âI donât think so.â Zhan Hong shook his head. âThey wouldnât dare to be so brazen. They might just be trying to retain Mr. Jiang here, to prevent him from returning home.â
Uncle Han nodded his head. âItâll be better if they try to do something in the dark. In that case, we could just take care of it quietly and return home. Itâll be disastrous if they tried to file a lawsuit; the proceedings are long and tiresome. Many cases drag on for years before itâs concluded. Itâs fine for an ordinary person but our Mister has many pressing projects on his hands. If he doesnât go back, all these projects will come to a standstill.â
Nian Xi shuddered at the thought of it. She was a police officer; she understood his point. Although some people are released after a few months, they would have to stay in Paris under close police surveillance, and they wouldnât be allowed to leave.
âUncle Han, about the report on nanotechnology. Mr. Jiang should have a detailed report on it. We just have to produce a copy for reference to the policeâ¦â
âWhat if Cristine has already struck a deal with the police here?â Zhan Hong interrupted her saying, âLangyi Oda doesnât have the guts to do this. The Americans must be behind him, and of course, the French will listen to them.â
âNo matter what, can we try to bail out Mr. Jiang first?â Uncle Han sighed.
â¦
Uncle Han quickly found a Chinese lawyer, Mr. Mao to represent them. Lawyer Mao brought them to the Paris Police Station but the officers denied them the right to see Jiang Yuning, due to the severity of the matter. They were denying him bail as well.
Nian Xi said hurriedly, âCanât we compare the nano-technology report? Any reasonable person would be able to tell who was the one who copied the report.â
Lawyer Mao looked at her coldly. âMr. Oda has managed to reproduce a complete report on the matter as well. Mr. Jiang had accused him of plagiarism in public; he is now suing Mr. Jiang for defamation. Either Mr. Jiang admits to defaming him, or Mr. Oda admits to plagiarism.â
Uncle Han shook his head. âEither one of the choices could ruin our Misterâs reputation. He wouldnât be able to gain a good standing in the world of physicists in the future. This is a matter of personal integrity.â
Nian Xi was shocked. âAll the information was stolen? Who did this?â
âI already found out. Itâs someone from our research center.â Uncle Han grimaced. âHe has already fled to the United States.â
âSon of a bitch.â Nian Xi hated people like that.
â¦
Over the next few days, news of Jiang Yuning getting arrested at the airport had spread to China.
Nian Junting called Nian Xi that night. âBuy tickets to come home tomorrow and bring your colleagues.â
âBrother, how could you suggest that? Havenât you seen the news?â Nian Xi was angry and indignant. âHe is being framed. Theyâre trying to oppress his talent by using dirty tricks. You didnât see how wonderful he performed at the Physics Conferenceâ¦â
âI didnât say that he did anything wrong, I believe him,â Nian Junting said, interrupting her.
âItâs just that the case has become so complicated that itâs not something that you nor your colleagues can handle. The Physics Society will try their best to get him out, but it will take time. This is a long-drawn battle, and youâre not of any use over there.â Nian Junting reminded her saying, âDonât forget that Iâm getting married in a few daysâ time.â
âIâm not in the mood to attend your wedding now.â Nian Xi felt like she had to hide her frustrations over the past two days.
âEven if I didnât ask you to come home, your director will be relaying the order very soon,â Nian Junting said helplessly.