Chapter 19: A Master of Smiles Concealing Daggers

“The house has already been burned down, so do as you please.” Ye Yuan nodded faintly, a look of wistful loss on his face.

That old residence held too many memories for him.

Now, it was nothing but ashes.

“Old Cong, immediately arrange for someone in the county to find a building for the old hero to stay in, preferably on the first floor. The funds will be approved from above,” Xiao Bo instructed.

“Yes!” Cong Gui nodded firmly.

Ye Yuan was about to refuse but swallowed the words at the last moment.

He had originally intended to say they would continue living at the base.

But that was not a long-term solution.

He was no longer a soldier, just an ordinary citizen, and besides, he had Ye Yan’an with him.

After much consideration, he agreed to Xiao Bo’s proposal.

After a hearty meal, everyone returned to the base.

However, the issue of accommodation posed a dilemma.

The provincial military district’s chief and political commissar.

War heroes Ye Yuan and Sun Weiguo.

The girls Sun Ting and Ye Yan’an.

No one had expected that such a temporary flood control unit base would gather so many people of special status.

In the end, Sun Weiguo, relying on his seniority, forcibly shared a room with Ye Yuan.

...

Early the next morning.

Political Commissar Liu Ping gathered everyone with a joyful expression and announced good news.

“In just half a day yesterday, there were over a hundred real-name reports against Liu Dehai!”

Holding a piece of paper, Liu Ping quickly said, “Bribery, involvement with gangs, kidnapping, even murder!”

“That bastard!” Xiao Bo clenched his fist. “He deserves to be shot a hundred times over!”

“Although he’s dead, at least this will bring some comfort to those who suffered under Liu Dehai’s persecution,” Sun Weiguo sighed aloud. “Heaven’s justice is inevitable. No one escapes retribution for their evil deeds forever. One day, the righteous judgment will come upon them.”

“I have good news too!” Sun Ting raised her hand excitedly. “The station has approved Grandpa Ye’s request. They will send live broadcast equipment and staff to Hehe County. In just a few days, the first live broadcast of ‘Retracing the Red Path’ can begin!”

Seeing everyone so joyful, Cong Gui forced a bitter smile. “Though I hate to ruin this happy mood, I have to say…”

“Liu Dehai’s elder brother, Liu Debao, has returned to handle his funeral.”

Sure enough.

At those words, the smiles vanished from everyone’s faces.

“Liu Debao? That name sounds familiar,” Xiao Bo said suspiciously.

Liu Ping explained, “Liu Debao was once a major general in the Eastern Military District but was investigated for disciplinary violations. After punishment, he was involuntarily discharged. Rumor has it he’s now a big-time businessman.”

Ye Yuan and Sun Weiguo exchanged a glance.

No wonder Liu Dehai was connected to Zhao the Cripple.

If his brother had once been in the military, it all made sense.

Liu Dehai met Zhao through Liu Debao, and they got along well, which was why Zhao intervened on Liu Dehai’s behalf.

If Sun Weiguo hadn’t arrived in time this time, Zhao might have truly settled the matter.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Report!”

“Come in,” Cong Gui called out.

A young soldier entered, eyes straight ahead, voice trembling slightly. “Someone is outside the base, claiming to come to apologize and wishes to see Old Hero Ye.”

Liu Debao!

That name instantly appeared in everyone’s minds.

“Let’s go!”

Sun Weiguo laughed bitterly with anger. “I want to see what Liu Debao is here for!”

The group left the office and went outside the base.

Outside, a man in a suit and tie, with a thoroughly worldly expression, stood waiting.

Seeing Ye Yuan and the others approach, he immediately smiled broadly and stepped forward. “Liu Debao, a discharged veteran of the Eastern Military District, pays respects to the leaders!”

“Liu Debao, you weren’t discharged; you were expelled. Those are two very different things, and you know it better than anyone,” Xiao Bo said coldly, staring at Liu Debao. “Don’t put on the act of a comrade with us.”

Hearing Xiao Bo’s scorn, there was no trace of anger on Liu Debao’s face; instead, he maintained a smile.

“I’ve taken your lesson,” he said.

Then he looked at Ye Yuan, wearing an insincerely respectful expression that made one sick. “You must be Old Hero Ye. Truly vigorous in old age; at such an advanced age, still so robust.”

“Old Hero Ye, you are a national treasure and must take great care of yourself. These times are unstable; accidents can happen at any moment.”

“What exactly do you want?” Cong Gui could no longer contain himself and said coldly, “We have no time to waste with you here!”

Liu Debao continued smiling, then bowed deeply to Ye Yuan. “Old Hero Ye, I only learned of my brother’s misdeeds after I returned. I had always warned him not to break laws or discipline.”

“He didn’t listen and met his fate. He brought it on himself. I’m here on his behalf to apologize to you, hoping his actions didn’t greatly affect you or your family.”

“Hmph!” Sun Weiguo snorted coldly. “Instead of this charade, why not think about how you’re going to make amends for your brother’s crimes? Aren’t you very rich? Take out some money to compensate the victims and their families. That shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“Of course,” Liu Debao smiled sweetly. “But who exactly deserves compensation needs careful review, to avoid opportunists trying to take advantage. After all, my money isn’t just blowing in the wind, right?”

“Are you finished?” Ye Yuan glanced at Liu Debao coolly. “If you’re done, then leave.”

“All right.” Liu Debao nodded. “Before I go, I wish you good health and a peaceful old age.”

With that, he turned and left.

Only after Liu Debao departed did Sun Weiguo turn to Ye Yuan. “Old commander, what do you think of this man?”

“A smiling tiger, a master of hiding a dagger behind a smile,” Ye Yuan said slowly. “His apology is fake; this visit is a test and a show of force. His brother was purely evil, but he is both clever and wicked.”

At these words, everyone nodded in agreement.

Xiao Bo spoke with some irritation, “There’s a saying: ‘Don’t hit a smiling face.’ Facing this man feels like punching cotton.”

“That’s not even the worst,” Liu Ping sighed bitterly. “If he hadn’t been expelled and had stayed in the army…”

“He would have been an even greater curse!”