Chapter 2: Reunion

"Te... Teacher..."

Watching the elderly man in the Tang suit stride toward him, Zhang Daoran's pupils contracted sharply.

"Don't call me teacher!"

"How dare you insult a Special Scholar appointed by the Organization? You're not worthy of being my student!"

The elderly man, Director Li, was himself a Special Scholar of the Organization, the head of the Research Institute, and also the teacher of both Feng Xu and Zhang Daoran.

He walked up to Zhang Daoran, suddenly raised his hand, and slapped him hard across the face.

A resounding smack echoed through the cemetery, silencing everyone present.

Zhang Daoran stared at his teacher in disbelief, aggrieved beyond words.

He pointed at Feng Xu, stammering, "Teacher... Are you saying this good-for-nothing is a Special Scholar of the Organization?"

"How... how is that possible? He’s a traitor who betrayed the Organization!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another heavy slap landed on the other side of his face.

The burning pain stunned him.

His own teacher... had struck him for the sake of a traitor?

Not only Zhang Daoran, but everyone following behind Director Li was left speechless.

The entire cemetery was so quiet, a pin drop could be heard.

Director Li snorted coldly and barked, "The most useless one here is you!"

"You squander research funding on pleasure, and after seven years in the institute, you’ve achieved nothing!"

Sweeping his gaze across everyone present, he continued, "Feng Xu outshines every one of you here."

"Even I cannot compare to him!"

The crowd was dumbfounded.

They all knew Director Li was a proud man—what could Feng Xu possibly have done to earn such praise?

"All of you, leave!" Director Li ordered, dismissing everyone but Feng Xu.

Looking at the student who had stunned him so many times, Director Li's nose tingled, his heart heavy with emotion.

This student had sacrificed far too much for the country's scientific endeavors.

"Feng Xu, the fault is mine. Not only was I unable to restore your reputation, I failed to protect your father. I do not ask for your forgiveness, because walking this path, you must endure more than others."

"There are still remnants of Ye Nation’s spies in our country. For now, we cannot clear your name. Your return must go uncelebrated, and tomorrow at the press conference, I must publicly oppose you..."

"Then, I will announce your complete expulsion from the Research Institute—you’ll no longer be my student. If I don’t do this, your mother, still in Ye Nation..."

Director Li clenched his fists, overwhelmed by his own helplessness.

How he wished he could bear the mountain of public outrage for this young man.

But he could not; all he could do was watch as his brightest student struggled to survive in the abyss, all alone.

"I couldn't save your father, and I must not let you lose your mother!"

"So, for tomorrow’s press conference, forgive me."

Director Li’s words pierced Feng Xu’s heart.

Yes, from the moment one sets foot on the path of national service, one must be ready to bear pain beyond most people's imagination.

Yet—

Feng Xu’s gaze turned icy.

"Teacher, I must avenge my father."

Director Li paused, his fist tightening. "No problem!"

"Any business force in the country you want to use to crush the Qi family, I’ll arrange for you!"

"Tonight, I’ll have all the Qi family shareholders meet with you."

"The Organization will not intervene in the Qi family’s fate!"

The Organization will not intervene in the Qi family’s fate!

Feng Xu’s eyes darkened, killing intent surging within him.

He had to get justice for his father!

After exchanging these words, the two knelt deeply before Feng’s father’s grave.

To the onlookers, however, the sight of Director Li with his clenched fists and bulging veins seemed as if he were condemning Feng Xu.

This delighted the crowd, and thinking back to Director Li’s earlier words, enlightenment dawned.

He was being sarcastic toward Feng Xu.

"Feng Xu outshines every one of you here."

Of course he does—how else could he have done such harm to the Organization?

With this in mind, Zhang Daoran smiled.

So Director Li was on his side all along; it was just a ruse to embarrass Feng Xu.

"Hahaha... Feng Xu, you’re no longer accepted by the nation. Let’s see what you can accomplish now that you’re back."

Meanwhile, with Director Li and Feng Xu—

Director Li gazed into the distance and said, "We’ve already begun the plan to rescue your mother from Ye Nation."

"Once the plan succeeds, I’ll be able to tell the world of your heroic deeds!"

"Then, you’ll no longer have to bear these false accusations!"

Feng Xu’s gaze grew distant, and he nodded deeply.

Whether or not his reputation could be restored, from body to spirit, he was always—

A son of Dragon Nation!

With that, the two slowly left the cemetery.

Afterward, Feng Xu returned to his hotel.

"Sir, someone left a business card for you."

"He said you’d know who he was."

As soon as he entered, the hotel receptionist stopped him and handed him a card.

On the card was a man's portrait and the name: Shi Muhai.

Feng Xu knew the man.

Shi Muhai, an average scientist here, had gone to Ye Nation to become a scholar.

A complete traitor!

"Also, Mr. Phil from the Ye Nation consulate came by. He invited you to dinner tonight."

"I see," Feng Xu replied, tossing the business card into the trash.

Noticing Feng Xu’s proud demeanor, the receptionist sneered.

"Traitor. What’s he got to be arrogant about? If it weren’t for the higher-ups’ orders, I wouldn’t want to serve him."

Feng Xu returned to his room, changed into formal attire, checked his watch, and headed for the gathering at the Golden Glory Hotel.

He arrived half an hour early and stood in the shade outside, lighting cigarette after cigarette, his mind filled with the images of his wife, Pang Shuyi, and his daughter, Feng Xiaoxiao.

One cigarette, then another.

His lungs burned.

Suddenly, Feng Xu saw a motorcade pull into the open-air parking lot. Leading the group was Liu Jun.

Among the crowd, Feng Xu spotted a familiar figure.

The woman who had been by his side since high school, the one he had longed for throughout his years in Ye Nation.

His wife, Pang Shuyi.

But at this moment, she was holding another man’s arm, laughing and chatting behind the group.

A sharp pain twisted in Feng Xu’s heart, anger surging in his chest.

He took a long drag on his cigarette, the burning smoke calming him down.

Still, an intense bitterness lingered.

Pang Shuyi, Pang Shuyi, how many years has it been, and already you...

Unable to suppress his anger, Feng Xu stood in the cold wind for a long time before shaking his head with a bitter smile.

"So be it. It ends here."

He straightened his cuffs, his face regaining its habitual coldness, and strode into the Golden Glory Hotel.

He made his way to the private room and pushed open the door.

Inside, the lively atmosphere froze instantly, and all eyes fixed blankly on him.

Pang Shuyi, still holding another man’s arm, caught sight of Feng Xu out of the corner of her eye and was immediately stunned.

Clearly, she hadn’t expected him to come.

Shock, anger, resentment—all these emotions flickered in her beautiful eyes.

The man beside her narrowed his eyes, sneering coldly.

"Well, if it isn’t Scholar Feng himself?"

Qi Jie!

Feng Xu instantly recognized the man Pang Shuyi was leaning against—his father’s killer, the young master of the Qi family!

Bewilderment, anger, fury.

Feng Xu glared coldly at Pang Shuyi, a mocking sneer in his heart.

Well, Pang Shuyi, of all people to be with, you stand by my enemy.

Liu Jun chuckled.

"Hey, Scholar Feng, you’re right on time."

"We just sat down ourselves."

"Come, join us for a drink and tell us about your legendary years in Ye Nation."

Liu Jun immediately got up and slung an arm around Feng Xu’s shoulders, guiding him through the crowd straight to the sofa where Pang Shuyi and Qi Jie were seated.

As they passed, Liu Jun deliberately gave Feng Xu a little shove.

Feng Xu stumbled, accidentally spilling his drink all over Qi Jie’s trousers and shoes.

Qi Jie raised his eyes, staring disdainfully at Feng Xu. "Brother Feng, I know seeing Shuyi must upset you," he said.

"But don’t take it out on me. Shuyi chose to be with me of her own will."

"We’re all classmates and friends here. I won’t make things hard for you."

With a cold smile, Qi Jie propped his foot heavily on the table, blocking Feng Xu’s way, and said, "As long as you lick my shoes clean, I’ll let this go."

"Otherwise, if you dare oppose me today, don’t blame me for upholding justice and crippling a traitor like you."