The spokesperson for the Huaxia Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon commented on the Myanmar conflict: "We are closely monitoring the developments in northern Myanmar and urge both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, to prevent escalation and to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations."
The spokesperson also announced that Huaxia has opened a 'green channel' to allow Myanmar refugees to enter the country: "After the conflict broke out, some border residents from northern Myanmar temporarily crossed into Huaxia to seek shelter with relatives and friends. As per our usual humanitarian policy, Huaxia has provided them with necessary assistance."
Afterward, the Myanmar government sent air force jets to Kachin State’s Myitkyina and the Raveneye Mountain area, intending airstrikes. However, since these regions border Huaxia’s southwest, and Myanmar’s pilots could easily stray into Huaxia airspace, the Southern Military District’s air force received orders from headquarters: shoot down any Myanmar aircraft that cross into Huaxia territory, to protect national citizens and territorial security.
Currently, Kachin State hosts the China-Myanmar Highway, Railway, oil and gas pipelines, several hydropower stations, and major infrastructure projects and mining operations—all vital for Huaxia’s energy security and economic cooperation. Huaxia fears continued fighting will threaten these projects. With the surge in investment in recent years, tens of thousands of Chinese businessmen, workers, and technicians live in northern Myanmar. If the conflict spreads, it will severely impact these projects and endanger the lives and property of Chinese nationals!
For all these reasons, faced with Huaxia’s firm stance, the Myanmar government dared not provoke the powerful Huaxia. Myanmar’s economic development depends heavily on Huaxia’s support, so under diplomatic pressure from Huaxia’s Foreign Ministry, the Myanmar authorities agreed to ceasefire negotiations!
And so, the globally watched northern Myanmar conflict, after less than a week of fighting, saw all sides sit down at the negotiating table under Huaxia’s mediation, starting talks to redraw spheres of influence!
But while the main factions temporarily laid down arms, the chaos wasn’t over. Besides the groups at the negotiating table, local gangs and opportunistic thugs took advantage of the turmoil, targeting wealthy Huaxia nationals fleeing the fighting. In just one day and night, there were more than a dozen armed robberies against Chinese merchants, with hundreds suffering major losses and dozens injured or killed!
Meanwhile, at Raveneye Mountain, after Shawn Young made it clear he intended to establish his base there, everyone—driven by their own interests—enthusiastically supported his plan. Operations ran smoothly: Shawn appointed Martin Yang as his special representative in the multi-party talks, while Fiona Tang and Jade Swann handled communications with the military back home. Colonel Hank and Max led the defense and security.
Just then, Shawn received unexpected news from Max and Martin Yang’s Hung Society brothers: less than twenty kilometers from Raveneye Mountain, at the Dongpingjiang Hydropower Station, dozens of armed bandits had raided Chinese workers during the chaos. The site is only a few kilometers from the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline and other infrastructure projects. The area is one of the fiercest battle zones, and hundreds of Chinese employees have been unable to evacuate, waiting desperately for rescue. Because of this, Huaxia authorities contacted Shawn and his team, urging them to provide immediate assistance.
Originally, Shawn planned to send Martin Yang and his team to handle the problem. But when he found out that one of the big infrastructure projects there was actually funded by the 'Ronghe Real Estate Group' from Nanming City—Vivian Fang’s company—he realized they’d invested billions building hotels and villas for the China-Myanmar Tourism Zone!
"Wait—Ronghe Real Estate Group? Isn’t that Vivian Fang’s company? Oh right, she did mention coming to Myanmar a while back for a big project! That must be it. Crap—if that’s the case, Vivian might still be stuck there!" As soon as Shawn realized Vivian Fang could still be in the war zone, cold sweat broke out all over him.
Without hesitation, Shawn pulled out his phone and dialed Vivian Fang’s number, but it wouldn’t connect. He tried several more times, still nothing. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt. Next, he called Hu Yin’er, but her phone was also unreachable. After a few more failed attempts, Shawn wondered if it was his own signal acting up. Thinking fast, he dialed Lilian Grace’s number—and this time, it went through.
"Hello? Who is this? How’d you get my number?" came Lilian Grace’s sweet but puzzled voice on the line.
That’s when Shawn remembered—he was using the iPhone 4S that Jiao Jiao had given him. Lilian Grace didn’t know this number, which explained her confusion.
"Oh, Lilian, it’s me—Shawn!" Shawn had just started to explain when Lilian Grace suddenly shrieked with excitement on the other end: "Ah! You—You’re Shawn!?"
"Yeah, it’s really me, Shawn! Didn’t you recognize my voice? How have you been, Lilian?" Shawn asked quickly.
"Oh my god! Shawn, you big jerk, you finally showed up! Do you know how hard I’ve been looking for you? I was about to put out a missing person ad! Where are you now? I heard you had to rush home for something—are you back? Tell me, I’ll come find you right away!" Lilian Grace’s voice trembled with excitement.
"Uh—I’m not in Nanming City right now! And I’m not at home, either. I’m in Myanmar!" Shawn hurriedly explained to her.
"What? Why did you end up in Myanmar? There’s a war going on there—so many people have died! You have to be careful, Shawn! Try to come home as soon as you can—don’t make everyone worry. If it’s hard to get back, I’ll try to contact the embassy for you—" Lilian Grace said, her voice full of concern.
Feeling so cared for, Shawn’s heart warmed. He quickly replied, "Don’t worry, Lilian. I’m fine here—really. Once I finish things up, I’ll be able to come home soon!"
"Just promise me you’ll be careful. Oh, besides looking for you, I actually have some really bad news to tell you!" Lilian Grace’s voice was filled with worry and urgency.
"Huh? Really bad news? What is it?" Shawn asked, sounding concerned.
"It’s about Aunt Fang and Yvonne. Last night I was able to reach them, and found out the two of them are right in the middle of the war zone in Myanmar. The fighting there is intense, and they’re trapped with hundreds of other Chinese workers. This morning, I tried calling again, but I couldn’t get through! I’m really worried about their safety—what should we do?" Lilian Grace sighed anxiously.
"Wait—Lilian, you mean Yvonne went to Myanmar to look for Aunt Fang? They’re together? And last night they were okay? Why would Yvonne suddenly run off to Myanmar?" Shawn asked urgently. The news was incredibly important to him.
"Yeah, Yvonne was feeling down, and Aunt Fang told her the new tourism zone in Myanmar was beautiful. So last weekend, she went there to relax—and then the war broke out. There were too many refugees, and the embassy staff told them not to move around to avoid danger, so she and Aunt Fang stayed in the development zone. At first, it was safe, but—this morning, I tried calling them over and over, but couldn’t get through. I’m really worried about them! If something happened—I can’t even imagine—" Lilian Grace said, her voice tense with anxiety.