books44 Chapter 351 Few People, Yearning for Parents
Chapter 351 Few People, Yearning for Parents
Du Hongzhi didn't really want to talk about the past, but he wanted Nan Duo to know more about him, so he didn't mince words and spoke directly: "Let's get to know each other again. My name is Du Hongzhi, and I'm twenty-six years old. I had a very happy childhood, a student life, and until adulthood. I'm a second-generation official, after all! There were always plenty of people flattering me, and I always had a good self-esteem. I had a happy family, hehehe..."
When you are young, you admire your parents. My father was once my everything, and I was proud of him. His tall and heroic figure often appeared in my dreams, and I would secretly wear his military uniform... But later, I witnessed with my own eyes that he had another family outside and was a habitual liar. When I wanted to rush in and confront him, my brother grabbed me.
He said, "Looking back, we should uphold the virtues of our ancestors; looking forward, we should cover up the faults of our parents." We cannot correct our father's mistakes, but we can only strive to do our best. We should think of repaying the country's kindness, thinking of creating happiness for our family, thinking of helping those in need, and thinking of restraining our own evil ways.
My brother is usually a man of few words, but that day he talked to me a lot. He shared how he struggled to get through it after discovering the truth, saying he didn't want me to go through that painful experience. He said everyone has their own karma and should bear it themselves, including our parents; as sons, we can't let their mistakes ruin our lives.
Hehehe, after that, whenever my older brother came home, he would take me with him. He spent even more time with me than with Binbin, filling my head with all sorts of patriotic education and heroic deeds. He even used his connections to get me into the army for training, so he wouldn't let me stay at home.
He said that as the eldest brother, it was his duty to guide me onto the right path. But I didn't want to go back to school, and I was too old to learn martial arts. At the time, I promised not to commit crimes, and he was quite helpless, plus he was busy with his work. As for me, I just drifted along, and before I knew it, I had become a street urchin and a hoodlum.
Actually, I wanted to make something of myself and not disappoint my older brother. Just when I was feeling down, Qiman set her sights on me because I'm General Du's son. Listen, Nan, you know what? Of course, I was really excited! Turns out I'm still useful, hahaha… After that, I followed my superior's instructions and dealt with her.
Who knew they were so wary? Almost three years have passed, and they haven't made a move. I had no choice but to play along. It wasn't until you, the 'weak' one, appeared and became their prey that they took action. Because you met all their requirements, they finally did.
Then my cousin Hongxue relayed the orders from above, instructing me to cooperate with you and protect you as much as possible. Actually, it was your appearance that protected me, hahaha... Otherwise, if things had dragged on any longer, I'm afraid I really would have married her, hahaha....”
Song Tingnan listened quietly. Although Du Hongzhi spoke with a smile, the bitter feeling, the collapse of his idol, and the double pain of his own father were not something that could be smoothed over in a few words. He probably didn't want to gain the 'favor' of those above him.
“Ting Nan, don’t look at me with those pitying eyes. I’ve figured it out. Although General Du has caused me a lot of pain, my eldest brother and sister-in-law are wonderful. And my second uncle and cousin’s family, although they have distanced themselves from General Du, have always been very good to me. They say I am who I am.”
Du Hongzhi rubbed his eyes and continued, "My elder brother and I have discussed it. This time, we'll have the higher-ups revoke his rank of general and let him retire peacefully. We'll use my, my elder brother's, and my sister-in-law's... to offset it."
"Would he agree?"
Du Hongzhi said bitterly, "He had no choice but to agree. For so many years, he has been unworthy of his position. Although he hasn't done anything heinous, in his position, inaction is a mistake, and he also engages in all sorts of undermining others..."
"Tingnan, please apologize to your master for us. Although it's useless now, Du Hexiang really owes them. It's because he didn't believe it and delayed reporting it that your senior uncles all died on the battlefield..." Du Hongzhi's voice choked with emotion. Tingnan didn't speak either. She couldn't accept this belated, insincere, and useless apology on behalf of her master.
Neither of them spoke for a while because of this topic. After a long while, Du Hongzhi looked at Song Tingnan and asked, "Tingnan, putting aside the grudges of the previous generation, can we become friends?"