The waiting time was approximately four minutes and thirty seconds.
In fact, Ai Qing hung up after one minute and calmly enjoyed her afternoon tea. Only when the other party called back almost at the deadline did she leisurely pick up before the line disconnected automatically.
"This is Maxime." The voice on the other end remained solemn and calm, without the slightest fluctuation.
Ai Qing smiled. "So punctual, Director Sanogo."
"When a distinguished guest comes calling, one must give them some time to react." Maxime replied, "For something this important, surely you cannot be completely unprepared?"
"Then let's discuss it." Ai Qing got straight to the point. "The operation against Solomon."
Silence.
The silence came abruptly.
During that brief pause, Maxime's breathing did not waver in the slightest. Yet it was precisely that fleeting hesitation that exposed the waves and confusion within him.
"...Are you serious?"
It was hard to believe.
At first, he had thought those five minutes were merely a trick to seize the initiative.
But he had not expected that Ai Qing, despite holding authority vital to everyone, would choose to make concessions first.
So decisively.
This was bad.
Far too bad!
When something so incomprehensible and inexplicable happened, either the opponent was too foolish, or he himself was too stupid.
Maxime had never placed any luck on the stupidity or mistakes of others, nor did he have the courage to believe the whole world ought to cooperate with him.
But what was this situation now?
"You could have been more composed, Ai Qing." He asked bluntly, "I'm curious. What has made you so urgent?"
"This is my condition, Maxime."
On the screen, Ai Qing's smile gradually became more delighted. "I will provide every piece of intelligence I possess and offer all the support I can for