Chapter 1781 - 1368: Captain Lei's Request_3

Removing 1515 is not hard; the difficulty lies in the subsequent balance.

What will the Americans' reaction be?

Will they suspect that he was behind it?

Will the Persians take the opportunity to expand their influence?

Will the Kurds demand more autonomy?

Will the Baghdad regime want to reclaim control over the Northwest?

These are the real challenges ahead.

The next morning, Song Heping told his younger siblings that he would be leaving early.

"So soon?"

Lingling was making breakfast, the spatula paused mid-air, and the eggs sizzled in the pan.

"Didn't you say there were still a few days? Harmony was planning to take a leave to join you for a mountain hike..."

"There's an urgent matter that needs addressing over there." Song Heping said, sitting at the dining table, "A project has run into problems, and I need to go back."

Harmony came out of the bedroom, hair still disheveled, eyes sleepy:

"Brother, can't you stay a few more days? Lingling still wants you to accompany her for the prenatal check-up next Wednesday. The doctor said the ultrasound will show the baby's appearance..."

"There's nothing I can do." Song Heping sighed, "The project is tight, the schedule needs to be pushed."

Lingling's eyes reddened, she lowered her head and continued frying the eggs, the spatula moving with some force: "When are you leaving?"

"This afternoon's flight. It's already been rescheduled."

"Why so urgent..." Harmony muttered, sitting down opposite.

Breakfast was eaten in silence.

Eggs, pancakes, soy milk, a simple breakfast.

Lingling ate very little, constantly looking at her brother, as if trying to engrave him in her mind.

Zhang Wei also got up, learning that his brother-in-law was leaving, a little at a loss: "Brother, won't you stay a few more days? My parents were saying they wanted to treat you to dinner..."

"Next time, there will be plenty of opportunities." Song Heping said to his brother-in-law, "Zhang Wei, take good care of Lingling. Attend the prenatal check-ups on time, keep up with nutrition. You're family too, call me anytime, for anything, remember, anything."

"Certainly, certainly!" Zhang Wei nodded repeatedly.

After the meal, Song Heping started packing his luggage.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack, just a backpack.

His younger siblings insisted on seeing him off to the airport.

At noon, the four of them had a meal together, with Song Heping treating, at a nice restaurant.

During the meal, he tried to keep the conversation light.

Stories of Illiguo and some international sightings, even a few harmless jokes.

His younger siblings cooperated with laughter, but the reluctance of parting lingered in the air.

On the way to the airport, his sister Lingling couldn't help but cry.

Initially it was quietly shedding tears, then softly sobbing, eventually breaking down on Harmony's shoulder, trembling.

"Why cry!" Song Heping patted her back, his movements somewhat awkward—he hadn't comforted someone like this in a long time: "I'm coming back, aren't I."

"You said that last time too..." Lingling sobbed, "Said you'd be back in two years, but it took ten...ten years to return this time, staying only a week and then leaving..."

Song Heping had no reply.

This was his debt to his family, still unpaid.

Harmony also comforted his sister: "Okay Lingling, Brother has his career, he's busy. He'll be back by year's end, when the baby is born, it'll be lively."

The car entered the airport expressway, the scenery outside swiftly receding.

Song Heping looked at this familiar city, this place where he was born yet already feels foreign.

In ten years, it changed so much, but his feelings for it, deeply buried in the softest part of his heart, never changed.

At the airport, Harmony went to park, while Song Heping and Lingling, Zhang Wei went to check in.

In the international departure hall, people moved to and fro, various languages mingling, travelers dragging luggage hurried.

After checking in, luggage was checked, at the security gate, Song Heping called his younger siblings over.

"There's something to tell you." He took out two bank cards, black.

Harmony took the cards, puzzled: "Brother, this is..."

"I deposited some money for each of you, the password is Mom's birthday." Song Heping said, "Don't refuse, keep it. Spend the money as needed."

Lingling looked at the card, didn't take it: "Brother, we have money...keep your money, you need it more outside..."

"Take it." Song Heping forced the card into her hand, not accepting refusal: "I'm doing quite well in business outside, this is nothing."

Harmony looked at the card in his hand, hesitated and asked: "Brother, how much is in here?"

"Not too much, at least you won't run out with normal spending." Song Heping calmly said: "It's a US Dollar account."

Lingling gasped, her hand shook, almost dropping the card.

Zhang Wei quickly caught it, also stunned.

Harmony's voice trembled: "Then how much? Ten million? Or twenty million? Brother, you..."

"Legal income."

Song Heping's expression was calm: "I am doing engineering and trade overseas, made some money. There's no issues with these funds, feel free to use them."

He thought, if they knew his real net worth, tens of billions of dollars in various offshore banks, properties in Dubai, oil field shares in Illiguo, over a hundred offshore companies for money laundering—they'd probably be shocked.

Best to take it slow.

Giving too much at once might harm them.

Lingling rushed him, crying harder: "Brother...outside you must be careful...take care of yourself...eat on time, drink less...come back at year's end..."

Song Heping patted her back.

"I will. You too. Contact me anytime. Oh yes…"

He turned to Song Harmony, his expression serious, "If anyone asks about me, tell them I'm doing legitimate business overseas, nothing else. If they persist, call the police, or call me directly—any time, 24 hours."

"Got it." Song Harmony nodded, carefully putting away the card.

The time to leave finally arrived.

Song Heping gave his younger siblings a final hug.

Lingling hugged tightly, unwilling to let go.

Harmony patted his brother's back, choking up: "Brother, take care."

When shaking hands with Zhang Wei, Song Heping gripped tightly, raised his hand in a call gesture: "Take care of Lingling. Call me if anything."

"Of course! Brother be safe!"

Turning, entering the security lane. Presenting his passport, boarding pass to the staff, glanced, stamped, cleared.

Through security, removing jacket, belt, placing phone, wallet into the tray.

Metal detector didn't sound.

The security was a young girl, glanced at him, nodded.

All smooth.

In the waiting lounge, he looked out at the runway.

Planes taking off and landing, like giant iron birds.

Recalling scenes from over ten years ago leaving, with only a few clothes, some cash, a fake passport in his backpack.

Uncertain future, unknown fate.

Now he's back, already a "Northwest King" controlling a faction.

Having brothers, a career, enemies, also friends.

With responsibilities, attachments in his heart.

Phone vibrated, encrypted message from personal bodyguard Milo.

He walked into the bathroom, entered a stall, locked the door, then opened his phone.

"Boss, everything is ready. Just waiting for you to come back for a meeting and formulate detailed operation plans."

Song Heping replied: "Inform everyone. Meeting tomorrow morning at ten, Hulmatu Command Headquarters."