Sha Zhenjiang: Xiaofei, Would You Accept Me as Your Honorary Grandfather?

Sha Zhenjiang!

The name carried enormous weight.

Even the most out-of-touch members of the Yang Family had heard of him!

His name appeared constantly in the news across Handong Province.

They had heard of him, but they had never seen him!

They could not connect the powerful figure from the news with the old man drinking tea in front of them.

Wasn't he Director Sha?

That retired minor official?

Only now did the Yang Family's last shred of hope shatter.

They had not offended some nobody. They had offended the man who held Handong's fate in his hands!

This was no ordinary blunder. They had crossed a line they should never have touched!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three dull impacts sounded.

Yang Guohua, Wu Hongyan, and Yang Jiaojiao dropped to their knees together.

"Secretary Sha! We were wrong!"

"It was all my fault! I put Jiaojiao up to it! Punish me alone and spare her and her father!"

"Grandpa Sha, I'll never do it again! I'll kowtow to you! I'll do anything!"

Yue Xiaofei stood to one side and watched coldly. Only two words came to mind:

Serves them right!

These people looked down on everyone and cared only about money!

They had taken Secretary Sha for a retired director!

They had treated a hero's son like some penniless boy they could push around!

Now they were afraid?

Where had that fear been before?

They had been blind to what was right in front of them and brought this on themselves!

"You don't owe me an apology!"

Sha Zhenjiang's gaze swept over the three kneeling figures before settling on Yue Xiaofei. His voice was heavy and firm.

"Yue Xiaofei's mother was Ye Qingmei."

"A year ago, when disease broke out in Handong, Ye Qingmei worked day and night to develop a treatment. She saved millions of lives!"

"She should have received the posthumous title of Handong Hero. Her compensation should have gone to Yue Xiaofei, and she should have been buried among the fallen heroes at Qingshan Cemetery, honored by all!"

"But what did you do?"

Sha Zhenjiang's voice rose sharply.

His words struck the Yang Family like an invisible whip across their faces!

"Yang Guohua, you used your connections to steal her burial place and moved Ye Qingmei's grave to Sin Mausoleum, making a hero lie beside criminals!"

"Wu Hongyan, you encouraged your daughter to claim that compensation fraudulently, bought luxuries with a hero's hard-earned money, and then stood here insulting her family!"

"Yang Jiaojiao, you collected financial aid for needy students three years running, flaunted yourself at your college admission banquet, and even had your eye on the compensation owed for Yue Xiaofei's two uncles!"

"The crimes your family committed are too many to list. Anyone with a conscience would be outraged!"

"If I, Sha Zhenjiang, let this pass today, I'd be ashamed of myself for the rest of my life!!!"

Every sentence landed like a hammer blow!

Wu Liangde's face turned ashen. He regretted it bitterly!

If he had known Yue Xiaofei was Ye Qingmei's son, he would never have dared let the Yang Family run wild like this!

"Yue Xiaofei, I took the 200,000 yuan meant for your mother's compensation. I'll repay you a hundredfold—twenty million! No, two hundred million!"

Yang Guohua crawled toward Yue Xiaofei, clutching at his last chance to save himself.

"I'll move your mother's grave out of Sin Mausoleum right away and build her the grandest tomb. I'll even give you half the shares in Yang Group!"

"Money?"

Yue Xiaofei kicked him away. His voice rang through the entire Banquet Hall.

"You think you can put a price on my mother's reputation?"

"You think shares can make up for the dignity you stole from a hero?"

"Two hundred million? Yang Group? To me, they're worth less than a handful of soil from my mother's grave!!!"

"And now you think you can pay me off? Dream on!"

Every word Yue Xiaofei spoke rang out across the hall.

"Yue Xiaofei, I know I was wrong! I really wasn't thinking straight!"

Yang Jiaojiao suddenly threw herself at him and clung to his leg, forcing a fawning smile onto her face.

"Look at me. I'm beautiful, and I got into Longdu Film Academy. I'm sure to become a big star!"

"If you'll let me off, how about I become your girlfriend?"

"No, I can be your servant! I'll do anything!"

"Get lost!"

Yue Xiaofei kicked her away in disgust, as though she were something filthy.

"You're not even fit to polish my shoes!"

Seeing how firm he was, the Yang Family panicked completely and began making a scene.

Wu Hongyan lay on the floor, wailing.

Yang Jiaojiao refused to let go of Yue Xiaofei's leg.

"Come in!"

Suddenly, Sha Zhenjiang took out his phone and dialed a number.

The moment he finished speaking—

Bang!

The Banquet Hall doors swung open again, and a synchronized march of footsteps sounded.

Several of Handong Province's highest-ranking officials, along with leaders from its cities, filed in.

They came in a dark mass that filled the entire hall!

"Secretary Liu!"

Sha Zhenjiang turned to the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and gave his orders. "Investigate Wu Liangde and the Yang Family thoroughly! Abuse of power, embezzlement of compensation owed to a fallen hero, fraudulently claiming extra points on the college entrance exam..."

"And restore Ye Qingmei's title of Handong Hero immediately. Announce it nationwide!"

"Yes!"

Secretary Liu gave the order at once. With a sweep of his hand, he said, "Take Wu Liangde, Yang Guohua, Wu Hongyan, and Yang Jiaojiao away for rigorous questioning!"

Several disciplinary investigators stepped forward and hauled the four of them up from where they had collapsed.

Before long, calm returned to the Banquet Hall.

The spectacle had finally come to an end.

"Xiaofei, I heard you scored 735 and ranked first among science-track college entrance examinees in Jiangbei Province?"

There was approval in Sha Zhenjiang's voice.

"Yes."

Yue Xiaofei nodded.

"With a score like that, Qingbei must be eager to recruit you! Getting such results under those circumstances says a great deal about your perseverance and ability."

Sha Zhenjiang paused, then changed tack.

"Let me make a suggestion. How about considering Handong University?"

"Its overall ranking may not match Qingbei's, but its law department is the best in the country and has an international reputation!"

"My granddaughter got into Handong University this year too. I think you two would get along. I'll introduce you when the time comes—I'm sure you'll become good friends."

Yue Xiaofei felt a sudden stir of interest.

He had long heard of Handong University's law department.

"Secretary Sha, thank you for the suggestion. But I need to think it over. After all..."

Yue Xiaofei hesitated.

"After all, there's still something on your mind, right?"

Sha Zhenjiang smiled. "That's all right. You have another half month before you submit your choices. Take your time."

As he spoke, he suddenly removed his watch and held it out to Yue Xiaofei.

"I've worn this watch for thirty years."

"From the rural grassroots to the provincial government compound, it's seen me through a great deal."

"Now I'm giving it to you as a keepsake!"

Yue Xiaofei quickly waved his hands and declined. "Secretary Sha, it's too precious. I can't accept it."

"Take it!"

Sha Zhenjiang pressed the watch into Yue Xiaofei's hand. "I hope that whenever you wear it, you'll remember what you learned today—even when fierce winds rise, never give up on life!"

"Thank you, Secretary Sha!"

Yue Xiaofei gripped the watch tightly, then found the courage to speak again. "Secretary Sha, I have a favor to ask."

"Go ahead."

Sha Zhenjiang motioned for him to continue.

"I want to find out what happened to my father and my eldest brother!"

Hope showed in Yue Xiaofei's eyes.

"My father, Yue Changlong, was imprisoned five years ago. I asked so many people, but all I learned was that he was being held in Yanshan Prison!"

"My eldest brother, Yue Feng, didn't join the military. He went to the Police Academy and became a police officer!"

"But three years ago, he suddenly disappeared. His unit said he'd gone on an assignment but refused to say another word. We haven't heard from him since!"

Sha Zhenjiang did not hesitate. He took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Look into two people for me—Yue Changlong from Jiangcheng. He was imprisoned five years ago. Find out where he's being held now and exactly what crime he was convicted of!"

"And his son, Yue Feng, a former narcotics officer!"

As a provincial leader, Sha Zhenjiang had a wider network of contacts than Lin Tiejun or Lei Zhen.

It did not take long.

The person on the other end found the relevant information and reported back to Sha Zhenjiang.

But the more Sha Zhenjiang heard, the deeper his frown grew.

"Xiaofei, your father, Yue Changlong, is indeed being held in Yanshan Prison."

"He also served in the 7th Armored Company and was once its company commander."

"But the reason for his imprisonment is classified at a very high level. Even I can't access it right now."

Yue Xiaofei's heart sank.

But he did not give up. He quickly asked, "What about my eldest brother, Yue Feng? Is there any news?"

Sha Zhenjiang picked up his phone and dialed another number.

This time, he deliberately put the call on speaker so Yue Xiaofei could hear clearly.

"Secretary Sha, we found information on Yue Feng!"

"He was once the city narcotics squad's top officer. He earned three Second-Class Merits and one First-Class Merit. His outstanding performance later got him selected for Bureau 7!"

"Bureau 7? What is that?"

Yue Xiaofei could not help asking.

Sha Zhenjiang explained, "Bureau 7 is a highly specialized agency. It handles major cases involving national security, and every member is exceptional. But its missions are also extremely dangerous!"

The person on the phone continued:

"According to the intelligence we have, Yue Feng most likely disappeared while carrying out a covert mission."

"Because we can't confirm whether he's still alive, he hasn't been officially recognized as a Martyr!"

"But judging by what we know, I'm afraid the odds of his survival are slim."

"Brother..."

At that, Yue Xiaofei could no longer hold back. Tears spilled from his eyes.

Memories of the time he had spent with his eldest brother, Yue Feng, flooded his mind.

"Son..."

Seeing Yue Xiaofei in such pain, Sha Zhenjiang felt a pang in his own heart.

He had never imagined Yue Xiaofei had endured so much at such a young age.

"Secretary Sha, both my uncles and my mother gave their lives! And now my eldest brother may be gone too!"

"But I know none of them would regret what they did!"

"If the day ever comes, I'll make the same choice!"

"I would give my life to serve my country—why must I return alive from Yumen Pass?"

By the end, Yue Xiaofei's voice carried astonishing resolve.

Even Sha Zhenjiang, who had lived most of his life, could not help being moved.

Suddenly, as though he had made up his mind, Sha Zhenjiang looked at Yue Xiaofei with affection in his eyes.

"Xiaofei, I feel a bond with you."

"You're upright, brave, and unafraid of the powerful. You remind me so much of myself when I was young."

"Would you accept me as your honorary grandfather?"