America: I'm really not crazy

Chapter 12 Li Wei's Friends

Santa Claus has appeared.

But not carrying a bag of gifts, or riding a reindeer sled.

He was not a kind-faced old man in a bright red robe.

Two armed helicopters roared overhead and eventually came to a stop outside the woods.

The searchlight on the front of the aircraft lit up, illuminating a figure like a spotlight on a stage.

He was dressed in a suit and tie, with a black trench coat over it, and carrying a black umbrella in his hand.

Behind him, two main battle tanks lay there, their engines roaring like the low growl of a lion before its hunt.

"Mr. Li Wei, I would like to have a word with you. I hope it will not disturb your enjoyment."

The other party was quite polite, so Li Wei decided to give them a chance to talk to him.

In return for the other party's politeness, Li Wei decided to throw away the gun and then reveal himself.

But as soon as his hand touched the gun strap on his shoulder, Li Wei rejected the idea.

What he's holding in his arms now isn't an ordinary standard-issue rifle, nor is it Wesker's "daughter."

After having intimate relations with her and giving her that 10,000 yuan, this "good girl" should be his "wife"!

To hell with Wesker and the trench coat guy, nobody can separate me and Linda!

So Li Wei walked out with his gun hanging on his back, swaggering around.

He even had the leisure to offer his own critique.

"It's been so long since I've seen such a big event."

"Please stop. Just stand there and keep a distance of 125 meters. If you get too close, it will make me feel unsafe."

Despite having two main battle tanks and two armed helicopters with him, the man in the trench coat spoke with a hint of timidity.

Li Wei couldn't help but touch his face.

"Am I that scary-looking? I actually think I'm quite handsome."

The man in the trench coat maintained a smile that revealed no emotion.

"You are indeed handsome in terms of appearance. But in terms of individual combat ability, you are the best Marine in the world. In fact, better than I can even comprehend."

"As an 'office clerk,' I've decided to confront my inner fears and maintain a relatively safe distance while we talk."

"That's why I made such a big fuss."

"I'm really scared, so please understand."

The words became increasingly cowardly, but Li Wei couldn't discern any physical reaction from the other person on the surface.

Without a doubt, this is definitely not a simple "office clerk".

Li Wei couldn't help but stare intently at the man in the trench coat, developing a strong interest in the man with the handsome little mustache.

It seems... to be one of the same kind?

Facing Li Wei's gaze, the man in the trench coat showed no sign of surprise. Instead, he politely nodded to Li Wei and introduced himself.

"My name is Thomas Jensen, and I currently work for the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. This meeting is to discuss some personal matters, and I hope you won't think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill."

Wow!

Even Li Wei was somewhat surprised this time.

He had thought about the FBI, the CIA, and even the DIA, but he never considered the IRS.

Things are getting really interesting!

However, Li Wei did not intend to follow the other party's pace.

Even if the other party might be "the same kind".

Ultimately, this "Thomas Jensen" isn't even a familiar face.

Where is Wesker?

Faced with Li Wei's question, Thomas turned his head slightly, thought for a moment, and then spoke.

"If you're referring to the individual named 'Wesker Velen,' he should be having some friendly... well, 'technical sparring' with the new members of the old unit right now."

Li Wei blinked.

"A fighting club?"

Thomas tilted his head and pondered for a moment.

"If, in my understanding, that kind of hand-to-hand combat without any protective gear, where every punch lands like a weapon, is indeed a traditional form of entertainment within Delta Force, then that must be what you call a 'fighting club'."

There'll definitely be some fun to see when you get back!

Li Wei was immediately happy.

Considering that Thomas had brought him such interesting good news and remained so polite throughout, it was understandable.

Li Wei decided to shoot him to scare him, even though they were 125 meters apart.

But that's where it ends.

"Thank you for the good news, but I'm not going to waste my time on anyone right now."

After saying that, Li Wei turned and left.

"Even if it's just for Zhang Qiu?"

Thomas's voice remained calm and unhurried, but Levi suddenly turned around.

"Who?"

As Li Wei uttered the word, the image of someone who would make a peace sign and say "chu mi" when taking photos with him, standing 1.65 meters tall and weighing 48 kilograms, flashed into his mind.

But what emerged was the image of that small figure with a Red Cross armband on his arm, carrying himself, who was 1.91 meters tall, weighed 93 kilograms, and was fully armed, escaping from that abandoned village that had given him countless nightmares.

"Zhang Qiu, a native of Seres, is 25 years old. He graduated from the Seres Army Medical University with a combined bachelor's and master's degree. Due to his outstanding academic performance and personal contributions, he participated in peacekeeping operations and was assigned to the Joint Logistics Support Force. On the peacekeeping battlefield, he was awarded the United Nations 'Peace Mission' Silver Medal for saving combat personnel and civilians on multiple occasions. After returning to China, he was awarded a second-class merit and promoted to captain ahead of schedule."

Thomas recounted information that Levi knew or didn't know, and finally made the final decision.

"And, four years ago, there was the female military doctor from Seris who carried you out of a pile of corpses... Zhang Qiu."

"Splash!"

Li Wei instantly pulled back the bolt and aimed at Thomas's head.

Almost simultaneously, dozens of red dots appeared on Li Wei's vital points.

Li Wei, however, seemed to have anticipated this, closed his eyes, and fired a flashbang.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud and a blinding flash of white light, the red dots aimed at him flew wildly. At that moment, Li Wei opened his eyes, rushed to Thomas, and held the Ka-Bar 1218 combat knife to Thomas's neck.

"Tell me what your purpose is in dealing with my friend, and then I'll decide whether to give you a quick death."

Yes, it's neither an "acquaintance" nor a "kindred spirit".

He's a friend, Li Wei's only friend in the twenty-five years since he traveled through time...

Thomas, who was being held to the knife, slowly opened his eyes, lowered his gaze slightly, and glanced at the blade that had already cut a little bit of his skin.

He raised his hand, gently pinched the blade with two fingers, and pushed it outwards with a slight force.

But the blade didn't budge, so he had to let go and let out a heavy sigh.

"Let's contact each other by phone next time..."

Levi brought the blade an inch closer, and Thomas quickly tilted his head back and shouted to remind Levi.

"Hey! That's dangerous! I'm just organizing my thoughts! People can't speak without thinking!"

At this point, Li Wei no longer cared about politeness, because he was really anxious.

"5".

"What?"

Thomas paused for a moment.

"4".

Thomas understood.

"She's coming to Miami with the team! But someone wants to assassinate her, causing a diplomatic incident! The assassin is a top-tier expert! No one but you can handle her!"

Thomas's mouth was like a heavy machine gun, rattling off in less than two seconds.

But Li Wei's blade drew another inch closer.

"This is a private matter? Hmm?"

"I have a crush on her!"

Thomas shouted loudly, his face flushed and neck red.

Li Wei's face was full of strange expressions.

Thomas's face was as red as a monkey's bottom, and he was so conflicted that he didn't even dare to open his eyes.

But when Li Wei looked back at the two main battle tanks behind him and the armed helicopters roaring overhead, he chose not to believe it.

"An IRS office clerk? Mobilizing four active-duty aircraft? Just to find someone to protect her crush? Don't you think people can speak without thinking? Now, use your brain to tell me a complete logical chain of events—how did you connect all these things together?"

Thomas sighed again.

"Okay, let me reintroduce myself."

"My name is Thomas Gallard, Deputy Administrator of the Internal Revenue Service. I don't work on the front lines; I only manage logistical matters. Strictly speaking, I am indeed an 'office clerk,' just at a higher level."

"My brother, General Rafael Gallard, the current Secretary of Defense, tanks, attack helicopters, and that Delta Force were all 'borrowed' by me using the IRS's authority, along with his help, to protect my safety."

"The person who wanted to assassinate Cho Chang was the current CIA director, Khadgar Portfield. He wanted to run for president of the United States in the next election three years from now, so he wanted to use this method to damage the reputation of my cousin Carter Garrard in order to prevent him from being re-elected."

"I traced Khadgar's personal tax irregularities back to the fact that he amassed illicit income by supporting local gangs and using it to fund his political campaigns."

"He spent ten million dollars to hire an assassin to kill Zhang Qiu, but I couldn't find out who it was. But to dare to ask for that price, he must be top-notch."

Li Wei went over Thomas's words in his mind and found that they did indeed make sense.

It makes sense, at least logically.

"The final question—why Zhang Qiu? Why me?"

Thomas answered very readily this time.

"The assassination of the team leader has had such a huge impact that no one can quell it."

"Khadgar wants the presidency, not a mess left after the war."

"But Zhang Qiu was just an entourage member, and a rather influential one at that, though not of high rank. Her death... is acceptable."

"At least in Khadgar's political mindset, people like Zhang Qiu are worthy of sacrifice."

"And you, Li Wei. I spent three days and three nights screening 1744 people, and only you were good enough and trustworthy."

Li Wei tightened his grip on the dagger, but he still didn't loosen his grip.

"You still haven't answered me why it was Zhang Qiu... Was she the only person accompanying her? Hmm?"

Thomas completely gave up.

"Okay, I haven't been able to find out exactly which person was accompanying them. But I'm not willing to bet on whether it's Zhang Qiu. Do you dare?"

Thomas tilted his head, staring intently at Levi, his eyes bloodshot.

Li Wei sheathed his fighting sword.

"Okay, you win. I don't dare."

His voice was calm, so calm that it had a chilling coldness to it.