That evening, the news about the Jiangnan Economic Forum yacht party completely exploded, spreading through Dragon Country's high society and martial arts circles.
All of this was because of the message Qin Yuanzheng had Yan Jun convey: "Get lost, and don't come back!"
This phrase represented Qin Yuanzheng's stance, the Qin family's stance, and to a certain extent, even the stance of the Military Department—the Military Department's authority could not be challenged, and its rules could not be trampled upon!
Would the Yuan family back down?
No!
This was everyone's judgment.
Although Shi Yunfeng's attempt to take Jiang Wuming away was unsuccessful, everyone still stuck to their previous assessment: Jiang Wuming, without any background, would definitely become a sacrificial lamb in this matter!
Because of this judgment, many people were closely watching the developments. However, three days passed, and Jiang Wuming was still alive and well, which surprised many.
Three days later, in the early morning, Jiang Wuming accompanied Liu Guifang and Su Shiyun, mother and daughter, in Su Yuanshan's private car, heading to a public cemetery in Suzhou.
It was Su Shirong's death anniversary, and they were going to pay their respects at his grave.
Zhong Gang parked the car in the cemetery's parking lot and waited inside. Jiang Wuming, Liu Guifang, and Su Shiyun carried offerings and entered the cemetery gate.
Much like real estate, the cemetery industry had developed rapidly in recent years, with prime burial plots fetching exorbitant prices.
The cemetery where Su Shirong was buried was the best in the entire Sujiang region. It was built nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with excellent greenery, akin to a "rich district" among cemeteries.
Su Shirong's grave was located in the best area of the cemetery. There were not many plots in that section, and many were still vacant but had already been purchased.
One of the buyers was Su Yuanshan.
When the Su family purchased the burial plot for Su Shirong years ago, Su Yuanshan had also bought one for himself in the same area. He had even suggested that his brothers, Su Shiwei and Su Shijie, should each buy one, but they both found it inauspicious and refused.
As it was not the Qingming Festival, the cemetery was very quiet. Jiang Wuming and the two women encountered almost no one along the way.
About ten minutes later, Liu Guifang, with Su Shiyun and Jiang Wuming, arrived at Su Shirong's grave.
Jiang Wuming placed the offerings in his hands down and his gaze fell on the tombstone. He saw Su Shirong's portrait.
In the portrait, Su Shirong had a crew cut, wore a military cap and uniform, and looked straight ahead with a determined gaze.
This was a photograph of Su Shirong during his service in the Dragon Special Forces.
Although the Dragon Special Forces had once been the sharpest special operations team in Dragon Country, like all special forces, each member kept a final will and testament and a photograph. If they died in service, the unit would give these to their families.
Su Shirong had already retired from the Dragon Special Forces when he passed away. However, he hadn't taken any new photos after his retirement, so the Su family used his military photo as his portrait.
Upon seeing Su Shirong's portrait, Liu Guifang and Su Shiyun's eyes immediately reddened, tears welling up.
"Shirong, it's been twelve years since you left, and this is my first time visiting you.
Actually, I wanted to come many times, but I always gave up in the end.
Because the misunderstanding between your father and us was never resolved, and Shiyun's maternal grandfather held strong opinions about your father and the Su family, he didn't agree to us coming.
More importantly, I failed to do what you repeatedly told me to do – eight years ago, Wuming disappeared, and I had no face to see you!
Not long ago, Wuming returned. He's fine, and he has done many earth-shattering things for you and the Su family, bringing you great honor!
Today, I've brought Shiyun and Wuming with me. Take a good look at them."
Liu Guifang walked up to the tombstone and said, choking back sobs. She tremblingly took out a white handkerchief and gently wiped the portrait of Su Shirong etched on the tombstone, clearing away the dust, then stepped back.
"Dad... are you alright down there?"
Su Shiyun knelt on the ground, her eyes red as she gazed at Su Shirong's portrait. She wanted to say something but was choked with emotion. After a good few seconds, she continued.
"Dad, do you know? When I was little, you always told me that my younger brother was still young and I had to protect him.
Now, my brother has grown up, learned many skills, and is very capable. He no longer needs my protection. If you were here, you'd surely be very happy, perhaps you'd even have a drink with him..."
"Dad, rest in peace down there. I will protect Mom and sister, and I will absolutely not let them be bullied!"
Jiang Wuming placed the offerings one by one and knelt on the ground, speaking softly.
Although he now knew Su Shirong was his adoptive father, he still called him "Dad" and made a vow at Su Shirong's grave.
Afterward, Liu Guifang and Su Shiyun, mother and daughter, with red eyes and tears streaming down, "chatted" with Su Shirong intermittently, while Jiang Wuming accompanied them.
Liu Guifang's emotions were particularly intense. Several times, when she cried, she almost collapsed.
Her husband died unexpectedly, her family was driven out of the Su family, and with one child in each hand, she returned to her maiden home in disgrace.
To ensure her two children could grow up healthily, she endured humiliation in her maiden home.
When Jiang Wuming crippled a Zheng family scion years ago to protect Su Shiyun, she knelt in the Liu family hall, begging her father to protect Jiang Wuming.
When Su Shiyun was about to be sacrificed by the Liu family and married off to the Zheng family scion, she pleaded with her father multiple times, but unlike before, she did not receive his support.
Returning to the Su family again, the three of them endured scorn and sarcastic remarks. She endured, smiled, and remained silent until Su Shiwei's family cursed Jiang Wuming as a bastard, at which point she could bear it no longer!
She was not a strong woman, nor did she possess great abilities, but at the same time, she was very resilient. Like all mothers, she tried her best to protect her children.
And at this very moment, as she visited Su Shirong for the first time after his departure from this world, the resilience she held within her instantly crumbled.
Because her children had grown up and no longer needed her protection.
Because too much grief had accumulated in her heart, and she wanted to confide in her husband!
Because she wanted to find support through sharing her troubles, even if the man who had accompanied her for half her life was now buried in the earth.
If the man who had once shed blood and sweat on the battlefield to protect his home and country had not died, how could she have carried such immense responsibility with her frail body?!
...
Jiang Wuming could not fully comprehend Liu Guifang's feelings, but he could sense the sadness she was expressing.
This caused his hatred towards the Yuan family and the Liu family to escalate.
"Mom, sister, you two should take the car back first. I'll chat with Dad a bit longer, and then I'll head back by myself."
An hour later, after Liu Guifang's emotions had gradually stabilized, Jiang Wuming suddenly spoke, casting a glance at Su Shiyun.
Hearing Jiang Wuming's words and perceiving the meaningful look in his eyes, Su Shiyun's heart stirred. She vaguely guessed something and, before Liu Guifang could speak, she said first, "Okay."
"Mom, let's go back first."
As she spoke, Su Shiyun stood up and linked her arm with Liu Guifang's.
Liu Guifang, who had intended to ask something else, swallowed her words upon hearing Su Shiyun's suggestion. She merely cast a deep look at Su Shirong's portrait, then left the cemetery with Su Shiyun, walking along the cemetery path towards the parking lot.
"Dad, I will reveal the truth of that year for you, and I will also seek justice for you!"
After Liu Guifang and Su Shiyun left, Jiang Wuming made another vow.
"You are indeed filial, but unfortunately, you won't have the chance."
At that moment, a playful voice suddenly sounded not far behind Jiang Wuming. Liu Qingfeng seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
"Do you know why I didn't leave?"
Hearing the voice behind him, Jiang Wuming did not get up or turn around. Instead, he kowtowed towards Su Shirong's tombstone and spoke with surprising boldness.
"Why?"
Liu Qingfeng was somewhat surprised and instinctively asked.
"Because there is still one offering missing at the tombstone."
After three kowtows, Jiang Wuming slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over Liu Qingfeng, "Your head!"