47: Hitting rock bottom

This time, Xu Ning's voice carried the weight of years.

"Uncle Chao, it's Jiuyuan. I'm in Beijing now."

"Where do you live? If it's convenient, I'd like to come and see you."

After confirming it was Xu Ning, the tone on the other end of the phone relaxed considerably.

"You brat, it's good enough if you don't bother me, and you actually remember to come see me."

"Alright, I'm at XXX Road, Beiwa, Haidian District. Come on over."

Xu Ning smiled and chatted for a few more sentences before hanging up.

He didn't expect Uncle Chao to be off work today, what good luck.

"Jiuyuan, is it not a good time for us to go see Chief Chen Dongchao now?" Xiao Jianhao asked hesitantly.

Xu Ning said with a smile, "You don't understand, do you? Now is the perfect time, a good opportunity to freeload on a meal."

"Some people eat early. If we go at our usual mealtime, they might have just finished eating."

Xiao Jianhao looked puzzled, thinking Xu Ning had something important to discuss with the Chief.

He was about to remind him that it wasn't a good time to talk about serious matters, but he didn't expect Xu Ning to be in a hurry to freeload on a meal?

Soon, the taxi stopped at an alley entrance.

"This is as far as I can take you," the driver said in a Beijing accent, pointing to the soldiers on guard.

"See that? There are two soldiers on guard there."

"This is a military family compound, outsiders can't just enter."

"If you know someone inside, go talk to them yourselves."

The two had no choice but to get out of the car with their things.

Fortunately, the sentry had already been notified. After Xu Ning stated his name and showed his identification, he passed through smoothly.

They hadn't walked far when they saw Chief Chen Dongchao, with his temples streaked with grey, in front of a quaint courtyard house.

He wasn't wearing his usual Mao suit but was dressed in a white tank top and shorts, a casual summer outfit.

Although it was early autumn, he looked just like an ordinary old man.

If you didn't know his identity, you would really think he was the old man at the village entrance.

Xu Ning greeted him from afar, "Uncle Chao, long time no see."

Seeing Xu Ning approaching with his things, his face still wearing that playful smile, Chen Dongchao didn't show his usual helplessness but smiled kindly, his face full of warmth.

"Hey, kid, you actually thought of bringing me something today. I thought you were like a Pixiu, only taking in and never giving out!" Chen Dongchao teased.

Xu Ning understood the meaning behind the words and scratched his head sheepishly.

Carrying the things into the courtyard, he saw that it was filled with flowers and vegetables, with only a small area left open, enclosed with cement to form a small fish pond.

After they put their things down, Chen Dongchao said with a smile, "Perfect, since you're here, keep me company and relieve my boredom. Let's play a game of chess."

Xu Ning had just sat down in the living room and hadn't even settled in when he paused.

Although he felt a bit surprised, he still agreed.

Xiao Jianhao was arranged to rest in the reception room, while Xu Ning followed Chen Dongchao to the study.

Looking out the window, in the small pond by the entrance, several koi were swimming happily, a very pleasant sight.

Sitting at the table, Xu Ning noticed a few new strands of white hair on Chen Dongchao's forehead. It was then that he realized what had felt off just now.

It had only been two months since their last meeting, but Chen Dongchao's white hair had increased significantly.

Xu Ning's expression became serious, no longer playful, and he began to play chess with full concentration.

The room gradually quieted down, with only the sound of chess pieces falling on the board echoing.

"You came because you heard something happened to me, didn't you?"

Xu Ning's hand, which was about to move a piece, paused, and then he gently placed it down.

"No, I just got back from abroad and happened to pass by here. I missed you, so I came to see you."

Chen Dongchao chuckled softly and moved a chess piece. "So that's how it is."

"I've been suspended and am currently under investigation."

"What?" Xu Ning's hand, which was preparing to play, suddenly stopped.

How could someone in such a high position be suddenly suspended? Could he have been framed?

Looking at Chen Dongchao's calm expression, Xu Ning felt a surge of emotion in his heart.

"Uncle Chao, what happened?"

"Haha, don't worry, my old bones can still handle it."

"Throughout this journey, I've always walked cautiously, relying on my upright conduct."

Seeing Xu Ning's worried expression, Chen Dongchao felt a warmth in his heart. At least he hadn't doted on this child in vain. He continued:

"I already know who is behind this."

Xu Ning immediately became tense.

"Who is it? Uncle Chao, which guy used such a despicable method?"

Xu Ning suddenly stood up. Chen Dongchao quickly motioned for him to sit down and comforted him:

"Don't rush, listen to me first."

Xu Ning had no choice but to sit down again. Chen Dongchao took a sip of tea and slowly began:

"Just a few days ago, not long after I was reported and suspended."

"Chairman He Biwei from Northern Industries came to my doorstep and stood there all night."

"Why do you think he did that?"

Xu Ning lowered his head and thought for a moment, then replied, "It's because he was the one who reported you."

"Then why did he come to find me?"

"Because he realized he was wrong and wanted to ask for your forgiveness."

Xu Ning suddenly thought of something and added:

"He must have been misled by someone and only realized it afterward, which is why he came to seek your forgiveness."

Chen Dongchao smiled and nodded, continuing, "Let me tell you a story."

"In the Southwest region, there was a pair of brothers. The older brother was Wang Qiancheng, diligent and hardworking, and he quickly established his own business locally."

"Although the younger brother, Huang Wei, was not as outstanding as his older brother, with his brother's help, he also started to see some improvement."

"However, the appearance of an uninvited guest broke all of this, causing the younger brother to lose confidence. From then on, he stayed indoors all day, spending his days fishing."

"At this time, the older brother, on a whim, made a wrong decision to avenge his younger brother and protect his own business. Do you know what it was?"

Hearing Huang Wei's name, Xu Ning already understood everything.

The head of Southwestern Industrial was indeed Wang Qiancheng, and his younger brother, Huang Wei, was the one he met when he was trying to transform into a military factory. At a military exhibition, Xu Ning's sniper grenade launcher sent Huang Wei's business plummeting.

But Xu Ning remembered that shortly after that, there was a military reform, and without Chen Dongchao's help, Longhai might have also disappeared.

Even if he hadn't met him, Huang Wei might have eventually been merged into his brother's enterprise.

"No, it's because you weren't high-profile enough!"

"Huh?" Xu Ning responded in surprise.

Chen Dongchao looked at him and said firmly.

"If a young person isn't flamboyant and passionate, what kind of young person are they?"

"You have to remember why I decided to help you out in the first place."

"When a weapon manufacturing base becomes crucial, no scheme can easily shake it!"

"Do you know why I let He Wei stand outside all night and ignored him?"

"Because they only want to enjoy the fruits of others' labor."

"And you, you want to forge a new path!"

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