"Brother, you may not fully understand the Ye family's situation. Let me put it this way: what is a monumental matter for many is a triviality for us.
Perhaps what seems complex to you can be resolved with a single phone call from me."
Ye Rui lounged with his legs crossed, head tilted back, gazing down at Jiang Wuming like a proud peacock, his words laced with arrogance.
That arrogance was a product of his Ye family heritage.
Born into the Ye family, his starting point from day one was higher than the endpoint of over ninety-nine percent of people in this world!
"Brother Ye Rui, I believe what you're saying, but the matter I need to discuss with Second Uncle is indeed very complicated. It might even affect the entire Ye family, so I'd still prefer to wait for him to return and tell him in person."
Jiang Wuming could sense Ye Rui's arrogance and wasn't surprised or bothered by it.
After all, even the Yuan family disciples, brothers Yuan Qing and Yuan Hao, possessed a degree of arrogance. What was more, Ye Rui was a scion of the Ye family?
"Oh, you're being rather mysterious – what exactly could you do that would affect our Ye family?"
Ye Rui looked skeptical. In his opinion, not only had Jiang Wuming never spent a day in the Ye family, but even if he had grown up there, nothing he could do would impact the Ye family.
As for himself, from birth until now, only the impending marriage alliance with a girl from the Gu family could truly affect the Ye family. Other matters were utterly insignificant at the Ye family's level!
"Ding—"
Just as Ye Rui was pressing for details, the door to the two-story building creaked open with a soft chime.
A middle-aged woman entered.
Though advanced in years, the woman was well-preserved, possessed an extraordinary aura, and wore a military uniform. Her epaulets bore no stars.
She was Wang Hong, Ye Rui's mother, a senior colonel—just one step away from becoming a general!
For many, that one step was an insurmountable chasm. For this woman, it was something easily achievable—a word from the Ye family patriarch would suffice.
Yet, in the past few years, she had not taken that step.
On one hand, the Ye family patriarch had never proactively mentioned it, nor had her husband, Ye Wentao, actively pursued it for her.
The reason was to avoid suspicion.
This caused Wang Hong some resentment, but as a daughter-in-law of the Ye family, she could only bury it deep within her heart, never daring to express it or mention it to the patriarch. She could only occasionally vent her frustrations to her husband.
Beyond that, she was also waiting for an opportunity, a chance that would allow the Ye family patriarch to agree to her advancement.
Six months ago, she had found that opportunity—her son, Ye Rui, was to be betrothed to a girl from the Gu family. This was a significant event for the Ye family, and it also elevated her status within the family.
"Mom, you're back."
Upon seeing Wang Hong enter, Ye Rui rose to greet her.
"Mm."
Wang Hong replied, then cast her gaze upon Jiang Wuming, assuming he was Ye Rui's friend. She frowned slightly and asked, "Xiao Rui, why did you bring a friend home?"
"Mom, he's not my friend."
Sensing his mother Wang Hong's displeasure, Ye Rui quickly explained, "He's Xiao Gu's son, named Jiang Wuming."
"Wha... what?"
Startled by Ye Rui's words, Wang Hong froze, looking at Jiang Wuming with disbelief. "You're Jinmei's son?"
"Yes, Second Aunt," Jiang Wuming replied, rising to his feet and showing the respect due from a younger relative to an elder.
"How strange, we never heard any news about you," Wang Hong said, her brow furrowed in confusion. She then glanced at Ye Rui.
Ye Rui, understanding her unspoken question, replied, "Mom, I had my doubts about his identity earlier too, but he said no one in this world would impersonate this identity, and we could easily verify it."
"That's true."
Wang Hong found his reasoning sound. She then changed into slippers, walked over to Ye Rui, and sat down beside him. "Um, your name is..."
"Wuming," Jiang Wuming said, seeing Wang Hong pause, realizing she hadn't remembered his name.
"Oh, right, Wuming. What brings you here today?" Wang Hong asked.
"Mom, I asked him earlier, and he said he had something very complicated to tell Dad. He even said it could affect the Ye family! I thought it sounded far-fetched, and when I asked him what it was, he wouldn't say, insisting on waiting until Dad returned," Ye Rui interjected.
"Wuming, your Second Uncle went to inspect a grassroots unit today and won't be back until tomorrow. If you have something to say, you can tell me directly. If it's something I can resolve, I'll handle it for you," Wang Hong said, her curiosity piqued.
"Second Aunt, Brother Ye Rui, it's like this. Not long after my father had his accident, his and my mother's former comrades started to pass away, including my adoptive father..."
Jiang Wuming paused, then decided to speak to Wang Hong first.
If he didn't, it would seem disrespectful and mistrustful towards her.
However—
Before he could finish, Wang Hong exclaimed in surprise, "You mean your adoptive father was a former comrade of Jinmei and her husband?"
"Yes, Second Aunt," Jiang Wuming nodded, then continued, "According to the police investigation, my adoptive father died in a traffic accident. But a few days ago, information emerged online indicating foul play in the case. The police department re-investigated and determined that my adoptive father was deliberately murdered by someone from the Yuan family..."
"I know about that matter. So, that Su Shirong was your adoptive father!" Ye Rui interrupted, recalling the incident.
Wang Hong, however, sensed something was amiss, her brow knitting subtly. "Wuming, you came to find your Second Uncle because of this matter?"
"Yes, Second Aunt. Based on the information I have, because the Yuan family holds a preeminent position in Jiangnan and has the Gu family backing them, the mastermind behind it, Yuan Zeping, did not receive the punishment he deserved. Furthermore, Yuan Guhai was the person in charge of the Jiangnan police at the time, so he must have been involved, yet it was never mentioned."
After clarifying the specifics, Jiang Wuming stated his intention: "I want to discuss this matter with Second Uncle and see if the military can intervene to seek justice for my adoptive father and his comrades. They all shed blood and sweat to protect the country; they are heroes. I believe heroes should have their grievances redressed and their names cleared!"
*Swish!*
Upon hearing Jiang Wuming's words, Ye Rui's expression changed drastically.
Initially, he had assumed Jiang Wuming was seeking personal gain by coming to his father, or at most, wanted to return to the Ye family. It wasn't a major issue. But now, after hearing Jiang Wuming's account, he was utterly stunned!
What Jiang Wuming described was a monumental event. If the Ye family truly became involved, it would be an earthquake for the entire Dragon Country!
Even Ye Rui understood this, let alone Wang Hong.
"Wuming, I've heard about what you're talking about. Based on what you've said, I have a few points to make," Wang Hong stated after a moment of deliberation, her tone becoming much more serious. "First, you claim the Yuan family didn't receive due punishment. This is merely your speculation.
According to what I know, Yuan Zeping's case outcome has not yet been announced.
Moreover, the police department and Jiangnan Province have issued statements promising a thorough investigation, and they will naturally handle it impartially.
Second, as you said, your adoptive father and the others were retired and are not members of the military, but ordinary citizens. Their case falls under the purview of the police department; the military has no right to interfere.
Third, even if, for the sake of argument, your adoptive father were a member of the military, whether the military intervenes in such a matter has nothing to do with your Second Uncle. Your Second Uncle doesn't handle this area, so seeking him out is futile."
"Exactly. The military isn't run by my dad. Why would my dad get the military involved in this? Besides, Mom also said this has nothing to do with the military! To put it nicely, you're being unrealistic; to put it crudely, you're completely clueless about the scale of things—how can you possibly get involved in something like this?"
Ye Rui quickly chimed in, his arrogance gone, replaced by dissatisfaction.
In his eyes, Jiang Wuming was here to cause trouble for their family!
After all, this matter was too serious. Anyone involved would inevitably get entangled.
Moreover, he was already engaged to a girl from the Gu family. This wasn't just about their marriage; it also affected the relationship between the Ye family and the Gu family!
If the military, at the suggestion of his father or the Ye family, were to intervene, wouldn't that be deliberately embarrassing the Gu family?
"I apologize. I was too presumptuous and have disturbed you."
Having heard the words of Wang Hong and Ye Rui, mother and son, Jiang Wuming understood their stance. Without further ado, he rose to leave.
"Wuming, there's one more thing I didn't mention earlier. Your brother Ye Rui's fiancée is from the Gu family. Therefore, even if your speculations are true, your Second Uncle, and the entire Ye family, would not go out of their way to support your adoptive father and involve the military in this matter! You needn't waste any more words telling this to your Second Uncle or any other Ye family members."
Seeing that Jiang Wuming was unable to achieve his goal and was about to leave, Wang Hong felt Jiang Wuming was ill-mannered. She didn't rise and appeared somewhat angered, her tone growing cold.
"Thank you for your reminder."
Jiang Wuming smiled slightly and then, with a surprising statement, added, "Please also inform Second Uncle that I came here today simply to ascertain the Ye family's attitude.
If the Ye family is willing to step forward, I will be grateful.
If the Ye family is unwilling, I will have a clear conscience!"
What did that mean?
Wang Hong and Ye Rui, mother and son, were left dumbfounded.
Jiang Wuming straightened his back and strode out of the two-story building.