Nokovic's accent was completely different from Mendeleyev's, lacking that strong Northeast inflection, and his pronunciation was precise.

Qi Yun gave the other person a slightly surprised look, then immediately got to the point.

"Mr. Nokovic, before we begin our conversation, I'd like to ask you a question first."

Nokovic nodded lightly, "Go ahead."

"I want to know if it was someone you sent who took Mendeleyev." Qi Yun didn't beat around the bush; he needed to confirm his suspicion first.

Upon hearing this, Nokovic was slightly taken aback, his hand that had been playing with the lighter paused too. He stared at Qi Yun for two seconds, then said calmly, "Seems like you know quite a bit."

Qi Yun's lips curled up slightly, not quite a smile as he awaited the other's response.

"He wasn't taken by my people; by the time my men arrived at the scene, they didn't so much as see his shadow," Nokovic answered.

As expected.

Qi Yun thought to himself, since Mendeleyev wasn't taken by them, it at least indicated that they were not enemies.

So he didn't hold back, explaining the situation at the scene to the other person, only replacing Peng Ge and Chen Wei with Mendeleyev's two subordinates.

After hearing this, Nokovic frowned deeply, looking sharply at Qi Yun again to confirm, "Can you be sure that Mendeleyev didn't tell anyone else about that batch of arms?"

Qi Yun nodded seriously, and with certainty in his voice, said, "Absolutely not, he only called you."

Nokovic leaned back into his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest, his eyes deep, seemingly pondering something.

The air in the room seemed to have frozen until only the occasional soft click of the lighter being pressed could be heard.

After a long moment, he picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.

"Gather everyone who knew about last night's incident; someone has leaked the information."

"You have an hour to find out the truth."

With that, he hung up the phone, and silence fell over the room again, with Qi Yun quietly waiting without saying a word.

Time passed, and it was unclear how long it had been before Nokovic's phone rang at last.

He picked up the phone, listening to the report from the other end, his face gradually growing somber. He hung up without saying a word.

"The information was leaked by someone I sent. That batch of arms and Mendeleyev were probably taken by my political rival."

Political rival?

Qi Yun's face also turned very grim; he never imagined that this matter would end up involving political rivalry.

After a moment of contemplation, he tentatively asked, "Mr. Nokovic, would it be possible to negotiate with the other side to release him? I could offer a certain amount of money as an exchange."

Nokovic shook his head helplessly, sighed lightly, "The head of the capital is about to retire, and Yushenkov is competing with me for this position. His target is not money."

Upon hearing the name "Yushenkov," Qi Yun immediately sat up straight, his pupils suddenly dilated, with an astonished expression on his face.

"You just said the other party is called Yushenkov!?"

Seeing his reaction, Nokovic looked puzzled and curiously asked, "Do you know him?"

Qi Yun smacked his lips, silently thinking that he had unexpectedly found a lead when there seemed to be none—the protagonist of last night's intelligence was indeed called Yushenkov.

He carefully considered his words and spoke slowly, "I have a very confidential piece of information about Yushenkov, but I'm not sure if the Yushenkov I'm referring to is the same as the one you mentioned."

On hearing this, Nokovic curiously asked, "What information? Tell me."

Qi Yun did not hold back, disclosing Yushenkov's secret base and the fact that it contained USD and ledgers to the other person.

After listening, Nokovic's gaze instantly turned sharp, he leaned forward slightly, and his eyes locked tightly on Qi Yun.

"Is everything you said true!?"

Qi Yun nodded and replied, "You can send someone to verify it; I wouldn't risk my friend's safety."

Upon seeing this, Nokovic no longer doubted and immediately picked up his phone to give some instructions to the person on the other end.

After hanging up, Nokovic leaned back in his chair with his eyes partially closed, seemingly contemplating the next steps.

More than an hour passed, and the phone on the table rang again. After reading the message, Nokovic's eyes sparkled.

Qi Yun discreetly observed him, and seeing him in this state, he understood that the two Yushenkovs were likely the same person.

After setting down his phone, Nokovic looked at Qi Yun with eyes full of curiosity. His tone had noticeably changed from before: "May I ask for your name?"

"My name is Qi Yun."

Nokovic nodded and continued, "Mr. Qi Yun, my people did indeed find what you mentioned at that location. Rest assured, I will rescue Mendeleyev as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun felt a bit more relieved.

In Nokovic's tone, Qi Yun could tell that the contents of the ledger must hold crucial evidence against Yushenkov, and the other party was bound to make a compromise.

"Mr. Qi Yun, I wonder if you're free this evening? I'd like to invite you for a meal."

"To be honest, I actually studied in China many years ago; it's like my second home. So hearing you speak Chinese makes me feel very close, and I'd like to chat more with you." Nokovic's face bore a gentle smile, and at this moment, there was not a trace of airs about him.

Joking aside, Yushenkov is the second-in-command of the capital, with a rank higher than even his. For someone to have information on such a person, they must have considerable power behind them.

If they can uncover Yushenkov's secrets, then my own secrets...

Qi Yun, being an old fox, knew why the other's attitude had changed. He pondered, "Mr. Nokovic, there's no rush for the meal; I still hope to see my friend Mendeleyev first."

Nokovic nodded slightly, his smile unwavering, "Mr. Qi Yun, I completely understand your feelings. Mendeleyev is also a friend of mine, and I am concerned for his safety as well."

"Rest assured, I will find a way to get him back."

Qi Yun nodded, stood up, and said goodbye, "Thanks to Mr. Nokovic, I won't disturb you from your work. Please contact me if there's any news."

Nokovic also stood up, "Mr. Qi Yun, you're too polite. This is what I should do. You should go back and rest. I will notify you immediately with any news."

After speaking, he accompanied Qi Yun to the elevator. Only after the elevator doors closed did his smile fade.

...

Back in the car, Qi Yun asked the bearded translator to buy him a pack of cigarettes, then recounted the situation to Brother Peng and the others, skipping over the information about Yushenkov.

Brother Peng was stunned upon hearing this and hesitated, "Will Yushenkov really release him?"

Qi Yun exhaled a smoke ring and sighed, "I think he will. Political matters are all about the exchange of interests, and Nokovic's stance is very clear. We just have to wait for news."

Brother Peng nodded and said no more.

After the bearded translator returned with the cigarettes, they drove to Griff's office to wait for news.

Time seemed to drag on. Two hours passed, and there was still no news from Nokovic.

Qi Yun sat on the sofa, his fingers tapping the armrest unconsciously, his face expressionless.

Griff paced back and forth in the office, looking visibly tense and worried.

Brother Peng chain-smoked one cigarette after another...

Outside, the sky gradually darkened. Qi Yun glanced at the time—it was already seven in the evening, four hours since he had left Nokovic's office.

Qi Yun pulled out his phone, intending to contact the other party to ask about progress.

Just then, Nokovic's call came in.

Qi Yun's heart tightened and he quickly answered the call, "Mr. Nokovic, how's it going?"

Nokovic's voice came from the other end, and he said with a laugh, "Mr. Qi Yun, I've just met up with Mendeleyev."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun couldn't help but show a joyful expression, nodding to the others in the room.

Brother Peng and Griff immediately understood his expression, their faces also lighting up with surprise and joy.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Nokovic. How is Mendeleyev? Is he hurt?" Qi Yun continued to ask.

"No need to thank me, Mr. Qi Yun. I'll hand the phone to him so he can tell you himself."

After a couple of seconds, Mendeleyev's booming voice came from the other end, "Hey, Old Qi."

Hearing this energetic voice, Qi Yun felt completely at ease and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, no need to worry," Mendeleyev chuckled.

"Where are you now? Should we come pick you up?"

There was a pause on the other end before he replied, "Mr. Nokovic said he wants to invite us to dinner tonight as an apology. What do you think?"

Qi Yun thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Alright, we'll be there."

He would not refuse. The initial goal was to establish a connection with the other side. Although it had been quite an ordeal, the goal was ultimately achieved without incident.

...

At the dinner table, Nokovic first sincerely apologized to Mendeleyev, and then Mendeleyev graciously thanked him for his rescue.

Although he was unsure why the other's attitude was so warm, he knew it must be related to Qi Yun and the others.

After several rounds of drinks, Nokovic's tongue loosened, and he began to talk about his political ambitions and future plans for the capital.

He also mentioned that they were all friends now, and they could come to him with any issues in the capital.

However, they took this as mere courtesy. Real attempts to foster closer ties would still require mutual interests.

Taking the opportunity to use the restroom, Mendeleyev called his cousin aside, first learning from him about the past few days, then whispering a few instructions.

The cousin nodded and quickly left.

"By the way, I didn't catch what line of work you're in, Mr. Qi Yun?" Nokovic raised his glass and asked.

Qi Yun knew the man was probing for his background, but he maintained a composed smile and replied leisurely, "Mr. Nokovic, you're too polite, I'm just an ordinary businessman in China."

Upon hearing this, Nokovic smirked as he looked at Qi Yun, with a hint of disbelief in his gaze.

The more he spoke like this, the more Nokovic suspected that his identity was anything but simple—how could an ordinary businessman have such inside information?

But seeing that Qi Yun was unwilling to reveal more, he decided not to press further, "Mr. Qi Yun, you are too modest. I hope we can collaborate more in the future."

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