Chapter 86: Sinister Intentions

"Xiaoxiao, the information you’ve provided is extremely important. We’ll deploy an investigation immediately. If it turns out that Comrade Yuan Tianqing really is an enemy agent in our military district, your contribution will be unmatched," said Song Qingfeng.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiao’s heart leapt with joy, and she hurriedly asked, "Does that mean there’s some... reward, perhaps?"

Song Qingfeng smiled and said, "Rest assured, if Comrade Yuan Tianqing is indeed proven to be an enemy agent, you’ll be our district’s number one hero. I’ll personally apply to the Ministry of National Security to grant you an award certificate and a cash prize. As for the reward, it should be about a thousand yuan!"

Zhong Xiao beamed with delight.

Indeed, in these times and in this environment, a thousand yuan was more than two years’ salary for many people—who wouldn’t be thrilled by that?

But what truly made Zhong Xiao happy wasn’t the money.

It was the certificate, which would help her gain more merit points.

With those points, she could unlock even more functions in her secret space.

There were so many skills she still wanted to learn.

Yet, in Song Tingshen's eyes, Zhong Xiao’s obvious joy took on a different meaning.

He glanced at her, about to head upstairs, when a knock sounded at the door.

Zuo Lan went to open it. At the door stood Xiao Zhang from the mailroom and Xiao Li, the aide to Political Commissar Liu.

Seeing Xiao Li, Song Qingfeng stepped forward. "What is it? Does the commissar need something?"

Xiao Li glanced at Song Qingfeng, then his gaze fell on Zhong Xiao standing behind him. Only then did he say, "Commander, headquarters received a report... suspecting that Comrade Zhong Xiao is... is..."

Facing Zhong Xiao directly, Xiao Li stumbled, unable to get the words out.

But Zhong Xiao was unflinching. She walked to the doorway.

"Hello, I’m Zhong Xiao. What am I being accused of?"

Song Qingfeng’s tone turned stern. "Speak plainly. No need to hem and haw."

Only then did Xiao Li say, "There’s a report accusing Comrade Zhong Xiao of being an enemy agent. She is required to go to headquarters for investigation."

At that instant, everyone in the room tensed with vigilance.

Song Qingfeng gave a cold snort. "Ha! Let’s go—all of us. I want to see who has the audacity to slander a member of my family as an enemy agent! Come! We’ll confront them face to face!"

—

Song Qingfeng led Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen out. Zuo Lan walked to the stairwell to remind Jiang Yuan.

"Yuanyuan, we have to step out for a bit. Stay home with Yanzhou and behave, alright?"

"Got it, Mom. You all go ahead!"

With that, Zuo Lan shut the door behind her, joined Song Qingfeng, and together they shielded Zhong Xiao as they walked out.

"Let’s go! We’ll see just who dares to act so boldly!"

When the group arrived at the headquarters building and saw the people inside, Zuo Lan’s brows knit together.

Standing at the forefront were Yuan Tianqing and, beside her, Hou Manling.

At the sight of Yuan Tianqing, Zuo Lan’s warm expression vanished, replaced by a note of suspicion and gravity.

"Tianqing, Manling, what are you doing here?"

Liu Commissar’s office was crowded with people.

Aside from those two, there were the commanders of all three artillery regiments, the commanders of the three aviation regiments, as well as several commanders from the armored regiments.

Brigadier Yin Wenhao of the military district, several brigade and battalion commanders—all in all, more than a dozen people packed Liu Guangmin’s office to the brim.

Before anyone else could speak, Song Qingfeng strode forward and unleashed a volley of anger.

"Commissar Liu, you’ve really lost your mind—out of everyone you could suspect, you point the finger at someone from my family? Go ahead, say it again—who exactly is the enemy agent?"

When Song Qingfeng flew into a rage, not a soul dared to interrupt.

Even Liu Guangmin felt his scalp prickle.

Technically, Liu Guangmin outranked Song Qingfeng, but Song Qingfeng was older, and the two had been through life and death together for years, sworn brothers. Though Liu Guangmin was the superior, in private Song Qingfeng was his elder brother, and the two never stood on ceremony—a fact well known throughout the district.

Especially now, seeing Song Qingfeng genuinely angry, Liu Guangmin had no choice but to placate him.

"Ah, Commander Song, look at you, getting worked up over nothing. You’re still recovering—why get so upset?"

He continued, "I never said anyone in your family was one of those... it’s just that a report came in from the public. We can’t just ignore it. This is no trivial matter, which is why I sent Xiao Li to fetch you right away. I don’t want to wrong an innocent person!"

"What’s this about not wronging the innocent!" Song Qingfeng’s face was livid. "Spreading wild accusations with no evidence, letting people go about with loose tongues—this is nothing but unwarranted humiliation!"

Off to the side, Xiao Li thought: Am I the loose tongue?

Song Qingfeng caught his expression and shot him a look. "I don’t mean you! I’m talking about those with ulterior motives!"

With that, Song Qingfeng’s gaze settled squarely on Yuan Tianqing’s face.