Afternoon.
The sea was calm, and the temperature dropped.
Inside an individual cabin of the Navy vessel.
Dong Xuebing changed the diaper of his daughter and fed her. The Navy vessel was sailing back to China and should reach shore two days later. He was excited as he was returning home. After feeding Little Qianqian, he played with her for a while in the cabin. He pretended to be a big bad wolf and made her giggle. The Navy vessel had better facilities than the cargo ship. It even provided an electric stove and hot water for bathing.
“We are going home soon. Are you happy?”
“Ooh… ya… ya….”
“Why are you grabbing Daddy’s ear again? Naughty girl.”
“Yi… ya… ya….”
“Hehe…. Let go of Daddy.”
Knock… knock…. Someone knocked on the door.
Dong Xuebing said, “Come in,” and carried Qianqian. His hair was messy because she grabbed him, and he turned around.
A young female soldier entered. She saluted and said. “Mr. Dong, the Commander wants to see you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, ok.”
“Please come with me. This way.”
The Colonel was reporting to his higher-up. “All the hostages were rescued, and we did not suffer casualties. We also got back the ransom, but all twenty-one pirates were killed. We are returning. Commander Xiong, do you have any other orders?”
The Navy Deputy Commanding Officer Xiong Liping heard the Colonel’s report and was puzzled. “Are you sure one of the cargo ship’s hostages had killed twenty-one pirates by himself?!”
The Colonel replied. “Yes, Sir.”
“How many pirates are there?” Xiong Liping asked.
“Err… Twenty-one.”
“Oh, you are telling me that all the firepower and military snipers on board your ship could not do anything to the pirates, and a civilian killed all of them himself?!”
The Colonel felt embarrassed. They disgraced the Navy and did not hit any pirates during the shootout. They could not even injure the pirates, let alone kill anyone. All they did was provide cover for Dong Xuebing, and the two snipers did provide some assistance. He still could not accept it, but that was the truth. “Xiao Dong is not an ordinary civilian. I asked for his full name, and he did not tell me. He only tells me his name is Xiao Dong, and he is a Commission for Discipline Inspection staff.”
“A Commission for Discipline Inspection staff?”
“Yes. That’s what he said.”
Xiong Liping felt this was ridiculous and was speechless. If Xiao Dong is a soldier, it might be possible. How can someone who works behind a desk most of the time wipe out all twenty-one pirates by himself? Not only does he kills all the pirates, he saves all the hostages without getting a scratch on himself. How was this possible?!”
“Are you sure?” Deputy Commanding Officer Xiong asked again.
The Colonel replied. “Yes, Sir. Many people saw it. Commander Xiong, could it be that he was sent from other departments?!”
Xiong Liping replied. “We had only sent you all and no one else.”
“Oh, Xiao Dong mentioned he was here to look for his goddaughter, the few months old baby among the hostages. He should be here on his own, and his claim of being a Discipline Inspection staff might not be true.” The Colonel refused to believe his men were no match for an administrative staff. If Dong Xuebing was from the Public Security Bureau, he might felt better.
Xiong Liping paused for a second. “Goddaughter?!”
“Yes.” The Colonel replied.
“His goddaughter is that baby?!” Xiong Liping was deep in thought and said to himself. “Nevertheless, the mission is completed. You all had worked hard.”
“It’s fine, Sir.”
“Prepare to return.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Xiong Liping paused for a second and said. “Get your men to watch that guy at all times. Try to find out about his background. Take him into custody if he tries anything funny. We can find out his real identity when you all are back.”
“I understand.”
“I will report to the higher up, and you all will get a second-class group merit for this mission.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
The female soldier brought Dong Xuebing to the ship’s Commander’s room.
On their way to the Commander’s room, all the soldiers looked at Dong Xuebing.
Little Qianqian’s eyes turned red, and she was about to cry.
Dong Xuebing thought to himself. Why are you all staring at us? You all are scaring my daughter!
Dong Xuebing carried Little Qianqian above his head before she started crying. “Our little princess is flying….”
Little Qianqian started giggling.
Dong Xuebing kissed her forehead. “How can your mood change so fast? Are you happy now?”
Little Qianqian ignored Dong Xuebing and started waving her tiny arms. “Ya… ya… ah….” She was getting anxious.
Dong Xuebing knew Little Qianqian wanted to be raised high, and he quickly carried her up.
Little Qianqian was not scared and started giggling loudly.
The female soldier beside Dong Xuebing smiled and winked at Little Qianqian.
They arrived at the ship’s Commander’s room.
The room was empty, and the female soldier pointed to the sofa. “Commander asked you to wait for a while. He is coming soon.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and placed Qianqian beside him to let her play alone. His arms were aching from carrying her, and he took out his phone. There was one bar of unstable signal, and he could not make any calls. He turned to the female soldier. “Can you all let me use your communication devices? I want to call my family.” He did not want his family to worry and wanted to tell them he had saved Qianqian.
The female soldier replied. “You can ask our Commander. I don’t have the authority.”
The door opened suddenly, and the Colonel walked in. “What is it?”
The female soldier replied. “Mr. Dong wants to borrow our communication devices to call his family.”
The Colonel looked at Dong Xuebing. “I’m sorry. Our military communication device is for military use only. We don’t allow let anyone to use it.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “It’s fine. I will wait until my phone has a signal.”
The Colonel suddenly said. “We have to keep your phone with us. Sorry, comrade. We also need to search you. Please cooperate with us.”
Dong Xuebing frowned. “Why are you searching me?”
The Colonel replied. “We cannot confirm your identity, and this is our protocol. Please understand us.”
“Oh, I don’t understand.” Dong Xuebing would never bow down to anyone. He dares to scold a General, let alone a Colonel. He doesn’t care about the protocols or ranks. Moreover, he had helped the Navy save the hostages, and they will search him now?! Are you suspecting me?! If I am a criminal, why would I help you all save the hostages?!
The Colonel frowned.
The female soldier immediately stepped forward and was about to follow orders. She was going to search Dong Xuebing by force.
Dong Xuebing ignored them and continued to play with Qianqian.
The Colonel stopped the female soldier. He had no ill intentions against Dong Xuebing. He was about to say something when the communication device in the room sounded.
The Colonel walked over and answered. “It’s me.”
“Commander, Deputy Director Xie of the PLA General Political Department is looking for you.”
“Director Xie? Put the call through.”
Did the second-class merit got approve so fast, and it was Director Xie from the General Political Department calling to inform them.”
The Colonel was excited and straightened his back when he answered the call. “Good afternoon, Sir. I am the Commander of Navy 37….”
Before the Colonel could introduce himself, a middle-aged man’s voice interrupted him. “Your Commander Xiong had mentioned Xiao Dong. Is he with you? I want to speak to him.”
Xiao Dong?
The Colonel paused for a second and did not ask anything. He turned and looked at Dong Xuebing. “Our PLA General Political Department’s Officer wants to speak to you.”
Dong Xuebing was puzzled. Why is a top officer of the military looking for me?”
The female officer was curious as she looked at Dong Xuebing. Deputy Director of PLA General Political Department’s rank was much higher than Deputy Commanding Officer Xiong.
Dong Xuebing walked over and answered. “Hello?”
The man asked sternly. “You are Xiao Dong?! Which Xiao Dong?”
Dong Xuebing felt this man’s voice sounded familiar. “What do you mean by which Xiao Dong?”
“I am Xie Guojian.”
Xie Guojian?!
Huilan’s second uncle!?
Dong Xuebing was shocked and cleared his throat in embarrassment. His tone changed completely. “Second Uncle…. It’s me. Xiao Dong.”
Xie Guojian laughed. “I knew it must be you!”
The Colonel and the female soldier were stunned when they heard how Dong Xuebing addressed Director Xie.
Second Uncle?!
What the hell is going on?
The PLA General Political Department Deputy Director Xie is Xiao Dong’s second uncle?!
