No one caught the words, but the change in his expression was unmistakable.
He Guangsheng immediately noticed. His brows furrowed slightly as he asked, "Political Commissar Sun, what is the matter? You do not look well. Is something wrong?"
At once, both Gu Zhenhua and Li Guoqiang rose to their feet out of habit, standing straight in quiet attention.
Lee Leiwah, who had followed in after closing the door, also sensed something amiss. "Political Commissar Sun…" she began, concern evident in her tone, but seeing the peculiar look on his face, she did not continue.
Sun Zhigang, however, seemed to have lost awareness of his surroundings. His gaze remained fixed on Li Guoqiang, sharp and unyielding.
"What are you doing here?" he asked abruptly.
Li Guoqiang was taken aback. He instinctively glanced around, wondering if the question had been directed at someone else. But when he realized that Sun Zhigang was indeed staring at him, he pointed to himself, confusion plain on his face.
"Me?"
Sun Zhigang's expression hardened, his tone turning cold.
"Yes, you. How could you be here in the regimental commander's residence? You are merely a squad leader."
The words fell heavily into the room.
A faint, awkward silence followed.
Li Guoqiang stood there, utterly perplexed. He had no recollection of ever interacting with the political commissar in any significant way, nor could he understand the hostility directed toward him.
After all, one was a political commissar an authority figure within the regiment while the other was but a squad leader. Their paths should scarcely cross.
Sensing the tension, He Guangsheng spoke calmly, though there was a subtle firmness beneath his tone.
"Political Commissar Sun, Comrade Li is my guest. I was the one who invited him, is anything wrong with that?"
Sun Zhigang seemed to start slightly, as if pulled back from his thoughts. He let out a short, forced laugh and waved a hand dismissively.
"No, no… nothing of the sort. I only came to see Comrade Gu. I simply did not expect Squad Leader Li to be present."
He Guangsheng studied him for a brief moment, then nodded.
"This dinner was originally arranged for Squad Leader Li," he explained evenly. "Later, I invited Deputy Company Commander Gu as well, since he will be departing for his assignment tonight. It so happens that the two of them are already acquainted."
"A… acquainted?" Sun Zhigang repeated, his voice faltering ever so slightly.
His face grew even paler.
"How could that be? Comrade Gu and Squad Leader Li… their positions are far apart. How would they come to know one another?"
Now, the atmosphere had truly become uncomfortable.
Even those less perceptive like Li Jianguo and Li Jianmin could sense that something was off.
He Guangsheng's gaze sharpened slightly, though his tone remained casual.
"You seem to take a particular interest in Squad Leader Li, Political Commissar Sun. Are you perhaps more familiar with him than you let on?"
Sun Zhigang immediately shook his head, too quickly.
"No, no. I merely know of him… He is, after all, a good soldier."
He Guangsheng let out a soft chuckle.
"Indeed, he is."
His eyes shifted briefly toward Li Guoqiang, carrying a note of approval.
"I have recently reviewed his records," he continued. "His mission success rate is remarkably high."
Li Guoqiang lowered his gaze slightly, a modest smile forming on his lips.
"You give me too much credit, Commander He. I have only done what is expected of me."
He Guangsheng shook his head.
"Modesty is a virtue, but it cannot conceal merit," he said with quiet authority. "When I examined your file, even I was taken aback."
He paused briefly, his expression turning thoughtful.
"To keep a man of your caliber confined to the position of squad leader for so long…" he added slowly, "is hardly justifiable. By all accounts, you should have been promoted long ago."
A faint edge entered his voice.
"It seems there has been a considerable oversight in management, one that failed to recognize your contributions in time."
Then, he turned his gaze toward Sun Zhigang.
"Wouldn't you agree, Political Commissar Sun?"
Sun Zhigang hesitated for a brief moment, as though weighing his words with unusual care. Then he drew in a slow breath, forcing a composed smile onto his face.
"Commander He is absolutely right," he said evenly. "There are indeed many capable soldiers within the unit who continue to serve at lower ranks. However, with limited positions available for promotion, it becomes difficult to advance every deserving individual in a timely manner."
His tone was measured, his reasoning sound, yet something about it felt… off.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but those present could not help sensing an undercurrent that did not sit quite right.
Li Guoqiang, in particular, felt it keenly.
Though he maintained his usual calm exterior, a faint unease stirred within him. He searched his memory, turning over every possible encounter but found nothing. There had never been any real interaction between him and Sun Zhigang, let alone an incident that could give rise to such thinly veiled hostility.
Strange, he thought.
He Guangsheng did not dwell on it outwardly. Instead, he gestured lightly toward the dining table and said in a composed tone, "Political Commissar Sun, since you are already here, please join us for dinner. We were just about to begin."
He then glanced toward Gu Zhenhua and added with a faint smile, "Whatever matter you wish to discuss with Deputy Company Commander Gu can be attended to afterward."
It was a polite invitation, Sun Zhigang, however, felt a tightening in his chest. Under ordinary circumstances, he might have declined. But now….
He faintly glanced at Li Guoqiang and immediately said to He Guangsheng, "Then I shall trouble you, Commander He."
As he stepped closer, his gaze swept across the room and came to rest on the three children. His expression neutral. "And these young comrades…?"
Li Guoqiang immediately spoke, his tone respectful.
"They are my children, Political Commissar Sun. This is Li Jianguo, this is Li Jianmin and this is my daughter, Li Shuying."
For a fleeting moment, the smile on Sun Zhigang's face faltered, "oh..." He replied half heartedly.
His gaze lingered on the children, but when it settled upon Li Shuying, something in his expression shifted, subtle, yet unmistakably colder.
Li Shuying felt it instantly.
A faint chill crept up her spine, though her face remained composed. Ever since Sun Zhigang had entered the house, an inexplicable unease had taken root in her heart. His reaction to her father, his words, his manner, it all felt wrong.
There was also something else.
A strange sense of familiarity.
Have I seen him before? she wondered.
A fragment of memory flickered at the edge of her mind distant, blurred, belonging to her privious life, but no matter how she reached for it, it refused to take shape.
She lowered her gaze slightly, concealing the thought.
At that moment, He Guangsheng spoke again, breaking the subtle tension.
"Come, let us not stand any longer. The meal will grow cold."
No one objected.
They moved toward the table together.
The dishes laid out were not extravagant by any means, yet in those times, they could only be described as abundant. The aroma alone carried a warmth that filled the room.
There was braised pork, stir-fried eggs, coarse buns, egg and vegetable soup and sweet potatoes.
Li Jianguo's eyes lit up at the sight, unable to hide his excitement.
Li Shuying, however, smiled gently, her tone modest and sincere. "Uncle He, Aunt Lee, you have put in so much effort for this meal."
Lee Leiwah looked at her with clear fondness and shook her head.
"Little Shuying, this is nothing compared to what you have done for our family. Do not be so restrained eat well, and eat your fill."
He Guangsheng nodded in agreement. Taking up his chopsticks, he personally placed generous portions of braised pork into the bowls of Li Guoqiang and his children.
"Yes, yes eat as much as you like," he said with a faint chuckle. "And be sure to tell your Aunt Lee how it tastes. She enjoys cooking, but what she enjoys even more is hearing others appreciate her dishes."
Lee Leiwah let out a soft laugh, her earlier heaviness now replaced by a gentle ease.
Li Shuying smiled, her eyes bright.
"It looks both delicious and tempting," she said lightly. "In that case, I will not hold back."
Li Jianmin nodded eagerly, unable to contain himself.
"It truly looks wonderful," he added. "Just like the meal we had yesterday at the state-run restaurant in the city."
His innocent comparison drew a ripple of quiet amusement across the table.
Sun Zhigang watched the exchange across the table with a faint, restrained smile, though his thoughts were anything but calm.
Uncle… Aunt…
The words echoed unpleasantly in his mind.
They spoke with such ease, such familiarity as though the distance between a regimental commander's household and that of an ordinary squad leader had never existed at all. It was… very unsettling to him.
Just how close have they become? he wondered, a flicker of irritation rising within him.
The more he observed, the more uncomfortable he felt.
He attempted, once or twice, to insert himself into the conversation, but each effort faltered after a sentence or two. His words found no footing; his presence, though acknowledged, seemed to carry little weight in the warmth that filled the room.
And what troubled him most—
Was He Guangsheng's attitude toward Li Guoqiang.
It was not merely politeness.
It was regard.
That realization sent a faint unease creeping through his chest.
Across the table, Lee Leiwah's attention shifted. She noticed that Li Jianguo, seated quietly among the others, had spoken little from the start. His chopsticks moved steadily, but his silence stood in contrast to the growing ease of his siblings.
She smiled gently and addressed him, her tone warm.
"Little Jianguo, is the food not to your liking?"
At once, the others turned toward him.
Caught off guard, Li Jianguo stiffened slightly, a hint of awkwardness crossing his face. He quickly shook his head.
"No, Aunt Lee, nothing like that. The food is… very delicious."
Lee Leiwah's smile deepened with quiet affection.
"Then you must eat more," she said, ladling another portion of soup into his bowl. "Growing children should not be so restrained."
He Guangsheng also glanced toward the boy, his usually stern features softening just a fraction.
"That is right," he added in a steady yet encouraging tone. "A young man should be lively like your siblings. Eat well, speak freely. This is not the parade ground; there is no need for such reserve at the table."
A faint ripple of warmth passed through the group.
Li Jianguo nodded, still a little shy, but his posture eased ever so slightly.
At that moment, Sun Zhigang lowered his gaze to his own bowl.
It was nearly empty.
Then, almost involuntarily, his eyes lifted again toward the others.
Toward the way He Guangsheng and Lee Leiwah attended personally to Li Guoqiang and his children. Toward the extra servings, the gentle words, the unmistakable care.
Something sharp twisted within him.
What right does he have? he thought bitterly. He is merely a squad leader… and yet…
His fingers tightened slightly around his chopsticks.
Then, forcing a smile onto his face he spoke. "Yes, yes, you should all eat more," he said, his tone light, almost jocular. "After all, such a lavish meal… is not something you would often find back in your village."
He let out a soft chuckle, as though he had made an innocent remark.
But the effect was immediate. One by one, gazes turned toward him. Li Guoqiang's hand paused mid-motion. Even Gu Zhenhua's gaze sharpened slightly.
And then He Guangsheng set down his chopsticks. The sound, though quiet, carried an unmistakable weight.
When he spoke, his voice was calm but beneath it lay a cold authority that pressed heavily upon the room.
"Political Commissar Sun," he said slowly, each word measured, "what exactly do you mean by that remark? How can you speak in such a manner to children? And more importantly… to my guests, seated at my table?"
The air grew tense.
Sun Zhigang sensed at once that his words had struck a nerve. Yet instead of retreating, he leaned forward slightly, forcing a conciliatory tone into his voice.
"Commander He, you misunderstand me," he said with a faint, practiced smile. "I meant no offense. I was merely stating a reality. In times like these, with shortages everywhere, how many people can afford to eat meat and eggs so freely? Especially in the villages."
He Guangsheng's gaze turned cold.
"Reality?" he repeated, his voice low, edged with restrained displeasure. "Reality does not require you to belittle others at my table. A soldier speaks with discipline, even more so when addressing civilians, and children at that."
The rebuke was clear.
Yet Sun Zhigang, perhaps emboldened by habit or by something deeper stirring within him, did not withdraw.
Instead, he let out a small, dismissive chuckle.
"Commander He, there is truly no need to take it so seriously," he said lightly. "What I said is neither false nor excessive. You may even ask these children yourself, when was the last time they had meat? It is quite normal for rural children to struggle even to fill their stomachs, let alone enjoy such dishes."
His gaze shifted, deliberately, toward Li Guoqiang.
"Isn't that so, Squad Leader Li?" he added. "In fact, you should pack some food to take back with you later. I am sure your children would be delighted."
The implication was unmistakable.
At the table, Li Jianmin's grip tightened around his chopsticks.
A flicker of anger rose in his chest, hot and immediate. He knew well the man's rank, knew the weight of authority that stood before them, but the condescension in those words was difficult to swallow.
He drew in a breath, forcing himself to remain composed.
"Political Commissar Sun, it is not as though we have never eaten meat. In fact, just yesterday, Father took us to a state-run high grand restaurant in the city. We had meat and many different dishes."
For a brief moment, Sun Zhigang was taken aback. Then a slow smirk formed at the corner of his lips.
He turned his head deliberately toward Li Guoqiang, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"Squad Leader Li," he said, his tone almost curious, "you took your children to a state-run high grand restaurant?"
Then, as though struck by a thought, he turned toward He Guangsheng.
"Commander He, you are aware of the prices at such establishments, are you not? A single dish can cost anywhere from two to six yuan. For a meal for four… it could easily amount to fifty yuan or more."
He paused, letting the number settle heavily in the air.
Then, feigning puzzlement, he continued,
"But if I recall correctly, Squad Leader Li's monthly allowance is only around twenty-five yuan."
His brows lifted slightly.
"So… does that mean he spent nearly two months' worth of salary in a single outing? Oh... but then," he added, as if suddenly enlightened, "what of your family? Your parents? Your wife? Did you not send money home this month?"
His tone sharpened subtly.
"Would that not run contrary to the ethical spirit expected of a soldier?"
Li Guoqiang's expression hardened.
He set his chopsticks down with quiet deliberation and spoke, his voice steady, respectful, but firm.
"Political Commissar Sun, you misunderstand. I send money home regularly. As for yesterday's expenses..."
But before he could finish, Sun Zhigang cut him off smoothly.
"You send money home… and still spend so lavishly?" he pressed. "Then where does the surplus come from?"
His eyes flicked over the table, then toward the children.
"Even if one sets aside a small amount for personal use, there are still daily expenses. Your children's education…"
His gaze settled pointedly on their attire. "And these," he continued, his voice laced with insinuation. "New clothes. New shoes. That is no small expense either."
He leaned back slightly, as though drawing a conclusion.
"This… does not appear to be the spending of an ordinary squad leader."
A faint, cold smile touched his lips.
"Even I, as a political commissar," he added, "would hesitate to be so extravagant with my expenditures."
Gu Zhenhua, who had remained silent thus far, finally said in a low, even tone "Political Commissar Sun, what exactly do you mean by your words?"
Sun Zhigang turned toward him, as though weighing his response. He sighed, his brows knitting together in feigned reluctance.
"Commander Gu… I do not wish to speak rashly," he began, his tone measured. "But with so many indications before us, I believe… Squad Leader Li should be investigated."
The words fell.
And with them... silence.
A soft gasp escaped Lee Leiwah's lips as she instinctively turned to look at her husband.
He Guangsheng rose abruptly to his feet. His palm struck the table with a force that made the bowls tremble. "Political Commissar Sun!" His voice rang out, no longer restrained. "How dare you?"
The authority in his tone was no longer veiled, it was absolute and unmistakably furious.
"How dare you make such accusations so casually here, before a man's own children?" he continued, his gaze burning. "You have served in the army for nearly twenty years. Is this the discipline you have learned? To throw around allegations over something as trivial as a meal and a set of clothes?"
Sun Zhigang's expression tightened. A flicker of offense crossed his face, and he too rose from his seat, unwilling to yield under pressure. "Commander He, I am not making baseless claims."
His eyes shifted toward Li Guoqiang, cold and pointed.
"If these matters are as trivial as you suggest," he pressed, "then why has Squad Leader Li not properly explained himself?"
Then, turning fully toward Li Guoqiang, his tone sharpened.
"Tell me, have I said anything incorrect?"
He did not wait for an answer.
"I have already made inquiries," he continued, his voice gaining force. "You brought a batch of apples into the unit then sold them to the logistics department at an exorbitant price. Afterward you circulated tumors that those apples possessed some… 'special' effects."
His lips curled slightly.
"Are you aware of what that implies? Spreading feudal superstition within a military unit?"
The accusation struck like a blade.
"And profiteering, as well," he added, his gaze narrowing. "Using your position as a soldier to conduct private dealings who knows what else you may have done under the guise of duty?"
For a heartbeat everything was still.
Then...
Something in Li Guoqiang snapped.
The restraint he had maintained until now shattered.
He rose sharply, the chair scraping harshly against the floor, "Enough Political Commissar Sun!" he thundered, his voice ringing through the room like a crack of steel.
His eyes, usually steady and composed, now burned with a restrained fury that was impossible to ignore.