Chapter 132: Pride That Doesn't Need To Be Showcased

  This was the most enjoyable afternoon Kong Tianci had ever spent since he was born. He finally clearly knew why his father worked hard day and night every day for what.

  Who would have thought spending money could be so enjoyable?

  In the past, Kong Tianci thought it was pretty good to be a young rich second generation. He had some small money, enjoyed eating, drinking and having fun, had a little face in this city, didn't need to struggle too much, and when he got tired of playing, he would work under his father's hands, living a comfortable life.

  He knew that without money, it wouldn't work, but he had never found this kind of confidence on the notes. After coming out of KTV, he handed over a half-empty bag to Zhang Shidong and said with a certain determination: "I will return this money to you at the fastest speed."

  Zhang Shidong was stunned for a moment, never expecting that his support for him would lead to the awakening of a man.

  He first discovered that for some people, banknotes are not used to slap in the face, nor are they used to corrupt one's will, nor are they seen as a corrupting influence by moralists, but rather a kind of power, a stimulating force that drives you to strive upwards.

  Kong Tianci didn't have much ambition and never thought of achieving great things, but today facing all this, he suddenly realized he was wrong, it's time to have dreams, it's time to strive, finally there is a goal.

  Originally making money wasn't a numbers game, nor was it about getting more material things than others, but also spirit, dreams and a sense of accomplishment.

  It turns out that I can still stand at such a high altitude and have such confidence.

  My efforts, my success. Can still bring me such a thrill.

  Kong Tianxi changed and spent the whole New Year exceptionally lively, actively contacting all people who could provide all kinds of information, receiving this information, enriching the content of his brain.

  The Kong family's New Year was also unusual. With distant relatives in the deep mountains, news of what had happened before the New Year had spread throughout the city, and all kinds of relatives and friends came one after another on the first day of the Lunar New Year, until the sixth day, there were no breaks in the stream of guests.

  Zhang Shidong also learned from Kong Tianxi the joy of having. These are all deserved after hard work and effort, without those years of struggling to survive, where would today's capital come from to show off one's wealth?

  On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhang Shidong, who was building a small ice rink in the courtyard with his eldest son, received a phone call. At the same time, Su Xixi, who was strolling around the street with Kong Mei, also received a phone call with the same content.

  "Good boy, play by yourself." Zhang Shidong handed the spinning top and whip to Da Bao, who could no longer hold back his excitement, and went inside to bid farewell to his grandparents.

  "Dad, I'm leaving."

  Zhang Jun patted his son's shoulder: "What we already have is more than enough."

  I am contented. You don't have to go all out just to get more.

  Zhang Shidong smiled and said, "It's nothing, just going out to play for a few days. Can't help but miss wrapping dumplings with you all on the fifth day of the fifth month."

  Zhang Shidong walked out of the hospital gate with a solemn expression and ignored the shepherd who was parked beside him, walking straight to the leisure square dozens of meters away.

  On the other side, Kong Mei drove to send Su Xixi back, and Lao Dao emerged from the alley of the building group, almost arriving at the square at the same time.

  The rolled-up snow scattered around the square, several police cars dispersed the crowd nearby, and an armed helicopter slowly descended. The propeller was still spinning rapidly, bringing up the airflow that rolled up the accumulated snow on the edge of the square, and the snowy fog flew everywhere.

  Kong Mei and several other women of the Kong family were stunned, as were Old Master Kong and Zhang Jun, who stood in the courtyard, gazing from a distance. The guests who were visiting the Kong family at this moment stared with their eyes wide open, revealing an expression of incredulity.

  What kind of person is worth mobilizing an armed helicopter to pick up, and what kind of person can make a lieutenant colonel salute first?

  Until the helicopter took off and left. Zhang Jun, Kong Mei and others were still in a state of shock, staring blankly at the empty square for a long time. Old man Kong Jiefang was the first to come back to his senses, revealing an extremely relieved and radiant smile: "Let's go, Zhang Jun. There are some things you should tell this old man about."

  Zhang Jun flashed a hint of apology: "Dad, it's not intentional concealment, I also don't know much, Xiao Dong is doing very well in the army, not just generally good, far exceeding my expectations for him."

  No interest in playing mahjong, no enthusiasm for playing poker, no gossiping, and no more strolling around. The whole family sat together, waiting for Zhang Jun's answer.

  Zhang Jun rolled up his sleeves and pointed to the wrist area of one arm and the forearm area of the other arm, saying: "Xiao Dong has injuries on his body, gunshot wounds, XM8, a type of gun that is not available domestically, foreign military, combat abroad. I never thought that after six years in the army, he could be transformed so thoroughly. Every old soldier who lives on the battlefield for a long time will develop a kind of "old soldier syndrome". I used to think that he retired from the army because of this disease. I was worried that when he came back, he would not be able to adapt to urban life. At first, he indeed had such a state, his way of walking, dressing and sleeping habits were all stiff, and the amazing acupuncture technique was learned in the army. Later, after contacting some girls, I found that he became more and more normal, and I finally put my mind at ease..."

  Zhang Jun told everything he knew, Kong Mei understood that it was a good thing to get it all out, and Zhang Yiying, as his sister, had no idea at all. She covered her mouth with one hand, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. She felt deeply guilty, living under the same roof, yet having no knowledge of what had been happening to her brother.

  "Recently, Xiaodong has been helping the public security and armed police departments to train elites. I guess something might have happened on that side, but everyone knows it's okay, no need to worry too much. You all saw it, no matter what happens, he is still our child."

  If it's said that Zhang Shidong and Zhang Jun brought power to this family that made everyone feel proud, then the shock he personally brings to everyone today is a soul-stirring one. It turns out we can still be so proud of someone like him, a pride that doesn't need to be shown off, but can be felt deeply in our hearts. No matter how others talk about their own success or show off their status, they are all so insignificant compared to the pride brought by Zhang Shidong.

  He may not have much money, he may not have a high status, and he may not be an elite graduate of a famous university, but Zhang Shidong has taken a very different path.

  You, in the midst of prosperity, how can you be so oblivious? The peaceful world you live in, everything you own, was won by a small group of people who fought with blood and fire. They took on the responsibility of defending their homes and creating a harmonious society. Perhaps, amidst the hustle and bustle of the streets, when you and your family are happily celebrating the new year, they are struggling in a harsh environment for a noble goal. When you see a soldier in uniform standing in front of expensive goods at a high-end mall, hesitant to make a purchase, don't look at them with scornful eyes. For some of them, their life is worth less than what you spend on a trip abroad.

  But they still stand in the place where their motherland needs them most.

  With life, with blood, with youth, with pain, with fatigue, with loneliness, with solitude, with dryness... defending the things that have been forgotten by most people, defending that red five-star flag fluttering in the world.

  ……………

  The helicopter flew directly into the city of Linhu and landed in a vacant lot at the Provincial Party Committee's usual venue, which was extremely mysterious to ordinary people.

  Several big shots from the provincial ranking list arrived one after another. The entire Standing Committee was fully sealed off from inside to outside. From the outside, no changes could be seen, but internally, all had been replaced with special police and Pingjiang training base personnel. Virus personally led the team, searching for clues near the residence of Provincial Party Secretary Ai Yuejin. Except for the Governor who entered the courtyard, the rest of the big shots were blocked outside, either sitting in their cars or waiting for news in their own courtyards.

  Beihai is not an economically large province, but it is an important industrial base and grain reserve warehouse in Northeast China. The helmsman of the province suddenly fainted at home. When the medical team entered the courtyard to move him to the ambulance to rush to the hospital, another major event occurred at the same location. In the small building where Ai Yuejin lived, in the room of Ai Secretary's daughter, a super-high-difficulty thunder array appeared, which made the Provincial Hall and the Armed Police Corps helpless. Moreover, Ai Ai, a well-known host and Ai Secretary's daughter, was in the room, with enough explosives tied to her body to flatten the small building, and on Ai Ai's body, there was also a note that read: "Don't move, or it will explode, don't move, or you will die."

  Moved to explode good understanding, moved to die...

  Lin Ziqiang, who arrived at the scene in no time, immediately stopped the doctor. He turned his eyes and directly brought over the virus. Some top doctors from the province also arrived at the scene. More than an hour passed without any results, only confirming it was a toxin. They should have started treatment right away instead of stopping here.

  Lin Ziqiang insisted on waiting for the virus's arrival, and he had been waiting for more than an hour without a difference of twenty minutes.

  For twenty minutes, Lin Ziqiang endured immense pressure, under the gaze of countless eyes, nervously waiting for the virus to arrive, fearing that his judgment was wrong.

  Twenty minutes later, Lin Ziqiang became a hero. The virus came five minutes later and said a sentence: "No one moves him, if he doesn't move, there are still several hours left, if he moves, he will die within five minutes, go find Brother Dong back."

  Lin Ziqiang's back was now soaked through as he sat on the steps at the entrance. The people around him had all been evacuated. The helmsman of a province had been poisoned and a powerful minefield had been laid out in the provincial party committee compound. What did this mean? It was a challenge to the entire country. Ten or more minutes after the incident, the preliminary investigation results were placed on the desk of the highest leadership group.

  Zhang Shidong and Su Xixi, Lao Dao got off the helicopter, Lin Ziqiang was surrounded by the virus.

  Zhang Shidong suddenly turned his head and looked at a small building not far away. There were two pairs of eyes staring at him.

  Lin Ziqiang said in a low voice, "That is Governor Deng's home."

  Zhang Shidong nodded.

  "Brother Dong, it's not a domestic virus. I'm not sure about that thunder array, and as for the poison, I couldn't see it."

  Zhang Shidong glanced at the small building: "You're idle and have nothing to do, go and dig out that turtle grandson Tang Zhongle."