You've worked hard! (Thanks to the two sect leaders for the reward!)

The successful research and development of the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile was a touching and proud moment for everyone in Dragon Country!

In the hospital room, Nie Xing smiled calmly, which made Old Wang's heart ache terribly. With red eyes, he asked, "You kid, why did you get involved in something so big and not tell Old Nie or me? If we had known you were doing this for the past three years, we would have supported you wholeheartedly. Maybe Old Nie would have lived a few more years if he had been happier! Sigh, Old Nie didn't even know what you were doing these past three years before he passed away! It's so sad!"

Before Nie Xing could answer.

Young Wang, standing beside them, quickly said, "Dad, you don't understand. Participating in such secret work requires safeguarding state secrets. Until the country officially announces these things, they are required to keep silent about it. It's a rule: don't tell your parents, don't tell your wife and children!"

Although he hadn't participated in work of this security level himself, he had learned about the secrecy rules for such covert operations online.

Nie Xing didn't speak, which was an implicit confirmation.

What Young Wang said wasn't entirely accurate, but it was close enough. Before any official announcement was made by the state, no researcher was allowed to leak any information about the matter. Furthermore, once the announcement was made, it actually concealed many of the behind-the-scenes workers involved. They would receive secret medals of honor, but their identities could not be revealed. Everything about these past three years and all the secrets would be buried with them forever.

Keeping secrets for Dragon Country!

Nie Xing was already considered quite fortunate that his identity could be revealed.

Hearing this, Old Wang looked at Young Wang with affectionate eyes, suppressing the urge to lay hands on him.

He then continued to ask Nie Xing, "Is that so? I saw on the news that you would receive national-level medals of honor. You must have suffered a lot, right!?"

"Of course! Xingzi was still working on the front lines even with his injured leg. Who wouldn't give him a thumbs-up after seeing that? Just you wait, reporters might come this afternoon to take pictures and do an interview with Xingzi! It's glorious to be on the newspaper and TV!"

Young Wang continued to nod and interject.

Nie Xing hadn't said a word during these two exchanges; Young Wang had answered everything for him.

Old Wang was getting angry. This useless brat, how dare he butt in with answers?

I'm talking to a hero, and you, you brat, really have some nerve!

His face flushed slightly, and he gritted his teeth with a smile.

"Come here, get closer!"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Young Wang was taken aback, not sensing any danger, and moved closer to Old Wang.

Slap!

Old Wang smacked him on the head!

The slap landed with a crisp sound.

Young Wang looked wronged and asked, "Why did you hit me?"

"Try interrupting me again, and I'll beat you to death! Get out and get some water for your brother Xing!"

Old Wang said irritably.

After sending Young Wang away.

Then, while it was just him and Nie Xing alone in the hospital room.

Old Wang took a deep breath with an apologetic expression and said sincerely to Nie Xing, "You know, I, Old Wang, am a straightforward person. I like to be direct about everything. If I don't like someone, I won't associate with them; if I can't stand someone, I'll curse them out. I didn't know your situation before, and your father was critically ill. I was anxious, so I spoke a bit too harshly. You're a great hero, you can't possibly hold it against your Uncle, a simple villager, can you!"

His words carried a hint of guilt and the awkwardness of an elder apologizing to a junior.

Nie Xing smiled warmly and said half-jokingly, "You're my Uncle Wang, how could I possibly blame you?"

"Hahaha!"

Old Wang gave a dry laugh, still feeling a bit guilty.

He had gotten a bit carried away with his scolding that day.

Seeing this, Nie Xing quickly said, "We've been neighbors for so many years, I know your temper very well, Uncle Wang. To be honest, you took good care of my father during these three years. If I were in your shoes back then, I would have cursed him out too! If you hadn't cursed, I would have truly been heartbroken!"

"Mmm, mmm!"

Old Wang's expression froze, and tears welled up in his eyes.

He rubbed his eyes with his rough old hands and murmured, "My eyes aren't what they used to be. Looking at you talk, it's as if I'm seeing your father again!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Young Wang rushed back into the hospital room.

"Why are you back again?"

Old Wang frowned and asked.

He looked back and his expression immediately changed to shock!

Quite a few reporters had already arrived at the ward entrance, with various cameras restlessly pointing this way.

Young Wang blocked them, his face serious, and asked:

"What are you guys doing here?"

A reporter with a proper demeanor stepped forward and explained very respectfully:

"Hello! We are reporters from the television station and news networks. Today, the authorities released a notice regarding the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile. We heard Director Nie is here and specifically rushed over to conduct a special report interview with Director Nie about scientific research and national merit!"

"Uh..."

Young Wang was taken aback. He looked back at Nie Xing and asked:

"Xingzi, can you do it?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. What a question to ask.

Could a man say he couldn't?

Nie Xing gave a wry smile and nodded.

"Yes, let them interview!"

Old Wang glared at Young Wang helplessly, stood up, and deliberately straightened his back a bit.

With his hands behind his back, maintaining his image, he slowly walked past the reporters and left the ward with Young Wang.

In the ward, the reporters quickly stepped forward to interview Nie Xing one by one.

In the corridor, Old Wang, while secretly watching the situation in the ward with envy, impatiently scolded Young Wang:

"What nonsense were you spouting just now in front of those reporters?"

"That's going to be on TV, you need to be more mindful!"

"And remember this, you can't call him Xingzi anymore, it's demeaning! You must call him Nie Xing, or Director Nie, understand?"

As he finished speaking, he didn't hear his son's response.

Old Wang looked back and found that his usually obedient and respectful son had turned his head, unwilling to reply to him.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed he was secretly shedding tears?

Young Wang felt very wronged and said:

"Yes, I can't compare to him, so why don't you ask Nie Xing to be your son?"

Hearing this.

Slap!

Old Wang slapped him on the head again. Unexpectedly, this time Young Wang didn't dodge.

He let the slap land on his head without any reaction.

He still turned his head away, not looking at Old Wang.

Seeing this, Old Wang's expression became complicated.

He prepared to slap him again but slowly lowered his hand.

The two were silent.

A moment later

Old Wang felt a sting in his palm, his voice somewhat low and hoarse:

"I won't hit you anymore, I won't!"

He had spent his life comparing himself to Old Nie, thinking he could gain an advantage through his son, but he never expected Old Nie to still win.

Following the special report on the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile, Nie Xing's interview video was broadcast on television and various news networks.

The relatives and friends who attended Old Nie's funeral were all shocked when they saw Nie Xing appear on television!

Only then did they realize what had happened.

Immediately, they quickly began to brag to those around them:

"See that Director Nie? I know him! Yes, we're very close!"

"I didn't expect he'd been participating in such a great event for the past three years, he's really accomplished!"

"For the country's secrets, he didn't even reveal them to his father when he was about to pass away! I cried so much!"

"No wonder important figures appeared at Old Nie's funeral back then. You didn't see the grandeur and the scene, it was so impressive!"

"Huh? Why is Old Wang also in the report?"

At Pingzhuang Public Cemetery, before Nie Yugang's grave.

Su Chen stepped forward and solemnly placed a bouquet of flowers.

"Rest in peace, Mr. Nie! Your son is not only filial, but also a scientific research hero! He developed a superweapon for our Dragon Country, protecting the safety of hundreds of millions!"

"You've suffered these past three years!"

As the words fell, Su Chen bowed deeply once more before turning and leaving.

After a long while, Another figure arrived before Nie Yugang's tombstone. He kowtowed twice, said a few words, and stayed by the tombstone for a very, very long time~