Chapter Fifty-Five: Ambition (Third Update of the Fifth Day)

Eight days—it was a full eight days that Song Nianqiang slept. During those eight days, the burly man's injuries had almost completely healed as well. He sat up in bed, stretching with all his might, feeling truly refreshed after such a deep sleep. But before long, his stomach began to growl loudly with hunger.

"Ah!" The young nurse, seeing Song Nianqiang awake, was so startled she dropped everything she was holding onto the floor. For the past eight days, the entire hospital had been on high alert, all because of Song Nianqiang. Now that the main patient had finally awakened, they could finally rest. After spending eight straight days in the hospital, the young nurse had had more than enough.

She stood frozen for three seconds, then quickly turned and ran off. Soon, Song Nianqiang heard the commotion of people gathering outside the door. But the first person to enter was not a doctor, but a handsome young man. Upon seeing Nianqiang awake, he grinned and said, "So you’re his son after all. Such a severe spiritual wound, and yet you woke up after only eight days!"

"Zhu Tianyi?!" Song Nianqiang said uncertainly. The last words he’d heard before falling unconscious had been those three syllables. The young man nodded, walked to Song Nianqiang’s side, and offered a callused hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Song Nianqiang reached out and shook Zhu Tianyi's hand. Only then did the attending doctors all rush in, not even pausing to speak before wheeling Song Nianqiang’s bed away with a level of urgency akin to a biohazard outbreak. Seeing the doctors' anxious faces, Zhu Tianyi couldn’t help but laugh.

Before long, the ward was empty except for Zhu Tianyi. Just as he was about to leave, a middle-aged man entered—his bearing was extraordinary, radiating an aura of indomitable strength. As he walked in, he pointed to a nearby chair and said to Zhu Tianyi, "Sit!"

Seeing this man was no ordinary figure, Zhu Tianyi, despite his confidence in his own skills, felt an inexplicable apprehension in the man's presence—any thought of resistance vanished. He obediently sat down on the bench. The middle-aged man lit a cigarette, took a drag, and only then spoke, his voice slow and cold: "Your mission is complete. Why haven’t you gone back?"

"Who are you?" Zhu Tianyi did not answer directly, but leapt from his seat, eyes fixed on the man as if ready to tear him apart at any moment. But the man only smiled, "Your skills are no match for mine. Sit down." He flicked his cigarette butt, striking Zhu Tianyi’s knee with such force that Tianyi's leg buckled involuntarily, nearly driving him to his knees.

To think a mere cigarette butt could have such power—Zhu Tianyi now looked upon the man with new respect. "I was planning to visit my second sister-in-law at home," the man said as he strode to the window and slowly drew back the curtains, letting brilliant sunlight flood the room, "but I never expected to run into you here."

"Your old man’s mission is done, isn’t it? You’ve had your eight days of fun; time to go back," he continued, turning to face Zhu Tianyi. The "old man" he spoke of was none other than Zhu Tianyi’s own master, the one who had taught him martial arts and the art of exorcism. In this world, fewer than ten people dared call that man "old man"—and all of them were family.

Judging by this man’s aura, as he simply stood there, he evoked the image of a fierce tiger. It wasn’t hard to guess his identity: the old patriarch of the family had long retired from worldly affairs, the eldest was a businessman, the second—Zhu Tianyi’s master—was an elusive legend whose whereabouts no one knew, the fourth held significant power at the central level. That left only the third, known as the "Soul of the Army"—Liu Zhaohao.

"You’re Lieutenant General Liu Zhaohao!" Though Zhu Tianyi had already deduced his identity, he still felt the need to confirm—after all, it was a daunting one. There wasn’t a soldier in all of China who didn’t know his name. It could be said that Liu Zhaohao was the very soul of the Chinese military—no matter the problem, if Liu Zhaohao appeared, it would be solved.

The man smiled and nodded. "Member of Agent Group No. 3, Captain Zhu Tianyi?" Zhu Tianyi sprang to his feet with a start, but Liu Zhaohao waved him down before he could finish his salute. "I'm only here to visit my sister-in-law—there are no ranks here."

Though Liu Zhaohao said as much, Zhu Tianyi dared not show the slightest disrespect—he too was a soldier, and Liu Zhaohao was his idol. "Heh, once you’ve completed your mission, hurry back. The unit needs you!" Liu Zhaohao said, clapping Zhu Tianyi on the shoulder with a smile before leaving.

"Damn! I finally met the real man in person today!" Even after Liu Zhaohao had left, Zhu Tianyi still hadn’t recovered from the shock. But soon, his brows knitted together as he asked himself a common question: "If the lieutenant general is Song Nianqiang’s uncle, then why doesn’t Song Nianqiang carry the Liu surname?"

That very day, Zhu Tianyi returned to his unit. Of course, before doing so, he had to make a trip to his teacher’s place to deliver a certain head—his teacher was currently researching zombies, and this specimen would prove most useful.

A colonel arranged a week's leave for Song Nianqiang and his companion, so they could recover at home. Most importantly, the lieutenant general himself was coming home to visit relatives. The family had long since moved to the capital, and the only Liu family member still left in this county was Song Min, Song Nianqiang’s mother. It seemed that Song Nianqiang was precisely the purpose behind the lieutenant general’s visit.

When Song Nianqiang returned home, he spotted a very familiar figure and, overjoyed, dashed up to the middle-aged man, leaping onto his back. "Ha ha! Uncle, when did you arrive?"

Although Song Nianqiang had several uncles, the only one he had ever met in person since childhood was Liu Zhaohao; the others he’d only ever heard about.

He slid off his uncle’s back and stood before him. "Let Uncle see how you’ve changed!" Liu Zhaohao said, pinching Song Nianqiang’s arm and nodding in approval. "Not bad, you’ve grown stronger! Looks like your skills have improved quite a bit!" He ruffled Nianqiang’s hair.

That gesture was something only Liu Zhaohao could get away with—even Song Nianqiang’s mother, Song Min, had never done so. Others wouldn’t dare, and as for his mother, she simply wouldn’t allow it. Ever since childhood, Song Nianqiang had disliked anyone touching his head, yet for some reason, he felt no resistance to Liu Zhaohao.

"This time, I’ve come to take you to the capital. After all, it’s a metropolis—better for your future. Your mother said she’d leave the decision to you."

Liu Zhaohao sat down, addressing the excited Song Nianqiang. But at his uncle’s words, Nianqiang hesitated. In all his years, he’d never left their small city; the most bustling scene he’d ever witnessed was at the city square. To be honest, the allure of the big city was strong.

But here were his family, his friends, and the one he secretly loved. Even if, by virtue of being the Liu family’s second son, he would soon be surrounded by new friends and even some beauties as dazzling as celebrities vying for his attention, none of that was what he truly wanted.

He’d never been ambitious, never had grand dreams. As a child, his biggest wish was to set up a little food stall outside the school gates. The life of a well-born young master simply didn’t suit him. Besides, could these new companions ever compare to Fatty, who’d grown up with him since the days of split pants? The answer was obvious.

He shook his head slowly, and with some embarrassment told Liu Zhaohao, "Uncle, I think this place suits me. I don’t want to leave my friends. Besides, I’m not cut out for a young master’s life. I’ll stay here, and when I’ve made something of myself, I’ll come visit you in the capital!"

"Are you sure? No regrets? This is a golden opportunity!" Liu Zhaohao tried to tempt him, but Song Nianqiang only scoffed, "I don’t care for that kind of opportunity. I’ll carve out my own place in the world with my own hands!" His words were firm and resolute.

"Ha ha! I knew it! You’d never want to go to the capital—your grandmother insisted I check with you, but I knew it! Good for you! I’m proud of you! Ambitious young man!" With that, Liu Zhaohao gave him a thumbs-up.