Li Guoqiang's restraint finally gave way and the warmth that usually tempered his demeanor vanished entirely, replaced by a cold, commanding presence forged through years of discipline and hardship.
"You may say what you will about me," he said, his voice low but carrying a weight that pressed upon the room. "You may question my actions, even my judgment. But do not..." his gaze hardened like tempered steel, "...do not speak of my integrity in front of my children."
A faint pause followed, heavy with meaning.
"That, is the line you are crossing, Political Commissar Sun." his eyes were bloodshot.
Sun Zhigang let out a short, derisive laugh, his lips curling into a sneer.
"Your line?" he repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. "Then answer me plainly, were you not involved in profiteering?"
For a moment, Li Guoqiang said nothing.
Anger surged within him, fierce and unrelenting, but beneath it lay a thread of confusion he could not ignore. He could not understand this man's hostility. There had been no past grievances between them, no quarrels, not even a proper acquaintance. At most, they had been distant figures within the same unit, crossing paths only during assemblies or formal gatherings.
And yet, Sun Zhigang pressed forward as though driven by something personal.
Li Guoqiang's eyes darkened.
"If you call that profiteering," he said at last, his voice steady but edged with iron, "then I challenge you. Go and obtain apples of the same quality at a price lower than what I charged the logistics department."
He paused briefly, then added with a faint, cold scoff,
"No... forget the quality. Bring me any apples at all, at a lower price. And if you can do that," he declared, his tone resolute, "I will leave the unit and return to farming for the rest of my life, Political Commissar Sun."
Silence fell.
This time, it was Sun Zhigang who found himself without words.
Because he knew, in these years of scarcity, even procuring ordinary fruit was no simple matter, let alone fruit of exceptional quality.
Li Guoqiang let out a quiet scoff, the sound laced with disdain.
"Those apples were brought here by my daughter," he continued, his voice deepening with restrained emotion. "She carried them from our hometown through her own effort."
A flicker of paternal pride passed through his eyes, quickly overshadowed by anger.
"Do you mean to say her efforts hold no value? That I should have simply given them away without compensation?" His tone sharpened. "You call that profiteering? If I had chosen to sell those apples on the black market, I could have earned far more," he said. "Perhaps that would have suited you better."
His gaze did not waver.
"At least then," he added coldly, "you would not stand here, questioning my conduct as a soldier over something so trivial."
Sun Zhigang's face darkened the moment Li Guoqiang finished speaking.
"How dare you!" he roared, his voice rising sharply, echoing against the walls of the room.
His expression was no longer controlled.
"Squad Leader Li, have you forgotten your place?" he continued, his tone laced with authority and accusation. "Or have you grown so bold that you no longer recognize the difference in rank between us?"
Then, turning abruptly, he looked toward He Guangsheng, as though seeking validation.
"Commander He," he said, forcing a semblance of composure into his voice, though the anger still bled through, "tell me, was what Squad Leader Li just said appropriate? Is this the conduct expected within army?"
"In the military, discipline is paramount. Respect for hierarchy is not optional, it is the foundation upon which order stands. A subordinate speaking in such a tone to a superior, what example does that set?"
He paused briefly, then turned back to Li Guoqiang, his gaze cutting.
"You claim you do not wish your integrity to be questioned in front of your children," he said, voice dripping with irony. "Yet you find it acceptable to disregard my seniority before them?"
His lips curled slightly.
"Tell me, Squad Leader Li, is that your understanding of military conduct?"
The accusation lingered, heavy and deliberate.
Across from him, Li Guoqiang this time no longer reacted with immediate anger. Instead, his expression shifted subtly, but unmistakably. The fury in his eyes did not vanish, but it steadied, tempered by clarity. He could feel it, this was not merely a disagreement nor was it a simple matter of discipline or principle.
There was something deeper beneath Sun Zhigang's words, something personal, something deliberate. The hostility was too pointed, and he understood something wasn't right here.
A faint, knowing smile tugged at Sun Zhigang's lips as he watched Li Guoqiang fall silent.
"Squad Leader Li's righteousness…" he spoke again, his tone deceptively mild, "is rather convenient. One might almost forget… certain matters from the past."
"Do you recall," he continued, "last year's training exercise near the western ridge? There was… an error in your judgment, was there not? A delay in reporting, one that nearly cost the entire troop their lives."
"And then," he added, as though recalling an afterthought, "there were also certain… rumors circulating within the unit."
His gaze shifted, slow and intentional.
"Something about Squad Leader Li… and Company Commander Cao's daughter."
The sentence fell like a stone into still water.
The effect was immediate.
Li Guoqiang's eyes snapped toward Sun Zhigang, rage and shock surging beneath their surface like a gathering storm.
"Political Commissar Sun…!" he began, his voice low, trembling with restrained fury.
"Enough!" He Guangsheng's voice cut through the tension like thunder cracking across a clear sky. His expression no longer merely displeased but stern.
"This is neither the time nor the place for such matters," he said, his tone carrying the weight of command. "And certainly not before children."
His gaze swept across the room before settling briefly, coldly, on Sun Zhigang.
"This dinner," he continued, "was arranged by my wife to express gratitude to Squad Leader Li and his children. Yet your words have unsettled the entire gathering."
The rebuke was unmistakable.
Li Guoqiang stood where he was, unmoving.
But within him, something had already shifted.
To be questioned was one thing. A soldier could endure scrutiny, it was part of discipline, part of duty.
But to have accusations, half-truths and rumors alike laid bare before his own children…
That was another matter entirely.
His gaze flickered towards his kids.
For a moment, a trace of something deeper than anger surfaced, shame.
A bitter thought crossed his mind unbidden.
What kind of father cannot even preserve his dignity before his own children?
The weight of it pressed upon him.
After all, whether truth or rumor, such matters dragged out and displayed so openly, how humiliating must it be for them to witness?
He drew a slow breath, steadying himself with visible effort. When he spoke again, his voice had returned to restraint, though the heaviness within it could not be concealed.
"Commander He. Madam He," he said quietly, "we will take our leave. My children still need to pack. We must depart for Baicheng tonight to catch their train."
Lee Leiwah's expression shifted at once.
"Must you go so soon?" she asked softly, reluctance threading through her voice. "You have barely stayed…"
Her gaze lingered on the three siblings, filled with genuine fondness.
Before Li Guoqiang could respond, Li Shuying spoke.
"Aunt Lee," she said gently, her tone composed yet warm, "please do not worry about us. The meal was truly exquisite, each dish carried both your care and your skill. We are already full, not only in body, but in heart."
A small, sincere smile touched her lips.
"It is rare to receive such kindness. We will remember this dinner for a long time."
Her words softened the atmosphere, if only slightly.
Li Guoqiang gave a faint nod, then reached into the cloth bag he had brought. Carefully, he took out an earthen jar and held it forward with both hands.
"Commander He," he said, "this is a small token of gratitude for your hospitality. It contains oil-sealed shredded chicken, prepared by my wife. She has a fine hand in cooking. I hope it will be to your liking."
He Guangsheng looked at the jar, then at Li Guoqiang.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, understanding that no words would persuade him to stay, he gave a slight nod toward Lee Leiwah.
Lee Leiwah stepped forward and accepted the jar with both hands.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Without delay, she also turned and prepared a small parcel of sunflower seeds, roasted peanuts, and a portion of jasmine tea leaves. Returning, she placed them gently into Li Shuying's hands.
"The tea you brewed earlier was excellent," she said with a gentle smile. "Your technique holds both grace and feeling. Continue to practice, and you will only grow more refined."
Her gaze softened further, almost maternal.
"And do not forget your Aunt Lee. When you come again to visit your father, you must come and see me as well."
Li Shuying's smile was gentle and sincere. "It was truly a joy meeting you as well, Aunt Lee," she said softly. "And Don't worry, I never forget those who have shown me kindness. And you, too, must remember your promise, to return to your post when the time is right and to live your life fully."
Lee Leiwah's eyes trembled faintly at those words, a flicker of emotion passing through before her lips curved into a resolute smile. "I will," she replied.
Li Guoqiang observed the exchange in silence. A complicated expression crossed his face, relief interwoven with a trace of unease. But he did not allow himself to linger on it. Turning, he met Gu Zhenhua's gaze, both men shared a brief nod.
Li Guoqiang than straightened his posture and raised his hand in a formal military salute and without further comment, he gathered his children, and together they stepped out into the the night.
Behind them, the room fell into a heavy stillness.
Sun Zhigang stood where he was, his gaze fixed on the retreating figure of Li Guoqiang. A cold sneer curled upon his lips. He knew he had overstepped tonight. But in his mind, such things were of little consequence. To achieve one's purpose, one must be willing to stain one's hands, he thought.
He Guangsheng cast him a sidelong glance, displeasure evident in his furrowed brows. Yet he held his tongue. In the rigid hierarchy of the military unit, their ranks stood equal, neither could openly reprimand the other without consequence. Such was the delicate balance of authority in these times.
Gu Zhenhua, sensing the lingering tension, rose from his seat. "Commander He," he said calmly, "I will take my leave as well. I must catch my train."
He Guangsheng exhaled slowly, then turned toward him, his gaze steady once more. "Very well," he replied. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Regarding the matter we discussed earlier, I agree with your plan. From this moment on, I entrust you with full authority over the detachment stationed in Taonan County. All decisions there will be yours to make."
Gu Zhenhua's expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened with quiet resolve. He gave a precise military salute. "Yes, Commander."
And Without further delay, he turned and strode toward the exit, his footsteps measured and unwavering.
Sun Zhigang watched him go, his eyes flickering briefly. Then he turned back toward He Guangsheng, forcing a composed expression onto his face.
"Commander He," he began, his tone measured though lacking any true remorse, "I am aware that my actions today may have seemed excessive. However, they were necessary. You should also exercise caution, in choosing the kind of people you associate with."
There was no regret in his voice, no hint of embarrassment, only a quiet arrogance that hung heavily in the room.
He gestured toward the door. "I have a few matters to discuss with Deputy Company Commander Gu, so I shall take my leave as well."
Before departing, he turned to Lee Leiwah, offering a thin, perfunctory smile. "The dinner was well prepared, clearly made with care. It is a pity that such effort was wasted on the wrong people."
With that, he pivoted on his heel and strode out behind Gu Zhenhua.
He Guangsheng let out a long breath, the tension that had been held in his shoulders finally easing, if only slightly. He moved back to his chair and sat down heavily.
"When this man was first assigned to the unit," he said at last, his tone low, "I opposed it."
"But he was transferred directly from above," He Guangsheng continued, a faint crease forming between his brows. "There were instructions attached, vague, yet firm. I had no room to refuse."
"From the moment he arrived, he sought control. His manner has always been… forceful. At times, even unreasonable. Yet every attempt to restrain him has met with resistance."
Lee Leiwah listened in silence, though her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
"I only hope," she said softly after a pause, "that he does not make things difficult for Squad Leader Li."
He Guangsheng shook his head slowly, his gaze darkening,"He will not sit idle. A man like him does not provoke without purpose."
Lee Leiwah's brows knit together.
"Was there any prior enmity between Squad Leader Li and Political Commissar Sun?" she asked.
He Guangsheng gave a slight shake of his head.
"Not that I am aware of," he said. "In fact, I only became acquainted with Squad Leader Li this very morning. His record is exemplary, his mission success rate is nearly flawless. Over the past decade, he has accomplished more than many at his rank."
A trace of dissatisfaction entered his voice.
"Yet, despite such achievements, he has never been publicly commended. Especially not by the political department. There appears to be no official connection between the two of them whatsoever."
Lee Leiwah fell silent again, her expression thoughtful, troubled.
"No connection?" she murmured. "Then why…"
She lifted her gaze to him, her voice gaining quiet urgency.
"Why does Political Commissar Sun know so much about him? He knows Squad Leader Li is from the countryside, he knows his monthly allowance, the number of family members he supports, even about the apples he sold to the logistics department…"
"He knew about the incident during last year's training exercise… and even those baseless rumors involving Company Commander Cao's daughter."
She looked directly at her husband.
"This is no coincidence. It feels as though he has been keeping eya on Squad Leader Li."
He Guangsheng's expression gradually hardened as her words settled in his mind. Piece by piece, the pattern became impossible to ignore.
"You are right," he said quietly.
A man in his position did not believe in coincidences, only in intentions.
He leaned back slightly, his fingers interlacing as his thoughts turned rapidly.
"If this continues…" he murmured, almost to himself.
Then, as though arriving at a decision, his eyes sharpened. "I should send Squad Leader Li with Deputy Company Commander Gu as soon as possible."
Lee Leiwah looked at him, startled.
He Guangsheng's tone grew firm.
"At least away from here, he will be beyond immediate interference. Otherwise…"
He paused, his gaze turning toward the doorway through which Li Guoqiang had departed.
"…something will go wrong."