In the courtyard!
Secretary Liu walked into the courtyard and approached the old man. "Sir, Xu Shi'an is back. He fought with Ye Cangtian at the entrance of the residential area!"
"That brat is still the same!"
Upon hearing this, the old man snorted and continued, "He's no match for young Ye, is he?"
Secretary Liu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Completely crushed!"
Completely crushed?
Old Master Xu was furious. He slammed the coffee table and yelled, "What a useless thing! Have him brought back and confine him for three days!"
Secretary Liu could only smile wryly. It seemed the long-unused confinement room would be put to use again!
...
Outside the family compound, Ye Cangtian lit a cigarette and looked at the burly man with a bruised and swollen face following Xu Weiwei.
He felt a bit awkward. Were this brother and sister actually related?
In terms of appearance, Xu Weiwei was definitely a top-tier beauty. But her brother was as strong as a calf, making it hard to believe they were siblings.
Xu Shi'an, Xu Weiwei's younger brother and Old Master Xu's only grandson.
A year ago, he was sent overseas to perform peacekeeping duties. However, the young man couldn't stand staying abroad and returned during his leave.
Previously, Ye Cangtian had seen Xu Shi'an give Xu Weiwei a rough diamond. This was because he had saved a local wealthy merchant while on a mission abroad, and the merchant had gifted it to him as a token of gratitude.
So, Xu Shi'an directly gave the rough diamond to his sister.
This was perfectly reasonable!
Ye Cangtian felt rather embarrassed. Earlier, he had thought this guy was Xu Weiwei's suitor and had held back no punches.
It was fortunate that the guy had thick skin; anyone else would have been unable to get up.
Xu Shi'an rubbed his slightly sore shoulders and grumbled, "Sister, why didn't you say earlier that he was your friend? It really hurts. This guy is truly formidable."
He wasn't overly resentful, as he couldn't compete in terms of skill and accepted his loss.
Xu Weiwei shot him a glare and pouted, "Who told you to always brag to me about how strong you are? And yet you can't even beat this guy!"
Although she knew Ye Cangtian was a formidable fighter, she hadn't expected him to be so overwhelmingly superior to her brother, Xu Shi'an.
Xu Shi'an rolled his eyes and then looked at Ye Cangtian with burning eyes, saying, "Those moves you used just now were good. Can you teach me sometime?"
Ye Cangtian's lips curved upwards. This kid was interesting!
Just then, Secretary Liu emerged from the family compound, adjusting his glasses. "Xu Shi'an, the leader wants to see you."
Xu Shi'an instantly deflated and obediently said, "Oh," following Secretary Liu into the family compound.
He was quite unruly when outside, but he was solely afraid of the old man.
A few minutes later!
Xu Shi'an stood under the grape trellis in the courtyard, his backside clenched tight.
The old man took a sip of tea and asked in a low voice, "Why did you return?"
Xu Shi'an chuckled apologetically. "I have half a month of leave, so I came back to see you, Grandpa!"
The old man snorted and put down his teacup with a thud.
"Tell the truth!"
"Uh, I want to join the Dragon Group!"
Xu Shi'an blurted out. He mumbled, "With my strength, I should have been able to join the Dragon Group long ago. Even Brother Yang has joined the Dragon Group, and I want to join too!"
The old man's face darkened, and he reprimanded, "Don't forget you are a soldier. You are a brick in China; you go wherever you are needed. Is it your place to be picky?"
Xu Shi'an wanted to speak but stopped himself, not daring to retort.
The old man continued to scold sternly, "Furthermore, who authorized your return during your mission? Did I agree to it? I see that you've been abroad for too long and have forgotten what discipline is!"
"You'll be confined for three days to reflect properly!"
"Grandpa, I..." Xu Shi'an's spirits plummeted.
The confinement was not pleasant, and he had just gotten off the plane!
The old man commanded, "What about you! If you spout any more nonsense, I'll add two more days!"
Xu Shi'an immediately shut his mouth, his face crestfallen. He had expected to be scolded upon his return, but he hadn't imagined he would be confined before he even had a chance to sit down.
The small room on the far left of the courtyard was the confinement room.
The entire room was about the size of a bathroom, with no windows, only two fist-sized ventilation holes at the top, through which not even sunlight could penetrate.
Secretary Liu brought in bedding and three days' worth of water and compressed biscuits, sighing, "You know the leader's temper. If you had said less, you might not have been confined!"
"Alas, confinement is confinement. I'm used to it anyway!"
Xu Shi'an grumbled dejectedly and then lowered his voice, asking, "Secretary Liu, I met someone named Ye Cangtian outside just now. Is he part of the Dragon Group?"
Secretary Liu smiled and explained, "He just joined the Dragon Group, but his strength doesn't seem to be inferior to some minor captains in Group B. It's normal that you couldn't beat him!"
Xu Shi'an's eyes rolled a few times, and he suddenly said mysteriously, "Secretary Liu, is there any way to get Grandpa to agree to me joining the Dragon Group?"
Secretary Liu was taken aback and chuckled, "Why do you insist on joining the Dragon Group?"
"Isn't that obvious? Everyone knows the Dragon Group is the core of China. Only by joining the Dragon Group can I better serve the country!" Xu Shi'an said, rolling his eyes.
"You should just follow the leader's instructions and don't anger him again!"
Secretary Liu advised, and as he was about to leave, he turned back and whispered, "Actually, there is another way. If you build a good relationship with Ye Cangtian, perhaps you'll have a chance!"
Secretary Liu left. As the confinement room door closed, it plunged into complete darkness.
Xu Shi'an fell into thought.
Ye Cangtian?
It seemed this person was not simple!
...
In the courtyard, Secretary Liu emerged from the confinement room. The old man asked calmly, "What did he say?"
"Sir, it seems Shi'an truly wishes to join the Dragon Group. After all, it is a common goal for many elites."
Secretary Liu hesitated for a moment and then said, "I know you are worried about him encountering danger, fearing he might end up like his parents."
Xu Weiwei and Xu Shi'an's parents had died in an ambush during a mission due to their status as Dragon Group members.
While members of the Dragon Group appeared powerful and had absolute authority, they also easily became targets for hostile forces.
Therefore, to prevent the young man from following in his parents' footsteps, the old man had sent him abroad to undertake ordinary missions.
Unexpectedly, even while abroad, Xu Shi'an had always thought about joining the Dragon Group.
The old man sighed, "In principle, this kid should indeed join the Dragon Group. But as an elder, I've always worried that he might end up like his parents!"
His several children were all dead, leaving only a grandson and granddaughter. For the old man, he truly did not want them to encounter any danger.
Despite his stern demeanor at all times, his care for his descendants was omnipresent.
Secretary Liu hesitated to speak, but finally, he said, "Although this is just the leader's personal matter, as an outsider, I believe Shi'an truly wants to join the Dragon Group. After all, he is also a soldier!"
The old man nodded and sighed again.
"I am too selfish!"