Chapter 6: Change Begins with Details

  Nie Zhenbang's return, the Nie family did not make a big fuss about it, which is not a good thing. The youngest son of the Nie family, who had been a sent-down youth in Yanbei countryside for less than a year, brought back a son for the Nie family, and what's more, this son came to their doorstep on his own initiative. If word got out, the Nie family would lose face.

  However, although the old man was dissatisfied at this moment, the child had already recognized him. The old man asked himself, he couldn't bear to be ruthless and cruel, and he couldn't do things like killing people and silencing them. No matter what, after all, it was the blood of the Nie family. At this time, a small-scale recognition ceremony was necessary.

  Nie family's youngest son, a sent-down youth who had been in the countryside for less than a year and hadn't received much education, unexpectedly got someone pregnant. What's more, this illegitimate child even found their way to the capital city. This news immediately spread throughout various families in the capital.

  Fragrant Mountain

  This is the place where national leaders retire and spend their old age. In a corner of Fragrant Hills, a special area was set aside, nestled in the mountains and by the water, with various villas scattered about according to the terrain. On the outskirts is the garrison of the Central Guard Unit of the Beijing Military Region.

  Outside one of the villas, under a cluster of trees, a set of wooden carvings on a table and chairs were arranged with a chessboard. Two old men were playing against each other at this moment.

  "Haha, it's really 'misfortune may be a blessing in disguise'! Old Nie has an extra grandson now, and it seems he should be happy. One of the elderly men had white hair and spoke softly, giving off a gentle and calm demeanor that made people feel like they were basking in spring breeze. In front of such a person, even if the sky fell down, the old man would still give off an air of calmness and detachment."

  The old man playing chess had a short and neat haircut, with a scar of about an inch long on his cheek, and his entire face was dignified and authoritative.

  Listening to the old man with white hair, he also smiled and said: "Dong Lao, as the saying goes, good people are rewarded. Old Nie has been a political commissar for his whole life, and in those years in the base area, he was known as a good person. But now, it seems that's not necessarily the case. Old Nie is an educated man with good family upbringing, but unexpectedly, this time he lost face badly. It looks like the Nie family won't be peaceful anymore. Just think about Ye Lao's daughter, Ye Lao dotes on her so much, she'll definitely go to the Nie family and stir up trouble."

  The white-haired old man, also known as Dong Lao, burst out laughing at this moment and pointed at the scar-faced old man with his finger: "You, they say you're a rough person, but I think you're actually very clever. As the saying goes, 'one's children will have their own blessings.' But truly understanding this phrase is probably only possible for someone like you. Alright, let's go together and talk to Old Ye about it. This matter isn't entirely Guo Wei's fault; he's just a young man in his impulsive years. When this happened back then, wasn't it before the Old Ye family incident? We can't let these two fight, or it will affect the national situation."

  Nie's family lived in a siheyuan outside the city, which was originally the former Qing royal mansion. Later, Old Master Nie spent money to buy it and considered it his retirement home after he retired. However, the old master usually didn't live here, he lived in the inner courtyard. Only when there were private matters would the old master come here, otherwise, this place was where Nie Guowei and his brothers lived.

  Nie Zhenbang looked at this place, very familiar, history is indeed like this, the old man did not put the banquet in the Forbidden City, it is clear that the old man was expressing his dissatisfaction in disguise, with the old man's style, not driving Nie Zhenbang away, this is already very tolerant.

  There aren't many guests, apart from a few close relatives of the Nie family and some direct subordinates of the old master. Although he is an illegitimate child, after all, he can be considered as one of the Nie family members. Not to mention giving him face in the future, at least they should recognize him. This is a matter of principle.

  The Ye family was not present, and the old master had a different attitude towards reform. The Ye family's approach was more measured, whereas the other family was more radical. As they say, "different paths don't converge," after several clashes at the political bureau meeting, the relationship between the two families cooled down. This time, it even involved their own daughter, but to express their dissatisfaction, the Ye family didn't bother with this matter.

  When the time came, under the auspices of Nie Guodong, Nie Zhenbang's great uncle, a small shrine was set up with the ancestral tablets of the Nie family. After Nie Zhenbang lit an incense stick, the ceremony was considered complete. Although he was an illegitimate son, it also meant that Nie Zhenbang was now considered a member of the Nie family.

  However, the old man's discontented attitude can be seen. Originally, according to the Nie family's generational naming system, Nie Zhenbang's generation should have been named with the character "Jia". The girls in the Nie family didn't matter, they didn't have to follow this rule when it came to their names. But for the male descendants of the Nie family, they had to follow this rule. Yet, the old man seemed to have forgotten about this and didn't mention it at all.

  As soon as things were over, the old man stood up. His calm face showed no change in expression. In a low voice, he said: "The Military Commission still has many things to attend to. I'll leave first."

  The Military Commission's affairs, although the old man needs to be responsible, but also hasn't been busy to the point where he doesn't even have time for family gatherings. In other words, in fact, there is only one meaning, the old man is expressing his dissatisfaction.

  However, the old lady stood up at this moment and stared at the old man: "Old man, what are you doing? Is the Military Commission so busy?"

  The old lady was extremely doting on her young son, and now she loved the whole family. As for Nie Zhenbang's illegitimate status, the old lady felt a little dissatisfied with what Nie Guowei had done, but also thought that Nie Guowei was too casual about it. However, the old lady still liked Nie Zhenbang, who looked like a young talent no matter how you looked at him. At this moment, seeing the old man wanting to leave, she immediately stood up and expressed her dissatisfaction with the old man.

  "Are you going back or not? If not, I'll leave first." The old man's mind was not something that could be changed with just a few words. After speaking, he left without looking back.

  The old lady might be worried about the old man's body, looked at Nie Zhenbang with difficulty, touched Nie Zhenbang's head and said: "Child, remember to go to grandma's house to play in the future. Grandma will leave you some delicious food."

  After the old man and the old lady left, at this moment, only a few siblings of the Nie family were left. At this time, a middle-aged military officer sitting on the sofa also stood up, this person was Nie Zhenbang's second uncle Xiao Zhenchang, who is currently the commander of a certain group army in the Beijing Military Region.

  "Big brother, big sister, Guo Wei. My family has something to attend to, so I'll leave first with Guo Rong." After finishing speaking, Xiao Zhenchang and Nie Guorong both stood up.

  Xiao Zhenchang is a smooth talker and always handles things in a clever way. In this situation, it's better for him to stay out of the Nie family's affairs.

  Nie Guoping also stood up at this moment, looking at Nie Zhenbang. In her eyes, a hint of reluctance flashed by. As the discoverer of this matter, Nie Guoping was very clear that Ye Shuyan had a great opinion of herself. However, Nie Guoping's personality was such that even if it happened again, she would still recognize him. Regarding Nie Zhenbang's experiences, Nie Guoping was the most clear about them. This was a pitiful child. She smiled and said: "Zhenbang, when you have time, come to Big Sister's house as a guest. Big Sister lives in the family quarters of the General Hospital."

  With the departure of NIE's daughter and son-in-law, only two brothers were left in the courtyard. This is where they now live together. Nie Guotang has nowhere to go.

  Next to them, NIE's younger generation, NIE Guo Dong's two sons, NIE Jia Liang and NIE Jia Min were all sizing up NIE Zhen Bang, while YE Shu Xian's daughter, NIE Zi Yu was also curiously looking at her own brother.

  "Shu Xian, look at this situation, back then Guo Wei was also young, and he was a notorious troublemaker in the 49th city. The girls on the street would scold him, but they took it as an honor. Since this has already happened, I think you shouldn't blame Guo Wei either. Back then when he was sent down to the countryside, you two hadn't met yet, so that's understandable too. Besides, the mother of his child is dead. You can just consider him another son." Big sister Huang Yue Rong started advising from the side, but her tone was somewhat strange, no matter how you listened to it, there was a hint of schadenfreude.

  Ye Shuyu's face sank, looking very unpleasant. Although this was before her own eyes, Ye Shuyu couldn't help but feel that this was Nie Guowei's betrayal of herself. Thinking back to the past, Nie Guowei was indeed like this. When they first met, she had scolded him as a rascal, and he had asked how she knew his great name. She had then scolded him as a scoundrel, but instead of getting angry, he had smiled and said how did she know his humble name? She should have known long ago that such a person was born to be liked by women. But who made her so unlucky, giving birth to only one child, Nie Ziyu? At this time, these words were spoken by Huang Yuerong.

  Nie Guodong stood up and said in a low voice, "What are you talking about? You're just a woman. You don't know anything. Go back to sleep. I have something to discuss with Guowei."

  Nie Zhenbang listened on the side, startled in his heart. In his previous life, Nie Guodong had also talked to Nie Guowei for a long time under similar circumstances. He didn't know the specific content himself, but in his previous life, Nie Zhenbang was already intimidated by such scenes. However, after this conversation, his uncle's family looked down on him even more. His stepmother also shunned him, and his biological father's career was hindered as a result, being abandoned by the old master. All the anger was vented on himself. In this life, Nie Zhenbang didn't want the events to repeat themselves. Change would start from such details.

  Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang stood up under the surprised gaze of everyone and looked at his uncle Nie Guotang: "Uncle. If it's about my business, can I stay?"