Chen Ge rushed to speak, “Xiao Meng, listen to me. I can be an ordinary man. I know you once liked a simple, unremarkable life, and I can do that too. Starting today, I can abandon all status and build everything up from scratch. I believe it won't take long before I can achieve a hundred times what Zhao Qian has. You must trust me; give me a chance to prove myself. Zhao Qian skips class every other day and idles around; he won't bring you happiness in the future. Give me some time, give me a chance, let me show you that I am the man who loves you most and can give you the greatest happiness!”
Fang Yanmeng replied, “I’m sorry, Chen Ge. I’m very proud that you like me; at least it proves I’m not inferior to other girls. Otherwise, I would feel unworthy of Brother Zhao Qian. As for happiness, I just need to be clear about it myself. In this world, only Brother Zhao Qian is the only man I truly love. I plan to marry him and have a baby with him in the future. There are countless beautiful women in this world; I wish you an early discovery of your true love.”
Chen Ge still wanted to plead further when he heard Fang Yanmeng’s decisive tone, “Don’t say anything more, I’m hanging up now. Take care of yourself, goodnight.”
She hung up the phone, and the bedroom immediately erupted. In fact, no one present disliked Fang Yanmeng; even Mu Fei couldn’t guarantee he hadn't entertained such thoughts privately. However, Fang Yanmeng’s almost fragile demeanor towards me just now was unbearable to them. Coupled with her sexy and adorable attire, which stoked their desires, the ensuing attack on me was like a sudden squall.
Chen Ge roared with fury, “Zhao Qian, what the hell is so good about you! Did you drug Fang Yanmeng? I refuse to believe I’m worse than you! Why is she so completely obedient to you? Even if she were your girlfriend, she shouldn't be that meek! Where is the air of a young lady from a wealthy family? She should be ordering you around, scolding you! With your status, you only deserve to be her slave! I’m telling you, your relationship won't last. She will dump you sooner or later because you are mismatched. These stories of rich young ladies falling for paupers are out of fashion! And such stories are destined for tragic endings. Reality isn't a novel or a movie; you will regret this!”
I lay comfortably on my own bed and drawled, “Say what you will. In any case, I’ve held her, touched her, and kissed her. Moreover, her father promised to marry her to me. Stop worrying your head over it. We’ll be sure to invite you to the wedding banquet when the time comes.”
Chen Ge leaped onto the empty space between the two beds. “I challenge you to a duel! Zhao Qian, if you’re a man, we’ll settle this here and now. Only one of us will ever return to Longteng University; the loser stays in the East Sea forever!”
I sighed, “Chen Ge, you can’t beat me, and Fang Yanmeng won’t like you either. Go chase some other girl. It’s not worth becoming enemies over this.”
Chen Ge exchanged a look with Gao Sheng, and the two of them lunged at me. It was a pity; they weren't worthy opponents. I didn't even get off the bed, striking out lightly with one punch that sent them both tumbling to the floor.
They scrambled up and charged again. There was a thumb-thick iron rod welded to the side of the bed as a guardrail. I reached out, yanked it free, bent it into a ring, and slipped it over Chen Ge’s head. “Do you think your head is harder than this iron rod? Come and try it if you’re not afraid to die.”
All eight male classmates were stunned by this display. Chen Ge and Gao Sheng dared not rush forward again. We were in the vast ocean; no one could call for outside help. They had tried to use superior numbers to beat me up earlier, but looking at the situation now, they were clearly the ones who would get beaten. So, even if they weren't honest, they had to act honest.
Mu Fei had been watching coldly from the side. He spoke up then, “Zhao Qian, you have incredible strength. How did you develop such a skill?”
I replied, “Haven't you heard? I’m a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple. My national reputation for soft and hard Qigong precedes me. I’ve saved damsels in distress many times. Did you really think I was just a kept man?”
Mu Fei, Shang Gao, Cui Ling, and the others nodded repeatedly. In their estimation, I had probably always seemed like a guy relying on women. But seeing this display, they should realize that even if I was supported by women, I still possessed this kind of capability.
Chen Ge and Gao Sheng were utterly helpless, never having felt so passive since they were in the womb. Chen Ge had fantasized about Fang Yanmeng for so long; the shattering of that dream clearly inflicted deep pain upon him.
Boom! Boom! Two more massive explosions echoed from the distant sea and sky, reminding everyone that this was a battlefield, not a place to discuss romantic entanglements. In the next minute, the entire oil rig could be annihilated.
“Quick, grab the cameras and go see what’s happening!” Mu Fei waved his hand.
Regardless of the turmoil happening in the distance, the oil workers strictly followed their established schedules. Only the nine of us gathered on the platform to watch the grand fireworks show in the sky.
Mu Fei stopped a worker, “Sir, what happened this time?”
The worker replied, “Two more reconnaissance planes were hit by submarine-launched missiles.”
“Awesome!” Hearing the news, several classmates couldn’t help but cheer.
Cui Ling said, “Our country should have done this long ago. Send a few, we’ll shoot down a few. Let’s see if the Japanese have more reconnaissance planes or we have more missiles.”
The worker calmly stated, “They weren’t our military’s missiles. Our missiles are rocket-propelled. But these three that took down the reconnaissance planes were cold-driven; you can’t see any flame from fuel combustion even at night. Furthermore, those two reconnaissance planes were flying at extremely high altitudes; our country doesn't possess a submarine-launched missile capable of hitting them.”
“This?” Several classmates were bewildered. The worker finished speaking and returned to his duties, leaving the group to engage in a fierce debate on the platform.
With so much corroborating evidence, most people shifted their suspicion toward the Red Dragon. Only the Red Dragon possessed such advanced technology. But why would the Red Dragon get involved in the East Sea dispute? A cacophony of opinions erupted.
It wasn't just the C Oil Well that was in an uproar; even the high echelons of the Great Dragon Country’s government were in chaos. Shortly after the first Japanese reconnaissance plane was shot down, the news reached the Military Commission. While others might have hesitated, wondering if it was a stray submarine shot, Chairman Li Zhenyu immediately thought of the Red Dragon.
Just ten minutes after the missile took down the Japanese reconnaissance plane, on-site photos and commentary appeared online. Chairman Li Zhenyu then learned that a group of university students was aboard the East Sea C Oil Platform and had accurately recorded the entire process of the Japanese reconnaissance plane being shot down.
Once the photos spread online, they caused an enormous stir throughout the Great Dragon Country. The entire nation went wild with joy. Hearing this news after holding back for so long felt like a New Year celebration. People everywhere decorated with red banners, set off firecrackers, and spontaneously organized crowds took to the streets to share the news: The Great Dragon Country was fighting back against the Japanese invasion!
At such a moment, the government dared not offer any explanation. If the people were told that the missile was not fired by the government, their morale might suffer a devastating blow. Therefore, the government tacitly accepted the event and made corresponding adjustments regarding the assembly of the Japanese fleet.
When the second and third Japanese reconnaissance planes were shot down—even though there were no on-site photos—the news kept the people of the Great Dragon Country awake, sitting glued to their televisions awaiting the government’s next move.
But at this juncture, Chairman Li Zhenyu himself had a headache. Launching a war required immense courage and preparation. The Great Dragon Country could handle a small, local conflict, but if the situation escalated, compounded by the troubles in the South China Sea, the Third World War might genuinely erupt.
Despite his concerns, Chairman Li Zhenyu ultimately overruled all opposition. Following the resolution already decided upon, they would fight a small, local naval battle to deliver a stern warning to the Japanese and ensure stability in the East Sea for the foreseeable future.
The peace faction naturally brought up numerous difficulties, but Chairman Li Zhenyu merely smiled and ignored them. He felt secure now: two oil wells in the East Sea were now under the jurisdiction of Grand Earth Energy. Would the Red Dragon stand idly by? Even setting that aside, the rumored formidable Second and Third Fleets would ensure the Japanese wouldn't have an easy time. In essence, the Great Dragon Country’s military was picking up an advantage; this battle was destined to be a sure win at sea.
Japan was also in turmoil. The inherent nature of the warlike nation was fully displayed. They never questioned why their reconnaissance planes were shot down; they absolutely did not believe they were at fault. In their core belief, invasion was their birthright.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe Kichisō convened several emergency meetings in succession. It wasn't that Japan hadn't prepared sufficiently beforehand; rather, this single missile strike had unnerved them. If they were to use submarine-launched missiles, their backbone—anti-submarine helicopters and the F-22s just purchased from the US for their air force—would face severe threats.
No matter how grave the Japanese government’s concerns were, the increasing number of belligerent Japanese outside the Prime Minister's residence compelled the authorities to move their warships toward the East Sea according to the original plan. Simultaneously, the shore-based Patriot missile batteries were prepared to counter any long-range missile strikes on the homeland from the Great Dragon Country.
Meanwhile, Iben Ichimoku, who had returned, was now aboard the Kongo-class destroyer steaming towards the Great Dragon Country’s C Oil Well, under the guise of Taro from Imperial Oil Company. Since this battle concerned the future and fate of Imperial Oil Company, he received special permission to participate.
Iben Ichimoku refused to accept the fact that he had been defeated by the people of the Great Dragon Country multiple times. Now, as the mighty Japanese Empire prepared to attack the Great Dragon Country, this offered him a final opportunity. He wanted to personally load a shell and fire it toward the Great Dragon Country, wanting to watch firsthand as the Great Dragon Country’s outdated warships sank beneath the waves.
Under the cover of anti-submarine planes and early warning aircraft, this newly equipped "Eight-Eight Fleet" swiftly advanced from their original exercise area toward the Great Dragon Country’s C Oil Well. By the end of dinner that evening, Iben Ichimoku could clearly see the oil platform through his binoculars. Vast amounts of oil were being piped back to the Great Dragon Country, which drove Iben Ichimoku nearly insane. War maniacs possess an inherent, almost obsessive desire to dominate resources.
“Baka! Why haven't our planes bombed the Great Dragon Country’s oil platform yet? Has the Prime Minister changed his mind again?” Iben Ichimoku asked his attendant furiously.
The attendant replied, “Four anti-submarine patrol planes have already taken off. We must first eliminate threats from beneath the sea. Although we have a submarine force accompanying us, the enemy submarines are elusive, and the fleet commander fears an ambush. Besides, we shouldn’t suggest attacking the oil platform first, because if we win the war, those assets will belong to us.”
Iben Ichimoku nodded. “That makes sense. The people of the Great Dragon Country are indeed cunning. I’m going in for a nap. Report to me immediately if there’s any change.”
Iben Ichimoku hadn’t even closed his eyes before his attendant ran back in. “Mr. Iben, this is bad news! Two of our anti-submarine patrol planes have just exploded!”
Iben Ichimoku jumped out of bed. “Two more aircraft lost! What is Commander Dotomiyoshino doing? I question his command ability.”
In the command cabin, Dotomiyoshino clearly held the young master of Imperial Oil Company in contempt. He stated arrogantly, “Mr. Iben, commanding combat is my responsibility. Please refrain from involving yourself too much in military affairs, or I will have to ask you off the warship.”
Iben Ichimoku sneered, “Fine, I’ll watch how you defeat the Great Dragon Country’s warships. I hope you don’t disappoint our Imperial Oil Company.”
Dotomiyoshino paid him no further mind. He addressed his subordinates, “I have received orders from the Prime Minister: command the two eight-tube ship-to-ship missile launchers to attack the Great Dragon Country’s fleet. Simultaneously, our twelve F-22 Raptor jets are about to arrive overhead in the combat zone to provide necessary air support. The Great Dragon Country lacks air support and will soon be crushed!”
Someone below asked, “Sir, how do we deal with the Great Dragon Country’s submarine-launched missiles? What if they attack our fleet underwater?”
“Baka! We have four Oyashio-class submarines underwater, equipped with eighty Type 89 wire-guided torpedoes aimed at the Great Dragon Country’s submarine force. Furthermore, these four submarines are equipped with advanced towed array sonars and anti-ship missiles. Coupled with our anti-submarine helicopters, how dare they attack our fleet!”
The subordinate lowered his voice. “What if we aren’t facing the Great Dragon Country’s navy? Everyone knows the missiles that hit the three anti-submarine patrol planes were very strange.”
Dotomiyoshino suddenly pulled out his handgun. “I have the right to execute anyone who resists the Emperor and the Prime Minister’s orders or undermines military morale!”
***On the oil platform, we could see both fleets through the infrared binoculars. In the face of war, discussing women was meaningless, so even Gao Sheng and Chen Ge became serious.
Mu Fei addressed everyone, “Classmates, we’ve encountered war just after boarding the oil platform. Don't regret it or be afraid. This is a huge test for us. You could say we are the only journalists on the battlefield right now. We must use the cameras and video recorders in our hands to film our nation’s counterattack against the invaders, letting the entire country know that our nation has never given up resistance. We must warn those countries that still covet our territory: if they don’t reflect on their actions, the only path left is ruin!”
“Yes!” Everyone’s spirits were roused again, and they started shooting in the dark with their cameras. Of course, there was nothing to film at the moment, but who knew what might happen next.
Seeing even Gao Sheng, who had been scared witless earlier, acting enthusiastically, I smiled. Mu Fei really should be made the Director of Political Affairs.
Mu Fei noticed my smile and walked over. He was silent at first, watching the sea under the night sky for a moment before saying thoughtfully, “Zhao Qian, you are a very strange person.”
“How so? I have clear reasons for everything. What’s strange?”
Mu Fei said, “When you were here this evening, I remember you said something to the Japanese reconnaissance planes. You said they wouldn’t go back alive today, and it was time for them to cry. Was the war anticipated by you?”
I laughed. “Yes, haven’t you realized that our country has lost some public support regarding the South China Sea issue? If we also give up on the East Sea dispute, can you accept that?”
Mu Fei slammed his hand on the guardrail of the platform with a bang. “No! We absolutely will not allow the government to do that! That would lead to us losing more and more territory. We cannot afford to lose a single inch of land now!”
“Isn't that the point? You also know the country is fighting for every inch of land right now, and the East Sea contains abundant oil and natural gas. Furthermore, we are drilling east of the centerline of the disputed area. Now the Japanese are defecating on our heads; would it be just to give up on this war actively?”
Mu Fei considered it. “Is that the only reason? How did you manage to board the supply ship? I went through great effort to secure those eight slots. The government recently issued strict orders forbidding ordinary fishermen from entering this sea area for fishing during this period.”
“This is my girlfriend’s company. Why would it be difficult for me to come here?”
Mu Fei paused. “I forgot about that matter, but you still strike me as very strange… Since we are sharing this fate today, I have something to ask you. I hope you answer truthfully.”
“Go ahead. I hope my answer satisfies you.”
“What is your relationship with Li Qi? I once saw the two of you alone together. You already have Fang Yanmeng; I don’t want you to hurt Li Qi.”
I laughed, a loud, genuine laugh. “Classmate Mu Fei, I somewhat disagree with what you’re saying. Hurt Li Qi? Do you think that’s possible?”
Mu Fei thought for a moment. Based on his understanding, perhaps only Li Qi hurt others, so saying she was being hurt by someone else seemed inappropriate. “I don’t just mean physical harm; I mean emotionally!”
I didn’t want to answer Mu Fei on this matter. Li Qi once tried to ‘harm’ my body, but in the end, I ‘harmed’ her body, and she seemed to enjoy it—though how could outsiders know about our relationship? My association with her was quite discreet at school; Mu Fei likely didn't know much of the real situation.
At this point, I could guess that Mu Fei secretly liked Li Qi. Li Qi was the kind of very strong woman, and Mu Fei was the kind of assertive, competitive man. It was natural for him to fall for Li Qi. However, among the male students at Longteng University, how many didn’t secretly wish Li Qi was their girlfriend? It would be hard to find any.
“Why aren't you speaking?” Mu Fei pressed when I remained silent.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me exactly what your relationship with Li Qi is.”
“Friends, I suppose.”
“Is that all?”
“How complex do you think it is? If there are any new developments, I'll let you know.”
Mu Fei became somewhat angry: “You!” But he glanced at the classmates nearby and lowered his voice, “Zhao Qian, I hope you can recognize yourself and don't push things too far.”
I said seriously, “Matters of the heart are mutual consent; there’s no ‘too far’ involved. Speaking of which, what is your relationship with Li Qi?”
“I, I, I…” Mu Fei stammered for a long time without saying anything concrete. Finally, he concluded, “It’s not convenient to talk about these things here. We’ll discuss it when we get back to school, assuming we have a chance to return.”
It was impossible to continue that conversation then. Suddenly, a string of fire erupted from the midst of the Japanese fleet. The flames rapidly left the formation and shot toward the mixed destroyer and frigate fleet of the Great Dragon Country several kilometers away in the East Sea. This was the first real surface engagement between the two sides since several days of exercises.
Seeing the missiles were not aimed at the oil platform, the students let out a slight sigh of relief, but they dared not relax their cameras, tracking the launched missiles closely. Everyone held their breath for the Great Dragon Country’s fleet, as the distance was short and the Japanese had launched a large number of missiles. They prayed the warships wouldn't be hit.
However, the students' worry was unnecessary. As missiles launched from the Japanese warships, several waves of interceptor missiles also launched from the Great Dragon Country’s fleet formation, achieving a one-hundred-percent interception rate. All incoming missiles were destroyed mid-flight.
The Japanese refused to concede defeat. Forty minutes later, they launched another, denser volley of missiles. The Great Dragon Country’s fleet retaliated again. Thus, the wide sea area before the oil platform became lit up with flashes of fire as the engagement went back and forth.
Gao Sheng, having learned more about the military due to his father’s influence, remarked, “This situation is bad. Our warships have limited missile capacity, but the Japanese have abundant supply ships behind them. Furthermore, their Eight-Eight Fleet possesses formidable missile power. If this continues, we will be exhausted to death.”
The students, now more intensely invested in hoping for a victory for the Great Dragon Country because they were on the battlefield, began to worry. As time passed, just as Gao Sheng predicted, the flames from the missiles launched from the Great Dragon Country’s direction grew scarcer. Strangely, however, the Japanese missile attacks remained dense yet surprisingly failed to breach the Great Dragon Country’s interception net, leaving everyone deeply puzzled.
Shang Gao exclaimed, “Holy crap! It turns out our country’s missile interception technology is so formidable—one missile can intercept two! The little Japs will probably run out first.”
“No!” Gao Sheng countered, “Look at this footage I shot from a distance of the missile explosions earlier. The light during the interception was very strong then. What is that? It turns out the Great Dragon Country’s missile group includes those cold-driven missiles that shot down the Japanese reconnaissance planes!”
Duo Tengyeh also spotted the issue; it seemed the PLA had new missile capabilities added to their arsenal. Winning this naval engagement was now exceedingly difficult, perhaps impossible. However, Abe Kiso Three had given the order: if the Great Dragon Country didn't escalate its reaction, they should continue firing to keep the battle contained within certain parameters. After all, the Great Dragon Country possessed nuclear weapons, and no one could guarantee they wouldn't use them if the situation escalated.
And so, both sides engaged in a frustrating stalemate. The F-22 fighter jets received last-minute orders to hold fire on the Great Dragon Country's fleet, to prevent a lethal strike from those mysterious submarine-launched missiles.
The back-and-forth exchange dragged on until the middle of the night. The most agonizing for Ibe Ichimoku was the current situation: the Great Dragon Country's missiles weren't actively attacking, yet the Japanese missiles couldn't penetrate their defenses. At this rate, when would the real fight even begin? If the Battle of the East China Sea wasn't won, all of the Empire Petroleum's investments here, and the future profits they stood to gain, would evaporate!
Ibe Ichimoku had repeatedly suggested to his father that the government should urge an all-out assault on the Great Dragon Country before they could fully deploy their defenses, but his father had overruled him.
In truth, the Japanese government was waiting for the reaction from Country M. The M government had been aware of the situation since the first wave of missile attacks. Since the turmoil in the East China Sea would inevitably spill over into the South China Sea, and considering the post-WWII agreements obligated Country M to secure Japan’s safety, the Americans convened an emergency late-night meeting, which was currently deep in deliberation.
Fortunately, a resolution was reached by dawn. President Jobs of Country M sent a telegram to Japanese Prime Minister Abe Kiso Three, urging him to resolve the territorial dispute between Japan and the Great Dragon Country using limited military force, without escalating the overall conflict.
Jobs explained to Abe Kiso Three that Country M’s decision was based on the fact that the conflict zone was in a contested area. "You claim justification, and I claim justification; this body of water should not fall under Japan's territorial defense perimeter. Therefore, according to the war-time agreements, Country M has no grounds to interfere."
However, Jobs solemnly reminded Abe Kiso Three that he would be conveying this same message to the leadership of the Great Dragon Country. The battle had to be contained; if the fighting endangered the security of Country M’s military bases in Japan, Country M would intervene at any cost, even resorting to pre-emptive nuclear strikes if necessary.
Privately, Jobs and Abe Kiso Three struck a wartime cooperation agreement: the Japanese would provide the funding, and Country M would supply satellite reconnaissance and weaponry.
Country M couldn't voice the difficulties they were facing by not getting involved in the East China Sea dispute; vast troop numbers were tied down in the South China Sea, leaving them no bandwidth for this area. Right now, Country M could only hope that one side in the East China Sea conflict would emerge victorious quickly to resolve the dispute swiftly. After all, the East China Sea issue was fundamentally about energy, which was a lesser priority than disputes over military bases and territory.
The situation was finally settled by daybreak. With the attitude of Country M clarified, Abe Kiso Three immediately ordered the withdrawal of the F-22s. They would first deploy the F-15Ms for probing attacks against the Great Dragon Country's fleet—the F-22s were simply too expensive to risk losing if something went wrong.
Twenty-two F-15M fighters flew over the combat zone under the rising sun, which filled the Japanese with elation. With the addition of these fighters, the intensity of the attack would be far greater. They wondered how much defensive power the Great Dragon Country had left to intercept them.
According to all available intelligence, the Great Dragon Country had no fighter support in this maritime area; the only threat they needed to worry about was anti-air missile engagement. But the F-15M was an outstanding model of the former premier fighter jet of Country M. This upgraded 'M' version could not only deploy aerial bombs but also launch air-to-ground and air-to-ship missiles, giving it formidable offensive power. Consequently, the Japanese paid little heed to the Great Dragon Country’s anti-air capabilities.
When the F-15M fighters entered our visual range, the men who had been sleepless all night, their eyes bloodshot, began shouting again: "Fighters! The Japanese jets are coming in!"
Mu Fei remained calm. "Stop yelling. Our country must have been prepared for this; otherwise, we wouldn't have played their game all night long."
Gao Sheng countered, "But everyone knows our country's fighters can't operate effectively in this sea region. Are we just going to defend and wait to be hit again, like last night?"
I pointed toward the vast expanse of ocean ahead and reminded them, "Look over there first. What is that?"
"What is that thing! Why is it so huge! An island? Is that a small island surfacing?" the others yelled.
It wasn't just our side that noticed the bizarre sight. Even Country M’s KH-series reconnaissance satellites spotted the change in the combat zone waters. Although the object rising to the surface seemed to absorb radar waves, rendering radar equipment useless for detection, it couldn't escape the electronic eyes of the optical photoreconnaissance satellites. Given that KH satellites had a resolution down to one meter, the sudden appearance of such a massive entity on the battlefield could not go unnoticed.
The combat personnel on the warships didn't need binoculars; they only needed to climb to a vantage point to see a massive, dark, hulking object rapidly breaching the surface. The Japanese assumed the Great Dragon Country had deployed a secret weapon, and numerous weapons systems locked onto the giant mass. The Great Dragon Country, in turn, suspected it was some ploy by the Japanese, and they also adopted a high state of alert.
What neither side expected was that after this enormous object surfaced, hatches on its top rapidly swung open diagonally toward the sky. Then, unmarked fighter jets shot out from the compartments, rapidly formed up, and charged toward the Japanese fleet and the twenty-two F-15M fighters.
It wasn't just the crew on the platform; even the soldiers on the Great Dragon Country's warships began cheering. It seemed these newcomers were allies, not enemies—otherwise, why would they be heading straight for the Japanese?