The sound of military boots hitting the ground drew two steps closer.
That person's gaze fell upon Feng Liwei's wrist, which was still trembling slightly.
His tone was emotionless, yet it made the air solidify: "Feng Liwei, you just asked, 'What are the consequences for striking someone?' Now, tell me yourself, what should the consequences be?"
Feng Liwei's Adam's apple bobbed. Cold sweat dripped from his chin onto his uniform collar, and he couldn't even utter a complete sentence.
Although he didn't hold any real power, his position was still significant.
"This, I... I was confused for a moment, please, you must forgive me..."
"Confused??" The General interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Anning, who was huddled to the side, his brows slightly furrowed. "This is a place for defending our country. Elder Zhao was injured serving the nation. Wearing this uniform, how dare you say such things and deliberately make trouble for him? Did you learn all those years of discipline for nothing? Do you treat the rules here as mere decoration?"
After speaking, he deliberately turned to Jiang Cheng and asked, "What punishment do you think is appropriate?"
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng shrugged: "My demand is very simple: ensure these retired veterans receive the respect and living space they deserve. As for him, I don't know your rules here, so you decide."
Hearing this reply, that person also let out a sigh of relief.
He gave Jiang Cheng face, and Jiang Cheng clearly returned the favor.
After nodding, he looked up at the orderly who had followed him in.
His voice was firm and resonant: "Notify the Disciplinary Department to immediately verify Feng Liwei's recent work conduct, especially checking for any other instances of abuse of power. Furthermore, effective immediately, suspend his duties, send him back to the dormitory for self-reflection, and have him write a five-thousand-word self-criticism report to be submitted to me in three days."
"Yes, sir!" The orderly responded, taking out his communication device to make the call.
Zhao Anning, standing nearby, didn't react as quickly as Feng Liwei.
It wasn't until that person asked for Jiang Cheng's opinion that he finally started to process what was happening.
He stared at Jiang Cheng, his eyes wide with confusion.
Why would he ask Jiang Cheng how to handle this kind of disciplinary issue?
As a retired veteran, how could he not know how serious their profession was?
Punishments were certainly no laughing matter.
Zhao Anning didn't believe that person wouldn't know this.
Yet, he had opened his mouth and asked Jiang Cheng.
Moreover, his expression when asking was clearly serious, not just casual conversation.
Zhao Anning also noticed that from the moment that person appeared, everyone present, including himself, had been extremely serious and respectful.
But Jiang Cheng's attitude hadn't changed at all; he was even somewhat casual.
Where was the apprehension expected of a junior meeting a high-ranking official?
It was more like a normal conversation between acquaintances.
What made his throat tighten even more was that the General wasn't angry; instead, he smiled and responded, displaying a warmth in his eyes that was far beyond what one would show a mere junior.
And now he was even asking for Jiang Cheng's opinion.
At first, Zhao Anning had thought it was just youthful arrogance...
Even when Jiang Cheng had slapped Feng Liwei just now, he truly believed Jiang Cheng was just from a family running a small business, and he had even worried about implicating Jiang Cheng because of himself.
But now it seemed he had been overthinking things.
Given that person's attitude toward Jiang Cheng, it was no wonder Jiang Cheng dared to challenge Feng Liwei and strike him directly.
He wasn't some "youngster who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth" at all; the weight of his backing was enough that even a General had to show him respect.
At this moment, Zhao Anning didn't feel deceived by Jiang Cheng in the slightest.
In fact, he felt that Jiang Cheng, this young man, was truly kind.
It was understandable that someone of his status would deliberately lie about being from an ordinary family just to put him at ease.
Feng Liwei was already terrified into a stupor, his mind filled with the question of who this young man in front of him was.
How could he have caused this person, who never took sides, to openly issue such a heavy punishment against him?
At first glance, suspension pending investigation didn't sound serious.
But this clearly cut off his path to promotion here.
However, since the punishment had already been pronounced, Feng Liwei knew that no amount of pleading would be useful now.
Clutching his wrist, he was so filled with regret that his insides felt green, yet he didn't even have the courage to look up, only allowing the cold sweat to soak his uniform back into a dark color.
He lowered his head and silently accepted the punishment, while secretly engraving Jiang Cheng's face into his memory.
After dismissing Feng Liwei, the General looked at Zhao Anning, his tone significantly softer: "Elder, I apologize for frightening you just now. I will have someone inform you of the final outcome regarding Feng Liwei's handling. No one here will dare to make trouble for you at work again."
Zhao Anning still hadn't recovered from the shock, and the hand clutching his apron was trembling.
After glancing at the General, he looked deeply at Jiang Cheng again: "Th-thank you, General... and thank you, Jiang... thank you, Xiao Cheng."
"Elder Zhao, how many times do I have to tell you, there's no need to thank me."
Seeing the atmosphere relax, the General turned sideways and extended an invitation to Jiang Cheng: "I just finished setting up a new tearoom next door. Why don't you and Elder Zhao come up with me for a bit and have a cup of freshly brewed Pre-Qingming Tea?"
Noticing Zhao Anning was visibly nervous, Jiang Cheng waved his hand in refusal.
"I already have lunch plans with a friend, and if I delay any longer, they'll get anxious waiting." After saying this, Jiang Cheng added, "How about I find you tomorrow? We can properly discuss the Art of Tea then."
Hearing this, he shook his head helplessly: "Tomorrow probably won't work. I have to go back to my grandfather's hometown. The day after tomorrow is Qingming Festival, and I have to perform ancestral rites for the elder."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng made a gesture of sudden realization.
As a traditional festival in Huaxia, every year he returns to his hometown to commemorate the local heroes alongside a group of regional magnates.
Naturally, his grandfather is the most attention-grabbing figure among them.
Not only will he be accompanied by the magnates, but photography will also be arranged.
"Oh, right, you go back every year, don't you?" Jiang Cheng realized, immediately showing a look of understanding. "This is indeed a major event; ancestral rites absolutely cannot be delayed. Please send my regards to your grandfather."
The other party chuckled: "Of course, I'll tell my grandfather. You haven't graduated yet, are you also returning for the rites?"
"That's right, there's no helping it. Even if I'm busy, I have to come back for a festival like this, right?"
"When I get back from my hometown, you absolutely must come find me for tea. We can have a good chat then."
Jiang Cheng immediately agreed: "Definitely. I'll find you the moment you return."
After exchanging a few more simple pleasantries and saying a few words to Zhao Anning, the group bid each other farewell.
After they walked out the main gate, Chen Ping, who was behind him, finally spoke, his tone carrying some apology: "Young Master Jiang, today's incident is all my fault. I didn't arrange things properly beforehand and let Feng Liwei upset you. I truly apologize."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng stopped, turned sideways, and patted his shoulder, his tone relaxed and completely unconcerned: "Why say all that? It was just a small matter."
As the saying goes, when you beat a dog, you look at its owner.
At first, Jiang Cheng ignored it only because he wanted to see how Chen Ping would handle it.
If he had truly been bullied, could he have remained silent?
Seeing that Jiang Cheng wasn't angry, a hint of gratitude appeared on Chen Ping's face.
"Your bugatti has been driven over and is parked just around the corner ahead."
Jiang Cheng nodded: "Let's go then. I won't be returning for lunch..."
"Understood, Young Master Jiang."