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

Sha Zhenjiang!

The name was known to everyone.

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

It 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 before them.

Wasn't he Director Sha?

That retired minor official?

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

The man they had offended was no nobody. He was the true dragon who held the fate of Handong East Wind in his hands!

They had not merely caused trouble. They had committed an unforgivable offense!

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 bow to you! I'll do anything!"

Yue Xiaofei stood to one side, watching coldly. Only two words came to mind:

Serves them right!

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

They had taken Secretary Sha for a retired director!

They had thought they could push around a hero's son because he was poor!

Now they were scared?

Where was that caution before?

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

"I'm not the one you owe an apology to!"

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

"Yue Xiaofei's mother was Ye Qingmei."

"A year ago, when an epidemic broke out in Handong, Ye Qingmei worked day and night to develop a cure and saved millions of lives!"

"She should have been posthumously awarded the title of Handong Hero. Her compensation should have gone to Yue Xiaofei, and she should have been buried in the martyrs' section of Qingshan Cemetery Cemetery, where countless people could honor her!"

"But what did you do?"

Sha Zhenjiang's voice rose sharply.

His words struck the Yang Family like an invisible whip!

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

"Wu Hongyan, you urged your daughter to claim her compensation, spent a hero's hard-earned money on luxuries, and then insulted her family right here!"

"Yang Jiaojiao, you claimed financial aid for three straight years, flaunted it at your college celebration banquet, and even set your sights on the compensation owed to Yue Xiaofei's two uncles!"

"The crimes of your family are too many to list. They outrage heaven and earth!"

"If I, Sha Zhenjiang, let this pass today, people will condemn me for the rest of my life!!!"

Every sentence hit like a hammer!

Wu Liangde's face turned ashen. Regret ate him alive!

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

"Yue Xiaofei, I took your mother's two hundred thousand in compensation. I'll pay you back a hundredfold—twenty million! No, two hundred million!"

Yang Guohua crawled to Yue Xiaofei, clutching at his last hope.

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

"Money?"

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

"You think money can measure my mother's reputation?"

"You think shares can make up for a hero's dignity?"

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

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

Every word Yue Xiaofei spoke rang firm and clear through the hall.

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

Yang Jiaojiao suddenly lunged over and clung to his leg, forcing a fawning smile onto her face.

"Look how pretty I am! I got into Longdu Film Academy, and 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.

"Someone as vile as you doesn't even deserve to shine my shoes!"

Seeing how resolute 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, all of you!"

Sha Zhenjiang took out his phone and dialed a number.

The moment he finished speaking—

Bang!

The Banquet Hall doors swung open again, and the sound of marching footsteps filled the room.

Five of the most senior leaders in Handong's provincial government entered, followed by officials from cities across the province.

The crowd filled the entire hall!

"Secretary Liu!"

Sha Zhenjiang turned to the disciplinary secretary and gave his orders. "Investigate Wu Liangde and the Yang Family thoroughly! Abuse of power for personal gain, misappropriation of a martyr's compensation, fraudulently claiming extra points on the college entrance exam..."

"And restore Ye Qingmei's title of Handong Hero immediately. Announce it to the whole country!"

"Yes!"

Secretary Liu issued an order at once, sweeping a hand toward the four. "Take Wu Liangde, Yang Guohua, Wu Hongyan, and Yang Jiaojiao away. Question them thoroughly!"

Several disciplinary officers stepped forward and hauled the four limp figures away.

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 exam students in Jiangbei Province?"

Approval warmed Sha Zhenjiang's voice.

"Yes."

Yue Xiaofei nodded.

"With marks like those, Qingbei must be fighting to recruit you! Achieving that in such circumstances says a great deal about your determination and ability."

Sha Zhenjiang paused, then changed the subject.

"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—you're sure to become good friends."

Yue Xiaofei's heart gave a sudden leap.

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

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

Yue Xiaofei hesitated.

"After all, there are still things weighing on your mind, aren't there?"

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

With that, he raised his hand, took off his watch, and offered it to Yue Xiaofei.

"This watch has been with me for thirty years."

"From my days working in rural communities to the provincial government offices, it's seen me through a great deal."

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

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

"Take it!"

Sha Zhenjiang pressed the watch into Yue Xiaofei's hand. "When you wear it, I hope you'll remember what you learned today—no matter how hard the winds blow, never give up on life!"

"Thank you, Secretary Sha!"

Yue Xiaofei gripped the watch tightly, then summoned his courage. "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 eldest brother!"

Hope shone in Yue Xiaofei's eyes.

"My father, Yue Changlong, went to prison five years ago. I've asked so many people, but all I know is that he was held at Yanshan Prison!"

"My eldest brother, Yue Feng, didn't join the army. He went to the police academy and became an officer!"

"But three years ago, he suddenly disappeared. His department said he was on a mission, but they wouldn't tell me another word. I haven't heard from him since!"

Sha Zhenjiang took out his phone without hesitation and dialed.

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

"And his son, Yue Feng. He was a narcotics officer!"

As a provincial leader, Sha Zhenjiang had a wider network of connections 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 became.

"Xiaofei, your father, Yue Changlong, is indeed being held at 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.

He did not give up. "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 it on speaker so Yue Xiaofei could hear clearly.

"Secretary Sha, we found Yue Feng's records!"

"He was once the star officer of the city narcotics unit. He received three second-class merits and one first-class merit. Later, his outstanding performance earned him a place in Bureau 7!"

"Bureau 7? What is that?"

Yue Xiaofei could not help asking.

Sha Zhenjiang explained, "Bureau 7 is a highly specialized agency that handles major cases involving national security. Its members are all elite officers, but their assignments are extremely dangerous!"

The person on the phone continued:

"Based on the intelligence we have, Yue Feng most likely disappeared during a covert mission."

"Because we can't confirm whether he's alive, he hasn't been declared a martyr!"

"But given what we know, I'm afraid the chances of his survival are slim."

"Big brother..."

At those words, Yue Xiaofei could no longer hold back his tears.

Memories of his time with Yue Feng flooded his mind.

"My boy..."

Watching him suffer, Sha Zhenjiang felt a pang of sorrow too.

He had not expected Yue Xiaofei to endure so much pain at such a young age.

"Secretary Sha, both my uncles and my mother died in service! And now my eldest brother may be gone too!"

"But I believe none of them would have regretted what they did!"

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

"If I can devote my life to my country, why must I return home alive!!!"

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

Even Sha Zhenjiang, who had lived through more than half a century, could not help being moved.

Suddenly, Sha Zhenjiang seemed to make up his mind. He looked at Yue Xiaofei, his eyes full of affection.

"Xiaofei, I feel a real connection with you."

"You're honest and brave, and you don't bow to power. You remind me so much of myself when I was young."

"Would you accept me as your honorary grandfather?"