Chapter Seventy-Nine: A Seven-Minute Story

  "Zhang Shidong, do you really want to die together with the net?" Gong Piaozi climbed up from the ground, disregarding the swelling on his cheek and the wound on the back of his hand, and asked in a cold tone.

  "Did I scold you wrongly?" The muzzle turned, and Zhang Shidong pressed the shotgun against the old man's head. No one would doubt that he really would pull the trigger.

  A very ordinary modern car rushed into Gong's house.

  At the same time, a weak and sickly coughing sound came from the path leading to the backyard. Under the support of a trembling middle-aged woman, an old man with a hunched back and a face full of wrinkles slowly walked out. His eyes were dull and unfocused, and every step seemed to exhaust all his energy. All the people in the Gong family were shocked when they saw the old man, and Gong Baozi ran quickly to his side and respectfully called out: "Grandfather."

  "Hmmph!"

  The voice was not loud, but it carried an aura that made it hard to breathe, and the turbid eyes emitted a sharp, intimidating gleam.

  A robust man got out of the modern car, and upon seeing the old man, he quickly walked a few steps forward, with a hint of guilt on his face: "General, I didn't expect this matter to have startled you, it's our dereliction of duty."

  In the Gong family, there is only one person who can be called "Old General", a founding veteran who has lived for over 90 years, the true pillar of the Gong family - Gong Xijin. An old man who truly retired decades ago and never participated in any activities, he still lives in the old house, refusing all visitors, not going to the capital or accepting any form of tribute. In the past decade or so, some officials came to pay their respects, but were met with cold rejection by the old man. As a result, the Gong family is no longer as lively as it used to be, and many young members of the family have some complaints about this, thinking that the old man did not make use of his remaining energy to help them out. The old man does not explain or avoid this, but continues to live his life in the small courtyard at the back of the house, growing vegetables, listening to opera, and enjoying himself.

  More and more people have forgotten him, but when he really picks up the phone or stands out, not to mention the descendants of old station friends, some of his former soldiers who were in high positions when he was in charge of military affairs are still alive today, and the energy he possesses is immeasurable.

  "Little friend, come here and have a cup of bitter tea?" The old man ignored the people in his house and the powerful figure who got out of the modern car, only looking at Zhang Shidong and extending an invitation.

  "I like sweet things." Zhang Shidong's answer fell short of everyone's expectations.

  "Then have some sweet tea." The old man's response was even more beyond everyone's expectation.

  "Alright, I accept your thanks."

  ……………

  A rural courtyard, rustic charm.

  A small stool, a small square table, boiling hot water from the charcoal stove, very ordinary tea-making skills, but because of the person sitting there, this scene becomes extraordinary and profound.

  It's out of place, this is the first impression that people who see the scene in the small courtyard have. The woman sitting there wears a very ordinary sportswear, with short hair neatly combed, and her eyebrows always show a thoughtful state. Standing in front of her, you will feel a lot of pressure, don't know how to speak, it seems like saying anything is like showing off in front of a master.

  Talent is intimidating, making you feel inferior and ashamed of your own actions.

  When she saw Zhang Shidong, she lifted her head and revealed a faint smile.

  "When did you arrive." Zhang Shidong sat down beside the woman without any awkwardness, while Old Master directly sat on a chair made from a tree stump, allowing the nanny to wipe away the sweat on his forehead and hand over the medicine he needed to take every day.

  "Just then." The woman's voice was calm, without any emotional fluctuations, and it was the mysterious woman who had a conversation with Zhang Shidong, Lin Ziqiang's mouthful of a big shot.

  "Mr. Zhang, with this old face of mine, can I still have some dignity?" The old man suddenly spoke up after sitting down and adjusting his breath.

  "The old general smiled and said, 'You've spoken, youngster, don't dare disobey.'"

  "In the future, when my descendants from the Gong family see you, they will retreat and give way three houses."

  In the midst of a violent coughing fit, the old man was helped up by the nanny and slowly walked into the house. The woman who had been suffocating him just drank a cup of tea on her own, not getting angry at the old man's actions. Anyone who saw their own child being cleaned up like this would have no reaction.

  Zhang Shidong picked up the teacup: "Not drinking is a pity, our Xixi's brewed tea, not to mention whether it's clean or not, those hands that can issue orders are worth the ticket price just for brewing tea."

  The old man stood still at the door, just about to turn around and come back, when a woman called Xixi by Zhang Shidong got up from her seat with a cup of tea in hand, took a step before the old man moved, and handed him the tea.

  With a trembling hand, he took the teacup, took a sip, savored it, and then brought the cup to his mouth again, drinking it all up: "Sweet with bitterness, astringent taste not removed, Miss Su's kind intention, old man appreciated."

  Su Xi showed a faintly formalized smile: "The old general's body is getting worse and worse, it's better to go to the capital for recuperation, where the medical security is more comprehensive."

  The old man stared at Su Xixi for several seconds before turning around and entering the house, floating out a sentence: "Then trouble Miss Su."

  Su Xi smiled and didn't continue with the pleasantries, that wasn't her style. The Gong family was arrogant and domineering in Wu County, and this had a great deal to do with the fact that at least three powerful generals in the nearby military district used to be underlings of Old Master Gong. Those above had long wanted to put some restraints on the Gong family, but they didn't want those below to rebel either. Zhang Shidong's unintentional meddling gave them an excuse, which was why Su Xi, who was in charge of intelligence work at the General Staff Department, personally came to Wu County City.

  The Gong family, who had been 'hot and noisy' all night, found it hard to calm down. Gong Baozi came to the small courtyard with a dejected face, standing at the gate without daring to enter, until the nanny came out from inside and beckoned him over, before he cautiously walked into the courtyard and entered the old-fashioned earthen kang house, which was rare in the south.

  On the kang, for many years, the old man who liked the hot kang covered himself with a military quilt and leaned against it, looking at several photos and bulletins on the wall, his expression gloomy.

  "Grandfather, I'm sorry." Gong Baozi thudded to his knees, tears streaming down his face. For so many years, the Gong family had been cultivating the fourth generation with Gong Sha as the leader, but everyone knew that the actual mastermind of the third generation, Gong Shuiyuan, was actually the one holding the reins of the Gong family. Faced with the crisis of collapse, all Gong Baozi could say was "I'm sorry".

  "There's nothing to apologize for, survival of the fittest. The days ahead won't be easy, just take care of yourself and let others fend for themselves. Remember, don't think about revenge, because none of you are prepared to die yet. Gather your wealth, the money you've earned over the years is enough to live a comfortable life. Tell those who want to emigrate to leave, in the future there will be no more Wu County or Gong family, it's up to you to decide. I'm old and tired..."

  "Got it, grandpa."

  "Don't feel wronged, losing is just losing. Think back, did the other side touch your interests first? You couldn't swallow your pride and provoked someone you shouldn't have. Now we're a negative example."

  After finishing this sentence, the old man closed his eyes again, and a faint sigh made Gong Baozi's waist, which was trying to straighten up, completely collapse.

  With great respect, he kowtowed three times to the old master, and there was no other word that had the qualifications to be spoken. The old master, who had lived for over 90 years, would have to abandon his lifelong pride because of his children's incompetence. The old man, who had returned to Yanjing again after growing old, could feel a sense of desolation and bleakness. Gong Baozi could understand this feeling, and just this understanding made him feel deeply guilty and ashamed. It was hard to imagine what the old master was feeling in his heart at that moment.

  Suddenly, Gong Baozi made a decision that he wouldn't have dared believe himself capable of making just a few minutes before.

  ……………

  The night scene of Wu County is beautiful and magnificent, with modern prosperity and ancient charm complementing each other. Zhang Shidong and Su Xixi stroll along the lake, while a Hummer driven by Zhan Hu opens slowly behind them.

  "Should I thank you or should you thank me?" Zhang Shidong smiled self-deprecatingly. A private matter had finally turned into a public one, and it was really laughable that he had helped the country get rid of a potential tumor, or whether Su Xixi's people had found an excuse to justify themselves, now it's unclear who should be thanked.

  Su Xi stood up habitually, helped Zhang Shidong tidy his clothes, and brushed away a speck of dust from his collar: "At this rate, you'll be back within half a year. At the very least, bring your abilities back."

  Zhang Shidong didn't show any unnaturalness, and calmly enjoyed Su Xixi's care: "Now that I have the ability, it's only right to make some proper returns. Some tasks that are uncertain but require an attacking style, you can assign to me."

  "Are you not afraid of being tied down?"

  Zhang Shidong has almost no secrets in front of Su Xixi, and the other party also knows everything about his life. He never feels that this violates his privacy, and she will not deliberately avoid anything. Some people have said that Su Xixi is Zhang Shidong's shadow, and even if they don't see each other for ten years, when they meet again, they are still so familiar.

  Zhang Shidong rested his hands behind his head, a sly smile spreading across his face: "Unless I leave this country, it's impossible to truly be carefree. There's nothing more to discuss on this topic, now I have a question that needs your explanation."

  "Ah?" With Su Xixi's IQ, she immediately reacted and her cheeks flushed slightly. She quickened her pace and made up her mind to pretend to be stupid and get through it.

  "You already know who Cang Laoshi is, but can you tell me what it means to stand against the cold wind and masturbate, stinky girl, you've learned something bad in a while."

  "No, you're annoying, stop it!!"

  On the street, frolicking together were a young couple, not a girl with omnipotent power in her hand and a boy with reverse heavenly combat strength. This combination of two people can make a city and land shake greatly, but at this moment, they are frolicking on the street, just like ordinary school students, without any distinction.

  As Zhang Shidong hugged Su Xixi, who didn't struggle at all and leaned into his arms, Zhang Shidong's arm tightened: "Are you ready? Are you prepared to go from being a goddess to being a woman?"

  Su XiXi: "I'm already 26 years old."

  Zhang Shidong went crazy, his eyes scanning around, looking for a hotel with good environment, no man can withstand this...

  Goddess, open your arms and close your eyes, with rosy cheeks, let you pick freely.

  "But not today, I have to go back right away!"

  "Two hours? No, one hour? How about forty minutes?"

  "I now have only seven minutes left." Su Xi's ability to pinpoint anything down to the minute, even seconds, was beyond doubt.

  Zhang Shidong lowered his head without hesitation and pressed his lips against Su Xixi's...