The R&D director grabbed the document and quickly read it. His vision went black, and he almost lost his balance.

The information was crystal clear: the schematics for the folding blade had been leaked. As the “inventor” of the folding blade, the R&D department would definitely take the fall.

The R&D director raged, "I didn't do it! It must be that little bastard Han Xiao. He's obviously framing me for revenge! Everyone in the bureau knows that the schematics were originally his. He hates us for cracking them. Director, you must clarify this to the higher-ups!"

"The report states that the R&D department owns the invention rights to the folding blade. That is your responsibility," the director said firmly.

A chill ran down the R&D director’s spine. He finally understood.

The approval of the report and the accusation of arms dealing happened on the same day. The meaning was too obvious.

The higher-ups were backing Han Xiao!

The conservatives had taken action!

The higher-ups hadn't rushed to deal with the report at first because they were divided into hardliners and conservatives and wouldn't immediately jump out to support Han Xiao.

This was also a chance to test Han Xiao, to see what he would do when his interests were harmed. If Han Xiao swallowed his anger and backed down, the higher-ups would adjust the subsequent cooperation plan, gradually tightening the screws, forcing Han Xiao to constantly give in and squeeze out all his value.

If Han Xiao chose to cause trouble, as long as he didn't cross the bottom line—such as wanting to stop the cooperation—the higher-ups would turn a blind eye and tolerate his excessive behavior.

Han Xiao deliberately used a crude framing to tell the higher-ups, "I'm very unhappy. Are you going to watch me get bullied, or are you going to help me vent my anger? Here, I've given you an excuse."

The higher-ups were amused and annoyed. They knew very well that the R&D department had been wronged, but they were happy to cooperate with Han Xiao, immediately approving the R&D department's report and making them take responsibility, shooting themselves in the foot to appease Han Xiao. The meaning was that they were currently in the honeymoon period of their cooperation, and they shouldn't get angry over such a small matter. They would help him vent his anger.

Most importantly, the higher-ups intended to use this opportunity to knock the R&D department down a peg.

Han Xiao's folding blade was originally exclusively supplied to the Thirteenth Bureau. Although the production capacity was a bit low, at least the Thirteenth Bureau had exclusive access. But because of the R&D department's greed, they intercepted Han Xiao's performance halfway, leading him to sell the schematics to arms dealers.

Due to Han Xiao's special status, the higher-ups couldn't easily pursue his responsibility. Moreover, they were in the wrong, since the schematics originally belonged to Han Xiao, and there was no agreement for him to contribute them to the Thirteenth Bureau for free. The R&D department had infringed on his interests, forcing him to find another way to stop the bleeding.

If it were an ordinary special agent, they could have been sent to a military court for trial and expelled from the Thirteenth Bureau without hesitation. But they couldn't do that to Han Xiao. He had only joined recently, and the Thirteenth Bureau still needed his intelligence. Moreover, Han Xiao hadn't crossed the higher-ups' bottom line, and they didn't know if Han Xiao had just gotten lucky or if he really had a good grasp of their limits.

Pursuing Han Xiao's responsibility would have a very negative impact. What would the other special agents think? Once the impression of a large organization bullying its customers was formed, the impact would be more serious than losing the schematics for a new piece of equipment. This was something the higher-ups didn't want to see. The R&D department, for its own selfish interests, had dared to disregard the overall situation and cause such trouble, touching the higher-ups' bottom line.

The R&D director immediately understood that the higher-ups were determined to make an example of him. His heart turned cold. He regretted it so much that his intestines turned green. If he had known that this guy was a hedgehog, he wouldn't have provoked Han Xiao. This was a huge loss.

Being branded with the suspicion of arms dealing, although it was just a warning from the higher-ups and wouldn't be serious enough to get him shot, his political career would inevitably be stained. From now on, any achievements he made would be twice as difficult.

Like yellow mud falling into his crotch, it wasn't shit, but it looked like shit.

The R&D director roared inwardly, "Han Xiao, you're a bottomless pit!"

…

Rumors about the R&D director's alleged arms dealing spread like wildfire, leaving the Thirteenth Bureau completely stunned.

The R&D director was suspected of arms dealing, and the punishment was merely suspension of salary for investigation. This kind of handling was extremely strange. Usually, he should be dismissed and imprisoned or shot directly. This abnormality indicated inside information.

So, it was natural to think of Han Xiao, and everyone was incredibly shocked.

Han Xiao had been silent for the past few days, and they all thought he had chickened out. Now it seemed that it was the calm before the storm.

"This is a frame-up, right?"

"He really dared to do it!"

"The higher-ups are actually backing him!"

What surprised them the most was the attitude of the higher-ups. They didn't pursue Han Xiao's responsibility. Han Xiao instantly became unfathomable in their eyes. He always wore a mask at headquarters and never showed his true face. Perhaps only the higher-ups knew his identity.

The R&D director had really kicked an iron plate this time!

No one was happier than Li Yalin, who felt a great sense of relief. She showed off in front of Di Su Su and left triumphantly.

Di Su Su wasn't angry at all. Instead, she became interested in Han Xiao.

"What kind of person is Xiao Linlin's new teammate?"

The R&D director was extremely aggrieved. He was warned not to repeat this behavior and couldn't find Han Xiao to make trouble, so he could only vent his anger on his subordinates. Luo Xuan was the first to bear the brunt. The promised increase in authority didn't count, and Luo Xuan was casually dismissed as an ordinary researcher and thrown aside.

"Bastard!"

Luo Xuan's face twisted.

His treatment was even worse than in the logistics department. His colleagues in the R&D department often pointed and whispered behind his back, certainly not saying anything good, which made him very depressed.

He wanted to go to the director's secretary, but the other party refused to see him at all, completely different from his previous enthusiasm.

This attempt to crack the folding blade had completely failed to achieve his expected results and had instead screwed him over. Now he couldn't even go back to the logistics department.

Unfair!

Why were the higher-ups protecting Han Xiao!

How am I worse than him!

Luo Xuan gritted his teeth in hatred.

…

The next day, Han Xiao received a notice from Feng Jun that the higher-ups wanted to mediate for him.

"Seeing that I'm unyielding and audacious, they've decided to continue the previous gentle cooperation. The higher-ups are coming forward to mediate and push all the responsibility onto the R&D director. This allows them to test my attitude and repair their relationship with me through mediation. They really have a good grasp on things," Han Xiao shook his head.

Although the R&D department had been warned, the folding blade had already been taken away and was being supplied in large quantities. The meat they had eaten couldn't be spit out. This was also why the higher-ups decided to compensate him. It was a good opportunity to propose conditions.

Moreover, this opportunity was likely only this once. In the future, the hardliners would definitely not easily test him again. This advancement mission depended on this opportunity!

Han Xiao wore his mask and arrived at headquarters, where Feng Jun led him to the director's office. Three people were waiting there: the director, the R&D director, and an old man looking out the window with his back to everyone.

"Gu Hui, executive director of the Xinglong National Land Strategic Defense Bureau," the director introduced himself.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. That name…

Gu Hui said in a deep voice, "Someone wants to see you."

The old man with his hands behind his back turned around and smiled faintly.

Han Xiao appropriately showed an expression of "shock" and "astonishment."

"Old Man Gao?!"

Old Man Gao chuckled, "Didn't expect it?"

"Just who exactly are you?" Han Xiao forced out an awkward expression, nodding stiffly. He felt like he was back in the Germinal Organization being brainwashed. Time to put on an act.

"You only need to know that I can interfere with the Thirteenth Bureau's decisions."

"…"

"Hehe, don't be nervous. I noticed you a long time ago. I have a good impression of you."

Success! Time to wrap it up!

Han Xiao instantly returned to his expressionless state.

Old Man Gao felt that Han Xiao's emotions had calmed down too quickly. Not sure if it was just his imagination, he glanced at him a few more times and said slowly, "Tell me, how do you want to resolve this matter?"

ps: Thanks to Xue Jingtian, Yan Yi, Reading is Good for Health, Feng Zuiying, and the Lord of Divine Tribulation for the rewards!

ps: Special thanks to Xiu Ge Dunjia 123 for the generous ten thousand rewards~ Thank you very much!