"As soon as possible."
Song Heping said, ending the call without a single unnecessary word.
Immediately afterward, he changed the phone again, switched channels, and contacted Avanti.
Communicating with an old friend like Avanti, the process was more concise and efficient, like a telegram.
He conveyed the US side's principle agreement to engage and the preliminary meeting location—Elbil.
After finishing all this, the horizon outside the window had already turned pale, a new day quietly arriving amidst smoke and uncertainty.
Song Heping rubbed his somewhat swollen temples, high-intensity mental consumption was more exhausting than a continuous march.
He was about to lean back in his chair for a moment's nap to regain some energy when the door was rhythmically knocked on.
Three long knocks, two short.
Pause, then one long.
It was a code agreed upon with familiar acquaintances.
Outside on business, Song Heping was always very cautious.
