The successful development of the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile was a moving and prideful event for everyone across Dragon Country!
In the hospital room,
Nie Xing smiled calmly, and the sight made Old Wang's heart ache. With reddened eyes, he asked:
"You brat, how could you take part in something this huge without telling Old Nie or me? If we'd known you spent the past three years doing this, we definitely would've supported you with everything we had. Maybe if Old Nie had been happy enough, he might've lived a few more years! Sigh, when Old Nie left, he didn't even know what you'd been doing these past three years! It's pitiful!"
Before Nie Xing could answer,
Young Wang spoke first from the side:
"Dad, you don't understand. Work this confidential has to be kept secret for the country. Before the state officially announces these matters, they're required not to tell anyone. Not their parents above, not their wives and children below. That's the rule!"
Though he had never participated in work requiring that level of confidentiality, he had learned some of the rules for secret operations online.
Nie Xing said nothing, which was as good as admitting it.
Young Wang was not entirely right, but that was roughly what it meant. Before the country officially issued a notice, no researcher could reveal or expose anything about the matter. Moreover, even after the notice was released, many behind-the-scenes workers involved would remain hidden. They would receive secret medals of merit, but their identities could not be made public. Everything about those three years, along with all those secrets, would remain buried in their hearts forever.
Keeping secrets for Dragon Country!
Nie Xing was already considered rather fortunate that his identity could be revealed.
Hearing that,
Old Wang cast Young Wang an affectionate look, restraining the urge to hit him.
He then continued asking Nie Xing:
"Really? I saw on the news that you'd be receiving a national medal of merit. You must've suffered a lot, right?"
"Of course! Even after Xingzi injured his leg, he kept working on the front lines. Who wouldn't give him a thumbs-up for that? Just wait, reporters might come this afternoon to photograph Xingzi and do an exclusive interview! Getting in the papers and on TV—that's glory!"
Young Wang nodded and cut in again.
After those two sentences, Nie Xing had not said a single word. Young Wang had answered everything for him.
Old Wang was getting angry. This useless brat actually had the nerve to keep butting in?
I'm talking to a hero, and this kid sure knows how to talk!
His face reddened slightly as he gritted his teeth and smiled.
"Come here. Get closer!"
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Young Wang froze. Not sensing the danger, he moved closer to Old Wang.
Smack!
Old Wang swung a slap right onto his head!
It rang out loud and crisp.
Young Wang looked aggrieved.
"Why'd you hit me?"
"Try interrupting again and see if I don't beat you to death! Get out and pour some water for your Brother Xing!"
Old Wang said irritably.
He sent Young Wang away.
Then, while only he and Nie Xing remained in the hospital room,
Old Wang drew a deep, apologetic breath and spoke sincerely to Nie Xing:
"You know I, Old Wang, am a straightforward man. I like to say things directly. If I look down on someone, I won't associate with them. If I don't like someone, I curse them out. Before, I didn't know your situation, and your father fell ill so suddenly. I got anxious and said some overly harsh things. You're a great hero, so don't lower yourself to the level of an ordinary county man like your uncle!"
His words carried some guilt, as well as the awkwardness of an elder apologizing to a younger man.
Nie Xing smiled warmly and joked half-seriously:
"You're my Uncle Wang. How could I dare blame you?"
"Ha ha ha!"
Old Wang gave a dry laugh, though he still felt somewhat guilty.
That day, he really had gone a little too far with the insults.
Seeing this, Nie Xing quickly said:
"We've been neighbors for so many years. I know Uncle Wang's temperament best. To be honest, over these past three years, you took great care of my father. If I had been in your position back then, I would've cursed me out hard too! If you hadn't cursed me, I probably would've been truly heartbroken instead!"
"Mm, mm!"
Old Wang's expression froze as tears shimmered in his eyes.
He rubbed his eyes with his rough old hand and murmured:
"My eyes aren't what they used to be. Watching you speak, for a moment, I thought your father had come back!"
As soon as he finished speaking,
Young Wang hurried back into the room.
"Why are you back again?"
Old Wang frowned and asked.
But when he turned to look, his expression instantly changed!
Quite a few reporters had arrived at the door to the hospital room, their various cameras poised and ready.
Young Wang stopped them and asked sternly:
"What are you here for?"
A dignified-looking male reporter stepped forward and explained respectfully:
"Hello! We're reporters from television stations and news websites. Today, the authorities released an announcement regarding the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile. We heard that Director Nie is here, so we came specifically to conduct a feature interview with Director Nie about scientific research and national merit!"
"Uh..."
Young Wang froze, then turned to look at Nie Xing and asked:
"Xingzi, can you do it?"
Hearing that, everyone's expressions turned strange. What a clever question.
Could a man say he couldn't do it?
Nie Xing gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Yes, let them interview me!"
Old Wang helplessly glared at Young Wang, stood up, and deliberately straightened his back a little more.
With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked past the reporters while maintaining his composure, taking Young Wang out of the hospital room.
Inside the room, the reporters hurried forward and began interviewing Nie Xing one after another.
In the corridor, Old Wang secretly watched the situation inside the room with envy while impatiently scolding Young Wang:
"What kind of nonsense was that you said in front of all those reporters?"
"That was going to be on TV! Couldn't you use your brain a little?"
"And remember this: you can't call him Xingzi anymore. It cheapens him! Call him Nie Xing, or Director Nie, understand?"
After he finished speaking, he received no response from his son.
Old Wang turned around and discovered that his usually obedient and respectful son had turned his head away, unwilling to answer him.
Looking closer, was he secretly wiping away tears?
Young Wang felt terribly wronged and said:
"Yes, I can't compare to him. Then why don't you just have Nie Xing be your son?"
Hearing that,
Smack!
Old Wang slapped his head again. But unexpectedly, this time Young Wang did not dodge.
He let the slap land on his head without any reaction.
He still kept his head turned away, refusing to look at Old Wang.
Seeing this, Old Wang's gaze became complicated.
He was about to slap him again, but slowly lowered his hand.
Neither of them spoke.
After a moment,
Old Wang felt pain spreading through his palm. His voice was low and hoarse.
"I won't hit you anymore. I won't!"
He had spent his entire life competing with Old Nie, thinking he could finally surpass him through their sons. Yet, unexpectedly, Old Nie had still won.
As reports about the Super Yuan Dual Wave Missile special interview aired, Nie Xing's interview footage also appeared on television and across major news websites.
When the relatives and friends who had attended Old Nie's funeral saw Nie Xing appear on TV, all of them were stunned!
Only then did they realize what had happened.
Then, they quickly began bragging to the people around them:
"See that Director Nie? I know him! Yes, we're very close!"
"Who would've thought that he spent the past three years participating in something so great? What a promising young man!"
"For the country's secrets, he didn't even tell his father before he passed away! I cried my eyes out!"
"No wonder important people showed up at Old Nie's funeral. You didn't see that pomp and grandeur—it was absolutely astounding!"
"Eh? Why is Old Wang in the report too?"
At Pingzhuang Public Cemetery, before Nie Yugang's grave.
Su Chen stepped forward solemnly and laid down a bouquet of flowers.
"Rest in peace, Elder Nie! Your son was 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 suffered these past three years!"
After speaking,
Su Chen bowed deeply once more, then turned and left.
A long while later,
Another figure came before Nie Yugang's grave, kowtowed twice, said a few words, and remained beside the gravestone for a very, very long time~
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