“Captain Zhou, is this our last mission?”

Zhou Cheng recalled Shi Kai’s question.

This truly became Shi Kai’s final mission, and he would no longer go on missions either.

Learning of Shi Kai’s death, all the trainees fell silent. No bond runs deeper than that forged in combat. “Fighting side by side” created a life-and-death relationship, and now Shi Kai had given his life for him.

Everyone said it wasn’t Zhou Cheng’s fault.

But Zhou Cheng knew the smuggler had pulled the grenade partly out of revenge against him.

And Shi Kai had taken that revenge, pushing him away!

Was it foolish?

No, it was their brotherhood – because he had once saved Shi Kai too, and now Shi Kai had repaid him with his life.

“Captain, our mission isn’t finished.”

“Zhou Cheng, I know Comrade Shi Kai’s sacrifice grieves you deeply, but when a mission ends, you must follow orders!”

Zhou Cheng remained silent.

His throat burned severely.

This was undoubtedly a near-perfect anti-smuggling operation, with seized goods worth even more than their first operation in Min Province. If Shi Kai hadn’t died, the Land Academy’s practical training mission would have concluded perfectly.

Now with Shi Kai’s death, Zhou Cheng and the trainees couldn’t accept it, and the academy was also troubled.

Shi Kai had been at the Land Academy for advanced training.

Everyone knew such training was an essential step for cadre promotion. It meant that once Shi Kai completed his training and returned to his original unit, he would likely have been promoted soon… Now, he would be honored as a martyr!

The practical training approach would inevitably face controversy due to Shi Kai’s sacrifice. This was why the captain wanted Zhou Cheng to follow orders – they both realized the academy might terminate the practical training program.

They had to follow orders. Zhou Cheng slammed his fist against the deck!

…

The Cheng Rong Group’s spring banquet was set for the fourth day of the New Year.

This year, without Du Zhaohui present, the second young master Du took his place, accompanying Du Chengrong to various social occasions.

The second young master was still studying, and unlike Du Zhaohui’s playboy demeanor, he had a scholarly air – a well-behaved child. Du Chengrong liked his second son, but the younger one was still young and hadn’t shown any exceptional abilities beyond his studies.

With his gentle personality, the second young master differed from his playboy elder brother. His academic excellence brought face to Du Chengrong.

However, it was impossible for Du Chengrong to hand over the family business to him just because he studied business. Du Chengrong worried his second son was too soft!

The eldest was fierce, the second soft – Du Chengrong now favored Du Zhaohui, preferring to raise a wolf rather than a sheep.

The second and fourth families were pleased – one son accompanied social occasions while Liu Kexing’s brother Liu Tianquan gained important responsibilities. The third family was suffocating, helpless with children too young to rely on and no helper like Liu Tianquan.

That little vixen was indeed cunning. Though the last to join the family, she had become the most favored person in the Du household after Du Zhaohui.

The crafty Liu Kexing held a nominal position in the group. Though beautifully dressed, she didn’t fight for position at Du Chengrong’s side. With Liu Tianquan’s elevated status, people naturally came to flatter the Fourth Madam. Liu Kexing didn’t need to compete with the second young master for attention.

After the social occasions, the siblings finally had time to meet. Liu Kexing wore a dazzling diamond necklace, a recent gift from Du Chengrong.

“Brother, be careful. That wolf cub Du Zhaohui didn’t even come home for New Year’s this time. He usually never gives up such opportunities to others. It’s rare this year, letting Second Brother take the lead.”

Liu Tianquan had drunk considerably, his face red but the mind still clear:

“You fear he’s plotting something? If he tries anything underhanded, he won’t get away with it.”

Did Du Zhaohui want to completely distance himself? Liu Tianquan wouldn’t let that happen. He was also wary of the Du family abandoning him after crossing the river. When he first took over the smuggling business, he’d been ecstatic for a while, but after finally calming down, he realized something was amiss.

Would Du Chengrong hand over the entire smuggling operation to him?

A windfall from heaven might be poisoned – whether to take it or not, the previous Liu Tianquan wouldn’t have hesitated.

Because the previous Liu Tianquan had nothing to lose.

Now it was different. Helping Liu Kexing fight for family assets would benefit him greatly… but Liu Tianquan had built his fortune and needed to leave himself an escape route. If Du Zhaohui didn’t want to be involved with him, Liu Tianquan would force him to stay connected.

Outsiders didn’t know about their discord. Whether legal or illegal, it was all Cheng Rong Group business – Du Zhaohui had to cover for him.

Liu Tianquan explained the intricacies to his sister. Liu Kexing touched her necklace and sighed: “Brother, without your help, I would have been devoured by others. Only by working together can we-“

Hurried footsteps interrupted Liu Kexing’s words as someone rushed over:

“Brother Quan, something’s happened!”

The goods being traded near Peng City had been completely seized.

Liu Tianquan’s stout body swayed, “How is that possible!”

Who did it?

Was it Du Zhaohui?

Du Zhaohui hadn’t even participated in this transaction – would he sacrifice so much? This was over ten million worth of goods, and the loss was Du’s family money.

Liu Tianquan agonized for hours before telling Du Chengrong after the spring banquet. He expected Du Chengrong to explode in anger, but surprisingly, Du Chengrong wasn’t as angry as imagined: “The business was handed to you, so you’re in charge. These losses must be recovered elsewhere… Don’t come to apologize now, go investigate who might be targeting us.”

Du Chengrong didn’t care about the process, only the results.

Whatever profit existed before giving it to Liu Tianquan, he didn’t need to expand the business scale, but at least maintain the original profits.

Couldn’t maintain it?

Then he lacked ability.

Whether to let Liu Tianquan continue managing was one thing, but taking advantage of the Du family wasn’t so easy. Liu Tianquan understood Du Chengrong’s meaning – if the losses were too great, he would have to cover them himself.

Over ten million?

That would strip away a third of Liu Tianquan’s assets – simple heartache couldn’t describe it.

Liu Kexing was anxious and upset. Liu Tianquan now wanted to kill Du Zhaohui. Whether targeting the Du family or the Liu surname, who else could it be but Du Zhaohui?

…

February 23rd, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Clear skies, warm spring sunshine.

Little Wang arrived on time to pick up Tang Hong’en. Staying with the Liu family had been comfortable; Tang Hong’en had never felt a holiday pass so quickly.

He was reluctant to leave, but staying longer seemed pointless. The Liu family wouldn’t stay in the countryside much longer anyway. Xia Xiaolan was eager to return to Beijing for business, and if Tang Hong’en continued as a guest, she would feel awkward about leaving.

“Comrade Liu Fen, our next meeting will be in Beijing. I hope you take care of yourself. I’m willing to share both life’s difficulties and career challenges with you.”

“Mayor Tang-“

“No need to see me off further. Thank you for your generous hospitality. This Spring Festival will be hard to forget.”

Tang Hong’en said all the pleasantries himself, and Liu Fen knew she hadn’t guessed wrong – the mayor hadn’t given up his unrealistic thoughts!