"But yesterday's incident was just a sudden situation. You don't have to retire. Besides, after this lesson, the family can hire bodyguards."
"I don't trust anyone else with you. It's better to keep you under my watch from now on."
"Xingdong, retirement is not a trifling matter. I know you love this profession, which is why I don't want you to give up your career for other reasons, or for me. That would make me feel sad and guilty. I only hope we can both be better. If your career truly has to be sacrificed for my dreams, then I would rather give up my dreams."
A person has a long road ahead in life. Chen Lishu had lived through one life, so she knew even more clearly that while love could be passionate and intimate, life could not. Life faced too many challenges and tests. She didn't want a day to come when their feelings faded, and Gu Xingdong looked back and said, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to..."
Even though she understood Gu Xingdong well, and perhaps given his character and integrity, he would never say such a thing, it didn't mean he wouldn't have such thoughts in the future.
Once resentment takes root in one's heart, complaints follow, and prolonged complaints lead to the dissipation of affection.
Gu Xingdong was willing to protect her, and she was moved, but she couldn't be selfish.
Gu Xingdong looked at her for a while before finally sighing, "You, you're good at everything, except you take things too seriously. What kind of relationship do we have? We're husband and wife. You bear children for me and take care of the elderly, so I naturally have to shield you from the wind and rain. This is our shared home, so how can we talk about who contributes how much?"
As Gu Xingdong spoke, he reached out and stroked the top of her head, "Besides, you know your man's capabilities, don't you? Whatever he does, he does well. He excels in every field, naturally."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but purse her lips and smile upon hearing his words, "Are you reciting tongue twisters?"
...
Wu Zheng was summoned to the leader's office early in the morning.
"Leader, you were looking for me?"
"You and Xingdong have a good relationship, so I'm assigning you a task. That brat is talking about retirement again. Go and try to convince him and make him give up on this idea. If you fail, I'll hold you accountable."
Wu Zheng reluctantly replied, "Leader, isn't this asking too much? Besides, he's being suspended for review without having done anything wrong. If it were me, I wouldn't do it either."
"Nonsense!" Yang Zhiguo slammed the table in anger, veins bulging on his neck. "Is my word as a leader not effective anymore? Are you no longer under my command? Get out of here quickly. If you don't complete the mission, don't come back. I'll be angered to death by you brats sooner or later."
"Alright, alright, calm down. I'll go right away, won't I?"
After all, he was a man nearing fifty. Wu Zheng was genuinely afraid of angering the leader into having an accident. After placating him, he promptly and obediently left.
"Old Wu? Why are you here instead of working?" Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow as he saw him enter.
"Sigh, it's Old Yang. He insisted I come and persuade you. But don't worry, I'm just going through the motions."
Wu Zheng unceremoniously pulled up a stool and sat down.
"If you ask me, these grandsons have gone too far. They came to cause trouble at your doorstep and thought they were in the right. They even carried people to the main military compound gate! For the next few days, stay home and accompany your sister-in-law. Old Yang is actively communicating with them, you have no idea..."
Chen Lishu heard Wu Zheng arrive and was about to go downstairs. However, as she stood by the stairs, she overheard Wu Zheng's words, and her fingers, resting on the railing, tightened involuntarily.
"I've already considered it very clearly. Old Yang is in a difficult position caught in the middle regarding this matter. I was already planning to step down."
As the two were talking, several uniformed police officers suddenly entered the doorway, led by Wan Liansheng.
"You are Gu Xingdong, aren't you? Come with us."
One of the police officers stood directly in front of Gu Xingdong, speaking in a very impolite tone.
Gu Xingdong looked up, first glancing at Wan Liansheng, then at the police officer in front of him, and said with a calm expression, "Why should I go with you?"
Another replied with a cold face, "Don't you know what you did? You severely injured someone. We're here to arrest you!"
Gu Xingdong's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, "Are you arresting me before investigating thoroughly? Who gave you the order?"
The two turned to look at Wan Liansheng.
"I gave the order," Wan Liansheng stepped forward. "You severely injured someone, and the other party has already called the police. You have endangered another person's safety, and we have the right to arrest you."
Gu Xingdong sneered at him, "Your order doesn't matter. Furthermore, I am currently suspended and under review, so I cannot go anywhere. I also advise you to leave quickly, or don't blame me for being impolite. You know my identity. What are your intentions for trespassing into my home? If you get hurt or crippled, it will be your own fault."
"Kid, you're quite arrogant. No matter who you are, if you break the law, we have the right to intervene. If you resist arrest, we'll have to take other measures."
As the other party spoke, he pulled handcuffs from his pocket, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
"Xiao Zhang," Wan Liansheng admonished his subordinate, then turned to Gu Xingdong, "I believe you know the gravity of the situation. This is our duty."
"Your duty?" Gu Xingdong suddenly stood up from his stool, his sharp gaze fixed on Wan Liansheng, and said coldly, "My right and wrong will be judged by my superiors. Who do you think you are!"
Wan Liansheng's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
The atmosphere between the two became tense and confrontational.
Wu Zheng had sensed that the situation was bad as soon as he saw Wan Liansheng and several police officers enter with unfriendly expressions. So, he took the opportunity when no one was paying attention to quickly go out and call Yang Zhiguo.
"What? These scoundrels truly think we have no one?! You go quickly and stabilize the situation for me. If necessary, use extraordinary means. I'll bear any consequences."
Yang Zhiguo's face remained ashen even after hanging up the phone. He grabbed the nearby phone and quickly dialed a few numbers.
"Hello, this is the Municipal Bureau," a young police officer answered.
"Where is Zhang Anjiu? Have him speak to me!"
The young police officer frowned at the aggressive tone. "May I ask who you are?"
"Just tell him it's Yang Zhiguo." After saying that, Yang Zhiguo hung up the phone with a 'snap'.
Within two minutes, the phone rang. Knowing it was Zhang Anjiu calling back, Yang Zhiguo snatched the phone and, before the other party could speak, began scolding him fiercely, "I say, Old Zhang, you've gotten bold! You don't even open your eyes to see who you're messing with! You dare to touch my people!"
Bureau Chief Zhang Anjiu was almost deafened by the shouting on the phone, but he also knew that Yang Zhiguo was genuinely furious.
"Old Yang, let's talk calmly. We're old classmates, after all. Why are you so angry about this?"
"If I don't get angry, can I not get angry? Your subordinates have gone too far and bullied people right at their doorstep..."