Li Xianjie felt utterly miserable!
Withdrawing outright was obviously impossible now. The media around the world would brand them spineless cowards! Even if those same media outlets were scarcely any less spineless themselves when facing Phantom Immortal Technology.
But agreeing outright to Mr. Hong Yuan's demand would put him under crushing pressure...
"Ambassador Hong, now that you've put it that way, I realize this really isn't something I can decide myself!" Li Xianjie meant every word. "I'll report this to my superiors and get back to you."
Hong Yuan coughed and said, "Vice Minister Li, should I take that to mean you have little confidence in the evidence provided by the informant? If so, let me make something unpleasant clear in advance. The longer this drags on, the greater Phantom Immortal Technology's losses will be, and the more compensation you'll have to pay."
Li Xianjie's expression shifted slightly. He realized he had misspoken.
There was nothing wrong with the words themselves, but showing uncertainty under these circumstances meant handing the other side leverage.
Still, the words were already out. He couldn't take them back, could he?
"We have absolute confidence in our intelligence. However, now that Huaxia has intervened, we should naturally handle this with due caution."
Hong Yuan said calmly, "In that case, please seek instructions as soon as possible, Vice Minister Li."
With that, Hong Yuan stood off to one side, making it clear that he would wait right there for an answer.
Li Xianjie opened his mouth, but swallowed whatever he had been about to say.
After hesitating for two seconds, he stepped back a dozen meters, took out his phone, and called the Deputy Commissioner of Singapore Customs.
The two spoke quietly over the phone for a while, after which he returned looking positively cheerful.
"Ambassador