I Am Here for Friendly Exchanges

"Talk? What's there to talk about!"

Brown didn't catch the hidden meaning in Darrell's words. If he were still calm, he might have noticed it, but right now, he was furious.

As the Director of the CIA, the head of America's enforcement agencies and one of the world's largest spy organizations, Brown wouldn't say he could act with impunity, but no one dared to provoke him easily. His life was quite comfortable.

When had he ever been subjected to such humiliation?

The IRS, aren't they just tax collectors? I, Brown, am not afraid of them... afraid... well, maybe a little...

In short, Brown was very angry, and the consequences were severe! (╬ Ò ‸ Ó)

Therefore, he decided to prepare to confront the IRS head-on!

As the head of spies, he came from a spy background. How could he be bullied like this without preparing any counterattack?

Brown certainly wouldn't do that. Although he didn't know why the IRS had suddenly come knocking down his door this time, one thing was certain: they had already arrived with "knives" in hand.

They couldn't just stand there defenseless, waiting to be slaughtered, could they?

So, Brown decided to first grasp his own "knife."

At worst, they could expose each other and "stab" each other. Who was afraid of whom!

After all, the CIA is one of the enforcement agencies!

Although the IRS has great power and a wide reach, and they definitely have more "dirt" than we do, and they have two armed forces and more funding than us, but... but... but...

Brown shook his head, choosing not to dwell on it.

He couldn't think about it anymore; if he did, he'd have to surrender immediately.

He should think of it this way: even if the CIA couldn't win, the IRS wouldn't have an easy time either!

Thinking of this, a surge of heat suddenly welled up in Brown's chest, as if he had returned to his youth.

Back then, he wasn't bald, he was full of spirit, he didn't overthink things, and he acted purely on impulse, challenging everything and everyone!

"You go to the Main Switchboard Archives immediately and retrieve File 100-86," Brown said, his tone decisive and full of passion. "Since the IRS wants war, then we will give them war!"

Upon hearing this, Darrell's expression froze instantly.

What was this?

Why was it suddenly war?

So, the Director had confirmed that the IRS intended to break ties and wanted him to get the file to prepare?

Darrell speculated wildly, trying to fathom Brown's intentions.

"...Are you listening?"

Brown had finished speaking aggressively, but he didn't get a response from Darrell for a long time. It felt like he was talking to himself, and he immediately felt a bit deflated. He asked impatiently, "What's wrong?"

"Ah... I'm listening!" Darrell finally reacted and asked cautiously, "But Director, the Main Switchboard Archives... I can't get in!"

Although he was the Administrative Minister, Darrell didn't have much authority. At least, he didn't have direct access to the most secure Main Switchboard Archives in the entire CIA headquarters.

According to Ethan, only the switchboard administrator, William Dom, could access the Main Switchboard Archives, and it required multiple verifications such as iris scans, voiceprints, and fingerprints.

"Can't you just ask William to get it for you?" Brown was somewhat exasperated.

"That requires formal procedures and orders..." Darrell was a bit bewildered.

"...Damn it, then you go back and continue talking to that IRS person, and wait for me to get there. I'm coming right now!"

Brown paused, then cursed irritably, "Threaten him to a certain extent, preferably make him retreat. Let him know that if they intend to be stubborn and continue like this, we will retaliate!"

Momentum builds, then wanes, then is exhausted.

Brown's experiences and emotional journey within this short hour perfectly illustrated this saying.

First, he wanted to ask Chris what was going on, but Chris didn't even answer his call. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, his temper reaching its peak.

Then, he called Darrell and aggressively declared war, but... Darrell didn't cooperate, which made him a bit awkward, and his momentum began to wane.

Then, he asked Darrell to retrieve the file, but Darrell couldn't do it.

The problem was, he also knew very well that it had nothing to do with Darrell. It was entirely his own impulsive order, made without much thought, a completely unexecutable command...

Frustrated again, Brown's momentum instantly plummeted to its lowest point. This could be seen from the order he gave Darrell: "Threaten him, preferably make him retreat."

This was a world of difference from the earlier "If he wants war, then give him war"!

The call ended. Darrell pondered for a moment and finally reached a conclusion.

Was this phone call from Brown just asking him to do what he was already doing?

Shaking his head, Darrell understood that Brown was probably so angry that he had lost some of his reason.

Therefore, he definitely shouldn't provoke him at this moment and should follow Brown's orders!

Adjusting his facial expression, Darrell put on his professional smile again and pushed open the conference room door.

Zhou Yi played with his phone and looked at Darrell. "Mr. Darrell, are you finished talking?"

"Yes," Darrell walked up to Zhou Yi. "Mr. Zhou, our Director just called me and explained some things. However, before that, I need to ask what your purpose is for coming here this time?"

Since Brown would be arriving soon anyway, it didn't matter even if Zhou Yi revealed his intentions now!

Darrell, holding this thought, directly began to ask.

"My purpose..." Zhou Yi frowned, putting on an expression of deep thought. "What was my purpose again?"

After a pause, Zhou Yi then put on a look of sudden realization and said, "I remember now. I'm here this time for a friendly exchange with the CIA!"

"..." Darrell was silent.

He was carefully and earnestly thinking—

Did the words "friendly" and "exchange" have any other meanings?

In this situation, considering Zhou Yi's identity, tone, and expression, what could these two words possibly mean?

It couldn't possibly be their literal meaning, could it?

"It's like this, we've found that when pursuing criminals who evade taxes, we always encounter some problems. These problems cover many aspects, such as equipment technology or our agents' professional qualities."

Zhou Yi said very earnestly and seriously.

"So, our director had a thought and thought of you, who are also in the agent department... Ah, no, as the agent department, sorry, we are the tax department... Hmm, it's not a big deal, let's continue."

Zhou Yi explained, "We hope to have a friendly exchange with you, covering aspects like management systems, equipment technology, and talent cultivation, to promote friendly and harmonious cooperation between our two departments, for common development and common progress!"

Isn't this just speaking officialese?

Does anyone really not know how to do this?

If the situation weren't so inappropriate, believe it or not, I'd bring up the "community with a shared future for mankind"!

Zhou Yi recalled the message he had just received from Ethan saying the plan was successful. Looking at Darrell's completely stunned and rigid smile, he found it quite amusing internally, but outwardly maintained a perfectly serious and sincere demeanor.

His acting had to be on point.

At the same time, in his heart, Zhou Yi silently said—

"Thanks for your cooperation!"

PS: Good night, readers who are reading, collecting, and voting~

(*￣3￣)

A collaboration with a big shot, "Superman of the American Comics," by the great author Baitang. You can all check it out; his writing really gets going! I'm saying this upfront, remember to save your votes for me! ~>_<~