Since Director Huang returned to China and reported Liu Hui's plans for the company's listing to the top brass in Huaxia, Liu Hui re-established contact with him to convey his final decision, leaving Director Huang responsible for relaying this decision to those powerful figures.

After the high-ranking officials in China learned of Liu Hui's true intentions, although they had some reservations about the preconditions Liu Hui set for the listing of the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company," they understood his approach and promptly conveyed this news to the nations and organizations that were eyeing the Starlight Group with envy.

These nations and organizations, upon receiving the Starlight Group's response, were greatly dissatisfied that only the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company" was being put up for listing. What angered them even more was the exceedingly high listing conditions imposed, which dashed their previous expectations and left them profoundly disappointed. Consequently, their negotiating teams failed to reach a consensus with the Huaxia representatives, leading to a temporary stalemate.

At this juncture, the Huaxia government unexpectedly displayed a firm stance. They unequivocally informed those nations and organizations that putting just one subsidiary of the Starlight Group up for listing was their absolute bottom line, and this listing had to adhere to all the preconditions set by Liu Hui for the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company."

Those nations and organizations were taken aback, finally witnessing the hard line taken by the Huaxia government. Only then did they realize how highly the Huaxia government valued the Starlight Group, given the immense benefits the group provided to the nation, benefits the government would never easily relinquish. Their misjudgment of the Huaxia government's true limits had led them to erroneous conclusions.

Thus, these nations and organizations convened once more to formulate new negotiation objectives, seriously reconsidering the suggestion put forth by the Huaxia government. If the business concerning the listing of the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company" could ultimately be concluded, while it might not meet their original goals, they could still secure tangible benefits and advantages from this company, as desalination technology would remain invaluable even in the future.

If negotiations failed, given the current hardline position of the Huaxia government, these nations and organizations risked gaining nothing at all. Even if they retaliated against the Starlight Group by imposing various obstacles to the sales of Starlight Group products domestically, the Huaxia government could equally erect barriers to the sales of enterprises from those nations within the Huaxia market. Moreover, Starlight Group products were immensely popular, and obstructing their sales could risk alienating vast numbers of consumers, placing their governments at a disadvantage in upcoming elections. Furthermore, the Starlight Group had cultivated a large network of small and medium-sized forces within those countries; these entities were not easily dismissed, and their combined strength posed a considerable threat to those nations and organizations.

Therefore, these nations and organizations temporarily shelved their plans to suppress Starlight Group products. They decided to first digest the opportunity presented by the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company" before turning their attention to the Starlight Group. Furthermore, entering the seawater desalination market would guarantee their nations' future freshwater supply, which was highly beneficial to them. Consequently, they dispatched their negotiating teams to engage with the Huaxia government.

The results of the multilateral negotiations between the Huaxia government and those nations and organizations were reported daily to Liu Hui by dedicated liaison officers, seemingly indicating a high degree of deference toward the Starlight Group. However, the reality was that both sides were somewhat disregarding the Starlight Group’s presence. Huaxia was slightly better off, at least having a situation report, whereas the other nations and organizations hadn't even exchanged pleasantries with the Starlight Group. In a negotiation that concerned the very survival of the Starlight Group, the principal party to the discussions was not afforded a single seat at the table.

Liu Hui scoffed internally. He felt like a fat sheep awaiting slaughter. The essence of this negotiation was merely deciding the method of his death—a humiliation that seared itself into his memory, yet simultaneously stoked the flames of his fighting spirit. He silently vowed that within two years at most, his destiny would be his own to decide, and he would no longer be treated as a sheep to be culled.

Liu Hui’s current predicament bore a resemblance to China’s position after the First World War, when negotiations concerning the nation's fate were held at the Palace of Versailles, yet China was excluded, its destiny decided in its absence. However, China at that time was weak and powerless in the face of such treatment, limited to little more than protests. Liu Hui, however, now possessed the requisite strength. In the near future, he was certain to reclaim this profound humiliation from those nations.

Putting aside the negotiations between Huaxia and those nations and organizations regarding the listing of the "Starlight Seawater Desalination Company," ever since the first desalination vessel began supplying water to Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, the Starlight Group’s ship conversion yard had commenced retrofitting four massive 100,000-ton cargo ships. The Starlight Group intended to convert these vessels into medium-sized desalination plants capable of producing five million tons of fresh water daily.

The ship conversion yard, situated atop the "Starlight City" massive offshore platform, was covered by an opaque glass dome, effectively blocking any surveillance from the air or space. As a result, those individuals and organizations knew that a peculiar ship conversion facility had been built on "Starlight City," but none knew its precise function.

After a month of modification, debugging, and trial runs, all four desalination ships were successfully converted. Three of these vessels would be dispatched to the Persian Gulf to join the one already operational for a month, forming a massive cluster of desalination plants. This complex fulfilled Liu Hui's promise to Abdullah to supply twenty million tons of fresh water per day within a month. The remaining desalination ship would stay at Starlight City to provide abundant fresh water for the ongoing construction efforts there.

Considering the presence of four Starlight Group desalination ships in the Persian Gulf, coupled with the inherently volatile security situation in that region and the relatively modest military strength of Saudi Arabia there, Liu Hui significantly bolstered the security contingent for the Starlight Group assets in the Gulf. He not only reassigned Ah Huo from Starlight Security to serve as the overall security commander for the Starlight Group interests in the area but also transferred two hundred elite soldiers from Zhou Tengyun’s African Dragon's Tooth Mercenary Corps to the Persian Gulf to enhance his local strength and safeguard his interests.

Before Ah Huo departed for the Persian Gulf, Liu Hui specifically spoke with him, informing him that these four desalination vessels contained the ultimate secret of the Starlight Group, and its leakage must absolutely not be permitted. In the face of any possible external threat, Ah Huo was authorized to open fire to repel the intruders and protect the Starlight Group's ultimate secret.

Ah Huo, having fought in underground bare-knuckle matches, possessed a spirit tempered in life-and-death struggles, making it harder than steel. He was decisive and ruthless, utterly unlike the inexperienced security personnel under him. This is why Liu Hui trusted him implicitly to be deployed to the Persian Gulf to protect his assets.

Upon receiving Liu Hui's secret orders, Ah Huo understood the gravity of his mission. He resolved in his heart that he would guard the secret of these four desalination ships; anyone seeking that secret would have to pass over his dead body first.

After arriving in the Persian Gulf, Ah Huo integrated all the security personnel stationed there with the mercenaries from the Dragon's Tooth Mercenary Corps. He intensified security around the desalination ships, closing any unnoticed defensive blind spots, striving for absolute perfection.

Faced with the tight security perimeter established by Ah Huo, the secret agents dispatched to the Persian Gulf to probe the secrets of the Starlight Group’s desalination technology found no opportune moment to strike. They were forced into hiding, waiting for a fatal flaw to appear in Ah Huo's security measures.

One day, Ah Huo was on duty in the security command center while other security personnel monitored the surroundings of the desalination ships through various equipment and instruments.

A security officer, intently focused on the radar display before him, suddenly reported, "Boss Huo, our radar shows an aircraft approaching us from thirty kilometers directly ahead. I’ve cross-referenced it with flight paths over this area recently; this is not a civilian airliner, as they shouldn't be flying here at this time."

Ah Huo’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Can we determine that aircraft's destination?"

The security officer analyzed the flight path on the computer and replied, "Based on its trajectory, I deduce its destination is our desalination ships."

Ah Huo’s expression immediately grew grave. "Do we know what kind of aircraft it is?"

"I need to compare it against our database to see if any known model matches its radar signature," the officer responded.

While waiting for the officer to run the comparison of the radar echoes, Ah Huo kept his eyes fixed on the aircraft's flight data displayed on the screen. Suddenly, the officer exclaimed, "Boss Huo, the computer analysis is back. The aircraft flying towards us is a U.S. military CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter."

Ah Huo felt a tightening in his chest. "Is there any chance the computer analysis is mistaken?"

"Boss Huo, if it were another aircraft, our computer might make an error because their profiles aren't vastly different. However, the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter has a very distinct profile due to its tandem rotor system; the computer should not be mistaken."

Ah Huo inquired, "How far away is the aircraft now?"

"It’s twenty kilometers away now, and it’s moving fast," the officer replied after glancing at the screen.

Ah Huo immediately grabbed the fixed-line phone in the monitoring room and announced, "Attention all units, attention all units. An unknown aircraft is about to breach our defensive perimeter. I am ordering an immediate upgrade of security alert level to Level One. All units prepare for combat readiness. I repeat, this is not a drill, this is not a drill!"

Two minutes later, the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter was only ten kilometers from the Starlight Group's desalination ships. The massive helicopter could now be seen directly in the sky ahead. In front of Ah Huo and the others was indeed the CH-47 'Chinook,' its unique form instantly recognizable, and it bore the insignia of the US Army.

Suddenly, a communications officer reported, "Boss Huo, the aircraft on the other end is requesting contact with us."

Ah Huo calmly instructed, "Patch their communication through to me, and record this entire conversation. Simultaneously, immediately contact Hong Kong Headquarters to report the situation here and await their instructions."

The communications officer promptly routed the external transmission to Ah Huo, initiated recording, and began trying to reach Hong Kong Headquarters.

"Attention the vessel below, attention the vessel below. We are a detachment of the US Army Strategic Special Operations unit currently executing a covert mission. However, our helicopter has experienced a malfunction and risks immediate crash. Therefore, we require permission to land on your vessel to manage this situation and request your assistance," Ah Huo had just answered when a voice on the other end rapidly demanded in English.

Ah Huo was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected them to actually be the US military, nor did he anticipate their request to land on one of his desalination ships. He immediately responded loudly, "Helicopter above, listen up. This is the Starlight Group Desalination Facility, operating under the protection of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You must leave this area immediately. Dammam Port is ten kilometers ahead; you can seek assistance there."

However, the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter did not turn away. It continued its high-speed approach toward the desalination ships. The American soldier on board stated over the comms, "We are low on fuel and on the verge of crashing. We have no time to reach Dammam Port. Therefore, arrange for us to land on your vessel immediately, or the Starlight Group will bear full responsibility if our aircraft fails."

The security officer trying to contact Hong Kong Headquarters suddenly reported, "Boss Huo, we cannot reach Hong Kong Headquarters. All our communication frequencies are experiencing interference. Only the frequency we are currently using for this call is functional. I suspect an electromagnetic barrier has been deployed here."

Ah Huo was greatly alarmed. He covered the receiver and commanded, "Continue trying to reach Hong Kong Headquarters. Simultaneously, notify the Saudi liaison personnel currently stationed on our vessel, have them immediately find a way to contact the King of Saudi Arabia for support."

The 'Chinook' transport helicopter rapidly approached the desalination ships. The American soldier on the radio announced, "Vessel below, listen closely. We have minimal fuel and are preparing for an emergency landing. Take all necessary safety precautions to avoid accidental casualties."

By this time, upon receiving Ah Huo's order, all security personnel and Dragon's Tooth mercenaries had raised the ship's security measures to Level One Alert. They could clearly see the approaching US military aircraft.

The security personnel, facing a US military aircraft for the first time, clutched their weapons, their faces alight with a certain excitement. The battle-hardened soldiers of the Dragon's Tooth Mercenary Corps, however, calmly disengaged the safeties on their weapons, angling their muzzles toward the helicopter in the sky, awaiting Ah Huo's command, their expressions utterly blank. This contrast starkly revealed that the mercenaries' mental fortitude surpassed that of the standard security staff.

Watching the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter close in, Ah Huo said coldly into the communicator, "Helicopter in the sky, be advised. This is a Starlight Group Desalination Facility. We have been authorized by the King of Saudi Arabia to engage any action that attempts to breach our security zone. Turn back immediately to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."

At this moment, the security officer tasked with contacting the Saudi liaisons reported back, "Boss Huo, those Saudi liaison personnel also cannot reach anyone in Saudi Arabia; their communications are also being jammed. What should we do?"

Another security officer, who was trying to reach Hong Kong Headquarters, reported, "Boss Huo, we can’t reach Hong Kong Headquarters either. Based on all this intelligence, I am certain that our communications here have been deliberately blocked."

Ah Huo realized at this point that the US military on the other side was definitely prepared, and the situation was far from the simple story of running out of fuel or mechanical failure they had claimed. Coupled with the current communication failure, Ah Huo was almost one hundred percent certain that these US soldiers were here for the secret contained within the desalination ships, and the fuel shortage and mechanical failure were mere pretexts.

The conversation Liu Hui had with him previously flashed through Ah Huo's mind. He instantly grasped the deception and calmed down, issuing orders: "I command, immediately open Special Weapon Channel One. Immediately open Special Weapon Channel Two."

The weapon operators in the monitoring room executed the commands on their computers, and slowly, two hatches emerged from hidden locations on two of the desalination ships. These openings were pitch black, their depth unknown, and no one knew what weaponry was installed inside them.

By this time, the helicopter had flown within one kilometer of the desalination ships. The US communications officer aboard shouted, "Vessel below, listen up! Our helicopter is about to crash. We are attempting an emergency landing on your deck now. Clear the deck immediately to avoid unnecessary casualties."

"Boss Huo, what do we do?" asked a security officer operating the special weapons, sweating profusely.

Ah Huo suddenly felt cornered. This was the first complex situation he had faced since taking sole charge of security. He understood the gravity: these US soldiers were hostile. By jamming their communications with Hong Kong Headquarters, they intended to use a surprise assault to seize the secrets held within these four desalination ships, even resorting to force.

With the aid of the secret weapons installed on the four desalination ships, Ah Huo could almost certainly destroy the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter before him. However, the helicopter belonged to the United States government; shooting it down would surely invite unending trouble from the US government, potentially creating difficulties for the Boss and the Starlight Group. What then?

Countless thoughts raced through Ah Huo's mind. He finally understood the true purpose behind the US military jamming their communications: to leave him without command, forcing him to operate under constraints while allowing the American soldiers to board his desalination ships and obtain the Starlight Group's ultimate secrets.

"Boss Huo, they are right above us now! They’ve deployed ropes and are about to fast-rope onto our deck! What’s the order?" a security officer next to him asked, also drenched in sweat.

Ah Huo’s eyes suddenly cleared. He straightened his thoughts. His mission was to protect these four desalination ships; other matters were outside his purview. His sole responsibility was to prevent these intruders from setting foot on his desalination vessels.

"I command, the special weapon in Channel One is to target the tail rotor of the helicopter above. Special weapon in Channel Two, prepare for backup defense," Ah Huo commanded calmly.

Accordingly, the two types of mysterious weapons in Channel One and Channel Two were formally activated, locking their sights onto the CH-47 'Chinook' transport helicopter hanging in the sky.

Ah Huo repeated his final warning to the communicator aboard the US military aircraft: "Listen up above, you have severely threatened the lives and property of our Starry Sky Group. We now have the right to shoot you down. I warn you again, if you do not vacate our airspace within thirty seconds, we cannot guarantee your safety."

This time, the US military aircraft above remained silent. Instead, they opened their hatches, and two fully armed American personnel began rappelling down ropes lowered from the craft.

Ah Huo's eyes turned cold as he commanded, "Special Weapons Unit One, open fire! Destroy the tail rotor of their aircraft."

The weapons operator immediately executed the necessary procedures. Instantly, from a highly concealed aperture on one of the desalination vessels, a high-velocity projectile was launched, speeding toward the tail section of the CH-47 "Chinook" transport helicopter hovering overhead.

Thanks to the reader '' for the monthly ticket support, and thanks to the reader '' for the reward and chapter gift!

For more novels, visit storyread.net.