CHAPTER 277: CHAPTER 197: OFFICIAL BACKGROUND (DOUBLE-LENGTH)

Qi Yun took the bag, opened it and glanced inside, then handed it directly to Chen Wei beside him.

Inside the bag were two firearm licenses, two CZ75 pistols, and some bullets.

Although Johannesburg is an international metropolis and the financial center of South Africa, it is also notoriously known as the capital of crime.

Therefore, for safety’s sake, Qi Yun specifically asked Ye Hanwen to get two weapons for self-defense.

After Chen Wei received the bag, he took out the two pistols, tested the grip in his hand, then handed one to Old Black.

"Follow my instructions for every action, don’t act recklessly on your own."

Old Black solemnly nodded, kept the pistol properly.

The car started and drove towards the city, outside the car window were towering skyscrapers and dazzling lights; yet in those dark corners without lights, crime was happening at every moment.

After driving for more than half an hour, the car stopped in front of a courtyard gate.

Tata, who was driving, honked the horn, a palm-sized window opened on the big iron gate upfront, and after confirming identities with the people inside, the latch was pulled open to open the gate.

Once the car entered the courtyard, the person quickly fastened the iron gate back again.

While parking, Tata advised everyone: "There is no law during Johannesburg’s nights, so to ensure safety, everyone should try not to leave this courtyard."

Qi Yun nodded to show he understood.

When the car came to a stop, several people got out.

Tata pointed to a two-story building next door and introduced: "This used to be a hotel, later President Ye bought it and turned it into dormitories, usually only three or four people live here, I’ve already tidied up the rooms for you, please follow me."

They followed Tata, walked through the corridor to the second floor, and then each chose their room, Chen Wei’s room was next to Qi Yun’s.

After stowing their luggage, Tata led them to the restaurant, where a dedicated chef was preparing dinner.

The already famished Qi Yun picked up a banana from the table, took a bite, turned to Tata and asked: "Did President Ye tell you to follow me as a translator lately?"

Tata quickly nodded, respectfully replied: "President Ye instructed me to follow your arrangements."

Qi Yun waved his hand with a smile: "No need to be so restrained, your Chinese is quite fluent, where did you learn it?"

Tata chuckled honestly: "I studied abroad in China before."

"I see." Qi Yun pulled out a chair to sit down, then motioned for Tata to sit down and talk.

"Have you heard of a local company called Smith Company?"

After thinking for a moment, Tata replied: "I’ve heard of it, it’s involved in deep-sea salvage operations and was featured in the papers before."

Qi Yun nodded, continued asking: "What’s the reputation of this company?"

"Reputation..." Tata frowned, "I don’t know much about it, as it doesn’t relate to our industry, but I once heard from a friend in shipping that this company seems to have official connections."

Official...

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun’s brows instantly furrowed, the thought of anything related to official bothers him a bit due to the underlying involvement of South African officials with the diamond mining operations.

He initially learned about Smith Company online, it was one of the only two offshore salvage companies in South Africa, with much stronger ships, equipment, and experience than the other company, hence his top target choice.

Before departing, he had already arranged and booked a deep-sea salvage ship with them, paying a deposit of ten thousand USD.

But if their company is linked to the government, then he will have to reconsider his choice...

He worried that if something was salvaged, they might deny admission and bring up issues like underwater cultural heritage, as it’s quite a shady business.

Qi Yun finished the banana in a few bites, wiped his hands, and said, "Tomorrow you’ll come with me as a translator when we go out."

"No problem." Tata responded quickly.

Just then, the dinner prepared by the chef was ready; despite his dark skin, the guy actually cooked Sichuan cuisine, and it was delicious.

Upon inquiry, it turns out, good heavens, he also studied abroad in China...

The next day, Tata drove Qi Yun and Chen Wei to the office of another salvage company—Deep-Sea Exploration.

They were received by the company’s vice president, who was a local South African.

Upon learning that Qi Yun intended to salvage items 300 nautical miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the vice president immediately frowned.

Seeing this, Qi Yun asked, "Mr. Kaisen, is there any difficulty?"

Kaisen apologized and replied, "The location you mentioned, 300 nautical miles away, belongs to the deep-sea region, the deepest spots there are over a thousand meters from the sea surface, requiring large salvage ships and utilizing onboard professional equipment."

"But inconveniently, our company’s only large salvage ship had already set sail a week ago."

After hearing Tata’s translation, Qi Yun asked, "When will your salvage ship return?"

Kaisen checked his phone briefly, then raised his head to reply, "It’s expected to return to Cape Town’s port on the 26th of this month."

26th?

Qi Yun frowned too, as today was merely the 10th, meaning he’d have to wait at least half a month.

And that was just the estimated time; whether the ship could return as scheduled was uncertain.

After pondering slightly, he asked again, "Mr. Kaisen, may I ask, do you know much about Smith Company?"

"Of course I do." Kaisen said while sipping his coffee, "After all, in the South African market, they are our only competitor."

"There are rumors saying their company has government backing, is that true?"

Kaisen nodded decisively: "The rumors you’ve heard are correct, the company’s backing is actually South African officials, some things you understand, their main business isn’t really helping ordinary clients to salvage items."

After hearing this, Qi Yun sighed internally; he truly was off to an unlucky start.

After a pause, he continued, "Mr. Kaisen, could you recommend another salvage company?"

Putting down his cup, Kaisen explained with helplessness, "Mr. Qi, deep-sea salvage ships generally require prior booking, rarely having idle time, so even if I introduce another country’s salvage company, you may also have to wait a long time."

"While the result is already destined, I will still ask around for you."

Qi Yun nodded slightly, "Alright, thank you, Mr. Kaisen, then I’ll await your inquiry before deciding whether to book your company’s salvage ship."

After leaving the salvage company, Qi Yun got into the car, lit a cigarette, feeling somewhat frustrated, does he really need to wait here for half a month?

Currently, though, there doesn’t seem to be any other options...

In the afternoon, Kaisen sent word, and it was just as he said in the morning, none of the salvage companies he contacted had idle ships available.

Qi Yun had no choice but to agree to reserve s salvage ship from their company, and the salvage fee was ultimately settled at 180,000 US dollars, and Qi Yun first paid them a deposit of ten thousand USD.

During the subsequent two days, they mostly stayed on the premises, Qi Yun spent his free time training with Chen Wei, while Old Black trained eight to nine hours a day.

Ah Jiao and Ah Jie occasionally went out with Tata during the day, but unfamiliar with the place, and considering safety, they spent most of their time indoors.

That afternoon, Ye Hanwen returned hastily by car.

Qi Yun heard the commotion and came out from the room to greet him.

"Brother Ye, didn’t expect to meet again so soon."

Though Ye Hanwen looked exhausted, he still forced a smile and shook hands with Qi Yun: "Indeed, didn’t expect you’d head to South Africa."

"How’s it going, were things settled?"

Qi Yun shook his head helplessly: "A bit unfortunate, might have to wait another half month."

The two sat in the living room, Ye Hanwen took a sip of beer from the table, and sighed heavily.

Qi Yun, observing, asked: "How’s the progress on the mining site?"

A bitter smile appeared on Ye Hanwen’s face: "Miscalculated, the seventh wife of the Kubu Clan’s chief was the sister of a government councilor, and they directly refused to cooperate."