What a moving scene; at the very least, I was touched. The plainer and more unassuming a person is, the more astonishing things they can sometimes accomplish. If it were anyone else sitting here, they might not have done what Zhang Er did—crashing his work boat into a Japanese warship. Some might even call Zhang Er a fool for going to such lengths when it seemed utterly unnecessary.
But men can be genuinely foolish sometimes. Think about how they’ll fight until they bleed over a girl, or consider how much face means to them. They say a man lives for a single breath of air, just as a Buddha strives for a stick of incense. Chinese people must live with their dignity intact; we cannot allow the Japanese to come and go as they please. What face would we have left then?
That is why I consider Zhang Er a hero, and Li San a hero as well. They are my employees, and frankly, I feel a sense of pride in that. Now that my employees are in trouble, I certainly won't stand idly by.
A few students in the audience began to sob quietly, perhaps because seeing Zhang Er’s mother reminded them of their own aging mothers, or perhaps they were simply moved by the simple sincerity of her presence.
At that moment, Mu Fei, someone I knew, suddenly walked onto the stage. It seemed he truly was an active and competitive classmate. “Fellow students, do you truly believe this is just the mother of Brothers Zhang Er and Li San? I disagree. I believe this mother belongs to all of us. When a mother is ill, we children cannot simply ignore it. I propose that those who have money should contribute money, and those who have strength should contribute strength. Let us heal the mother completely so she can raise more heroic sons and daughters to fight the Japanese devils! What do you all say?”
Heh. If Mu Fei were transported back to the War of Resistance Against Japan, he would certainly become a high-ranking political commissar in the Eighth Route Army. His proposal was immediately met with overwhelming support, and the scene below descended into renewed chaos—mostly because each department had its own organizing structure, and with so many people, disorder was inevitable.
Mu Fei grabbed the microphone and shouted, “Settle down, everyone! The Student Union will take the lead on this matter. Specific implementation details will be relayed to the branch Student Unions in each department. For now, everyone needs to listen to the heroes finish speaking.”
Li San replied, “Thank you, classmate. I appreciate everyone’s kindness. With me here, Mother will be fine. I have nothing else to say, except to echo what my mother just said: everyone just focus on studying hard.”
Mu Fei solemnly shook Li San’s hand. “Brother Li San, thank you for your stirring speech and for your warning. Otherwise, how could we simple students grasp these fundamental truths of life? I believe we will meet again soon in the East China Sea. By then, the Japanese won’t be able to take even a drop of our oil, let alone run rampant on our territory!”
I informed Fang Yanmeng to handle the medical arrangements. The expenses, of course, would be covered by Great Earth Energy. As for the lead physician, I decided Hu Qingqing should take the role. In the end, the money still flows into my pocket anyway. With Hu Qingqing’s medical skill, it shouldn't be too complicated. If necessary, we still have plenty of B-syringes; using an extra one is no concern.
Mu Fei’s final words hinted at his intention to go to the East China Sea. This matter swiftly became a reality after the meeting adjourned. He organized a group of classmates to form an ‘Eastward Expedition Group,’ preparing to personally experience the offshore oil drilling life and simultaneously demonstrate to the Japanese that our territory is inviolable.
That evening, the call to go to the East China Sea surged higher and higher across Long Teng University. Several thousand students signed up for the expedition, though whether they could actually go was another matter entirely. Even if they could go, bringing hundreds or thousands of people was impossible; they would probably squeeze the oil rigs to collapse.
However, Mu Fei, utilizing his exceptional organizational skills, immediately began selecting core members for the Eastward Group on the forum that night—mainly classmates with skills in photography and camerawork, and a strong sense of patriotism. He planned to use his connections with the school administration to get Great Earth Energy’s approval for their team to board the oil rigs.
Listening to the students’ excited chatter, I even decided to go to the East China Sea myself for a look—consider it a trip. Besides, I have two oil wells there now. Do those little Japanese devils think the Great Dragon Country is afraid to fight? Hmph. I won't be merciful anymore. No matter how others view Red Dragon, anyone who provokes me will not be let off lightly!
I wandered aimlessly around the campus. It was already very late, yet people were still coming and going. Perhaps tonight was destined to be a sleepless one; the hearts of the youth were burning. If the Great Dragon Country fails to reclaim its dignity in the East China Sea, these university students will likely be the first to rise up in protest.
Huh? Isn’t that Zhou Ni up ahead? Why hasn’t she gone home yet? Even if she isn’t going home, she should be back in her dorm by this late hour. Who is she with? It looks like her roommate, Zhao Ting. I’ll follow them and see where they’re heading.
Zhou Ni and Zhao Ting walked slowly along the garden path. Zhou Ni said, “I was so moved tonight. If all our Great Dragon Country people were as brave as Brothers Zhang Er and Li San, I don’t think we’d need to crash warships; just our presence would scare the Japanese to death.”
Zhao Ting replied casually, “Yeah, our country’s people just aren’t united. You rarely see them show genuine commitment until it’s a matter of life and death. Just like Brother Li San said, there are too many corrupt officials in this world, which is why I’m studying law. I want to bring all those bad people to justice. If you occupy an official position but neglect your duties, you might as well go sit in jail and eat steamed buns.”
Zhou Ni asked, “You aren't interested in military affairs, are you?”
Zhao Ting replied, “We’re girls. Fighting is a man’s job. Are you interested?”
Zhou Ni said, “Of course I am, because my Brother Zhao used to be a soldier, so I care about these things.”
Zhao Ting blushed slightly and admonished Zhou Ni, “Stop saying ‘Brother Zhao’ every other breath. Your Brother Zhao has a girlfriend, and you know his relationship with Fang Yanmeng. Plus, according to the campus network, he’s still involved with Ouyang Qian. You, you shouldn’t let him take advantage of you next time.”
Zhou Ni objected, “I’ve known for ages that Brother Zhao likes Sister Mengmeng, and I know he likes Sister Qianqian too, but that doesn’t stop me from liking him, hehe. This kind of thing is too complex to explain to a child like you. You’ll understand in a few years when you grow up.”
“Who says I’m not grown up? Who says I don’t understand? All three of you beauties like that Brother Zhao at the same time! I really can’t see what’s so special about him. I’ve met Brother Zhao Qian a few times too; he’s just an ordinary person, not devastatingly handsome like in novels, nor so talented that heaven is jealous. Why do you all like him? Did the Matchmaker just make a mistake?”
Zhou Ni countered, “Nonsense. If you like someone, you like them. It has nothing to do with the Matchmaker. Don’t you have a boy you like?”
“No,” Zhao Ting confirmed.
Zhou Ni didn't believe her. “I don’t believe you. Even if you do, you won’t admit it.”
Zhao Ting defended herself, “Ni Ni, I truly don’t. Stop guessing.”
“What about Qu Han? There are rumors going around about you two. Someone saw you going out together.”
Zhao Ting quickly responded, “That’s just a normal classmate relationship. Don’t start gossiping like everyone else, or I won’t forgive you. We did go out together, but it was completely open and normal student interaction. Besides, ever since that time I realized he’s someone I can’t even be friends with, I haven't paid him any attention lately.”
“Is that so? I also heard he’s been hanging around with those rich young men and messing around, and I was just about to warn you. No need to worry now, then.”
Zhao Ting gratefully said, “Thank you, Ni Ni. It’s my honor to be your roommate. You truly are good to me.”
Zhou Ni replied, “No need for thanks. Just tell me what you’re secretly writing in your diary every night.”
Zhao Ting blushed crimson. “You didn’t secretly read my diary, did you?”
“Am I that tactless? If I had read it, I wouldn’t be asking you now.”
Zhao Ting confessed, “It’s really nothing. I’m just reporting my university life to my godfather.”
“Godfather? Why don't you just call him directly? Communications are so advanced now.”
“I thought about it, but I don’t even know who he is, so how would I know his phone number?”
“What!? You don’t even know what your godfather looks like? Then why claim him as your godfather?”
“Oh, Ni Ni, you don’t understand. My godfather is a high-ranking official. Do you know why my surname is Zhao? You must have seen my ID card; it clearly says Lü Ting, right?”
“I—I thought you changed your surname due to some family issue, and I never asked, afraid I might touch upon a painful memory.”
“Let me tell you everything, Ni Ni. My original surname is Lü. My parents are both alive and well. I have a brother who dotes on me and a beautiful, gentle sister-in-law. But some venomous woman with a heart like a snake took an interest in my brother. After trying every trick in the book and failing to separate him from my sister-in-law, she hired thugs to assault my sister-in-law and then used sulfuric acid to disfigure her. My sister-in-law, overcome with shame, drowned herself in the lake. Tragically, my brother loved his wife so deeply that upon learning of her suicide, he followed her into the lake. Of course, our parents and my sister-in-law’s family wouldn’t let the woman who persecuted them get away with it. They sued that vicious woman in court. But do you know who that wicked woman was? She was the daughter of our city’s Party Secretary, and she had high-ranking officials in the Capital protecting her family. The case dragged on for a long time without resolution. But one day, a group of people suddenly arrived from the Capital. Within one evening, they arrested every single perpetrator, and the case was judged within an hour. Only then were my brother’s and sister-in-law’s grievances cleared.”
“So your family went through such a terrible ordeal. That’s somewhat similar to what happened to my family, but how does this relate to you being named Zhao?”
“Ni Ni, do you know who helped us? It was the National Rectification Office—the very office that strikes fear into the hearts of corrupt officials! That office fears no one and no power. As long as the dignity of the law is violated, there will surely be severe punishment. No pretext or excuse can escape its sharp eyes. Officials should simply avoid wrongdoing; if they commit evil, he will know about it clearly. If we don’t deal with them now, the day will come when he finds them, and then no one will escape his retribution!”
“So, you mean Zhao… Zhao… Oh, so you took the surname Zhao because of him?”
Zhao Ting confirmed, “Yes, I followed my godfather’s surname. My father told me to change it. He avenged my brother; he is the great benefactor of our Lü family for this lifetime. We constantly keep his longevity tablet and burn incense for him, praying that heaven grants him long life and health so he can arrest more corrupt officials for the common people.”
Zhou Ni was speechless for a long time before sighing, “Ah, so that’s how it is. It’s quite similar to my family’s situation.”
Hearing this, Zhao Ting turned and grabbed Zhou Ni’s arm tensely. “Ni Ni, did something happen in your family too? Did you also receive help from Godfather?”
Zhou Ni nodded. “My father caused the villain who drowned him—a relative of the County Magistrate—to be drowned in a fish pond. He avenged my father.”
Zhao Ting grew even more anxious. “Then you must know Director Zhao from the Rectification Office, right? What does my godfather look like? How old is he? What is his actual name? Can you contact him? I really want to speak with him.”
Zhou Ni giggled. “I don’t know him. Why are you so nervous about him? Could you possibly have a crush on him?”
Zhao Ting grew serious. “Ni Ni, I’m telling you the truth. Do you know Director Zhao or not? Tell me quickly.”
Zhou Ni put on a serious face. “You’ve had the same experience as me. Since you had no opportunity to meet him, naturally, I couldn’t have met him either. However, I’ve heard people say that Director Zhao is handsome, young, and unmarried. You still have a chance, Tingting.”
“You’re going to make me angry! How did we get onto this topic? My feeling toward Godfather is one of respect, not what you imagine. Hurry up and tell me everything you know about my godfather; I really want to hear it.”
Zhou Ni said, “Calling him ‘Godfather’ repeatedly makes me feel all tingly. Can’t you change how you address him?”
“No! If my father knew, he’d beat me! Hurry up and tell me, or I won’t speak to you anymore.”
“Fine, fine. As far as I know, your godfather is very tall, handles matters decisively, and dislikes wasting time. He is especially gentle with girls—though, occasionally, he can be rough once. But it’s forgivable to let it slide once, after all, what man hasn’t made a mistake? He is quite a ladies’ man, and many girls like him. You’d better act fast, or you won’t make the cut…”
“Ni Ni, the more I listen, the more something feels off. Who are you talking about? It sounds a bit like your Brother Zhao. How do you know my godfather is occasionally rough? How do you know so many girls like him?”
Zhou Ni replied, “I heard it from Mengmeng. You know she interacts very closely with high-level figures. Of course, she would know things like that…”
“Oh, I believe you... Do me a favor, Ni Ni. You’re so close with Fang Yanmeng; could you ask her for my godfather’s phone number? I miss him so much. Even just hearing his voice would be enough…”
“That… I’ll ask her and let you know then…”
The two walked further and further away, leaving me alone among the flowers. It turned out that Zhao Ting was a family member from that case in P City, and unexpectedly, I was her godfather. The title ‘Godfather’ sounds so awkward; ‘God Brother’ sounds much better. But judging by Zhao Ting’s attitude, if I asked her to call me God Brother, it probably wouldn’t work. Fine, I should probably keep my distance. If she shouts 'Godfather' in front of the entire university, I won't have any face left to show.
I headed home to discuss going to the East China Sea tomorrow. This cannot be delayed any longer; I must personally fight those little Japanese devils! Didn't Ibeben Yiki say he wasn't convinced? This time, I’ll show him what submission means!