Chapter 19: Nie Lao's Fury

  "Anna!" Yang Shengli felt a surge of anger and embarrassment at this moment. After shouting loudly, he looked at Yang Anna, seemingly remembering that she was not one of his two sons, but his own daughter. He immediately returned to a calm tone and said: "Anna, you're still so young. Do you know what it means to get married? Brother Zhenbang saved you, your father will thank him for that. You're still just a kid, your task is to study."

  Anna Yang doesn't care about that. As the only daughter and granddaughter of the Yang family, Anna's courage is much greater than that of Yang Anbang and others. Looking at Yang Shengli, she said: "Dad, didn't the book say so? Thank you, young hero, for saving my life. I have nothing to repay you with except myself. I must marry her."

  At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was a bit overwhelmed. What the hell is going on? The inertia of history is really strong. In his previous life, he didn't take the initiative to visit them. It wasn't until next June that Yang Shengli brought Yang Anna over to thank him. At that time, Yang Anna also said those words. However, in his past life, Nie Zhenbang was just a disabled illegitimate child. Although Yang Shengli didn't say anything, he later sent Yang Anna abroad. The Nie family thought the Yangs were looking down on them, and their relationship became increasingly strained. He hadn't expected that this time, when he took the initiative to visit, he would still encounter this situation.

  At this time, Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn't speak up. Whatever he says would be wrong. If he agrees, it would give the Yang family a reason to think that they are taking advantage of the situation and also suspect them of deceiving a young child. If he disagrees, the Yang family would think that as an illegitimate son, Nie Zhenbang is being too arrogant. Doesn't the Yang family's precious daughter deserve better?

  "Nana, you get back here right now. You don't have the right to speak here." At this time, Yang Shengli also got angry. Spoiling is one thing, but this is a matter of principle. Yang Shengli naturally had to stand up and make clear the attitude of the Yang family.

  Yang Anna may have never seen her father or family treat her like this before. She felt extremely wronged. Tears had already welled up in her eyes. Looking at Yang Shengli, Yang Anna said with a sob: "Dad, I hate you!"

  Nie Zhenbang also stood up at this moment: "Yang Bo, don't be angry, Anna is still young and doesn't understand what love is. It will be fine when she grows up. I'll take my leave first."

  At this moment, everyone thinks it's just a child's joke. But only Nie Zhenbang knows that Yang Anna's decision is absolutely serious. In her past life, Yang Anna had always been waiting for herself, even if she was single until the end of her life. This explains everything. Nie Zhenbang also wants to make a promise to Yang Anna at this moment. However, it's obviously not the best timing.

  After leaving the Yang's house, Nie Zhenbang went straight home. As soon as he walked in the door, the atmosphere of the entire Nie household became somewhat heavy. The nanny, doctor and security guard who were originally still doing things in the courtyard all stopped what they were doing.

  "Do you still know how to come back? Do you still know that you are a member of the Nie family? You're lawless and unscrupulous. Who taught you to take charge of such a big thing on your own? You have no upbringing." As soon as he entered, Old Master was sitting in the middle of the sofa, his face dark and furious, staring at Nie Zhenbang.

  Next to him, Uncle Nie Guodong, Father Nie Guowei and Nie Jialiang were all sitting on the sofa with serious faces. The old man's authority in the Nie family was unquestionable. Even Uncle Nie had to be respectful in front of him, despite being a high-ranking general about to take up his post in Guangzhou Military Region.

  In the capital, there are no secrets, and every household has many informants. Nie Zhenbang alone visited the Yang family. As soon as he entered the door, those with a mind already knew. Under such circumstances, the conservative faction's backbone, the Nie family, went to the reformist hardliner Yang family. The news quickly reached Old Nie's ears. Many were the voices of big shots within the conservative faction questioning him.

  The previous article has already made the Nie family very passive. First, it was the eldest grandson's article, and then the third grandson visited the Yang family. In the conservative faction, Old Nie had already shown a tendency to be excluded. Although this third grandson is an illegitimate child with a low status, what's bad is that outsiders think that a privately raised illegitimate child would not dare make decisions on his own without the consent of the older generation of the Nie family or even Old Nie himself.

  Nie Zhenbang's mind was also racing at this moment, and it was already close to the end of the year. In the beginning of next year, the struggle between the two factions would yield results. The reform faction was at a disadvantage, while the conservative faction had the upper hand. The Nie family did not gain much benefit from the previous generation, but instead suffered because after Xu Ri comrade came to power, the leader became wary of the Nie family's influence in the military and took decisive action, causing the Nie family to decline from then on. Now, Nie Guodong brothers were transferred to Guangdong, which was a kind of change. No matter what the outcome was, the Nie family would not lose so badly at least. But this was still not enough. What he needed was for the Nie family to become the winner, not the loser.

  Nie Zhenbang looked at the old man, knowing his temper. At this time, if he endured it once, the old man would have no choice but to give in. However, Nie Zhenbang was not prepared to endure. The frost of three feet is not a cold of one day. Admitting fault had only one outcome - house arrest; that way, his entire plan could not be carried out. Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang glanced at the back of the living room, several figures in sight. With a determined mind, he thought to himself: At this time, it was necessary to take a gamble.

  "Grandfather, the Nie family's motto is 'repay kindness with a fountain of gratitude'. The Yang family means a lot to me. I don't think there's anything wrong with me going to thank the Yangs."

  As soon as Nie Zhenbang's words fell, even Nie Guo's expression was stunned. This kid is too bold and too wild. Such words can be spoken out loud. It has great significance to him. Isn't that saying that the Yang family helped him return to the Nie family?

  From an ordinary citizen to a noble son, this is a great kindness. It's also acceptable. However, no one would say such things out loud. In the eyes of the older generation of proletarian revolutionaries like Lao Ye Zi, they are servants of the people and have no special privileges above the common people.

  "Dad, this time Zhenbang went to Yang's house, it was also discussed with me." Nie Guowei also spoke up at this moment.

  "Shut up! You're the kind of thing that can't even accomplish anything, but is good at ruining things!" The old man's face turned even darker as he yelled at Nie Guowei.

  Nie Zhenbang also spoke up at this moment: "Dad, don't say anything else. I don't think I was wrong. Nor do I think there's anything bad about the reform."

  At this point, Nie Zhenbang took a deep breath and said: "Grandfather, I, Nie Zhenbang, although of humble status. From childhood to adulthood, I have not received any favors or privileges from the Nie family. In my 16 years of life, I, Nie Zhenbang, am just an ordinary citizen. Nor do I know what privilege is or what state affairs are."

  Nie Zhenbang's words seemed very calm, which made Old Master Nie calm down and look at him coldly. This expression made Nie Zhenbang happy in his heart. He continued: "Whether it's a king or a commoner, I only know that before recognizing my father, I was an orphan without a father and a dead mother. That's all. But I got into the Imperial University of Beijing. My future may not be bright, but at least I can have a worry-free life. However, now I'm carrying the title of illegitimate child on my head, which is not what I wanted. But this is the fact, and I must admit it. Should I blame my father? No, I shouldn't. Without him, I wouldn't be here either. Complaining about heaven and others isn't my personality."

  "Grandfather, you are high up. You are one of the national leaders. But have you ever understood the needs of the people?" At this point, Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment, and in the living room behind him, Nie Jiamin secretly gave a thumbs-up. Nie Zhenbang continued: "During the War of Resistance against Japan and the Liberation War, our great ancestors relied on the support of the common people to establish New China. This is where the hearts of the people are. Those who gain the hearts of the people will gain the world. The ten years of the Great Revolution have passed, and now we have reached this point. In recent years, Xiaogang Village began to implement the household contract responsibility system. Now, the enthusiasm for production among farmers across the country is booming. I don't know about other places, but in Tang City, the thoughts of farmers are all on their land. Before the implementation of the household contract responsibility system, every family was struggling to make ends meet under the commune system. But now, every family has surplus grain and can eat chicken, duck, fish, and meat during the New Year. This is change. Reform and opening up is not just a struggle among the top leaders; it is the heartfelt desire of the common people. It is where the hearts of the people are. Those who obstruct this will ultimately be abandoned."

  The voice fell, and the living room was silent. Nie Lao lay on the sofa, looking at Nie Zhenbang, looked for a while, then got up, hummed coldly: "Arrogant! Nie Guowei, you take care of your own son yourself. I can't manage it anymore."