Navy vessel.
Ship Commander’s room.
“Second Uncle, how do you know it’s me?”
“Your case had been escalated to the Central Military Commission. How can I not know about it?”
Dong Xuebing was speechless and placed Qianqian on his lap.
Xie Guojian continued. “Navy Deputy Commanding Officer Xiong had told me what happened, and Huilan asked me to take note of a three-month-old baby. She said it was her goddaughter, and I passed the message to the Navy. They would report to me if they received news of her. Someone named Xiao Dong rescued the hostages. Other than you, who else can have such combat power? Killing twenty-one pirates by yourself. I don’t think you can find another person in the country. That’s why I contacted the Navy vessel to see if it was you. It is you. Did you think the mess you created is not big enough?”
Dong Xuebing explained. “The pirates abducted Qianqian, and I cannot sit around and do nothing.”
Xie Jianguo asked. “Did Huilan agree to let you go?”
Dong Xuebing lied. “Of course. She loves Qianqian too.”
“Bullshit!” Xie Guojian laughed. “Do you know how many times Huilan had called home? She was asking us to look for you. You had been missing for days.”
Dong Xuebing wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Ah…. I was forced to do this. Qianqian was kidnapped because of me, and it was my fault. Furthermore, I am fine now. Sorry for making everyone worry. Sorry.”
“Do you know how worried everyone is? I don’t know what to say about you. You don’t think of the consequences. What if anything happened to you? How will I explain to Huilan, my elder brother and Sister-in-law?” Xie Jianguo scolded Dong Xuebing and laughed suddenly. “But I am impressed with your combat skills. You killed all twenty-one pirates.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “It was luck.”
Fighting the tiger at the zoo and killing nine escape convicts could still be explained. However, this time was too unbelievable.
Xie Guojian laughed. “Alright. Stop being modest. You are the perfect Xie family’s son-in-law. You have guts and skills.”
Dong Xuebing was embarrassed.
Dong Xuebing chatted with Xie Guojian for a while and said. “Second Uncle, I should be back around two days later. Can you tell Huilan and the rest? I don’t want to worry them.”
“I know.”
“Thank you, Second Uncle.”
“Ok. Come back early for New Year.”
Dong Xuebing suddenly remembered something. “Wait, Second Uncle. Don’t hang up first. I hope to keep this incident a secret. You should know where I am working, and… err… this incident might have an impact. Can you tell them to let me go when we reach the shore? Also, my name….”
Xie Guojian laughed. “You know this has an impact on your job?!”
“Yes…. I know my mistake.”
“Alright. I know. I can’t stop the Central Military Committee from finding out about you. Still, I can stop your name from appearing in the media. It will not affect your job.”
“Thank you.”
“Pass the phone to their Commander. I will speak to him.”
Dong Xuebing looked at the Colonel and called him.
The Colonel quickly answered. “Sir.”
Xie Guojian said. “Xiao Dong is my junior. Let him leave when you get to shore, and you don’t need to care about other stuff.”
The Colonel stood at attention. “Yes, Sir!”
Xie Jianguo replied. “Thanks for your hard work. I wish you all an early Happy New Year.”
The Colonel no longer suspects Dong Xuebing after speaking to Deputy Director Xie.
After hanging up, the Colonel felt awkward. He did not expect Dong Xuebing to be PLA General Political Department Deputy Director Xie’s relative. He no longer wants to search Dong Xuebing as he is not an outsider. They had planned to bring Dong Xuebing back when they reached shore to meet the higher-ups. Since Deputy Director Xie said this, he would make the arrangements.
After hanging up, the communication device rang again.
The Colonel answered immediately. “Transfer the call over.”
A man said. “I am Xiong Liping.”
The Colonel greeted. “Commander Xiong.”
Xiong Liping continued. “I know about Xiao Dong. His identity is special, and you don’t need to worry about him. Give him and his goddaughter a better cabin, and the media will be waiting at the shore. Don’t let them see Xiao Dong, and ask your men not to reveal him to anyone. Do you understand?! Xiao Dong has a special identity.”
“Yes, Sir. I know.”
“Alright. Bye.”
The Colonel’s face changed after hanging up.
Commander Xiong had mentioned Xiao Dong’s identity as special a few times.
The PLA General Political Department Deputy Director’s relative does have a strong background. Still, it was not considered a special identity. This term cannot be used lightly, and Commander Xiong had said it twice.
Special?
How special?
Did Xiao Dong have stronger backing, or was it because of other matters?
The Colonel had guessed correctly. Dong Xuebing’s identity was indeed special. Senior Xie’s grandson-in-law and Xie Guobang’s son-in-law. These alone made Dong Xuebing’s identity special, and he was also an earthquake hero. All of these gave him the right to have a more ‘special’ identity than other Central Government Leaders’ relatives.
The Colonel took a deep breath and composed himself. He looked at Dong Xuebing and extended his hand. “Sorry about earlier. It was a misunderstanding, and I didn’t know you were one of us.” A military officer’s relative can be considered one of them.
Dong Xuebing shook hands with the Colonel. “It’s fine. You are doing your job.”
Dong Xuebing was not so petty and was only against getting searched.
The Colonel was relieved Dong Xuebing was not mad at him.
The Colonel kept thinking about Dong Xuebing’s special identity and had a lingering fear.
