Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

at this time,

The atmosphere in Xiao Huai'an's study in the Xiao family compound was unusually tense. Xiao Zhan sat opposite Xiao Huai'an, with a tea table between them. Ever since Xiao Zhan arrived, the grandfather and grandson had been in this opposing position.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as a state of hostility.

In fact, Xiao Huai'an had known this day would come for a long time, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.

Then Xiao Huai'an looked at Xiao Zhan with his deep, sharp eyes and said, "What do you think I should do?"

"Thud!"

Xiao Zhan lit a cigarette; the ashtray in front of him was already overflowing with cigarette butts.

"call…."

After exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, Xiao Zhan said, "To be honest, there's no better way than what I just told you. You can only do as I just said."

"Because in the world of power, the most deadly rule is the deceptive nature of appearances. A tiger will retract its claws before it pounces, and a python will be silent when it strangles. Your mortal enemies have already collected evidence of your illegal and disorderly conduct, so you must make a choice before they attack you, so that their punches will be as powerless as hitting cotton."

It turns out that the grandfather and grandson were discussing the life and death of the Xiao family. What seemed like an ordinary conversation was quietly evolving into a huge conspiracy vortex under the intertwining of power and money.

Xiao Huai'an looked at Xiao Zhan in front of him quietly. Before, he did not know that under Xiao Zhan's most simple disguise, there was a powerful force that was enough to overturn his entire game.

However, at this moment, a storm is brewing.

Xiao Huai'an served in the military for decades, went to the battlefield, and experienced countless life-and-death situations. In peacetime, he devoted himself to the country and the army until his death. This made him well aware of all the ugly phenomena and deceit in officialdom. With his accurate grasp of the overall data in the capital and his profound insight into the advantages and disadvantages behind high-level decisions, he could see things more clearly and accurately than those experts who specialize in studying politics.

However, things didn't go as he expected. If Xiao Zhan hadn't suddenly come back to find him, he would have been completely unaware of all the storms surrounding him.

so horrible.

too frightening.

At this moment, Xiao Huai'an even felt like he had survived a disaster. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Recently, the international situation has been turbulent and the surrounding environment has become tense again. Several key projects of our country in the southeast coastal area are facing considerable external pressure. If I choose to withdraw at this time, the core of these projects will fall into the hands of others due to special circumstances, which will be even more detrimental to me and the Xiao family."

What are your plans?

The "external pressure" and "special circumstances" that Xiao Huai'an mentioned refer to sensitive issues and information trends that only veteran cadres at his level can access. They are also an important part of his secret strategy in Southeast Asia over the years.

Xiao Zhan said calmly and confidently, "Grandpa, I have already secretly taken over all of this, so you can rest assured."

Xiao Huai'an felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at his eldest grandson, who remained calm and composed, he suddenly felt a profound sense of estrangement.

He suddenly realized that he, and indeed the entire Xiao family, might have seriously underestimated Xiao Zhan's strength and acting skills.

Who exactly is Xiao Zhan working for?

What kind of power does he represent?

Xiao Huai'an dared not imagine any further.

Perhaps due to excessive smoking, he asked in a hoarse voice, "And how can you prove that everything is under your control?"

Xiao Zhan knew this was a sign that the old man was still not giving up.

"Sizzle!"

Xiao Zhan opened his briefcase and took out a black folder. The folder cover had no words on it, only a fierce and majestic dragon head emblem embroidered with gold thread.

The moment Xiao Huai'an saw the badge, he swayed uncontrollably as if struck by lightning, and his mind went completely blank. Fortunately, he was sitting on the sofa, and even so, he managed to grab the armrest in time.

Xiao Huai'an certainly recognized the badge!

This is the symbol of the country's highest security decision-making body, representing the country's most core and top-secret power!

Xiao Zhan lifted his buttocks, leaned forward slightly, and handed the folder to Xiao Huai'an, saying in a deep voice, "Grandpa, this is the 3S-level secret order, Dragon Shield Project."

Did Xiao Huai'an hear the S-level secret order?

Project Dragon Shield?

My brain went blank for a moment.

How is that possible?

I must be dreaming!

Is Xiao Zhan acting with himself?

However, the murderous aura and oppressive force emanating from Xiao Zhan at this moment, like a raging torrent, ruthlessly told Xiao Huai'an that the Dragon Shield Project he saw in his hand was real.

Xiao Huai'an opened the folder with trembling hands, read the contents of the file, gently closed the folder, closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment, before handing the folder to Xiao Zhan with both hands.

He didn't just respect Xiao Zhan; he had immense respect for the Dragon Shield Project.

Decades of military service have taught Xiao Huai'an how difficult and dangerous the Dragon Shield Project, which Xiao Zhan was carrying out, truly was.

Xiao Zhan put away the folder and said, "Grandpa, only in this way can I ensure your safety and allow you to enjoy your remaining years in peace."

Xiao Huai'an frowned and asked, "What about Uncle Yu?"

Yu Bo had followed him through thick and thin for decades, and was long since his brother, family, and comrade-in-arms who would never abandon him.

Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, "Some things have to be taken the blame by someone. Deng Zhi is a dying man, so all the blame is being placed on you. I have tried my best to mediate."

Xiao Huai'an's thick, white eyebrows twitched incessantly as he said in a deep voice, "No, if anyone has to take the blame, it'll be me. Uncle Yu was just following my orders. I won't let him take the blame alone, not now, and not in the future."

Xiao Huai'an's tone was firm and left no room for negotiation.

He paused and continued, "Yu Bo and I have deep feelings for the country and the army, and our loyalty is beyond question. It's just that environmental factors caused our plan to be too extreme in the process of execution, but our starting point was good."

"I, Xiao Huai'an, will bear the responsibility for the mistakes alone. This is my final request to the country, the organization, and the people."

To be honest, when Xiao Zhan heard his grandfather say those words, he felt an urge to burst into tears…

But he knew he couldn't let his emotions get the better of him at this moment; he had to follow the plan. Otherwise, it would affect the execution of the subsequent plans, and his opponent would seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.

Xiao Zhan said in a deep voice, "I knew you wouldn't want to. If you were to take responsibility, the consequences would be too great if the matter were to be leaked. After all, your identity is not ordinary, and I am currently at the forefront of the storm. If I'm not careful, I could become the target of everyone's criticism, and then there would be no room for maneuver."

"Take off!"

Xiao Huai'an suddenly stood up, his face dark, and said, "No, we can't let Uncle Yu take the blame. It's not fair to him. All the decisions were made by me and have nothing to do with him."

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the study door was pushed open with a thud, and Uncle Yu strode in, pistol in hand…