Yu Lingxiao was startled.
Qin Fengwu was a renowned young prodigy, destined to reach the pinnacle of power.
And this young man was not even comparable?
"Are you kidding me?" Yu Lingxiao didn't believe it.
Tao Zixing shook his head, "You don't know him. If you did, you wouldn't say that. Qin Fengwu is indeed formidable, but he stands on the shoulders of giants. Without his family's support, do you really think Qin Fengwu would be where he is today? The one I'm telling you about, came from humble beginnings and was already appointed a general by the higher-ups three years ago."
"However..."
"This individual made a sudden, graceful retreat at the height of his glory. I didn't expect him to reappear today."
Yu Lingxiao was shocked.
Was there still someone this powerful around now?
Tao Zixing sighed, "I have a premonition that peace will be shattered soon."
"Old Yu, I advise you not to meddle with this person. Stick to the marriage alliance with the Qin family."
"Why?" Yu Lingxiao was confused.
He had specifically come to find Tao Zixing this time, and Tao Zixing had advised him not to foolishly try to associate with Xu Hanchen, lest he end up humiliated.
He still couldn't quite grasp what was so wrong about it.
Tao Zixing dismissed his attendants and then said to Yu Lingxiao, "Xu Hanchen and that young man are not people you can associate with. Do you understand?"
Yu Lingxiao still seemed to grasp only half of it, not truly understanding the words.
"Let me be blunt. How did you make your fortune back then?" Tao Zixing asked.
Yu Lingxiao's pupils slowly contracted.
He had been part of the system back then. After resigning and venturing into the business world, he had thrived, building the vast Yu Corporation. However, in reality, Yu Lingxiao also had a father-in-law whose identity was unknown...
His father-in-law was a man of considerable influence.
While Yu Lingxiao's diligent efforts were undoubtedly crucial to the creation of the Yu Corporation, without his father-in-law's assistance, it would never have reached such a level.
Tao Zixing sighed again, "Xu Hanchen's wife was an ordinary teacher. His son once served in the army but later retired and is now the principal of a county middle school in a remote area. As for Xu Hanchen's granddaughter, she's studying at Ninghai University. Someone once tried to get Xu Hanchen's granddaughter into one of the top two universities, but Xu Hanchen berated them soundly."
"With what I've said, you should understand now, right?"
Yu Lingxiao took a deep breath, "I understand. No matter what, he will never look upon our Yu family favorably, will he?"
Tao Zixing nodded and said no more.
The words had been made clear enough. If Yu Lingxiao still insisted on ingratiating himself with someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with him, then it was no longer his concern.
However.
While Yu Lingxiao had given up on Tao Zixing, his interest in Chen Jin'an grew.
He believed that a young man full of vigor would find it hard to resist various temptations, and this presented an opportunity for Yu Lingxiao.
Unless...
He wasn't as young as he appeared.
"What's his name?" Yu Lingxiao asked Tao Zixing.
Tao Zixing chuckled, "It doesn't matter if you know. You'll find out later."
Yu Lingxiao gave up helplessly.
At that moment.
Xu Hanchen and Chen Jin'an arrived by the lake. Xu Hanchen stopped and sighed, "I'm old. I start sweating after just a few steps. I remember back then I used to win the cross-country run with a loaded pack."
Recalling the past, Xu Hanchen's face lit up.
But his aging body forced him to confront reality. Time was relentless, and his former glory had faded.
This was Xu Hanchen's current predicament.
Despite his valiant spirit, the aging process left him powerless.
Therefore.
Xu Hanchen could only place his hopes on Chen Jin'an.
"Jin'an, I didn't want to assign you this second mission originally because it is truly too difficult. But after much consideration, I find it hard to find a successor I can trust."
Xu Hanchen's voice was filled with melancholy.
Chen Jin'an had no idea what kind of mission would make Xu Hanchen so troubled.
Xu Hanchen paused before speaking, then looked earnestly into Chen Jin'an's eyes, "Actually, you are not obligated to accept this second mission. You have the right to decide whether to take it or not."
"If you accept it, you might die."
"Not just yourself, but even those around you could face misfortune."
"What if I accept it?" Chen Jin'an asked.
"If the mission is successful, your name will be praised by billions of people. But if you fail, you will be purged."
If it were the Chen Jin'an of a few days ago, he would have undoubtedly given up this mission without hesitation. But now, he had come to understand. If he could do something beneficial for the country, why not?
What was the purpose of a man's life if not to achieve great things!
"I accept it," Chen Jin'an said with firm resolve.
Xu Hanchen laughed heartily, "As expected of the young man I've taken a liking to. You truly possess the spirit of my youth."
"Three years ago, someone deliberately leaked your whereabouts, leading to you being ambushed. Therefore, for this second mission, I want you to find these ambitious traitors!"
"You are not fighting alone!"
Chen Jin'an was deeply shaken. He never expected such a hidden truth.
Why would those people do such a thing?
"Colluding from within and without for greater personal gain," Xu Hanchen explained.
Chen Jin'an's anger flared. Such individuals were the most dangerous. They appeared respectable on the surface but were full of deceit. Moreover, the most frightening aspect of such people was their potential for betrayal, which could inflict severe damage on the nation.
Those who steal a hook are punished; those who steal a nation become lords.
Chen Jin'an instantly understood why Xu Hanchen had described the mission as so perilous.
After all, it was not about confronting an external enemy, but an "insider."
With the slightest misstep, one could earn infamy for eternity.
After all.
History is written by the victors.
Xu Hanchen patted Chen Jin'an's shoulder, "You still have time to back out. I won't blame you."
Chen Jin'an's gaze was determined, and he said with conviction, "Elder Xu, what are you joking about? To dedicate my youth, my blood, and even my life for my country is the greatest honor of my life."
They talked for a long time, and Chen Jin'an departed with a heavy heart.
The situation was far more challenging than he had imagined.
Behind the seemingly prosperous facade lay lurking dangers, like a ship tossed in a tempest.
Chen Jin'an felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
On his way home, Chen Jin'an realized he was being followed. If it were before, he would have detected it much earlier. Today, he had been preoccupied with his thoughts, his attention divided, which prevented him from noticing.
This feeling was undeniable.
Chen Jin'an's heart stirred, and he quickened his pace into an alley.
The person behind him also quickened their pace to follow, but at a turn, they suddenly lost sight of Chen Jin'an, much to their frustration.
Just then.
Chen Jin'an appeared behind the pursuer.
"Excuse me, Madam."
"You've been following me all the way from the sanatorium. Isn't that a bit much?"