The war was over, but the arguments had just begun. Listening to my classmates chatter about the Red Dragon before class, my head was pounding. This period was Political Economy, taught by a professor reportedly involved in the economic planning of the great Deng during those years, who held immense prestige in the nation’s financial circles. He never taught by the book, ranging across everything from earthly matters to celestial physics, but what I truly craved was insight into the relationship between economics and politics.

"What exactly is the Red Dragon? I remember a Red Dragon Security firm opening in Kyoto City last year, too."

"Pah! What the hell are you? The Red Dragon is a good friend to us people of Great Dragon Country! Say one more word of nonsense and we’ll be right behind you, buddy."

Someone nearby tried to mediate, "Yeah, even though the Red Dragon is labeled a terrorist organization, they’ve been nothing but good to our Great Dragon Country. Everyone watch what you say; don't just speak carelessly."

One student spoke with evident hope, "It would be wonderful if the Red Dragon troops were the army of our Great Dragon Country!" Another student immediately retorted, "How do you know they aren't the army of our Great Dragon Country? Let me tell you, it’s all over the internet lately—there are now experts dedicated solely to studying the Red Dragon. According to their analysis, even if the Red Dragon isn't a secret unit of our Great Dragon Country, they maintain an extremely close connection. Think about it: why would they choose a name incorporating 'Dragon'?"

"Exactly! The Dragon is the symbol of our nation! I agree with you. If they didn't have such deep ties with our Great Dragon Country, why would they repeatedly help us? In the East Sea battle, if they hadn't intervened, winning against Japan's Fleet 88 would have been questionable. Of course, I never doubt the strength of the Great Dragon Country Navy, but we lacked necessary air support, and on that front, we were inferior to Japan."

"I concur with your assessment. Let's analyze the locations where the Red Dragon has appeared. They are always near the borders of Great Dragon Country. Moreover, the areas they currently control are strategically vital to us. The entire East Pacific is currently under their dominion. Because of their emergence, the island chain blockade imposed on us by the M, R, and Island powers no longer exists. From any angle, Great Dragon Country is the biggest beneficiary."

"Do you think the Red Dragon covets our nation?"

"Go on, get out of here! They don't even spare a glance for Country M; why would they lust after our country? If anyone's being coveted, it's probably the beauties of Longteng University. Speaking of which, I dreamt of Ouyang Qian again last night. She smiled at me, and I literally soaked the bed—had to get up early to wash my underwear."

"I dreamt of Su Xue. Her breasts were so soft. I squeezed, and she sprayed water all over my face—turns out it was just the hot water bottle I slept with that burst…"

Damn it, I couldn't stand these guys. I couldn't very well punch them just because they were shamelessly imagining things. Forget class; I'm going back to the dorm to sleep!

Before I even reached the apartment complex, Xia Huren called. "Old Qian, I’ve landed a huge job, but it's a bit unusual. You better come down here."

"Alright, I happen to be free. Are you at the office? I’ll grab a taxi."

When I arrived at the Kyoto branch of the Red Dragon, Xia Huren was already waiting downstairs. We walked together, and I asked, "What kind of thing makes even Tiger think it's 'unusual'?"

Xia Huren replied, "The daughter of a major magnate from Country M has gone missing."

"Heh, send Taotao out for a missing person case, and she could find them even if they burrowed into a rat hole."

"The location of her disappearance is rather strange; I fear even Taotao might be powerless."

I was slightly surprised. "How strange? Was she abducted by aliens? Even if she went to Mars, we still have ways to bring her back."

Xia Huren said, "She disappeared from 'Today,' reportedly going to 'Yesterday.' How do you propose we look for her now?"

I scratched my scalp. "What do you mean? Are you saying her person traveled from the present to the past?"

Xia Huren confirmed, "If her father isn't lying to us, then your guess is perfectly correct."

Holy hell. Could Country M really have built a time machine? I asked Xia Huren nervously, "What's the girl's name?"

"Elena William. Her father, Old William, is the Shipping King of Country M; they specialize in shipbuilding and shipping, with immense family wealth."

I gasped. "It really is her, ANLENE! The people of Country M actually built a time machine!"

Xia Huren questioned, "You know about this?"

"No, I don't know much, just that Elena had some contact with He Yuqing. According to He Yuqing, she was working on a time machine. I didn't pay much attention because I don't believe people from Country M could build something we haven't even managed to finalize yet. If Elena truly vanished from 'Today' and went to 'Yesterday,' it means Country M has genuinely achieved time travel."

Xia Huren laughed. "Don't worry about that. Even if they actually built one, it’s already finished."

"Why?" I asked, confused.

Xia Huren explained, "Because her core lab was blasted into a massive crater. Not only is the machine gone, but all the data has been incinerated. Unless they have external blueprints backed up, the entire research must start over."

"Blown up? Then how can you be sure she was killed in the blast rather than actually traveling through time?"

Xia Huren opened the door. "Her father is inside. Let’s hear what he has to say."

In Xia Huren's office sat a tall American man, looking authoritative and around forty years old. He politely rose to greet us when we entered.

Xia Huren introduced, "Mr. William, this is Mr. Zhao, our President for the Great Dragon Country Region. You need to explain the matter you mentioned on the phone to him in detail so we can determine if we can assist you."

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. I didn't rush into business and instead asked William, "Mr. William, you have a very individualistic approach. Country M has a Red Dragon branch too; why fly all the way to Great Dragon Country? Are our service charges lower here?"

"NO," William replied. "Mr. Zhao, you misunderstand. The Red Dragon is currently an enemy of Country M. My shipyard is tasked with building warships for the M Navy. If the M government discovers my association with the Red Dragon, all my contracts could be canceled. That's why I must proceed with caution. And among all the nations in the world, only Great Dragon Country maintains a good relationship with the Red Dragon, which is why I came to your branch here."

"I see. I understand your apprehension, Mr. William. Let’s discuss the main business."

William asked Xia Huren suspiciously, "Mr. Xia, is he truly the president of your Great Dragon Country division? You're not deceiving me, are you?"

It seemed my appearance didn't fit the image of a president; at the very least, I should have been wearing a suit, but my casual attire led the foreigner to underestimate me.

Xia Huren stated, "Mr. William, you worry too much. The Red Dragon has no reason to play games with you. If you still wish to save your daughter, state the business quickly. Otherwise, we have other matters to attend to and won't keep you waiting."

"Wait!" William hurried to stop him. "I believe you."

William certainly had no suspicion toward the Red Dragon; it was just that my appearance didn't align with the leaders of Great Dragon Country he had encountered. His only hope now rested on the Red Dragon; if they refused him, even being the Shipping King of the Solar System would be useless.

"My daughter, Elena, used the time machine to return to ancient times. I hope your esteemed company can bring her back safely from antiquity. I will pay any sum."

I said to William, "Mr. William, you must make us believe your story first. Otherwise, if I told you I was brothers with someone in Washington, would you believe me?"

William responded, "I understand what you mean, Mr. Zhao. This story sounds utterly incredible; I myself have trouble believing it, but my daughter genuinely built a time machine herself, and she used it to travel back six thousand years to ancient times. She left me a top-secret letter. Before activating the machine, she entrusted her lawyer to deliver this letter to me after her disappearance."

William then handed me a brown envelope. The English lettering on it was beautiful. Fortunately, my English was decent, and I unfolded the letter to read:

“Dearest Dad, by the time you read this, I will have returned to the distant past of six thousand years ago. Do not worry about me. Even if I can never return, I have no regrets, because uncovering the truth of prehistoric civilization six millennia ago is my lifelong aspiration. Do not be sad, Mom and you, because I will be very happy living in the ancient era. Hehe, perhaps you will even see my shadow in artifacts unearthed someday. Goodbye, dear Mom and Dad. P.S. If Dad reads this letter, please deliver a document located in the safe in my bedroom at home to a girl in Great Dragon Country named He Yuqing. This is essential.”

After reading the letter, I commented to William, "Your daughter seems truly talented. It's no small feat for her to build a time machine."

William sighed. "A long time ago, she transferred several physicists from my shipyard. I didn't know what kind of time machine research she was conducting, or I would have stopped her immediately."

"I've read the letter, but this doesn't prove your daughter actually went back six thousand years; it only proves she is temporarily missing."

"No, I firmly believe she went to the past. I had people search for her in Country M; there wasn't a trace of her anywhere. Besides, someone witnessed her entering the core lab and never coming out."

"You're leaving out details. To my knowledge, the core lab was blown into a massive pit. If your daughter was inside, she would likely have been reduced to dust. I hope you understand that logic."

William stood up abruptly in distress. "I will never believe Elena was killed in the explosion! Furthermore, the scientists performed a precise analysis of the blast residue; there was absolutely no trace of human DNA inside. That's why I can be so certain."

"Fine. Since you are so certain, let's eliminate the possibility of death. The critical issue now is: how do we travel back to six thousand years ago again? And how do we return?"

William fell silent. This was the dilemma that plagued him. If he could return to the past himself, he wouldn't have traveled across the ocean to Great Dragon Country.

"This is where I must rely on your esteemed company. You excel in technology; I trust you will solve this problem."

I pondered. "That... starting the research on time machines from scratch would be extremely difficult. Moreover, your daughter failed to succeed herself, which is why the core lab was pulverized. The difficulty is immense."

William replied, "I naturally understand that, but I am willing to offer the Red Dragon a reward of 1 billion. Furthermore, I will personally cover all research expenses for the time machine."

The old man thought 1 billion was enough to convince me to travel back six thousand years to rescue his daughter. He made things sound too simple. If it were that easy, I'd try 1 billion myself.

"Mr. William, forgive my bluntness, but 1 billion is barely an entrance fee. Otherwise, let's drop this matter entirely. Traveling back six thousand years—do you think it's like playing a game? Even if we could go, returning is still a huge question. We cannot risk the lives of our people."

William sensed a glimmer of hope in my words and firmly stated, "Then please, Mr. Zhao, name your price."

I said: "10 Billion!" You couldn't afford to be soft-hearted with people from Country M.

William was startled, but he gritted his teeth and agreed, "OK! As long as Elena can be rescued, I don't mind giving up my entire enterprise."

I stated calmly, "The 10 Billion US Dollars is strictly the fee for the rescue, successful or not. The costs for researching the time machine must still be borne by Mr. William."

If he didn't care about 10 billion, he certainly wouldn't balk at the research expenses. He nodded in agreement. "No problem. Please provide a detailed cost breakdown, Mr. Zhao, and I will cover the payment."

"This matter is of great importance; we must discuss it with our headquarters before giving you an answer."

"It is right that you consult with headquarters, but I hope the wait won't be too long."

"Within a week. We also need to consult with scientists to verify the feasibility of the time machine."

William nodded helplessly. "Very well. I will remain in Great Dragon Country during this week and hope to hear good news from Mr. Zhao."

I then asked William, "Your daughter mentioned a document meant for our countrywoman, He Yuqing?"

"Yes, that is also something I need to accomplish within this week."

"Heh, He Yuqing is my friend. I know she and Elena have interacted online. Give me the document."

"This..." William hesitated slightly, but eventually conceded, "Very well. Finding someone utilizing the Red Dragon's capabilities is surely more proficient than us, especially since Mr. Zhao knows Miss He."

As William spoke, he retrieved another large manila envelope from his briefcase and handed it to me. I took it without looking closely, as it was intended for He Yuqing. Even if I wanted to read it, I would need her consent first.

Since there was nothing else to discuss, William stood to take his leave. I, too, needed to return home to confer with the women about this time-travel issue. If the people of Country M managed it, I wouldn't believe we couldn't! They can go but can't return; I absolutely must develop something that allows for both ways, or it would be too humiliating.