In a tastefully decorated private room, six people of various ages were engaged in conversation. Even the two younger ones perked up to listen when they caught wind of the adults' discussion.
Tonight, it was the parents of Shangguan Ning, the Cheng family parents, and Shangguan Ning's elder brother gathered together for dinner. Just moments ago, two key figures, one from the Northern Military Region and the other from the Coastal Military Region, were discussing with frustration and a sense of helplessness about the drug trafficking situation on the southern border.
Not long ago, Mr. Cheng had deployed a battalion from his own military district to various drug control checkpoints for round-the-clock duty, inspecting vehicles to prevent drugs from flowing into the mainland.
In Europe, there was a tacit understanding among various countries to crack down relentlessly on their domestic drug trafficking groups, resulting in heavy losses for these criminal organizations. However, these drug syndicates, undeterred, had now turned their sights on China. They were brewing an unprecedented operation.
According to informants, members of this drug syndicate included the American Mafia, the Russian Bratva, and even the Japanese Yakuza. The situation was severe, prompting direct involvement from the central authorities, who demanded every effort be made to keep drugs out of the country.
Yet, drugs could enter through land, sea, air, and even via human and animal carriers, posing significant challenges to drug control efforts. Over the past few months, an indeterminate number of drug shipments had entered the country. Each time, the authorities only heard rumors without actually seizing any drugs. With the influx of drugs increasing, the potential harm to society, the economy, and public safety was immeasurable, leaving the military and political leaders looking worn and exhausted.
"In previous years, your military district also had its share of drug control tasks. This year's mission is particularly arduous, and your pressure must be immense. If there's anything you need, just let me know," Shangguan Ning's father, Shangguan Jianjun, sympathized with his old friend. He himself had experienced lighter pressures in the Northern region compared to the drug-related challenges in the South.
"Sigh... Not for now. My soldiers aren't afraid of shedding blood or facing death, but when it comes to the cunning methods of these drug syndicates, even the bravest among us are rendered useless," Mr. Cheng sighed, his once sturdy posture now showing signs of weariness. It was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of those present.
"But don't we have military dogs, and didn't we recently acquire those new drug inspection machines this year? How could it still be so difficult?" someone asked.
"You forget, for every inch we gain, the enemy gains a yard. With several major international criminal organizations involved, our efforts have yielded minimal results," Mr. Cheng explained.
"Must we resort to seeking help from those people?" The others were taken aback by Shangguan Jianjun's slightly lowered voice. While they understood that there were probably some exceptional individuals within the country capable of extraordinary feats, hearing about their existence firsthand tonight still sent their hearts racing.
"Do you think the higher-ups would hesitate to send them if necessary? I heard that the one with the ability to see through everything sacrificed himself during a classified mission. And the others, even if they were to come, wouldn't be of much use in drug control," he warned, glancing at the children with wide-eyed amazement, then sternly cautioned, "Forget what you've heard tonight."
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"Uncle Cheng, rest assured, your nephew won't speak of this to anyone else," reassured a young man in crisp military attire, sporting several stars on his shoulders, aged around thirty-five or six, bearing a resemblance to Shangguan Jianjun.
In addition, a casually dressed young man with a dark complexion, aged around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, nodded firmly in agreement. From his appearance, it was clear he was Mr. Cheng's son. At this moment, a memory suddenly flashed in his mind from a few months ago when he encountered a woman who had come to the police station to inquire about her family's address. Something she had said in passing when he escorted her away, mentioning the style of her underwear, now stood out prominently in his memory.
"Hey dad, when did that clairvoyant fellow you mentioned sacrifice himself?" he asked suddenly.
"It should have been about three months ago. Why, did something come to mind?" Mr. Cheng favored this younger son the most; unlike his elder brother who indulged in a life of luxury, this one was different. Though he usually had a gentle demeanor, he possessed an inner strength. Mr. Cheng had once suggested he join the military like his brother, but instead, he had opted to become a police officer, much to his father's surprise. And he had made it clear he didn't want his father pulling any strings for him. Perhaps those old fellows wouldn't even know the troublemaker they were talking about was his own son. Mr. Cheng didn't believe his younger son had merely asked out of curiosity.
"Nothing, just curious," the timing suggested it had nothing to do with that girl from before. He breathed a sigh of relief without any reason. The memory of the girl's reckless behavior brought a smile to his face.
Mrs. Cheng happened to catch the hint of tenderness in her younger son's eyes and secretly thought that perhaps if they couldn't wait for the elder son to marry, the younger one might step up soon.
After both families finished their meal and went their separate ways, Mr. Cheng dragged his younger son to the study again, but still couldn't extract any useful information from him. Frustrated, Mr. Cheng grabbed his beloved purplewood pen holder and started hitting his son with it. The commotion in the study soon attracted Mrs. Cheng's furious gaze. Mr. Cheng's authoritative demeanor crumbled under her stern glare, and he could only curse his disobedient son inwardly as his son responded with a meaningful smile.
Meanwhile, Huayan and her father had not visited the Antique Jade Street again until they left the seaside city. They missed the opportunity to encounter those who were chasing them. However, the news of their overnight wealth still circulated in the city, with many gossiping about it. They decided to lay low for a while, and after visiting H University for a few days, they returned to Changle City.
Back at the villa, they received an excited welcome from Mrs. Chang, and life resumed its peaceful pace. Except for the father and daughter, no one else knew about what had happened.
Huayan had accumulated many orders on Taobao, some of which were delayed by more than ten days without shipping. In apology, she personally went to the mall and bought a batch of handcrafted adorable apple bears to be delivered along with the goods to her customers. Although it cost her some profit, each customer left positive feedback without a single complaint, strengthening her determination to open her own small shop.
After understanding his daughter's firm determination, Mr. Chang spent several days working in his study and finally presented Huayan with a comprehensive and flawless business plan. Delighted, Huayan gave her father a massage and chatted with him.
During their conversation, Huayan learned that her father still had relatives in this world—his biological brother, sister, and younger brother, none of whom had ever shown up during their hardships or when the Huas fell from grace. They only visited him once when he was in the sanatorium.
However, upon learning of Huayan's divorce from Cheng Jie and assuming she would receive a large sum of money, they came running. But upon learning that Huayan was left with nothing, they couldn't resist mocking her in front of her father, calling her a burden. Hearing this, Huayan once again sighed at the unfortunate fate of her father's family, encountering such despicable relatives.