "heartbreak" in her eyes.

Clearly showed she had already concluded that her husband was a spy who had been lurking for many years.

The Head of Special Operations Officer was speechless.

After all, as family, one should surely trust family.

When encountering a sudden situation, the first reaction should be, "Did you make a mistake?" or "My husband is a good man."

But Liu Jianguo's wife and children, after discovering the Fishing Rod was a classified product, immediately concluded that Liu Jianguo was a spy.

And didn't think it was a misunderstanding.

Just how much distrust must have accumulated over the years?

He wondered what kind of image Liu Jianguo held in the minds of his wife and children, and how unreliable he must seem.

To be able to manage family relationships into such a leaky, backstabbing state, this old leader could be considered quite a unique character.

"Director Liu, you don't need to feel troubled."

The Head of Special Operations Officer cleared his throat, his tone much gentler, as he prepared to agree to help him and explain things.

"Regarding your family, we completely understand."

"Today's events indeed caused your family quite a bit of shock and misunderstanding."

"Rest assured, once the procedures here are finished, I will personally take people over."

"I will explain clearly to your wife and children that this was entirely a technical misunderstanding, and that you are a loyal..."

However.

Before he could finish his sentence.

He was impatiently interrupted by Liu Jianguo.

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant!"

Liu Jianguo pushed the priceless "top-secret" Fishing Rod forward.

His eyes flashed with a sickly, almost fanatical light.

Liu Jianguo said, getting more and more excited:

"Um, this rod..."

"Can I take it out and cast a few times, do some fishing?"

"I've used every rod on the market, but I've never used a rod made from the carbon fiber used on fighter jets!"