“Zexi, we really haven’t received any reports about that group being active on Huansha Island,” the leader said.
Sheng Zexi grew impatient. “That’s exactly how cunning they are.”
“We’d rather believe it’s true than ignore the possibility.”
“If they’re really hiding on Huansha Island while spreading misinformation, then their plans for the island must be significant.”
“Moreover, they’re not just carrying drugs—they also have explosives. What if—”
Sheng Zexi didn’t finish, but the leader could guess the rest.
His heart skipped a beat at the thought.
If they had planted bombs on Huansha Island and one were to detonate…
Then what?
What about the civilians on Huansha Island?
That group was utterly ruthless—their actions would undoubtedly cause casualties.
As the leader, he would be held accountable, and he might even lose his position.
“Let me think…”
The leader clasped his hands behind his back and paced around the office, thinking quickly.
Though Sheng Zexi had been under his command for less than half a year, he knew the man’s capabilities and temperament well.
Sheng Zexi was not one to act without reason.
If he came forward with such a grave expression and made such claims, he must have solid grounds for concern.
Besides, Sheng Zexi’s two children—he’d heard they were exceptionally bright.
And then there were the dogs. Rumor had it that Sheng Zexi often trained them himself, and each one was practically as skilled as a military dog.
Most importantly, Sheng Zexi was right: better safe than sorry.
With that in mind, the leader made up his mind.
“Alright, then—”
“Chen Han, how can you trust a child’s words?!”
A voice suddenly cut in from outside.
Sheng Zexi frowned, his expression darkening when he saw who had arrived.
The newcomer was older than Sheng Zexi, around fifty or nearly sixty.
Sheng Zexi’s superior, Chen Han—Deputy Brigade Commander Chen—immediately stood and saluted upon seeing him.
“Brigade Commander Lin.”
Lin Chushi.
Though Sheng Zexi hadn’t interacted much with this man, he knew who he was.
Lin Chushi was the older man that woman had married some time ago.
Sheng Zexi hadn’t expected to run into him today, let alone have him overhear their conversation and intervene.
Even if he disliked the man, Sheng Zexi had no choice but to salute properly.
Lin Chushi sat down, exuding an air of leisurely ease—a stark contrast to Sheng Zexi’s urgency.
“I overheard your conversation just now.”
“Chen Han, how could you abandon your own judgment and trust the words of a two- or three-year-old child and a dog over our military intelligence? It’s absurd.”
“Brigade Commander Lin, that’s not it. What if this turns out to be true? The consequences would be unthinkable.”
Lin Chushi chuckled. “You said it yourself—what if. If nothing happens, wouldn’t it just stir panic among the island’s civilians and military, wasting our resources?”
Hearing this, Sheng Zexi grew furious.
Especially when he thought of the newspaper Ningning had shown him—the casualty numbers described there were horrifying.
If not for the risk of exposing Ningning, he would’ve thrown that newspaper right in Lin Chushi’s face.
But he knew that with someone so determined to oppose him, even hard evidence wouldn’t make a difference.
This man simply wouldn’t believe it.
Yes, Sheng Zexi was certain Lin Chushi was deliberately obstructing him.
And in his eyes, Lin Chushi was utterly unfit for his position.
In this situation, why even consider the issue of wasted military resources?
Shouldn’t the safety of civilians come first?
Unable to hold back his temper any longer, Sheng Zexi, his face dark, demanded coldly: “Brigade Commander Lin, if this turns out to be true, can you bear the consequences? Can you take responsibility?”
Lin Chushi stiffened.
Of course, he couldn’t answer that.
But—
Lin Chushi’s expression darkened as he rebuked, “What, Sheng Zexi, are you questioning me?”
“Do you realize this is insubordination? Do you want me to punish you?”
“You—!”
Sheng Zexi was about to retort when Chen Han stopped him.
“Brigade Commander Lin, Zexi absolutely meant no disrespect. He’s just overly concerned.”
Lin Chushi sneered. “Concerned about what? He should go home and take care of his kids instead.”
With that, Lin Chushi said no more and left.
Only Sheng Zexi and his superior, Chen Han, remained in the office.
“Sir, is there really no other way? What if we act on our own—” Before Sheng Zexi could finish, Chen Han raised a hand to stop him.
“Zexi, you know military orders are absolute. And in this case, if Brigade Commander Lin hadn’t found out, I could’ve given the order. But now that he knows, I…” Chen Han shook his head.
Sheng Zexi clenched his fists, thinking of the information in the newspaper, his gaze fixed in the direction Lin Chushi had left.
He could barely restrain himself from going after him and throwing a punch.
Truthfully, Sheng Zexi could wash his hands of this matter. He could just find Xingxing and leave it at that.
After all, he’d already fulfilled his duty by reporting it.
But as a soldier, Sheng Zexi couldn’t reconcile that with his conscience.
If he hadn’t known, fine. But now that he did, how could he turn a blind eye?
That was something Sheng Zexi could never do.
“Sir, is there really no other way? Think of all the lives on the island.”
Chen Han fell into thought, then suddenly seemed to remember something, his eyes lighting up.
“Zexi, there is one more option.”
Sheng Zexi immediately turned to him.
“You know, in our military district, there’s only one person with higher authority than Lin Chushi—someone who can issue orders directly over his head.”
Sheng Zexi pressed his lips together. He knew who it was—Commander Lu.
“Commander Lu.”
“Right.”
“Then I’ll go see Commander Lu now?”
But Chen Han shook his head. “Commander Lu is even more meticulous, and it’s not easy to get an audience with him.”
“However…”
“Your father, Commander Sheng, has a good relationship with Commander Lu.”
“If you can persuade your father to make a call to Commander Lu, this matter will basically be settled.”
Sheng Zexi’s expression nearly cracked: Call his old man?
Does that mean he has to beg the old man?!
Chen Han was well aware of the strained relationship between Sheng Zexi and Sheng Xinhao.
Seeing Sheng Zexi’s constipated expression, he patted him on the shoulder and said, “What you do next is up to you.”
“Is there really no other way to convince Commander Lu?” Sheng Zexi pressed.
“Zexi, the option I gave you is the best one.”
Sheng Zexi: Fine.
Meanwhile, Gu Jianing, who had been anxiously waiting for good news from Sheng Zexi, was taken aback when she saw the furious father-daughter pair approaching from afar.
Yueyue ran straight to Gu Jianing and hugged her legs. “Mommy, there’s a bad grandpa who won’t let us save Brother or catch the bad guys!”
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